sign up for our
NEWSLETTER

Home Shop Subscribe Advertise Articles Directories Classifieds Calendar FAQs Contact Us Login

VOICE ACTING
Be Proud, Go For In-Person Sessions:
Recipe For 'Out-Of-The Egg Surprise'
April 16, 2014

Note: On May 7, 2014, the author presents a new VoiceOverXtra webinar, Master Voice Over Dialogue, with hands-on coaching and directing on multi-character scripts. Details.

By 'Chef' Deb Munro
Voice Talent & Coach

Recipe for Out-Of-The Egg Surprise:
  • One highly skilled voice actor experienced in home recording
  • One local agent
  • One professional studio  
Mix in several clients who don't know what they want
Add a professional director
Combine until you're nice and nervous  
This recipe is for a voice talent who has hidden behind the microphone so to speak, by working at home and now looks for growth in the union or local market. 

There are many talent who, for many reasons, are not comfortable working with people face-to-face. 

Let's face it: a lot of people get into this industry because they don't have to be seen - or do they? 

I look at the online world as the Medium Market. It's not to say that there aren't a ton of large-scale projects out there, but for the most part, if you want the big nationals and large-scale projects, you need to work in the local large markets such as LA, NY, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, etc. 

WHY STAY IN SHELL?

If you're like me and most of your career was based online, you may be very intimidated to take it outside of your home studio. Why?

Perhaps you're so used to self directing that you are concerned about being directed and not getting it right. Many of us are perfectionists with the need to impress, so an unhappy client is devastating to us. It's much easier to stay at home and hide behind the mic. 

Yet this is a world of risk taking and allowing yourself to feel uncomfortable. And if you want growth, you may be faced with the challenge of exploring or moving to a larger market and joining a union. 

BREAK OUT - BE PROUD

In-person auditions and sessions can be very intimidating, but that's normal and is a necessary part of your growth. And look, no matter how great you are, you can't please everyone every time.

Find the honor in being called in and seek a way to have fun in the room. Even if you suck, if you're looking like you're having a great time, they will remember you because you made their experience better, too. 

Listen to directions, react and have a great time. Don't play mind reader. Just be a sponge and enjoy being in the room. 

Not everyone gets this opportunity! And keep in mind that you get paid to talk for a living. 

Quit looking for everyone's approval. We are insecure enough as it is! So don't add fuel to that fire. 

Be proud of YOU and we will celebrate with you. And remember that if you succeed in that room, you help your clients succeed, too. 
-----------------------------
ABOUT 'CHEF' DEB

Deb Munro is a leading and award-winning voice talent and coach, and recently moved to her new home and studio in Toronto. She offers private voice over coaching by phone and Skype, and workshops on voice acting, business and demo prep in many Canadian cities.

Email: deb@debsvoice.com
Web: www.debsvoice.com

Your Daily Resource For Voice-Over Success
Tell Us What YOU Think!
Please Note: Since we check for spam, there will be a slight delay in the actual posting of your comment.
Your Name:
Your Email Address (will not be published):
Your Comment:
Your Comment:
Security code:     
Comments (1)
Reuven Miller
4/16/2014 at 8:35 AM
Very true. In the final analysis, what we're selling is ourselves. No matter how big the market, it's the people-to-people relationships that make business what it is. People tend to go with who they know - especially if those whom they know can give them what they need, and in a pleasant, friendly manner. "Work" doesn't have to be such a grim, effort-driven affair. My compliments to the chef for such a nutritious and delicious recipe!
Back to Articles
Inspiring interviews help your VO career
For essential voice-over business strategies
Email alerts to new VoiceOverXtra articles
With Sean Daeley and Paul Stefano - check it out!