Actor, Artist or Talent?

shesagemm · 07-09-2009, 03:07 PM

I'm curious about the terms, Voice Actor vs Voice Artist? Voice Talent? I believe they're used interchangeably but wondering how they get interpreted by different people? Does it matter with branding and personality?

Does 'Actor' imply a unique skill set or an emphasis on acting experience? Is it different for an 'Artist'? I'd love to hear how each of you describe your self, your talent, skills, etc.. Voiceover Actor? Voiceover Artist? Or....

Thanks,

Gemma

Scott Pollak · 07-09-2009, 04:15 PM

Voice Actors have extensive live theater experience.

Voice Talents have decent voices but no real experience bringing copy to life. Most work at home using a USB mike.

Voice Artists are primarily gay, but make a wonderful souffle'!

JoeActor · 07-09-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

Voice Actors have extensive live theater experience.

Voice Talents have decent voices but no real experience bringing copy to life. Most work at home using a USB mike.

Voice Artists are primarily gay, but make a wonderful souffle'!

Boy! It's a good thing for my wife that I'm JoeActor!

I call myself a "Voice Actor".
Artist for me is too general a term...

2 cents,
JoeActor

Lee Gordon · 07-09-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

Voice Artists are primarily gay, but make a wonderful souffle'!

I believe you are confusing that with Voice Artiste.

But seriously, I find the terms "Voice Talent," "Voice Artist," and to a lesser extent, "Voice Actor" to be ever so slightly pretentious. I prefer to refer to myself as a "Voice Over Guy" (which also alerts potential clients that in my case "Lee" is male). I also like "Voice Over Performer." On another board, the term "Voiceoverist" is occasionally used, but that seems to be more for internal use amongst the participants.

Besides referring to ourselves as "artists" or "talent," I think the mere use of Voice Over is almost giving ourselves too much credit. Much of what we do is really Voice Under.

Mike Sommer · 07-09-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

Voice Artists are primarily gay, but make a wonderful souffle'!

Almost a clever comment, but lacking in originality.

jsgilbert · 07-10-2009, 02:56 AM

I believe they are considered interchangable and since none of these terms is attached tio any level of education, proficiency or ability, by themselves are somewhat meaningless.

I believe originally that the term voice actor was developed by some individuals who felt the need to differentiate their craft from what was being done primarily by radio dj's, and was established as a perhaps slightly elitist term. In general this has been somewhat verified by commercial actors I know who have been at it for almost 30 years and whose backgrounds are mostly theater and improv. Even today, I will see some actors work diligantly to disassociate themselves from "broadcasters', engendering themselves as not being the "dollar a hollar" talent. While the term voice actor may imply something that is beyond a straight announcer read, it would seem that the term in reality bears no great distinction from voiceover, voice talent or voice artist.

Voice artist at one point might have been used to describe someone like Rick Cimino, Paul Frees, Mel Blanc or others who had the ability to do many voices and styles of read. Any distinction the term may have had at one point is nowgone, as all three terms are used interchangably.

Scott Pollak · 07-10-2009, 08:30 AM

And carrying it a bit further, the term 'announcer' has pretty much approached derogatory status nowdays. Besides all the leads that you see that say "no announcers", it equates to = 'radio read' or dj delivery.

And Mike, you're welcome to do better than my attempt at humor sir. I await your wit!

Mike Sommer · 07-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

And Mike, you're welcome to do better than my attempt at humor sir. I await your wit!

I was alluding to your lack of sensitivity. If one one wishes to comment on soufflé's leave the Gays out of it.

Scott Pollak · 07-10-2009, 01:49 PM

ahhh, my lack of sensitivity! I see. Sorry. Didn't realize I'd stepped over the forum's rules of decorum.

Where might I find those, btw?

Mike Sommer · 07-10-2009, 02:15 PM

Under your Rebel Flag.

07-09-2009, 03:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
shesagemm User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 8	Actor, Artist or Talent? I'm curious about the terms, Voice Actor vs Voice Artist? Voice Talent? I believe they're used interchangeably but wondering how they get interpreted by different people? Does it matter with branding and personality? Does 'Actor' imply a unique skill set or an emphasis on acting experience? Is it different for an 'Artist'? I'd love to hear how each of you describe your self, your talent, skills, etc.. Voiceover Actor? Voiceover Artist? Or.... Thanks, Gemma

07-09-2009, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott Pollak Warm, Real, Natural Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,886	Voice Actors have extensive live theater experience. Voice Talents have decent voices but no real experience bringing copy to life. Most work at home using a USB mike. Voice Artists are primarily gay, but make a wonderful souffle'! __________________ Scott R. Pollak Warm, Real, Natural... The Voice of NPR Atlanta www.voicebyscott.com

07-10-2009, 08:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
Scott Pollak Warm, Real, Natural Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,886	And carrying it a bit further, the term 'announcer' has pretty much approached derogatory status nowdays. Besides all the leads that you see that say "no announcers", it equates to = 'radio read' or dj delivery. And Mike, you're welcome to do better than my attempt at humor sir. I await your wit! __________________ Scott R. Pollak Warm, Real, Natural... The Voice of NPR Atlanta www.voicebyscott.com

07-10-2009, 01:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Scott Pollak Warm, Real, Natural Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,886	ahhh, my lack of sensitivity! I see. Sorry. Didn't realize I'd stepped over the forum's rules of decorum. Where might I find those, btw? __________________ Scott R. Pollak Warm, Real, Natural... The Voice of NPR Atlanta www.voicebyscott.com

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07-10-2009, 02:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
jsgilbert jsgilbert Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 832	I believe they are considered interchangable and since none of these terms is attached tio any level of education, proficiency or ability, by themselves are somewhat meaningless. I believe originally that the term voice actor was developed by some individuals who felt the need to differentiate their craft from what was being done primarily by radio dj's, and was established as a perhaps slightly elitist term. In general this has been somewhat verified by commercial actors I know who have been at it for almost 30 years and whose backgrounds are mostly theater and improv. Even today, I will see some actors work diligantly to disassociate themselves from "broadcasters', engendering themselves as not being the "dollar a hollar" talent. While the term voice actor may imply something that is beyond a straight announcer read, it would seem that the term in reality bears no great distinction from voiceover, voice talent or voice artist. Voice artist at one point might have been used to describe someone like Rick Cimino, Paul Frees, Mel Blanc or others who had the ability to do many voices and styles of read. Any distinction the term may have had at one point is nowgone, as all three terms are used interchangably.

07-10-2009, 02:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,160	Under your Rebel Flag.