Voice-over is the craft of recording an actor’s voice remotely and inserting it post-production into a video or film production. Typically, clients employ professional voice-over artists or actors. Voice-over is a widely used tool that appears in far more projects than you may realize. There are many uses for voice-overs, including voicing animated characters, narration, dialogue in commercials, automated phone messages, instructional videos, and statements like disclaimers or information sources.

Voice-over actors need to deliver clear copy using the style necessary for the project, whether it’s a funny cartoon character or a serious business briefing. The words must flow easily and sound conversational rather than sound like it's being read. In the case of narration performance, audiences will have no lips to read or body language cues, so quality enunciation is a critical aspect of this work. Voice-over actors also need vocal training for performances such as foreign accents, portraying children, or fantastical fictional characters. To evoke emotions, voice-over actors benefit from having some acting skills.

When it comes to voiceover technique, the actor needs to consider a few different elements. Understanding the context of the project and learning how to control your vocals to meet your goals is essential. Pacing is really important. Knowing when to talk fast, when to pause, and speaking naturally are all critical with each project. Inflection is also key, as tone, pitch, and emotional cues will inform the audience. Work with your director to understand which keywords you need to emphasize and match the piece's temperament. Is it dry, humorous, or dramatic? This is where your acting skills come into play. Finally, if you can vocalize non-human sounds, you’ll have another valuable skill to bring to your craft.