Do you want to become an actor who specializes in video games? Unlike film and television audiences, gamers recognize established actors’ voices—without attaching a name or face. Video game industry veterans may have fruitful careers, like Troy Baker, though they do not yet receive the same widespread name recognition as Meryl Streep or Morgan Freeman.
Despite the lack of acclaim, video game actors reach a global audience, often for a longer duration per project than film or TV. But getting a foot in the door is a daunting task. How do I finagle my way into that very first role? What do casting directors look for when hiring for video games?
Julia Bianco Schoeffling is a casting director, and she’s here to help. She’s worked as part of the casting department for a slew of games, from Cyberpunk 2077 and Aliens: Fireteam Elite to Tell Me Why and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Her newly released book, The Art and Business of Acting for Video Games, is available to purchase online.
According to Schoeffling, the fact that big games even have a casting director during development is relatively new. This work was previously done by a game’s voice director, but directors’ needs are shifting. They’re searching for diverse actors who are comfortable putting on a bodysuit and a facial rig to do performance capture, in addition to vocal roles. “The casting demands have gotten more intricate and more nuanced,” she says. “The job has just become a bit too big for voice directors to handle on their own.”
As a rule of thumb, you should approach acting for video games with the same seriousness you would give to movie and TV performances. You may need to be part of the SAG-AFTRA labor union to audition for many roles, especially those offered by large developers or publishers. In her book, Schoeffling lays out the basic info about agents, auditions, and taking care of yourself during the whole process.
What does Schoeffling think is essential for success as an actor in video games? “I say acting classes before anything else. You can’t replace acting with gear.” When you’re ready to land that first role and feel confident in your craft as an actor, it’s not necessary to start by purchasing pricey microphones and gear. A wired mic plugged into a smartphone could be a decent enough setup for those testing the waters, and you can always upgrade incrementally as you get feedback about what sounds good and what doesn’t.
