Hiring a Voiceover Artist
Hiring a voiceover artist takes time and patience. I found mine on Fiverr. Here's how it went. Be prepared to listen to samples and watch video reels. This can be fun. You will see many different levels of expertise. You might get lucky and find the right person on the first try, but I had specifics in mind and that made it a bit more daunting.
If you'd like to search for a voice actor yourself, try this link. Fiverr Voice Actors
Giving a Voice to Pietas
In 2018, I worked with the Russian cosplayer Nik Nitsvetov, who is a dead ringer for Pietas. After he recreated the Ritual of Strength from the book, Origin of Pietas, I decided to find a voiceover artist who could give Pietas a voice.
I wanted someone with at least a slight English accent, as if he'd learned English from someone in the UK. And he'd been born in Wales, so that was important to pull into the sound.
Also, Pietas has a tenor voice, not too deep. He speaks properly. The immortal king is a perfectionist who demands the best of himself and others, so he had to enunciate each word without sounding like he was reading a script.
Are you thinking -- you are one crazy woman, Kayelle. Where are you going to find someone like that? And how could you afford it? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.
I decided to try Fiverr. I've been lucky at getting help there over the last few years. I recommend giving it a try if you need help on a quick project -- or a long one.
After listening to bajillion different samples of voiceover artists, I settled with one. Got the sample back, and hired him. He did a great job, but I wasn't quite satisfied. I decided to try again, but I still wasn't happy with the final product.
Should I try one more time, I wondered? You know what they say about the third time being a charm? Well it was true on this one, because I found someone who sounded EXACTLY the way I hear Pietas in my head.
Each created a sample using this dialogue: "No. I cannot imagine settling down with the same person for eternity. How mundane. It would take a special person indeed. I have, however, cohabitated with the same person for centuries and been quite happy. At least at first." When you hear Zack read it, I think you'll see why I chose him.
Zack from Zack Black Voiceovers was the perfect candidate for voicing Pietas. He is now a member of my Creative Team but he is no longer a voice actor, so I'm glad I found him when I did. You can hear him on the Ritual of Strength video, with performer Nik Nitsvetov as Pietas. Here is Zack's sample.
Ritual of Strength performed by Nik Nitsvetov
Voiceover Artist Zack Black
Music: Dreams of War, Licensed via Dual Horns, Ltd
Charon's Boat image by Nano-Core
From the Bringer of Chaos series by Kayelle Allen
Photographer Belyaeva Yuliya
Is it any wonder I went with Zack? Comments or questions about working with a voiceover actor? Pop a note in the comments. I'll be glad to help if I can.
