| Scan the internet for voice over work and you | | | | anywhere to anywhere. |
| will be faced with an enormous array of sites | | | | The other reason is that international clients, |
| offering voice training courses, advice about | | | | especially in the US, Middle East and Europe, just |
| agencies and newcomers posting questions asking | | | | love a genuine British accent. In many cases it |
| where and how to start in voice-overs. When you | | | | adds cachet and gives a product upmarket appeal. |
| click on some of these sites, you will notice that | | | | If you have not made your showreel yet, ask |
| many of them are based outside the United | | | | your voice over coach to really bring out your |
| Kingdom. | | | | natural tones and accentuate the accent, whether |
| So where do those of us with British accents find | | | | it is Home Counties BBC style, or you have a |
| the work? One way is to refine the search, | | | | regional lilt such as 'Geordie', 'Scouse' or even |
| putting in keywords such as " UK voice over | | | | 'Brummie.' |
| agency" or "voice over training in London, | | | | Casting your net far and wide is essential in the |
| Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham". You can | | | | voiceover world of the 21st century; those who |
| be even more specific by mentioning your gender; | | | | limit themselves to England, Scotland, Wales or |
| so "female British voice over artist" and "male | | | | Ireland are essentially cutting out huge swathes of |
| British voiceover UK based" will produce some | | | | potential work. But where do you find jobs in |
| interesting results. | | | | other countries? The best way is to use one of |
| However there are limitations to all of this. It | | | | the excellent voice over marketplaces out there. |
| assumes that voice over artists only achieve jobs | | | | These are not agencies, but places where you |
| and work in their country of residence; in the age | | | | can sell your voice - they allow client and voice |
| of the internet this is certainly not the case. | | | | over artist to hook up via email, rather than |
| Those beginning their careers often find there is | | | | meeting face to face or on the phone. Such |
| just as much (if not more) opportunity outside of | | | | encounters can lead to fruitful relationships that |
| Britain. There are a couple of reasons for this: | | | | produce that most valuable of assets - repeat |
| Inexpensive recording equipment means you can | | | | work. |
| set up a mini studio at home with minimal outlay. | | | | However it is also advisable not ignore the |
| You just need your computer, some software | | | | domestic market. Keep a look out for new |
| (free to download from the net) a microphone | | | | agents starting up and submit your voice reel to |
| and sound deadening material. In the latter case, | | | | as many established players as possible. Also cold |
| pillows duvets and curtains will work well in | | | | calling production companies can produce surprising |
| removing room ambience. So it does not matter | | | | results. |
| where you live or indeed where your client is | | | | So keep your options wide open and broaden |
| located, you can deliver a sound file from | | | | your voice over horizons. |