Day in the life of
Voice Over Artist – Marilena Gant
I have a home studio so I often work from my own studio each day. Each day is very different, for example, one day I might be recording auditions for animation/cartoon and video game projects. Another day I might be recording voice overs for corporate videos, medical narration (which helps to teach Doctors and Nurses), or have a recording session for a radio commercial.
I mainly record for Commercials (TV/Radio/Web), Corporate narration, E-learning (especially Children’s/K12 Educational projects), and Video Game projects.
Each day totally varies on how much I record. Some days I could be glued to my home studio and spend almost all day recording and editing. Other days I might be in the studio for a couple of hours to send a few auditions and record a job or two. It’s very hard to predict how each day will turn out and you have to be ready when a brief comes in from a client to record for them. Things tend to move quickly in the voiceover world so I always try to offer my clients a 24-hour turnaround.
I always take time to discuss a client’s needs and requirements before I begin recording. The more direction they can give the better, to help me nail the exact style, tone, and feel they would like from their Voiceover recording. I’ll look at the script and, keeping their direction in mind, give my interpretation. I then edit the audio to their specification and send it back to them to include in their project. Often clients and studios like to ‘dial in’ to my studio whilst I record so they can offer me live direction and feedback. I sometimes work from other studios too, especially for Commercial, Video Game, and Animation/Dubbing projects, and in these sessions, the director is there to guide and direct you.
Voice acting for Raid: Shadow Legends
Continuous learning with workshops and private coaching
I set aside a little time each month to take workshops or private coaching in new areas of voiceover where I’d like to expand my skill set. The industry is always growing and evolving so it’s important for all voiceover artists to make sure their skills and abilities are up to date too. Spending time continually honing your craft is essential and there is always something new to learn. I’ve worked with some wonderful coaches and mentors over the years and there are also dozens of great groups and companies who host workshops and webinars dedicated to voiceover. I’m based in Glasgow, Scotland but I’ve taken workshops with Voice coaches in LA, New York, and London all thanks to the power of Zoom!
Always be marketing
I market my voiceover business almost every single day and make sure I have at least an hour in my calendar each morning to do this. I spend time looking for new leads, (companies or studios who might be in need of a voiceover artist) and then reach out to them to see if I can help meet their voiceover needs. I might reach out via direct email marketing, through Linkedin, or perhaps through networking meetings.
Pros
No two days are ever the same and there’s always something new to learn! I really enjoy the variety of my job and the chance to be creative each day. I wake up in the morning and I head into my little studio (or go to a bigger studio in my city) I might be playing an animated hedgehog, a video game warrior, or something totally different like a financial expert.
There is a place for everyone and every voice – more so than on camera/theatre acting. What you look like (age, gender, appearance, etc) doesn’t matter, it’s all about the sound of your voice and your acting skills behind the mic.
Cons
The variety which I love can also be a downside as you never really know what each day will look like financially too.
It can also be a lonely industry as you don’t have colleagues in the traditional sense, you often are working on your own in your studio all day and that can be tough if you are used to working in an office or as part of a big team.
