Getting started as a Voice Actor | Focus, Time, Friends

How's that Leap of Faith treating you?

Dec. 31st 2014 was my last day waiting tables. Now begins my 4th month surviving in LA as an Actor. 8 years in LA, and I am finally able to pay bills (high bills) with my skills. Bills with Skills! I don't know, that was fun to say again. So this "leap of faith" is nerve-racking, exciting, and insane. Every day I wake up I check my phone to see if the work I did the day before has gotten me anywhere. It's that small feeling of Holiday anticipation. 

Last time I posted about my new website, a new demo and a new outlook on life. In January, because of my demo, I was asked back in to where it all started, SBV. I met with everyone there, and they signed me!! It was a dream come true. Mary practically set me on this path of VO, was sent away twice to continue growth and NOW she's my agent (and I'm still growing).

Dedication, Focus, Hard Work, and NEVER giving up. I've been receiving amazing auditions ever since and just last month, on St. Patty's day of all days. I booked with McDonalds! Three TV spots and a Radio spot! It was an incredible full circle! EVEN MORE so, 3 years ago on St. Patty's day at the Tam O'Shanter, Yuri and Tara handed me their book, Voice Over Voice Actor. Back then I was just starting, with no professional equipment no agent and no idea what I was getting myself into, just hope.  This past St. Patty's they both joined me there once again, and we raised a glass to the days incredible booking. (*Note Tara raised some water) It meant a lot more to me than just a cheers to a great day. It was a feeling of gratitude and grace. I've been working my little buns off, and the people I have met, that I look up to, and learn from, have been true leaders and friends. I raise a glass (of wine) to that. 

Remember your Journey.

I will say this. If you are reading this at the beginning of your career, if you have the same hopes I did 3 years ago. I implore you to go back to the beginning of this blog. Not THIS blog, but of this journey of blogs. I went back today and read through what I had written three years ago. I noticed all the "beginner" mistakes I was making and then writing down on my journey. The little "success" I was making back then, felt amazing and when I read them now, I think "Silly boy". But to be honest, I was not silly, I was learning. With the very little money I had, and the serious "no clue" about the business. I realize that's why I started keeping track of my journey. So that I can always REALLY remember where I have come from. So beginners can start reading, and gain a hope and a reality check. This is my 4th year, and only ON this year do I feel like I've made considerable progress. I also, still feel like i'm at the beginning. Stronger & More professional but still just starting! A little voice fledgling in the vast world of opportunity. Making new connections each month, and plotting my next course of action. I have 5 agents for voice over now. Each one is sending me incredible opportunities daily.  But the competition is SO incredibly fierce in this business. There are so many talented Voice Actors. I will not allow myself to stop getting better. 

It Can NOT be done alone

Make friends with talented Voice Actors. We all spend upwards of 10 hours a day in our studio's. Auditions, emails, projects, recording. Many hours are spent trying to figure out how to book that next job. Well all the other professional actors out there are doing the same thing. With all the knowledge combined you can all achieve success faster. Think about it. If I make 5 mistakes this week, and you make 5 mistakes this week and she makes .. you get the point, and then we all get together and talk about our weeks. I will learn from yours and you will learn from mine, effectively saving us time in the long run. AND interacting with each other! A voice actor who simply hermits up and rarely goes out, has less ammo than those that interact. Life gives us the energy and the passion to continue living. Through networking and FRIENDS, opportunities and jobs WILL come your way. When you aren't asking for them, when you aren't hoping they will. If you are doing your job, and everyone else is doing their job. Opportunities arise. One of your clients may ask you if you know anyone that could voice this or that. They ask you, because they like working with you, and they figure, a friend of yours will be just as good, just as great to work with. If you have no friends to offer them, no one as talented as yourself. That opportunity disappears, they will never present more for you down the road. However, if you do happen to suggest someone, and that person wows them, two things happen. 1) They will ask you again the next time they have a need and you get to help out another friend.  2) That friend, will remember that. And you will be on the top of their list when one of THEIR clients does the same thing down the road. Work begets Work and so does good grace.  Here is an example of one of the most recent jobs I've booked through this very thing. I must thank Tim Tippets for sending the audition to his talented friends when his client asked. All the Voice Actors that booked, including Beau Stephenson, James Lax and myself are friends. (You may have to watch it on Vimeo) 

This Is Your Moment. Avant. from VES Creative on Vimeo.

I wish the best to each and every one of you. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and never hesitate to reach out. We will all rise together! www.JayPreston.com

Here's another recent video from my friends at Next Quest! I voice 3 characters in this episode. Such a blast: