In this generous and practical session, voice producer and studio owner Paul Fegan shares his journey into sound, voiceover, e-learning, and audiobooks, while offering grounded advice for actors interested in voice work. Speaking from decades of experience recording performers, Paul demystifies the voiceover world and encourages actors to approach it with curiosity, preparation, and confidence.
Paul emphasises that great voice work is not about perfection, but about storytelling: letting yourself go, trusting the material, and finding the energy, rhythm, and truth of the read. From audiobook preparation and accent choices to demos, home studios, software, and AI protections, his message is clear: know your voice, know your worth, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to put yourself forward.
Date 19th December 2025
FP Host Aislinn Aungier
Guest Paul Fegan, founder of Bitsixteen
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 Story First, Voice Second
The best reads come from actors who are not inhibited by the script. Don’t just “read” the words – tell the story.
2 Don’t Be Afraid to Let Go
Many actors give less than they are capable of. Push further, experiment, and trust that you can always pull it back.
3 Preparation Saves the Session
For audiobooks especially, know the script, characters, accents, pronunciations, and tricky language before you enter the studio.
4 Pace Matters
Pauses, rhythm, and flow should support the story. Too slow can drag, too fast can feel rushed – the aim is to keep the listener inside the world.
5 Energy Doesn’t Mean Shouting
A strong read can be bright, gentle, whispered, emotional, playful, or still. The key is being alive to the situation.
6 Choose Your Voiceover Lane
Voiceover includes audiobooks, ads, animation, e-learning, IVR, corporate narration, and more. Decide what excites you and build material for that area.
7 Make Separate Demos
Don’t put every type of voice work into one reel. Create focused demos for audiobooks, commercials, animation, corporate work, or whatever area you want to pursue.
8 Know Your Worth
Online platforms can be useful, but research them carefully. Avoid racing to the bottom or paying for services that offer little return.
9 A Home Studio Can Help
A basic setup can open doors, especially for remote work. Test it properly, improve the sound, and make sure your demo reflects what clients will actually receive.
10 Protect Your Voice from AI
Read contracts carefully. Be especially cautious of clauses around machine learning, synthetic voice, or AI training.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
“Just read the story. Tell us the story.”
“Don’t be inhibited. Don’t be afraid of the script.”
“If something’s over the top, that’s fine. We can always do it again.”
“Believe in yourself and realise you can probably give five times what you think you’re giving.”
“By 30 seconds, you’re going to know.”
“Make a demo for each sector. Don’t have one demo trying to do everything.”
“Know your worth.”
“If you’re not in, you can’t win.”
“Make your demo using your home setup, so people know exactly what they’re going to get.”
“If you sign a contract that suggests it is teaching AI, bear in mind you might be selling your voice.”
“There’s never a day goes by when I don’t feel privileged to do the job that I do.”