Inspiration For Voice Actors – by Carl Bishop
Inspiration for voice actors doesn’t come easy. It’s often hard to stay focused and keep all the plates spinning. We work alone. We handle all aspects of our business from the financial stuff to the performance part of the job. It’s a lot of work. It takes focus and dedication. But the good news is there is a large and generous community at our fingertips willing to help.
Get online and reach out
Professional organizations like WoVo and Voiceoverxtra offer tons of advice and information. Both novice and seasoned pros can benefit from perusing these sites. Bloggers, like myself, offer our knowledge and experience on these platforms, so check them out. Also, it pays to take time to reach out to those bloggers and ask questions. I’m more than happy to share what I know.
Ask Questions
When you ask questions, you’re making yourself vulnerable. For that reason, many people just don’t ask. To be truly successful in voice over, you have to admit to yourself and the community that you don’t know it all. If you think you know all you need to know, I think you’re cheating yourself. I got an email from an experienced voice actor who read a recent blog post of mine. They wanted more information and asked a follow-up question, and now they know more about the topic than those who didn’t reach out.
Be flexible with goals
Setting specific goals is important, but always be ready to pivot. Sometimes, while on the way to the original goal, a new and better destination emerges. It’s important to keep an open mind and follow the fork in the road. But, be care full to ask yourself periodically if this new path is worth it.
Slow and Deliberate
My best friend from childhood died 11 years ago today. He was whip-smart, funny, charming, and one of the most generous people I’ve ever known. We met when we were toddlers and remained dear friends until his death. While he was receiving treatment for his cancer, he started a foundation for cancer research that has grown to become important and impactful. He knew the research may not help him in time, because, in his words: “breakthroughs are not likely to be ‘Eureka’ moments but a slow and deliberate process.” I remember that every day when I go to my studio and get to work.
