Introduction
Hello everyone, my name is Jeula Agbayani, and I am here to answer the question: How do I become a voice actor for TV commercials in the Philippines?
I’m doing this while putting my makeup on because I have to go to a recording session, so just bear with me.
Clarification
There’s something I need to clarify about this question first.
I know that the question is primarily about how to become a voice actor for TV commercials, but the truth is, the process of becoming a voice actor for TV commercials is the same for radio commercials and online ads.
It’s the same steps, basically. So, I think a more appropriate question is: How do I become a voice actor for commercials in the Philippines?
And so that, I can answer.
Step 1: Training
I’ve been saying this forever: The first step is really to train.
I can never stress enough how important it is for you to undergo some sort of training before you even think about doing it as a job.
There’s a misconception that voice acting is about having a nice voice, and that’s not true.
You don’t necessarily need a nice voice to be a voice actor, but you do need to learn how to read a script.
Importance of Script Reading
You have to learn how to become a blank canvas for the script so that you could be anybody when you read a script.
You’ll be able to understand what the script is trying to say, what words need to be emphasized, what’s the point of the script, and what character you are based on the script.
There’s a team or an entire team that will help you piece together exactly who you need to be, and so you are guided.
But as a voice actor, it’s also your job to seek those out for yourself the moment you see the script right in front of you.
It’s like muscle memory in a sense, like you have to train yourself over and over again to seek those out so that you can do it quickly.
The other reason why reading is super important is because you need to know how to take direction; and that’s not something that you just kind of know how to do.
Training and having someone tell you, “Okay, emphasize this word, slow down here, pause here.”
Learning to be able to adjust is not something that you know off the bat, and script reading training will really help you there.
So that when you get in front of a client, it’s much easier for you to adjust.
Another reason is that new voice actors tend to kind of hate their voice the first time they hear it, especially when they hear it through headphones.
Training actually helps you kind of get used to your voice.
Believe me, every voice actor hates their voices the first few times. They always think, “I have the ugliest voice ever,” but it’s really not true.
You just have to learn to appreciate what it is that you have as opposed to what you don’t have.
And yeah, so repeating that repetition helps you kind of really understand your voice.
I don’t think it’s enough, but in script reading as well, it helps a lot because some script readings are done in groups so you really get used to being watched, which is a big deal, to be honest.
Because when you going to an advertising recording, there are usually at least two or three people with you, and that’s minimum.
I’ve had as many as six to seven people in the same room or on the same call because the client wanted to be there.
The agency, the producer wanted to be there, the director…
More often than not, you’re gonna have a lot of eyes or ears listening to your takes and so you learn how to kind of focus on what you’re supposed to do in tune everything else out.
Step 2: Finding Sample Scripts
The second step would be finding some sample scripts.
When you feel like you’ve trained enough, you’ll be able to see what kinds of deliveries that you’re really good at.
Some people off the bat are great as announcers, which is the voice that really sells the product in the ad.
Some people are great in casual delivery, some people are great in deadpan delivery, some people know how to sound like a teenager, or as a young adult, or even a child.
So once you pinpoint all of those things that you’re good at, you find scripts that can show off those types of deliveries.
This is partially about finding scripts that you know will suit your voice, suit the kind of delivery that you like to do.
And there’s so many to choose from in the world, all you really have to do is just find them and then write down the script and then deliver them the way you would deliver it.
An important thing to note is that you cannot, under any circumstances, copy the way the voice actor of that commercial did it.
That completely defeats the purpose of what you’re trying to do because samples are to show off how you read it, not how someone else does it.
Step 3: Recording Your Samples
So step three after you’ve found like what deliveries are really good for you and you found scripts…
The next step is to record yourself reading those scripts.
It is kind of important that your recordings are clean, at the very least.
I know studio quality recordings may be like a high bar, and that’s fine.
There’s a lot of voice actors in the Philippines who just actually do real work in their closet because the clothes in the closet, they absorb sound, which really, really helps.
But yeah, the important thing is that they are as clean as possible.
