Voice Actor or Voice Over Which is it? So you want to be a voice actor, or is it a voice over? These terms are often melded together and people think they are the same thing. However in the professional world of audio, they are two distinct jobs.
So what is a Voice Actor?
A voice actor is generally someone who has trained at drama school. Or they learned the profession by coming up through working as an actor in theatre. A voice actor is focused on bringing characters to life through their vocal performance. Generally you see this in such genres as video games, animations and character driven performance. Although more and more today producers are looking for conversational reads of their scripts. Voice actors will use a range of techniques to convey a range of emotions, personality traits and unique characteristics to portray the character they are performing.
They will need to know a characters back story, their motivations and the characters emotional life through the narrative. As a skilled voice actor you will know how to switch between styles and tones, adapt your voice to fit the scene.
But then, What is a Voice Over Artist
A voice over artist is generally the person who informs people, the narrator if you like, although a voice actor can also be a narrator in a story. A voice over artist will primarily work in commercials, documentaries, corporate videos and educational e-learning type projects. Voice over artists are the ones that convey the message, clearly and engagingly.
Their primary goal is to communicate effectively with the audience, using a strong command of language, diction and pacing. Where voice actors use emotional expression and character driven interpretation, a voice over artists will prioritise clarity and professionalism in their delivery. The primary goal of a voice over artist is to communicate effectively with the audience. They must be versatile enough to adjust their tone and style to suit the project, be it a friendly advert or a serious documentary.
Key Differences in Training and Skills
While both voice actors and voice over artist share a foundation in vocal performance (and training/coaching is a pre requite for this) the training and skills sets can differ significantly. Voice actors undergo extensive training in acting technique, character development and improvisation. They will continue to hone their skills with workshops and classes for various genres. Voice over artists on the other hand may focus more on vocal techniques, diction and the nuances of the narration. Although that is not to say that voice actors don’t also do this. Both roles benefit from practice and experience.
Voice Actors and Voice Over Artists – Wrapped
While both voice actors and voice over artists contribute significantly to the world of audio, their roles, training and objectives can differ. Voice actors bring characters to life through their performance while voice over artists focus on informing the audience. They do this with their clear and effective communication. Understanding these distinctions can enhance our appreciation for the skills and artistry involved in voice work. In turn, this helps those aspiring to work professionally in these fields to navigate their way through more effectively. Which ever you decide to pursue, embrace the journey and enjoy it!
Voice Actors and Voice Over Artists by Margaret Ashley more articles are available here.