Unsure how to choose the best voice actor for your project? First of all, here’s some context. Let’s say you’re a young producer/director and you’ve just finished editing your first audiovisual production. You’re thrilled. The package looks stunning. All that’s left is finding the perfect voice actor to add that breath of life to it.
Suddenly you’re in a quandary as you sit staring at your laptop screen: who should you hire? What seemed so simple is suddenly confusing—even intimidating—given the multitude of choices on Voice123.
Actually, the voice over casting process is pretty similar to that of on-camera casting. Furthermore, you shouldn’t forget that Voice123 has a wonderfully informative Help Center. The information available will steer you over the bumps you may encounter along the way. Alternatively, Voice123’s Customer Success team is second to none and you can contact them directly.
With all that said, there are some important considerations to keep in mind regarding how to choose the best voice actor for your project. It’ll certainly speed up the process and get you where you want to be if you know what you want. Here are six useful tips to help you:
1. Know your script
First and foremost, you need to know the essence of your script. What is it that you want to convey to your audience? How do you want them to feel? What kind of a voice does your video demand—young or old, male or female?
You need to answer these questions about your script before hiring a voice actor for your project. Depending on the topic you are covering and the audience you are targeting, you need to choose a voice that not only does justice to the content, but engages your audience.
2. Know their experience level
If your project is close to your heart and you’re picky, work with a pro who knows the industry, what’s current, and what type of presentation works well. Choose someone who knows the technicalities involved in the job.
Voice123’s professional voice actors are not only experienced, they’re well-trained. This is something that’s of utmost importance for creating an impactful piece of content. Again, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider hiring someone less experienced. Hiring a newbie can be very rewarding!
3. Know your characters
Does your script call for a straightforward read, or will the voice actor have to get into character? Besides his or her experience level, you should also know whether the voice actor you intend hiring can interpret the script correctly.
Voice123 has the best search functionality in the industry, so you can enter search terms into the search bar that correspond with the feel you’re looking for.
Unless you’re pressed for time, request custom auditions from several actors. You can then make a decision based on the results you receive.
If, for example, you are creating eLearning material aimed at children in middle school. For your content to be more relatable to your audience, you must choose a voice actor who can relate. Define your character’s unique voice and then choose a voice that narrates your script accordingly.
4. Know the accent and the dialect
People often forget the fact that the world is made up of folks whose style and diction differ. While English may be the most common lingua franca, it’s spoken very differently in Scotland than in the US!
Besides the accent, there could be changes in vocabulary usage too. So, you need to know the region of your target audience and their linguistic capabilities. Always choose an actor who speaks in the dialect of your target audience so that your message is instantly relatable.
5. Budget your project properly
In pursuit of success, it’s always smart to make decisions that your pocket allows you to make. Irrespective of the project you have undertaken, you need to have a clear budget in mind. Your budget will also determine the kind of voice over actor you can afford. If you have a shoestring budget, hiring the best ones may be difficult. Consequently, f you’re operating on a flexible budget, hire a professional voice actor who can deliver without unnecessary fuss.
6. Look at confidence
When choosing a voice over actor, it’s not enough to see if they’re good at the job. It’s also important for the person to show some soft skills—something that sets them apart from the many out there.
The voice over is a huge determinant of a video’s success. The person giving the voice has to have confidence in himself or herself. They should feel that they can bring out the essence of the read. They need to understand the character and convey the meaning intended. Timidity and lack of confidence often show in the way a person speaks. Keep a close ear and make sure you choose wisely!
A last word…
The above are only some of many tips on how to choose the best voice actor for your project. These, however, should at least get you up and running in the right direction.
Always remember that a person’s voice is unique and has its own characteristics. It’s pretty subjective, which is why you should give high priority to the voice over. Devote enough time to the casting process so that you find the perfect voice actor for your needs.
And finally, we wish you the greatest success!
