With unrealistic dreams of voicing a character in DISNEY’s next animated blockbuster, one naive Perch editor TRIES VOICE ACTING.
WHAT IT IS
A workshop on the business of voice acting with Jamie Carr, veteran voiceover pro and member of the Questionable Comedians. You might recognize him, er, his voice, in Come Dine with Me Canada, Discovery Canada’s Mighty Planes, and “The Middle Seat Sucks” Jolly Rancher commercial. (In case you’re wondering, voice acting is lending your voice for use in a professional piece of audio for a wide range of things like gaming, videos, cartoons, commercials, audiobooks, training videos, etc.)
WHERE WE TRIED IT
At Corus Entertainment in Cornwall, home to Fresh Radio 104.5 and Boom 101.9.
WHAT IT COST
$100 for a two-hour workshop.
WHAT WE EXPERIENCED
The class started with round-the-room introductions. There were six participants (myself included) and each person revealed their motivations for taking the workshop.
• An accomplished musician who was interested in new recording opportunities.
• An elementary school teacher who was exploring her retirement options.
• A young radio host who wanted to supplement his income with voiceover work, including recording commercials for overseas companies.
• A personable elementary school student who “likes talking” and simply wanted to see what voice acting was all about.
• A video coordinator who was just happy to tag along with his kid.
• A magazine editor (me) who sees fame and fortune on the horizon. (Spoiler alert: It is not. More on that later.)
After the short intros, Jamie reassured everyone that voice actors do not need an announcer background (as he had) because most roles require authentic voices. “Use your regular voice,” he said. “Don’t be a used car salesman.”
He handed out a script (which I later found out was for a commercial he had voiced before) and walked us through how to define your “read”. He laid out how important it was to embrace:
• What you’re selling
• Who you’re talking to
• The one idea in the script that sums up the messaging
“Seems easy enough!” I thought.
Jamie then went over the audition process which seemed simple enough. The actor takes the script, reads it with different approaches (voices), and submits two of their best takes to the company that books voice actors. If they like your stuff, you get the job! After reviewing the basics, Jamie handed scripts out to each of us, gave us time to practice, and then led us—one at a time—into the recording booth to give it a shot.
My first practice audition was for a Sovereign Insurance bit. According to the spec sheet, the actor needed to convey a professional, yet warm and friendly tone. “Think trusted friend you go to for advice,” it said.
“I can do that!” I thought.
But I couldn’t. Not well, anyway.
I was agitated during the first read and flubbed up a few words. Sensing my nervousness, Jamie asked me to try again, imagining that I was speaking to a colleague while sitting on a park bench, after having finished a meal. Pretty specific instructions and uber helpful. In Take 2, I found myself raising my eyebrows a lot more as if that would somehow help. I thought I was being very expressive. You be the judge.
Can you imagine that this was an improvement from my first take?
We pressed on with the process. To switch things up, Jamie asked me to focus on speaking to one of my best friends for Take 3, and imagine that she was feeling blue because she had just been dumped. I knew I bombed that one when Jamie told me to try again focusing on “cheering her up, not depressing her even more”.
My final take ended up sounding pretty much like Take 3, and if I’m honest, Take 2, and Take 1. I’m including it here so you can confirm for yourself but really, there’s no need to put yourself through that again.
The other participants fared much better than I did. They were able to respond to Jamie’s instructions and deliver distinctly different scripts. I was impressed. And envious.
In the end, I had a really fun time exploring what it takes to be a voice actor. I would definitely take another class to hone this unique skill, but let’s just say that I won’t be quitting my day job any time soon.
Jamie will continue to offer voice acting classes based on demand. Interested in getting behind the mic? Email him at jamiecarrs [at] gmail.com
