By Keith Brunson
Before we begin, you've gotta hear this.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLAxJu/
That is Arianna Ratner. In studios since diapers, Arianna was literally born into the voiceover business.
Few people have every single inch of their life well-groomed and absolutely manicured. But Arianna Ratner is the exception. As an A-list voice-over artist, Arianna's life story reads like a textbook of perfection. She's known as one of the most dependable and versatile voice over artists in the gaming industry. The monster success of Blizzard Entertainment is one of many game producers that hire Arianna.
Arianna Ratner is the voice of Brelshaza in the Lost Ark video game.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZ5VDlGj_t_/?utm_medium=copy_link
"To do video games, you have to be a really good actor first, because everything you say you have to imagine in your mind is all around you, yet nothing is there."
Arianna applies her acting skills to portray “Sorbet Shark Cookie”
a character in CookieRun Kingdom video game.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVqI8rsJr4t/?utm_medium=copy_link
Arianna grew up in a sound booth as she watched her Father voice acting. "And I knew as a child what I wanted to become," she says, "and from day one, I discovered that my ambition was absolutely in line with my potential." https://www.ariannaratner.com
Well composed, Arianna demonstrates the epitome of success. Versatile in character voices, Arianna is a constant work in progress. To this day, she continues her study of the voice despite years studying privately with some of the best voiceover teachers in the country. "I think that it takes training; no one just jumps straight in," she says. "But if you love acting, you can apply it directly to a voiceover career."
Another Arianna Ratner video game voice over for
Geomancer Persephone, a character in the game SMITE.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVbazOUjew_/?utm_medium=copy_link
The video game industry is highly specialized. Superb execution of animation. Excellent storytelling. Cutting-edge entertainment. The type of entertainment that requires everyone involved to be a top-drawer personality. "It takes years," says Arianna, "and it's not just talking." Skills needed are not only a home studio, "because luck is involved." That unknown can intimidate people. "And that's what instruction does. It prepares you for the future."
Arianna is also a voiceover teacher. "And there are roles for every type, every soul out there, so a beautiful voice is no longer all it takes to be hired." One thing that is a craft unto itself is the audition process.
"And that for the gaming industry voice requires excellent cold reading skills," says Arianna. "You walk in; they hand you the script, and you're evaluated from your ability to make something come to life you have never seen." And that, as she explains, having the ability to ACT is the most important skill you can have. "There are no props, no people, no environment, just you and the page in front of you." So, learning how to convert words on a paper into a believable character translate into whether you'll get hired or not."
Vampiress Amaterasu features a dark and evil
voice over from Arianna Ratner.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CS5NZDqJz4T/?utm_medium=copy_link
To see the unique way that Arianna teaches, here's an example of how to do a little boy's voice. Watch how she explains the vocal mechanics.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLyME8/
Having the ability to emulate a voice and understand what is happening is important and Not for the beginner.
Another option for you to learn instead of a private voice over lesson is to study with The Voice Shop. You can know nothing and begin your studies from your home on the computer you're using right now. Remote voice-over classes are offered nationwide. All you need is the ambition to find your voice. You do that through study. www.voiceshopcoaching.com
"I have students with high-pitched voices that work," says Arianna, "because just a deep male voice or a sultry female voice is no longer what the voice artist is about."
Arianna has been acting since she was five years old. She's been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since childhood. She's taught roughly five hundred students.
So, if being a voice for the video game industry attracts you, expect an understanding of the voice and how to use it is all part of the journey.
And unlike Arianna, you do not have to have grown up in the voiceover business. Although being fundamentally a good actor will make this profession a lot easier.
"I'd say being able to do games is all about your ability to be an actor first and a voiceover artist second," says Arianna.
Arianna's next step will be to move into video game directing, "and that would never be possible if I wasn't a consistent student of the voice and have years of experience portraying people in productions that I am not."
So, if you're just starting out or well into the journey, see video games as a destination, not an entry point. We all realize how sophisticated the production of a video game is.
Now picture yourself IN that game. That'll happen, Only after you have paid the price and booked your first job.
Arianna is well on her way. And she should be. She's been in the profession of acting and voice for thirty years.
