What to Know Before Hitting Record
You did it! You auditioned for a gig and got cast! Time to sign whatever they send over and get to work, right? Wrong. Do not sign just any piece of paper that crosses your desk based on the lovely …
The Power of the Pause
Let’s pause for a moment. You’ve heard the phrase “pregnant pause.” How does a pause become pregnant—ripe with meaning, freighted with consequence, tingly with anticipation? A pause is not simply empty space between phrases, like the gap between words on …
Using Dialects to Build Authentic Video Game Characters
When I worked on Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, I played over forty different characters: Wildlings, Boltons, Stark Bannermen, Maesters-in-training, Nobles, and the everyday people of King’s Landing. And since the geography and culture of Westeros is based on the United …
It Doesn’t Have To Be So Scary!
It’s spooky season! Time for leaves to change colors, candy to be purchased in bulk, temperatures to drop (except in Texas, because fall is a myth here), and you to catch a fright from doing that very necessary but very …
Demos, Reels, and Samples: What’s The Difference?
At some point in every voice actor’s career, they need to start thinking about making a demo, a reel, or some samples. Oftentimes, people can get confused about the differences between these things and what they’ll need for different genres …
Adios, Imposter Syndrome!
According to the wisdom of the Internet, Imposter Syndrome is a persistent, unjustified feeling that one’s success is fraudulent. Imposter syndrome is characterized by doubt in one’s abilities—despite a record of achievement or respect from one’s peers—and a fear of …
When to Do a Signal Chain and Recording Environment Audit (And Why It Matters)
Ever find yourself second-guessing your sound? “What’s that weird noise I’m hearing?”“My recordings don’t quite sound right.”“Oh no… I’m not hearing anything at all.”“Is my audio quality ready for this big project?” If you’re a voice-over artist, you’ve probably asked …
Building a Booth…Anywhere!
When you tell someone you’re a voice-over actor, they might picture you standing in a sleek, high-tech studio with glass windows, glowing lights, and racks of gear. For some, that is reality (or it used to be before the pandemic) …
Authenticity in VO
“Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” – Sanford Meisner. That quote is a classic for a reason. It’s also the simplest way to think about authenticity in voice-over. Authenticity doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul on every …
Political Voice-over: Styles That Win Votes and Where to Book the Work
When election season rolls around, campaigns are in full swing. Candidates are racing to make their case to the public, and one of the most powerful tools they use is the political commercial. At the heart of every strong political …
Why? Navigating Motivation in VO
Do you ever get that itch? You know, the one when it’s mid-week, your inbox is empty, no casting calls you fit are up, and you feel like you’re Left On Read with agents? And, to top it off, your …
Superpower Your Career by Producing Your Own Content
The thing about being a creative in the entertainment world is: some days you feel like Wonder Woman, and other days you feel like you left your cape at the dry cleaner. Auditions slow down. Clients ghost. Casting says they …