Greetings. My name is Cary Hite.
PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
I’ve had an interest in voiceover since watching cartoons as a kid. Once I started acting, the road to get into this part of the industry opened up. At the behest of an agent, I went to an audition for Audible, booked the projects (four in total), and haven’t looked back since.
PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICEOVER INDUSTRY.
I was on a roadtrip. The driver, instead of music, plays a Harry Potter audiobook. I took that as my cue to sleep - until I heard the performance of the narrator (the incomparable Jim Dale). I remember saying that I’d love to do that one day. I end up in a NYC studio, some years later, and the producer of my project asks if I’d like to meet the person that narrated the Harry Potter books (who was recording in an adjacent studio). I immediately said yes and was able to tell Jim Dale, to his face, how he inspired me to be a narrator. Serendipitous.
PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
The current fight is the continued usage of human voices over AI. I get contracts for each project I voice and I noticed there wasn’t specific language stipulating my voice wouldn’t be used for machine learning or AI duplication. That particular publisher created an addendum to assuage my concerns. Before long, every publisher with whom I work had similar protective language in their contracts.
JAPAN IS KNOWN FOR SO MANY GREAT ICONIC VOICE OVER PEOPLE, SUCH AS CHARACTERS FROM ANIME OR MOVIES AND DUBBED TV SHOWS. WHO IS
SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I admire a multitude of people - many of whom have become good friends and collaborators. Naming just one would be a disservice to the wealth of talented performers I’ve come to know and admire.
IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
I’d love to voice a long-form nature documentary. That’s definitely a goal of mine.
PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
Aside from audiobooks, I’m focusing on network promos and animation projects.
WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?
I love the work Eddie Murphy did in the Shrek movies. Donkey is iconic.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?
Being a great storyteller. Having a “great” voice is nice but not a requirement of being a good voice actor. It’s all in the storytelling.
NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?
I still prefer to show up to the studio. Nothing replaces working with an engineer in the session. They are your first audience, your first ears. When they’re engaged in the story with you, they’re an invaluable collaborator.
WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
I like several types. I MUST, however, highlight audiobook narration! I’ve voiced commercials, I’ve voiced games, I’ve voiced e-learning modules and so forth, however, being able to bring an entire story to life, verbally, and have the listeners feel it and take that same journey with you - epic.
WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICEOVER ACTOR?
So much admin. I don’t have an assistant so all the emails I receive, I’m the one responding. All the social media posts, created by me. The public appearances I make, arranged by me. There isn’t enough time in the day for all of it but, as an entrepreneurial entity, I have to book all projects, appearances, & travel myself.
WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?
GET COACHING!!! I cannot stress that enough. As I’ve said previously - & will continue to preach - being a master storyteller is mist important in this industry.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICEOVER ACTOR?
An excellent storyteller.
YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?
I’ll be narrating a bevy of stories for audiobooks. I’m looking to expand my talents into network promo work, animation, and video games.
CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
I have to adhere to an NDA contract for the majority of projects I accept. I can say I’ve had an amazing time bringing them to life.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICEOVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
My website is - www.caryhite.com. On social media - IG & LinkedIn - I’m @CaryHite
ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?
I narrate for the historically muffled and silenced voices in our community. I narrate for those that never graduated from elementary school. I narrate for those that spent a time in the streets but got their GED. I narrate for the college-educated brothers and sisters. I narrate for every low-income housing fam to the silver-spoon benefactors because storytelling is transcendent.
Cary Hite
