Working on Voice
I've noticed many signs in my life last year. I've never been one to "look" for signs, and read into things too much. But I began reading a few books at the end of the year and each one of them had something about, "following your path". One day in December I sat back and began to reflect on the past year, and I noticed a few constants. I was constantly getting introduced to people in the Voice Over industry. I thought it was cool, and thought, "hell yah, that would be fun to do". But that's about it. Then I met Rob Paulsen one day at the Technicolor studios. One of my friends is a sound editor there, and allowed me the chance to come in and watch him "work".
Now, I wasn't sure who Rob was. All I knew, is that he was a successful Voice Over actor and he was one of the voices for the Animaniacs (one of my favorite after school shows). So in he comes, average looking guy with a twinkle of "I got this" in his eye. He was to do the voices of three characters in a video game. Two characters he's done before, and then a new one, that he hasn't seen before. He gets in the booth, reads off the page and his voice brings life to the words. Only 1 or two takes needed. First character down, second character down. All the meanwhile joking and laughing in between takes. The third character gets shown on the screen so he can see what it looks like. He immediatly has an idea for the voice, and tries it out. 2 takes later, he's got it. Amazing. He was in the booth for a max of 30 minutes. Job done, paid. It resembled nothing of work, only of a guy playing with his voice and having a fantastic time. He then came into the recording area and chatted with us for a while, and we asked him to do the voice from Animaniacs, he laughed and said he got that all the time, he started to sing the "Nations of the World" song from the show.
As he sang the song, a flood of memories came back to me. Sitting at home after school, eating mac & cheese and watching the animaniacs, followed by Ninja Turtles and Gargoyles. After he gave us a taste, he told us a few other voices we may remember, and sure enough. He was in all the shows I watched. He was more of a star to me than I could ever have imagined. I grew up watching pretty much everything he did.
I dare say, it was a life changing moment. My friend urged me to talk to him before he left. He said I may never get the chance again. So I built up some courage quite quickly and met him before he got on the elevator. I told him how much of a fan I was and how I JUST realized it. He laughed and expressed his gratitude. I then asked him, how I could begin. What was the best way for me to start a voice over career. He stated that me being there at that moment is years ahead of anyone just starting. He urged me to continue on "the path" that lead me there. Learn wherever I could, and just have fun. He stated that he wakes up at least once a week and laughs to himself that he does what he does. "It's not work, it's playing." he continues. "Can you believe I just got paid for that, a full days pay, and I have two more jobs later, full days pay." We talked a little longer, he shook my hand and went on his way.
I met these two through the same friend at the Tam O'Shanter (where I work) They are both down to earth and very cool people. It wasn't till about the 2nd or 3rd time I met them that I did the "hollywood thing" and looked them up on IMDB. Then I realized just how well known they both were. I will confess however, that I like meeting people as "people" first, and not knowing that they are "stars". It's nice to know you like someone for who they are and not what they do. And these two are very much that for me. Granted after I realized how successful they are, I am slightly more timid around them, although I try not to be, I think it's just a side effect. They wrote a book called Voice-Over: Voice actor. http://voiceovervoiceactor.com/
I immediately purchased it through their website and was very excited to read it. My first voice-over book, written by people I knew!! They were incredibly nice enough to sign the book and give it to me in person on St. Patty's day last year. I have to say, it felt pretty awesome. I read the book in two days and have since gone back to pages of it at least once a week. I am now, reading it from the start again. It's fantastic. And if you are "THINKING" about a career in Voice-Over, I suggest buying it.
So those are the BIGGEST signs. There still were many small ones here and there throughout the year.
Finally the kicker.
I've never been a fan of the "Hollywood scene", and don't like downtown L.A. much. Long story short, I met a friend of mine's cousins friends who happens to have an extra business card of his aunts in his pocket, My friend tells him about my voice-over interests, a conversation ensues and he hands me the card. "Be sure to call her" he says. So two days later, I call, and set up an interview. Come to find out she's Mary Ellen Lord with SBV (one of the top five casting agencies for Voice-Over in L.A) We talk for a while, she's very down to earth and I can see myself being represented by them. So she sends me to the studio with 5 scripts. I spend about 15 minutes reading them over, and "preparing". I go into the booth and have a blast with the scripts. Really felt good. It was so much fun that while I was in there I was thinking. I could definitely get use to this. I thanked everyone in the agency for there time, and the lady told me she would get back to me in a few days after she listened to the audition. A few days passed and I was very eager to hear from her. She sent me an e-mail saying that it was great meeting me, and she could tell that was definitely not new to acting, however she could tell that I was new to Voice-Over, and suggested a class to take.
Now, up till that point I had 3 other voice-over auditions that I also did not book. I thought. "What is it that I'm doing wrong?? After the audition, everything feels fantastic. I "feel" like I did great. So what am I missing?"
I decided to put my pride away, and sign up for the class. I must be missing something. So I signed up with Kalmenson & Kalmenson
It was expensive, but it is what was suggested to me, and the reviews online seemed great. I'm not one to take classes in L.A. due to all the horror stories I've heard about and witnessed. They are 90% scam/moneypits. But this one, this one was on my "path".
I learned within the first two classes exactly what I was doing wrong. I learned how people could tell I was new. Little things, little "tells". It's been 6 weeks and I have one more class left. I hope to be prepared and use everything I've learned to impress the casting director during this class. But here is what is funny. I've never been one to admit something like this. But I still don't feel "ready". I feel like I need more practice, like I can learn more. Unfortunately the price for such education is a bit ridiculous. I would love to take there next course and there animation course. But I feel I may want to try a new company. Maybe a more affordable company. At least that's where my mind is pulling me.
I am setting up a home recording studio and learning Adobe Audition, so that I can practice at home every day and hopefully start producing some little wav. files for you all to listen to. I also have a very exciting project in the works. But I can't tell you about that now. If you have lasted through this "book-like-blog" I commend you. I am not really writing it "for" anyone. But if it can help anyone, or if it holds enough interest for at least one person, then it's worth it. I am writing this to keep my thoughts in order, and to keep track of a year of success.
I leave you with this.
