If you’re going to audition, make sure you understand whether the performance will be recorded in a studio or if you’ll be using your own equipment at home. For those who have the personal budget to buy a new microphone and accessories, check out the audio equipment section of our guide to starting a podcast for relevant recommendations. Also read WIRED’s product writer and reviewer The thoughts of Eric Ravenscraft on the popular HyperX Quadcast S.
You don’t have to identify as a frequent gamer to play roles in video games, but you should be familiar with the structures of the medium. Schoeffling recommends at least looking at other people. “The cadence and the energy and the speed. It’s different from animation. It’s different from film,” she says. Watching long Twitch streams or YouTube videos will give you a better idea of how other actors approach video games.
What kind of things should actors who play games in their spare time understand about the development side? Schoeffling says, “I think the most important thing to understand about game development is that it’s a long process. It’s usually not something that happens in a year; it’s something that usually happens within two to three years, sometimes seven.”
Do your best to stop posting shit on Twitter, no matter how hard it is. Schoeffling confirms that actors are being passed over in the competitive market by leaking information or publicly voicing grievances on social media. Actors will also often be asked to sign nondisclosure agreements. She says, “I think it’s good practice to expect or expect to actually be covered by an NDA even if you haven’t signed one. Discretion is extremely important.”
Rejection is part of every budding actor’s routine, and Schoeffling encourages people to understand that much of the decision-making process is beyond their control. It is possible to lose reels for reasons unrelated to your demo reel or pre-tape. For example, you may miss a callback because your voiceprint sounds a little too close to someone they’ve already dialed. Now stop being so hard on yourself! Seriously.
“Actors will submit hundreds of auditions and hear nothing. All you know is that you’re still getting auditions,” says Schoeffling. Don’t come to an audition and don’t expect confirmation. Find people you can trust, online or in person, who will encourage you.
As an actor, it’s important to prioritize your mental health. Find leisurely hobbies or other forms of self-expression so that your passion for acting doesn’t become all-encompassing. Yes, you can make money acting for video games, but trusting it to be your only source of income from the start isn’t financially wise. Schoeffling says, “I know a few actors who have decided to have careers other than acting so that the pressure isn’t on all their auditions to make a living.” There’s no shame in having a passion for a creative pursuit that won’t pay your bills.
While not always an option, actors from underrepresented backgrounds who reveal their identities publicly can get the attention of casting directors. “If you’re sure that the outside world knows your background and your identity, those things really help us when we search,” she says. “Yeah, we search the actor sites and stuff, but we’re also on Instagram.” Look in groups like the Voiceover list of People of Global Majority† Voices of colorand Queer Vox for more resources created for the benefit of underrepresented actors.
Be protective of your labor and pay attention exploitation situations† The job of a video game actor is not particularly luxurious, even if it is your dream career. Finding a supportive community can be just as crucial as drinking plenty of water and articulate clearly. Despite the lack of mainstream recognition, Schoeffling is optimistic about the future of the actor industry. She says, “There’s starting to be a lot more respect for games from the entertainment world.”