VOICE ACTORS

BRUCE NIX

VOICE ACTORS

GETTING CANDID WITH THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY

SEPTEMBER 2025

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BRUCE NIX

VOICE ACTORS

GETTING CANDID WITH THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY

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MY NAME IS BRYAN ROCES. I'M A SINGER, ACTOR, VOICE ACTOR, AND PRODUCER BASED IN SASKATCH- EWAN, CANADA!

OVER INDUSTRY.

I kind of fell into it. I always knew I wanted a creative career. Growing up, I was heavily involved in musi- cal theatre, dance, and acting for film and TV. I dis- covered voice acting through my favourite cartoons and anime-it blew my mind that you could bring animated characters to life using just your voice.

That sparked my interest, so I started taking classes, workshops-anything I could find to learn more. Eventually, I took a step back to focus on school, and a couple of years later, I ended up working as a radio producer. In 2019, I decided to return to voice-over part-time, and I've been steadily building my career ever since.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I had the chance to meet Jess Harnell, Maurice LaMarche, and Rob Paulsen at the Calgary Expo in 2013. I grew up watching Animaniacs, so meet- ing the voices behind some of my favorite child- hood characters was an absolute dream. Jess Harnell, in particular, really inspired me and made a huge impact on the start of my career.

I chatted with him for a bit and told him I was interested in pursuing voice-over professionally. What re- ally stuck with me was that when he came back two years later, he actually remembered me--and again, even three years after that. He's such a genuine guy, and I'm incredibly grateful for his encouragement and those interactions. They played a big role in mo- tivating me to pursue this path.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVER-

COME THE CHALLENGES.

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY IN- One of the biggest challenges I've faced in this indus- TRODUCE YOURSELF.

try was overcoming my fear of failure. For most of WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR? my life, I was focused on doing everything perfectly, which made it hard to take risks. But when I started my voice-over journey, I realized that failure is part of the process-it's how you grow and improve.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE I've learned to embrace mistakes and treat them as opportunities to learn. If you're unsure about some- thing, ask questions. There's always more to discover. Voice-over is a marathon, not a sprint. If you stay curious, keep learning, and aren't afraid to stumble along the way, you'll keep moving forward and even- tually master your craft.

ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE your mental health is essential. Taking care of your TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

Oh man, it would be a dream to work with Dante Basco-whether on a show like Avatar: The Last Air- bender or in a film. I'm Filipino, so collaborating with a fellow Filipino actor on a project would be incred- ibly meaningful to me

Another person I'd love to work with is Mark Hamill. He's such an incredible actor, especially in the world of animation. I've watched interviews where he talks about how he finds voices for his characters, and it's fascinating to hear his creative process. From the Joker to Firelord Ozai to Chucky-it's amazing what he can do with his voice. I really admire that level of skill and creativity, and I aspire to become a per- former like him someday.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU For 2025, my main focus is mastering my weakness- ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Right now, I'm focused on several areas of voice- over, including commercial work, character roles for video games and animation, dubbing, as well as explainers and eLearning projects. As of this inter- view, I'm also diving into imaging and learning a lot from it.

I'm really enjoying the process of exploring differ- ent voice-over genres. It's been exciting to discover new skills and find my voice in various spaces. I'm grateful for where this journey is taking me and look forward to what's next.

A good voice actor is open to making mistakes and having fun with the process. Don't be too hard on yourself-if you mess up, just try again. It's all part of the journey. Always listen to your coaches; they know the ins and outs of the industry, and they genuinely want you to succeed. Never stop learning from them.

But perhaps the most important thing I've learned is to take care of yourself. Your health and your voice are your instrument, so you need to treat them with care. Finding balance in your life and prioritizing body is just as important as honing your craft.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I have a warm, youthful tone in my voice, which makes me a good fit for PSA work and upbeat, fun reads for commercials. I really enjoy those types of projects. At the same time, I'd love to explore other areas like working with accents and creating mon- ster noises. I'm excited to see what other possibilities I can discover with my voice.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

es and continuing to grow. I've been diving into the marketing side of voice-over with the help of VO- prenuer and learning a lot from their Playbook. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.

