Suzie Rai, Voice Actor
Over the years we’ve worked with countless voice over artists at Yard B. It’s a very particular talent that we’ve always felt has more too it than meets the eye (or ear!).
In this interview we hear from Suzie Rai, who’s voiced animations for us like this one for WSP, to dig a little deeper into the world of a voice over artist.
Can you introduce yourself and what you do?
Hello, I’m Suzie, a Voice Actor. I narrate commercials, corporate videos, e-learning and audio books. I also voice characters – specializing in young adult, teen, children and character roles - for animations, audio dramas, video games and dubs.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love that feeling of flow, when I’m voicing a project and find a sound, style or character that just works and feels authentic for that script or story.
Behind the mic, I’m able to transform into all sorts of characters, personalities and attitudes – it’s fascinating and fun.
I also enjoy the immediacy. After the prep, during the studio recording session, you’re fully and intensively in the moment while narrating or performing for that session.
It’s a contrast to my previous work directing and filming documentaries, where I’d be immersed in and dedicated to a project over many months.
I enjoy exploring such different forms of expression. They’re all part of a big creative adventure!
What is the biggest misconception of what you do?
A lot of people who don’t work in these fields believe it’s just about having a nice voice. That’s what I thought too before I started!
But once I began, I soon learned it’s about acting, technical and business skills, and more.
The thing is, when you hear something that’s well-voiced, all the training, technique and years of experience are invisible to the naked ear. It seems effortless, natural and easy. That’s the beauty of it, what I’m always aiming for, and why it’s a totally understandable misconception! I think it’s the same in many fields.
The other thing I hear a lot is people thinking this career is quick to create. Overnight-success stories have great appeal – and of course there are some that achieve that.
But I trained and built up my work over some years, part-time around other work. I’ve always been more of a tortoise than a hare. You get to observe, learn and appreciate more along the way.
What challenges are you facing in your industry at the moment?
There’s a lot of discussion in the industry right now about the potential threats and advantages of AI voices. Plus there are the perennial worries that all creative freelancers face about getting enough work to pay the bills.
But the voice over world has an amazing international community. There are organizations that do brilliant work to train, inform, support and inspire us – including SOVAS, GFTB, GVAA, VON and BRAVA.
Plus, for me personally, there are so many individuals – mentors, agents, producers, audio engineers, clients and fellow voice actors – who’ve helped me grow.
Being able to tap into this community makes it easier to weather those challenges. We never need feel alone.
What makes a great client for you?
During a voice recording session, the most exciting results can come when the producer or client gives me a brilliant direction I hadn’t thought of, or also when I feel free to try something new. Together, we have the chance to create something we might not have, if we’d been working solo. It’s the definition of successful team work!
So a great client has strong instincts for what they want, but is also collaborative.
I’m super lucky that I experience a lot of good humour and kindness from clients. This always makes the days skip along more merrily, so I really appreciate that too.
What’s the best way for people to get in touch about working with you?
Visit www.suzierai.com or write to suzie@suzierai.com and let’s chat!
