Dialect Coach
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Voice-over talent is responsible for recording the off-camera narration or dialogue that accompanies many video productions. Voice-over artists are called upon to read scripts out loud in order to create an overlaying recording that will provide the video’s audience with additional information that is not revealed through the visual shots. The specific role of a voice-over recording varies depending on the type of video it accompanies. In infomercials, commercials and promotional videos, voice-overs can be used to provide additional information on or create excitement about a product or service.

Voiceover artists provide the voice for animated films and television shows, narrate documentaries, and do voiceovers in television and radio commercials.

Voiceover artists provide voices for animated characters including those in feature films, television programmes, animated short films and video games.

They also use their talents to do voiceovers in radio and television commercials, audio dramas, dubbed foreign language films and even amusement rides that require voices for animatronic characters.

These roles may also involve singing, although it is not uncommon for a second voice actor to be cast as the character’s singing voice if the actor performing the speaking role cannot sing.

Voiceover artists also record individual sample fragments played back by a computer in an automated announcement.

Television shows and movies often employ voice-over artists to narrate important plot elements, while documentaries and news broadcasts can use voice-over talent to add commentary and context to video and images.

The key requirements for successful voice-over talent are a good speaking voice and the ability to read a script with the appropriate tone, emotion, clarity and enunciation.

(Source: Aussie Career Insights)

ANZSCO ID: 211111
   
Alternative names: Voice Actor, Voice Over Actor, Voice Over Artist, Voice-over talent,
   
Specialisations: There are different genre for voice actors eg. Audio Book Voice Actor, movies, commercials, videos, games, TV show announcer, Educational Voiceover Artist, Voiceover Announcer, Voiceover Translator,
   
Knowledge, skills and attributes

Voice artists have exceptional talent in regard to their vocal abilities. Just by modulating their voices, they can make the audience understand that their character feels happy, sad, excited or angry. Listeners don't need to see their facial expressions or body language to understand what's going on, but voice actors do sometimes work alongside animators or previously filmed material to bring visual art to life.

Voice actors are responsible for honing their talent, understanding how to take direction, and taking care of their vocal health. They may need to remain on call for quick assignments, learn how to use certain technical equipment, and market themselves to secure consistent work.

Early in their careers, voice artists may take on a variety of roles simply to gain industry experience and to build a portfolio. Over time, voice actors may decide to focus on one particular genre or specialty based on their skills.

For example, voice actors who read audio books must be proficient in numerous accents in order to differentiate each character's dialogue. Other voice actors can develop one notable accent, such as a neutral accent for advertisements or the gravelly tone often used in movie trailer voice-overs.

Voice actors who record the audio for animated characters – whether for movies, TV shows or video games – are often asked to gesture and to use their bodies to supplement their voice-acting skills so the animation team can study them and create realistic movements for the characters. Finally, voice actors responsible for dubbing foreign language films have to mimic what's already on the screen in order to create believable audio.

Kung Fu Panda 4 Behind The Scenes and Behind The Voices
https://youtu.be/7I_gtgMOdNg?si=N455YJ0f9fBvGZL3

Look at the actions of Jack Black while he is making the voice!

Like many other creative pursuits, voice acting requires constant practice in order to establish proficiency in basic skills and to push for better and better results. It's not enough simply to go through voice acting training and then consider yourself a voice actor. Many voice actors regularly work with a coach in order to learn new accents and impressions, increase their vocal range or practice acting out different scenarios.

For example, voice actors must be able to correctly pronounce and enunciate words in a neutral or generic accent that audiences can easily understand. However, voice actors can land more opportunities (and potentially earn more) if they can also pronounce and enunciate words in regional and foreign accents, or in such a way that makes them sound like a much younger or older person. For example, The Simpsons features just six main cast members who distinctly do voice over for 100 recurring characters. Voice artists who aim for a gig this reliable and well-known should work to develop many distinct voices in their repertoire.

Voice actors do more than just speak, however. They're also asked to sigh, groan, scream, gasp or breathe heavily, all on command and typically over and over again in slightly different variations until the director is happy with the quality and variety of takes. The ability to sing also comes in handy, although it's not uncommon for a singer to be brought in for musical numbers if needed.