I'm also studying Imaging with the fantastic coach Harry Legg, and I'm really enjoying the process. There's so much to learn in this genre, and I look forward to the day I can release my demo and start exploring new opportunities.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

While it's not voice-over related, I'm excited to share that I'll be auditioning for Grease the Musical with Broadway North Theatre Company, and the show is set to happen in the summer. If I'm offered a role, it's going to be a busy but exciting summer, and I'm really looking forward to it.

As for voice-over work, I'm not able to share anything specific at the moment, but once those projects are released, I'll be sure to announce them on my social media!

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

You can find more about me and my work on my website at bryanrocesvo.com. Feel free to reach out to me via email, or you can follow me on social media @ bryanrocesvo to stay updated on what I'm working on.

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF. My name is Cary Hite. PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I've had an interest in voiceover since watching cartoons as a kid. Once I started acting, the road to get into this part of the industry opened up. At the behest of an agent, I went to an audition for Audible, booked the projects (four in total), and haven't looked back since.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICEOVER INDUSTRY.

I was on a roadtrip. The driver, instead of music, plays a Harry Potter audio- book. I took that as my cue to sleep - until I heard the performance of the narrator (the incomparable Jim Dale). I remember saying that I'd love to do that one day. I end up in a NYC stu- dio, some years later, and the producer of my project asks if I'd like to meet the person that narrated the Harry Potter books (who was recording in an adja- cent studio). I immediately said yes and was able to tell Jim Dale, to his face, how he inspired me to be a narra- tor. Serendipitous. TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

The current fight is the continued usage of hu- man voices over Al. I get contracts for each project I voice and I noticed there wasn't specific language stipulating my voice wouldn't be used for ma- chine learning or Al duplica- tion. That particular publisher created an addendum to assuage my concerns. Before long, every publisher with whom I work had similar protective language in their contracts.

ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?

I'd love to voice a long-form nature documentary. That's definitely a goal of mine.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CUR- RENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Aside from audiobooks, I'm focusing on network promos and animation projects.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

Being a great storyteller. Having a "great" voice is nice but not a requirement of being a good voice actor. It's all in the storytelling.

Pree

NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I still prefer to show up to the studio. Noth- ing replaces working with an engineer in the session. They are your first audience, your first ears. When they're engaged in the story with you, they're an invaluable collaborator.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I like several types. I MUST, however, highlight audiobook narration! I've voiced commercials, I've voiced games, I've voiced e-learning modules and so forth, however, being able to bring an entire story to life, verbally, and have the listeners feel it and take that same journey with you - epic.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICEOVER ACTOR?

So much admin. I don't have an assistant so all the emails I receive, I'm the one respond- ing. All the social media posts, created by me. The public appearances I make, arranged by me. There isn't enough time in the day for all of it but, as an entrepreneurial entity, I have to book all projects, appearances, & travel myself.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANY- ONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

GET COACHING!!! I cannot stress that enough. As I've said previously - & will con- tinue to preach - being a master storyteller is mist important in this industry.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICEOVER ACTOR?

An excellent storyteller.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

I'll be narrating a bevy of stories for audiobooks. I'm looking to expand my talents into network promo work, animation, and video games.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CUR- RENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I have to adhere to an NDA contract for the majority of projects I accept. I can say I've had an amazing time bringing them to life.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICEOVER WORK, HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My website is - www.caryhite.com. On social media - IG & LinkedIn - I'm @CaryHite

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?

I narrate for the historically muffled and silenced voices in our commu- nity. I narrate for those that never graduated from elementary school. I narrate for those that spent a time in the streets but got their GED. I narrate for the college-educated brothers and sisters. I narrate for every low-income housing fam to the silver-spoon benefactors be- cause storytelling is transcendent.

caryhite.com

PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Kia ora Fusion readers!!! It's tubularly rad to get to chat with you in this interview! Thank you so much Fusion team for inviting me to chat with you! My name is Chloë Elmore (the umlaut is just a bit of spicy pizzazz) and I am a New Zealand voice actor, working full-time from my beautiful custom-made recording studio here in the lush countryside of Middle Earth! To get the numbers out of the way, I'm 32 years old and I've been pursuing VO part-time for 11 years, but I've been doing it full- time as my only source of income for 3 years.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED?

