Voice actor (Stemacteur)
Information on this skill...
A voice actor is a person who performs voice-over work professionally. A voice actor can perform various activities, such as dubbing feature films and television series or commercials, or recording cartoons. Recording or dubbing texts in the right way is not easy and requires a lot of experience and knowledge. Choosing the right pitch and loudness of the voice is usually something that can only be learned by practicing a lot. Also, making the voice run synchronously with the image is not easy. Another name for voice actor can also be an out-of-screen actor. In some cases, a voice actor can also work as a commentator. In that case, a voice actor is responsible for recording texts as a supplement to a broadcast. This is often the case when we speak of images that need additional explanation, such as a nature film or other types of educational programs. So it's not that voice actors are solely responsible for dubbing feature films, television series, cartoons and commercials. Within certain programs, it is possible to choose voice actors, because this does not require the use of presenters. This is usually the case if producers want to save on the budget. Using voice actors is generally cheaper than using presenters. The profession of voice actor can be regarded as a special profession, because most people do not know voice actors despite the fact that good voice actors can be popular. This is often the case, because a voice actor has a pleasant narrative voice. As a voice actor, you can now also have to deal with computer games, which in many cases also have to be dubbed.
A voice actor is therefore responsible for dubbing film images or recording texts. Dubbing of feature films is rare in the Netherlands. A voice actor can dubb cartoons, computer games, commercials and short television programs. The main reason voice actors don't dubb feature films is because most Dutch don't have a problem with the English language. In other countries, such as Germany, it is quite normal that all films are dubbed. It is often very strange to hear famous actors talking in German. With cartoons, dubbing is usually less annoying, because we cannot make a clear representation of a well-known actor and so the voice will not appear strange due to dubbing. Subtitling films or other types of programmes is not part of the work of a voice actor. As indicated earlier, a voice actor can in some cases also be considered a voiceover. This does not mean that a voice actor can be regarded as a commentator. A commentator is a presenter, who will usually report live on a sports match or other type of event.
VOICE ACTOR COMMERCIALS
As described earlier, we also have a lot to do with voice actors in the Netherlands. In addition, the profession is broader than you might initially think. Think, for example, of voice actors who are responsible for recording radio advertisements. In addition, it regularly happens that television advertisements have to be recorded or dubbed. For this type of advertising, it is important to use the right voice actor. For example, a commercial about smells needs a warm sultry voice and not a child's voice. A children's advertisement, on the other hand, can easily use a child's voice. As a voice actor, it is therefore not the case that you can automatically be used for everything. Voice actors are therefore also responsible for recording and/or dubbing advertising messages. If a voice actor is responsible for recording commercials, the voice actor will usually also have to deal with various other craftsmen. Think, for example, of the art director advertising, editors and the possible voice director.
DIFFERENCE VOICE ACTOR AND VOICE-OVER
A voice actor is usually responsible for telling stories, dubbing texts or recording animations. A voice-over is more responsible for announcing messages or telling about certain topics in addition to a program or documentary. A voice-over can therefore be regarded as a voiceover, which is also responsible for providing educational information. A voice actor should rather be seen as an actor. In terms of content, the professions of voice actor and voice-over have many similarities with each other.
WHAT DOES A VOICE ACTOR DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A VOICE ACTOR
There are no recognized vocational training courses for the profession of voice actor. This does not alter the fact that there are sufficient external training and courses offered to become a voice actor. This type of training is generally offered by experienced professionals, who have a lot of experience as a voice actor and / or as a voice-over. Learning to speak as a voice actor requires certain skills, which can generally only be learned by practicing and training a lot. Not everyone will be suitable to work as a voice actor, because a voice actor must have the right competencies and voice. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A VOICE ACTOR CAN BE EMPLOYED
In general, a voice actor will work for a production company or as an entrepreneur within his own production company. In addition, a voice actor can work for television producers, film producers or for radio producers. In general, it is true that quite a lot of voice actors work as entrepreneurs. In addition, well-known artists can work as voice actors. In that case, well-known artists usually link their voices to certain television or advertising commercials.
COMPETENCES VOICE ACTOR
The most important competence of a voice actor is empathy. This is important, because texts must be spoken in a warm and above all correct way. In other words, a voice actor must communicate in the right way to come across. Creativity and adaptability are also important competencies of a voice actor. Especially the adaptability is very important as a voice actor. For example, think of speaking in different ways, such as with a warm voice, a friendly voice, an angry voice, a funny voice or speaking with a powerful voice. In addition, a voice actor must have excellent language skills and oral expression. Generally important words are motivation, analytical, perseverance, inspiration, innovation and stress resistance. If you work as an entrepreneur, networking and negotiation can also be regarded as important competencies.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A VOICE ACTOR
The labour market perspective for voice actors is generally reasonable. In addition, it is true that quite a lot of voice actors work as entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur will have to determine his own labour market perspective by winning sufficient assignments. In order to be able to get enough assignments as a voice actor, networking and therefore knowing the right people is important. Also, as a voice actor you have to be a bit lucky with a beautiful natural voice, which everyone wants to hear. The career opportunities of a voice actor should be seen in breaking through as a voice actor, so that you get bigger and better assignments.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY VOICE ACTOR
Because as a voice actor you usually work as a freelancer, you determine your own employment conditions. In other words, most voice actors have nothing to do with possible working conditions. It is not possible to give a salary indication for the profession of voice actor. This is the case because most voice actors work for a fixed fee per assignment. In general, there are not many voice actors who work full-time as voice actors. It is therefore perfectly conceivable that a voice actor also performs other activities.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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