Voice-over Artist (voice-over artist) is a professional who narrates documentaries, and corporate videos from product use to joint venture presentations, from safety videos to form cell phone prompts and TV serial intros and recaps, and radio commercials. In simple words, a voice-over artist converts the written words to audio. They just need to sit in front of a microphone, say some words and get an enviable remuneration.
It is also considered as an off-camera commentary; voice-over is a technique wherein the voice is modified and changed to complement the visuals of a telefilm, documentary, advertisement, television serial, or news, so broadcast. They are required in most sectors of media, be it television, films, or even radio, for conveying messages with precision. The growth of the media industry in India in the last few years has led to the popularity and demand for voice-over artists.
Voice-over Artist Eligibility
There are no such special qualifications required to become a Voice-over Artist. if you have good command over your voice and can convert the written word into audio then you are suitable for this profession.
Voice-over Artist Required Skills
- A voice-over artist is required to properly synchronize his lip movements, voice pitch, tone, and silence with the gestures and body language of the character, so depicted on the screen.
- They should be skilled enough to convey all emotions, through his/her voice and create a perfect sync with the visuals.
- To become a good voice-over artist, one should be a great voice modulator.
- They should possess consistency which is a highly valued skill here, such as consistency in volume, energy, pacing, articulation, and characterization in your eye-brain-mouth coordination.
- They are also required cold reading like long-form narration, particularly in the areas of E-learning modules.
- Other necessary essentials are clarity, consistency, conversation, coordination, characterization, and convincing.
How to Become a Voice-over Artist?
Aspiring candidates need to follow the given steps to become Voice-over Artists.
Step 1
Academic qualifications do not form a major eligibility criterion for entering into this profession. Any person, who can develop a strong character through his/her voice or can convey the same interpretation desired by the director or producer through voice modulation, can think of a career as a voice-over artist.
However to learn the tricks of the trade in less time one can go for short-term specialized programs in voice modulation offered by many media houses or institutions run by them. Short-term workshops are also conducted by numerous media institutions and media organizations.
Step 2
After passing these short-term courses aspiring candidates can become good Voice-over Artists and can have good names and fame.
In order to become a professional, you should have some extra talent such as mimicry, producing exact voices of other people and personalities, and even acting.
Institutes Offering Courses for Voice-over Artists are:
- R.K. Films and Media Academy (RKFMA)
- Institute of Voice Culture and Digital Dubbing Studio
- Mumbai Film Academy
- Accent and Communication Training Institute
- Aaroha the Voice Clinic
Voice-over Artist Job Description
A Voice-over Artist's job description includes providing narratives in commercials and advertisements or playing characters in various animated programs, films, and video games.
Voice-over Artist Career Prospects
The Voice-over artist profession has become a money-making affair. Good command of the language, voice clarity, and correct diction are the essentials of a voice-over artist. Initially, they can provide their voice in video and radio programs, documentaries, presentations, jingles for advertisements, sports, phone software, multimedia, and news. Media channels and production houses are always in search of good voice-over artists.
- One can utilize his / her talent by working as a narrator or a dubbing artist; a person with good voice modulation can even try out radio jockeying as a career option.
- They have also good scopes in radio which is always in search of proficient radio jockeys.
- Documentaries are always open to talented voice-over artists.
- Voice-over Artiste can also have jobs in recording studios, advertising agencies, TV and cable stations, film/video production houses, and multimedia companies.
- They can carry out this entertainment job from home by arranging for a home studio, with a simple setup comprising of a microphone and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) connection.
Voice-over Artist Salary
The salary of a voice-over artist depends upon the length, complexity, and popularity of the program. Such as, for a TV serial, a good voice-over artist is paid between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 8000 per episode.
For a documentary or a corporate film, they are paid Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000.
For a film, on the other hand, a voice-over artist can earn Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 75,000, for giving his/her voice for a single character. It is a well-paying profession with the attendant fun and some recognition that goes with it.
