The voice-over industry has become part of the fabric of the global entertainment scene, riding waves of growth in streaming, digital ads, and mobile media. Early analyses from the 2020s of this industry placed global voice-over market figures in billions, driven by commercials, animation, video games, corporate training, and online content. In the United States, voice talents employ their services, both union and non-union, through radio, TV, social media, and educational media, frequently recording in professional studios and at home. Productions are accelerating, while distribution is broadening; actors with on-screen backgrounds have been increasingly considering audio work as a parallel path.
Voice-over work requires a different skill set than camera work, even for those who have already acted on screen. With no physical movement or facial expressions, the focus is given to tone, speed, breath, and enunciation. Training usually focuses on script interpretation, microphone technique, and healthy use of the voice. Many voice artists develop their talents through coaches, workshops, and practice before auditioning for jobs via online casting sites and voice-over agencies. For screen actors, voice-over provides opportunities for projects not dependent on location or long shoot schedules; this has increased since 2020 with the development of remote recording.
John David Castilla has added voice-over training to his professional development as part of his ongoing work in entertainment. After establishing himself in Chicago-area productions and later appearing in projects connected to both the Chicago and Atlanta markets, Castilla began preparing for audio-based roles to expand his range of work. His background includes acting training at the Chicago Actors Studio and physical performance training at One and Done Stunt Training, as well as private coaching. Voice-over study has been pursued as an additional discipline rather than a replacement for screen acting, aligning with industry trends where performers build multiple skill sets.
Castilla’s move into voice-over followed several years of on-camera credits in television and film, including background and supporting roles in Midwest productions. By the early 2020s, casting platforms such as Actors Access and services linked to Breakdown Services, Ltd. were listing increasing numbers of audio auditions alongside traditional acting calls. For performers working across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Georgia, voice projects offered opportunities beyond local sets. Castilla’s training has focused on adapting his delivery to fit commercial reads, character dialogue, and informational narration.
Commercial voices remain one of the largest slice sizes in this industry. This constitutes a major portion of paid voices in the United States. Companies consider short audio segments for radio, online streams, social video posts, and advertisements. Actors well-versed in print and brand work can naturally transition to this area because they are already conversant with industry language and timing. Castilla’s background in modeling and as a principal print model for brands such as Stetson Hats and Wrangler Wear prepared him for production settings focused on brands. This aligns well with what’s required in advertising scripts.
Animation productions are also on the rise in terms of voice acting. Online platforms like Netflix produce more content, including promo videos, among other productions. These productions rely heavily on voice acting to create characters and set the pace. Although Castilla has only worked in live productions, voice acting training acquainted him with acting skills distinct from live performance, such as maintaining consistency in character portrayal across recordings and adjusting character pacing without visual cues.
There is also a demand for narration in the corporate and educational markets. Corporations produce training films, in-house announcements, and product demonstrations that, for example, necessitate smooth, even narration. Industry studies conducted in the first two decades of the 2020s indicate that corporate narration constitutes a large part of the voice market that is not broadcast-related, involving a large percentage of recordings being done through telephonic conferencing solutions. A voice actor who can render a neutral, accurate interpretation would thus be preferred in this sub-niche.
The integration of voice-over work with screen acting can also influence casting decisions. Some productions seek performers who can handle both on-camera roles and related promotional or dubbing tasks. In regional markets such as Chicago and Atlanta, where film and television crews often operate on tight schedules, versatility can be practical. Castilla’s career has already included shifts between background roles, supporting speaking parts, and physical performance work. Voice training adds another layer to that profile, aligning with industry expectations that many working actors will maintain several parallel streams of employment.
Professional representation plays a role in accessing these opportunities. Castilla has been represented by TalentXAlexander Agency, with availability across Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and the Atlanta, Georgia market. Agencies in these regions routinely submit clients for voice auditions in addition to film and television roles, particularly for local advertising campaigns and regional corporate projects. While not all voice work is agency-based, representation can help performers reach casting directors who prefer vetted talent for commercial and institutional clients.
Looking at data from the 2010s through to the 2020s, many actors are doing audio work to stretch their paychecks on set for work that can be completed in a very short period of time. Actors established in their regional markets can benefit from this work by requiring less travel time and fewer days of shooting. Castilla’s diversification of expertise from film and television to audio work seems to indicate a plan to remain very active in multiple segments of his industry instead of solely focusing on his immediate area of expertise.
Castilla’s use of voice-over, along with new media training, reflects the typical development pathway for working American actors during the 2020s. Actors’ training is becoming more encompassing, preparing for roles in all formats. Castilla’s background in regional television, feature films, modeling, and physical performance provides a base that can be adapted to voice-based work through targeted training. While his primary credits remain in on-screen productions, the addition of audio performance represents an extension of established professional practices rather than a departure from them, completing the current profile of John David Castilla.
