Wondering what kinds of voice over work exist?
Voice over is a vast and diverse industry – with numerous genres. And casting teams often seek voice actors who are experienced in certain genres.
Select a VO genre, or scroll below – for demo and marketing ideas!
Here's the list...
Notes
ADR stands for Additional Dialogue Replacement aka Automated Dialogue Replacement. It is voice over that replaces previously-recorded voice recordings. It’s commonly used when the original voice recording that was captured during filming was suboptimal; for example, the original recording may have been unclear, or had noise in the background.
Types of work
- Looping
- Replacing previously recorded dialogue
- Dubbing / Localization
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Voices for Animation give life and personality to characters that are either physically or graphically illustrated.
Types of work
- Cartoons
- Children’s apps
- Animated productions
- Video games
- Talking toys
- Educational videos/programming
- Foley (a.k.a. human vocal sound effects, such as gasps, moans, grunts, breaths)
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Application software – apps – narration is voice over for software and systems relating to the operation of the computers and software.
Types of work
- Apps (exercise, games, educational, translation, mediation, relaxation,…)
- Virtual reality (guided voice, characters,…)
- Software (programs, tutorials,…)
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Ashley Adler
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Used to aid the visually-impaired by describing various exhibits and programs in real time.
Types of work
- Film and TV
- Live Performance
- Museum and Art Gallery
- Educational Material
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Erica Brookhyser
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Fictional stories told through a strictly auditory medium. These predate television in the form of radio plays, and now can be found online and in podcasts.
Types of work
- Broadcast
- Non-broadcast
- Podcast shows
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Supplemental recorded material to provide context, information, and depth to an exhibit or experience.
Types of work
- Museum Exhibits
- Live walk-through experiences
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Erica Brookhyser
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Published material that has been adapted into audio-only format, requiring storytelling chops and stamina. For the visually-impaired, or simply an alternative way to take in a published work.
Types of work
- Fiction
- Nonfiction
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
A call-to-action to purchase, employ, donate, or otherwise engage with a product, service, or charity.
Types of work
- Social media ads: any length, though 6 second long bumper ads are common
- Internet/streaming ads: any length
- Television ads: usually 15 seconds or 30 seconds
- Radio ads: usually 60 seconds
- Infomercial: any length, though 30 to 60 minutes is common
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Jake Bazel
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Previously known as Industrial Voice Over work, Corporate voice over is one of the most abundant types of work in Narration-style voice over, including internal and external projects for a wide array of businesses.
Types of work
- Sales videos
- Training videos & Tutorials
- Presentations
- Compliance videos
- Safety information videos
- Employee information videos
- Welcome to our company videos
- HR videos
- Brand statements
- Company culture videos
- Testimonial videos
- FAQ videos
- Recruitment videos
- Fundraising videos / Investor Relations videos
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Erica Brookhyser
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Used to translate and adapt voice over from one language into another
Types of work
- Film
- Educational tutorials
- Television shows
- Animated productions
- Sound-alike
- International films and TV
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Educational material that includes interactive and audible elements.
Types of work
- Safety videos (fire safety, disaster preparedness, occupational safety, HIPAA,…)
- Sexual harassment training
- Workplace violence
- Antidiscrimination and diversity training
- Compliance employee training
- How-to Videos
- Tutorials
- Standardized testing
- Simulation training
- Academic E-lessons
- Virtual classrooms
- LL (Language Learning)
- ELL (English Language Learning)
- ESL (English as a Second Language)
- Self-study software
- Mobile learning
- Social learning
- Game-based learning
- Professional Certification
- CE (Continuing Education)
- CLE (Continuing Legal Education)
- CME (Continuing Medical Education)
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Erica Brookhyser
- Jake Bazel
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
A short film that aims to communicate how something works, or who/what something is, in a simple and engaging way.
Types of work
- Motion graphic animation
- Whiteboard animation videos
- Live action
- Stop action
- Screencast
- Marketing/sales videos
- Company/individual profile videos
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Erica Brookhyser
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Voice over that provides information, context, description, and engagement in a television program.
Types of work
- Documentaries
- Crime shows
- Docu-series
- Reality TV
- DIY shows
- How-to shows
- Network television events
- Game shows
- Cooking shows
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Erica Brookhyser
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Also commonly referred to as the “Voice of God,” this type of performance occurs in-person in front of a live audience.
Types of work
- Commencement ceremonies
- Speaker introductions
- Audience announcements
- Live exhibit announcements
- Live conference presentations
- Transportation terminal messages
- Exhibit hall openings
- Award shows (intros, segues, outros)
- Church announcements
- Daily weather updates
- Daily movies
- Sporting event announcements
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Media created for the medical and pharmaceutical industry requires a certain proficiency with enunciation, complex terminology, and clear, clean vocals.
Types of work
- Medical E-Learning
- CME (Continuing Medical Education)
- Pharma sales presentations
- ‘What to expect’ videos
- Medical procedure videos
- Clinical testing videos
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Erica Brookhyser
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
An ever-expanding genre of media that incorporates a vast array of subgenres in its own right. Nonfiction, interviews, educational shows, fictional story tellers, and even other genres of voice over cross over here.
Types of work
- Introductions
- Segues
- Outros (closings)
- Sponsorship ads
- Interviews
- Scripted
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Whether they be announcements or PSAs from the government, or perhaps campaign advertisements, the political world of VO requires strong presence and clarity.
Types of work
- Campaign ads
- Rally presentations
- Educational videos
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
These are advertisements or announcements specifically to plug premiere dates, radio stations, television stations, or events coming up.
Types of work
- Social media promos
- Radio sweepers
- Radio promos
- Station imaging
- Television shows
- Book launches
- Exhibit openings
- Event opening
- Trailers (movies and video games)
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Telephony is narration used for pre-recorded telephone messaging systems.
Note that “telephony” is the real name of this genre. However in the last few years, the term “IVR” has been used synonymously, even though IVR is only one (of many) types of telephony.
Types of work
- IVR (Interactive voice response)
- Information on-hold
- Menu-prompts
- Voicemail
- Auto-attendant
- Robocalls
- Surveys
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- David Goldberg
- Art Bruder
- Ashley Adler
- Erica Brookhyser
- James Andrews, M.sc.
- Jennifer Sims
- Joshua Wise
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
Similar to Animation VO, with the distinct difference that characters in video games may often interact with the consumer. Also can be more demanding in terms of non-language foley sounds.
Types of work
- Narrator
- Characters
- Tutorial
- Foley/Action sounds
- Educational
- Role-playing
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
- Ashley Adler
- Brian Wiggins
- Jake Bazel
- Marc Thompson
- Ernesto De Villa Bejjani (Spanish)
- Simone Kliass (Portuguese)
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
About
The background crowd vocals in film and television scenes. It gets its name from what it sounds like the crowd is generally saying.
Types of work
- Background conversation (chatting, talking, murmuring, etc.) for crowd scenes
Learn more from Edge Studio Coaches
For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.
Please add to this list!
The demand for voice actors is growing, and so too are the types of ways voice over is being used. So help us stay up-to-date! If you have any information, genres, or subgenres (or any questions about what’s listed), send an email to training@edgestudio.com with the subject line “For the Genre list.”
