If you’re curious about a particular actor, listen to their demo reel to get an idea of their skills and range.
Some people excel in more formal contexts such as corporate videos or e-learning content.
Others are a better fit in dramatic settings like movies and TV shows.
Unsure whether someone could be a good fit?
Ask them about similar projects they’ve worked on in the past.
Even if it isn’t in their demo reel, they may have relevant experience or samples to share with you.
2. What’s Your Availability?
The last thing you need is to find a good voice actor and then find out that they can’t meet your deadlines.
Make sure to let them know the timeline, processes, and workload so that they can determine whether it’s a good fit.
You’ll need to confirm that they will be available for the duration of the project before you begin working.
This is also a good opportunity to gauge their communication skills.
You don’t want to work with someone who takes too long to respond or doesn’t appear to be prioritizing your project.
Remember that you’ll need to leave time after recording to turn the raw audio file into a final product.
3. Do You Have a Recording Studio?
If it’s your first time hiring a voice actor, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of recording quality.
Audio editing can make a recording sound better, but it’s not magic.
Background noise, muffled vocals, and other imperfections will hurt the final product and give you a lot of extra legwork.
Feel free to ask about their recording equipment — plus the acoustics in their studio, which are often even more important.
A recording is ultimately only as good as the weakest link.
Imagine an A-list voice actor recording with state-of-the-art equipment.
Sounds perfect, right?
Not quite.
All the money spent on equipment and talent will go to waste if they’re recording in a room with no sound proofing or acoustic treatment.
Of course, the best way to gauge recording quality is to ask them for a recording, which we’ll cover in the next step.
4. Can You Record a Sample from the Script?
Demo tapes offer an overview of an actor’s skillset, but you still don’t know how they’ll fit into your content.
Before making a final choice, ask your shortlist to record audition tapes based on an excerpt from your script.
You can give them a rough idea of what you’re looking for, but you should give them the opportunity to experiment and make the script their own.
Their unique approach will depend on their raw skills as well as their experience, imagination, and creativity.
Education and training can be extremely valuable for voice actors, but your decision ultimately comes down to how they sound in action.
The audition outtakes below from The Office show the importance of fit in TV casting, and the same concept applies to voice actors.
Just because someone is a great actor doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be the best candidate for a particular role.
You need to consider whether they’ll appeal to your audience and whether they fit the style you have in mind for your project.
5. Do You Have References?
Vocal talent is the most important factor in a voice actor, but you should also consider the experience of working with them.
Like in any other field, it’s worth taking the time to follow up with someone’s references — especially if you’re hoping for a long-term collaboration.
Are they predictable, reliable, and communicative? Was the client satisfied with the final product?
If they’ve been voice acting for a long time, they should have a long list of clients who can back up their skills and professionalism.
It’s sometimes better to work with voice actors who have more experience.
Virtual recording sessions can be difficult to direct, and a veteran will probably have an easier time understanding and delivering what you’re looking for.
You should also consider whether they have any other experience that could impact their work with you.
Audiences will react differently to a voice over if they recognize the person speaking.
For example, if someone has done voice over work for a competitor, you may want to choose someone else.
Do You Need to Hire a Voice Actor?
When it’s time to hire a voice actor, ask these five questions to get a better idea of the person you’re hiring.
The answers you get will help you determine whether they’re a good fit and ultimately help you lead a successful project.
Making the extra effort to find the right voice actor will end up saving you lots of time and stress in the long run.
If you’re ready to hire a voice actor for your project, we can help.
Contact us today to get your creative work done quickly and professionally.
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