VAM 067 | How to Become a Voice Actor
Welcome to episode 67 of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
In this episode I want to explain to you how to become a voice actor. Now, you might think it ironic that it’s taken 67 episodes of this podcast for me to finally address this topic directly. The fact of the matter is that over the last 66 episodes I’ve been doing my best to explain to you what it takes to become a professional voice actor. I’ve shared acting techniques, mindset tips, technical information and extensive interviews with industry insiders
However, even with all those episodes and all that information available, I still get asked the same question by new and aspiring actors: What do I need to do to become a voice actor? My usual response is to tell them to listen to every episode of my podcast from the beginning. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to satisfy some of them. While they do realize the podcast contains useful information, what they really want to know is if there is some “secret” or magic formula for becoming a voice actor. Surely there’s some checklist or a recipe, some guaranteed course of action one can take in order to become a voice actor, isn’t there?
Well, it turns out, there is. There is a simple, straightforward solution to becoming a voice actor. It’s not a checklist or a recipe. It’s a one-step process and I’m going to share it with you in this episode. But prepare yourself. It’s probably not what you’re expecting!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #67 Here (MP3)
That was different. When I saw the title I thought, “Is this a joke? Did you just throw your hands in the air and say fine here it is?” But I thought it was really cool.
“Say it out loud, now. I am NOT a voice actor.”
Me: “I am NOT a voice actohmygodIfeelsohorrible.” <I'm serious. That's what I said.
Thank you for your time and wisdom. This episode was…interesting.
I’m glad you found it… interesting. I’m also glad you found the exercise so enlightening.
im not done with my website yet so if you go to it its going to look really low key, anyways I wanted to say how much inspiration you are for me, ever since I heard about you, and took your classes and listening to your podcasts, I cant say how much more confidence I have and also I made up my mind when I took your class. So I wanna say thank you for helping me find my career path and how much I love your podcasts I used to be scared of saying I AM A VOICE ACTOR now I have no problem with saying it, lol I go to work and I say it out loud and my co-workers look at me and say what’s wrong with you hahaha I explained it to them and they love it haha :)anyways thank you very much teach. your student: david
You’re very welcome David! I’m honored that you’ve found my classes and podcast so inspiring! That is the high praise indeed and any teacher loves hearing how they have uplifted their students. Thank you.
I almost felt like a Jedi while listening to this! Like when Alderan was blown up, I could hear the voices of all the listeners groan in unison when the answer was given, then were silenced when you explained it. But then there was cheering after and nobody got blown up while listening to this episode, so it’s all good!
It felt like I was taking a sledge hammer to the gut when I told myself I wasn’t a voice actor. I always knew the mind was a powerful thing, it’s good to be reminded!
“That’s good. You’ve taken your first step into a larger world.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Hahaha! Does this make me your padawan then?
Totally up to you! 🙂
Another great episode! Thank you for the inspirational advice Crispin: I definitely needed this change in my mindset. I wish you continued success with the podcast and look forward to the next episode.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the episode.
This episode was just so inspiring and yet truly terrifying…when I said, “I am not a voice actor”, I just instantaneously said, “eww”. I felt icky and non-driven, that I don’t have a single care in the world about being a voice actor, but when I said out loud that, “I AM A VOICE ACTOR” I felt like I can take on the world with that saying alone. I felt confidence, passion, excitement when I can say out loud that I AM A VOICE ACTOR!!!!
I want to say thanks Crispin. You got my inspiration juices flowing. I can tell you right after I finish typing this message, I’m going to continue exercising my voice so I can more prepared when I take Voice-over classes.
Thanks for this wonderful podcast, and I’ll see you in the next episode!!
You’re very welcome. I’m glad the episode gave you so much inspiration! Go forth and be brilliant.
When I said “I am not a voice actor”, I literally said “Oh my god, I feel so lost…” Like I was in a dense fog just feeling out air.
But when I said “I am a voice actor”, I finally got my identity back. What I worked so hard for was back. I never want to let it go again. That was scary.
So simple, yet so powerful. Dang, Crispin, you know exactly what to say to make me work again. Thank you.
Also another tidbit of advice I received that might prove useful to others: It takes only 10,000 hours to go from a complete novice to seasoned master at any skill. 10,000 hours. A year and a half’s time if you studied it 8 hours a day. That’s it.
Thank you for this podcast. Might be #67, but better late than never.
~ Kalyn
I’m so glad you found the exercise enlightening. I thought it might have an effect on my listeners. I’m glad to hear I was right.
I have heard of that 10,000 hours metric. I believe it comes from one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books. Thanks for sharing.
This should have been the very first podcast, in my opinion. Ive constantly told my friends, I WILL become a voice actor! Yet now, after listening to this podcast, I AM a voice actor!
I eagerly await for your next podcast, Mr. Freeman.
In my opinion, if I had started with this podcast, people would not have been ready to hear it. Most of what I was being asked when I started the podcast was a “to do list” and I wanted to give that to people. It’s only after more than 2 years of podcasting that I finally saw the pattern that was emerging and took a chance on talking about voice acting from this rewriting of beliefs standpoint.
However, I’m glad you enjoyed the episode and I’m glad you didn’t think it was too obtuse or abstract. Thank you for listening.
Hi Crispin!
I’ve caught up from my holiday break and that meant listening to the previous episode, How to Stay Inspired, immediately prior to thi. I felt that this was an excellent companion piece. The day-to-day details can sometimes make the process of VO feel like drudge work because they indirectly support the acting part of the work that I love so well.
Funny how saying a simple thing out loud can create an emotional reaction more clearly than just thinking it…
Thanks again
Flor
You’re very welcome Flor! Hope things are going well for you on the voice over front!
