Voiceover Agents in 2024

Let’s talk voiceover agents! Ok, backing up a bit – It is without a doubt the advancement of technology has changed our industry forever. When I first started, there were so few artists in the industry in comparison to today. But at the same time, voiceover was somewhat restricted exclusively to the bigger brands and projects. Don’t misunderstand me, there was a lot of work on the market, but small companies and content creators did not tend to use voiceover in their mediums. Much of the work available came via the voiceover agent.

Introducing the Voiceover Agent

Pay-to-play sites, casting platforms, marketplaces, and a better understanding of technology have allowed almost anyone to utilize a voice to service their projects and companies. So, what about the voiceover agent? Let’s first explore what they do. The voiceover agent will seek to collaborate with a potential employer. This could be a brand, company, casting director, or someone else in a position to hire a voice. In the early days, most voiceover work came via these avenues.

Voiceover Agents in the Modern-Day

In the modern day, many companies utilize the simpler and cheaper option of heading to a pay-to-play site, or worse, an AI service. In one respect, the countless avenues to obtain voiceover work have increased the amount of voiceover work out there, whilst allowing more people to venture into this area. But on the other hand, it has hugely plunged the rates in the industry, even at the highest levels. Agents are still absolutely relevant in the industry, they tend to be the gatekeepers for the better-paying work, which, even that has decreased respectively over the years.

The Relationship of Voiceover Agents

Two decades ago, getting an agent was not an easy task. Not because of over-saturation, but because the industry was so closely protected. A small number of voice actors had access and a small number of agents navigated that. Today, agent’s books are a lot bigger and this ties in with the current trend in the industry to deliver an authentic read. No longer will they have a voice actor take on the accent of a race that is not their own, they instead will find a voice actor of that race. This means the need for a bigger roster is vital. The relationship between actor and agent is that of a business relationship. It is not a one-way street where one party sits back and enjoys the ride whilst the other works hard on their behalf. Both the voice actor and agent work as a team to achieve the goal.

Voice Actor and Voiceover Agent Roles

The voice actor will follow the direction of the agent. They will keep their material up to date and necessary. Voice actors will develop and work hard to ensure they keep up with trends and styles. The agent will find work and present it to the actor who will deliver the audition on time and to the brief’s direction exactly. The agent will also navigate the relationship between clients and voice actors as well as negotiate the best rate, contracts, and commitment on behalf of the voice actor.

Voiceover Agents in 2024 by Debbie Grattan