Mike Myers is the Voice of Shrek
(Source: The Sun UK)

The essential skills needed to become a successful voice actor are:

• Vocal Control: Ability to manipulate voice pitch, tone, and volume.

• Clear Pronunciation: Articulate and precise enunciation to ensure clarity in speech.

• Diction: The ability to speak clearly and expressively, ensuring each word is understood.

• Breathing Techniques: Control and proper usage of breath for sustained delivery.

• Imagination: Being able to visualize and portray characters or scenarios accurately.

• Adaptability: Ability to adjust voice according to different roles and script requirements.

• Listening Skills: Paying attention to instructions and understanding the nuances of a script.

• Pacing and Timing: Knowing when and how to pause or emphasize in a script.

• Professionalism: Being punctual, reliable, and maintaining a positive attitude.

• Ability to Take Direction and Improve: Voice actors work closely with directors to create the perfect take. It all starts with the voice actor's initial interpretation of the script and of the character. A well-written script will include some direction for how each line is meant to be said. For example, "Will you be coming tonight?" could be said in dozens of ways, from spooky to sad to excited, depending on the scene. The voice actor should be able to know what's most appropriate simply by reading the script. But during the recording session, the director will help fine-tune the voice actor's performance even further. The voice artist might be asked to place particular emphasis on a word, raise or lower the pitch of their voice, or simply inject more energy into the phrase. A voice actor who can instantly reproduce these directions is a valuable asset and considered easy to work with. On the other hand, someone who gives the same performance over and over or who constantly argues with the director may not get the part or may fail to have their contract renewed.

• Be On Call for Gigs: Voice actors must exhibit other signs of professionalism as well, such as the ability to show up at the studio on time and warmed up for the task ahead. This can prove a little tricky for voice artists who may be expected to remain on call for their work. Recording studios might book a session with a voice actor with plenty of advanced notice, but they might also call voice artists with urgent requests. Production schedules often change on a moment's notice, and accommodating and flexible voice actors may be considered for more gigs. Communicating promptly about any issues is also important for building a positive reputation. If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, it's important to let your agent or the production assistant know right away.

Eddie Murphy as the Voice of Donkey
(Source: The Sun UK)

• Vocal Chord Health and Care: One reason why you might need to reschedule your recording session is poor vocal chord health. Losing your voice is a major concern for anyone who sings or speaks for a living, but it can be prevented. When your income relies on the health of your vocal chords, one of your duties or responsibilities is to pamper your voice. According to Music Industry How To, that means not yelling, whispering or coughing (when you're not in the recording studio, of course) and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes. You should also rest your voice periodically and conduct voice warm-up exercises every morning – even before normal speech.  Basically avoiding vocal fatigue and taking care of their vocal health is also crucial for voice actors to sustain their careers.

• Technical Skills Are a Plus: Voice actors don't always have to go to a studio to record their sessions. With the right set-up at home, you can produce quality recordings without even leaving your house. However, you won't get immediate feedback from the director, and you'll also be responsible for managing all the equipment and sending the sound files to the production team. If the audio quality doesn't sound great on playback, you might be expected to clean it up yourself, especially if you're working with smaller clients who want a ready-to-use clip. This can mean extra work for you and a less efficient process overall, but the trade-off to working from home is being able to live wherever you want.

• Marketing Skills for Career Advancement: As with any type of acting career, voice actors must become masters of self-promotion, especially early on. Being able to market yourself – especially online through a website or social media profile – can help you land more gigs.
  
  

Eventually you will build an impressive voice acting portfolio and earn invitations to voice acting auditions through word-of-mouth networking. But it can take years to reach this point. Other possibilities include working with a talent agency that finds work for you, but you may have less control over the type of work you do through this avenue. Even related jobs like announcing events, moderating debates and Q&A panels, and hosting podcasts and radio shows demonstrate your voice talent and help you to meet people in the industry.

Antonio Banderas as the Voice of Puss in Boots [and also played Zorro!]
(Source: The Sun UK)

Duties and Tasks

• Bringing the script off the page: the primary role of a voice-over artist is to read a pre-written script out loud in order to make a voice recording that will overlay a video production. Developing a strong and clear speaking voice is a crucial part of the process of bringing the script to life in the voice-over artist’s narration. In addition, the voice-over talent is often called upon to employ a range of acting techniques in order to bring life and emotion to the script while maintaining a correct and believable attitude and tone.

• Conveying the message: every voice-over project will have a different message depending on the purpose of the video it accompanies. For example, the voice-over narration for a public service announcement will need to leave an emotional impression on the audience, while the message of the voice-over accompanying a commercial may be excitement about the advertised product. In each case, the voice-over talent will need to decide how to convey the video’s message through the tenor and attitude of their narration.

• Crafting a voice: depending on the role of the voice-over narration in a particular video production, the voice-over artist may be asked to create a distinctive voice in which to read the script. For commercial work, this unique voice may help with branding, while fictional pieces such as television shows may require the creation of a certain type of character and voice. Voice-over talent will need to rely heavily on any acting experience or training in order to accomplish this task.

• Creating alternate versions: certain video productions will require that the voice-over talent record several different versions of the script. In these variations, the voice-over talent may be asked to read the script in a different tone of voice or to emphasize different words or sentences. The goal of creating alternate versions is to allow the video’s director to choose the voice-over narration that best matches the purpose of the video.

• Practise different voices and constantly expand your range of voice characters and qualities

• Keep your voice healthy by staying properly hydrated and not smoking

• Make the script sound believable and sincere

Meet Lofty: the man behind the mic - The Feed
https://youtu.be/tHO2xhniXlc?si=Hk6QmXy0vqbHiAJ2

Working conditions

Most voice-over work is done in a recording studio. The actor will typically read from a script into a microphone to create an audio recording. The recording will then be edited by audio or sound technicians for future use. Typically, larger cities will have more recording studios for voice-over work. Cities like Sydney and Melbourne will likely have a greater need for voice-over actors, for example. However, with higher-quality recording equipment becoming more affordable, a growing number of voice-over actors record their work from home and send it to clients online.

(Source: Abe's Studio)

• The first thing you should do when receiving a script is read it through and make sure you understand the message that the client is trying to convey.

• Look for unfamiliar words and make sure you get the pronunciation correct for each one.

• If there are any words you are not sure about, contact the client.

• Spell them phonetically on the script if you need to.

• Continue to edit the script as you read through by placing pauses where needed to take breaths so the read sounds natural.

• Make sure you are reading with the right tone.

• The client may have something specific in mind so don’t assume.

• Ask if they would like the reading to have more of a corporate sound, over-the-fence friendly, enthusiastic and bubbly or sympathetic and understanding.

• Also, what tempo is required?

• Radio scripts may have a lot to say in a short space of time. If a client requires a 28 second voiceover, then time it exactly to 28 seconds – not a second more or less.

• If you are working with a director, they may have you repeat the same line quite a few times in different styles to give the editors in post-production a few options when they are putting the final recording together.

• At the start of your career, the recording will probably take place at a production company’s recording studio.

• After you have been in the business for a while, you might want to invest in your own studio setup in your home.

• If you are recording from home and want to be taken seriously by clients, then you will need a professional setup and a reasonable investment.

• The room you choose needs to be sound-proofed with acoustic foam to eliminate unwanted noise and ambient sound.
  

Choosing a Voiceover Artist
(Source: Lush the Content Agency)

Education and training/entrance requirements

Voice-over actors don't need a formal degree as long as they have a talent with their voices. Some actors may choose to pursue degrees in acting, theatre, or voice studies, but oftentimes, taking regular voice or acting lessons or courses is enough when combined with practical experience.

Aside from being able to skillfully control the voice, the ability to read eloquently from a script is also important. A voice-over actor may be asked to read a script several times in different ways, emphasizing different words and using different emotions or accents. Being flexible with last-minute adjustments is also important.

Voice acting requires more than just a pleasant voice. Acting skills enable voice actors to bring characters to life, infuse emotion into dialogues, and connect with the audience on a deeper level.

Expressing authentic emotions through voice brings believability and enhances the overall performance.

As no prior experience is required, the first thing you will need before you can land your first job is a professionally recorded demo reel.

To a voiceover artist, your demo reel is your business card.

The demo reel is the way you showcase your voiceover talent when looking for work.

Remember that you only have a short period of time to catch a potential employer’s interest so be sure that your best material is included in the first 30 seconds of your demo reel.

Your demo reel can be comprised of original work read in your own voice or quick samples of voices that showcases your range of characters.

As with pursuing any career in the arts, you will need a combination of desire, preparation and persistence to finally make it.

Australian Actress Melanie Zanetti as Chilli
(Source: Blueypod)

Reputable Australian Educational Institutes

• National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA): Offers a comprehensive voice acting course that covers various techniques and styles.

• Australian Film, Television, and Radio School (AFTRS): Provides specialized voice acting training for different media formats.

• Victorian College of the Arts (VCA): Offers voice acting programs as part of their theatre and performance curriculum.

• Queensland University of Technology (QUT): Provides voice acting workshops and courses for students interested in the field.

Online Platforms

• Voice Coach: Online platforms that offers voice acting lessons, coaching, and practice exercises.

• Voice Acting Mastery: Provides comprehensive online courses taught by experienced voice actors.

• Gravy for the Brain: Offers a wide range of voice acting courses and resources accessible from anywhere.

• Voiceover Kickstart: Provides voice acting training through online workshops and personalized coaching sessions.

Additionally, joining industry associations such as the Australian Voice Association (AVA) or the Australian Screen Actors Guild (ASAG) [see links] can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and access to industry professionals.

Meet the Voice Behind Your GPS
https://youtu.be/hOLRWJVIseY?si=BAAxtP5QBa2XFNjo

Employment Opportunities

Because there is no formal degree requirement to become a voice-over actor, people pursuing this highly competitive career path may find employment through talent agencies or open auditions. These aspiring actors have often completed university-level courses in acting and voice, as well. To find work in the field, many voice-over actors record a professional demo CD and distribute it to agencies or potential clients. Some voice actors may also partner with a recording studio to keep their recordings on file for future clients. Taking on a variety of jobs and building a vocal portfolio will help improve expertise and skills in the field.

The voice acting industry in Australia has experienced significant growth and demand in recent years.

With the rise of digital media and the global reach of entertainment, there has been an increased need for voice actors with unique accents and regional dialects. The rise of streaming platforms and increased production of animated movies and TV shows has fueled this demand.

Australia, with its diverse cultural landscape and vibrant entertainment industry, provides a wealth of opportunities for aspiring voice actors. Australian voice actors are in demand not only locally but also internationally, as their accents offer a fresh and distinctive sound.

There is also a growing trend of using voice actors for commercials, video games, audiobooks, and voiceovers for corporate videos.

A dialect coach is a technical advisor who supports actors as they craft voice and speech patterns for characters in the context of productions be it in an on-camera setting (film, television and commercial), stage setting ("straight plays" as well as stand-up comedy, musicals and operas), or voiceover setting (radio plays, animation, audiobooks, video games, etc.).

It is easy to see how each acting role contributes to creating the diverse worlds that help tell stories on screen. Key to telling these stories are the convincing performances by talented actors. Actors are often challenged to portray characters with a variety of accents or speech patterns. The dialogue (or dialect) coach help actors learn, practice, and ultimately present convincing performances.

A dialogue coach can help actors convey many facets of a character. According to the Nevada Film Office, “Dialect coaches help actors hone in on their voice and speech control to help create the design of their character’s speaking patterns in a way that effectively communicates the character’s personality traits, upbringing, education, work experience, and cultural travels.” Dialogue coaches can be involved in various stages of production. In pre-production, this might include conducting research; sitting in on auditions to help select actors; preparing actors for auditions; and, once actors get roles, helping them prepare for their performances. During the filming stage, the dialogue coach might be on set. During post-production, the dialogue coach might assist as an actor’s dialogue is added after principal filming.

A Day in the Life of a Bridgerton Dialect Coach | Shondaland
https://youtu.be/6mGQ3q-T7YM?si=lm0lGQPObZDvX6fB

ANZSCO ID: N/A

Alternative names: Dialogue Coach, Pronunciation Coach, Speech Coach, Voice Coach, Accent Coach, Diction Coach, Elocution Coach,
  
Specialisations: the scope can be an on-camera setting (film, television and commercial), stage setting ("straight plays" as well as stand-up comedy, musicals and operas), or voiceover setting (radio plays, animation, audiobooks, video games, etc.).

Dialogue coaches sometimes specialize in a single dialect or accent or they can work with a number of different accents.
  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

Regardless of their backgrounds, good dialogue coaches should possess certain skills to effectively help their students. Desired skills for this role are the ability to continually learn; a knowledge of vocal and respiratory anatomy and phonetics; an understanding of acting; and an ability to effectively work with each student.

With 60% of this job involving listening, dialogue coaches must be GREAT listeners. The dialogue coach spends much of his or her time listening to different dialects, researching the dialect, and then listening to the actors portray the dialect.

They must be self-starters, and motivated as this role varies deeply with each production. Dialogue coaches may work long hours researching and communicating with actors on what they should and should not be doing.

Strong written and verbal communication is a must for this role.

• Work well with others.

• Ability to speak to and share with others tactfully.

• Ability to work well under pressure.

• Strong research skills.

• Strong oral communication skills.

• Strong background in dialect.

• Strong vocal health.
  

The following video is from a 1937 musical where the two actors have different ways of pronouncing words.
British people pronounce Tomatoes as "Tom ah toe" and Americans call it "Tom ay toe".

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off HQ
(A scene from "Shall We Dance" Musical (1937))
https://youtu.be/LOILZ_D3aRg?si=JxMsAwtZO0dIq6A1

Duties and Tasks

Dialogue coaches build the illusion that an actor has always had an essential speech pattern or behaviour. It is these patterns that the cast members develop with the support of the dialogue coach which makes the character seem real.

This individual works with the actors and talent in the production to ensure that they achieve the most convincing character accents to make the production come to life. As they prepare actors and any ensemble cast to perform the role, the dialogue coach will work more closely with cast members and crew to ensure all parts come together.

In order to help talent learn how to act the part, dialogue coaches will often research various elements of the script to ensure they fully understand the role and the character.

Several requirements are expected of the dialogue coach. They must be willing to spend time researching dialect and getting to fully understand the timing and location of the film.

This includes checking on things like where the script is set, what time period the film is set in, what the characters were like in that time, whether the characters are male or female, what the education level of the character is, and what class or race the individual is.

All of these details come together to create a reference point that can be used to develop a dialect for the character.

(Source: Slade & Associates)

• Dialogue coaches first prepare a plan to train talent and then they set up classes and other necessary training sessions to ensure actors and actresses involved in the production have the proper workshops and educational background to take on their role.

• They are responsible for sitting in during the audition panels to determine talent that may most accurately portray the chosen dialect of the character. Here, the dialogue coach works closely with the assistant director to hire appropriate talent for the various roles.

• Rehearsals: once rehearsals begin, the dialogue coach is present to advise cast of any changes or additions that should be made to the dialect. They also take part in one-on-one meetings with actors to ensure individual roles are fulfilled in a way that is most valuable to bringing the creative vision of the director to life.

• Dialogue coaches must be able to make choices with little direction or input from outside sources. They determine a dialect that is appropriate for the production and then make choices as to individual character needs to ensure production needs are met. This may include things like show talent how to position the mouth or how to breathe when speaking to ensure a pattern of dialect that fits with the script. Annotations are added to the script for talent to work with.

• In person, the dialogue coach works with the crew to ensure that sound changes are taking place and that the new dialect is meshing in with the character’s original dialect. Drills and other assessments take place along the way to ensure actors reach their dialect goals.

• Dialogue coaches don’t just teach actors how to speak in a ‘new’ way, they also act to make sure that the actor practices proper oral and vocal healthy. This includes taking steps so as not to damage the voice in extreme situations or when emotions run high and ensuring that special attention is taken to help the actor speak in a way that is easy to understand by the audience.

