Vishal Belwal’s Post

Since turning freelance last year I've been thinking about approaching sound supervisors and the best way to go about it. I know some people usually get pretty annoyed and some actually love a chat (I know I do). I'd really like to expand my horizons in terms of what I can do and who I do it with, is there anyone out there with tips or looking for a sound designer, foley artist or effects editor? 😁 My thinking is, maybe sound supervisors aren't really the ones to approach but the film directors themselves? Any suggestions? #sounddesign #filmmaking #producing #indiefilmmaking #postproduction #audiopost #audiopostproduction

Before COVID-19, most clients weren’t comfortable letting voice actors work without hands-on direction. They certainly didn’t trust VOAs enough to handle the full production, from recording to sound design, on their own. If you wanted to get the job, you were either directed virtually or booked into a studio outside your home setup. Then, the pandemic changed everything. Suddenly, the ability to self-direct, edit, mix, and even produce your sound design became essential. I’ve worked on many projects where clients now send over scripts with the confidence that I can handle the entire process, from start to finish, without their direct supervision. And guess what? More than 99% of the time, they’re thrilled with the results. Here’s the key takeaway: the more you can offer as a voiceover artist, the more valuable you become. Simple. Especially in Africa, where offering a complete package can give you a significant competitive edge. That’s why it’s crucial for every voiceover artist to understand and learn the basics of recording, editing, and VO audio cleanup. It’s no longer just a “nice-to-have” skill set, it’s a necessity. If you’re ready to level up, we’re putting together a Voiceover Audio Design Masterclass where I’ll walk you through the tricks and techniques to take your VO audio work from concept to completion. Whether you’re producing a commercial, a demo, or a full sound design project, this 2-day masterclass will equip you to deliver polished, professional results. Join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/eCXRFSZf See you in class! Welcome to a world of unfathomable possibilities ✨️

Dear producers and creators: Voiceover integration doesn’t have to be a headache... You’ve been there before—everything’s running smoothly until it’s time to work with a Voice Actor, and suddenly, it feels like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Here are some ways to smooth-out the bumps: 🛠 Getting the Tone Right: Align with your Voice Actor on tone, pacing, and emotion upfront, so the voice fits seamlessly with your visuals. This will solve those “why does this sound out of place?” moments. 🤝 Teamwork: Communication is key. Voice Actors love collaborating with producers and sound engineers to ensure everything clicks. Think of them as your voiceover sidekick—no cape needed, just a good mic. 🎧 Quality Control: Voice Actors are all about delivering polished audio that integrates perfectly into your project. But if something’s off, collabirate with them on how to fix it before it becomes a bigger issue. 🎛 So, when you’re ready to integrate the voiceover into your project, remember these tips to simplify the process and make your work easier while ensuring it fits well and sounds it' best! 🕘 It may take a little bit of on the front end, but it's easier, cheaper, and faster than having to make corrections in post. ⭐️Feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile and visit my website. There, you will find my demos and we can start planning your next voice over project!⭐️ #VoiceoverArtist #Collaboration #ContentCreation #Producers #PostProduction

Please share 🙏Any sound editors, re-recording mixers, foley artists and composers in the US ONLY, would be interested in doing a sound redesign together? I have 15 years of experience and definitely need to network more. So what’s better than networking with your peers remotely in real time and most of all pushing each other? Think of it this way, it’s like a virtual gym. Reps reps reps get you to your goals. My current goals are, financial freedom, working in a post production studio and having my name on Hollywood blockbusters. So what are your goals? I’m trying to be part of a few groups. This is an industry where you’re part of a team. So think of this as a team building exercise, to prepare us for when that great job opportunity comes you can call one us and thank each other for pushing to be where you want to be. Please be in the US. It just makes it a little easier with the scheduling process. #soundredesign #postproduction #hollywoodsound #sounddesign #soundediting #mixing #filmaudio #networking #protools #audioengineer

🎤 So what’s ROOM TONE and why do we need it? Have you even been on a set and the DP or Director or Sound Mixer or somebody says - “Alright, let’s get some room tone!” Then everyone has to sit still for 15-30 seconds - to do what? Meditate, think about lunch? Here’s what’s really going on... First of all, every room - no matter how hard we try to make it quiet for our interviews or actors - has a sound. A tone, if you will. Ask audio pros, and some might even get mystical about it... “Rooms have personalities.” “No two rooms are alike.” “I hear dead people.” 👻 So we need to capture that sound without the interviewee or actor talking. This will later serve as a baseline for the editors to bridge sound bites from interviews, and dialog between actors. For example, suppose we have a great interview with a Dr. Martinez, and want to cut between several of her sound bites, maybe cut to some footage of her working with a patient, or create more space between her sentences. If the editor cuts to b-roll, or has a 1 second pause, there can be a noticeable dip in the sound. The editor can then put room tone from the interview in the timeline to fill those gaps. MAGIC! Now the choppiness is gone and the video just sounds so much more cohesive. Even if later we layer in music and natural sounds from the b-roll footage, this little touch provides a layer of continuity that helps makes the finished edited film a cohesive whole, and a professional finished production. There are other uses for room tone as well. Sometimes in our final sound mix we can use it to subtract out any undesirable noise by “telling” the audio editing software what we don’t want. 🧘♂️ It also makes excellent for Calm/Headspace meditation tracks! #videoproduction #healthcare #marketing #advertising #agency #sounddesign #roomtone #technicaltuesday #setlife #director

