Why Do They Keep Hiring Celebrities To Voice Stuff?

Hey, there!

How many times as an actor and VO talent have you asked that question, shaking your head as you did?

Beginning in the early 90’s, the myth that all voicework was done by VO-only talent, like Mel Blanc, June Foray and others, began to crumble.

Ever wonder how celebrities started getting cast as VO talent? And why?

Read on, or listen to the podcast version below.

It’s actually the same reason that stars get cast on-camera over and over and over. If you think they aren’t popular just because YOU make fun of them, think again.

The Atlantic has a great article on just how and why celebrities are doing all of the voices in animated feature films these days.

You can read the article here: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/how-celebrities-took-over-cartoon-voice-acting/247481/

And before you dismiss the conclusions of the article as simply being about box office, make sure to read and re-read the notion that the voices aren’t necessarily coming first – the likeness and personality of the celebrity may be now informing the likeness and personality of the characters.

Just watch the movie “Up.” All of the characters, not just Ed Asner’s, are modeled after the actual actor doing the part.

Which means this is yet another reason to get thee into acting classes, train on-camera and learn to become what I think is the new definition of a true triple threat: on-camera actor / VO actor / tech-adept businessperson.

In fact, getting into our VO2GoGo classes will give you training that comes from on-camera, commercial and all other storytelling techniques and help you get on the right track. Join us today!

Those skills are the real skills that will get you the furthest.

Hope this helps.

David