APPLICATION:
To apply for a Voice Actor/Actress position, the first and most important requirement is that you have a professional demo reel that showcases a range of your vocal abilities. This reel should feature a variety of character voices and styles, including dramatic and comedic voices, as well as narration. It’s important to have a well-produced, high-quality demo that can demonstrate the range and versatility of your voice, as well as your ability to interpret scripts and bring characters to life. Some employers may also request additional samples of your work, such as previous voice-overs or audiobook recordings.
Besides a good demo reel, you should have acting experience. This may include acting in theatre, film, television or other media. Understanding the nuances of character development, vocals and storytelling is essential to success in this role. A background in improv or stand-up comedy can also be beneficial, helping with character development on location and in-game commercials. In addition, you must have good communication and collaboration skills, as a Voice Actor/Actress often works closely with Narrative Designers and Sound Engineers to create the desired voice performances for a project.
INTERVIEW:
During the interview, you can expect a conversation that focuses on your experience, skills and suitability for a specific project or role. In addition to the Recruiter, the interview is usually attended by Producers, Narrative Designers or Sound Engineers. They may ask questions about your voice acting experience, ability to bring characters to life, vocal range and versatility, and understanding of project requirements. The interview may also include discussions of previous projects or performances, as well as your approach to script interpretation and collaboration with the creative team. Common interview questions are:
- Can you tell us a bit about your background in voice acting and what draws you to this field?
- How do you approach character development and bringing a character to life through your voice?
- Describe a challenging role or project you worked on and how you handled it.
- How do you adapt your voice to different genres and styles of games?
- Can you walk us through your script interpretation process and how you collaborate with others to achieve the desired effect?
TECHNICAL TASK:
The technical interview task is usually designed to assess your vocal range, versatility and ability to adapt to specific styles and genres of games. This is most often tested through script reading, but a technical task can also include an assessment of your recording and sound editing skills through knowledge of software and hardware and an understanding of the technical aspects of the recording process.
The technical assignment can take many forms depending on the firm’s preferences and the specific requirements of the role. For example, you may be asked to perform a series of vocal exercises that demonstrate your vocal range, clarity and tone. You may also be asked to read a script or a scene from a game and bring the characters to life using your voice. You may be given special instructions, such as modifying tone, pitch, or pacing to assess your adaptability and versatility. In addition, you may be asked to record and edit your performance to demonstrate your technical ability and attention to detail.