Let's start at the very beginning, it's a very good place to start... I'm so glad print media doesn't let you hear me sing that, hah! Although... I'd voice it in my best sultry, seductive femme fatale voice and you would re- ally dig that! Anyway, I digress. So, I mentioned that I've been pursuing VO for 11 years, but it really started in my teens. As a homeschooler, I didn't have the opportu- nities that other kids have - like drama classes or singing lessons at school, etc. so I was a late bloomer. But I was going through a huge amount of trauma through my young years and was severely suicidal, having at- tempted it as an 11 year old. I was painfully shy - a vessel empty of confidence and stuffed full of self-hate.

I just wasn't at the same life stage of a lot of kids my age. I was both more mature and more stunted. I know that my trauma aged me in many ways, ulti- mately shaping me for incredible good - both per- sonally and for my craft. My pain and subsequent healing journey have been my most potent form of Actor Training. Through greater self-awareness in recovery, I got to the heart of why I wanted to act and perform. Yes, partly to escape the unbearable pain of my personal life and to wear the skin of a fictional character (even with their own pain) be- cause my own struggles were too much. But also, because I wanted to live life to the full. To live on the frontlines of life. In the trenches, with my fel- low humans. To stop numbing myself and checking out of life, but to really become more fully human -spirit, soul, relationships and all. Acting is my avenue to feeling most truly human.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

There were a few moments that were very decisive in my choice to pursue the VoiceOver industry. One negative, one positive. Firstly, the negative factor was during drama school (before the Me Too Movement, it's important to note) where the "con- nection exercises" left a prudish Christian home- schooling virgin feeling sullied and compromised beyond all recognition. I saw that if I continued in an industry that demanded profanity and nudity for 99 out of 100 jobs - "OR ELSE" - then I was going to become a person that I never recognised. Keep in mind, I had just started to discover the true Chloë. And I could not risk losing her, having just found her. I needed to be truly faithful to my inner compass, and screen & stage acting were un-mak- ing me and reshaping me into someone I did not like. But voice acting opened up such a liberating horizon to explore deep vulnerability and raw emo- tions while avoiding nudity and not exposing my body (with which I still had a very hate-filled relationship at the time). Voice acting allowed me to perform with full freedom, unshackled by fear of judgements about my body.

Secondly, there was a positive determinant: one of many must say. We did some deep breathing exer- cises at drama school. Gosh, I'm glad they warned us that when you "breathe into your groin," some deep memories and traumas can resurface, since they are stored in the lower abdomen and can be unlocked by breathing. The more breath work we practiced, the more I found my authentic voice and the more my bizarre vocal affectations fell away. As well as my timid, aspirate vocal quality, and the more I realised that the area of the Voice was my heart's desire. I read a book by Patsy Roden- burg, the Head of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, called "The Second Circle," which unpacks the key to unlocking your power and the inspired life that comes with it. Patsy Rodenburg dissects three basic ways human energy moves between people. In the second of these 'circles', you are focused, you give out energy and you receive it. And by working on your breath, posture, voice, language, listening skills, focus, courage and trust you can access the second circle on a daily basis.

After reading that book, I was never the same again. And while I didn't realise at the time, but I had found my life calling.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

Heck yes!! A total dream would be to work with Ben Starr in a AAA video game. I have voiced for Warframe, but it was 'Koumei and the Five Fates', not '1999' in which he played Arthur.

