The world of animation voice over captivates many aspiring voice actors – and for good reason! The chance to bring animated characters to life is both creatively fulfilling and incredibly fun. However, the path to landing those coveted animation roles isn’t always as straightforward as you might think.
The Changing Landscape
While artificial intelligence has undoubtedly impacted entry-level opportunities in animation, there’s still demand for versatile voice talent. Studios are continuously seeking actors who can bring depth and range to their characters. The key difference now? They’re looking for well-rounded performers who can do more than just funny voices. Keep reading this animation voice over guide to find out the exact skills you’ll need!
The Multidisciplinary Approach
One of the most surprising insights I’ve gained from working with successful animation voice actors is the importance of mastering core skills to voice multiple voice over projects and styles. A perfect example of this multi-disciplinary approach comes from the experiences of three of my past students. In all three cases, before successfully breaking into animation, they built their foundation through genres such as commercial work, documentary narration, audiobooks, and corporate projects. Their journey illustrates a common path many successful animation voice actors take.
Each of these disciplines helped them develop crucial skills that eventually made them stand out in animation casting:
- Commercial VO taught them to take direction and adapt quickly
- Documentary work enhanced their storytelling abilities
- Audiobooks improved their character consistency and stamina
- Corporate projects honed their professionalism and reliability
The Foundation Matters
Breaking into animation requires a strong foundation in voice over fundamentals. This includes:
- Vocal control and sustainability
- Character voice development
- Script analysis and interpretation
- Microphone technique
- Acting fundamentals
- Ability to take direction
- Understanding how to bring diversity and interest to your reads
Beyond “Funny Voices” modern animation studios are looking for actors who can:
- Deliver authentic, grounded performances
- Maintain character consistency across multiple sessions
- Work collaboratively with directors and other actors
- Adapt their performance based on feedback
- Bring emotional depth to their characters
The Reality of Today’s Market
Being a “one-trick pony” rarely leads to sustained success in today’s animation voice over market. Casting directors are increasingly seeking versatile performers who can handle multiple types of roles and projects. This diversity not only makes you more valuable to studios but also helps sustain your career during industry shifts. Keep this animation voice over guide handy to remember the next skills to learn!
Getting Started
If you’re serious about pursuing animation voice over:
- Start with fundamental voice over training
- Gain experience in commercial and corporate work
- Study animation and acting techniques
- Build a diverse demo reel
- Network within the animation community
- Be prepared to work in multiple voice over disciplines
The Path Forward
While the animation voice over landscape continues to evolve, opportunities remain abundant for talented, versatile performers. The key is approaching your career development holistically, understanding that each voice over discipline you master brings you one step closer to your animation goals.
Remember:
Today’s successful animation voice actors aren’t just character specialists – they’re comprehensive voice over professionals who can adapt to any challenge. By building a strong foundation across multiple disciplines, you’ll be better positioned to seize opportunities when they arise in the animation world.