If you can go into a studio and actually record it, that’s fine. If you can buy a starter mic, a USB mic that’s pretty good, and record those clips in your closet, then that’s great.
But the point is that you really have to put a little bit of effort into making those samples sound clean.
Please do not put your bad takes in the sample, only give your best takes.
That’s super important because I’ve heard that some people put their bad takes in and it is, well, don’t do that.
With the clients, your casters, they don’t need to hear those, they only need to hear your best take.
Step 4: Research and Send Samples
Step four: once you know the deliveries that you do really well, once you’ve recorded those scripts that will really show off your skill and your voice…
The next step is to research production houses and send your samples to them.
This does mean that you have to do a kind of a cold email to all of these production houses because, you know, they don’t know you.
But that’s fine because honestly, the production houses are always on the lookout for new voices to pitch to their clients.
They love finding new talent.
So don’t be afraid to really just try to contact them, even on their general emails and stuff, and ask where you could send your samples to.
You do have to consider though that when you send your samples to them and you send that official email where your samples are attached, that this is basically their first impression of you.
So you’re going to have to make it good. You really have to write that email and make sure that it’s nice and polite and it really shows that you’re super excited to work with them.
So yeah, if you wanna write out that email and you have a friend read it just to make sure it’s professional, and as charming as possible so that they really warm up to you just even by email.
Writing emails is an art form by the way.
Please do so, really pull out all the stops as much as you can because at the beginning, your only line of communication is that email with your samples attached.
So make it good, make it simple, straight to the point.
You don’t need to elaborate your life or anything to them. Just put your best foot forward always because this is about first impressions.
I found it is a little bit hard sometimes to find audio production houses, but there are actually plenty in Metro Manila in the Philippines.
Some of them are searchable.
There are also Facebook groups that you could look into.
If you just scroll through every day, you’ll find companies, production houses that are looking for voice actors all the time.
It’s actually how I started.
Every day I just scrolled through certain Facebook groups and when I saw someone looking for a female voice actor, I’d send my samples right away.
That’s how I did it. But just so you guys know and to help you guys out, some of the bigger or more known production houses that do advertising work, commercial work are these. [8:44]
These guys get tons of advertising clients, they’re mainly for advertising.
So with them, you can search them, see if they have a general email that you could send to or like on Messenger, you could ask where you could send your samples to.
And from there, try to just strike a relationship with them.
So yeah, those are basically the four steps.
Some things to expect: sometimes when you send out your samples to the production houses, they’ll reply back and say, “Oh, can you come in for a voice filing?”
A voice filing is just basically you going to their studio where they prepare a certain amount of scripts for you to read, and they’ll record you reading it in your style.
And they will direct you a little bit, if need be.
It’s just basically the studio getting unique samples from you that they can also send to their clients.
So voice filings are good, you should definitely do it and go there because it also allows you to experience the studio firsthand and talk to the casters or producers who are there.
It’s a great marketing opportunity for you and it allows them to see who you really are.
So yes, if they ask you to come in for a voice filing, you really should go.
Training and Group Coaching
If you’re interested in knowing where you can even get training in script reading, that is actually available at voiceactorsathome.ph.
We call it group coaching, which means one coach will listen to about six people read scripts. This is really beneficial because:
- You’re going to get used to people watching you.
- You get to watch other people deliver.
- Because you’re watching other people, you can kind of see what works for you and what doesn’t in terms of delivery.
These are relatively cheap too. So, if you’re really interested and you really want to try it, go to voiceactorsathome.ph and look for group coaching and tadaa~ we will help you out.
Final Thoughts
Okay, guys, that is it. This is the look, I think it’s pretty nice and simple.
But yeah, I hope that you guys learned a lot based on this video and I hope it helps you understand a little bit better how to get into the industry and the importance of entering the industry right.
We’ll be making more videos for voiceactorsathome.ph to help everybody out in terms of being a voice actor.
So remember to click like and subscribe to voiceactorsathome.ph on YouTube and we’ll see you guys later. Bye!
Introduction
Hello sa lahat, ako po si Jeula Agbayani, at nandito ako para sagutin ang tanong na: Paano ba maging voice actor para sa mga TV commercials dito sa Pilipinas?
