The Myth of the “Good Voice” in Voice Acting: What Really Matters

I have a confession to make. I don’t care that you have a good voice. Now, if you think your voice isn’t the best, that might come as good news. Whether or not you have a good voice is fairly irrelevant when predicting if someone is going to be successful in voiceover. Let’s take a dive into why having a “good voice” isn’t the be-all and end-all in voice acting, and what actually is.

You see, if you’ve spent any time at all as a voice actor, you’ll know the drill. People often approach you with the whole “I’ve been told I have a great voice” spiel. To lay it out plainly, from the industry’s perspective, that’s nice but hardly groundbreaking.

Imagine owning a flashy sports car yet not knowing how to drive it, or possessing the power of flight without a clue on navigation. Similarly, being genetically blessed with height may give basketball players an edge, but overlooking skill development because you’re already towering over everyone is a classic misstep. A voice can be an advantage, but without the ability to harness and use it effectively, it’s no more valuable than being able to slam dunk without jumping – impressive but futile if you can’t even complete a dribble.

In the acting realm, having a rich timbre is fantastic. However, if you couldn’t act your way out of a paper bag, no amount of natural resonance will save your performance. This is precisely why I tell my students that their vocal quality is secondary to their skills.

Let’s talk about those exceptional impressionists. They can morph their voices to the point where you’d swear Bugs Bunny has joined your conversation. Yet, ask yourself, why aren’t these talented folks voicing Bugs Bunny professionally? That leads us to an important realization: even with versatile voices, guaranteed success in voice acting remains elusive. And that’s because there’s a crucial element to this craft often overlooked: acting.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not pushing you to seek traditional acting training – that’s just not my style. I believe there’s room for self-taught talent and that rigidly prescribed methods aren’t a necessity. But either way, honing your acting chops is undeniable in its importance.

So you’re probably wondering what does matter then. Here are three essential elements that do:

The number one thing? Be easy to work with. Talent can take you far, but a difficult attitude can halt your career faster than you can say “cut!” Hollywood horror stories abound of actors who were nightmares behind the scenes and faced inevitable declines. Always maintain professionalism, patience, and gratitude. Show up on time, respect the direction given, and communicate effectively. These traits can skyrocket your employability.

Next, you must put in the hard yards. Many voice actors expect opportunities to land in their laps. If you’re lounging around, assuming your agent will handle everything or delaying auditions, you’re approaching this career incorrectly. Diligence and proactive job seeking are non-negotiables. Don’t confuse busywork with productive steps towards advancement. If you find that you’re putting off the tasks that directly result in work for other things simply because they’re on your list, you need to take a long look in the mirror and see if there’s something stopping you from reaching for success. Prioritize effectively, face the fear of rejection (more on that another time), and genuinely scrutinize the effort you’re investing in your career trajectory.

Lastly, grasp the business aspect. Creative fields are notorious for being challenging, with financial stability and acumen often taking a back seat. However, the industry is fundamentally a business space. Negotiation skills, pricing your services correctly, managing finances, and eventually building a team are fundamental to success. If the mere mention of business sends chills down your spine, it’s high time you tackle that anxiety head-on.

Notice how none of these vital factors involve the inherent quality of your voice? They’re learnable, master-able, and within your control. You make your success, no matter what your voice sounds like.

So the next time you encounter someone in the industry, resist the urge to lead with comments about your voice quality. Remember, being a voice actor isn’t synonymous with simply having melodic or dynamic vocal qualities. Instead, emphasize your professionalism, dedication, and business savvy. Those are the real keys to unlocking doors in voice acting.

There’s more myths standing between you and your dream in voice acting! I break them down in my free eBook. Download it by going here!