Loss of voice acting talent/First project help

[Sirdog]

I have been working on voice acting for about a year and a half now and I have come across a large problem, I have lost the ability of doing a few of my characters voices. I also wanted to know, as a baritone singer and tenor/baritone voice, how should I proceed in getting into my first few projects, as I am a teen and need help considering people do not take me seriously at all when I try out for a role.

[silentcomposition]

What roles are you trying out for, and what type of voice do you have??

If you are trying out for older males, but still have a young voice then that might be an issue.

I hate hearing people who do the chin-to-chest fake bass voice.
Just work with your natural range.
If it sounds dull to you, then try out some accents, that might help.

[martialmichael126]

I have been working on voice acting for about a year and a half now and I have come across a large problem, I have lost the ability of doing a few of my characters voices.

I can relate to this. When I first started, there was one specific voice I could do, and now I can't quite get it anymore. I can only assume this is natural.

I also wanted to know, as a baritone singer and tenor/baritone voice, how should I proceed in getting into my first few projects, as I am a teen and need help considering people do not take me seriously at all when I try out for a role.

I don't think your singing range has anything to do with how seriously people take you. It's probably your age. Face it, teenagers just aren't taken very seriously.

[OmegaOptimusSupreme]

I've been on here a couple of years now so I'll give you what advice I can. When I first started out auditioning I mostly went for projects where I knew the characters rather well. With characters that you already know about, it's easier to to figure out wether your voice is appropriate for the character(s). Once you find something you know go for everyone you want or at least anyone you'd like to try. When you send in your auditions ask the director for feedback on how to improve. Upon recieving the critique (if the director gives out critiques) review and see if you can take the advice Pretty much rinse and repeat after that. Sometimes you'll get the part but MOST of the time you won't, be weary of that. The most important things to keep in mind though is to follow the director's instructions and to keep a positive attitude. As time passes your range will expand and your acting will improve and hopefully you will get more roles. As for being a teen, if you keep up a good attitude it won't matter. I started when I was a teen (having only recently turned 20 earlier this month) and over time my skills have improved.

The is no secret to perfect voice acting and honestly in my personal opinion there is no such thing as perfect voice acting. There is always room to learn and grow. But yeah, best thing to keep in mind is to keep trying while having a good attitude and you'll go far!

[Adam]

The only thing that will make producers not take you seriously is your attitude, it has nothing to do with your age. If you have a professional attitude (by professional I mean: respectful, follows direction, an overall pleasure to communicate with) then you'll be taken seriously, regardless of your age. Being a teen has nothing to do with how seriously you're taken on this forum, it's all about how you present yourself.

Biggest thing I can recommend as an actor, don't rely on character voices at all. Focus on your actual acting ability, be able to drive out believable emotions, make sure your articulation is clear, your inflection is good and you have good breathing. If you can't do a stereotypical anime voice character so what? There's way more projects out that to just be limited to a single character voice. If you want to be a serious voice actor then focusing on your ability to perform is key, your voice comes second. Your voice could be extremely amazing and a good character voice but if you sound flat and there's no acting then you're not going to get any roles. Where as if you can act you'll be likely to get roles with little effort.

Also, I disagree with only going after characters you know, unless all you want to do are fandubs and you have no aspirations of taking voice acting seriously enough in the future to look for work. If you only go for characters you know then yes, you'll get stronger in those characters but you will be limiting yourself as an actor. You grow and improve more by stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself. There's more projects on this forums then just fandubs or abdriged series. From personal experience, you grow more as an actor through original projects where you're free to develop a character and make it your own instead of relying on mimicing a performance already done by an established actor.

[Chrisiscool86]

^ What Adam said x100000

[OmegaOptimusSupreme]

Also, I disagree with only going after characters you know, unless all you want to do are fandubs and you have no aspirations of taking voice acting seriously enough in the future to look for work. If you only go for characters you know then yes, you'll get stronger in those characters but you will be limiting yourself as an actor. You grow and improve more by stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself. There's more projects on this forums then just fandubs or abdriged series. From personal experience, you grow more as an actor through original projects where you're free to develop a character and make it your own instead of relying on mimicing a performance already done by an established actor.

You twist my words sir. I only suggested to start out with projects you know so you feel more comfortable not to exclusively go for things you've seen before. Also I spoke of nothing about mimicing a performence but only knowing about the character, not the voice. Knowing the in's and out's of the charcters and their personalities can only help your performence. Of course once you feel you are ready to move on to new and mysterious projects then due so. I encourgae it in fact but when you feel you are ready to do so.

[Adam]

You twist my words sir. I only suggested to start out with projects you know so you feel more comfortable not to exclusively go for things you've seen before. Also I spoke of nothing about mimicing a performence but only knowing about the character, not the voice. Knowing the in's and out's of the charcters and their personalities can only help your performence. Of course once you feel you are ready to move on to new and mysterious projects then due so. I encourgae it in fact but when you feel you are ready to do so.

I was more talking from a generic stand point, never said that you were speaking about mimicking prior performances. However, 95% of fandubs are based on impersonating an actor's performance because usually those producing the clip want them to sound like the actor.

In regards to the do what you know part- Yes starting out in a comfort zone is fine as long as you don't stay there and not progress. I read your initial sentence about that wrong at first, it seemed like you were putting a focus on just going for characters you'd know. No harm.

[PrivRyan]

A+ thread. Would read again. I really would.

[Sirdog]

Thanks for all the help guys and gals! I will take all your wonderful help into consideration and hopefully improve my voice.