Careers in Dubbing/ Voice Over

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As the entertainment industry is growing faster and stronger than ever and reaching markets linked with new technologies, voice-over and dubbing are still enduring as promising careers in their own right. The demand for dubbing/ voice over artists are mounting day by day and they are required in most sectors of media, be it television, films, or even radio. These industries are on a hunt for people with confident and rich voices. Videogames, apps, GPs, text to speech, internet publishing, would give talents in this field the opportunity to stretch their vocal cords more often and see more opportunities to work on different projects.

Dubbing / voice over is a narrative technique in which an unseen actor's lines are heard over visual elements. As a dubbing / voice over artist one could lend their voice to documentaries, programmes or ad films in English, Hindi or any other language. Even though both voice over and dubbing artists are doing the same work there is a slight difference between them. Voice over is essentially the art of giving a commentary to an accompanying visual - stills, video or even advertisement. Voice over Artists are those who lends his/her voice to complement the visuals being telecasted on the screen. But dubbing is lending the voice in cinema, telefilms etc. Dubbing artists are those who can give his/ her voice according to the on-screen performance of the actors and actresses or even animal characters in animated films.

Those who can develop a strong character through his/her voice OR can convey the same interpretation desired by the director or producer through voice modulation, can think of a career in dubbing/ voice-over. But this profession may not be as simple and easy as most people think. It does involve a bit of a struggle to start with. Dubbing field demands a great deal of emotions and the choice of tone. A dubbing artist must be able to do characters ranging from different ages and sex, to animals and various personalities. With hard work, dedication and courage aspirants will surely get a break in the filed. Once your voice gets established, there won't be no looking back. You can live with lot of fame and money made with your own voice.

Eligibility

Attributes Needed for Dubbing Artiste

To become a dubbing/ voice over artist, no special education qualification is required. The aspirant should have a great command over language and a skill to effectively modulate their voice according to the character's performance. Voice clarity, diction and accurate pronunciation are the most vital quality needed for dubbing artiste. Along with these traits, one should have excellent dialogue delivery, lip sync, timing, emotion in their voice, tone and pauses to synchronize with the gestures and body language of the character in the original soundtrack or visuals.

If you think, you have all the above qualities and confidence to deliver your voice, then go ahead with the dubbing or voice over artist profession.

No formal courses are available in dubbing field. But due to the boom in the field, several training institutes have come up with specialized certificate programs and work shops in voice over and dubbing. Voice modulation is the most important trick to master in dubbing field. Voice training courses teach aspirants the right diction and helps them to correct any nasal twang. One can learn the procedures and theoretical skills from these programs. Most voice modulation programs last for one month to three months. One can also pursue course in radio jockeying as it is quite similar to this profession.

Apart from training, constant practice and voice exercises are needed to succeed in this career. To become a good dubbing artist, one has to associate and connect with people and must brush up their language skills. Observing different people’s style of talking, their mannerisms and habits will help you to perform better. It is also important that while dubbing, the artist should completely step into the shoes of the character that one is dubbing for.

How to get into the field

The best judge to arbitrate (check) your voice is recording. Record your voice on a tape or computer. Listen to it, if you find that you can do better, record again and listen. You can seek help from your friends, family members or even from a professional Voice Over artist to find your shortcomings. After obtaining confidence to deliver your voice, contact a recording studio and make a short demo of your voice in different languages, styles and speeds. One can get into a career in Voice over/ dubbing through audition. You can approach recording studios in your city and submit your CV. Whenever there is an audition for fresh voice, you will be contacted. Start off your career with small time characters.

Every artist has his/ her own way of functioning to get into the field of dubbing. Some create a web page or upload their sound clippings on the web. Nowadays most of the entertainment industry and voice artist seekers check voice websites to hire Voice Talents. So you can create your online presence by submitting your voice clippings in various voice websites. Also exploit the contacts of your friends, relatives and acquaintance. Some even circulate their CVs or keep an agent who contacts them when suitable work comes up.

Being a voice-over artist is similar to being an actor. It could be years before you get your big break. But once you do, the sky is the limit.

Opportunities for Dubbing Artiste

The opening of new TV channels and with more and more English programmes being dubbed in various Indian Languages these days have opened up job avenues for voice over/ dubbing artists. Voice over artist can work on e-learning CDs, documentaries, TV/ radio/web programmes and reports, advertising campaigns, presentations, animated serials, audio books and so on. Another opportunity is in the dubbing departments of film and television production houses. To increase viewer ship, they produce a particular programme in almost all Indian regional languages. Commercials and documentaries are always open for talented voice over artists. Popular serials, infotainment programmes and Hollywood films etc. being dubbed in Indian languages opens abundant opportunities in the dubbing field.

Dubbing can be pursued as a full-time or a part-time career. As this profession does not require full-time attention, one may take it up while studying and earn their pocket money.

Pay Scale in Dubbing Field

Dubbing / Voice Over is a field that offers extreme flexibility, a great deal of choice and independence. A voice over/ dubbing artist may earn on day to day basis or contract basis. The pay scale in this field depends upon the script, length of the work, complexity of the character and of course their popularity. One can easily earn up to Rs. 2500 a day or between Rs. 30,000 and Rs 40,000 per month.

As a beginner in dubbing profession, one can earn Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 per episode in TV serials/ Cartoon films etc. But depending on the artist’s capability, the length and complexity of the role and popularity, they are paid as much as Rs. 10,000/- per episode. E-learning projects are mostly paid either by the hour or per page. Payment per page is around Rs 600 to Rs700.

An experienced voice artist in a corporate or documentary film can earn anything between Rs.25000 to Rs. 50000 depending upon the script. In film industry, a fresher earns anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 by lending their voice to the main character on the screen. Once you establish yourself as a popular actors voice, you had it made. An established one can demand and can earn between Rs. 75000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Dubbing Institutes