The booming, dramatic voice still is prevalent on TV as candidates for political offices attempt to discredit their opponents.
But David Bourgeois, who is president and creative director of Voice Coaches, estimates that voiceovers on TV account for less than 10 percent of the work in the field.
As part of the South Kitsap School District’s continuing education series, Voice Coaches will present “Getting Paid To Talk,” which Bourgeois said is intended to provide an introduction to the field. The class, which costs $25 and is limited to 25 people, runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 9 at Marcus Whitman Junior High.
“It has been a really popular class in the past,” said South Kitsap community relations specialist Suzie Butler, adding that everyone from teachers looking to make extra money on a part-time basis to those hoping to improve their voice have attended.
Bourgeois, whose company is based in New York, said the field has changed dramatically since the 1980s. He said most voice actors then were predominantly male, but females now encompass about 50 percent of the field. He said minorities have a much greater role in the field than a generation ago.
Technology, he said, also has created a significant shift in voice acting. He said that is significant for people who live in secondary markets, such as Port Orchard, because it is not necessary for them to relocate to bigger cities to find work.
Bourgeois said the narrative side of the field, which encompasses technology such as audio-website content, television documentaries and phone systems, is growing.
“Every time they change a phone system or an employee, they want that person back,” Bourgeois said. “They’re great accounts for our employees.”
According to CBSalary.com, the average voice actor makes $47,000 per year. But Bourgeois said it is not a profession that works for everyone. He said that people who work through Voice Coaches must educate themselves on the field and potential clients before an audition.
“Our services require an audition,” Bourgeois said. “It’s to rule out things like speech-language problems.”
Contact Butler at 874-7005 for more information on registering for the class or others offered by SKSD.
