Cool Careers - Voiceover Talent Agent and Voice Actor

Interview with Tanya Buchanan: Voiceover Talent Agent and Voice Actor, Toronto, ON

"Most people think that having a good voice makes a great voice actor but that NEVER is the case. Your voice is an instrument and needs to be trained as such."

1. How would you describe what you do?

As a talent agent, I represent voice actors by finding appropriate roles for them, facilitating the audition process and then negotiating contracts when awarded the job. Roles for voice actors include everything from voicing radio and TV commercials, to narrating documentaries and TV series, to providing the voice you hear on telephone systems, websites, and corporate videos. Voice actors are never seen but simply provide the voice needed for such projects. I, personally, have been a voice actor for almost 20 years and have provided the voice for everything from video games to TV shows to in-flight programming on Air Canada.

2. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

Voice actors are paid by companies who hire them for a voiceover role which generally is on a per-project basis. However, some roles are ongoing and voice actors are then signed to an ongoing contract with the company. As an agent, I am paid a commission from each job that I secure for any of my talent.

3. What education or skills are needed to do this work?

No education is needed to be a talent agent but skills needed would include: good negotiating skills, an ear for good talent and a passion for matching the right job to the right talent. As a voice actor, basic training on how to perform in front of a microphone is generally necessary although there are the few that land jobs without any education. Being a voice talent requires much more than a “good voice”… there are a lot of techniques that need to be learned to “make it in the business” for e.g. mic techniques, studio protocol and etiquette, breathing control and timing, acting, and script breakdown.

4. What is most challenging and what is most rewarding about what you do?

It is very challenging trying to educate people that a “good voice” does not a voice actor make; but, for those professional talents that I work with, it is incredibly rewarding seeing them land that perfect job.

5. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Obtain some basic skills through workshops/courses offered in your city or online and then try and find someone who is currently working as a professional voice actor who can mentor you and offer you advice. There is a LOT of information online about voiceover work so doing your research and being trained on the basics are imperative before trying to pursue this line of work. The most important advice I can give is, don’t ever approach a voice agent or a professional voice talent and say “I have a great voice now get me some work.” Get some form of education and fully commit to a career of it because voice work is rarely something you can do as a hobby.

6. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

Most people think that having a good voice makes a great voice actor but that NEVER is the case. Your voice is an instrument and needs to be trained as such. Many people also think that voice acting is being “Bart Simpson” or other cartoons and that when they start off in the business that’s what they’ll be doing. Animation is a very small part of the voiceover world and the competition in the voiceover world is FIERCE. You may work at it for 20 years and never get that “golden” part that you’re looking for.

7. Do you have any final thoughts you wish to share?

Because the competition in this industry is so high, it’s an extremely difficult field to get into. If you get into this business for the money, you’ll be very disappointed but if you do it because you love it, your passion will pay off. Get the right training, partner with a good mentor and continually work on perfecting your craft and the sky’s the limit.

For information on voiceover coaching, our training division can be reached at coaching@tadavoiceworks.com

For all other inquiries and to reach me use info@tadavoiceworks.com or
visit our website at www.tadavoiceworks.com

Thank you for sharing your unique career choice with us Tanya! Click here to read other interviews in our series with people who have Cool Careers.