How Do I Get Into Voice Acting? • Rebecca Forstadt

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Every successful voice-over actor gets asked the same question over and over from fans and even their local plumber. If you want to know how to get into voice acting, based on my experience as a voice actor for 40 years, here’s my answer.

I don’t have a clue anymore.

But seriously…

When I got started in voiceover 100 years ago, the voice acting business was competitive but strategically located. Although you could get work in most major cities, the main markets were Los Angeles and New York. Later, Vancouver and Texas started seeing action. But, that was about it.

The bulk of my work has been in anime although I’ve done a little of everything over the years. There was a small group of dubbers in LA during the 80s and 90s and every time a project came into town, we were all cast.

The voices for original animation, which is recorded before the animation is drawn, was and still is performed by a very small cadre of talented voice actors. It’s difficult to break in unless you are lucky and extremely talented. The best animation actors are excellent at improvisation. Those who are off the wall and have a flexible voice range work the most.

Anime also requires a special skill. You must be an actor but also have the ability to sync the dialog with a flapping mouth that has already been filmed in another language. The best dubbers have a sense of “rhythm.” The anime genre is much easier for actors than it was when I first started out because of Pro Tools. Now a clip can be stretched to fit the lip flaps so an actor doesn’t have to hit it spot on as we did long ago.

How can I make big bucks in voice acting?

Original animation has always been lucrative because most projects are done under a union contract. Yes, that means you must be a member of SAG-AFTRA. You get paid residuals after a certain amount of runs on air. However, the big bucks is in commercials. One national commercial can send your kid to college or help pay off your mortgage if it runs for a period of time. Regional commercials are buy-outs, but a national is the crème de la crème.

Video games also pay fairly well, but they can ruin your voice if there is a lot of screaming involved. You may not think that’s bad when you’re young but it can really mess you up when you get older.

How do I become “successful” in voice-overs?

Right now the industry is SUPER competitive because much of the work is done online by voice actors who have home studios. You can live in a tiny one-horse town in Kansas, and be successful if you work hard enough. To land a job, you have to be talented AND lucky. Many actors have packed up their bags and moved to Los Angeles to get into voice acting. Do you have any idea how EXPENSIVE it is to live in LA?

You can be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond. Are you sure you want to pack up and move to LA?

I always had better outcomes when I walked into a casting office and did an audition. When I recorded auditions at my agent’s office and they were sent to casting directors, I wasn’t nearly as successful. Can you imagine what it’s like now with thousands of actors emailing their auditions from home? Getting cast is like winning the lottery!

I’ve also noticed swarms of voice actors responding to Twitter threads that are asking them to send links to their reels. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Do you really think you’ll get a decent paying gig that way?

I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer but . . .

Gett into voice acting if you are TRULY passionate about the work, can deal with rejection well, and have sufficient training as an actor. If you only want to do it because you are a fan, good luck!

Do I need a voice over coach?

To be completely honest, I never worked with a voice acting coach other than a one-hour session at the SAG Conservatory and a few singing lessons. Instead, I learned on the job.

I’m not saying hiring a voice coach is bad. The problem is, many of them are overpriced, unqualified, and their main goal is to get you to make a demo reel, which will separate you from a whole bunch of money. An actor’s income is unpredictable, so you have to be careful about what you invest in.

I trained as an actor in theatre starting in high school, all through college, and on stage in Los Angeles where I won awards for outstanding performances. But, what got me work as a voice actor was MY VOICE. I naturally sound like a kid, even in my 60s. An ad posted in a trade magazine was looking for adults with kid voices. I answered it, auditioned, and began my career as a working voice actor.

For 25 years I was signed with a top voice-over agency and they set up my commercial auditions. I booked several including some nationals. However, I got the bulk of my work on my own, through friends I knew in the business. Then, life happened, my agent retired, and I got booted out because their main focus was more on movie promos and not animation.

For a while, I did background voices for films called ADR. There is great money in that and I still get residuals. Some of the films I worked on include ANTZ, The Santa Clause, and Dr. Doolittle. ADR is highly lucrative for people who have an unrecognizable “normal” voice but mine is unique so my opportunities were limited. Sadly, ADR work is not as plentiful as it was before because some of it is automated.

Did you notice I mentioned residuals?

I’ve been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1981. Union membership protects actors from shady producers who want to take advantage of them financially. When I hear about actors doing voice-overs for 5 bucks on Fiverr, I seriously want to barf. The union is not easy to get into and it’s expensive but I’m so proud to be a member. Working non-union undercuts actor’s rates and you get nothing in return for the future.

Did you know you can get into SAG-AFTRA as a social media influencer? Who knew when I took up blogging in 2008 it would become a door to join the union?

What else do I need to make it in voiceovers?

If you want to get into voice acting realize it’s a business. As artsy as you think you are, you have to treat it like one and market yourself. Successful voice actors know how to sell themselves. They get out there and have their voices heard.

Here are some of the things you need to make it in voice acting.

