Does anyone know if those job descriptors require any special education? Narrating books is always something I wanted to try but felt intimidated by the education I might need to qualify for that work.
The tone of your voice has to match what they want. From what I understand, there is somewhat of a science to that. Matching voices to the commercial, book, or whatever else needs narrating.
I think it would be a bit like acting. Learning how to emote the range of emotions realistically, not hamming it up.
Realistic by who's standards? The narrator or the average listener?
I would like to find the companies that do this and send them samples of me narrating a few paragraphs from books of different genres. Just to see how well I do.
Rusty Messages: 1186 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
Realistic by who's standards? The narrator or the average listener?
I'd imagine it would be a judgement by the source who is marketing the product. Like when an actor reads for a part in a tv or movie production. Or like you sending in your narration reading from a book.
You could create some samples and upload them to YouTube. Then make a profile on Fivver or another job platform. It doesn't hurt to try. I know that I could never do it. I tend to mumble, and I have a country twang.
Narrating books require more skills such as acting and knowing how to regulate your voice. It would help to have a few voice lessons so that you can improve your pitch and tone. Other than that, practice all the way to make up for inadequacies.
Acting skills may help since you'll be more knowledgeable about which kind of voice will be suitable for a scene. It may also help to take note of the book's genre that'll better befit your ability.
Special education might be required when starting a job in knowledge-based fields. However, I don't think it would be a problem to try and see how things will go first in this area since narrating books is skill-based.
I don't think any particular education is required. Maybe a background in radio would be helpful? I think that as long as you have an expressive voice and can read well, you should be able to find some way to get into voice acting!
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