Stepping into the Booth: My First Impressions of Voice Acting

Stepping into the Booth: My First Impressions of Voice Acting

But how did this all start? Well, for a long time, I’ve been captivated by the voices that bring characters to life, particularly in games, animations, and audiobooks. The power of a voice to evoke emotion, build worlds, and tell stories has always held a certain magic for me. Narrating tabletop games was a great jumping off point. Having to make characters believable and convey emotion and intent without spelling it out requires a lot of the same skills.

Now, as I navigate this exciting new landscape, I wanted to share some of my initial impressions – the exhilarating highs, the unexpected hurdles, and the valuable lessons I’ve already picked up.

The challenges: Persistence and research in a new field

Let’s face it, starting a new career is always a daunting task, and for me, trying something that is so different to my previous jobs as a scientist has made it feel like somewhat of a step back in some aspects. I’m starting again from the bottom rung and, where that’s no bad thing, it comes with a lot of trepidation, anxiety, and impostor syndrome.

So where did I start? Honestly, like I mentioned above, narrating tabletop games gave me a huge boost in confidence. Embracing vulnerability is something a lot of people struggle with, including myself. Putting your voice out there, especially when trying on different characters, can feel a bit exposed at first. Overcoming self-consciousness and trusting your instincts takes practice and a willingness to experiment, even if it feels a little silly sometimes but this is where playing TTRPGs has been such a boon to me. When everyone is being silly, no one is.
I also benefit from my previous roles involving a lot of presentation to audiences. Sure, this involved a lot of technical information, but between shouting about goblins scurrying into the woods with stolen treasure and delivering the results of important research with a ton of technical jargon, a happy medium can be reached!

Speaking of technical jargon: I’ve had to learn a new vocabulary! One of the first hurdles I encountered was the technical aspect. It’s not just about having a “good voice.” Understanding microphone technique, recording software, and sound treatment is crucial for producing professional-quality audio. Again, where do you start? Fortunately, because I’ve previously recorded my stories (You can find them here, if you’re interested!), I already have a working knowledge of Audacity and a microphone. That being said, I knew I’d have to up my game in order to produce more professional sounding audio and so, onward to research it was!

I’ve managed to get along so far with my Blue Yeti and audacity skills, but what has really changed the game for me is the construction of a little DIY audio booth!

Some acoustic blankets thrown over a frame made of thing aluminium tubes has given me the cleanest sounding audio yet, and this is only going to improve as I invest in an XLR mic and improve by my recording and editing skills.

I’ve also quickly learned that patience and persistence are key. Landing gigs and building a career in voice acting takes time and dedication. There’s a lot of auditioning, networking, and continuous learning involved. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and embracing that mindset is essential. I’ve created profiles on numerous site like Fiverr and Upwork, recorded and rerecorded demo reels using free scripts, applied to multiple projects on these platforms and ACX, it really is a numbers game!

Lessons from the Booth: What Have I Learned So Far?

Despite the challenges, the learning curve has been incredibly rewarding. Here are a few key takeaways from my initial foray into voice acting:

• Listening is paramount: Truly listening to direction, understanding the nuances of the script, and paying attention to how other voice actors interpret roles has been invaluable.
• Vocal care is crucial: Your voice is your instrument, and taking care of it through proper warm-ups, hydration, and avoiding strain is non-negotiable. I’m starting to hear mouth clicks in my nightmares!
• Embrace feedback: Constructive criticism, while sometimes tough to hear, is essential for growth. Learning to accept and apply feedback is a vital skill. This can be especially difficult for me.
• Authenticity shines: Trying to imitate others rarely works. Finding your own unique voice and bringing your authentic self to the roles is what truly resonates.
• Have fun! Despite the hard work, the core of voice acting is storytelling and bringing characters to life. Remembering to enjoy the process is what keeps the passion alive.

Looking Ahead:

My journey into voice acting is just beginning, and I know there’s still so much to learn and experience. But these first impressions have solidified my passion and excitement for this craft. The blend of creativity, technical skill, and the sheer joy of bringing words to life with my voice is an incredibly compelling one.

As I come to the end of recording The 6th Exit Point and move into the editing phase, I’m excited to learn even more about the process and how to get the best possible sound using what I have available to me. I look forward to sharing these updates with you and hope you’ll follow along with my journey,

What are your thoughts on voice acting? Have you ever considered it? Share your comments below!