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Is the Voice-Over Industry Over Saturated?
by Jason McCoy
Updated August 2022
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Jason you forgot to mention that agents Will not Take a Newbie(No name VO) Into their Portfolio there had been a Few Vo who are Newbies get rejected because They Are no Names i.e. They haven’t Gotten any Work to there Name and in this day and age getting an agent You would Need to have a least 30 or 50 works credited to you before an agent takes an interest after all an agent not only looking for a good voice but all so somebody that going to earn them a cash flow and in this day and age to get a vary respective agency Or agent you would need to be atlases sag level in vo such as Kyle Hebert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Hebert Kyle started out as a disc jockey at radio Disney here’s a wiki podia copy and past about him
Kyle Henry Hebert (/ˈeɪbɛər/ AY-bair) is an American voice actor and DJ who works for anime and video game series, such as the teenage/adult Gohan and the narrator in the Funimation dub of the Dragon Ball series, Sōsuke Aizen in Bleach, Ryu in the Street Fighter video game series, Kiba Inuzuka in Naruto, Kamina in Gurren Lagann, Ryuji Suguro in Blue Exorcist, Noriaki Kakyoin in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, and Fat Gum in My Hero Academia.
Career
Hebert got his start in voice-over during the mid-1990s as a disc jockey for Radio Disney, under the pseudonym Squeege. This lasted until September 2005, when he moved from Dallas to Los Angeles, to get bigger interests in the world of voice acting.
He had cameo roles in various anime dubs such as Case Closed, Fruits Basket, and One Piece with recurring roles including Fullmetal Alchemist, Kiba Inuzuka on Naruto, Sōsuke Aizen and Ganju Shiba in Bleach, Kamina in Gurren Lagann, Gohan in the Dragon Ball series, Ryu in the Street Fighter series, and Big the Cat in the Sonic the Hedgehog series in 2010.
In 2009 and 2011, he voiced “The Sniper” in the animated spoof of Dirty Harry films entitled Magnum Farce and is set to reprise the expanded role of Blivit, The Sniper and that of Governor Arnold Schwartzenherzen-Geldengrubber in the feature film currently in production.
At Anime Expo 2009, Kyle won Best English Voice Actor in the SPJA Awards for his role as Kamina in Gurren Lagann. He is also a podcaster, co-founding and hosting the weekly BigBaldBroadcast with his long-time friend, known only as “Otherworld” Steve.
Personal life
On July 10, 2015, Hebert proposed to Christina Louise, an author whom goes by the pen name Ryter Rong. They married on February 14, 2018.
He has a daughter, Kayla Marie Hebert, who was born in 1996.
Hebert revealed his autism diagnosis on Twitter in 2017.
Thanks Jason. That’s good info. It’s morale booster for me to go ahead with my decision to work in this area.
Actually, by listening to this podcast i have known what my mind is exactly thinking about how to succeed in this industry and it is dedication cause luck does not come itself. Thanks much it is very helpful for me.
Interesting… worthwhile… thanks Jason
I think your assessment is spot on, Jason. Numbers thrown around can sometimes be very deceiving.
Very interesting and informative. I have thought of voice-over for a long time. I am an actor/singer and would like to do voice-over, but not sure exactly what the first step I should take. Where is the best place to look for an agent? I have seen some that are rip-offs and want to charge a lot to even talk to an agent! (I had an agent many years ago and he got paid only when I got work…didn’t cost me!)
Thanks Jason keep the podcasts coming !
Thanks for this Jason! Your insights were encouraging and impacting reminders for new VO artists. I have gone through coaching and masterclasses. I signed on a few months ago to ACX and have done a few auditions but have not gotten any work yet. I got discouraged for a second but then went back to the basics…I’ve set monthly goals; I’ve scheduled days in my week when I will audition I have given myself monthly challenges for my VO work.
From this podcast, you’ve given me insight into further defining my voice in a well-saturated market.
Sounds like a great plan Paula! Stay motivated 🙂
Jason, great response to the question re VO biz over saturation. Your response insightful and encouraging. My philosophy is “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” I’m a newbie but willing to put in the work, study, practice, network, learn the VO business, tap the ton of resources available, such as the many you provide for VO talents and the many other free as well as helpful paid resources available.
Exactly – you have to show up and put the effort in to make progress in anything.
I appreciate your brevity and thoughtful responses to questions that are useful to new VO artists.
Thanks Thomas! Happy to help.
I have Voice Over Experience and wamtvto get back into the industry. How may I begin?
Start with step 1: https://voiceacting101.com/voice-acting-step-1/
I like that interest was clarified versus folks willing to flex their creativity and treat voice-over as a business. The business part of voice-over isn’t emphasized in the advertisements encouraging people to sign up for the training needed in this profession.
Jason:
I enjoy your practical and no nonsense advice. Every business has lots of competition. You need a plan, talent and lots of practice to carve out your niche in this business.
Thanks Michael. I think many forget about having a plan and think it’s luck or being discovered.
Good info, Jason. You brought up some interesting points that I totally agree with! I have noticed that when I mention I am a voice actor, someone will inevitably say “Oh, I have a friend/son/student…[etc.] who is interested in doing that”. I would love to be able to take a survey to see how many people who are “interested” actually try it!
Thanks Kathi! It’s definitely an occupation that sparks interest.
Good podcast Jason and very true. I find a lot of people think they have a great voice but once they see how hard it is and then get discouraged by doing 100 auditions only to get one job….they soon drop off. The secret is to stick with it and dont give up. Keep learning and adapting from failures…..
Thanks Steve. Exactly. Many people think voice-over success = nice voice + someone who knows a good voice when they hear it (agent). Once they realize it doesn’t work that way and that it takes effort, they look for an easier way.
Thank you for addressing this topic! It’s easy to become intimidated when you are just starting out. I am a year and a half into this, working very part time. I am just now at a place to push forward and grow my business substantially. If you want to succeed, I can’t recommend enough to INVEST in this endeavor. Not only in learning the business side & the equipment, but also with your time, in the right mindset, in how to perform and in how to master audio.There is no easy button in VO. Keep heart, I hear it said repeatedly, that the market is growing and there is enough work for all of us!
Great points Teresa! No matter what business you’re in, it’s good to know each part of it inside and out.
Nothing comes easy, you have to do the work. In VO, that means getting the training ($$), buying the proper equipment and having a proper work space ($$) and having a professional, marketable demo ($$$).
Right – if it were easy, everyone would do it. It comes down to working harder than the majority.
Thanks Jason! Just getting started in my training and getting my home studio up and running! So this subject matter was very reassuring to listen to! Like anything in life, if you’re gonna do it, DO IT!!
Exactly! Accomplishing anything can be broken down into small steps. Each step completed helps fuel your desire to keep going.