Monday, November 10, 2008

Hiring a Voice Over Artist Over the Web

The sheer number of voice over actors vying for jobs today can be a little overwhelming when you're looking for the one perfect candidate to represent your project. Take your search online can be a great way to streamline the process of finding the right voice actor for the job.

When piecing together a multimedia project, you shouldn't underestimate the resources that are freely available on the Internet. Online databases can, for example, allow you to find a perfect sample script at no cost to you, or can serve as valuable reference material if you are writing your own script. Many voice professional nowadays maintain personal websites containing their portfolios and samples of the voice work they have done in the past. Checking out online samples of potential hires' work is a great way to save time during the hiring process.

Though the web can definitely make your search for talent quicker and more efficient, without the appropriate strategy it can turn into a gigantic waste of time. Potential voice actors you find online, for example, may not be as reliable as they first appear, and may delay your progress by failing to submit their samples in a timely manner. These kinds of obstacles can be easily surmounted, however, with a little bit of know-how. Here are some valuable tips on hiring voice talent on the web:

1. After you you initially contact a potential hire, ask for a sample of their work. If the person in question is the true professional they claim to be, they will have .mpeg samples on hand to send to you, or will direct you to a site where you can heir their work. This first step goes a long way towards weeding out candidates who aren't serious about getting the job.

2. Ask potential hires for a resume. Any serious voice actor or actress should be able to provide a formal resume, complete with his or her employment history and references. Speaking of references, they're there for a reason; you should make sure to contact two or more of the past employers listed in order to get a balanced assessment of the performance you can expect from a potential hire.

3. Request a preferred rate. Many voice over professionals have an expected rate for each project, and you'll want to know about both hourly and per-project rates. Some professionals will request payment only after final delivery, while others will require a portion upfront with the remainder due at the end of the project.

4. Conduct a telephone interview. Telephone interviews are best for any talent you may not have the opportunity to meet with in person. Telephone interviews can touch upon previous work, a brief script reading, and to gauge the confidence level of your candidate.

5. Ask if they can provide all services digitally. Some professionals have the equipment and skills to record the voice over in their home studio, convert it into a media file for review, and allow you to download it directly from the web. Find out what your options are, and plan accordingly to save on mailing fees, travel expenses, and other costs typically incurred for projects of this scope.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Useful information shared. Voice-over is a production technique where a voice—that is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations.There professional voice overs read from a script and may be spoke...

Unknown said...

Voice work requires a high degree of vocal versatility as well as attention to detail. Voiceover artists might contribute their talent to audio books, cartoons, commercials or video games and also on the radio as a disc jockey or talk show host. While radio and television provide many opportunities for voice-over work, actors are also needed to voice instructional DVDs for a wide range of products. As prime concern, voice over artists for new channel must have a good voice.