{"id":5886,"date":"2024-08-28T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/?p=5886"},"modified":"2025-12-08T16:22:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:22:11","slug":"voice-over-actor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.provoiceactor.co.uk\/blog\/voice-over-actor\/","title":{"rendered":"Being a voice over actor – the reality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Guy Michaels<\/a> <\/strong>– British Voice Over Actor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“So, you’re a Voice Actor… what’s that like?”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you are a voice actor, you’ve likely encountered this scenario many times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

From my window cleaner to my dentist, a distant relative to some random guy I met at a beer festival, they all want to know more.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

“What do you do for a living?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I’m a…I work in voiceover…I am a voiceover artist…erm I’m a voice over actor”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The responses vary but they’re generally along the lines of “cool! like cartoons?”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Over 20 years ago I was an actor in theatre and had similar experiences (nearly always with cab drivers) “oh right, have you been in Eastenders”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"voice
25 years as a British voice over actor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The real work of a voice over actor is often surprising<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The general public’s understanding of voice acting<\/a> often begins and ends with cartoons and celebrity impersonations. While these are certainly facets of the profession, the reality is far more expansive. Many people are unaware of the vast range of voice-over work, from commercials and audiobooks to corporate narrations<\/a> and e-learning modules. The skill and dedication required to bring scripts to life, adapt to different styles, and maintain vocal health often go underappreciated. This lack of understanding can lead to misconceptions about the profession’s accessibility and financial viability, sometimes trivializing the hard work and expertise involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

For example, my window cleaner jumped straight to “oh yeah I’ve always fancied doing that, I can do loads of silly voices.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, being a pro voice actor rarely involves doing silly voices.  For my work it’s generally gentle variations or my own voice.  If you are interested you can find loads of examples on my voiceover services<\/strong><\/a> pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Being a voice over actor is a job of listening rather than talking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Surprised? It’s the truth. While the final product is your voice, the foundation of a successful performance lies in actively listening and interpreting. Here’s what it means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n