Voice Acting

I'v been entertaining the idea of maybe doing voice acting as a career, problem is I have no idea how to go about it or get started, is there anyone in the Melbourne area that can give me a push in the right direction? I havent had any sort of training but its been a topic of interest for me for a long while, any help anyone can give would be appreciated.

Voice acting is incredibly difficult to get into (let alone in Australia). The only thing I can think of doing is to a) take voice classes and learn accents, and b) find some local student animators and film makers and volunteer for roles. However, unless you have good vocal training behind it, it would be extremely difficult to obtain professional work. Singing oyster shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

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

That's some great info Tim. It never even occurred to me that there would be opportunities in community service (and of course, now would be the point I say to myself, "well duh!" in regards to volunteering to do books for the blind, etc.) I'm going to remember this the next time someone asks. Singing oyster shadow puppet for sale at Puppets in Melbourne

Thanks for the suggestions guys, those audio books sound like an interesting path, my nan does volunteer work for the George Vowel clinic for the blind, maybe something can come of that

You're welcome, Hattai. If you're serious about it, then you'll find your way. There always is one! Actually, if you like, I can find out who you need to contact at 7RPH. Mind you, they'll be in the telephone book and you just need to ask for the volunteer coordinator. Let me know anyway . . . it's always nice to know the name of the relevant person beforehand, and it shows that you've done your homework. Tim. Per Ardua Ad Astra

That all sounds really interesting, I live in New South Wales. Does anybody know if there's a career thing like those for me?