Top 10 Mistakes New Voice Actors Make
…And How to Fix ‘Em!
Oh – hey there, future voiceover superstar!
First of all, I see you. You’ve got the voice, the passion, and you really want to do this! I applaud you for following your heart, but before you throw yourself into the VO ring (or worse – send out a home-grown demo that really impressed your grandma), let’s talk.
As the creator of The Voice Actors Studio in Las Vegas – we’ve helped countless aspiring voice actors go from “I think I can do this” to “OMG, I totally booked that!”
So if you’d like to avoid some common VO faceplants, read on.
The Top 10 Newbie Mistakes (And How to Avoid ‘Em)!
1. Mic Technique – Or Lack Thereof
Talking too closely? Too far away? Popping your p’s like popcorn? Let’s fix that. Mic technique is part art, part science, and a very big part awareness. Learn how to use your microphone for the tool that it is. We have training for that. Take your mic technique seriously. It matters.
2. Overacting (When You Shouldn’t)
Yes, voice actors act, but not everything we perform sounds like an over-the-top-animated-1980’s-DJ. Learn when to dial it up and when to just sound like a real human with bills to pay. New talent need to see tons of copy to understand the differences between when less is more and when more is more. And no matter the size of your performance, nothing beats authenticity.
3. Ignoring Your Director
So, you’re in a live, directed session and the client says “please read conversationally with a subtle wink,” and you give them full Shakespeare. Learning how to receive and apply direction is a must have super-skill for every voice actor. Flex your performance muscles by training with experienced coaches. At TVAS our Ongoing Workshops are simulations of what you can expect when working with clients and producers in the real world. We learn by doing… over and over.
4. Using Gear from 1997
If your mic came free with a board game or your closet booth sounds like an echo chamber – that’s a problem. Good gear doesn’t have to be super expensive, just good quality. And wearing your Madonna headset mic isn’t going to cut it, so educate yourself on your gear and tech with our very own audio guru, John McClain. John leads amazing tech workshops here at TVAS, and he even offers home studio visits – virtually or in person if you live in the Las Vegas area.
5. Abusing Your Voice
Your voice is your instrument – baby it! Whether you’re inside your booth crafting an intensely demanding original character or you’re at a concert whooping it up with friends, never do anything that hurts your voice. Being a pro voice actor means caring for your voice, staying well rested and hydrated, and warming up before pushing your vocal boundaries.
6. The One-Size-Fits-All Audition
In many workshops I lead, I often call this approach the “Johnny One Read.” What I mean by this is: some talent have one performance style they default to because it’s in their comfort zone. They have way more range to tap into, however they don’t unless they’re pushed to. Sometimes they’re unaware that they have the same ole go-to performance. When self-directing auditions from home, we’re alone – no coach challenging us or helping us think through our decisions. So it’s important to be mindful of honoring each script and character uniquely. Give it what it needs – don’t play it safe.
7. Treating VO Like a Hobby (But Expecting Pro Results)
There’s absolutely no shame in starting small and cautiously, but if you’re not treating VO like a business, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t pay like one. Many aspiring talent romanticize what they think voice acting is – focusing only on the fun parts. To find success as a working voice actor it’s important to be well rounded in performance, tech, marketing, and business. And we teach all of that here at TVAS.
8. The Comparison Trap
Your voice print and perspective are 100% uniquely you. Let’s celebrate that! You bring something completely different to the performance party that no one else can. Always remember, someone is looking for YOU, so don’t try to be someone else.
9. Skipping Training
Voice acting is a specialized skill set. There’s a lot to know. So many people who are new to the scene think it’s all about “having a great voice,” and I’m here to tell you it’s so much more than that. The actual sound of your voice is such a small part of a much larger picture. The voice buyers who hire talent actually expect the talent they hire to know what they’re doing. They’re paying for a professional product/service, and it happens to be you. So getting professional training will prepare you for everything you need to know that happens in the real world of voice acting.
10. The Premature Demo Drop
Demos are your #1 marketing tool – not your “eh, close enough.” Don’t record a demo before you’re ready. Seriously. This is one of the most serious VO Don’ts out there. Anyone who trains at TVAS knows I won’t produce a demo for a talent until I know they’re truly ready. This means you’ve put a lot of work into your craft, your self-direction skills are sound, and you’re ready to launch yourself and begin auditioning like a pro and booking work.
So the overarching message here is – if you really want to find success in voice acting, take your time and do it right. No fast-tracks. No shortcuts. No “but I do a really great SpongeBob impression!” Do the work. Build your chops. And then – go get ’em.
