Voice Over Blog From Leah
The voice over industry is constantly growing and changing and there is always more to learn. That’s what makes it so exciting! Be sure to check our blog regularly so you can get the latest trends, tips, and news.
You already know the problem. You’ve listened to a dozen auditions for your lifestyle campaign and every single one sounds like a commercial. Confident, polished, a little too eager. And that’s exactly the opposite of what a lifestyle brand needs. A female lifestyle brand voice over has one job that’s harder than it sounds: make […]
You’ve probably left this note in a casting brief before: less announcer, more real person. And then the read comes back sounding like a voice over anyway. Polished. Even. Technically perfect. And somehow forgettable. Here’s what nobody tells you when you’re comparing auditions. The most polished read rarely converts best. The read that makes people […]
“Just make it sound natural.” It’s the note every producer gives. It’s also one of the hardest notes to actually execute. Ironic, right? The read that sounds the most effortless is usually the one that took the most skill to pull off. If you’ve ever sat through a session wondering why a conversational read is […]
You’ve been in the room. A voice actor delivers a technically flawless read — every word hit, energy up, diction crisp — and somehow it still doesn’t feel real. Nobody can quite articulate why, but everyone in the room knows the read isn’t landing. That’s the authenticity problem, and it’s one of the hardest things […]
You’ve heard it. The read that’s technically fine — clear diction, good energy, hit every word on the script — but the second it plays for a room of 19-year-olds, someone winces. It sounds like an adult doing an impression of a young person. And no amount of “make it more fun!” direction fixes that […]
You’ve got a campaign brief that says “relatable,” “authentic,” “millennial energy.” And you’re staring at a casting pile of demos trying to figure out what any of that actually sounds like. Here’s the thing nobody tells you in the creative brief meeting: the generation of the voice you cast isn’t a stylistic footnote. It’s one […]
You’re scrolling through casting submissions for the fortieth time this week, and every voice starts to blur together. Clean. Polished. Safe. Then one file stops you mid-scroll — a female voice with a little grit in it, a little warmth, a texture that sounds like she’s lived a life and isn’t afraid to let you […]
If you’re casting a national or international commercial campaign, you’ve probably noticed something. A disproportionate number of the voices you’re drawn to keep turning out to be Canadian. That’s not a coincidence. It’s not just a casting trend either. More brands are making this choice on purpose. Once you understand why, it gets a lot […]
If you’ve ever watched a Google ad, scrolled past an Expedia spot, or heard an Airbnb campaign and thought “that voice just feels right” — there’s a reason for that. It wasn’t an accident. Someone made a deliberate casting decision, and that decision shaped how you felt about the brand in the next three seconds. Hiring […]
In 2024, I submitted an audition. It was for a mental health awareness video supporting the Royal Breakfast initiative for the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. At the time, it was simply another audition. I didn’t know it would become an award-winning PSA or one of the most meaningful projects of my career as a […]
Character voiceover is a popular term in the industry and refers to playing the role of a specific personality for a project. Characters are frequently found in eLearning and corporate narration, and eLearning voice-over often has a general narrator and multiple characters speaking to various business scenarios. Creating a Signature Character Sound Typical character styles […]
COMMERCIAL VOICE OVER: A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE From Jiffy to Juicy Fruit, from the sad and sappy commercials of the 80s to the loud, bright Old Navy and iPod commercials of the 2000s — one thing we can all agree on: those were memorable examples of commercial voice over. WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES A COMMERCIAL […]
As the pinnacle of the industry animation voice over is what most people think of when you say “I’m a Voice Actor”. They think “Oh, so you do voices for cartoons and stuff?” Any fellow voice actor will attest to this. And there’s a reason for that. Because being able to portray different sounds, tones, [...]
Corporate narration is the workhorse of the voice over industry. What does this mean? Although commercials typically have larger budgets, most of the available content and my business comes from corporate narration. Narration has come a long way from dull, dreary WHMIS videos played on VHS tapes in a stuffy office to cool techy Youtube [...]
