Okay – you’ve just received your explainer video from the animator and the graphics are good to go. There’s just one problem: you don’t have the ‘explainer’ part of the explainer. That is, you don’t have the voice over explaining the explainer. Ouch. Now, you can give Mark from marketing a quick call to ask him to give it a shot. You might even try reaching out to that voice actor you hired a few years ago, and hopefully, they’ll still be available. You could even do a search for voice talent for hire. Or, you can post a Voice123 casting project for free and get awesome auditions from professional voice talent.
‘But won’t that take longer?’ We hear you wonder.
The short answer is no. It’ll actually save time, ensure that professional voice talent is on board, and even provide the option to have your ‘explainer’ script read by pros who don’t need you to explain what an explainer is.
So in this post, we’ll guide you through the process of using casting projects to find voice over talent for hire, the key details you need to include when posting a casting project, and what steps to take after choosing the right voice talent for your project.
How to post a casting project on Voice123
Most online platforms follow a similar project-form structure. These forms typically require some basic information to match or invite suitable voice talent. Then, voice over pros submit their online auditions or send through related samples that you can review before making a final selection.
To kick off your casting project on Voice123, you’ll need to post a project. The Voice123 online form will prompt you to complete some necessary information, like:
- Language
- Voice gender
- Voice age
- Budget
- Usage and copyright (optional)
- Script details
- Audition due date
- Length of final recording
Once you add these details and check a few boxes, you’ll be able to review your information, make necessary edits, enable the Voice123 automatic invite system (if you prefer to manually invite voice actors, simply switch off the invite toggle), and click post.
Keep in mind that you can also attach your script to receive custom auditions. If you choose not to attach a script instead of custom recordings, voice actors will then send you related samples of past recordings from their profiles.
To learn more about auditions and samples and how to decide between them, check out our helpful advice on How to choose between custom auditions and related samples.
Important details to include in your casting projects
1. Voice actor requirements
Think of your project description as a recipe. If you miss one vital ingredient, your dish or, in this case, your project will be a flop. That’s why your requirements must be detailed. You can include aspects like language and opt to break it down even further when you select the English – USA and Canada option. It lets you choose from a list of available accents and ethnicities, like Southern US. Next, specify your voice gender; ‘male,’ ‘female,’ or ‘no preference’ to invite both genders, and the voice age option ranges from baby to senior.
2. Money matters
All casting projects offer different budget options. On Voice123, you can set your budget amount and then choose between four options: ‘fixed,’ which is a set amount ‘up to,’ which sets a price range; ‘looking for a quote,’ which allows voice actors to quote you on a project according to industry standards once they factor in usage and recording lifespan; or ‘zero budget.’ If you belong to a non-profit, you’re a student, an NGO, or simply want to practice, you can use this option. Voice123 will invite voice actors who accept your budget options. You can also consult a rate guide like the GVAA for more insight into the voice over industry.
3. Usage and copyright
While this is an optional section, the information it provides describes key project details for voice actors. You can include the recording purpose with options like documentary, advertisement, or audiobook. Next, specify if the recording will be used in paid media. And finally, how long will the audio be used for? Choose from 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. Click on the other box to note a specific time period if your usage will exceed 1 year.
There is also a free field provided, allowing you to write any additional information you wish to accompany the project form.
What happens after choosing a voice talent?
Once you’ve posted your casting project decide on the best voice for your project from the online auditions or related samples you receive. You’ll likely want to move forward with the final recording as soon as possible.
Now, voice actors who submitted their auditions are typically available to record immediately, but you can also contact the voice actor to confirm their availability. Then, go through a quick breakdown of the details to ensure that both sides are on the same page. Key details you can align on together are usage, pricing, payment method, pickups, and deadline. And while most voice actors use contracts or service agreements, you can also use the Voice123 direct booking system to keep everything in one place.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to use live direction to guide a voice actor’s performance. This allows you to make real-time adjustments and suggestions without having back-and-forth conversations. It also avoids the need to have the voice actor re-record multiple times. Most voice actors are already familiar with Source Connect, but Zoom, Skype, or even a phone call works just as well. This virtual direction can help you guide the voice actor to ensure that you receive a final recording by the end of the session.
In conclusion
In the modern age that we call life today, you can find almost anything online, from bread to sneakers and recipes to voice overs, which means you can get your next voice over in just a couple of clicks.
That’s because online casting projects are a walk in the park. They’re quick to post and connect you with professional voice actors in a matter of minutes. Once you finalize your project details, you’re ready to post your casting, listen to auditions or samples, and choose a voice actor. Be sure to align the details, use live direction, and download your final recording.
So, now that you know how to post successful casting projects – may all your future casting projects be successful! And do be sure to post your next project on Voice123. We can’t fully describe the awesome auditions you’ll receive – it’s something you’ll have to hear for yourself!