But still! I was close! I would love to voice a lead char- acter in a Final Fantasy - but I mean, who wouldn't! One awesome dream that happened just a month ago was being flown to Chicago to act in an audio drama and all 30+ of the cast were voicing in the same studio with each other for a whole 9 days of pure bliss!! Yeah, it wasn't a huge game and they weren't names you'd know, but they are my people, my family, and hang- ing in the same hotel and going to restaurants every night, chatting in the hotel hot tub, and laughing until our abs ached was a massive dream for this little kiwi. It's rare to ever meet your castmates, let alone record in the same room with them, so I was so blessed! I am so content with how my career is skyrocketing, but I do want to reach the stars, of course! I have realised so many dreams of working on national commercials across America, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, but I would love to become a long- running 'Brand Voice' for a big company. That kind of legacy would be such an honour. Those brand voices shaped my secluded homeschooling childhood and gave me so much comfort and connection growing up.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CUR- RENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I am focused on all of it, hah. Video games, animation, audio dramas, commercials, corporate narrations. All of it. Definitely video games is front and centre for me. I would crawl over broke glass on most days in order to get cast in quality video games. Especially AAA. Tragically, I can't yet work on many US jobs since I don't have a SSN. Not YET. And that's a firm requisite for the LA and NYC scenes - which are where all the AAA games get produced. So I definitely have a far worse handicap than the vast majority of English- speaking voice actors in the world, since they are based in America. I definitely have my eyes peeled on commercials, since I find them so so fun and far less damaging to my vocal cords than video games and anime, etc. Also, they are a tidbit easier to do from outside the USA and UK. I work in many different accents, so I pinch a lot of work from those countries and get to voice some amazing content! I tend to get quite a few luxury car spots. Currently, at the time of this interview, my voice can be heard on national commercials for Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, and MG in New Zealand and the UK. So I've got my beady eyes on that automotive arena. But honestly, I believe that what- ever plants itself in my lap or comes across my path is meant to be. And at the moment, I'm so blessed to say that's most genres of VO. **I am engaged in a hard- core pursuit to be a Swiss Army knife voice actor.**

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

My plans and dreams for 2025 are grand and expan- sive, but also, I am just taking things one day at a time and I am wearing my dreams like a loose garment. Maybe my 2025 visions and hopes will happen this year, maybe the next or the one after that. And that's totally okay. I feel so so blessed to have the opportuni- ties I'm getting each day, so I feel very content. What- ever happens happens. As long as I can continue "be- ing a joy to work with," as Maurice LaMarche advised me, then I will keep getting maximum bliss out of my job! I just came back from America a couple of weeks ago, having been a presenter at VO Atlanta 2025, so I am hoping you'll hear me at Dallas One Voice Confer- ence as a speaker. I'll be heading to PAX Melbourne in Australia as a speaker in the video game space and to the NZ Game Developers Conference too. And on top of the awesome VO opportunities that I am blessed with, I will be starting to coach VO this year, officially realizing my very first dream from drama school of helping people find their authentic voice and find their freedom and presence in VoiceOver.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Oh gosh, so many exciting things at the moment, a lot of which I can't yet disclose. BUT I am recently released from NDA, so I can officially say I've had the total joy of voicing in the AAA video game 'Path of Exile 2, an action role-playing game developed by Grinding Gear Games and sequel to the long-running 13-year-old original POE. You can hear me as two of the beautiful Lead Class characters: the ballsy, rebellious Yorkshire Huntress as well as the sarcastic, Stoical British Ranger. You can check out the newly- released gameplay trailer for Dawn of the Hunt on YouTube, which had 4 million views in the first few days of release. I am super proud of being a part of the POE family and being embraced by such a passionate and kind community of gamers! Also, just released yesterday - I've voiced the fan-favourite Boss "Monsi- gnor Loskid" in Soulslike ARPG 'AI Limit!

CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

If anyone wants to follow along with my career, I'll attach my list of Social media links, since I love to stay active and keep it fun and interesting for my followers!

www.chloevoices.com

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?

Slow and Steady Wins the Race! Love what you do and do what you love. And don't take rejection personally. 'Develop the heart of a child, the mind of psychotherapist, and the hide of a rhinoceros. And stay connected some good people in this industry. The rejection and isolation get too hard otherwise. I see this industry as a Connection Industry not a Rejection Industry.

PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

My name is Chris Johnson and I am a profes- sional Voice Actor based in Los Angeles. I have been involved with Voice Acting for the last 11 years.

HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

In 2014, I was working at an advertising agency and gave a presentation to a client. I was approached afterward and asked if I had ever thought about doing Voice Acting...which I had not. Two days later another person asked me the same question, out of the blue, so I started to ask myself if I SHOULD be thinking about it. I was in a band at the time and wasn't a stranger to performing, but pursuing something like Voice Acting never crossed my mind. I did a little research and found a 4 hour "Intro to Voice Acting" class which I decided to give a shot. I immediately fell in love with it and started tak- ing more and more classes from there.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

When those colleagues brought up Voice Act- ing in the span of a couple days all those years ago, I think it sparked something in me that I had never fully explored. I knew I had always loved music and singing so my involvement with that was a no-brainer, but I had never let my mind explore the possibility of using my voice in animation or commercials or anything else really. I knew it was a job that existed, but it always seemed like something other people did for a living and while it seemed like a lot of fun...that was for them, not me. It turns out, it was definitely for me, I just needed that initial synchronistic spark

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

This whole journey has been inspirational, but if I want to take it back to when seeds were planted...one of the first times I I remember being fully aware of a Voice Actor's performance was when I watched Aladdin when I was around 10 or 11 years old.

