A week ago, I received an unexpected job offer to provide my voice for a commercial.
The job happened on Friday. It was so cool that I won’t mind solely doing this for a living.
Of course, like acting, you’re still subject to uncertainty and long waiting times between jobs, so it’s not a sure carerer.
But in voice work, at least, the audition processs is more or less eliminated so it’s less hassle. All you need to do is submit your voice samples via e-mail and wait for good news.
I can’t tell you the details yet, but the job was for an Internet commercial.
Me with the creative team from Ogilvy & Mather.
The recording was done at The Gunnery, which does audio for all kinds of productions.
Two months back, I had gone for a voice performance workshop at The Gunnery to learn about doing voiceovers for TV and radio commercials.
It was just one of those things I do because I like to learn new stuff. I never really thought I’d have the chance to be a professional voice artist, especially since I hate the sound of my own voice.
I’m not entirely new to voice work, of course, having provided many voiceovers for my own acting performances and commercials, but those were kind of like tag-on assignments, so they’re not really counted.
I did voice over one beauty salon TV commercial many years ago but it was more a favour for someone than anything else.
But I guess attending the workshop paid off because it got me this job.
In the workshop, we learnt how to tweak our voices in dozens of subtle ways to achieve effects desired by clients. We learnt tricks on how to sound a certain way by doing certain physical actions.
We also recorded several samples of us reading actual commercial scripts.
Me with Evan Roberts, creative director of The Gunnery.
Evan was our coach at the workshop. He also directed my performance on Friday and did the sound engineering. He’s amazingly talented as well as patient and awesome. I can’t wait to work with him again!
Well, as much as I hate my voice, this is something I don’t mind pursuing. I mean, if there are people who like my voice, I’m using it.
The work is challenging, fun and immensely satisfying when you get it right. Sometimes, your voice just refuses to come out the way you want it and then it’s all wrong, and you have to do it over and over.
I wonder if I’ll get more jobs after this?
Hmmm…..
how about RK House No Pork Part II ?
It’s fun to prank on pork curry :P
Hehe.. that’s pretty much the line I was in. I worked as an audio engineer and did voiceovers once in a while. There are quite a few pure VO talents and they do make quite a bit of money.
It definitely is probably more fun on the talent side than behind the scenes. But seeing the finals product on radio, TV or film was quite rewarding. But for me, I got a little burnt out, so it was time for a career change.
If you’re interested let me know, I’ll pass you my contact. :)
Wah! This is so cool! Congrats and enjoy!
Voice work is fun! I know lots of girls who do it full time. One 30 something woman has perfected the voice of a tiny tot, she gets used all the time.
Lena, This is way cool. I still remember singing and writing with you throughout our childhood. Now you get to do this for a living. Awesome. On to more voice jobs!
Looking forward to see, correction, hear you new commerical.
Evan Roberts so friendly or is he trying to eat your tofu? Didn’t you use your newfound muscles to push him away?
@Sheylara: This is wonderful! Really happy to see your list of gigs growing, and I wish you many more alternative revenue streams:) But yeah, I’m with tiger4 on this one… maybe he’s avuncular, i suppose.
Relax: Hmm… the pork curry got 2 parts? I only heard one pork curry, and then the other one is the chinese coffeeshop one. Prefer the first one!
Carn: Ah yes, I remember you were in the line. :) Hmm, so what are you doing now? Well, if you can help me get into the field, I’d be very grateful! :)
Benjack: Thanks! :)
Hillary: Wow, cool. Have you ever thought of doing it too since you know so many people doing it? You have a nice voice, don’t waste it!
Sharon: Thanks, cousin! Great to hear from you once in a while! I sure miss our childhood days. ;)
tiger4: Haha, well, I got no tofu to eat lah. I’m all skin and bones. Hahaha.
RN1209: Thanks thanks!
Hi, I ve seen that you ve attend a voice performance workshop at The Gunnery, I am interested in becoming a voice artist but I do not possess such talent so I am thinking of attending such workshop as a start…
wow, being a voice artiste seems so cool i want to be one too! *interested*