Have you ever been told that you have a captivating voice or an exceptional ability to bring words to life? If so, you might want to consider turning your vocal talents into a profitable career by starting a voice-over business. Voice over work is in high demand across various industries, including advertising, entertainment, e-learning, and […]
In the world of voice acting, your demo reel is your calling card. It’s the tool that introduces you to potential clients and casting directors, showcasing your talent and versatility as a voice actor. However, creating a compelling and professional voice over demo reel requires the expertise of a skilled producer. Choosing the right voice […]
If you had told me six years ago that I would find inspiration in voice over and become a full-time voice actor I would have never believed you. I have worked in the corporate world for over 20 years, and throughout that time, I was taught that the more secondary education you had, the more […]
When working every day, there can be busy times and slow times. The odd day of no voiceover work can feel amazing, allowing you to relax and rest. But when the days and weeks pass with little to no work, it can leave you anxious, bored, or unproductive. Recently, there have been drastic changes in […]
Congratulations! You have been commissioned by your place of employment to acquire a voice talent for your team’s latest project. This shouldn’t be too difficult of a task. If you are in this position, you may think, “What steps will I take to complete this assignment, and most importantly, whose voice will I use?” As […]
As a diverse and contemporary voice actor, I appreciate that I can set my schedule and work from anywhere, anytime, with unlimited earning and learning potential. I answer only to myself, and there is no glass ceiling. However, there are some VO entrepreneur challenges you may face. Time Management One challenge of being an entrepreneur […]
Do you work in a creative industry and tend to feel pressure to be innovative? Are you an on-camera talent or voice actor having trouble booking work because you are in a creative slump? Well, I have good news for you. We have all been there, so here are some exciting and diverse tactics to […]
Have you dreamed of starting your own business but need to know how to start it? Are you afraid of all the pitfalls that may come from getting started? Let’s discuss why it’s great to own a business and be a voiceover entrepreneur. Searching for Opportunities If you were to tell me ten years ago […]
So you’ve heard about this job or career called “voice over,” and you’re curious to learn more about it. You may know a little already because you know someone who does voiceover as a side hustle, and you’re interested in getting into it yourself. There are more voice actors than ever before. Because of the […]
Many voice actors want to get into the business for various reasons. For some, it’s the idea of having a sustainable business where you only answer to yourself and make your own schedule. While all actors love that benefit, many also have a dream voice over job they would love to snag. Many voice actors […]
We just entered a new year! Many find the start of a new year a good time to set voiceover goals. If you fall into this group, there’s no better time to start. With 365 days to make a difference, now is the time to start. Although setting annual goals are exciting, you also need commitment. […]
Many factors go into choosing a voiceover talent for your next project. You can evaluate them based on their experience, skills, education, rates, location, studio, voice, and what they offer as part of their business package. As a diverse millennial voice actor, I may have a particular set of skills (channeling my inner Liam Neeson […]
MY WEEKEND AT THE VO NORTH CONFERENCE IN TORONTO This past weekend I attended the VO North Conference in Toronto. VO North is a one-of-a-kind voice-over conference. It brings hundreds of international voice actors to Canada’s largest city for a weekend of learning, prizes, and fellowship. This was the last VO North conference in Canada, […]
As a diverse millennial voice actor for almost four years, I often get asked by friends, family, creative directors, and producers about a typical day. Do I work around the clock? Do I voice animation? Is it exhausting? I’m happy to share a typical day in the life of a voice actor. Creating Good […]
You’ve been commissioned to hire a voice actor to record a script for an upcoming work project. You have no idea where to choose a voice actor. How do you choose a voice actor? How much does a voice actor cost? Well, don’t worry, because this article will discuss how to evaluate voice over talent […]
I have been a diverse millennial voice actor for about four years. I have worked on hundreds of voice-over projects with clients internationally and felt it would be a good idea to write an article on the exciting topic of how to direct a Voice-over Actor in a live-directed session. Most clients I work with […]
