Becoming a voice actor

[Jiffy]

This is kind of a dumb question, but when exactly do you become "a voice actor" (or "an amateur voice actor") rather than a guy who likes voice acting?

[Sodapop]

Actually, I'm interested in this, too, and would love the advice.

A talent scout came to my high school when I was a teenager, searching for models and voice actors, and said then that I was perfect, but my parents nixed the idea and now I'm only just starting on the idea of going back to it.

[Jessica Adnee]

Well, personally, I think that when you get your first role is the real thing.

I mean, if you've voice acted then your a voice actor. Whether you want to be one or not is how you get the title.

If you've done a role and you want to be an AVA then I think you can consider yourself one. Other's may disagree but personally, I think that's the definition.

Voice Actor = One Who Voice Acts

[Lucien]

I would say it has to be something that you actively persue. If you did a couple roles 6 months ago, and haven't really thought about it since, I don't consider that person a voice actor, anymore than I call myself a violin player because I practiced for a few years and perhaps pick it up again every other few years or so for a quick tune.

[Yoda117]

As usual, I'm going with Lucien on this one.

It's one thing to talk about it, but if you are actively doing something (which might not always involve AVA work... such as training or auditioning)... then that is something altogether different.

[Lioncourt]

I'm sort of echoing Lucien's point here too, but I think that it's a similar case to any interests you have. You can practice doing something regularly in the case of a hobby or keen interest and on the other hand in could be something that you only engage in from time to time.

You could look at voice acting from the same perspetive, if it's something that you do regularly and enjoy, then it would be fair to class you as a 'voice actor' otherwise it would be more of a passing interest from time to time.

Of course this is entirely down to personal perception, I would guess that the most important question when trying to decide is "Do YOU think you are a voice actor?"

Hope that made sense. ^^

[Jiffy]

I see, that preety much cleared it up for me,Thanks.