Voice Artist Q&A Series: Arwa 

If you’re thinking of becoming a voice artist, don’t be afraid to start with what you already have; even if it means having to record a voiceover with your mobile phone. This is exactly what Arabic voice artist Arwa did 10 years ago and today she is one of Matinée’s seasoned voice artists. 

Read on to find out how it all started and what motivates her to continue being a voice artist in this industry. 

How did you get started in the voiceover (VO) industry, and what do you enjoy most about it?  

In 2014, I was working as a freelance translator and proofreader, and one day while searching for projects, I came across a job advertisement looking for an Arabic voice over talent. Out of curiosity, I submitted a proposal with a voice demo and to my surprise – I got the job! This truly caught me by surprise because back then, I just used my phone to record my voice! 

Since then, I started searching for more VO opportunities and learnt how to build my own recording studio equipped with good quality equipment, all from the comforts of my home. Over time, I became good at several highly requested Arabic accents and voice acting soon became my main profession. 

How would you describe a typical day as a voice artist?  

A typical workday includes checking my email for any new projects to add to my schedule for the week and after sending my kids to school, I would then start recording smaller projects and stagger my work around larger projects. It all depends on the urgency of each project. I would record for an hour, sometimes two, before taking a break.  

The best times to record are either in the morning or afternoon. Once I’ve gotten that sorted, I usually edit the files and deliver them (to my clients) on the same day. Some days are more relaxed, and some are busier and more productive.  

What has been your favourite project that you’ve worked on with Matinée so far?  

I can’t think of a specific project, I enjoy every project I have with Matinée. From IVR messages to training courses, I had fun recording them all. 

What is the best kind of project brief to receive? Is there any information that you find particularly helpful to be included before a project takes place?  

I would like to know the client’s tone preferences, the speed they need, and if there is a specific style they are expecting, I would love to hear an example. This helps me provide a voice recording that suits their project. 

Do live-directed sessions benefit you as opposed to recording independently?  

To be honest, I don’t like live sessions. In these 10 years, I’ve done less than five live sessions. I always say that I do much better recording without live sessions. Perhaps I am a tad shy to record while someone is listening. But, on the bright side, I have almost never received negative feedback on my recordings. As soon as I have a look at the script, I figure out how it should be recorded. And the most important thing is that clients are happy with the results, every time.  

If a client prefers a live session, we will then have a meeting so that the client feels assured that the result will be as they intended. The meeting also allows the client to provide detailed instructions on style, tone of voice and pronunciation prior to my recording – and this has allowed me to deliver great results every single time. 

What are your top tips for somebody wanting to get started in the voiceover industry?  

First and foremost, you should have a nice tone of voice and good articulation, in any language. Then a high-quality home studio would be a great idea, especially for freelancers, because it is faster and easier when you use your own equipment and place that you can access anytime. Finally, you need to constantly practice speaking, try different styles till you find your own, send your samples to interested companies and get feedback and tips from experienced voice artists to improve your skills.  

Why do you like working with Matinée?  

I have been with Matinée for a long time now. It has been a smooth journey with them because I am always working with a professional and friendly team. They pay attention to the details and constantly produce high-quality work for their clients across a variety of projects. 

What are your thoughts on AI voiceovers and has this affected your work thus far?  

Though I am not a fan, and it has not affected my work to date, I am afraid a growing number of people will choose AI voiceovers over human voiceovers. I have heard plenty of AI voice recordings and quite frankly, some are impressive. But it is still not as good as a human voiceover. The AI versions do not have depth and lack emotions. Since I love recording narratives and story-telling scripts, I do not think AI voiceovers would replace me but that’s just my opinion 😊 

Listen to Arwa’s demo here!

Do you require a voice artist to record for a project of your own? Get in touch! 

Here at Matinée Multilingual, we have a vast database of talented voice artists who specialise in everything from explainer videos to interactive toys. Whichever language you require a voice over in (we offer over 80!) and whatever your next project is, let us help you bring it to life with our expert voice over services. 

We’ll help you connect and engage with your audience with the perfect voice over, all the way from offering a selection of hand-picked voice demos, to recording and editing the final audio file. Why not get in touch with us today and find out more about how we can help you? 

Call us on +44 (0) 118 958 4934 or drop us an email at project@matinee.co.uk