HOW TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD
What does it take to break into the American voiceover market? It’s tough and you will be competing with a global talent pool − not to mention doing it from more than 12,000km away − but don’t let that put you off, writes Everett Oliver, a veteran of more than three decades in the industry.
You are a unique talent, with a unique voice, and everyone is looking for unique these days. Here are a few tips and useful traits to give you the best chance of booking in the United States.
DETERMINATION
A positive mindset will help you achieve a positive outcome. You will face obstacles and be told ‘no’, but your determination will enable you to persevere. It all starts here.
PLANNING
Creating a vision and forming a plan is critical to your success, and your best bet is to find a reputable voice-acting coach/mentor to guide you. They will assist you to connect with the right people in the US industry, helping to assess your talent and create a plan for success. Then it’s up to you to put in the work to get noticed.
There is no better way to plug yourself into the American market than to have someone who is already there supporting you. Start with the voiceoverresourceguide.com which has listings of all the agents, casting services, demo producers, SAG-AFTRA contact information, training/technology and recording studios.
TENACITY
Are you knocking down doors to reach top notch professionals in the US? My advice would be to train with everyone you get in contact with. Each person’s teaching style is different, but you will learn from them all. Not only is this important for getting a broad understanding of the industry and the different styles used, but it is also going to help you with your plan. Use these classes and sessions to figure out who is the best person to put you in a position to be hired, or at least get you noticed. You are looking for someone who is going to tell you the truth and not give you false hope. If they are trying to sell you classes with a demo production at the end, they aren’t selling you success.
TALENT
Are you good enough and not just adequate? You are competing against the best voice acting professionals from around the world. You must be at the top of your game and that means being relevant in today’s market. If you haven’t taken acting or improv classes, you are behind. It’s called voice acting — you are an actor first, a voice second — so sharpen your performing skills. At the end of the day, you can have an average voice, but with A+ acting skills you will book in America. If you are going to compete in America, remember that you aren’t an Australian/New Zealand voice actor, you are a voice actor who happens to be an Aussie or Kiwi. If you are using an American accent, it has to be flawless. You’ll be competing with homegrown actors and to hold your own, you’re going to have to be indistinguishable from a native speaker. If you’re submitting an audition, perhaps do one take with an American accent and one with your native accent.
KNOW-HOW
Do your research. What are the current commercial trends? Google the top commercials running in the US and listen. What is the style? What is the pacing? Do they sound natural and organic or like a radio voice? Pay attention to the acting styles, as commercials trends change every three to six months. Do the same for gaming and animation. Watch and listen to hear what the market wants.
In the gaming world, casting directors are looking for the deeper emotional connection in your performances. In animation, the majority of shows are not cartoony anymore, so they are looking for actors who bring their individual personalities to the roles, as well as improvisation in a quick, timely matter. Finding a mentor and taking classes will expose you to what is current and trending.
MARKETABILITY
Putting yourself out there on social media platforms will get you hired. Direct marketing has been working for many voice acting talents, as well. Casting directors and producers look for actors on their various social postings, so connect with talent in the US via social media. Comment, ask questions, be supportive, build your US brand. You will find that voice actors in America are very supportive; it is one big family. Get active, market yourself, and join the family.
FLEXIBILITY
If you are trying to break into the US industry because you want to be the voice of the next great anime, your career is going to be a tough one. Don’t paint yourself into a corner. Sure, there is anime work to be had, but there is also gaming, commercials, promo, eBooks, eLearning, medical, industrial, erotica… the list goes on. Where you hope to be may not be where you end up, but if you want to get your foot in the door and accumulate some credits, you have to be flexible. You may be surprised at where your talent fits in, and anything and everything you book is a positive step to success.
PATIENCE
This is going to take time. Let it. This doesn’t mean you should slow down and take it easy, but give yourself some grace. There will be ups and downs but put in the work, be patient and you will find success. The US market is waiting for you.
Everett Oliver has been working in the voiceover industry in Los Angeles for more than three decades on animated primetime hits including The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Men in Black, Jackie Chan Adventures, Hellboy and X-Men: Evolution, to name just a few. In addition, he has worked with animation industry titans such as Disney, Columbia Tri-Star and Film Roman/Starz. One of the most valuable experiences that Everett brings to the table is his time as a booth director at an LA-based talent agency. As an international voice director, he covers voiceover casting, talent management and performance directing.