Ginagawa ko ito habang nagme-makeup ako kasi may recording session ako mamaya, so bear with me lang ha.
Clarification
May kailangan muna akong linawin tungkol sa tanong na ito.
Alam ko na ang tanong ay primarily tungkol sa kung paano maging voice actor para sa TV commercials, pero ang totoo, pareho lang ang proseso ng pagiging voice actor para sa TV commercials, radio commercials at online ads.
Pareho lang ang steps, basically. So, mas appropriate yata ang tanong na: Paano ba maging voice actor para sa mga commercials dito sa Pilipinas?
At yan, masasagot ko.
Step 1: Training
Matagal ko na itong sinasabi: Ang unang step talaga ay mag-training.
Hindi ko ma-stress enough kung gaano kahalaga na mag-undergo ka ng training bago mo pa isipin na gawin ito bilang trabaho.
May misconception na ang voice acting ay tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng magandang boses, at hindi yun totoo.
Hindi mo kailangan ng magandang boses para maging voice actor, pero kailangan mo matutunan kung paano magbasa ng script.
Importance of Script Reading
Kailangan mong matutunan kung paano maging blank canvas para sa script para maging kahit sino ka man pag nagbabasa ka ng script.
Maiintindihan mo kung ano ang sinasabi ng script, aling mga salita ang kailangan i-emphasize, ano ang point ng script, at kung sino ka base sa script.
May team o buong team na tutulong sayo para ma-piece together kung sino ka dapat, kaya guided ka.
Pero bilang voice actor, trabaho mo rin na hanapin ang mga yun para sa sarili mo the moment na makita mo ang script sa harap mo.
Parang muscle memory na rin, na kailangan mo i-train ang sarili mo ulit at ulit para hanapin ang mga yun para magawa mo ito ng mabilis.
Ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit super important ang pagbabasa ay dahil kailangan mo malaman kung paano mag-take ng direction; at hindi yun yung bagay na alam mo lang kung paano gawin.
Ang training at may nagtuturo sayo na, “Okay, i-emphasize mo itong salita, slow down dito, pause dito.”
Ang matutunan kung paano mag-adjust ay hindi yung bagay na alam mo agad, at ang training sa script reading ay talagang tutulong sayo dito.
Kaya pag nasa harap ka na ng client, mas madali na para sayo mag-adjust.
Ang isa pang dahilan ay dahil ang mga bagong voice actors ay madalas na ayaw ang kanilang boses the first time na marinig nila ito, lalo na pag naririnig nila ito through headphones.
Ang training ay tutulong sayo na masanay sa boses mo.
Believe me, lahat ng voice actor ay ayaw sa kanilang mga boses the firstfew times. Palagi nilang iniisip, “Ang pangit ng boses ko,” pero hindi talaga totoo yun.
Kailangan mo lang matutunan na i-appreciate kung ano ang meron ka kumpara sa wala ka.
At oo, so yung repetition ay tutulong sayo na talagang maintindihan ang boses mo.
Hindi ko sa tingin na sapat ito, pero sa script reading rin, malaking tulong kasi may mga script readings na ginagawa sa groups kaya talagang masasanay ka na pinapanood, which is a big deal, to be honest.
Kasi pag pupunta ka sa isang advertising recording, usually may kasama kang dalawa o tatlong tao, at yun yung minimum.
Nakaranas na ako ng anim hanggang pitong tao sa parehong kwarto o sa parehong call dahil gusto ng client na nandoon sila.
Ang agency, ang producer gusto nandoon, ang director…
Madalas, marami kang mga mata o tenga na nakikinig sa mga takes mo kaya matutunan mo kung paano mag-focus sa kung ano ang dapat mong gawin at i-tune out ang lahat ng iba.
Step 2: Finding Sample Scripts
Ang pangalawang step ay ang paghahanap ng mga sample scripts.
Pag nararamdaman mo na sapat na ang iyong training, makikita mo kung anong mga deliveries ang talagang magaling ka.
