Voice Actor, Voice Artist, Voice over actor? Are they just words? Is there a difference? Labels Labels.

The worlds of voice acting, and voiceover work may seem alike, but they are actually quite distinct. This difference may not be immediately apparent to listeners, yet there are key distinctions that are important to understand.

Voice acting involves performers who bring characters to life in television shows, radio programs, movies, and video games. In contrast, voiceover work is more narrative-focused, with actors providing the voice for commercials, game shows, and movie trailers as off-screen announcers.

Voice actors across various genres deliver speech through the art of emphasized acting—a heightened way of expressing words without being seen.

Video games: Such as Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed, and World of Warcraft

Movies: Such as Secret Life of Pets, Ratatouille, and Ice Age

Television Shows: Such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Curious George, and The Simpsons

Voice over artists tend to lend their craft to:

Commercials: As announcers, narrators, and more

TV Shows: As announcers for game shows and even more

Audiobooks: An artist reads the book from cover to cover

Though there is a little bit of overlap in the industries that the two artists work in, these two styles of acting are very different.

The Jobs they pursue:

Voice Acting Jobs Voice acting roles are often long-term, unless the actor is cast as a guest star or in a cameo role. Voice acting contracts can vary in duration:

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A few episodes: Sometimes, a voice acting role may only last for a few episodes.

A season: A character might only appear for a single season, with a contract covering the required episodes.

The duration of a show: A contract may extend through the entire production of a show or movie, or until the character is no longer part of the story.

Most voice acting gigs span a period of time, whether short or long, rather than being a one-time engagement. However, like any creative position, the specifics can vary from job to job.

Voiceover Jobs Voiceover work, on the other hand, is typically not long-term. Common types of voiceover jobs include:

Commercial gigs: A voiceover artist might be hired for a single commercial, though a recurring role could develop if their voice becomes associated with the brand.

Audiobook narrations: An artist may be contracted to narrate a single book, with payment for that project alone.

Movie narrations: An artist might be hired to provide narration for a movie, often in a documentary style.

Voiceover artists usually secure single gigs rather than extended roles. However, exceptions exist; for example, if a TV show requires a regular announcer, this could lead to a longer-term position. Every project is an opportunity for future work.

While there are several nuanced differences between these two forms of acting, they also share some important similarities.

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Work in pajamas: If the company or client has no specific dress code, you can perform your voice work comfortably in pajamas.

Be whoever you want: Using just your voice allows you to embody any character or persona, making it easier to become anyone you wish to be.

Fly under the radar: Even if you're earning well, voice work often keeps you out of the public eye, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of acting without the worry of unwanted publicity.

Voice acting and voiceover work have many differences. They serve distinct purposes, vary in duration, and differ in popularity.

However, they also share many similarities. While it's easy to distinguish between these two fields, it's equally clear how they complement each other.

Despite their differences, both play vital roles in supporting a vibrant community of artists and delivering exceptional entertainment to the world.