FAQ

What is voice over?

Voice over is the spoken word in the audio portion of any of the following:
  • TV commercials / RADIO commercials (broadcast & streaming)
  • Audio Books
  • Voices of toys
  • Video Games
  • Point of purchase (Gas stations, behind registers, In-store announcements, etc.)
  • Museums / Amusement parks
  • Animated TV series / Animated feature films
  • Webisodes / Mobisodes
  • Training videos / Manuals
  • Website voices / DVD Bonus Content
  • Movie ADR / Looping
  • Movie / TV walla
  • Animatics
  • Telephone on-hold messages
  • Airport PSA / In-flight announcements
  • Transportation safety announcements
  • Automobile audio / GPS
  • Augmented Reality (A/R)
  • TV shows
  • Online streaming videos
  • Websites
  • Online ads, like Google Ads
  • Pre-roll ads

How does an actor secure voice over work?

Producers looking for talent will either:

1. Contact the agents directly, by sending out a "breakdown" of the type of voice that they are looking for (agents record auditions or supply voice over reference tapes to sell the appropriate candidate),

2. Hire a casting company, such as Kalmenson & Kalmenson, to audition the best of the best from a variety of talent agencies,

3. Listen to the talent agent's "house demo reels" (a compilation of 1 minute audio references of each of the actors they represent),

4. Review the actor's voice over demo reel directly, and/or

5. Rehire reliable talent they have worked with in the past.

What is a voice over demo?

Your demo is your calling card as a voice over actor. It is the audio equivalent of an actor's head shot, and therefore it is critical that the demo represent the essence of who you are, so that a prospective buyer knows, just by listening, about your vocal quality, age, attitude, style and personality. Your voice over demo should run about one minute and reflect your "signature" (your specialty) which is the most natural arena of performance for you, the actor, and the most effective category for a casting director's consideration.

How competitive is the voice over business?

Like any form of acting, voice over is extremely competitive, particularly in Los Angeles. Because it is such a major market, and because so much of the nation's voice over work is done from this city, there is more competition here than anywhere else in the world.

Even voice over actors who have worked regularly in smaller markets need to be in top form to be competitive in Los Angeles.

For that reason, it is critical to have training in the techniques and business practices in order to have a realistic chance of booking work.