While voice acting is a legitimate profession, it is still a creative art form, and like any form of creativity, it does not exist in a vacuum. Voice over artists often work with other creative professionals during the course of a job, be it sales copywriters, other actors, animators or sound editors (and usually all of the above).

Somebody, at some point, has to put such a team together. Time for a little thought experiment.

Imagine you’re in charge of hiring talent for a project and you need to pull together a team from scratch. After sifting through a stack of resumes, you come across a voice actor which fits the profile of the job. Chances are, you’ll short list him or her for the role.

Now imagine you come across another resume of an equally competent voice actor. The difference here is that they also have some proven skill in writing their own copy or mastering their own sound files…

… You’d be tripping over yourself on the way to call them immediately. Here’s the lowdown on:

Three Supplementary Skills That Will Land You That Voice Acting Job

1. Copywriting

They say that writing is a talent that can’t be taught – you’re either born with it, or you’re not.

Right off the bat, we can comfortably state that this is nonsense. While it’s true that a small minority of people are hopeless at writing copy, and always will be, given your job as a voice actor requires a deep understanding of words, the chances are slim that you’re one of those few people.

It’s arguably a tougher industry to make any real money in than voice acting, but for the purposes of supplementing your resume, you should have no problem getting some entry-level writing gigs just to demonstrate you’ve got the aptitude for it. The good thing is that a lot of writers would kill to work on some of the projects you’ll encounter as a voice actor (since the fee for those is a cut above general writing work), so the ability to cross-sell your services can prove to be lucrative.

Here are a few tips…

Craigslist is an excellent place for beginners to hunt for work, as long as you watch out for the scams (which are very easy to spot). By checking out the “writing/editing” section of your local CL portal daily, you’ll eventually come across some easy (albeit low-paid) writing jobs from folk needing sales copy for their online store, or perhaps a bit of online blogging work.

Avoid the numerous “auction” sites (in which people bid on the lowest fee they’re willing to do a writing gig for) in your quest to beef up your portfolio. They work for some people, but without going into a diatribe on their many flaws, take it on trust that you’ll spend most of your time being undercut at ridiculous prices rather than actually conducting copywriting work.

Another entirely viable course of action is to start your own blog if you haven’t got one already. Try to avoid general “rambling” blogs talking about your day or how the dog threw up on the new carpet. It may be therapeutic, but not of interest to anyone except you (and maybe the dog). Instead, focus on a particular niche or hobby. Of course, writing about your exploits in voice acting can be a great way of demonstrating your knowledge and aptitude.

All you’ll need to get started is a few places online which you can point to and say “hey, look: I can help improve your material as well as provide the voice over for it.” Not only will it make you more marketable, but it usually makes voice over work a lot easier if you’re able to write material with your own voice in mind.

2. Conventional Acting

Although the competition is fierce, you’ve got one up on everyone else here because you’re already an actor.

Picking up conventional acting work for film or TV looks fantastic on any VO resume, and increasing your knowledge of screen acting can be a boon to your development as a voice artist. There are numerous resources online to help you find work in this area,even if they’re only bit parts to get you started. If it’s something you’d really like to delve into, however, a formal education in an acting school will help immensely in launching your career.

One of the biggest benefits of mixing in acting circles is for networking. The type of people you’ll mingle with on set are exactly the type of people who will know someone who knows someone who needs voice acting. So, be sure to get you face out there.

3. Sound Engineering

To the outsider, it’d seem natural that voice actors are intimately familiar with sound editing, but it’s surprising how few know their uncompressed WAVs from their Ogg Vorbis.

If you haven’t the faintest idea of how to go about sound editing and you’re working in an external studio, be sure to stick around after the work is done and hang out in the editing suite to watch the pros at work. Ask as many questions as you can. It’s unlikely that you’ll get annoying, as the sound guys are often used to being ignored.

It’s also a rare opportunity to hear how your voice works in context of the bigger picture, as well as to quiz the people who have to work with your voice to see what works particularly well, and what doesn’t.

If you work from home, chances are you’re used to the fundamentals of audio mastering before sending in your voice work. If you’re getting credit for the VO, make sure you ask for credit on the sound editing too, since you can list that on your resume or portfolio website.

Once you have enough experience under your belt, be sure to point out your competency in this area when conducting preliminary discussions on a gig (and charge accordingly, since you’re saving the creative director from having to hire an extra individual).

Making the Time to Grow

Given that voice acting is a craft which can take quite some time to master on its own, it may seem counter-intuitive to spend additional time and energy learning other skills at the same time. However, every string to your bow is an investment, and they’re all skills you can practice (and use to earn some extra cash) during your down time.

Keep yourself busy, keep learning, and above all, keep cross-selling your talents as much as possible!

All across the land, one competition is taking filmmaking by storm. The 48-Hour Film Festival challenges production teams to make a short film in only two days’ time, which will then screen publicly in front of a panel of judges. Winning films from each city move on to be screened in Los Angeles, and the top 10 worldwide screen at Cannes the following year.

