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How to Find Your Sweet Spot as a Voice Actor

Voice Actor

When people approach me about being a voice actor, most of the comments I receive are: “Wow, that’s cool.” or “What an exciting job!”

It is a unique kind of work but it’s not quite as glamorous as you might think.

Voiceover is a business and there are many components. There are fun parts to this job like acting and recording, and then there are the very frustrating, mundane, and challenging parts to this job. I suppose it depends on what type of person you are that determines what you consider fun or a hassle. In this article I’m just going to talk about the fun part: acting.

What is Your Sweet Spot?

Let’s talk about the fun part of voice acting which I think is the reason most of us get into this business in the first place.

Voice actor types are usually expressive people who are animated and like the challenge of using their voice to get a message across for a particular reason. Of course there are other types of voice actors who have a more serious personality and have a knack for doing narration, e-learning, medical narration, or audio books.

These days there are so many different genres of voice acting. There’s something for everyone. Sometimes I think voice actors feel like we’re supposed to be able to do it all. I was guilty of that. I thought when a script arrived on my doorstep I was supposed audition for it whether it fit my personality or not.

I came to realize that there are just some scripts I shouldn’t bother with. It can be a thrill for me to be the voice in a TV commercial telling you about a hospital, the Disney Park, or even a mattress commercial, but

I know I am not the voice who will sell you a Ford Truck or some fancy new piece of electronic equipment that I know nothing about. It’s just not my niche and I’m not even going to try and pull it off, because I’m better off staying focused on what I do best. I especially like reading for warm, honest, helpful spots like Public Service Announcements that may make a difference in the world.

For instance, I like reading scripts for the Humane Society or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, scripts that may have an impact on people’s behavior.

I’ve done many spots for hospitals and health care providers. My tag line on my website is: “When you need a voice that cares as much as you do.” I really do prefer to stay in the niche of a caring real person.

It’s more natural for me to be a caring real person narrating a web video about foot massagers rather than trying to act like a perky mom, which I’m not, who sells gummy vitamins to other perky moms.

I can do it because I’m an actor. But I still like the reads that open my heart.

Oddly enough, I also enjoy doing medical and web video narration. Since I have a kooky, fun-loving personality, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed reading more serious scripts.

I always thought that the majority of my work would be voicing for zany commercials, but like I said, the essence of who you are outshines your personality.

Finding Your Essence

I learned the essence concept both in acting class and in an art class that I took years ago. I assumed that because I was naturally outgoing, loved to have fun and do crazy things, that I would enjoy throwing paint on a canvas like a maniac.

In reality, when I stood in front of the blank canvas I froze, and there was no way I was going to start splattering paint on that white board. I freaked out and almost had an anxiety attack!

My teacher was very observant and let me off the hook with that project. She then had me sketch a pen and ink drawing of a small flower in a vase. I loved it.

I loved the small details in the flower and leaves. My teacher recognized that I needed to balance out my big, outgoing personality with the finer details of pen and ink.

Bold and Sweet

Below the surface of my fun-loving personality is this very caring person. I have a big heart. So I can naturally convey that heart message to others easily.

As a stage actor and professional singer, I am extremely expressive and have a large presence. I prefer to belt out a rock or soul tune and gyrate across the stage rather than stand still in one spot singing a sweet love ballad.

So I guess I’m a mixed bag of bold and sweet. The point that I’m trying to make is: look inside yourself and find out who you really are – that’s your sweet spot.

Auditioning – What a Pain!

If you have an agent, or agents, you will be auditioning a lot. After audition number 50 and you still haven’t landed a job, it can be demoralizing.

This happens, so get ready for it. You can’t be a wimp when it comes to rejection.

Let rejection be your middle name. After a while you’ll get over it. Or you’ll cry or throw a fit! I think the hardest part is not knowing why you didn’t get the job.

In fact, most times you don’t get feedback from anyone. How many other people were auditioning along with you?

Who did they choose and why? Did they like me a little? Was my voice too low or high? Did they even listen to my audition?

Maybe my audition was the 35th in line and they decided they liked number 12 and tossed the rest of the auditions aside. We don’t get feedback – just rejection.

Honestly, I just keep turning in those auditions and do the best I can. I read the scripts, study the specs, try not to overthink the process, and let’er rip.

The main goal is to be believable. You must decide on a point of view and give it your best shot.

I used to stress when it came to auditioning. I’d dissect the script and my performance to the point of over-analyzing it to death.

That’s not a good thing to do.

When you’re in your head, not in the moment, the audition will inevitably suffer. I still overthink my auditions now and then. And I get mad at myself for doing so.

My advice: Bring the read to life, do it quickly and move on. I think of auditions as practice.

Even if I don’t get the job, my agent must have thought I was qualified to audition for the spot. For that I’m grateful. Once in a while it’s a good thing to study with a coach who has a keen ear to point out any bad habits that I may have acquired.

That’s on my list of things to do. A little check up never hurts.

Filed Under: Voice Actor

Who Was That Mystery Voice at the Oscars?

Voice Actor

Let’s talk about the Oscars shall we? Of course I watched the show this year to see Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing the song, “Shallow” from the movie “A Star is Born.” What a steamy performance.

