The document provides guidance on working with voice actors for game development. It emphasizes the importance of engaging voice actors early in development to allow their performances to inform character and script development. It also stresses communicating effectively with voice actors, treating them professionally, and compensating them appropriately for their specialized skills and ongoing training. Hiring the right actors for the roles and directing them well is important to achieve a high production value for the audio experience in games.

1. “Again, but better”
Working with Voice Actors

3. Trained at:
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

5. Selected Game work

7. VO DIRECTOR

8. PROOF READER & SCRIPT EDITOR

9. Why Have Voice Actors to begin with?
Sound is the “first sense”. People engage more
actively with people, even if it’s just a voice.
Having vocal audio increases the perceived
production value of games
Crazy but true, there are people who pretend to be
other people: the mythical beast known as the ‘actor’

10. Why “Again”
and
why “Better”?

15. GETTING VO BE LIKE:

16. OUTSOURCING
-Source VOs + CASTING
-General admin
-Supplies the recording facilities
-Organizes all the dialogue
recording
-Send it to you for approval
DO IT YOURSELF
-You source the VOs + CASTING
-VOs (generally) provide the studios
-Remotely directed or self directed
-Your audio team handles more post-
prod
GETTING VO

17. A FEW OUTSOURCERS [EN]
SIDEglobal.com
PitStopProductions.co.uk
Molinare.co.uk
LiquidViolet.co.uk
SoundCuts.net OMUK.com LINJAsounnd.com

18. FINDING VOICE ACTORS

19. RECOMMENDATIONS

20. VOICE AGENTS

21. CONTACT YOUR FAVOURITE VOs

22. CONFERENCES AND EXPOS

23. TWITTER

24. It is a good idea to cast actors early, or mid-way through the
cycle
Don’t drop the voice actors in at the end. You wouldn’t get a an
environment artist in the week before you release.
Don’t do it with voice actors
Having actors on hand early on will allow writers to tailor
scripts to them
It’s ok to re-cast if the requirements change
We’ll get over it……..….
……….…….probably
(don’t) CAST LAST MINUTE

26. JASON HIGHTOWER → Jackie Welles (EN)

27. IT’s JUST ACTING, RIGHT?
VOs STAGE
ACTORS
FILM/TV
ACTORS

28. ALL DOCTORS ARE THE SAME…….(not really)

29. INDUSTRY Time with the
script
Rehearsal time Time between
‘takes’
Work
session
Information ahead of
time
FILM/TV +1 month 1 day - weeks A few minutes 8-16hrs As much as they want
STAGE +1 month 3-4 weeks N/A REH: 8-9hrs
SHOW: 2-3hrs
As much as they want
MOCAP/
PCAP
1 week /
On the day
10mins ->
a few days
A few seconds 8-9hrs A much as NDA allows
VO On the day A few minutes A few seconds 1-4hrs Minimal -> None

30. VOs with past Game EXP
Explaining game specific mechanics is easier if the
voice actor knows what you’re talking about
Check their credits though. Not all that glitters is gold.
Straight up VOICEOVERS are generally not actors, even
though they may have ‘acted’

31. Found You!
Ask for auditions, doing multiple rounds if need be
Use scripts that won’t make it into the game if you’re
worried about leaks
Talking to actors ahead of time over Skype, Zoom, etc
helps to get to know them
No one wants to hire a great actor who’s a jerk

32. NO CAMERAS DURING VO CASTING

33. #CourtesyAF
Let the actor know ahead of time about
any sensitive casting or performance
material
(sexuality, religion, politics, nationalism,
extreme violence, etc)
Check if they’re groovy with it.

34. The Real Deal
If you need an actor from a specific
background; find one.
There are plenty of talented voice actors from
all the world’s backgrounds. You just have to
find them.
www.MenaArts.uk [Middle East / North African]
www.PGMVOList.com [Persons of Global Majority VO]

35. Authentic Accents
Need a specific and authentic accent? Get
someone who has it.
Not sure if it’s legit?
Get the VO to record a piece of text in the accent
they say they can ‘do’ and have a native speaker
confirm it

36. F*** English
In English the accent denotes a nationality.
There are regional accents, which denote levels of
income, education, and regional culture.
In English, accents denote Nationality first, and
Class/Culture second.
Mixing and matching accents doesn’t often make
sense to EN-Language audiences unless you have a
good reason.

37. Mic check, 1-2, 1-2,
If you’ve decided to hire a studio to deal with the VO, great
If not, check the Voice Actor’s mic setup
Lots of actors on lots of different mics changes the total
sonic landscape
Do home studio tests. Whispers, shouts, quiet / loud /
projected talking etc.

