Challenges of a New Career
The career path of a voiceover artiste is fraught with challenges and hurdles. There is no guarantee for success, regardless of what area of voice narration you are into, be they ads (advertisements), films, television soap operas, or simply documentaries and e-learning. The profession calls for patience and more patience. The initial stages of anybody’s career will fetch you low returns. But if one is able to prove their mettle, skill and versatility, and with a little bit of talent and oomph, the profession will pay off.
A career in voiceover narration is one that takes time, like most other careers. A period of nurture and gestation precedes the ensuing success, fame and recognition.
Attitude & Professional Traits
As a beginner, your attitude matters. The ability and willingness to learn and adapt, the flexibility to unlearn and accept what is expected and required rather than what you have to offer, goes a long way in understanding and attuning oneself to the need and demand in the market. Specialisation is indeed necessary, yet one should be versatile and flexible enough to take on diverse offers that may come one’s way. Furthermore, the willingness to constantly upgrade one’s techniques and knowledge will enhance one’s skill and desirability as a voiceover artiste.
Adaptation to Technological Eco-System
Technology, tools and editing skills are additional skills that must be learned. Gone are the days when a studio and technical support was sought externally. Now, advanced tools are available, home-studios of professional quality are available at affordable prices, and software for voice improvement, editing and enhancement are the order of the day. Adding technical knowledge of tools and software is a MUST. One will most certainly get left behind if one does not multi-task and take on the role of one’s own sound engineer.
Emerging Trends in the Voiceover Industry
Lip sync and dubbing are growing because television platforms are now going global. On-demand television has made global entertainment locally available. Translation of video content is done either using voiceover, subtitling or nowadays lip-sync and dubbing. This is a new emerging opportunity in the industry.
Voice Replacing
Green screen is a new trend. Replacing audio with zero volume, makes content available to non-native audiences. Technical knowledge, skill and intelligence come handy in this emerging opportunity.
Off-Screen Narration
Off screen narration are a meta-analysis of the film, over, above and beyond the on-screen conversation. The task is much simpler and akin to simple voiceover with time-stamping. No great skill apart from the quality of voice, projection and modulation is required here. The sheer quantum of emergence of such work is an opportunity in itself.
Different Styles & Platforms for Voiceover
Technology and the internet have brought the world together, and multiple platforms and fora have opened up for voice actors. International outreach and accessibility are the new hallmarks of this profession. Freelance translators and voice artistes can work for any client of any nationality, and cater to the needs of a global, international client.
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