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Written by Bettye Zoller   
Saturday, 07 July 2007 03:54

Are you thinking of beginning a voiceover career either full- or part-time? Are you a broadcaster or former broadcast voice looking for a way to get back into the voiceover industry? Are you a voiceover talent now but your career seems to be "stalled?" The best first-start is to attend a voiceover workshop. Each year, I present several seminars in Dallas and other U.S. cities.  What's more, I accept invitations to serve as a "guest professor" at universities and colleges. I book far in advance when travelling. Always consult this website for my complete itinery of workshops and teaching engagements. And I welcome your invitations to teach and speak!

The voiceover industry is growing at an exponential rate. Some people liken the rapid growth of the voiceover industry to the desktop publishing revolution of a decade or so ago. Then, like now, many believed they could take the printing and publishing world by storm, only to find out they should have left that to the trained professionals! It's the same today.

We live in a "talking world" (web sites, toys, telephone messaging, commercials, video-film narrations, hundreds of cable TV channels, audio books, video games, CD-ROMs, training presentations for corporations, podcasting, videogames, anime, internet radio stations, kiosks in malls and airports, earphone museum tours, and so much more!).

The internet has completely changed this industry too! Digital at-home recording via home computer is so easy now with recording softwear. All you really need is a high quality microphone and a program, soundproofing,  a pre-amp of some kind, and a couple of other "enhancements" to your computer to get started. Of course, building a recording studio around your in-home computer or laptop is a "work in progress" that you'll want to continually improve (just as is your voiceover career!). But through the "magic" of the internet, we now can voice projects worldwide!

NATURAL IS "IN." PHONY IS "OUT!"

People ask, "Is my voice suitable for voiceovers?" The answer: "If you speak well with good articulation (most of the time) and a steady vocal tone, your voice probably is suitable. Speech disorders and abnormalities probably mean this profession is not for you. A keen sense of hearing and good eyesight also is needed. All  voices are not suitable in today's world, but unique is always good. Cookie cutter is bad.  Phony announcer voices and delivery are as passe as yesterday's newspaper. Even if your voice is "quirky" or  some would say, "odd sounding," you may have a fantastic career in voiceover work. You may be suited for anime or cartoon voice work. Go for it! Every voice is unique, as individual as a fingerprint. That's why we like to call it a "voiceprint."

Last Updated on Sunday, 23 August 2009 15:43
 
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