Voice-over work requires a lot of practice and training to develop a good voice and excellent delivery. However, if you’re willing to put in the work, you may be able to join the ranks of other professional voice-over artists who have forged a career in the voice-over industry.

What Is a Voice-Over ?

Voice-over is a production technique where an off-camera actor or person records dialogue for use in a film, TV show, documentary, announcement, or commercial during the post-production process. Productions use voice-over narration to provide additional context to the visuals or as a form of guided narration. Voice-over performers are provided a script, which they read and record in a sound booth, providing multiple takes to ensure the production has a range of performances from which to choose.

6 Types of Voice-Over Work

From documentary narration to commercial marketing, there are many ways that productions can use voice-overs, including:

1. Narration: Environmental programs and documentaries often use voice-overs to guide viewers through what is occurring on-screen. Voice-over talent sometimes weaves on-screen occurrences into a larger story, providing more information to the audience.

2. Commercial: TV and radio commercials for products and goods will place the voice-over narration over the images and sounds on-screen, using the production technique to market a product to viewers. Some commercials require talented voice-actors to play fictional characters, while others allow them to use their own voice to connect with viewers.

3. Education: Educational programs for schools and corporate settings often utilize guided voice-over to explain the concepts in their videos. Organizations use these voice-overs for training, human resources, or E-learning purposes.

4. Automation: Voice actors often record short service messages or alerts for public transportation or announcements repeated and replayed daily.

5. Lifestyle: Wellness products like guided meditation apps or self-help programs often utilize voice-over artists for guided narration. For this type of voiceover work, performers must use an even, calm voice to create a soothing effect on audiences.

6. Digital: Audiobooks often voice-over artists to read full-length novels, short stories, or memoirs for listeners. Podcasts also utilize voice actors as announcers, fictional characters, or promotional purposes.

What Is the Difference Between Voice-Over and Voice Acting ?

There is one key difference between voice-overs and voice acting: Voice-over refers to both the production technique of recording narration for various uses and the unseen narrator’s voice. Voice-over artists are the performers who record narration and performances in a booth for various production uses.