Voice Artists - The Ones You Do Not Talk About
"The voices you know, but the faces you do not"—the saying goes amazingly with them. They are voice artists. Moreover, if you are like me, they shaped your childhood, and the relationship is still intact. However, we are not as familiar with the people behind the scenes as we are with the faces in front of the silver screen. The voice is the zip of a film.
Nevertheless, we seldom talk about the people behind that zip. For example, I can close my eyes and say that Sisimpur brought smiles to all of our faces during our childhood. However, do we know the voices behind that smile? Have we ever wanted to know who is behind Tuktuki's sweet voice or Halum's hoarse voice?
What is Being a Voice Artist?
A voice artist, also called a voice actor or a voiceover artist, is a professional who uses their voice to portray characters or deliver messages to an audience. Unlike actors who appear on screen, voice actors only use their voices to act out or read a script. It is worth noting that screen actors may also be required to provide voices for their characters. However, that does not ultimately make them voice artists. Personality types are also crucial for a voice actor. A voice actor has to hold within himself the character he will give voice to. That is what makes him a professional.
Voice Artists' Heaven
For many actors, a voiceover career can be as exciting as it is lucrative. With so many different types of voiceover work, the medium gives performers a chance to work in different fields and on several projects simultaneously, which means honing their craft.
Animations: We know how much we love animations. That is what has made it the most popular voiceover genre. Let us look at Japan to get a sense of the scale of that voiceover industry. According to the Association of Japanese Animations, the industry set a record in 2016 when it generated revenues of 17.7 billion dollars.
Video Games: Imagine playing GTA games without any voiceovers in them. Will you enjoy that version? Video games are a big industry for voice actors and offer numerous genres to work in.
Documentaries: Rather than playing a character, documentaries need voice artists to narrate, carry the story, and keep audiences engaged. The perfection of a voice actor is found in this workplace. Maybe because of this, only the experienced can see this for themselves.
Audiobooks: This medium is becoming increasingly popular among bookworms. It also brought innovation and variety to the work of voice actors. A perfect combination of a voice actor with the attitude of a writer can give a different feeling to a reader.
Virtual Assistants: Alexa, what is the time? Hey Siri, play a song for me. We have talked to virtual assistants for years, and they will keep doing it. Voice artists with a straightforward and easy-to-understand tone can consider a great career in the voiceover industry.
Gods of the heaven - Voice artists who have made it big
There is a heaven, but there will be no God. Does that ever happen? Let us talk about some voice artists who would not be wrong to say the god of heaven.
Mel Blanc: The voice actor did not get the title "The Man of a Thousand Voices" by accident. Maybe people know him best as the classic voice of "Bugs Bunny," but he also blessed "Gilligan's Island," "Buck Rogers," and classics like "Tom & Jerry ." There will never be another like him.
Frank Welker: Frank's list of voice acting credits requires a pair of military-grade binoculars to see. He has lent his voice to just about every property you can imagine. He is the voice behind your favorite childhood show, "Scooby-Doo." He also gave voice to classics like "Casper," "Fred Flintstone and Friends," and "The Fantastic Four."
Seth MacFarlane: In many ways, Seth MacFarlane is a comedic prodigy. He is the creator of the famous dark comedy "Family Guy." He is often called the best of modern times.
Tara Strong: "The Powerpuff Girls," "The New Batman Adventures," and "King of the Hill" are enough to give an introduction to this talented lady. She has also ventured into video game voice-acting territory with roles in titles like "Ninja Gaiden," "Xenosaga," and "Spyro.”
Javed Jaffrey: Javed Jaffrey is an Indian actor and perhaps the only Indian actor with more praise for his voice than for his screen acting. He has dubbed "Mickey Mouse," "Goofy," and "Don Karnage" in Hindi for Disney. The man also screenplays the Hindi descriptions of Disney's "Jungle Book 2" and Pixar's "The Incredibles," along with expressions for the rivals.
Why Are the Voice Artists Not Getting Work?
The fact is that art is becoming more popular, but artisans are not. Filmmakers now feel comfortable letting giant movie stars do the voiceover. I do not want to discuss their business attitude here. I assume they are doing so to make their work reach more people. From Hollywood to Bollywood, it can be called the trend of any film industry. From Johnny Depp to Shah Rukh Khan, they all tried their hand at voiceover. I cannot say they have slacked off in their efforts, but maybe they deny the job to the people best suited for it.
Let me close with some sweet and sour words. There is no doubt that voice artists are powerful. Whether you hear them through the navigation system in your car, the voice-activated assistant in your home, an animation you enjoy with your family, or a video game you play with your friends, their voices make you experience the moments better. However, there is no use in saying so many nice words unless they get their well-deserved appreciation or recognition along with their work. So what else? We should also stir the teacup together with the people behind the voices we hear. It would be appreciated if you could.
