Animation Voice Over for Independent Projects: A Totally Bonkers Guide to Bringing Your Characters to Life!
Holy guacamole, animation aficionados! Gather ’round, because we’re about to embark on a wild and wacky journey into the zany world of animation voice over for independent projects. Buckle up, buttercup, ’cause this ride’s gonna be bumpier than a cartoon character running over a field of banana peels!
CARTOONS & ANIME
FriendzSpace
Jojo"s Bizarre Adventure
Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun
Shaman King 2021
Lycoris Recoil
DC Superhero Girls
Tom and Jerry
Super Crooks
Ultraman
How NOT To Summon A Demon
Hunter X Hunter
Regular Show "Rawls"
Regular Show "Various"
Wan pîsu: One Piece
Pop Team Epic!
Monchichi Tribe
Akudama Drive
AAkudama Drive ADR
Backstreet Girls: Gokudolls
Sirius The Jaeger
Baki
Homeward
Gundam IBO
"Transformers Rescue Bots" Season 2
Transformers: Rescue Bots Season 2
"Transformers: Rescue Bots" Season 1
Transformers: Behind The Scenes
The American Dream
Naruto: Shippûden
Jojo's Announcement!
Family Guy
What in the Name of Talking Sponges is Animation Voice Over?
Well, slap me silly and call me Sally! Animation voice over is the super-duper magical process where voice actors transform from regular ol’ humans into the voices behind your favorite animated characters. It’s like they swallow a whole circus and burp out pure personality! These vocal virtuosos breathe more life into cartoons than a mad scientist with a lightning bolt and a pair of jumper cables!
How’s It Different from Other Voice Over Mumbo Jumbo?
Hoo boy, let me tell ya! Animation voice over is like the wild child of the voice over family. While other voice over work is all “straight-laced and serious,” animation voice over is doing cartwheels in a clown costume! It’s more over-the-top than a skyscraper on stilts! Check out this fancy-schmancy guide to voice over types if you don’t believe me!
Examples That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop Faster Than an Anvil in a Cartoon!
Golly gee whiz, where do I start? We’ve got Robin Williams as the Genie, bouncing off the walls of the recording booth like a rubber ball in a blender! And don’t even get me started on Tom Kenny as SpongeBob – that guy’s got more voices in him than a ventriloquist convention!
Why Voice Over is More Important Than Sliced Bread (And Maybe Even Pizza!)
Listen up, you knuckleheads! Voice over in animation is more crucial than a parachute to a skydiver! Without it, your characters would be as silent as a mime in a library. And let me tell ya, that’s about as fun as a root canal performed by a gorilla!
It’s Got More Impact Than a Piano Falling from the Sky!
Voice over grabs your audience by the ears and doesn’t let go! It’s like a verbal rollercoaster that takes your emotions for a loop-de-loop. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re crying, and then you’re wondering why you’re suddenly craving a giant sandwich – that’s the power of great voice over, folks!
Voice Actors So Iconic, They Should Be on Mount Rushmore!
Hold onto your hats, ’cause these voice actors are about to blow your mind:
- Mel Blanc – This guy had more voices than a box of parrots! Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck – he voiced ’em all!
- Nancy Cartwright – The woman behind Bart Simpson. She’s been a 10-year-old boy longer than anyone in history!
- Tara Strong – This vocal powerhouse has voiced more characters than you’ve had hot dinners!
Finding the Right Voice Actor: It’s Like Dating, But Weirder!
Step 1: Know What You Want (But Be Prepared for Surprises!)
Before you dive into the voice actor pool, figure out what kind of voice makes your cartoon heart go pitter-patter. Are you looking for a voice smoother than a buttered-up eel? Or maybe something raspier than sandpaper on a chalkboard? Get it all down on paper, you beautiful genius, you!
Step 2: Where to Find These Elusive Vocal Creatures
Time to put on your detective hat and magnifying glass! Here are some treasure maps to the land of voice actors:
- Voices.com – It’s like a voice actor zoo, but without the funky smells!
