Adventures in Voice Acting - Volume 1

So, you think you'd like to be a voice actor do you? Well, contrary to popular belief, becoming a voice actor requires much more than a "nice voice" and isn't nearly as easy as you might think. Fortunately, Bang Zoom! Entertainment has provided us with an inside look at the world of voice-overs and what it takes to become a successful voice actor. Are you still game? Then read on! :)

The Gist

There was a time when "animation" meant a block of cartoons after school or early Saturday mornings. But today, animation has gone mainstream and the demand for voice actors continues to grow. Add to this the always-increasing popularity of anime, and you've got yourself a broad spectrum of opportunities to do some work.

But just how does one become a voice actor? And more importantly, is it really worth your time?

Bang Zoom! Entertainment has put together a fantastic documentary DVD that takes you inside the world of voice acting and lets you hear the truth first hand from a variety of people in the business.

In Adventures in Voice Acting Volume 1, Bang Zoom! focuses primarily on the anime industry and you get to hear from professional voice actors who possess a variety of experience. In fact, there are a total of 66 voice actors on this DVD (all English) and include both veterans and newcomers such as Wendee Lee, Steven Blum, the late Bob Papenbrook, Michell Ruff, Johnny Yong Bosch, Kate Higgins and Crispin Freeman.

The Review

Now, if you're thinking that watching an anime documentary doesn't sound like much fun, think again.

Bang Zoom! did a great job of breaking the content up into self-contained segments - What is a Voice Actor?, The Process, Finding A Way In, Advice and Is it Worth It? - all designed to answer the questions that plague aspiring voice actors everywhere.

It also provides a chance to put faces to the voices of your favorite characters and its absolutely fascinating watching them go to work in the booth. Because while you may think that voice acting simply requires you to have a good voice, the truth is, you're often asked to do a different voice, say one of a ten year old boy, a shy 14 year old girl or even a talking chicken with an English accent.

And what I found while watching this is that you can't help but try to join in the fun. After all, who doesn't secretly try to mimic some of their favorite characters, anime, cartoons or otherwise?

Luckily, Bang Zoom! provides you with a way to do that via the "Virtual Voice Actor" (DVD Extras) as you are "in the booth" and under the direction of ADR Director Tony Oliver. You're given lines for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and three beeps and "you're on!"

Fun? Yes. Easy as you thought? Absolutely not.

Also included in the Extras is the "Vocal Warm-Ups", including warm-up techniques from several VA's.

But perhaps the most valuable piece to the DVD is that you get to see first hand that anyone can become a voice actor if its really what they want. Race, height, weight... none of those things matter when you're a VA.

The Bottom Line

Whether you're an aspiring voice actor or just someone who loves anime, this is a must-have to add to your collection. Full of invaluable information, you'll also find yourself pleasantly entertained and feeling just a little bit smarter and "in the know" when you're done.