I love bringing different “voices” into characterizations – like one might for funny radio ads. But my absolute favorite is to just take a piece and create vivid expression – read it for the sense of it and know I could communicate the meaning clearly and interestingly. I cut a demo a couple years ago and it looked like I was going to be listed with the same company that cut my CD’s for me, but they merged and my opening closed. At the time I was told by several other outfits that I was good but their stable of talent was full. I need advice and help getting off the ground, maybe some training too for polish.

Check out my smiley (Hope this works…)

… Did it work?

Just doing different voices doesn’t ruin your original voice. BUT, doing voices that are outside of your normal range or speaking for long periods of time everyday, can.

Even though your vocal chords are not muscles, they can fall prey to injuries just like muscles can. They need to be warmed up in order to perform properly and if abused for a long time they will get hurt or damaged. Usually the damage is never permanent and a day or two of rest does the trick.

Anyone who uses their voice for a long time every day can suffer mild injuries. People in occupations such as teachers, singers, lawyers, actors, cheerleaders, and even the clergy need to be careful. But if you use common sense and treat your voice with care you’ll be fine.

About the smilies:
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Good luck!
I’m so stoked for you!
-David

It’s never too late to start getting into voice acting. At this age you’ll be able to draw upon 40 years of life experience to put into your performances.

How much money varies from person to person:

If you already have a computer then you can get good recording equipment for voice acting for as little as $300 (assuming that you’re going to be starting a VO career and not just playing around).

Then you’ll need books AND coaching. Voice acting books help fill in the business gaps that would take many lessons of coaching to get. But coaching is must if you are serious about being competitive. I once heard that the amount of money you would need to spend on coaching ranges between $2,000 and $4,000. This is due to the various hourly rates of coaches and to how many lessons you need until your coach thinks you’re ready to make your first demo.

Don’t forget, all professional voice actors have MORE than one demo. So if you really want to be competitive then you’ll need to make more demos (which cost more money.)

It’s been said that, compared to starting your own brick-and-mortar business, starting a voice acting career is much cheeper. And it’s true, it is cheeper. But it will still cost money that most people don’t have lying around.

And the biggest expense?
That would be TIME. Time spent practicing, practicing, practicing. And then auditioning, auditioning, auditioning. And also marketing, marketing, marketing.

Being a voice actor is a business. But to me it’s the most fun business I’ve ever been involved in!

-David