May mga tao na agad na magaling bilang announcers, na yung boses na talagang nagbebenta ng produkto sa ad.
May mga tao na magaling sa casual delivery, may mga tao na magaling sa deadpan delivery, may mga tao na marunong mag-sound like a teenager, o bilang isang young adult, o kahit bata.
So once na ma-pinpoint mo lahat ng mga bagay na magaling ka, hanapin mo ang mga scripts na makakapagpakita ng mga types ng deliveries na yun.
Partly ito tungkol sa paghahanap ng mga scripts na alam mong babagay sa boses mo, babagay sa klase ng delivery na gusto mong gawin.
At marami kang mapagpipilian sa mundo, kailangan mo lang talagang hanapin sila at isulat ang script at i-deliver ito sa paraan na gusto mong i-deliver.
Isang importanteng bagay na tandaan ay hindi mo pwede, sa ilalim ng anumang circumstances, kopyahin ang paraan ng voice actor ng commercial na yun.
Talagang nagpapatalo ito sa purpose ng ginagawa mo dahil ang samples ay para ipakita kung paano mo binabasa ito, hindi kung paano ginawa ng iba.
Step 3: Recording Your Samples
So step three pagkatapos mong makahanap ng mga deliveries na talagang maganda para sayo at nakahanap ka na ng mga scripts…
Ang susunod na step ay i-record ang sarili mo na nagbabasa ng mga scripts na yun.
Medyo importante na malinis ang iyong mga recording, sa pinakamababa.
Alam ko na ang studio quality recordings ay parang mataas na bar, at okay lang yun.
Maraming voice actors sa Pilipinas na talagang nagtatrabaho sa kanilangcloset dahil ang mga damit sa closet, nag-aabsorb ng tunog, na talagang, talagang nakakatulong.
Pero oo, ang mahalaga ay malinis ito as much as possible.
Kung pwede kang pumunta sa isang studio at talagang i-record ito, okay yun. Kung pwede kang bumili ng starter mic, isang USB mic na maganda, at i-record ang mga clips sa iyong closet, then that’s great.
Pero ang point ay talagang kailangan mong mag-effort para gawing malinis ang mga samples.
Please huwag mong ilagay ang iyong mga bad takes sa sample, ibigay mo lang ang iyong best takes.
Sobrang importante yun dahil narinig ko na ilalagay ng ibang tao ang kanilang bad takes at ito ay, well, huwag gawin yun.
Sa mga clients, sa iyong mga casters, hindi nila kailangan marinig yun, kailangan lang nila marinig ang iyong best take.
Step 4: Research and Send Samples
Step four: once alam mo na ang mga deliveries na magaling ka, once na-record mo na ang mga scripts na talagang magpapakita ng iyong skill at boses…
Ang susunod na step ay mag-research ng mga production houses at ipadala ang iyong mga samples sa kanila.
Ibig sabihin nito na kailangan mong mag-cold email sa lahat ng mga production houses dahil, alam mo, hindi ka nila kilala.
Pero okay lang yun dahil honestly, ang mga production houses ay palaging naghahanap ng mga bagong boses na maipitch sa kanilang mga clients.
Mahal nila ang paghahanap ng bagong talent.
Kaya huwag kang matakot na talagang subukan silang kontakin, kahit sa kanilang general emails and stuff, at tanungin kung saan mo pwedeng ipadala ang iyong mga samples.
Kailangan mo lang isaalang-alang na pag pinadala mo ang iyong mga samples sa kanila at pinadala mo na ang official email na may kasamang mga samples, ito ay basically ang kanilang unang impression sayo.
Kaya kailangan mong gawin itong maganda. Talagang kailangan mong isulat ang email na ito at siguraduhin na ito ay nice at polite at talagang nagpapakita na excited kang makatrabaho sila.
So oo, kung gusto mong isulat ang email na yun at may kaibigan kang magbabasa nito para siguraduhin na ito ay professional, at charming as possible para talagang ma-warm up sila sayo kahit sa email lang.
Ang pagsusulat ng mga email ay isang art form by the way.
