How does a casting session for an animated film work?

During a casting session, you provide the voice actors with a short script and an image or character description of the character. The actors then record a short demo. Based on these demo recordings, you choose the voice that best suits the visual style of your animation.

Can a single voice actor perform multiple voices in the same film?

Yes, professional voice actors are specially trained to do this. By adjusting their vocal timbre, intonation, tempo and pitch, they can effortlessly portray different characters without the viewer realising it is the same person.

Why is a professional voice actor better than an amateur?

A professional voice actor not only delivers a higher quality recording but also understands how to convey emotions believably through the microphone. Furthermore, they possess the vocal technique to record intensively for hours on end without straining their voice. [FAQ_BLOCK]

Will my audio be delivered fully finished?

Yes, all audio files are professionally finished. You will receive your files ready to use and in the highest quality. We handle all audio editing and post-production, such as removing breaths and clicks.

How do I make my voice sound soothing without sounding boring?

Bernadette teaches you the technique of grounded speaking. This focuses on breathing, resonance, and finding the right pauses to draw the listener in.

Will I also learn how to remove breaths and clicks?

That is an essential part. We teach you how to "polish" audio without it sounding unnatural.

Is this also for children?

This workshop is aimed at adults (or young people aged 16 and over) who wish to delve into the professional world of dubbing.

What is the difference between the beginners' course and the guest workshops?

The beginner's course provides a broad foundation. The guest workshops (such as Audiobooks, Documentaries or Dubbing) are deep dives into one specific genre with experts from the field.

Will I also learn how the timing for dubbing works?

Yes, you will learn how to master lip-sync: speaking in time with the on-screen characters.

Voice actor wanted for an animated film - what should you look for when choosing a voice?

Voice actor wanted for an animated film: what should you look for when choosing a voice?

Do you have a brilliant idea for a new animated series or a creative short film, and are you looking for a voice actor for your project? Then you’ll know that the right voice can make or break a character. An animated character only really comes to life when the voice perfectly matches the character, their facial expressions and the emotion on screen. But how do you find that one perfect voice amongst all the talent out there? In this article, we’ll guide you through the key points to consider in your search.

The match between voice and character

An animated character has a personality all of its own. A tough, somewhat lazy bear simply sounds completely different from a hyperactive squirrel that’s had just a bit too much coffee. When casting, make sure the voice actor can immediately grasp the essence of the character.

Ideally, ask the voice actor to record a short demo based on a sketch or a brief description of the character. That way, you’ll immediately hear whether the tone of voice feels natural alongside the visual image. Sometimes an actor will surprise you with a unique interpretation you hadn’t thought of yourself, which only serves to enrich the character.

Vocal flexibility and the voice actor’s range

Animated films often call for extreme emotions: from overjoyed and hyperactive to deeply sad or terrifyingly mean. A good voice actor for animated films has a wide vocal range and can switch effortlessly between different emotions and voices.

Sometimes a single actor even plays multiple roles in the same production to save on budget. When making your choice, therefore, be sure to look out for the following qualities:

The ability to alter the voice without losing intelligibility.

Excellent breath control, which is essential for action scenes, sighs or prolonged bursts of laughter.

Consistency: can the actor maintain exactly the same voice for hours on end during recording sessions?

The art of lip-syncing (dubbing)

When dubbing an animated film, particularly when translating an existing foreign production into Dutch, lip-syncing is of crucial importance. The voice actor must be able to perfectly match the timing of the original mouth movements on screen. This requires a great deal of precision and acting experience.

You should therefore choose a professional with experience in this technique. An experienced actor has an unerring feel for the rhythm of the footage and can time their lines so that the words naturally coincide with the lip movements. This saves you a great deal of valuable time during post-production.

Recording quality and a professional studio

As well as the voice actor’s acting skills, the technical quality of the recording is also crucial to the final result. A crackling microphone, too much reverb or subtle background noise will immediately pull the viewer out of the story.

Ensure that the voice actor works from a professionally equipped home studio, or book an external recording studio where a sound engineer can oversee the session. This guarantees a flawless recording that’s ready to be edited into the animation straight away, without the need for complicated audio corrections afterwards.

The power of improvisation and the joy of acting

Cartoons are all about fun, dynamism and imagination. The best results come when a voice actor is given the freedom to improvise and add extra life to the character. A spontaneous laugh, a silly sigh or an unexpected accent can give a scene that little bit of extra magic.

During the casting, pay attention to the candidate’s energy and enjoyment of the role. That spark of enthusiasm is immediately evident in the final film, and it helps the audience connect with your characters more quickly.