Voice Acting- A Job For Creative People With Recording Experience

Voice actors are essentially actors who record speech for films. Most often in foreign films, they are used to dub over the original speech and translate it into their native language (e.g. German). But voice actors aren’t just used to dub films, but also to add speech and reactions to animated films or computer games.

Can anyone become a voice actor?

Voice actors are usually professional, trained actors because they have acting experience and are normally native speakers of the target language. This makes it easier to fully understand the characters in the script . It is difficult for non-professionals to achieve the specific tone that is required in the recording room, so new or young actors rarely get work as voice actors.

How do you become a voice actor?

Becoming a voice actor starts with training at an academy, college or drama school. Sometimes you can even find specific degree programmes that are tailored to voice acting. Alternatively, you could also find a voice acting course/workshop after you’ve finished your studies.

What’s daily life like for voice actors?

It is rare that voice actors will actually work with a pre-prepared script- speaking freely sounds more natural and real! When recording, they perform standing up which allows them to freely use gesture and movements. While the movement won’t be seen on screen, it helps them to develop their character and improve their vocal performance- this happens in all different types of films and commercials ! In voice acting, there are individual roles for one person and group roles for multiple voice actors. Group roles include up to six people who work together to record background noises like mumblings or laughter. These roles are common for new or beginner voice actors.

How much do voice actors earn?

Income is very dependent in this industry; because voice acting is a generally freelance career, you are paid per film, episode or recorded scene . For a normal film in cinemas, it’s common to be paid around 2000 euros, but this always depends on how much experience you have and your level of recognition. Because more and more international films and series are being released in Germany, there is an increasingly high demand for voice actors in both individual and group roles.

The versatility of voice acting

It is not only foreign film productions , but also commercials that can be dubbed, even when they’re not in a foreign language. Sometimes the screen actors are unprofessional or untrained actors or their voice doesn’t match the tone of the production. In these cases, professional voice actors will record the speech after the filming is complete- their voices often sound more sonorous in a recording studio . Concentrating on image and voice separately also speeds up the production process. Being a voice actor offers challenging, varied and creative work. The opportunities to dub famous actors and new international films make it a rewarding and exciting career.

How do voice actors find work?

Most voice actors start out by doing group roles but if you show that you are talented and professional in these group roles, you will start getting small individual roles.The leads are played by well-known or more experienced voice actors because they are more challenging and strenuous roles.

starboxx can find voice acting work for you!

At starboxx we help to find roles for both experienced voice actors and newcomers to the industry. You can register with starboxx free of charge at any time- we look forward to meeting you!