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Got Questions?
Get Answers...
If you're here, it's probably safe to assume that you are interested in voiceover training. In fact, you may have already done some research on the subject or attended a lecture about it. Or maybe someone has recommended to you that you check into Voicetrax. At any rate, you probably have lots of questions about voiceover training and Voicetrax, so following are the responses to the most frequently asked ones...
What is Voicetrax?
I am not an actor, do I need prior experience?
Will you tell me whether or not I have talent?
How long will it take before I'm good enough to make a demo tape?
How many people who have studied at Voicetrax are now working voiceactors?
How much money can I earn in voiceover?
FAQ #1
What is Voicetrax?
Samantha Paris founded Voicetrax in 1988 which has since become the country's leading voiceover training academy, offering the most comprehensive program of workshops, seminars, labs, and one-on-one instruction. Shortly thereafter, Samantha founded Voicetrax Casting in 1990 to meet the needs of producers searching for voices, and subsequently gained a national reputation among voiceover industry professionals as the "go-to" source for fresh, exciting, well-trained voice talent. Most recently, we've introduced an innovative, on-line casting site www.voiceyenta.com, featuring handpicked, top-of-the-line, professional non-Union talent.
FAQ #2
I am not an actor, do I need prior experience?
Many people who study with us at Voicetrax have no previous acting experience. Usually, someone has told them they have a "great voice" and that "they should go into radio" or "do cartoons." They soon discover however, that voiceover is not about having a "great voice," but rather the ability to act with your voice. To meet the needs of students who have little or no acting training, we offer many beginning and intermediate-level classes that focus on teaching acting basics in a fun, relaxed, unintimidating way. Once students realize that acting is simply the ability to recall and tap into everyday life experiences, it makes the process less daunting and far more accessible to all. Oh…and by the way…you don't need to have a "great voice" to do voiceover!!
FAQ #3
Will you tell me whether or not I have talent?
This is a tricky question to answer. Our philosophy at Voicetrax is that anyone with the desire to do voiceover, the commitment to study, the willingness to take risks and ultimately, be themselves, can succeed in voiceover. This potential exists within everyone.
We will tell you though, that if you study at Voicetrax, you can be certain that your instructors will pay close attention to your strengths and weaknesses. If you need a lot of improvement, they'll make sure that you understand the challenges that lie ahead of you, as well as the commitment and training required to overcome those obstacles.
Of course, not everyone that comes to Voicetrax is looking to become a full-time, professional voice actor. We have plenty of professionals from all walks of life---doctors, lawyers, CPA's, senior executives, entrepreneurs, teachers---who come to Voicetrax for a multitude of reasons. Many come to learn to relax, have fun, express themselves, boost their confidence, or improve their communication skills. Others just enjoy the challenge of creating fully realized characters and bringing scenes to life using only themselves, words and a microphone.
FAQ #4
How long will it take before I'm good enough to make a demo?
You should put together a demo when you are good enough to compete with the working talent in your market. Some people may be ready to put together a demo in less than a year. For others, especially those with no previous performing experience, it usually takes two or more years.
It's tempting to want to make a demo right away, but we can't stress enough how important it is to wait until you have the skills necessary to really "shine" on your demo. Most voice over talent agents will tell you that producing and distributing a demo before you're in competitive shape can really hurt you.
When you are finally ready to have your demo produced, it is essential to hire an experienced, professional voiceover demo producer. When agents and casting directors hear tapes that aren't professionally produced, it alerts them to the fact that the actor submitting the demo isn't well trained and doesn't understand what it takes to compete in this highly competitive profession.
To those of you who may still be tempted to produce a demo without the proper training, we'd like to offer a word of caution---don't. In this age of digital "enhancement," you may be able to manipulate tracks on a demo to simulate a certain level of voiceover proficiency, however, bear in mind that if you are hired, you will be expected to deliver the same level of performance on demand. If you are unable to live up to your demo within the allotted time, it is unlikely that the same producer would ever hire you again.
FAQ #5
How many people who have studied at Voicetrax are now working voiceactors?
Many actors who started at Voicetrax are now working full-time as voice and on-camera talent. Countless others book jobs regularly, thereby supplementing their incomes. Some also work on the other side of the mic as directors, producers, casting directors and instructors.
Voicetrax "alumni" have provided voices for thousands of commercials, video games, animated television series and top animated feature films. You've undoubtedly heard them. Voicetrax-trained talent has been featured in campaigns for such major advertisers as The Gap, Saturn, California Milk Advisory Board's "Got Milk?" Macy's, Mervyn's, VISA, Smart Ones from Weight Watchers, California PUC's "Flex Your Power," AT&T, 24-Hour Fitness and Countrywide Mortgage. Voicetrax alums have voiced roles for the ever-popular "Star Wars" and "Sims" series games. "Kimmy" on "Rugrats" and the voice of the villain in the "Scream" series of movies got their starts at Voicetrax.
FAQ #6
How much money can I earn in voiceover?
Top voice actors make a lot of money. But don't give up your day job just yet. If you are looking for a sure-fire way of making money, we would recommend that you check out www.getadegreeinorthodontics.com or www.beaplumber.com, instead. Before most people earn a full-time living doing voiceover, they've gone through years of study and auditioned for hundreds of jobs they didn't get.
Your eventual earnings will vary depending upon the type of jobs you book and whether you are a member of one of the actors' Unions. For instance, how much you earn for a TV or radio ad will depend on where the spots are broadcast and for how long. Rates can range from between a few hundred dollars for a small market radio spot that airs for a few weeks to several thousands of dollars for a nationally broadcast ad that runs for several months.
For most other projects, including multimedia, industrial narration and video games, actors are typically paid on an hourly basis. Rates for the first hour normally range between $300-500. For sessions lasting longer than an hour, rates for each additional hour are normally between $200-350. For sessions lasting more than four hours, or for projects requiring multiple recording sessions, the negotiated hourly rate may be less. For audio books, rates are typically in the range of $100-200 per hour, depending on the length and complexity of the project.
If you are like most people, there will be years of working as a voice actor part-time while you keep another job or rely on another form of income. It takes quite a while for you to establish yourself in the marketplace and develop the ability to consistently win auditions.
As we tell our students, you must enjoy the journey…the process of learning voiceover. Along the way, you'll experience the joy of discovering your creativity and expressing yourself. If you can do that, the financial rewards become the icing on the cake!
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Here Are Some Other Facts About The Voiceover Industry That May Interest You...
FACT: The voiceover industry has been male-dominated, but that's changing. At one time - not long ago - 90% of commercial voiceover work was performed by men. Today, that figure has changed. Women now perform more than 30% of the commercial voiceover work.
FACT: Top voiceover professionals earn mid-to-high six-figure incomes, with some of the best pulling in millions annually.
FACT: The opportunities for voice actors continue to grow. Jobs are available within the animation, commercial and film industry. There is also increasing demand for voice actors for industrial and corporate films and video, books-on-tape, audio tours, video games, interactive voice response (IVR) systems and many applications on the Internet (including audio for ads, commercial websites and podcasts).
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