I had to put the air conditioner on high to cool down my TV screen, it was throwing off some major heat and this was in February mind you.

Following the Oscars I read and heard from several trusted sources (yeah right) that there’s speculation that Stephanie (Gaga) and Bradley are in love, but here’s my take on it.

No, I don’t think Gaga and Bradley are in love, I think it was a well-crafted and orchestrated performance. After all, they are actors right? They wanted us to feel something from their performance and we did. Isn’t that what we strive for as voice over actors?

Interpreting Scripts

We get a script from a marketing firm with a bunch of sentences written about a pillow, jam, or truck, and it’s our job to read between the lines and figure out what the writer is really trying to say.

We want to bring those words to life. We look for those keywords to emphasize the message we’re trying to get across – whether it’s the bigger burger or the smooth taste of yogurt.

Who are we talking to? Who am I? How do we want our audience to feel? What is it we’re really selling?

Are we selling yogurt because it’s a diet food and good for you or are we selling a yummy low calorie, smooth, decadent, rich and creamy tasting healthy treat, that you get to eat any time you want.

Are we selling a ring or are we selling that special moment, that lasting memory that we’re making with the person who gave us that ring? It really changes the way we look at a script. It’s a miniature story.

The Voice

Since I am a voice over actor, another thing I paid great attention to while watching the Oscars was the voice that was doing all the announcing of the nominees and presenters.

Yes, there is a real live person sitting in a tiny back room behind the curtain, in a production trailer behind the theater, or possibly in a closet somewhere.

A woman sitting with a notebook, microphone, and monitor waiting to announce the names of all the participants in real time.

A bit stressful I would think, but for this woman – no worries. She handles the pressure with ease.

I did some research and found that Randy Thomas is the voice of the Oscars.

Randy started out as a DJ in Detroit and was on the radio for over 20 years. In 1993 she was the first woman in history invited to audition for the Oscars.

Not only did she get the job that year but she’s been the announcer for 10 years. That one job changed the course of her life.

She is now the voice of just about everything. She’s the live voice of Entertainment Tonight, Nightline, The Emmys, The Tony Awards, and too many others to mention.

Randy teaches voice over classes, she’s written a book on VO, she hosts a podcast with her husband, and she is in demand for voice over work in just about every category. Let’s face it, she is at the top of the ladder in the voice over industry and she inspires me.

Randy’s Delivery

While watching the Oscars, I found myself listening closely to the way Randy announced each name.

She had such a warm silky, sexy tone with just the right attitude that made each person coming up to the podium feel like they were special. She has one of those voices that is just pleasing to the ear.

Don’t you wonder why and how she got picked for this job? Yup, me too.

Does she have an amazing agent who pitched her to the Oscar committee? Who are those people that chose her? How many auditions did they listen to before choosing her?

Why did they choose her. I would like to know how much she got paid, wouldn’t you? After all, a gazillion people heard her that night. Shouldn’t she get paid big bucks? I hope she made a bundle. She’s worth it.

The other things I thought about while listening to her were: Does she get to practice all those weird names beforehand? What if she mispronounces one of them or comes in wrong?

What if she gets a horker in her throat and chokes? Do they have any rehearsals or does she have to do a cold read?

I know she said that being a DJ really helped her because she was so used to talking to an audience on the radio that she felt very comfortable in a live announcer application for the Oscars.

I’m sure the committee who hired her took that into consideration, too.

Preparing for the Oscars

Randy was asked how she prepares for the Oscar show and she said that she does all that she can to stay healthy.

She said she eats well most of the time but about a month before the Oscar show she tries to eat exceptionally well, meditate, do a little yoga, stay away from foods that create phlegm, remove acid forming foods like oranges, hydrate and avoid sugar.

Sugar weakens our immune systems and when we’re under stress and pressure we’re more likely to get sick. I know that’s true for me.

When I’m anxious or under stress I crave sugar. I used to eat sweets when that craving called and sure enough I would get a cold, usually within a day or so of eating that big piece of chocolate cake.

If I’m going to blow my healthy diet, it might as well be with a hunk of cake. I’m much more in control these days and I haven’t had a cold in a long time and feeling better than ever. I’ve been a vegetarian and health foodie for most of my life but once in a while I’ve just got to have some carbs or dessert.

In wrapping up this first blog, I found an interview with Randy Thomas on the TOMGIRL show.

I thought you might like to watch it for yourself and learn a bit about the voice behind the Oscars. I found it fun, interesting and helpful.

There are so many genres these days for voice actors to get into: medical narration, e-learning, web video narration, podcasts, commercials, radio etc. but I hadn’t really thought that much about the live announcer application.

If you look around in your own community you will see that there are opportunities to speak live.

  • libraries
  • conventions
  • fundraisers
  • auctions
  • festivals
  • concerts etc.

It might be a nice diversion from hanging out in that little booth or closet day after day.

We all need to get out from behind those computers, phones, and dark tiny spaces to see some real live people for a change. Who knows, maybe when Randy gets tired of announcing the Oscars, or the Tony’s, or Nightline, or the Emmy’s one of us may step in and take her place.

I wouldn’t count on it happening anytime soon but you just never know. Keep on keepin’ on no matter where you are in your career.

Filed Under: Voice Actor

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