Voice Acting

Although not paid work, you might consider volunteering as a narrator of 'talking books' for the blind. I would presume that there is an Association For The Blind in Victoria, as there is here in Western Australia. If you can give up three or four hours per week for what is a very worthy cause, it is a terrific opportunity to develop skills and amass a recorded portfolio. Ability with character voices and accents is not essential, but if you do have the ability, then you are even more welcome! I did it for seven years and in that time recorded twenty-five full-length novels. In fact, it was through this work that I progressed to acting on stage. I may even go back to it at some time in the future. Another possibility is volunteering your services to community radio stations. Again, there is an Australia-wide network of Radio for the Print Handicapped (7RPH in Melbourne), where you can do all sorts of things such as reading newspapers, magazines, books and short stories, as well as providing voice-overs for community announcements and in-house promotions - the latter quite often scripted and requiring character voices. Again, I stress that it isn't paid work, but it's wonderful experience and a great opportunity to build up a recorded portfolio of your talents. In the nine years I've been with 6RPH here in Perth, I've known several volunteers who have gone on to paid employment with other radio stations. It's all about getting yourself out there and making contacts! All the very best of luck. Tim. Per Ardua Ad Astra