I remember sitting on my couch, being com- pletely enamored by the scene when the genie is first released from the lamp. Robin Williams cracking jokes at break-neck speed while the animations did their best to keep up was pure magic. I remember rewinding the VHS count- less times, trying to memorize all the beats and quirks of his delivery. While it didn't dawn on 11 year old me at the time that I wanted to do that, in hindsight it was definitely a mo- ment in time that drew me in and planted the seeds that would take root many years later.

CHRIS JOHNSON

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

This industry is very challenging on many levels, some you can foresee and others that pop up along your journey. You are a one- person business in this industry, responsible for not only your own performances and craft, but also your own marketing, invoicing, networking, technical setup and know-how and everything else it takes to run a successful business.

This can certainly be an uphill battle. I was fortunate to have worked in the corporate world and dealt with invoices, client interac- tions, contracts and networking...but I did not have an acting background. I knew this would be a large hill for me to climb, so when I started out, I didn't look for work for the first couple of years. Instead, I took class after class after workshop after workshop so I could develop my skills and make sure I was "ready" when I started looking for work.

You have to take an honest look at yourself and your skills early on and work on the areas where you may need some extra support.

Once I eventually transitioned out of the corporate world and began doing Voice Acting full-time, I also found challenges I didn't ex- pect. One was getting used to working alone every day. I had worked with colleagues in an office for years and going from that, to locking myself in a padded room by myself all day... was an unexpected adjustment

ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

Collaborating with any Voice Acting royalty from my childhood would be absolutely amaz- ing and some of the amazing Voice Actors I have met and worked with thus far have also made the work so fulfilling. I tend to answer "everyone" to this question not as a dodge, but there are so many talented folks in this industry and you never know who you are going to have great chemistry with, so I just keep the doors open to any and all opportuni- ties and feel fortunate when my path crosses with others.

As far as a particular project, I would like to be part of something that lives on beyond my career. Whether that be an iconic animated character in a video game or a TV show or an impactful advertising campaign, it would be really fun to have a performance impact people beyond my time.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I pride myself on being versatile. I have done commercial work, video games, audiobooks, eLearning, on-hold messaging, promos, corporate tutorials, narration, etc. So I am perpetually focused on putting myself in front of people and projects who think my voice and performances can be a fit, no matter the Voiceover genre. I am always learning, evolv- ing and developing as an actor.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

There is a constant buzz in the entertainment industry. There are always so many amazing projects that are at various stages of develop- ment and it gives the industry a certain life and energy that can be a lot of fun to be a part of. There are so many talented creative people, striving to tell stories that excite them and can teach us so much about ourselves both individually and collectively. Being at a point in time that makes it technologically possible for people to consume these stories in so many ways, is very exciting.

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?

There is a lot of great work being done. In the movie space, I admire the Voiceover work from films like Toy Story, Shrek and Her. In the commercial space, branded work by the likes of Jon Hamm for Mercedes is really well done and as I mentioned earlier, I do have a soft spot for all of those great cartoons of the 90's and early 2000's that entertained me when I wasn't even thinking about Voice Acting. When the character and work shines through and you are just entertained, you know they are doing a great job.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR

Contrary to popular belief...it is not all in the voice. The reality is, that this industry has the need and the space for all types and qualities of voices. I always tell people that it is a low- ercase "v" in voice and a capital "a" in acting. Acting is the foundation. If you have the most amazing smooth and rich voice, but don't de- liver believable and connected performances, it likely isn't going to work out. A good Voice Actor will put in the time and work to learn the craft. The learning never stops either, so it is also important for Voice Actors to continu- ally be open to their own evolution and open- minded to try new things. Also, persistence.