To start, each team receives a random genre, and a prop, character, and line of dialogue that must be included in their film. Then, over one weekend, writers craft a script, a director breaks it down, actors perform, an editor cuts it, and the producer turns in the final copy. For actors, the challenge is a great way to practice on camera, gain material for a reel, and meet industry folk. Never before has one weekend done so much for your acting career…and it’s fun!

Advantages for Actors

Scheduling film shoots is always a difficult proposition, and when working in indie film, is a common reason that shoots get pushed back. With the 48-Hour Festival, scheduling problems are reduced because everyone knows about the weekend in advance. This means that Festival teams are often more organized and dependable than the average independent production team.

Additionally, competing in short film festivals gives actors the chance to play a variety of different roles. Producers must recruit their cast before they know what the story and genre will be, so actors often have the chance to play against type, or in an atypical genre. For instance, horror, western, and sci-fi are genres that are included in every drawing, but rarely will actors come across them on public call boards.

Finally, the popularity of 48-Hour Film Festivals draws many professional production teams in every city. This gives actors the chance to work with established, local, film industry pros, which is crucial for networking. Beyond the networking, these teams bring a high-standard of production value with cameras, lights, microphones, and other equipment that would otherwise only be found on the best short film shoots.

Reel World Experience

All of the above traits make short film competitions a viable option for actors in need of resume and reel building credits. On-camera experience is important for all aspiring actors, and a credit from a 48-Hour Festival is definitely worth the time.

If the final product is polished, there is also a good chance that footage can be obtained for use on a reel. This is further encouraged by the quick turnaround time. In only two days, an actor can gain a credit and a scene for their reel, talk about efficiency.

Besides all of this, 48-Hour films are fun yet challenging to work on. Actors must build a character quickly and perform under constant time pressure, similar to the stress experienced on studio TV and film productions. And, with The 48, there is always a guarantee that if completed on time, actors will get to see themselves on the big screen and gain exposure to local audiences.

Advice for Finding a Team

Don’t despair if you are an actor without a team for an upcoming competition. If you are interested, chances are that you can find a team. The 48-Hour Fest has a mailing list on its website that anyone can sign up for, and they also host mixers for teams and prospective members. Signing up and/or attending those events is one way to find a team. Another proven way is to hit the local casting services and social media groups for teams in need.

Importantly, the festivals are all open to anyone, and volunteer-based, so payment is never provided. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the actor to screen teams for quality and find the right one for themselves.

Things to Look for in a Team:

• Experience – Always helps if they have done this before.
• Organization – They should seem knowledgeable and prepared.
• A Full Crew – It’s a lot of work. If others have signed up, that’s a good sign.
• Similar Vision – Ask them why they are doing the project. Ask what their goals are. Ask to see their past work and be prepared to answer their questions about yourself.
• Familiar Names – If they have an artist on their team that you recognize, that’s a good sign of legitimacy.
• Matching Personalities – To work closely and successfully in a high-stress environment, it helps to be comfortable with the people around you.

[su_note]Learn more about the School of Acting at the New York Film Academy by clicking here.[/su_note]

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Question: What is the acting technique, based on the principles of Stanislavsky that was popularized in 1930’s America by director Lee Strasberg at The Actors’ Studio, New York?

If this were an episode of Jeopardy, the correct answer would be the title. However, defining something does not imply understanding, and the term “method acting” is often thrown around acting circles, but seldom understood.

In some ways, the Method has become a parody of itself through interpretation and criticism from film audiences over the decades. The wild behavior of method actors off-screen has taken the limelight from the performances that the actors unleash onscreen.

Heath Ledger’s death, tragic as it was, became the most popular and shocking story associated with the release of The Dark Knight Rises. Even to this day, it overshadows an Oscar-winning performance. Method acting has been accused of leading to his death, mostly by those who don’t understand what method acting actually is.

History of the Method

The father of method acting was actor and director Lee Strasberg. He, along with several colleagues (Adler, Meisner, Kazan, etc.), adapted the teaching of Stanislavsky for their American acting students. They focused on an “inside-out” performance, stirring past emotions from the actor’s life that they could draw upon during performance.

This became known as sense memory, and Strasberg developed a series of exercises for his students, based on cultivating sense memory. Together, this collection of exercises comprises the Method.

Method acting took off in the 1940’s and 50’s behind the powerhouse performances of Marlon Brando under the direction of Elia Kazan. Note that Kazan also directed James Dean in East of Eden, also famous for its use of the Method.

The roles and performances of early method actors came to define American acting. Audiences were amazed by the sense of reality. They felt as if they weren’t watching actors at all, but peeking into the lives of real people.

After this period of success in the mid-20^th century, method acting continued to be employed by many famous actors; Newman, Pacino, Monroe, and Hathaway to name a few. They have always attracted attention for their performances, but also for their technique of getting into character.

The Basics of Method Acting

The Method requires intense devotion and emotional bravery. Part of the reason its practitioners are so respected is because of those challenges. Understanding of the history and development of method acting helps to understand the goal; creating an emotionally truthful performance.