Talent – As I mentioned before, it’s essential to be an actor if you want to be truly successful in voice acting. You can’t just be a fan. Take acting classes, do theatre, sign up for voiceover coaching classes but be very discerning about who is coaching you. Bob Bergen, Kalmanson and Kalmanson, (Cathy used to be one of my agents) & Marc Graue, are a few “legitimate” coaches who come to mind.
Persistence – You need to get your name out there. Meet people, stay in touch with them, call them up if needed, and network. I will be honest and say I SUCK at that.
Have a professional website – This is HUGE now. It wasn’t a thing at all when I started out. In the old days, we mailed out reels, headshots, and resumes, most of which ended up in the trash. The most important part of your social media presence is your website. I created this one by myself because even though I’m a Baby Boomer, I’m tech-savvy. I recommend WordPress. Your website needs to be responsive and mobile-friendly. If you can see the entire thing on your phone, it’s as OLD as ME. Here is how to set up a WordPress website without paying someone zillions of bucks.
Be connected on Social Media – Your website is your online real estate, but you must also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Some people have created their own celebrity by uploading home-produced videos on YouTube, Tic Tok, Reels, or whatever the latest platform is. Use your social media profiles to make connections and don’t rant. (Okay, I got booted off one of my Twitter accounts for ranting – my bad!)
F&^k- P2P – I’m not one to use profanity but I hate the proliferation of “pay to play” sites. When I was coming up as an actor, the Screen Actor’s Guild always warned us, “If anyone asks you to pay to audition, run away as fast as you can.” Charging for auditions is WRONG and most of the work is non-union and underpaid. Those companies are only out to make a buck . . . from YOU.
Have a home studio – I ADORED having an engineer set up my mic and worry about the sound quality so all I had to focus on was my performance. Now YOU have to be an engineer and all those cool engineers are out of work. Many struggling actors do not have a suitable space to work in so you may have to be creative. You need decent equipment and the right software. My home studio is in my closet because I rent a room in a house. Clothing is awesome for sucking up sound. If you can’t afford a fancy booth, set up a space between your sweatpants and your bunny slippers. Then, hope your dog won’t bark or the gardener doesn’t show up when you are recording. In my case, it’s my roommate who watches TV all day in the next room.

Equipment – Smartphones are getting better all the time but they aren’t a replacement for a professional microphone. I use an Audio Technica 2020 condenser mic, a pop filter, Beringer mixer, Sennheiser headset, and record with Audacity, which is free. You will also need Source Connect and it’s supposed to be hard-wired to your Internet. I have Wifi, so I haven’t gone there yet, but I do have Zoom. LOL
Demo reels – Well, they are no longer reels, they are MP3s or WAV files. I’m the first to admit that I need new ones. My demos are ancient. But here’s the deal. You can spend a ton of money on demos, then get an agent, and 99% of the time, they will want you to make new ones to their specifications. If you are just starting out, be careful, and don’t spend money you need to live on until you are ready.
Conventions – A popular anime voice actor once told me the bulk of his income comes from being a guest at anime conventions. Some actors even have convention agents. You get paid to attend as a guest, free airfare, hotel, and per diem. As a guest, you can sell your autographs and other merchandise. The convention will require you to do some panels and sometimes hold a class but often you have time for yourself to explore the city. I have been a guest at several anime conventions but am still working on the marketing end of it. What I love is the free travel and engaging with my fans.

Think about your future because I didn’t

Young actors never think ahead because they are “artists.” I didn’t anyway. But one day you will get old. I now live on Social Security and a small SAG-AFTRA pension in addition to any gigs I get and my blogging business. I shacked up with two cinematographers and they both died of cancer. One worked mostly independent films and didn’t get a pension. The other had a pension that went to his wife who hadn’t lived with him for over 30 years. Artists are idiots when it comes to money.

You have to have a fallback plan and invest in your retirement because if you only work sporadically, as most voice actors do, you will be screwed. You have to contribute to your Social Security account by either working W2 income (in the union) or take it out through your corporation. JUST DO IT!

I became a blogger and affiliate marketer to supplement my income. It gives me the flexibility and it’s fun. I will probably work until I drop. Still, I wish I had thought about my future when I was MUCH younger.

If you have to, take online classes to learn new skills.

Books on voice acting that are worth checking out:

Trade Publications

Voice Over Tips Online

VO Buzz Weekly

You need to have a life

Young actors are always so passionate about “the work” but there is life aside from acting. I have two kids who are now adults, love to travel, have hobbies, am a blogger, and enjoy dogs (although I am dogless at the moment) Do whatever it is that sparks an interest in you in addition to acting. It’s not the end-all, be-all of life. Become a whole and interesting person and not just a workaholic. The truth is, working as an actor or voice actor can be brutal to your ego and you can age out even in voice-acting. Enjoy life and have fun!

Not sure about becoming a voice actor? Start a podcast and see how you like it.

If you have questions about voice acting follow me on Twitter @rebeccaforstadt or email me at rebecca@rebeccaforstadt.com