The 21 Types of Voice Over Work

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 for demo and marketing ideas!

Here's the list...

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ADR

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 recorded dialogue
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.

Animation

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.

Application Software

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Audio Description

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Audio Drama

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.

Audio Guides

About

Supplemental recorded material to provide context, information, and depth to an exhibit or experience.

Types of work

Self-guided tours (museum exhibits, breweries, parks…)
Tourist attractions
Walking tours
Driving tours
Accessibility guides
Language assistance

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.

Audiobooks

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

Common fiction genres:
-Romance and erotica novels
-Adventure
-Thriller/horror/suspense
-Detective and mystery
-Science fiction
-Fantasy
-Historical fiction
-Young adult
-Children’s fiction
-Classics and best-sellers

Common non-fiction genres
-Historical
-Politics/social sciences
-Sports
-True crime
-Biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, manifestos
-Religion/spirituality
-Travel guides/travelogues
-Self help/motivation
-Instructional/academic/educational
-Business/economics/entrepreneurial
-Personal finance
-Scientific/medical
-Philosophy
-Comedy/Humor
-Health and wellness
-Exercise/diet/cookbooks
-Journalism
-Young readers
-Language books

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.

Commercial

About

A call-to-action to purchase, employ, donate, or otherwise engage with a product, service, or charity.

Types of work

Radio
Television
Internet ads
YouTube ads
Infomercials
Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Sponsor messages
In-store ads

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.

Corporate

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Dubbing

About

Used to translate and adapt voice over from one language into another. Requires specialized skill in lip syncing and matching energy to visuals within strict time constraints.

Types of work

Film
Educational tutorials
Video games
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.

eLearning

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Explainer

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

In-Show Narration

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Live Announce

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Medical & Pharmaceutical

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 eLearning
CME (Continuing Medical Education)
Pharma sales presentations
‘What to expect’ videos
Medical procedure videos
Clinical testing videos

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.

Podcasts

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Political

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
Fundraising videos
Rally presentations
Educational videos

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.

Promos, Trailers, & Imaging

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Telephony & IVR

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Video Games

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

For free practice scripts, visit our Practice Script Library.
For average non-union rates, visit our Non-Union Rate Card.

Walla

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 [email protected] with the subject line “For the Genre list.”

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