What does it take to be a voice over artist?

Siddhartha Kannan has been in the line since the last 14 years, he says -

• What you need to have is a decent voice
• Your voice should have a lot of expression.
• You should have a good command over the language.
• The quality of your speech should have a good flow.
• Voice modulation is a must.
• Your voice needs to be versatile. One day you may need to sound like a seventeen year old, the next day a sensitive romantic

Do you need to speak more than one language?

Siddharth Kannan tells us, "If you are good at one language, say only English, then you can get a lot of work. But being bi-lingual has its advantages. If you speak good English and Hindi, then a channel will assign you as the voice over for both languages, and won't need to hire someone else. That way you get more work, which means more money, which is always welcome."

Noel Keymer trains for voice overs and radio jockeys. He says that once you have developed your speaking skills, then you can also try dubbing. Dubbing from English to Hindi is big these days, especially for channels like National Geographic, Cartoon Network and movies.

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Is it necessary to go for training? How does it help?

While training cannot teach you how to speak a language, Noel Keymer tells us what it can -

• It can teach you how to explore and exploit your voice.
• It can teach you how to modulate it.
• It teaches you how to project your voice.
• You learn how to punctuate, pause and add effect and depth to your voice.

Cost and Duration

How much you pay for your classes depends on who you go to. Celebrities will charge you a lot.

Noel Keymer charges Rs. 10,000 for 12 sessions and each session lasts 2 hours. Also every student leaves with a demo cd.

Anil Mani has been training for six years now he charges Rs. 8,000 for 10 sessions and each session is for 3 hours. He takes no more than 2 classes a week.

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Developing a style

Siddharth Kannan says that every voice over artist needs to develop a style. But you can only develop by observation. "You need to see people, observe the way they speak, their emotions, modulation etc. You then take what you like from each person and incorporate it in your own style of speaking."

For example, if you like the way Amitabh Bachchan speaks when he is angry, you try to internalise his style. But you may like the way your best friend sounds when she is sad, so you try to imitate that too.