Dubbing is an essential part of filmmaking and advertising. This is the part of the filming process where a voice recording is added to a film, often in different languages.
While this may sound like a simple process, a lot of preparation goes into dubbing. This is because there are many different nuances in different languages. This means that a word-for-word translation of some projects may end up changing the content. This is why most companies prefer dubbing when adopting content in other languages.
For people in your target audience to accept a dubbed project, the process has to be seamless. If you have ever watched a movie and you didn’t even notice the dubbing then that’s a well-done movie. And this is what most productions aim to produce.
Dubbing and voiceovers are two important tools that you can use for localization. These tools are useful if you want to localize voice and video content for larger audiences. And this is what you should aim for as a content creator.
Think about content creators on YouTube for instance. If they can localize their content for wider audiences they’ll get more views. And more views on YouTube can result in increased revenue. Plus, having lots of YouTube traffic has other juicy perks.
Since dubbing and voiceovers are examples of art, a lot of work goes into getting the process right. There are several things that you need to do to get the skills for a dubbing or voiceover career.
Let’s break down some of these steps below.
Take acting classes
Dubbing and voiceover art needs a person to follow a script. Be it for a film or an ad, you’ll need to get into some kind of character for smooth delivery. While some people are naturals, there are some of us who need some training to get the voices right.
Dubbing and voiceovers only use voice and at no point will you be visible on screen. This means that you don’t get to have facial expressions or any other gestures to communicate. Instead, you’ll have to show all your emotions through your voice, and this takes practice.
Having a good voice coach to help you can be a huge advantage. This is especially true if they’re also seasoned in dubbing or voice-overs. Sometimes people make the rookie mistake of trying to copy other voice-over artists. This is a slippery slope that may leave you sounding nothing like what most dubbing jobs need.
Taking an acting class with a good trainer or coach will help you bring out your authentic voice and this is exactly what you should aim for.
Keep practicing
Dubbing and voiceover jobs are often competitive and it may take some time to land one. This doesn’t mean that you should sit and wait, no. Instead, you should take every opportunity to practice your voice-acting skills. Like every other skill, voice acting only gets better with extensive practice.
This is why you should dedicate some time daily to make a recording or two and try out different characters. This will ensure that you have recordings to submit for auditions. At the same time, you’ll keep getting better at voice acting.
Audition
The best dubbing and voiceover artists are those who audition as often as possible. Remember that these voice acting jobs are very competitive and you need to apply for as many as you can. Casting out a wide net will help you catch something, no matter how small. This will give you an opportunity to showcase what you can do.
The more you audition the more practice you get so it’s a win-win in the end. Putting yourself out there will also put you in a good position for employers to consider you in the future. This is a great way to get dubbing and voiceover jobs.
Submit demos to agencies and clients
Agencies can make it easier to get dubbing jobs. This is because some clients don’t like the hassle of having to listen to many audition tapes. To avoid this, these clients outsource the help of a voice acting agency to match them with talent. This is why you should send your demo to as many agencies as possible.
Some potential clients may also allow you to submit demo recordings This is a great opportunity as it means that your potential client will have your recording on file. And in case they need voiceover talent, they’ll find yours when they look through their database.
Take up pro bono jobs
Think of it as an unpaid internship, an opportunity to show what you can do. Starting out in a new field can be a daunting experience. This is why you should take every opportunity to showcase yourself.
In the dubbing and voiceover space, you can do this by taking up a few tasks at no cost. Once you take up such an opportunity the onus will then fall to you to prove why they should call you back. And, if you’re good at what you do best believe they’ll call you back.
Build a network
This is exactly how you’d do it if you were going into any other career. Socializing with people in the same sector increases the chances that you’ll get a dubbing or voiceover job. So don’t shy away from opportunities to network—no matter how daunting they may feel.
With the ongoing pandemic, webinars are now the main events for networking. There are also many people who have moved their conferences into online spaces. Take advantage of these opportunities. You never know where your next referral will come from.
Voiceovers from Day Translations
Day Translations has a team of trained professional voice actors who can help you bring your story to life. The team consists of sound engineers, linguists, and voice actors that work together. With this team, you can be sure of high-quality outputs that your audience will enjoy.