🔊🌟 Lights, camera, voiceover action! Calling all video producers: are you ready to amplify the impact of your projects? Discover the secret sauce to success with these 3 essential tips for hiring a voiceover artist! 🎙️✨ 1. Match Your Voice to Your Brand: Just like casting actors for a film, your voiceover should embody the essence of your brand. Whether it's a warm and friendly tone for a heartfelt message or a dynamic and energetic voice for a high-octane promo, ensure your voice aligns seamlessly with your brand identity. 2. Prioritize Professionalism and Quality: Invest in excellence. Opt for a voiceover artist with a professional studio setup and a track record of delivering top-notch results. Quality audio production enhances the credibility of your content and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. 3. Communication is Key: Collaboration is crucial. Clearly communicate your vision, expectations, and any specific requirements to your voiceover artist. Open dialogue fosters creativity and ensures your project is executed flawlessly, bringing your ideas to life with precision and finesse. Ready to elevate your video productions to new heights? Let's partner up and find the perfect voice to captivate your audience! Drop a comment or message me to kickstart the journey to exceptional audio excellence. 🚀🎬 #VoiceoverVibes #ElevateYourProjects #videoproduction #audioproduction

5 mistakes brands make when hiring a voiceover artist. 1. Not knowing what message they want to get across: seriously? You want to hire a voiceover artist and you have just a vague knowledge of what you want to get across? Don’t let that be you. 2. Being unsure about their target audience: knowing who your message is for should come even before thinking of hiring a voiceover artist. 3. Failure to properly communicate their needs and requirements: this can lead to a lot of back and forth and make the whole experience less satisfactory. 4. Choosing a voiceover artist solely based on price: while pricing and budget is important, it is also important to consider how well this artist can speak and connect with your audience. 5. Rushing and last minute jobs– I don’t think I need to say much about this. What more would you add? #voiceacting #voiceoverartist #branding #marketing #voiceactor

𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 How can you accurately determine the pay scale for hiring a voice actor for your project? Are you new to incorporating voice work into your business operations? Deciding how much to pay can be challenging due to the numerous factors. In this post, we’ll break down the critical elements influencing voice acting rates to help you set a fair budget for this essential service. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 Voice-over work involves vocal contributions to projects where the speaker isn’t visible. This can include movies, commercials, documentaries, and radio programs. Because of the diverse range of projects, it’s crucial to match the right voice to the specific needs of your project. A voice actor skilled in radio commercials may not be as effective for narrating a documentary. A good voice actor has a clear and distinctive voice and can convey the appropriate tone and emotion. Whether you need a profound and authentic delivery or a quirky and playful tone, the right voice actor can make a significant difference. The type of voice acting required will largely determine the amount you should pay. 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 When selecting a voice-over artist, their vocal quality is paramount. However, their ability to interpret the script and convey the intended tone is equally important. Flexibility, receptiveness to direction, and the capacity to deliver believable dialogue are vital qualities. A voice actor who can take direction well and adjust their performance as needed will be precious. 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that actors earned an average of $17.50 per hour, while radio and television announcers earned around $33,220 annually. Freelance rates vary widely, from $30 for small projects to thousands for high-profile work. Final Thoughts These guidelines provide a rough estimate for voice-acting costs. Rates can vary by region and specific project requirements. As you gain experience hiring voice actors, you’ll better understand appropriate pricing and build valuable relationships with talented professionals. #VoiceActingRates #HiringVoiceActors #VoiceOverBudget #ContentCreation #VoiceActorTips

You can put 20 voiceover actors in a room and it’s likely they will all describe their profession differently. That's because the industries we serve can vary – greatly. Voiceover is not a single industry. We are a collective of service providers that cater to various individual industries. Confused? Ok, let me explain. Most voiceover actors have a specialty (a genre they serve,) or a particular skill set that meets the needs of a specific client or application. We literally don’t all do the same thing. Not all voiceover actors excel in all areas of voiceover performance. When you meet and talk to voiceover actors always ask them what area(s) of voiceover they work in. Things voice actors share in common: - We are independent business owners or solopreneurs. - All voiceover actors talk into a microphone for a living. - We own, maintain, and operate our own (mini) recording facility, usually from homes. - All voice actors are excellent readers with above-average vocabularies who read aloud with only a minimal number of errors. - We are paid as freelance vendors or contract employees by the companies who hire us. Here’s another way to view the maze of various voiceover jobs. Teachers share a professional job title. However, there is a vast difference in the skills and expertise of an elementary school teacher compared to a college physics professor. High School art teachers and corporate trainers are also types of teachers. You encounter hundreds of teachers in your life but not all of them are math teachers. The same is true for voice actors.

How’s the next generation of sound professionals supposed to know what to charge if no one talks about it? 💴 It’s a question that comes up often in our circles: “What do sound editors and mixers actually make? What can a new hire expect to earn?” Breaking into post-production sound is challenging enough without wondering if you’re undervaluing yourself from the start. That’s why I created a video to dive into this topic head-on. I’m taking a real look at union rates and breaking down actual pay numbers straight from the union site. So if you’ve ever dreamed of working in post-sound—whether as a sound effects editor, sound recording mixer, or beyond—this one’s for you. Knowing the numbers can make a huge difference in how you value yourself and negotiate pay right from the beginning of your career. Check out the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gSppbA-g And even if you don’t watch, take this with you: Know your worth, and don’t be afraid to ask for it! You got this!🫵🏽 #PostSound #SoundIndustry #UnionRates #SoundMixing #CareerAdvice #AudioProfessionals #MasteringPostProductionSound