Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 12/8/2010

Question
Do you know how one gets into the field of narrating? I know there's more to it than having a good voice, but it's hard to know what to do.

I am asking for a friend who is the Army and wherever he is stationed, he ends up being "The voice of...." He has a small amount of acting experience so he has a little more than a great voice.

This guy was a tremendous help to my son at basic training and I'm looking for a way to pay him back. I'd like to give him some helpful information, perhaps a book? Anything that might help him learn what to do to enter the business would be great.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Carol This is called voice acting, and include advertising voice over, recording for the blind, recording technical manuals, etc, etc. To get into this work, all one need is a pod-casting kit and a computer. When you learn how to operate the pod-casting software, you can sign up for voice acting casting sites that list jobs and list talent. The costs are very reasonable. Then you post a demo tape on the site with your info, and peruse the many jobs to find ones that you may be right for and submit for them. sometime you will get hired, sometimes a client will contact you from your listing on the site. You do the recording in your home and conduct the entire business via email .  It is very good for the great self motivator. When you have a bit of experience, you can get a talent agent to help find you work. God bless, Doc