I tell new and upcoming Voice Actors that there are times when persistence is more important than skill. Even for people who are incredibly talented, there will be times where no matter what you do, it feels like you can't book a job. It makes you question your talent, your path and can be very mentally taxing. Finding ways to persist and power through those moments, is key.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

The genres in which I am hired the most are commercials, corporate narration, and eLearn- ing...however, I have done work in all sorts of genres. I really enjoy more character-driven work, so whenever I can be part of projects like audio dramas or video games, it is always a fun time. It is important for me to remain versatile, so I do like to focus on many differ- ent niches

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025?

The exciting (and potentially terrifying) part about this industry is that sometimes, you don't know what is right around the corner. Sometimes you will have on-going projects but that big commercial or breakout role, may be an audition that you get next week. I like to focus on controlling the things that I can control...which includes making sure I am at the top of my game, that my materials are cur- rent and updated, and that I am being honest with myself. That way, when those opportuni- ties do present themselves, I know that I am ready to give it my best shot.

ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I have some regional commercial work that is running across the country currently and I am working on some eLearning material for some pharmaceutical clients. I do have some other work that I am barred from discussing via NDA agreements, but I hope to be able to discuss those very soon!

My name is Danielle Harris and I am a voice actor.

I got started in the voice over in- dustry in 2020. Contrary to what some may think, the pandemic was not the reason I started at that time.

VOICE

OVER

DANIELLE HARRIS

I had been working in govern- ment for over a decade and just had our first child. I was on maternity leave and looking back, I believe it was partially postpar- tum, but I was really depressed about going back to a job I hated. It was tough because I was an essential worker during the pandemic, and I should've felt extremely I had a job to y grateful of h go to regardless of how I felt. But when I would look at at my daughter, it would really make me think about my future and all the things I haven't done or haven't accomplished. I actually attempted to start in voice over about 10 years prior to 2020 but life life got in the way and back then, I only thought of it as a hobby and didn't know much about the industry.

There are two different moments where I was inspired to be a part of the voice over industry. The first was when I was a teenager. Because that was the time, I grasped the idea that there were people (actors) voicing all the cartoons, puppets, and anime characters I grew up watching. When you could start research- when you Start research- ing online to find out who voiced something, that's what I would do and realize that there were a lot voicing a lot of of actors that were v the things I loved to watch, and it was so cool! I distinctly remember saying to myself out I loud, "I would love to do something like THAT!"

"Looking back, I think i kit was also the anonymity of it that I fell in love with too because I've always kept to myself and like to do things behind the scenes.

The second moment I felt inspired was the 'ah ha' moment and I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on maternity leave and my daughter was about 2 months old.

My family and I were sitting around the din- ing table, talking, laughing and I was goofing around and voicing what I thought my daughter would say based off her expression. Kinda like the movie 'Look Who's Talking' with Bruce Willis, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. We were all cracking up and BOOM I had that feeling like I need to do some research on voice over. It's weird I know, but that's when I really got seri- ous. And here we are today.

One of the challenges I face is the typical impos- ter syndrome. I feel so blessed and grateful to be doing what I am doing. But there are times when it's slow to book work or even I book work, and I find myself thinking am I good enough and if the client is happy with the work I've done. But I usually get over it and keep it moving. It's an insecurity but I tell myself this is a subjective industry. I cannot please everyone and all I can do is my best. Some clients may choose to re-cast, or some will be ecstatic with my performance and come back for more. It is what it is. I just focus on what I can control and that is me and my mindset.

The other challenge is the work like balance. I now have two beautiful children that are absolute handfuls. I'm sure all the parents understand. I'm home with them all day while my husband is at work and I have to meet their needs, manage the home and manage my voice over business. Shout out to all the stay at home parents. It is not easy. But again, I focus on what I can control and make things as easy as I can for myself. Things like Instacart, lawn care and professional home cleaning services have really helped my sanity. My mother is also the best because she helps a lot when I have a session, or I need to run errands.

I can't think of any one person I would love to work with. There's too many. But it would be a dream come true to voice a character for DC, Marvel and Disney animation as well as a cool videogame. I'm also open for dubbing anime if the characters right. All of that would be a huge accomplishment for me. Outside of character work I also love Promo and would love to do live announcing.

