–
Backstage Magazine Talks Voice Acting.
Did They Say Anything That Matters?
–
–
By Kayla Bowles, August 11, 2024
–
Volume 65, No. 12 of Backstage magazine, published on July 11, 2024, contains a multitude of insights into the voiceover industry, including sit-downs with award-winning actors and a behind-the-scenes look from voice and casting directors. This issue of Backstage is, in my opinion, an absolute gold mine, jam-packed with information that is valuable to newcomers, casual voice actors, and high-profile stars alike. Of course, in every anthology, there are some articles that stick out more than others. In addition to those analyzed in this review, 10 Standout Voice Performances of 2024 (So Far) and The 5 Greatest Voice Actors of All Time also provided some insight into the industry, although not with the same level of depth as the more extensive interviews. Being relatively new to the industry myself, it is very easy to sometimes feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the successes and scholarship that surrounds me, however a resource like Backstage and all its contributors triumph in providing the materials for both green and veteran voice actors to create their own blueprints for building the career of their dreams.
–
What stands out to me about this particular collection of articles and interviews is the two main points of focus: A-list celebrity or otherwise well-known voice actors and advice for actors looking to break into the voiceover industry. This juxtaposition is particularly interesting—and in my opinion, has come at the perfect time— as the presence of big-name film stars in the industry has become something of a talking point among voice actors who came up in voiceover; however, in reviewing this issue of Backstage, I have come to appreciate and understand that this conversation requires a much deeper perspective.
–
Jason Clarke writes, in Are celebrities stealing the thunder from voice and commercial actors?, that while there was once a time where voice actors, particularly commercial voice actors, were for the most part, only recognizable by ear. To the avid consumer of media today, that might be considered unfathomable, as the voices (and faces) of celebrities have become synonymous with many of the brands they advertise. Clarke references the words of veteran actor David Shatraw, who attributes the state of commercials today to the SAG-AFTRA strike of 2000, during which “…commercial actors demanded residuals for cable TV spots. At the time, they were being paid a meager one-time fee for these ads, no matter how often they aired. The strike last for six months.” Due to the lengths of the strike, union work has never truly returned, and today, most commercials are performed by non-union actors. In addition to these changes, “…the influx of celebrity commercials has led to casting descriptions with very specific reference notes.” However, Clarke points out that “… Despite the shrinking number of available jobs, having a celeb paying into everyone’s health and benefits packages can be quite advantageous for a gig actor, as they will eventually reap the rewards of an A-lister’s much larger salary.”
–
Article continues after announcement.
–
From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences
–
Enter the Voice Arts Awards Here
Article continues…
–
Legendary casting and voice director Andrea Romano, known for her work on beloved series such as ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ and the original ‘Animaniacs,’ shares this sentiment, discussing with Backstage that what makes a good recording session to her is the preparedness of the actors. They need to have read the script, asked any questions they might have in order to better understand their characters, and familiarize themselves with the project if possible.
–
Romano stresses the importance of familiarizing oneself with the energy and style of the animation as well as the context of the story, and that in order to get the desired response from a voice actor, directors should read the actor in by providing a line or two leading up to when that actor is meant to come in. A veteran of the industry for over thirty years, Romano also had some strong opinions on celebrity casting, stating that despite the huge demand from “…producers and studios to use celebrities, [she] always was of the mind that the best actor for the role should be the one who is cast. And [she] will fight for the rank-and-file voice actor over the celebrity every time, unless the celebrity is truly qualified to do it.” What holds weight to her is the actor’s demo reel and what the actor is able to do with their voice.
–
For voice actor and senior producer at Crunchyroll Colleen Clinkenbeard, a great demo reel is only one potential avenue for breaking into the more niche Anime-dubbing industry. In the last few decades, Japanese animation has cemented itself as a staple in popular culture, and with it, interest in the craft of localizing these stories for the English-speaking market has skyrocketed. Similarly to Romano, Clinkenbeard underlines the importance of immersing oneself in the medium in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work, although not for the same reason. Unlike in western animation, anime dubbing requires voice actors to have an additional set of skills. Clinkenbeard describes the work as “…left-brain acting, because there is a science and puzzle-solving quality to it that video-game and commercial voice acting don’t have.” Voice actors who work in dubbing need to have an aptitude for “…cold reads, changing timing of reads to match mouth movements, and emotionally justifying pauses in a line where one would not normally pause.” Still, it is not insurmountable work that is only relegated to professionals with years of experience.
–
Article continues after announcement.
–
From Society of Voice Arts and Sciences:
Article continues…
–
Clinkenbeard contributes three invaluable tips for actors pursing anime dubbing or otherwise looking to hone their skills: reading aloud, studying recordings of your own voice, and networking. Much like the vocal performance tips and warmups shared by actor, director, and instructor Page Clements, these pointers will provide voice actors with the tools they need in order to strengthen their abilities. Clinkenbeard and Clements both emphasize the benefits of reading aloud and familiarizing yourself with your voice; identifying your authentic range, strong suits, and what you as an actor need to work on, whether that be pronunciation, speech impediments, or resonance.
–
While it is less technical, networking is also a vital skill that voice actors need to cultivate, particularly in the dubbing field. Writer Scott A. Rosenberg points out that establishing connections “… with people who are already embedded in the industry can be a backdoor into booking gigs [and that many] prospective dubbers are anime fans trying to break into the field by immersing themselves in the culture.” Events such as fan conventions and conferences like SOVAS’ own That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo are places where aspiring anime dubbers can meet and learn from professionals and other industry hopefuls. ♦♦♦
–
Kayla Bowles is assistant to Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker, founders of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), creators of That’s Voiceover! Career Expo, and the Voice Arts Awards. She currently studies the art of voice acting with Joan Baker, and has studied with Real Voice L.A., The Acting Studio, and Broadway Evolved. Though new to the voiceover business, Kayla has already booked a local TV commercial, a role in an indie animated series (in development), and has lent her voice to various passion projects. She is currently an undergrad at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
Leave a Reply