Ok, let’s get something straight right from the start: I’m the kind of person who would probably say that it’s never too late to start doing ANYTHING that might make you happier in your life. In particular, acting is a career that you can pursue at any time in life because there is an endless list of character types needed for various projects. Commercials, animated films and television shows, eLearning projects, and audiobooks all require performers of different ages and types. Furthermore, since the audience can’t physically see you, it doesn’t matter what you look like or how old you are. If your voice is a good match for a character, believe me, you’ll book it no matter how old you are or when you started doing voice-overs.
Let’s Look at the Bigger Picture
I think there are bigger questions here, though. In my humble opinion, I think that people who ask if it’s “too late” to start doing something might be dealing with more than just a cut-and-dry question. So let me ask you a few questions first…
- Do you have people in your life who support your hobbies and creative endeavors?
- Have you ever made a big career change in your life?
- What would need to happen in order for you to pursue voice-over?
- What sacrifices would you need to make in order to become a voice actor?
- What would you gain if you pursued this activity later than you think is the norm?
Here’s the thing: voice-over does not have one specific path. People pursue voice work at all different stages of their lives. Because it’s not a traditional career path, it’s not like other jobs. While you can go to school for it, you don’t need to, and to be honest, I don’t think anyone really cares if you have formal training or not. It can absolutely be helpful, and I always encourage taking classes and pursuing coaching, but there’s no degree that you need to hold in order to start auditioning. You can just…well…start!
Create a Community and Get Started
If voice-over is new to you, I encourage you to connect with others in the industry. Making positive connections with other voice-over artists, potential clients, casting directors, and coaches can help you not only learn about how the industry works but also how you can put yourself on the path to success. What I have discovered is that voice-over artists are welcoming, accommodating, and helpful people who want to see one another succeed. Start following other voice talents on social media, attend their classes and events on Zoom, and start building a community of artists whose positive examples you can follow.
Here’s my final piece of advice: Don’t ever let anyone tell you it’s too late to try something new. Take it from someone who has reinvented herself more than once…if your inner voice says go, then please don’t ever let anyone or anything stop you. There are tons of resources available to help you…so just GO!