Blog
This is not a meditation blog, but i will ruminate for a bit about a meditative state of mind that is very helpful for us Voice actors. I’m talking about being in the moment, or to experience the now. It’s the approach to voice...
Voice Over Coaches are like roaches. I don’t mean that in a negative way, it’s just that there are so many of them and they kind of freak me out. Let me explain…I never trained to be an actor, or had any business training...
A talented and very attractive young man, who is already successful in another creative field, asked me recently how to get into Voice Over. I scratched my head and thought “Why would he want to give up what he does now – WHAT HE...
It happens out of nowhere; one day you’re hot and the next day its crickets. You’re in a booking slump. No emails, no calls and no checks arriving in the mail. As voice actors, we all have times when there is no paying work...
I’ve written before about how us voice actors should use social media. And I want to drive this point home again and expand on the idea a little. Why should Voice Actors be on social media? Because It can advance our careers by increasing...
From it’s birth at Bell Labs in 1938, the Voder (an offspring of the Vocoder) sounded the alarm for voice actors far into the future. (check out a cool video that shows it in action) It wasn’t much of a threat then, but flash...
An experienced voice actor can almost direct themselves, but they still need a good director to nail it. That’s where you come in. You have a clear idea of what your client wants, but here comes the important part; conveying that clearly and...
The buds are bursting forth and the flowers are poking through so now’s the perfect time to do a little Demo Spring Cleaning. “But I HATE reworking my own demos!”, you scream. O.k., take a couple deep breaths and focus. That’s better. Here are...
In medieval times, castles were designed with traps that helped defend those inside. Among them was the Pitfall. It was a nasty little bit of architecture: A trap door would cover a deep pit with spikes at the bottom, when someone stepped on the...
Overcoming confusing casting specs is not easy, but there are techniques to overcome and succeed. Making sense of a spec so you can deliver a winning read is a skill you need to develop. “Male 30s-40s warm, conversational but upbeat and energetic…” Sometimes you...
Every morning before my first audition, or before a booking, I silently say to the client or producer: “I don’t need this job”. Let me explain a little; I’m really telling this to my ego. That voice of fear that is always ringing around...
The power of accountability is something you can feel in your bones and can fuel success for voice actors. There’s actually science behind the power of accountability, and finding an accountability buddy and having regular check-in meetings can make it much easier to stay...
A healthy amount of skepticism is necessary to survive as a voice over actor. Why, you ask? Because the voice over business eats their young. Sometimes services offered by “successful” voice actors to others in the business are not what they seem. Often, a...
Previously, I posted about auditions I get from my agents and if they are worth my time based on a few factors. I promised to follow up with a part 2 for P2P sights. I’m a member of Voice123, so all the data I’m...
As a voice actor, a good question to ask yourself when auditioning is, “Is this audition worth my time?” I did just that when I received an email from one of my agents that was also sent to 300 other talents! (I would think...
“Just three essential plugins for voice actors”, you say? Yes. And when using them, subtlety is the key. Now, I get I we all have our own favorite versions of these three categories, but I think we can agree these are the must-haves in...
The books are barely closed on this election year, but I’m already looking forward to 2022 mid-terms. Too soon? If you do Political VO you know why I’m already looking ahead. Lets look at the 2022 Political VO forecast. But first, a look back...
Be part of the conversation Social media 101 for voice actors means being part of the conversation. It matters a lot these days. It’s more important than having a website, and certainly (and unfortunately) more important than having an agent. It took me a...
Calculating a rate for VO and production is very important but full of pitfalls. Especially since COVID has made us all suddenly have to run our own studios from home. Say you’re bidding for a job and the client wants you to deliver...
The COVID 19 Pandemic has changed a lot in our lives. The Pandemic changed in-person voice over casting for sure. In-person Voice Over casting came to a stand still in mid-March. I live and work in New York City where casting directors still call...
Inspiration for voice actors doesn’t come easy. It’s often hard to stay focused and keep all the plates spinning. But by reaching out to professional voice actor organizations, using online resources, asking questions, and being flexible with your goals, you’ll find a large and...
Voice Actors should be on TikTok because its a key component in our mix of social media. Before I tell you the four reasons why, I’m assuming you already know that having an active social media presence is super important. If you do animation...
It is absolutely essential to establish good habits for voiceover success. The following is a list of five that are key to developing a business strategy and building a client base, so you can achieve your revenue goals. These habits—in fact this type of...
Narrating an audio book and fixing an outboard motor may not seem similar at all. But earlier this year, I found out they are. Audio books and outboard motors are both complex systems with lots of moving parts. This Spring with the Pandemic raging...
My fellow voice actors have felt the effect that COVID-19 has had on advertising, and so have I. It’s amounted to a big drop off in the amount of work available. That’s the obvious part, but what sectors have done OK and which have...
The Importance of stopping phlegm for good vocal health Stop phlegm build-up on your vocal chords and you’re on your way to good vocal health. One of the main ways this happens is mucus drainage from your sinuses and nasal cavity. I know this...
Your worst phlegmeny That junk in your throat that makes you go “ahhheeemmm” is your worst Phlegmeny. Phlegm, that is. So, instead of clearing your throat, I want to offer you a better way of overcoming phlegm for voice actors. My technique will get...
When it comes to booking a political spot, there are three entities in the chain: campaign staff, political consultants and production houses. Campaign staff is for the most part busy crafting the message with the candidate and running the day to day of the...
When it comes to voice actors booking political spots, there are three main factors to getting the job. Since I started voicing political spots, I’ve been asked by colleagues how I book so many of them. First, I know people at production companies that...
Are female voices now being used more than male voices in political advertising? Political voice over—like all advertising—was traditionally a male dominated club. But it’s been changing. Recently, I found some interesting research during a deep dive into the topic of female vs....