Why Choose To Do Voice Acting?
One of the trends for the acting field within the entertainment industry for 2026 is that vocal performers will remain in high demand. As the market continues to expand and many businesses are looking for new voice acting talents, it is a great time for actors to carry out their aspirations of potentially diversifying their portfolio or starting their performance career altogether.
As the possibilities for work as voice actors include such formats as films, radio, television, video games, commercials, audiobooks, and other media that require narration or voiceovers, including online learning platforms, the ways to find employment are nearly endless. And that is not even counting increasingly popular Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Metaverse-type digital platforms, where online avatars typically require professional voice actors.
For actors with experience in movies, television series, or theater, it can be another opportunity to diversify their acting portfolio, thus working on becoming an increasingly in-demand performer within their field of expertise. Prior experience of physical acting can also become handy when competing for gigs that require not only vocal acting abilities but also motion capture, e.g., video games.
A major difference from other acting formats is the fact that voice acting can often be way more flexible in terms of work schedule, and even can be completed remotely. Such autonomy can not possibly save time and money, but also allows actors to provide vocal performances for various clients without any location-related restrictions. Voice acting is also free from the limitations of age and physical appearance, valuing talent and experience over everything else.
How To Prepare For Vocal Performing?
Regardless of the previous acting experience level, venturing into the voice acting field will require performers to receive vocal training to master this particular craft. It all begins with aspiring voice actors understanding their vocal possibilities and limitations, e.g., their range, tone, and style. A vocal coach can help performers with assessing various aspects in relation to this, including the actor's speech’s timing, pace, and pause, as well as skills of imitation, and even the correctness of their speech. Most importantly, a professional vocal coach will help the performer to improve on any or all of these areas necessary to increase the chances of succeeding as a voice actor.
As the aspiring voice actor receives their general training, specialized voice acting classes should also be considered. In such classes, actors can develop their voice into varied types to maximize flexibility of their vocal style offerings when applying for various potential projects in the future, while further improving their delivery to convey truthfulness and resonate strong emotions during vocal performances.
It is also important for voice actors to continue regular practice, e.g., by reading scripts aloud, as the vocal cords require exercise to maintain their peak form. Actors can even record their performances to analyze them later and look to improve within the next practice session.
How To Maintain Vocal Health?
Voice is a vocal performer’s primary tool, so maintaining voice health is equally important for a voice actor as honing their performance skills. Unfortunately, voice can be negatively affected in numerous ways, thus jeopardising an actor's ability to perform their duties in the process.
Akin to athletes, vocal actors also should do warm-ups and cool downs - for their voice! Before performances, it is highly recommended that actors do breathing exercises, articulation drills, gentle humming, and other proven methods. The humming also works for vocal cool-downs and allows for the voice to return to its relaxed state. These actions can significantly reduce the risks of straining or otherwise injuring the vocal cords during extended periods of performative usage, and even during off-days from voice acting.
By now, everyone is more or less aware of the importance of staying hydrated daily, but it is also very important for specifically keeping the vocal cords moist to remain efficient and performative. Similarly, voice actors should reconsider their beverage choices to moderate levels to avoid irritation, as acidic drinks, such as even water with lemon, as well as caffeine and alcohol, can affect vocal cords negatively in various ways.
Breathing is also essential for voice actors. A mindful approach to breathing allows the throat muscles to remain relaxed, while other physical aspects, including posture, also support efforts to preserve voice. Of course, healthy sleep also plays a role in maintaining vocal health, as vocal fatigue is directly linked to the general tiredness of the overall body.
