Every actor questions what work style will suit them best in the field.
While there are innumerable on-camera parts you can look to audition for, you may want to consider becoming a voice actor, especially if you prefer to lend your vocal abilities to being fully on screen.
This is especially alluring if you are hoping for an acting career in the film field but wish to keep your anonymity intact.
The world of voice acting is not limited to a specific type of project, either.
You can take part in various awesome projects, including video games, TV shows, and more, and there are many casting calls for this field. You may even become famous for voicing specific characters one day!
So, now you may be wondering how to get started and how to begin auditioning for voice acting parts. New actors are increasingly necessary as we move towards a world surrounded by media and social media.
This article will help you navigate this road by analyzing the steps to audition for a vocal casting call.
How To Receive Auditions for Voice Acting
Submitting yourself for roles in the voice acting atmosphere is easier than you think, and there are many legitimate ways to do it.
One method available for you to start getting auditions is by working with talent agencies in your area.
Please note that these do not cost money up front and are by submission only (if a company states otherwise, or if they ask for personal information that is a danger to give out, they are not legitimate).
Looking on the SAG-AFTRA website is extremely helpful for finding these companies and is a free option to submit to these agencies.
You might also like Disney Voice Acting Auditions – How & Where.
Working with an Agency
If you work with an agency, they are looking for roles for you, which is one less worry on your end.
Being hired by an agency provides you with talent agents who send auditions that are curated for you and your demographic.
Many of these businesses have a sector of voice actors, where you can receive primarily vocal auditions.
An agency also connects you with a broader group of talented actors like yourself. This is a great way to help you connect and get more roles later.
Working with professional agencies is the best way to get real voice acting work.
How to find Voice Acting Auditions without an Agency
However, if you are not looking to work with a talent agent and are searching for another way to get started, there are websites, such as Backstage or IMDb Pro, that post audition notices.
Check out this article on the best acting audition websites.
These allow you to work with writers and directors from all over the world. Please note that most of these require a subscription fee, even if there is a public casting call for the roles.
How to Get the Attention of Casting Directors
You will need to build your skills for casting directors to start noticing your vocal talents and for you to be hired by potential clients.
There are many talented voice actors, so you must show what makes you different in your voice talent.
Start working on a good demo reel
You must start working on a demo reel to stand out for these roles.
Demo reels are snippets of your best work to attract casting directors to your talent and abilities. Once you accumulate voice acting parts, you can update your reel.
A demo reel is easy to record and showcases who you are, how you work, and what you prioritize in your acting skills. This will allow the directors to find the role best suited for you.
I recommend you read Where to Find Voice Acting Prompts To Practice Your Skills, an excellent resource for finding practice scripts.
Create a website for yourself. You are your Brand!
It is also a good idea to put together a website to put this video link on to make yourself even more marketable.
This will also provide directors with additional information about you as a professional to decide if you are the best voice actor for the part.
Many voice acting roles require a reel submission and will help the directors thin the pool regarding how many submissions will be considered for the role.
What Happens During An Audition
When you throw your hat in the ring and try out for a voice acting role, you will receive audition instructions and what are called sides from whatever company, director, or producer you are collaborating with.
Sides are small excerpts of the material’s script with specific audition lines to work with when you film the audition.
The audition will usually come with pay rates from the casting director so you can figure out if the role is worth it to you financially.
The Submission Tape
If you have an agency you go through, chances are you have an audition studio to film your submission tape with.
If that is the case, you will go to the address provided on your audition notice to try out.
If you are doing this solo or are submitting far away from the agency’s studio, you can do a self-tape and submit that to the casting director.
In recording your audition, you will work with the sides provided.
Casting directors focus on your line delivery and the story you tell within those lines, so it is crucial to prepare beforehand by analyzing the sides.
Sometimes, the sides come with specific instructions on how to say lines and what to add when (such as a laugh, a gasp, or another sound conveying a particular emotion).
Read any material from the director or agency thoroughly to avoid missing these instructions.
A bit on self-taping
If you are self-taping, ensure you have a solid camera set-up and sound equipment that captures your voice well.
This article has some good camera choices for the beginner filmmaker, but you can just as easily start with your phone.
If you live in a louder environment, go to a quiet place and record there.
Also, remember to record in a room without too much reverb, as it muddies the voice, or at least shoot with a Lavalier or shotgun microphone.
In this article, you can learn how to record good voice-over audio.
And in this article, you can read more about using natural light to get better-looking video recordings. Otherwise, a ring light is an excellent choice for a simple lighting setup with great results.
Remember to be confident in yourself and your abilities- you have this audition for a reason, and bring something unique to the table that the casting directors might be looking for.
Next Steps in the Audition Process – The Callback
If your taped audition is something the directors like, it is possible that they will ask you to do a callback.
A callback is essentially a second chance to show the creative team why you are the best choice for a part.
Callbacks can be in person or remotely, but they require meeting those behind the work you are auditioning for, so it will be a live audition. This helps to see if you are a good fit for them and if they are a good fit for you.
Usually, you will want to wear the same outfit you wore in the original taped video.
This is to give a memory recall to the casting group and help them place your audition- remember that they have watched a multitude of them.
It is also encouraged to keep your audition the same regarding how you said lines the first time.
The callback is to narrow actors down and make the casting decision, not for you to change your original submission, so it is important not to make drastic changes to your vocal performance unless told otherwise.
What happens after the Callback
Once the callback has occurred, you only need to wait to hear from the casting directors.
Once cast, you will receive details on dates to come into the studio and record your lines.
Voice acting can be enjoyable and an amazing creative outlet.
Remember to put your best foot forward, show off your specific skill set, and keep auditioning!
If you enjoyed this article, you should also read this guide on how to start voice acting.
