How to Cast the Perfect Voice Over for Your Characters

Whether you’re putting a voice to your beloved audiobook characters, adding persuasive narration to a commercial, or completing your brooding video game antagonist — casting the ideal voice over for your characters is crucial in bringing them to life.

Animated content is some of the most effective and engaging media out there. In fact, it’s estimated that 59% of marketers use animated explainer videos^[1] to sell their products or services, so it’s not all about Saturday morning cartoons anymore.

Characters can be used for almost any type of project, and each type requires a different approach to casting the perfect voice.

To help you navigate the world of character voice overs, we’ve put together a guide that’ll cover everything from key qualities to look for in potential talent to tips on how to decide on the most appropriate voice for your project.

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Why It’s Important to Select the Right Character Voice

I’m sure we can all think of some iconic characters with unforgettable voices — Homer Simpson, Wallace from Wallace and Gromit, Super Mario…And when we remember these characters, we often remember them by their voices. That’s how impactful a voice can be.

Selecting the right character voice can also help with audience engagement. Whether it’s making them laugh, cry, or feel a sense of nostalgia, a great voice over can evoke powerful emotions and keep your audience invested in your story.

But even when we’re using animation or characters for marketing-driven content, such as commercials, e-learning or explainer videos, the importance of the voice still remains, arguably with higher stakes. 

Your character voice needs to not only captivate the audience, but also successfully convey your message and sell your brand so that they take the call-to-action you want them to.

One that doesn’t fit or isn’t well cast can have a negative impact on your project and potentially harm its success, whether that’s selling a product, entertaining an audience, or both.

What Makes a Good Voice Over for Characters?

So, if it’s so important to get the right voice for your characters, what qualities should you be looking for in potential talent?

One of the biggest deciding factors is the sort of media you’re creating. Different types of content will have different target audiences, tones, and overall goals — all of which should be considered when casting a character voice.

Here are some of the most popular types of character voice overs and the key qualities to look for in each:

Audiobook Characters

Audiobooks are a popular medium for consuming fictional stories, and having different voices for each character can make the experience even more immersive for listeners.

When casting a character voice talent for an audiobook, it’s important to find someone who has strong storytelling abilities.The narrator should be able to bring the characters’ emotions and personalities to life through their voice, making the listening experience engaging and captivating. This could mean finding someone with a wide vocal range, good pacing and timing, and the ability to create distinct voices for each character.

Commercial Characters

Commercial character voices play a crucial role in selling a product or service. It’s important to find someone with a voice that aligns with your brand image and values — this could mean finding someone who sounds trustworthy, authoritative, friendly, or whatever qualities best represent your brand.

In addition, the voice should be able to effectively convey your message and call-to-action to the audience.

It’s also beneficial if their voice has a unique quality that makes it memorable and stands out from other ads.

A good example of this is when Halifax cleverly used Top Cat in their ads, bringing back nostalgia for many viewers and making the campaign more memorable.

While Top Cat may not be the first character you think of when it comes to selling banking services, his voice and charm helped make the ad stick in people’s minds.

Video Game Characters

Voice acting in video games has become increasingly important as the industry continues to grow.

When casting for this type of character voice, it’s essential to find someone with a wide vocal range and the ability to portray different character types. Typically, the hero of the game will have an assured and charismatic voice, while the villain will have a more menacing and threatening tone.

Character development is also a common feature in games; the MC may start off the story as a troubled, tormented soul, but by the end, they’re feeling confident and powerful. A good voice actor can bring this development to life through their tone and delivery.

In addition, it’s important to find someone who can maintain consistency in their voice over long periods of time, as video games often have sequels or DLCs (downloadable content) that require the same actor to come back and play the character.

Explainer Video Characters

Explainer videos are used to simplify complicated concepts or promote a product or service. In these types of character voices, it’s crucial to find someone with a clear and easy-to-understand voice. 

Direct and concise delivery is important to keep the audience engaged and ensure they understand the information being presented.

Your voice over script is also just as important here, particularly when it comes to explaining complex ideas.

Cartoon & Animated Characters

Voice acting for cartoons and animations requires a lot of versatility, as one actor may provide voices for multiple characters. There are six main voice actors who voice The Simpsons, for example, despite there being many more characters than this in the show.

Most animated cartoons are upbeat and humorous, in which case you’ll want to find someone with a playful and energetic tone who can bring the characters to life. 

But this isn’t always the case — for more serious animated shows or movies, you may need someone with a more dramatic and emotional range.

Tips for Finding the Right Character Voice Over Talent

Beyond the type of character and medium, there are some general tips to keep in mind when searching for the right voice over artist. These will help you define your search and make the casting process smoother.

Create a Character Profile & Backstory

Fully developing your characters’ profiles can be a big help in deciding what voice best fits. As part of your storyboarding, take time to create a profile for your characters and develop their background, personality traits, and other details.

Consider where they grew up, their age, whether they’re introverted or extroverted, what are their hobbies, insecurities, and so on. The better you can visualise the character, the clearer you’ll be on what their voice should sound like.

Use Another Set of Ears When Listening to Demos

It’s unlikely you’re working alone on your project (although props to you if you are!), so make use of the people within your team. Even if you’ve been tasked with scouting out the voice actors, it’s always good to have multiple opinions.

Listen to demo reels with colleagues and discuss what you do or don’t like about each one. This way, you can get a more well-rounded view of who would fit your character best.

Hire Through a Voice Over Agency

There’s really no better way to streamline your casting process than by hiring through a reputable voice over agency. They’ll have a portfolio of professional and experienced voice actors, making it easier for you to find the right fit.

Additionally, many agencies offer casting services where they can audition different actors for you and provide demos specific to your script or project.

Include As Much In Your Project Brief As Possible

When casting for voice acting, make sure your project brief includes as much detail as possible. Particularly if you’ve reeled in the support of a voice over agency, the more information you can provide about your project, characters, and desired tone, the easier it will be for them to find suitable candidates.

Include any reference materials you may have, such as images, scripts, or videos. Other information like deadlines, budgets, and project expectations should also be included in your brief to ensure a smooth and efficient casting process.

Conclusion: Know Your Characters

If we were to sum up the process of finding the right character voice over in one phrase, it would be “know your characters”.

The more confidently and vividly you can describe your characters and their personalities, the easier it will be to find someone who can bring them to life through voice acting. When you know them inside and out, the right voice will just click.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Matinée Multilingual has helped countless clients find the perfect voice for their characters. Let us help bring your project to life.

^{[1] https://www.rawpictures.co.uk/blog/animation-video-marketing-statistics-for-2022}

FAQs

Where Can I Find Voice Actors for My Characters? + –

Voice over agencies are the best place to start when searching for voice actors. You’ll have a lot more options to choose from and can often receive casting assistance as well.

At Matinée Multilingual, we have connections with over 2,500 artists and actors, many of whom specialise in character voices. We know the importance of finding the right voice for your animation, and we can help you find it.

How Much Does It Cost for a Character Voice Over? + –

The cost for a character voice over can vary depending on the length and complexity of the project, as well as the experience and popularity of the actor. It’s best to discuss your budget with your chosen voice over agency or actors to come up with a fair rate.

Our voice over rates are some of the most competitive in the industry, and we’ll always work with you to find a package that suits your budget.

Can I Use More Than One Artist for Different Characters? + –

Absolutely! It’s more common to cast multiple actors for a larger project with many characters. This can add more variety and depth to the voices in your content.

How Do I Write a Voice Over Script for My Characters? + –

Your script format and length will depend on the type of content you’re creating. A script for commercial characters may be shorter and more concise, while a script for an animated series will likely be longer and more detailed, and an audiobook script will be even longer.

Our article on How to Write a Voice Over Script has some great general guidance on how a script should look and what it should include.