The following are some of the frequently asked questions regarding voice-over work and Media Guilds International. If you have a question that is not addressed here, feel free to contact us for more information.
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1. What is voice-over?
2. People tell me I have a great voice. Should I become a voice over artist?
3. Can I make a living as a voice-over artist?
4. How do I get started as a voice-over artist?
5. What should be on good demo CD?
6. Do I need to have an agent or join a union?
7. What is Media Guilds International?
8. How do I join MGI?
9. How can MGI help me as a voice-over artist?
1. What is voice-over?
Voice overs are acting using only a voice. A voice-over is heard anytime you hear a pre-recorded voice without seeing a face. Voice-overs can range from cartoon character voices, audio narrations, radio commercials, professional telephone message recordings and in-store promotional recordings. 
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2. People tell me I have a great voice. Should I become a voice over artist?
Having a “great voice” does not guarantee that you will be successful in the voice-over industry. Producers and directors are not only looking for great voices, but often specific voice styles and vocal quality. However, you’ll never know until you try! [TOP]
3. Can I make a living as a voice-over artist?
A very small percentage of voice-over artists make a fulltime living at their craft. However, many artists work very successfully part-time, or on a project to project basis. (Don’t quit your day job … just yet!) [TOP]
4. How do I get started as a voice-over artist?
As in any profession, the first step is to develop your skills and vocal quality through professional guidance and training with group classes, or private lessons. As your skills develop, the next step is to promote yourself as a voice-over artist. This is normally done by recording a CD demo of your vocal talents and distributing them to agencies casting for voice-over talent. [TOP]
5. What should be on good demo CD?
A quality demo CD should reflect your BEST vocal qualities and stylings. It should include, 6-10 short clips highlighting your talent. The entire demo should about 1 minute, but no longer than 1 min. 30 sec. [TOP]
6. Do I need to have an agent or join a union?
Voice-over artists who work on a fulltime basis have agents and unions. However, if you are just starting out in the industry, having either could limit your ability to get work in the industry. [TOP]
7. What is Media Guilds International?
Media Guilds International (MGI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping voice-over artists get started in the voice-over industry. Members consist of people from all walks to life and backgrounds. [TOP]
8. How do I join MGI?
Membership in MGI has many benefits. Please refer to the MGI membership page for further details. [TOP]
9. How can MGI help me as a voice-over artist?
MGI helps voice-over artists in several ways from training to promotion. MGI also offers bimonthly workshops for artists to continue developing their skills and techniques as voice-over artists. All members have the opportunity to post their demo and bio as part of the MGI talent pool section of the official MGI website, making their talents and works easily accessible to casting directors searching for new talent. Member demos are also included in the talent pool compilation CD distributed to agencies requesting voice-over talent samples. Through MGI self-productions, members also have the rare opportunity and support to develop their voice-over. MGI also does not restrict members from getting work outside of MGI. [TOP]
