Here at The Voice Actor College, we are always excited to hear when our students book gigs, sign with agents, get a new demo produced, or leave their day job to pursue a full-time career in voiceover. Within that, there is so much we can all share and learn from each other in the process. Within this article, we are highlighting two of our Alumni Voice Actors who are both dear friends, ‘Samantha Draper and Ellissa Peterson’. Both voice actors auditioned for the same video game booking, but more importantly, they both were cast for numerous roles!
Introduction to the Industry and Video Game Bookings
Ellissa: I began training as a voice actor in January of 2025, and I started recording in my car. That’s right. Late at night, sitting in the driver’s seat of my car in the driveway, recording on my phone with “Voice Memos”. 1 Year later, in January 2026, I found a video game booking seeking talent, which I was excited for on Casting Call Club, that later shifted to direct communication.
Samantha: I’ve been training as a professional voice actor since February 14th, 2025. Booking my first role as a voice actor didn’t happen in a fancy studio with pristine acoustic panels and top-tier gear. It happened in my closet. Literally! But somehow, that tiny, stifling box led me straight into the Fallout universe with Fallout 4: Shadows of the Old World, a mod that changed everything for me.
Video Game Booking – The Audition Process
Ellissa: When auditioning for the game, I first came across the open casting call for Fallout 4: Shadows of the Old World. I applied for every role I could consider. Human and Ghoul. Male and Female. Anything available to me. I listened back to my audio and convinced myself that I WAS that character. You want to know the truth? Every single audition was dismissed. Every. Single. One. But then the directors reached out to me privately, asking me to audition again.
Then I took a step back and considered, “How can I make this second audition different?” So I studied ghoul voices, Fallout characters, how they talk, and what they sound like. I even played Fallout 4 to get a better understanding of the characters’ vocalizations. I studied the character descriptions as much as I could. Then, I finally sent in my second auditions and I was cast! From there, I kept booking with that particular mod, and just recently, I booked another character! So far, I have voiced four mods and counting. Want to know more? Keep your eyes peeled for the release and go find me in-game!
Samantha: I found my recent video game casting via an audition on Casting Call Club, a site I didn’t even know existed until I spoke with a voice actor who inspired me to seriously pursue this path. That single conversation opened a door I didn’t realize was there, and I walked straight through it. At the time of auditioning, my setup was simple but effective. My recording space was my closet, soundproofed with blankets and clothes. Was it hot? Absolutely (Summer recordings were brutal). But it worked, and it was worth every bead of sweat. Since then, I’ve upgraded numerous items in my studio as well as obtained a Kaotica Eyeball to complement my setup. The thing is, that original closet booth proved something important: you don’t need the most expensive equipment to start. You just need to start.
So, onto the audition process. Honestly? It was a little chaotic… But kind of perfect. When I first auditioned, I was dealing with audio issues and nearly didn’t submit at all. I almost talked myself out of it entirely until my husband encouraged me to try anyway. So, I did. I auditioned for every female role I could, more than ten of them, and got dismissed from every single one. I didn’t even audition for the ghouls because I had no idea how to do a ghoul voice, let alone build a believable character voice. About a week later, the directors reached out to me directly and asked if I’d be willing to audition for a few unlisted roles. All ghouls. A few days later, I got the message: I had been cast! How cool is that? One particular character has the most lines out of all roles, and she will always hold a special place in my heart as my very first booked role.
Booking VO Top Tips
Ellissa: Being a voice actor isn’t something I ever imagined I would fully achieve, but I can’t deny that I am a voice actor now. One thing I was told when I started was: the voice over industry is very competitive. They’re correct. Don’t let that competition beat you down and convince you that you’re not good enough; you are. Nothing good ever comes easy. It’s going to be a lot of work, some easy, some hard, but you can do this. Don’t think of it as “I have to do this” but instead as “I get to do this because I want to do this.” Before anyone else, you need to do this for yourself, because it makes YOU happy, because it’s something YOU enjoy. You’re not going to nail every single audition you submit; you’re going to be dismissed (a lot), but you’re also going to be shortlisted and cast for roles, too, not just with a video game booking, but other areas of the industry, too.
Samantha: A video game booking was always a dream, and booking this role, as well as others, made voice acting feel real. I knew deep in my bones that I could do this. Since then, I’ve booked several more roles across different video game mods and even radio ads. I want more, and I’m going after it. Watch me. My advice for new talent would be to be patient. Be kind to yourself. This industry is competitive, and you will not book everything you audition for, and that’s okay. You don’t need expensive equipment to start. Take constructive criticism. Keep connections with your directors. Encourage others. Be a decent human being. No one wants to work with someone who has a bad attitude. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and have your back.
Video Game Booking Reflections
Ellissa: When it comes to finding work in the industry, diversifying your target audience is important because not only does it help increase your creativity when it comes to vocal opportunities, but it also helps broaden your reach and expand your connections! It’s a networking opportunity to be able to audition for a wider net than you normally would. It can open doors for you that you may not have even considered before. Your overall skills as an actor will grow! The right role is waiting for you right around the corner; push forward towards your dreams!
Samantha: Auditioning to a wider net outside of your preferred roles means discovering voices you might otherwise miss. Different backgrounds, personalities, accents, and experience levels bring authenticity and depth to a project. You’re not just filling roles, you’re building a world. You are bringing another’s vision and dream to life. The broader the pool, the richer that world becomes. Dream big and say those dreams out loud. Someone I deeply admire once told me: “Many VAs fail in this industry not because they aren’t good, but because they quit.” Take notes. Track your wins. Write down every role you book so you can look back when you feel discouraged and remember: You did that. Believe in yourself!
Video Game Booking! by Ellissa Peterson and Samantha Draper – Edited by Alan Shires