Voice Acting Career Tips: Industry Pros Reveal Five Essential Steps to Success

Top voice actors Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Platt have shared crucial advice for breaking into the industry. The married professionals have over two decades of experience in video games and animation. Their new insights provide a clear path for aspiring talent.

The actors launched a new educational course this week. Their guidance focuses on foundational skills beyond just having a good voice. According to the actors, success hinges on preparation and professionalism.

Master the Fundamentals of Performance and Technique

The first essential step is to love the craft of acting itself. Voice acting is acting first, performed behind a microphone. A strong performance comes from understanding the script and building a character.

Lowenthal and Platt advise aspiring actors to take classes or join improv groups. Using your entire body during a recording session is vital. Physical movement informs the performance and adds energy, even if no one sees it.

The couple notes that video game sessions can be physically grueling. Letting your face make natural expressions brings authenticity to the read. This technique helps make the performance come alive for the audience.

Cultivate a Well-Rounded Life and Professional Demeanor

The third tip is to live a full and interesting life. Experiences outside the booth fuel creativity and depth in performances. Interesting people make interesting creative choices, which sets a voice actor apart.

Being a good, kind human is the fourth essential step. Professionalism and collegiality make directors and producers want to hire you again. The industry is a collaboration, and being easy to work with is a major asset.

Finally, actors must become exceptional sight readers. Practice reading out loud every day to build fluency. The goal is to make scripted lines sound natural and spontaneous from the first read.

This expert advice demystifies launching a voice acting career. Lowenthal and Platt emphasize that unique talent emerges from dedicated practice and personal growth. Their roadmap turns preparation into professional opportunity.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What is the most important skill for voice acting?

Acting is the foundational skill. Success comes from character building and script analysis, not just vocal quality. Technical microphone skills come after mastering performance.

Q2: Do I need a special voice to succeed?

No. The professionals state you have no real competition because your natural voice is unique. The key is to use your authentic sound and full expressive range.

Q3: How physically demanding is voice-over work?

It can be very demanding. Sessions for action video games often involve intense physicality and can cause actors to break a sweat, similar to a workout.

Q4: Is professional training necessary?

Training in acting is highly recommended. Taking classes or performing in theater and improv builds essential skills that directly translate to voice-over performance.

Q5: What daily practice is recommended?

Reading aloud daily is crucial. Practice builds the ability to sight-read scripts fluently and make written dialogue sound completely natural and unscripted.