Whether you’re an animator creating a cartoon or an actor performing on stage, voice over is often part of your work. It may be used to create a character or an object in a film or to provide commentary during a production, for example. It can be synchronized with the action taking place on-screen or prerecorded and placed over it, known as asynchronous voice-over.
The main skill in voice over is reading ‘copy’ with a tone and style that matches the piece for which you are recording. For instance, an animation voice actor might aim to sound excited and fit the animation character while a documentary narrator might be more serious and informative.
When writing your script for your voice over, use double-spacing to help your voice actor read more clearly and improve their performance. This is an easy formatting change that can make a big difference in the way your final voice over turns out.
Being inside the booth for hours a day can be isolating, so it’s important to take care of your mental health. Voicing professionals recommend drinking plenty of water, taking regular tea breaks in the studio, and finding ways to connect with other voice actors. They also suggest taking time to meditate and relax between recording sessions. And once you’re done with your recording, don’t forget to edit it! Using Audiate, it’s simple to trim the beginning and end of your audio and reduce any dead space. voice over