- Fiverr – Perfect for when your budget is tighter than a cartoon character’s pants after Thanksgiving dinner.
- Backstage – Where the pros hang out. It’s like a fancy voice actor country club!
And don’t forget to check out those wacky voice acting forums and social media groups. They’re like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get!
Step 3: Listen Up, Buttercup!
Time to give those ears a workout! Listen to voice demos like they’re the last sounds on Earth. Does that voice make you feel things? Does it tickle your funny bone or tug at your heartstrings? If it doesn’t make you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck full of emotions, keep looking!
Step 4: Read Those Reviews Like They’re Treasure Maps
Reviews are like a crystal ball into your future working relationship. If someone says, “This voice actor is more reliable than gravity,” that’s a good sign! But if the reviews are scarier than a horror movie marathon, run away faster than a cartoon character being chased by a swarm of bees!
Step 5: Chat ‘Em Up!
Time to put on your friendly pants and have a chinwag with your potential voice actor. Ask them about their experience, their favorite ice cream flavor, and their thoughts on the great pineapple-on-pizza debate. Okay, maybe stick to the professional stuff, but you get the idea!
Step 6: Give ‘Em the Lowdown
Once you’ve snagged your voice actor, give ’em a script so detailed it would make a novelist jealous. Tell them everything – how the character walks, talks, and what they had for breakfast. The more info, the better!
Hiring a Voice Actor: It’s Like Adopting a Vocal Pet!
Preparing for the Big Day
Before you start throwing money around like a cartoon millionaire, figure out your budget. Voice over rates can be wackier than a fun house mirror, so do your homework! And get your project requirements so clear, you could read them from space!
The Hiring Hoedown
Ready to hire? Great! Now’s the time to contact those voice actors and give ’em the ol’ razzle-dazzle. Tell them about your project with more enthusiasm than a cheerleader on espresso. Discuss rates, availability, and whether they prefer chocolate or vanilla (okay, maybe not that last one).
Contract Time: Let’s Make it Official!
Time to put on your serious hat (you know, the one with the propeller on top). Draft up a contract that covers everything from payment to deadlines. Make it clearer than a cartoon character’s conscience after confessing to stealing a pie. Get those signatures and let’s make some voice over magic!
Working with Voice Actors: It’s Like Herding Cats, But Fun!
Direction and Feedback: Be the Cartoon Director of Your Dreams!
When working with your voice actor, be clearer than a bell in a silent movie. Give feedback like you’re handing out candy on Halloween – generously and with a big smile! But remember, these voice actors are creative geniuses, so be open to their ideas. They might just come up with something zanier than you ever imagined!
Communication: More Important Than a Cartoon Character’s Ability to Defy Gravity!
Keep those lines of communication more open than a 24-hour diner! Update your voice actor on script changes faster than a roadrunner on rocket skates. Answer their questions quicker than a cartoon character changes outfits. Good communication is the secret sauce in the voice over sandwich!
Building Relationships: It’s Like Making a New Best Friend, But With More Funny Voices!
If you find a voice actor who’s more perfect than a pie in the face gag, hold onto them tighter than a cartoon character dangling from a cliff! These talented folks can become the secret weapon in your animation arsenal. Plus, they might just be your new karaoke buddy!
In Conclusion: That’s All, Folks! (But Not Really)
Well, butter my biscuit and call me a cartoon! We’ve journeyed through the wild world of animation voice over, and what a trip it’s been! Remember, finding the right voice for your characters is more important than a cartoon cat’s nine lives. It can make your animation more unforgettable than a piano falling on your head!
So what are you waiting for, you amazing animation auteur? Get out there and find the voice that’ll make your characters more alive than a cartoon rabbit in a carrot field! Your animation adventure awaits, and it’s going to be more exciting than a chase scene in a cartoon kitchen!
