By Josie Goldberg
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) – 12/05/2024
What is a voiceover actor and what skills does a voice actor need to be cast in animation films or television projects? When unemployed actors complain that the “higher ups” say there are jobs if you look hard enough, but one must think outside the box and evolve. My father always says you must keep your eyes open, work harder, think smarter and find a way to be employable in your field. No excuses, we live in America and there are opportunities, just open your eyes. I am “Only Josie Knows” and I’m here to tell you about a field in the entertainment industry that is thriving and currently making more money than many theatrical films. I’m excited to introduce you to leading voiceover agent Micaela Hicks and our “The Hollywood Times” readers are in luck because Micaela is going to give you an inside look at the world of voiceover acting. You never know, you could be the next voice in Moana 3 and one day, Micaela could be your new voiceover agent!
According to CNBC, analysts originally predicted that Moana 2 would bring in $100M to the box office. Instead, it brought in a whopping $221M. According to Variety, both Gladiator II and Wicked continue to bring big numbers at the box office. Wicked nabbed the No. 2 spot over the two-day weekend, bringing in $80M. During the recent five-day holiday period, it made a total of $117.5M. Gladiator II came in third, bringing in $30.7M over the two-day weekend and $44M over the five-day holiday stretch, Variety reported.
Let me introduce Micaela Hicks:
In November, Eris Talent Agency owner-partners Tina Randolph Contogenis and Amy Lord welcomed Micaela Hicks as the new Head of Voiceover. An industry veteran, Hicks brings 24 years’ experience working at top agencies including Atlas and VOX. She is known for her wealth of expertise and passion for elevating voices across all platforms.
“Micaela is a driving force and brings a fresh vision and dedication to Eris Talent Agency,” explains Lord. “Her new concepts for the Voiceover department include kids, animation, and commercials and will elevate services for our exceptional clients. We’re excited to see how she shapes the VO team and attracts new projects.”
“I am thrilled to join Eris Talent Agency and spearhead the development of a dynamic VO department,” states Hicks. “This role aligns perfectly with my passion and experience, and I am excited about the possibilities we can explore together. I look forward to contributing to the agency’s growth and success, and to collaborating with such a talented team.”
Q&A with Micaela Hicks
THT: What is a voiceover actor and what does he or she do?
Micaela Hicks: Their work can span a wide range of applications, including:
Commercials: Providing voiceovers for TV, radio, and online ads to promote products or services.
Animation: Voicing characters in animated films, TV shows, and web series.
Video Games: Bringing characters to life in video games, adding depth and emotion to the gaming experience.
Audiobooks: Narrating books, making literature accessible to those who prefer listening.
Documentaries: Offering narration that guides viewers through factual content, enhancing the storytelling.
Promos and Trailers: Creating exciting and engaging voiceovers for movie trailers, TV promos, and event advertisements.
Corporate and E-Learning: Voicing instructional materials, training videos, and corporate presentations to educate and inform.
THT: How does one become a voiceover actor?
Micaela Hicks: It’s important to take a couple of classes in the voiceover field to determine if the actor can actually perform behind a microphone without sounding like they are reading. I always recommend taking commercial VO classes and either an animation or video game class. I really do feel the best VO actors have either a musical theatre background or an improv background. They understand bringing characters to life, even with commercial copy.
THT: Are there any similarities between theatrical acting and voiceover acting?
Micaela Hicks: Bringing out the actor in voiceover work means understanding the context, the character’s motivations, and the subtleties of the script. It’s less about just reading the words and more about embodying the character, much like a performance in front of the camera.
Absolutely, the shift towards more natural and grounded performances in voiceover work is quite pronounced. It’s fascinating how the industry is evolving to favor authenticity and relatable performances over exaggerated or “cartoony” styles. This trend mirrors the demand for on-camera acting, where subtlety and depth are key.
Voiceover actors today need to convey genuine emotions and nuanced performances, making the listener believe in the character and the story. It’s all about connecting with the audience on a deeper level, and that’s where acting skills truly shine.
Bringing out the actor in voiceover work means understanding the context, the character’s motivations, and the subtleties of the script. It’s less about just reading the words and more about embodying the character, much like a performance in front of the camera.
THT: What are the most important skills one needs to be successful as a voiceover
actor?
Micaela Hicks: I believe improv skills are crucial for success in the voiceover industry. Singing abilities are also highly beneficial, and being able to speak multiple languages authentically is a definite plus. There are many genres within voiceover, so there’s something for everyone who is genuinely interested in the field. However, it is a competitive industry and not suited for those looking for a quick path to riches. Breaking in takes perseverance and a real dedication to the craft.
THT: Do voiceover actors work under the SAG/AFTRA bargaining agreement?
Micaela Hicks: There are different SAG/AFTRA bargaining agreements for voiceover, they include the interactive agreement, animation agreement, dubbing agreement, new media animation agreement, and commercial agreement.
Projects Micaela Has Worked On (Partial List)
X-Men ’97 – Disney Plus
Baby Shark – Nickelodeon Animation
Monster High – Nickelodeon Animation
Spidey and his Amazing Friends – Disney Jr.
Ariel – Disney Jr.
Young Jedi Adventures – Lucas Film
Batman: Caped Crusader – Warner Bros. Animation.
Celebrities That Micaela Has Worked With (Partial List)
Malcolm Jamal Warner (The Resident), Haley Joel Osment, Ross Marquand (The Walking Dead), Khary Payton (The Walking Dead), Peter Stormare, Rebecca Wisocky (Ghosts)
I am “Only Josie Knows” and I’m amazed by the success of the animation film industry. Would you like to be a voiceover actor some day? I know I would love to be cast in Moana 3. Let’s see what the future holds.