• the actors and dialect coach go over the various sound changes from their own dialect into the new dialect.

• drill the rhythm and intonation of the dialect

• drill the "oral posture", or the way the vocal tract positions itself while speaking in the dialect.

• dialect coaches are also experts in how to portray these roles in a way that fosters cultural sensitivity and respect.

• Through dialect training, actors can avoid resorting to clichés or harmful stereotypes while bringing more value to their characters through genuine nuance and realism.
  

• Dialect coaching not only benefits actors professionally but also works to enhance their overall communication skills.

• Learning to mimic different accents effectively requires keen observation, active listening, and incredibly precise articulation.
  

(Source: The Actor's Pulse)

Working conditions

Scope of work can differ widely from production to production and from actor to actor within a production. The coach's tasks may include researching real-world voices with an ear to regional, social or idiosyncratic patterns, curating primary source recordings for the actor's exploration, providing guidance and feedback during the actor's vocal design process (sometimes with input from directors or writers), running lines and monitoring vocal performance whether on set or in post (film/TV/commercials), during recording sessions (voiceovers), or at runs and previews (stage).

A dialect coach will typically give notes on clarity, consistency, and credibility. Sometimes dialect elements are in place primarily to add texture to character or to the world, but occasionally authenticity is also flagged as a concern by a production. In such cases, the dialect coach will be tasked with monitoring the vocal transformation as it might be experienced by a native speaker in the audience. Above all, the coach strives to remove stumbling blocks to performance so that the actor's vocal transformation work does not distract the actor or the audience.

(Source: LA Times)

For on-camera productions, dialect coaches with a strong background in languages, cultures and dramatic writing may be involved in trans-creation or polishing of dialogue or other forms of written language (for signage, etc.), often with the support of native-speaker language consultants and culture advisors, including on-set language and culture monitors. Dialect coaches who have a background in linguistics may also be hired to design constructed languages ("conlangs").

Although the purview of the dialect coach is very different from that of the director, dialect coaches and directors often develop highly collaborative working relationships. Coaches may also be consulted by members of other departments including, for on-camera productions, writing, post, graphics, props, camera scenic and even wardrobe (for instance, when language elements appear on costumes).

Outside the acting world, dialect coaches are also employed to train broadcast journalists in speech (newscasters/newsreaders, etc.), to coach non-actor public speakers in presence and delivery, and to support singers, for instance, with diction challenges and in balancing tone and articulation in an unfamiliar language.

Tools and technologies

Dialect coaches need Head phones to hear the actors on set; a Powerpack to hear what is going on, and, essentially the Script for the day and the full script.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Ideally, a dialect coach should have formal training in linguistics, phonetics, or speech pathology, as these disciplines provide a solid foundation for dialect coaching.

A coach who has worked with actors from diverse cultural backgrounds and is familiar with specific regional accents plus a proven work history in this field is essential.

Demonstrated industry experience not only legitimises a coach’s position as an expert, but can also lead to valuable insights into casting trends, and audition expectations. It may also aid in the creation of networking opportunities and potential referrals for future projects.

Employment Opportunities

Streamed TV and Movies along with all different production companies means that employment opportunities can be found. However, as a Dialect Coach, you need to develop a great reputation in working with actors across the spectrum.

Critical Thinking Spot

The Conversation 17 January 2023

What have you learnt from this article?
Did you realise how detailed actors and their dialect coaches have to delve into creating the "correct" dialect?
What is a role spill?

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Actor	Casting Director	Cinematographer	Composer
Director	Film Producer

Materials sourced from

90 Seconds [Voice over talent; ]
Aussie Career Insights [Voice Over Actors; ]
Chron. [Voice-over Actors; ]
Backstage [Best Voiceover classes;]
Learn [Voice-over Actors; ]
Web Archive Only - MyJobSearch [Voiceover Artist; ]
Broadway Stages [Dialogue Coach; ]
Gausnell [Dialect Coach; ]
Wikipedia [Dialect Coach; ]
Beverly Boy [Dialogue Coach; ]
The Actor's Pulse [Dialect Coaching; ]

 

 

 

 

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