We’ve sat down with one of our favourite German voiceover artists, Julia, to ask her some of her tips and tricks she’s picked up over her time in the voiceover industry. She shares some valuable advice on how to get the best out of your German voiceover project, as well as tips for new voiceover artists, including what to consider when creating your voiceover demo reel.
Julia is a talented German Voiceover Artist working at Golocalise, our International Voiceover Agency in London, UK.
Here she shares what her daily life is like as a voiceover talent, tells us about some of her most exciting projects, and also gives tips for voice acting jobs.
Watch the video below with Julia’s answers about the profession of a voice actor. And feel free to listen to her voice samples here!
We added English subtitles because she’s speaking German. The transcript is also available below.
Transcript
Talk us through one of your days as a German voiceover artist?
My day as a voiceover artist is so varied and different and that’s especially fun to me. I also partly work as a translator, sometimes as an actress and as an illustrator too. I love variety. That said, every day begins with a cup of coffee, a big cup of coffee. If I’m working in studio, without milk, since milk affects your voice. Doing your research is very important, knowing what it is that you’re talking about, as well as knowing the customer’s priorities for the project. Checking how to say things, sometimes you have to clarify the pronunciation of proper names and it’s not always clear how to pronounce names.
So, research is important, as well as warming up your voice! Vocal exercises can look weird and are best done alone at home. When I travel to London to record in studio and sit on the train I can do a few exercises on the way. But it works best when you have a mask on as it can look very weird. Then I can also answer my emails, and so on.
What has been your most exciting project so far?
My most exciting project so far? that would probably be a short radio play I worked on. I really enjoyed that, since it was closely related to acting and I worked with other actors in the studio which gave way to a whole new dynamic. That was just so fun, working together. Otherwise, I like animation. I worked on a series of gym and dance videos and provided the German voiceover for that. It was a challenge, due to the rhythm and it also got me dancing, so it was a good workout!
Can you share any tips for voiceover artists just getting started?
The next question is what tips I would give new voiceover artists especially when it comes to recording voiceover demos when recording these for the first time. It’s important to go to a professional studio and not just record something at home with your smart phone. It is very important that the demos are of good quality and are professional, because that’s your calling card, through which you’ll get jobs. It’s important to try it out, have fun in doing so and be brave, be grateful for feedback, whether good or bad.
And take courses, perhaps speaking ones. Here in England, there is something called “Talking Newspaper” I provided my voice for them a lot at the start. It’s where you make recordings for the blind, for example. Just try things out and have fun in the process. And it’s good to have an apple with you in studio. It sounds weird, but it really helps if you have a dry mouth.
What advice do you have for a client working with you for the first time?
What advice would I give new clients who would like to work with me, to ensure as seamless an experience as possible? The most crucial thing is good communication. If you communicate the things to bear in mind when recording and share that with the studio as soon as possible so they can tell me, that is always really helpful to prepare.
And then, on the day itself, it’s good to earmark enough time and avoid having important last-minute meetings where your thoughts may still be in the meeting. Sometimes there can be technical issues. It’s important in cases like these to take our time and keep calm and to simply try things out and just let me do my thing after which you can direct and suggest different ways of doing things. That’s how the best results come about.
The last point is something that I believe Britta addressed last year, which is very important: a good translation! Please do not scrimp on translations. Especially since, as a German voiceover artist, there are many more syllables to cover. So it’s good when the translator is aware of this and can ensure it is timed well to the video and that it works in German. No scrimping on the translation! So I hope it leads to a good collaboration. It comes down to communication, just talk with me and it’ll all work.
Do you know which of the German Accents is Best for a VoiceOver?
German Voiceover Agency
Enjoyed meeting Julia, a German voiceover actress with tons of experience in acting and animation projects.
Look at other professional German Actors at Golocalise’s webpage, you could also listen to Swiss German Voiceover Samples or Austrian German Voice Demos.
Remember, if you’d like to discuss your next project, then give us a call on +44 (0) 207 095 5730. Or get a quote from the Client Services team.
At Golocalise, as well as providing audio and video german translation services for several years, we also provide voiceover services in any language or german accent, subtitling and captioning services.
We’d love to hear from you whether you need translation, voiceovers or subtitles services.
FAQs
What is a German voiceover artist?
A German voiceover artist is a professional who provides the voice for various types of media content, such as commercials, podcasts, documentaries, films, animations, radio, and more. They typically have native-level proficiency in the German language and possess the ability to convey emotions, accents, and intonations effectively.
What qualifications and skills should I look for in a German voiceover artist?
When hiring a German voiceover artist, it’s important to consider their qualifications and skills. Look for artists who have native-level proficiency in German, as they will have a better understanding of the language’s nuances and cultural context. Additionally, they should have a versatile voice range, good pronunciation, clear diction, and the ability to interpret and convey emotions effectively.
What factors should I consider when selecting a German voiceover artist?
When selecting a German voiceover artist, several factors should be considered. Firstly, listen to their demos or previous works to assess their voice quality, tone, and suitability for your project. Secondly, consider their experience in the specific type of content you require, such as IVR, commercials, audiobooks, or e-learning modules. Lastly, factor in their availability, professionalism, and willingness to accommodate revisions and feedback.
How much does it cost to hire a German voiceover artist?
The cost of hiring a German voiceover artist can vary depending on factors such as the artist’s experience, the length of the script, the type of project, and the usage rights required. Rates may be based on factors like per-word, per-minute, or per-hour. It’s best to contact voiceover artists directly to discuss your project details and negotiate a fair price that fits within your budget.