Right now, I do a lot of commercial work which I also love. Commercial and corporate work. When Political spikes I also get a bit of that as well. I'm an advocate of working where you fit in the market. Right now, this is what people want my voice for and that's cool because I enjoy it! I've also done quite of a bit of explainers and eLearning in the past.

When I think of Hollywood Entertainment I think of my childhood and my dad. We have always been movie lovers and movie goers. I enjoy the experience as a viewer and I love a good story and great writing. Back in the day there were amazing stories that set a lot of movies up for today. I have more appreciation for acting, storytelling, writing and casting today be- cause of what I do. Understanding all the work that goes into all of it. It makes it even more thrilling to watch. I've never been to Hollywood. That's another bucket list.

When I think of voice overs from Hollywood the first thing that pops up for me is Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland. The old animations. The voice acting in those are a part of my core memories. I watched them all the time with my sister when I was little. I still do today. Such great acting and range. Those movies still hold up today and the acting was phenomenal. I would love to be a fly on the wall and see how they were directed and how they performed.

What makes a good voice actor is the ability to understand acting, improv, and know that you are performing. Connect with the copy and continue to grow. You do not have to be the most talented or be able to do a million different voices. You need to understand how to perform to make whoever is lis- tening feel something or whatever they are supposed to feel. Being able to take direction is key as well as knowing how to self-direct because those jobs are out there too. Also, a voice actor needs to have good business sense and understand the industry. That alone is a competitive edge and shouldn't be skimped on.

My specialty in voice over right now is commercial. I love commercial and corporate. It's the most natural for me. But I want to challenge my comfort zone. I thoroughly believe that being too comfortable is a bad thing. I would love to get more character work. I do not have the ability to do a million different voices like Mel Blanc and other voice actors today, but I know I have the propensity for accents. That's something I am working to be more proficient in because I believe it will help with my range and just overall challenge me and make things more fun.

My website is danielleharrisvo.com. has all my information to contact, set a meeting as well as my demos, samples, projects I've worked on and socials.

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hey everyone! I'm Varian. I'm a bilingual (mandarin),voice actor based in Oakland, CA/ Bay Area.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

Honestly, I thank covid quarantine for open- ing the door of opportunity for me. I've always loved voice acting...even when I didn't know it was a thing or that someone was behind a voice of a character I loved grow- ing up. I just never knew how to go about getting into it or learning about it, because I didn't know anyone involved in it. So when quarantine happened, Voiceover was one of the first few industries that pivoted to online and that opened the door for me and many others alike.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I don't know if there was one particular mo- ment. I've essentially wanted to be involved in voice acting and voiceover since I was a kid but being born into a family of educators and essentially an Asian household, creative endeavors were encouraged as a hobby, but never nurtured as anything more than that. However, I've always been stubborn and pas- sionate about things and people I love....so eventually I found my way to voiceover, but I wasn't actively looking or searching for a way in. For a very long time, it was out of sight, out of mind for me. The one thing that stayed constant and true, was my love for anima- tion....always loved it and still do, probably more now than ever before.

I knew I made the right decision to be in voiceover when even on my worst days, where nothing is clicking and I can't seem to get a read or character to work... whether in class or otherwise, I still feel excited and energized....like how one would feel when you have a really good workout session at the gym and you feel energized after a shower. That's how I knew....so I guess that helped with the inspiration.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

So to reference my answer from a previous question, I had this notion that my transi- tion into voiceover would be relatively easy since I've had experience as an emcee and a product specialist and I speak a lot for a Varian David living. Let me say this...I WAS ABSOLUTELY WRONG! Yes, certain skillsets may translate and overlap but voiceover and voice acting is a craft all in itself...with so many subgenres that all have different skillsets that you'd have to learn and master. I learned this really quick, so I started to sign up for classes and dedicated myself to learning the craft. The one thing I also love about the voiceover industry is the community. It has, by far, THE BEST community I've ever been a part of. Ev- eryone is so giving and willing to help if you have questions or need guidance.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?

Hahaha!! Do we have all day? Of course! Man...where do I start? Ok, let's start with actors I'd love to learn from and work with, Phil Lemarr, Khary Payton, Grey Delisle, Tara Strong, Eric Bauza, Bob Bergen, Dee Bradley Baker, Dante Basco (He's special because he was the first Asian I saw on TV that I related too on "Hanging with Mr. Cooper"...he had that hip hop swagger), Mark Hamil, Kevin Michael Richardson, Rob Paulsen, Maurice La- Marche, Frank Welker, Nancy Cartwright, Cree Summer, Michael Rosenbaum, Carl Lumbly.... This is just off the top of my head! Hahaha....

