The Art of Voice Acting: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voiceover
If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing a cartoon character to life, you’ve likely wondered, “how do I become a voice actor?” or “how do you become a voice actor?”
Animation voice acting is one of the most exciting and creative areas in the voice over industry, combining acting, vocal range, and character work to tell stories that captivate all ages.
In this article, we’ll explore how to break into animation voice acting, what skills you need, and how to stand out in a competitive but rewarding niche.
Why Animation Voice Acting Is a Popular Career Path
Animation voice acting is more than just funny voices or exaggerated expressions—it’s a full-fledged acting career behind the mic. From TV shows and animated films to web series and video games, talented voice actors breathe life into characters that live in the hearts of audiences.
Why consider animation voice acting?
- Creative freedom: You can explore unique voices and personalities with every role.
- Expanding industry: Streaming platforms, YouTube animation, and international dubbing are increasing demand.
- High engagement: Animation voice work can be iconic and career-defining.
Whether you’re voicing a courageous hero or a mischievous sidekick, animation allows for unmatched storytelling potential.
How Do I Become a Voice Actor in Animation?
If you’re asking yourself, “how do I become a voice actor?” for animation, here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
1. Develop Strong Acting Skills
At the core of animation voice acting is performance. You’re not just reading lines—you’re acting with your voice.
To succeed, you must:
- Take acting classes (in-person or online)
- Practice improvisation, which is a major asset in animation sessions
- Study performances from top voice actors like Tara Strong, Tom Kenny, or Cree Summer
Understanding character motivation, timing, and emotional delivery is essential. The better actor you are, the better voice actor you’ll be.
2. Build a Repertoire of Unique Voices
In animation, casting directors look for versatility. You’ll often be asked to voice multiple characters in one project.
Practice creating voices with differences in:
- Pitch and tone
- Accents and dialects
- Age and personality
- Speech patterns or quirks
A great exercise is to read a scene with multiple characters and create a distinct voice for each one.
3. Create an Animation Demo Reel
Once your character voice library is developed, it’s time to create a demo reel—your number-one marketing tool.
Tips for a standout animation demo:
- Keep it around 60–90 seconds
- Include 5–7 different character voices
- Start with your strongest voice
- Show variety: comedy, drama, hero, villain, child, etc.
- Use professionally mixed and edited audio
Your demo should be engaging from the first second and demonstrate range, acting chops, and originality.
4. Set Up a Professional Recording Environment
While many animation projects are recorded in-studio, more and more casting calls require home recordings, especially for auditions.
Your home setup should include:
- A studio-quality microphone (e.g., Rode NT1, Shure SM7B)
- An audio interface and DAW (Audacity, Reaper, Adobe Audition)
- A sound-treated booth or room to ensure clean, echo-free audio
Producers expect clean, broadcast-quality sound, even for audition submissions.
5. Find Animation Voice Acting Opportunities
Now that you’re trained and have a demo, it’s time to audition. You can find animation gigs through:
- Voice over platforms like Voices.com, Voice123, and Bodalgo
- Industry marketplaces like Casting Call Club (especially for indie animation)
- Talent agencies (submit your reel and resume)
- Social media and LinkedIn networking with animators and indie studios
Start small by auditioning for web animations, student projects, or indie games—these are great for gaining experience and building a resume.
How Do You Become a Voice Actor in Animation? Start Here
Learning how do you become a voice actor for animation takes dedication, practice, and passion. The animation niche is competitive, but also deeply rewarding for those willing to master the craft.
If you’re still wondering, “how do I become a voice actor?”, start by honing your acting skills, developing a strong character voice portfolio, and putting yourself out there.
Every animated character needs a voice—and it could be yours.
The Art of Voice Acting: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voiceover