I’ve been looking online for a voiceover artist to do a quick segment for a project. But it’s a bit of a minefield…
I’m not looking for high budget as it’s just a personal project, and although I don’t mind paying a few pennies and pounds, the only websites that come up on google are very commercial ones.
I looked for some cheaper up-and-coming voiceover artists, as that’s all I need, but then I found some people are unfortunately using AI voice generators and selling them on as a service to undercut the genuine artists!
(Which also raises questions about licensing and further use which I don’t even want to try to deal with!)
I know many of you will already have experience here, and that we have experienced professionals in this area already on the forum and fellowship meetings.
So I’m hoping I could get some pointers of how best to approach this?
For my case I just need a female artist who can do a USA accent and read a few lines, but I’m sure others would find any advice helpful for their own projects too.
Perhaps the discussion could also be wider spread to things like singers, rappers, etc. and general instrument playing etc.
I know this forum was set up with collaboration as one of its goals, so I thought it would be a good place to ask the question!
sometimes it really comes to your friends if possible… when I need voiceovers I reach out to actors, radio people and singers, or just people I know have a good tone of voice that I like.
I play a couple of instruments so I’ve never been in need of finding someone BUT same deal, if you have musician friends talk to them… now in the case that they’re not even remotely close as it’s my case now… referrals, ask friends if they know friends, I tend to ask my sister as she knows a lot of radio hosts.
if you don’t need too much emotion or something… you could use an AI yourself, I use this thing called soundly for my SFX libraries and it has a voice generator and it’s alright, it can’t replace someone doing the VO BUT it’s a great placeholder and in some cases it might just do the trick.
you could also do a quick instagram search for the audio book narrators!!
I’ve been doing VO for decades. But that certainly does not mean I am the one for the job……Go ahead and let me know the specifics. And BTW - I have been coaching a woman on VO where I live and have already recommended her to someone locally for an ad campaign…she’s really smart and has years of experience as a PA in film and TV…(I am retired from on-screen film/TV acting…but still do the occasional VO for select clients and authors…)
Great topic! It just so happens that I was thinking about this, as I am looking to do some more VO gigs if I can. I’m by no means what you are looking for regrettably ^^. I’m a guy with a fairly low voice and I don’t think my American accent is super solid yet.
I’m by no means experienced in VO either and am mostly a singer, but I’ve often helped out on small indie games I was involved with in a different role, or here and there where the “audio guy” was just the general address for everything that makes sound.
I’d say what was mentioned before about asking friends is the best advice possible. My experience with fiver and similar hasn’t been great. But I’ve heard mixed feedback from other who got their VO there. I’m not very pro-AI so I can’t say much there.
I personally just collect people whenever I am out “networking” or on partys, conventions, game jams etc. So I’d recommend for the future just make a little note with an email address if you meet people who do something interesting in case you ever want to reach out to them. It’s a good habit to get into I think.
As for how to find entry level VO gigs…I have no idea either other than what I already said.
If haven’t found anyone yet I have a friend who’s a singer who might be interested. If you want send me a pm and I’ll connect you two.
Good Luck! And if I think of anything more helpful I’ll chime in here. Thanks for starting this discussion!
Hey I’m a singer, hit me up if you’re looking for soft female vox with neutral Scottish accent. siobhan-wilson.com . Depending on your timeframe and the fee I might be able to help. If I can’t help you, then I’ll be sure try to point you in a few directions of someone who can. Ta!
It’s been great to have all the positive responses to this
Hopefully this post can be useful for anyone else looking for people to work with as well.
My project is actually just for a music track, hence the script being pretty short, but I’m sure there’s lots of people around here who need help with bigger projects , TV, presentations, games etc!
Many thanks to everyone for all their kind help on this subject! I just put the soundcloud link for my finished music track on the topic for “share your music”. I had a couple of emails given to me for this which was much appreciated. Although I went for one of the “Fiverr” artists in the end for my “USA news” vocal, it is very useful to have another couple of contacts for potential future projects should I need it! All the best to everyone
…Go ahead and let me know the specifics. And BTW - I have been coaching a woman on VO where I live and have already recommended her to someone locally for an ad campaign…she’s really smart and has years of experience as a PA in film and TV…(I am retired from on-screen film/TV acting…but still do the occasional VO for select clients and authors…)
