I get asked that question a lot. It’s no surprise, I didn’t know how to “get into” it either!
Like many, voiceover came to me later in life after falling disenchanted with the corporate world and was searching desperately for fulfillment and purpose in my work.
After losing my job, struggling to find work again, and enduring a devastating knee injury, I decided to follow my dreams and pursue voiceover!
I researched, got coaching, practiced (a lot), recorded demos, then started marketing to agents and potential clients, and the rest is a long road filled with many successes and failures. I’ve learned so much about business, branding, networking, customer service, and most of all myself.
Early on I was naive, as many aspiring voice actors and newcomers are. After producing my initial demos, I got representation from an agent. I was raw but they saw potential and had a recommendation from my coach at the time. I thought, “that’s it, I’ve made it! The jobs and money is going to start rolling in”. Boy, was I wrong. That was just the very tip, of the tip, of the iceberg. There was so much more to learn, so much that I had no clue about.
I poured everything into voiceover. Time, money, recreational activities, sleep, nights, and weekends. It became a part of my life, not a job. TV became a thing of the past, there was no time for unproductive activities. Watching sports became a rarity, and for those that have known me prior to VO, they know that’s BIG. I was the guy that knew way too much about the current happenings in every major sport. Besides hockey. I’m a Floridian, need I say more?
I joined Facebook groups and read and asked questions regularly. I became friends with other talent and leaned on them for advice. I found the Global Voice Academy (GVAA) and took classes and got coaching. This organization has played a much larger role in my success, development as an actor, entrepreneur, and person. But that’s for another blog, another time.
I auditioned, a lot, and didn’t book most of them. I learned from them and applied those lessons to future auditions. I marketed to potential clients, booked some work, saved money, spent it on business expenses, rinse and repeat. I learned everyday, still do, and accepted that this path was a journey and it would take time. It wasn’t easy and still isn’t.
Most importantly, I didn’t give up and continued with passion, persistence, and perseverance. The “3 P’s” needed in this business, as I like to say.
Along this journey, I’ve made some amazing friends and even people I consider family. The quality of people and comradery in this industry is next to none and a refreshing change from the fast paced, kill or be killed culture in so many industries today.
I’ve learned so much about business, branding, networking, customer service, and most importantly, myself. Voiceover has shaped who I am, it’s challenged me in way I never thought possible, it’s changed my perspective on life and how to live it, it’s brought me more culture and appreciation for the arts, and it’s made me a better person.
I’m so glad I “got into” voiceover.