21 Day Voice Over Challenge
21 Day Voice Over Challenge - what's it all about?

I asked Jo a few further questions about life as a voice over artist….
Right now feels like an exciting time for you – do you feel like you’re on the edge of a whole new career with your voice over work?
I’ve recorded voice overs in recording studios for many years but the home studio and focusing on this part of my career fully is most definitely exciting. I love it so much, it’s hard work developing new relationships with clients and putting in the spade work to ensure I have a long prosperous career.
It’s so worth every second of hard work to get to create characters, tell stories and be the voice of a huge variety of shows and adverts. My dogs look at me very strangely sometimes when I am trying out new accents or animation voices but I love the freedom to be who I want in the studio.
How on earth do you audition for voice over work?
This is such a varied process to be honest, sometimes the client just listens to your voice reels and you get the job, although this is rare! However TV series usually do go with this approach.
A lot of the time you’re sent a test script to record and send back. If it’s for Gaming or animation then they send character descriptions, background and photos of the character, which is so helpful. I get in the studio, try and nail the physicality and try a few voices that I think might fit, basically it’s about playing until it feels right.
Sometimes it’s a live line so the client can hear a live session - either in an external recording studio or via Source Connect in my home studio and the director will ask you to read a few versions of the script, then give you notes on certain lines to change pace, emotion or maybe try another voice. This can be intimidating but I actually love the thrill of live direction. Basically to be a voice over artist you need to be ready for anything!
Any specific Voice Over artists that you really champion and suggest anyone wanting to start out should go check out?
OMG I love a Canadian beauty called Elley-Ray Hennessy she is so talented, bonkers and fabulous. She also does some amazing workshops so check her out for sure!
What’s next on the agenda for you – what are you working on now?
As well as continuing with the 21 Day Voice Over Challenge and supporting anyone that needs it - I’m actually really busy again which is both amazing and a relief to be honest, there are a couple of things I’m not allowed to talk about, but I did a happy dance when I got them! I’m the face of Omaze.co.uk so if you want to win a million-pound house and support Teenage Cancer Trust check it out.
I’m working on a podcast and hosting lots of virtual conferences and writing a new onscreen confidence course for people in business - who have been thrown into the world of zoom and need help! My aim is animation, it’s my favourite element of voice overs so watch this space.
As a pro in the industry do you have any advice to creatives and artists about where they should start?
Be you, be confident and never stop learning, really listen when people talk but don’t believe everything everyone tells you. Take opportunity’s, be kind and work hard but most of all try and create an internal positive voice that supports you. If someone tells you that you can’t let that internal voice fuel you - because you can do it!
Join the Voice Over tribe - www.voiceover-tribe.com
See more of Jo and her work -
www.joannepickard.co.uk