The voice acting business has changed dramatically over the last 10-15 years, since its inception in the early 20th century. As a diverse millennial voice actor, I have noticed some changes within the last four years. Today we will discuss how to hire a voice actor. History of Hiring Voice Actors In times past, […]
We are living in an exciting time in history, with multiple generations living and working together. There may be some challenges to so many generations working closely side-by-side, but it has significant benefits. Understanding each generation’s characteristics and expectations can help us communicate efficiently and work together harmoniously. This week we will dive into the […]
I had to dedicate this week’s blog to music and voiceover! June was a big month for music internationally, and I spent extensive time traveling through Europe a few years back. During the time I spent in France, I discovered a La Fete de la Musique, which is a day dedicated to all things music. […]
It has never been a better time to get into voice acting. With the plethora of streaming channels, digital content, diverse genres, and the ability to work from home, it’s never been easier and more accessible to make this a career. At the same time, there has been a considerable influx of excited, young, fresh […]
To be successful at voice acting, you will require specific hardware and software to be competitive. The last article in our series on voiceover technology and hardware will discuss additional equipment to help you achieve your goals. Today we will discuss voiceover technology such as computers, specific software, and audio panels. Computer Preferences MAC or […]
An essential component for setting up your business is considering which software you will use to record or edit your voiceover projects. You can purchase a state-of-the-art microphone and have a quiet space to record but consider which voiceover software program will capture vocal quality and perform day-to-day editing. Whether you work in commercials, narration, […]
As discussed in the last article, where you record your voice over can make a big difference in your booking rate and your ability to be seen as a professional. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, recording your commercials, narrations, or animation jobs in a noisy space can frustrate your clients and […]
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the industry, a voiceover recording studio is more important than purchasing any single piece of equipment. You may have a fantastic voice that can read many genres, including corporate narration, commercial, eLearning, or animation. However, even if you have a superb microphone, you can have many […]
Suppose you are interested in making voice over a career. In that case, it’s very important to purchase the right equipment to give you a leg up and remain competitive against thousands of other actors. While raw talent, training, and business sense are essential factors to success, your voiceover equipment can also play a significant […]
Because of advances in modern technology, many have started a rewarding career in this industry from home and have been very successful. Although it is relatively easy to start, a critical component to consider is the technology required to start this business. An essential tool in your technology toolbox would be a voiceover microphone. How […]
You are curious about beginning a voiceover career, and you’ve read my other article on how to get started. You’ve reviewed the various business, artistic and technical skills, and you want to keep growing. So, what are the next steps to dive into this incredible world of creativity, hard work, and great payoff? Research a […]
“Oh, you’re a voice actor? That’s so cool; how can I get into that?” I get this question monthly from friends, family, and acquaintances. I thought I would write an official article on this topic to refer whoever is interested in starting a career in voice acting to a single resource with all the information […]
We will discuss the third and last article of the most effective marketing strategies series this week. This is advertainment voiceover. The word advertainment is a combination of two: Advertising and Entertainment. It is a method of posting videos and marketing to your customers in a fun and engaging way. The most common way we […]
As a business owner, you’re always looking for new ways to grow and reach existing and new audiences. With so many marketing tactics out there, which one is best? One tactic that has seen a rise in popularity over the last seven years has been voice over podcasts. Many are still new to podcasting, but […]
Whether you’re a lone voice over artist or a well-established company with hundreds of employees, the goal is the same. You need sales to survive and thrive. Without sales, there is NO business. But how do you get more business to your B2B or B2C customers? Well, here is the short answer, you need to […]
It’s an exciting time to be in voice over, and now there’s a new revolution coming. The metaverse is an interesting world, and the word hasn’t even been added to the dictionary. In its simplest form, the metaverse is the new internet. It converges digital and physical experiences with an immersive space to create a […]