38. Not all setups are the same….🤷

39. The Law of Audio:

40. The Law of Audio:
You get what you pay for.

41. Ugh...money (Part 1/4)
“Basic Labour”
Basic Studio Fee (BSF): The hourly rate (priced at 1hr
minimums). At Words per Hour. 800-1200WPH
Can range between 200-250$/£/€ per hour.
Audio Production companies will have set pay structures
If you’re cast is remote, rates may have to be negotiated
individually. Unified company rates are best, however.
Don’t be upset if an actor declines a lower rate of pay. Good
Voice Actors are busy, and might not have the time

42. Ugh...money (Part 2/4)
“Buyouts”
Buyouts let you USE the audio in your game for,
marketing, DLC, trailers, promotion purposes, etc.
Musicians get royalties for every time their music is
used or played.
Voice Actors get buyouts.
It’s the law and you must be compliant.
UK: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, Part II,
Chapter 2, Performer’s Rights, X7, F22, 182D

43. Ugh...money (Part 3/4)
“Amenities and Additionals”
Travel Costs / Reimbursements / Per diems / On location accommodation
Work and Travel Visas (If need be)
Rehearsals, workshop-ing
Facial Capture, Mocap, Full-Performance Capture
Use of likeness

44. Ugh...money (Part 4/4)
“An Actor’s Life”
Why are costs “seemingly” high? Because. That’s the
rate.
Technically unemployed 90% of the year. Pay
£/$/€1000s every year for:
Specialized Training / Networking / Equipment up-keep
/ New Equipment / Software subscriptions / Gear
Repair / Travel Expenses / Self-Marketing Costs /
General communication / Rehearsals and Research /
Union Memberships / Accounting fees / Vocal Health
and general exercise

45. We good?
Actors can’t read your mind
If you don’t give any info, we’re not going to know
either
Give the information, and let the actor process it
Better yet, have the writer in the room to answer
questions.

46. That’s Classified….
If you can’t say a lot of information about the game
Give the Actor an NDA
Or use references from other games, or TV/Film
Have links ready for those references

47. Free Stuff at www.MikeBodie.net

48. Free Stuff at www.MikeBodie.net

49. Free Stuff at www.MikeBodie.net

50. Free Stuff at www.MikeBodie.net

51. Eye cän haz ĉeezeborgers pliesz?
Pronunciation guides:
You know how to say it, we don’t
Have a list ready of words that may prove difficult to
say, even simpler that seem obvious ones
Maintain consistency of pronunciation throughout the
game.
Record a master list of those words

52. Can’t rush pastry
A rushed actor, gives a rushed performance
In worst case scenario, the actor is amazing, gives
incredible first takes, and everyone goes home early.
Get it right, not done

53. Vocal Ouchies
Strenuous text is…...strenuous
Save large shouting emotes, and call outs for the
end, NOT the beginning
Take time for short breaks
Max. 4hr blocks of work
Give a heads up about intense sessions
No back-to-back stressful sessions
If the actor’s voice is ruined, they can’t work.
Damaged voices get recorded...

54. FINISHED! Don’t be a stranger!
Keep in contact
If you liked them follow them on Twitter/IG/FB/
Even FB Friend them
When you’re able to talk about the game,
mention/tag them in a tweet. Their followers will
then see your game via them
Send them some merch if you have it!
Steam/GOG codes are great.

55. That’s me, right?
Give actors credit for their work, whether VAs, or Mocap
performers
Spell their names correctly; aks how they want it spelt
Invite them to speak about their work on your game
Nominate them for awards; it’s PR for you AND them
Create an IMDB page for your game (IMDB.com).

56. List of Award Schemes that include Performance/Voice Acting
-Golden Joystick
-IndieCade
-BAFTA Games
-The Video Game Awards
-IGN Game Awards
Wikipedia: “List of Game Awards”

57. TAKE AWAYS:
-Budget for VO (BSF and Buyouts). Be copyright compliant with VO usage.
-Don’t drop us in at the last minute.
-Cast who you want, not what’s convenient. It’s worth taking time to cast and find the
right people to act and to direct
-No such thing as too much communication
-NDAs NDAs NDAs NDAs NDAs NDAs
-Be patient with your team and the actors you hire

58. www.MikeBodie.net
info@MikeBodie.net
@MikeBodieActor @MikeBodieActor
Mike Bodie Mike Bodie#9892