Voiceover is the seal of approval ~ Muhammad Ayers

Clubhouse has definitely shifted some things when it comes to the power it has and the conversations that it is beginning to create. At this point, I don’t think that it is creating these conversations but it sure is shining a big bright light on them. While perusing the Clubhouse halls I came across a room where voice actors where having a discussion about the impact that technology has on their industry.

The conversation blew me away!

I mean let’s start at what you are probably thinking right now. “Wait…there is such a thing as a voice actor?” I can almost hear your thoughts as I am typing. Voiceover acting dates back to the early 1900s. You may also be wondering which came first, the character or the commercial. Okay, so I was wondering that myself and it was the commercial. (http://www.voiceovervoiceactor.com/raise-your-voice/2012/04/09/what-is-the-history-of-voice-over)

The voiceover actors in this room brought up some great ideas and concerns.

Ideas:

1. More options and opportunities for the visually impaired
2. Using voice for other industries like pharmacy
3. Creating a voice for those who may be unable to speak

Trust me, these are only a few of the ideas that were shared as people from multiple industries joined the conversation in this room. I’m sure you have seen how with the power of your own voice we have moved from the Flintstones to the Jetsons in what seemed like a blink of the eye. You can run your whole home with your voice.

Then when we start to think about some of the powerful voices that stand out for us the name James Earl Jones stands out. Did you know that it was his voice that was used as Darth Vader in Star Wars? Many did not know because although it was his iconic voice that has been seared into our memories, he was not the actor playing Darth Vader. While this was a personal decision made by James, the conversation is coming back into the spotlight during this Clubhouse room discussion.

I know I spazzed out when I had the opportunity to use Samuel L. Jackson’s voice instead of my Alexa voice. It made me believe that this was a notable great option for actors with those amazing voices. (In my head I just heard Idris reading books to me through Audible. lol) It is a thing right? Well, what about the flip side to how technology is impacting the Voiceover acting industry.

Concerns:

1. Protection of your voice as property outside of the US
2. Jobs being taken over by technology
3. No credit or little credit being given to voiceover actors

These were some pretty heavy concerns and you could hear the passion as the Voiceover actors were discussing them. Now while this is a discussion between voiceover actors, it made me think about the podcasters, speakers and even live streamers around the world. Are we protecting our voice as the digital property that it actually is? What would be the response to someone using our voice for a commercial or some form of AI technology?

Technology is always evolving but as it evolves will the job of a voiceover actor be stripped away? That was a huge concern that many may be looking at and discussing beyond the voiceover acting industry.

Compliment, don’t take over! ~ Tasia Valenza

Meet Altovise:

With over ten years of writing, Altovise uses her platforms to create opportunities for women to have their voices heard. Founder of the World Voice League, she educates and empowers through courses, a weekly accountability call, blogging, books, and the #SpeakEasy Podcast.

Come join the conversation by going to bit.ly/worldvoicecommunity