Please gawin mo ito, talagang gawin mo lahat ng stops as much as you can dahil sa simula, ang iyong tanging line of communication ay ang email na may kasamang mga samples.
Kaya gawin itong maganda, gawin itong simple, diretso sa punto.
Hindi mo kailangan i-elaborate ang iyong buhay o kahit ano sa kanila. Ilagay mo lang ang iyong best foot forward lagi dahil ito ay tungkol sa first impressions.
Nahahanap ko na medyo mahirap minsan na hanapin ang mga audio production houses, pero marami talaga sa Metro Manila sa Pilipinas.
May mga searchable.
May mga Facebook groups din na pwede mong tignan.
Kung scroll ka lang araw-araw, makikita mo ang mga companies, production houses na naghahanap ng mga voice actors all the time.
Ganito ako nagsimula.
Araw-araw lang akong nag-scroll sa certain Facebook groups at pag nakakita ako ng naghahanap ng female voice actor, agad kong pinapadala ang aking mga samples.
Ganun ko ginawa. Pero para malaman nyo at para matulungan kayo, ilan sa mga mas malalaki o mas kilalang production houses na gumagawa ng advertising work, commercial work ay ito. [8:44]
Ang mga ito ay may tons ng mga advertising clients, pang-advertising talaga sila.
So sa kanila, pwede mong i-search sila, tingnan kung may general email sila na pwede mong ipadala o like sa Messenger, pwede mong tanungin kung saan mo pwede ipadala ang iyong mga samples.
At mula doon, subukan mo lang na mag-establish ng relationship sa kanila.
So oo, yan ang basically ang apat na steps.
Mga bagay na dapat asahan: minsan pag pinadala mo ang iyong mga samples sa mga production houses, magre-reply sila at sasabihin, “Oh, pwede ka bang pumunta para sa voice filing?”
Ang voice filing ay basically ikaw lang na pupunta sa kanilang studio kung saan may inihanda silang ilang scripts para basahin mo, at irerecord ka nilang nagbabasa nito sa iyong style.
At ididirekta ka nila ng konti, kung kailangan.
Ito ay basically ang studio na kumukuha ng unique samples mula sayo na pwede rin nilang ipadala sa kanilang mga clients.
So maganda ang voice filings, dapat mo talagang gawin ito at pumunta doon dahil nagbibigay din ito ng opportunity sayo na ma-experience ang studio firsthand at makipag-usap sa mga casters o producers na nandoon.
Magandang marketing opportunity ito para sayo at nagbibigay ito ng chance sa kanila na makita kung sino ka talaga.
So oo, kung hinihingi nila na pumunta ka para sa voice filing, dapat talaga na pumunta ka.
Training and Group Coaching
Kung interesado ka sa pagkaalam kung saan ka pwede makakuha ng training sa script reading, available ito sa voiceactorsathome.ph.
Tinatawag namin itong group coaching, ibig sabihin isang coach ang makikinig sa anim na tao na nagbabasa ng scripts. Ito ay talagang beneficial dahil:
- Masasanay ka na may mga tao na nanonood sayo.
- Makakapanood ka ng ibang tao na nagde-deliver.
- Dahil nanonood ka ng ibang tao, makikita mo kung ano ang gumagana para sayo at hindi sa terms ng delivery.
Relatively cheap din ito. So, kung talagang interesado ka at gusto mong subukan ito,pumunta ka sa voiceactorsathome.ph at hanapin ang group coaching at tadaa~ tutulungan ka namin.
Final Thoughts
Okay, guys, yun na yun. Ito na yung look, sa tingin ko maganda at simple.
Pero oo, sana marami kayong natutunan base sa video na ito at sana makatulong ito sa inyo na mas maintindihan kung paano makapasok sa industry at kung gaano kahalaga na mag-enter sa industry ng tama.
Gagawa kami ng mas maraming videos para sa voiceactorsathome.ph para tulungan ang lahat pagdating sa pagiging voice actor.
So remember na i-click ang like at mag-subscribe sa voiceactorsathome.ph sa YouTube at makikita namin kayo ulit. Bye!