Thank you for another excellent podcast! It is amazing how one’s attitude affects one’s actions.
Best Regards, Phil-octetes 🙂
You’re very welcome Phil! Hope you’re doing well.
OMG! I actually did this a few months ago. A few weeks later a friend of mine sent me a voice acting audition for her brother’s website. I didn’t get the job, but I got an audition nonetheless and it was an awesome experience!
That exercise (I was at work by the way, luckily no one was around!) made me depressed… I literally was about to cry… But then the second part made me wanna leave work early and record something! ANYTHING! (Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that… Money is important…).
Anyways, I actually wanted to get some advice if that’s alright.
So, I decided that this year (call it a New Years resolution or whatever) I want to get new recording equipment, take at least 1 voice acting class (*cough* *cough* yours *cough* *cough*), and take one acting class. I took one at my university and it was an amazing experience!
What I wanted to ask was that my plan is to graduate from my university, save up some money, and move to New York to start my voice acting career. I was planning on joining a website to get jobs that I can do at home as a start-up before going to New York and maybe even while I’m there.
Do you think this is a good plan to follow? Is there anything I should change or get rid of? Do you have any suggestions on how to make this plan better?
Please and thank you in advance and I hope to hear from you soon Crispin! You’re an inspiration to me and I love your podcasts!
Ramen, The One and Only
Hi there Ann Marie. I’m glad you found the episode so inspiring.
Have you listened to all of my podcasts? I’ve got a great one about knowing when you’re ready to move to a new city. I think you’ll find Episodes 16, 17 and 18 very helpful.
You can start working on some aspects of your voice acting career from almost anywhere. Listen to those episodes and you’ll see what I mean.
It is wise to get as much acting experience as you can, taking classes, working on projects (Voice over, theater, film, etc.) and practicing on your own. You cannot have too much acting experience.
Hope that helps.
Unfortunately I haven’t listened to all of them. I’ve been jumping around from one podcast to another. I should probably just go in order.
But I’ll give those podcasts a listen to and knowing you, they’ll be extremely helpful!
Thanks Crispin!
Ramen, The One and Only
You’re welcome.
Hello Mr. Freeman! Thank you for posting this podcast, this really helped me(: I nearly lost confidence of becoming a voice actress but now I feel much better! Thank you 🙂 Your the best!!
You’re very welcome! Glad you found it helpful.
“Be the thing you want to be in your imagination first. Do the things you’re inspired to do, and you can’t help but have the experiences and things you want.”
That’s probably the best advice I’ve ever heard in the entirety of my life. Is it a case of “fake it till you make it”? Like when people tell themselves things in the mirror for 5 minutes a day?
As always, an inspiring and helpful podcast! I’ve listened to it 3 times from start to finish already. Thanks for the replies on Twitter, Crispin. You don’t know how helpful they are to me!
Following one’s inspiration is vitally important.
I don’t necessarily advocate fake it till you make it. If that works for you, fine, but it has not always worked for me. Following one’s inspiration is not about faking anything. It’s about following what you find attractive about your desires. You can’t fake what you desire.
Glad you’re finding the podcast so “inspirational”. 🙂
Would you believe, I’m no better off now than I was in 2014?
I wish I could say it isn’t true, but it is, and I hate it. I just don’t seem to be able to get any momentum; I’ve been following my inspiration and doing things but they haven’t gotten me anywhere.
I mentioned the podcast on a recent tweet, and felt compelled to find my last comment and provide an update; I didn’t realize how much time had passed.
I’m sorry you don’t feel better off than you were in 2014. I don’t know what you mean by getting “momentum”. If you’re dissatisfied with your acting abilities, then you need to take the necessary steps to improve them. Following your inspiration also means being honest with yourself about your current capabilities, what deficiencies you need to address, and then putting in the work necessary to achieve your goals.
Hi Crispin! This podcast was very helpful and inspiring! Thank you 🙂
You’re very welcome! Thanks for listening!
I can already tell I’ll need to bookmark this site and listen through this podcast from the beginning. I’ve done readings and snippets of voicework for essentially kicks, and don’t know about major projects any time soon, but even so, this’ll help me grow tremendously.
After all, even if it just stays as a hobby, or if I get the cojones to decide to pursue a career of it professionally, I AM a voice actor. Just like we said, right?
Thanks, Crispin. You’re awesome.
I’ve found the podcasts helpful for more than just voice acting. It’s a source of inspiration and sound advice in other areas of life for me.
That’s very generous of you to say. I find that when you pursue what fascinates you, you end up learning all sorts of life lessons along the way. Glad you’re enjoying the podcast.
I’m glad you’re finding the website so helpful. I strive very hard to make sure that the podcast is informative. Thanks for listening.
Dear Mr freeman I have been told by three people that voice acting is a something I will never archive that it will always be a dream one of the people was my preacher at my church what should I do should I quit and give up or should I stay strong what would u do please contact me kaylandbowman@gmail.com thank u so much for the podcast its a real help in my life
I’m not sure how to advise you Kayland. I do not know you personally nor do I know your situation.
The authority figures in your life may have good reasons for trying to dissuade you from being a voice actor. Then again they may be totally wrong.
I can’t possibly tell you whether or not you should pursue voice acting as a career. Only you can make that decision. What I can share is what I always try to share in this podcast: the real nuts and bolts of what it takes to be successful as a professional. It takes skill, dedication, a mastery of language, good business instincts and emotional maturity. You’ll need to develop all of those in order to have a chance at being a professional voice actor.
Thank you so much for your help and no matter what anyone ease tells me I want to be just like you the same you wanted to be like gene Kelly I thank you for helping me I am in love with being a voice actor and I hope to be a good as you