Blog
Pacific salmon are reported to swim upstream against fierce currents annually. As a natural inclination of the species, the swim is dangerous and filled with predators like hungry bears. Still, the salmon are not deterred and fight to reach the place where they must spawn. Unlike Pacific salmon, most people entering the voiceover business will […]
As an actor, I’m learning to be more cognizant when watching movies or streaming shows to notice the believable actors. I’ve watched TV since my childhood. My favorites were the Flintstones, Speed Racer, Happy Days, and many more. These days, I watch quite a bit of Classic TV and new stuff, but now I see […]
As we mature (a favorite euphemism of mine), we consider what could have happened if we had taken another road or course of action in many of life’s decisions. Life presents us daily with a countless number of choices and alternatives. Some of these choices are small, while others can be life-changing. Sometimes, decision-making can […]
If you’ve been in your profession for some time, you probably think you have cornered the market in knowing all about your vocation. For example, voice actors with decades of experience are willing to share their knowledge through VO coaching and teaching. But sometimes, you must step back from your smarts and be open to […]
As of September, I had met many of my 2024 business goals. So, I was feeling pretty good about being an actor. (I stopped calling myself a voice actor; now, I see myself as an actor.) Being cast in June for an on-camera role with one of the sweetest four-year-old actors I’ve ever met was […]
Again, it’s the first few weeks of a new year. The buzz from social media to print media is about setting yearly resolutions or goals. Every year, most of us plan to do better in our business (in my case, voiceovers), our weight, and, of course, our finances. Really? I can’t tell you how often […]
Many call the Christmas season The Season of Giving. It’s the time when people purchase and exchange gifts with family and friends. That generosity can also extend to neighbors, clients, and work associates, well, you get the idea. But giving as a seasonal gesture of kindness and giving your skills to others for free is […]
Are you a problem solver or a problem to work with? A good voice talent is a problem solver. Recently, I had an experience that showed the right and wrong way to solve a customer’s dilemma. If you want to help, learn what is needed and find a way to solve your client’s problem and […]
The basics of voice acting stay the same. While styles, popular age, and other nuances may be ever-changing, the basics of voice acting are what they are. As voice actors and business owners, we must know our strengths and weaknesses. But we also need to understand what supports us and helps us move toward continued […]
Recently I returned from a vacation in Canada. After months of saving and preparation, I was finally at the place I had dreamed of for six months. It was a group trip of about 50 of us skiers and non-skiers. Depending on my mood, I can fall into both groups. During the trip, I received […]
February is celebrated in America as Black History Month. As a Black person, I’ve been studying history, including Black American History, for most of my life. Many of the programs and movies showing on streaming services highlight the lives and journeys of famous Afro-American actors and writers. Most of the programs also have commentators who […]
Should your individual opinions affect your choices in voiceover projects? I recently read a blog related to truth, or should I say, statements reported as news in the American news media. The post was about how some people shrewdly use social and news media platforms to develop messages. These messages may contain misleading or belief-based […]
We want our business to be successful. And voiceactors wish to be appreciated as talents and exemplary business people. As such, voice actors must be careful not to take it too personally when people try to use our emotions during negotiations. No matter your profession, knowing your worth will help you set fair business practices […]
It’s true. There is good business out there for new and established voice talent. As a seasoned professional voice actor, I pride myself on giving clients fast, courteous service at a fair price. Therefore, like any other small businessperson, I enjoy meeting and collaborating with new people and expanding my list of potential voiceover contacts. […]
The entertainment and business industry loves youthfulness. Discarding the old and bringing in the new is the way most Americans see life. The push for youthfulness in sound and appearance are standards for achieving Media headlines and Social Media likes. But let’s face it: we are all aging. As a voice talent, starting or pursuing […]
Communication is a funny thing. For example, I recently went to Costco for gas, and before I could turn into the pump area, one of the attendants yelled something about a “back pump.” While I heard the words, I didn’t get their meaning. Finally, after unsuccessfully trying to get gas from a pump that was […]
Have you ever been at an impasse? It can be hard to choose how to continue doing what you love the way you want. Crowd thinking can change like the wind, and you may not always agree with the thought. These types of challenges can lead to several hard choices. We all want to be […]
We love our pets, but like getting a new pet or going into voiceacting, we sometimes buy without considering the overall cost to maintain our new furry friends or a new business. If you’re a voice talent like me, we have to think about the long term. Will voiceacting return the love we put in […]
If you’re like me, your years on this Earth have brought you many opportunities and challenges. Opportunities can help us grow. Challenges can bring growth or failure in the end. In this post COVID-19 lock down existence, opportunities and challenges abound yet are elusive. So, instead of complaining about what’s next or challenging in […]
Have you ever been on your way following someone or something only later to find out that you were wrong? Well, I recently had that happen to me. A few days ago, I went on a bicycle ride with a new club. Strangely enough, halfway into the ride, I realized I was following the wrong […]
I’ve just returned from a lovely voiceover conference. It was my first real jaunt since the COVID-19 lock downs, so I was looking forward to the time away from my city. To my surprise, I learned something unexpected at the conference. Nothing new was added to my knowledge, but more of a reminder of the […]
How many times have you said in the last year, ‘What now?’ It’s incredible to me all the stuff I have to adjust to every week. As a voice talent and business owner, it seems that I’m constantly questioning the latest things. So how do you handle the constant daily changes in your voiceover business […]
Do you ever wonder what makes a quality voiceactor or narrator? There is no sure-fire predictor. Quality is forged in fire and effort, and top voice talents are no different. Let’s look at five of the most popular types of voiceover or VO enthusiasts that could lead to great voice talents. Curiosity Seekers The seekers […]
I don’t know about you, but I’ve learned that many changes and challenges have similar lessons. If you participate in sports, you know full well how sports can relate to business, even the voiceover business. With that, I’d like to tell you about my first adventure hiking. Hiking and voice acting are alike; you have […]
The voiceover industry is truly on a roller coaster ride. There is an incredible uptick in those seeking to get into voiceovers. There is the pressure to have a “studio quality” in-home recording space (competition), more online and at-home upgrades, and all of us need to up our game, again. The typical talent may feel […]
Last year, my view of yearly goals was a little different. This time, I’m considering a happy medium between just thinking up stuff in one’s head to written items in a plan. So, put on your thinking brain and consider these thoughts for making your voiceover and life goals for 2021. My thinking about goals […]