The process of method acting is simply one way to reach that goal, but remember, all actors take ideas and techniques and change them to fit their needs. No actor practices the Method the same. Here is a basic guide to method acting:

1. Know Stanislavsky’s System – The Method starts here. Script analysis is crucial to understanding your character and beginning to ask questions. List out the actions and objectives of characters and then ask about the psychology of their decisions.
2. Build a Back Story – To know a character, you must know about their past. Look for clues in the text that could provide support to their emotional journey in the play. Developing a character history will also help you, the actor, connect to the character.
3. Connect Personally and Truthfully – Strasberg asks, “What would motivate me, the actor, to behave in the way the character does?” Think of your past as it relates to the emotions that you have identified in your character. Was there a time when you felt a similar emotion? What did it feel like?
4. Practice and Apply – There is no substitute for doing. After you do the prep work, find an outlet for performance so that you can practice your skills. Continue to hone in on a character and on your technique. Behind the simple naturalism of a method actor’s performance is hours and hours of deep thought.

Since its inception in the 1930’s, method acting has evolved and changed through experimentation on stage and screen, but the core principles remain the same. The goal is to create a lifelike character, to escape impersonation and simply be.

What is method acting? Answer: Not acting at all.

[su_note]Designed for both new actors and experienced actors, our 6-Week Acting for Film Workshop in Florence, Italy teaches students the foundations of acting and the nuances of acting for the screen. Visit our 6-Week Acting for Film Workshop in Florence page to learn more.[/su_note]

History is riddled with the names of professional athletes who turned to professional acting after their playing careers. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Jordan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and dozens of others have all had their time on the big screen. The transition is natural in many ways. After all, at the root, a sport is an improvisation show with specific rules.

Every time LeBron James takes the court he is performing in front of a live audience of tens of thousands, and millions more who watch on television. He is a player and his stage is the hardwood court, every possession a scene, halftime is an intermission, and the analogous principles never end.

Although athleticism does not imply acting skill, the connection between athletes and actors is undeniable, and there are tips that can be gleaned to maximize performance, no matter the arena.

The Body as a Tool

Athletes and actors alike rely on their physical capabilities as a primary tool, so it follows that they both must take good care of their bodies. Nutrition, hydration, sleep, and exercise are as important for an actor as they are for an athlete. Together, these habits give actors the energy they need to rise early for auditions and day jobs, and then stay up late into the night performing on set or on stage.

The food actors put into their bodies is the fuel they burn in performance. Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates should make up the bulk of an actor’s diet. Be wary of sugary foods that spike blood sugar and lead to an inevitable “crash.” Also, caffeinated drinks should be consumed sparingly, especially while on set. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that changes the chemistry of the brain, interfering with emotional truth, and it is a diuretic.

Hydration is vital to keep all internal processes functioning correctly. According to Amanda Carlson, a dietitian at Athlete’s Performance,

“Studies have shown that being just half a liter dehydrated can increase your cortisol level. Cortisol is one of those stress hormones. Staying in a good hydrated status can keep your stress levels down.”

To feel fresh and confident before auditions and performances, be sure to drink plenty of water.

Did you know that sleep is when most improvements take place? This is because during sleep, neuronal connections are made and information is stored as long-term memory. For an actor, the benefits are apparent because, without adequate sleep, an actor cannot learn their role, their lines, or their blocking.

Exercise is critical for athletic performance and helps actors keep mind and body in tip-top shape. During exercise, the body releases endorphins which lift mood and directly combat stress. In addition, regular exercise increases energy levels throughout the day and helps people sleep better at night.

Practice Makes Perfect

Jerry Rice, the Hall of Fame wide receiver of the San Francisco 49ers, was renowned for his deliberate and consistent training regime. Frank Sinatra, the Academy Award-winning actor, once said, “before starting to shoot a picture, I read the script half a hundred times.”

Now, Jerry Rice isn’t much of an actor, and at 5’7” Sinatra didn’t strike an imposing figure on the football field, but they both illustrate the importance of preparation to success.

Athletes spend years of their lives learning the nuances of their games and building their minds and bodies into specialized machines. Actors should do the same.

Studying acting, learning techniques, and reading scripts are the proven ways to improve to learn acting skills. Look for opportunities to learn in your area. Schools like the New York Film Academy have the resources and experience to allow actor’s to grow as artists.

However, simply practicing is not enough, at some point actors must play.

Baseball has the minor leagues, basketball has the NBA D-League, and college football is the presumed first step for an NFL player. If Hollywood is the biggest stage for actors, then Community Theater and independent films are the grounds for development. Aspiring actors must seek out opportunities to perform and put their hard work to the test in front of an audience.

Only through committed training and dedication can an actor attain a successful career. Following the tips and tricks of pro athletes is a unique and inspiring way to gain insight into the physical and mental requirements of professional performers.

Unfortunately for actors, following the example of athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger won’t make you into Mr. Olympia, but it might just allow you to play a Terminator in the future.

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