As for projects, I'm a huge comic book nerd so to be a part of the DC and Marvel universe in animation is a dream!! I'm technically part of the MCU....I was a featured extra in Ant-Man, so I'm technically cannon! However, I'd love to be in an original animated series and be an original character that is unique to me and my creativity, like The Simpsons, Futurama, etc.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I'm currently focused on being a better actor. That's what I'm working on. However I'm assuming you might be referring to genres of voiceover. I'm in it to win it...animation, commercials, promos, corporate narrations, I'm focused on working toward being a full time working voice actor.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

To quote my coach, Angela Malhotra, and every veteran in the industry....to be a good voice actor, you need to be a good ACTOR!

Voice Acting is ACTING...period! The actual character voice is like the very last thing that is even considered. However when we think voice acting, the first thing we go to is the voice...I'm guilty of that as well. Not the case! Bringing the character to life, to embody the character....that's priority. Now if you decided on a voice for your character, you need to be able to maintain that voice throughout the course of the entire session on top of that.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I would love to live in animation and promos, video games/interactive. I also enjoy doing "voice of god" and live announce work for live events. I love and currently working on creature work as well.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

I can't speak for anyone else but my- self. I wake up, part of my routine is to clear my nasal pas- sages, wash up and do vocal warmups. If I'm working a day job, I'm doing my vocal warmups in the car while driving where I need to be. Checking emails and working on auditions that come through. More often than none for me, most of the audi- tions I get have a quick turnaround and due the fol- lowing day. Time management is important... and I am still working on being better at that. Regardless of the fact, I still get all my audi- tions in on time or early if I can. I try and get a workout in if I can, depending on when I get done with everything. Then, rinse and repeat the next day and every day after that.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Take classes. Take a voice acting class. See if it's for you and if it is, work on being a good actor.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Understanding that in order to be a good voice actor, you need to be a good actor. Being able to access your emotions, to be able to visualize your environment because you are ALL ALONE in the booth. No one is with you. It's all on you...so being a good actor is priority number one.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR FROM YOU GOING FORWARD.

My plan for 2025, to be a better actor every day. To take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, be it working with people I want to work with, to be involved in proj- ects that excite me and to be more active in promoting myself and putting myself out there. I'm an introvert and my personality is to "fly under the radar", which is counter intuitive. Expect me to make more noise and to level up my game!

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Unfortunately there's nothing I can really share. Such is the life of a voice actor....NDAS are part of life. Hahaha....

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

I'm currently rebuilding my website from scratch. I chose to build my website initially using a small business that was a competitor to the bigger site building services. I love support- ing small businesses especially if they are by POC, AAPI, etc....because I'm a small business owner myself. I started a hot sauce brand on top of being a voice actor. Unfortunately, the company decided to call it quits, so now I have to reconstruct everything from scratch. How- ever, you can always reach me on socials:

Instagram/threads: @variandavid, tiktok: @ variandavidvo, ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?

I appreciate you taking the time to hear my story and have some idea who I am and why I love being a voice actor. If you're looking to be a voice actor, I hope I was able to give you some useful insight and advice.

KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

My name is DJ Dykes. I'm a professional voice actor who's been in the industry for almost five years. I'm represented by ACM Talent and VOX.

HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I stumbled into this career in 2020 while looking for a way to make money from home during the global pandemic

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

I honestly got started because my wife and I were looking for a decent work- from-home opportunity. I happened to see a YouTube video about voiceover and thought, "Hmm, I could totally do that." The rest is history.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE INDUSTRY

My original understanding of voiceover was the voices you hear on animation and movie trailers. I know it sounds intuitive, but I was honestly surprised when I learned that VO extends to so many other genres like commercial, TV promos, in-show narration. That was when I knew I could carve out my own spot in this vast industry.

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY

Frankly, I haven't encountered any major challenges; just small things here and there. I know that sounds like I had an easy path, but it's absolutely not the case. I simply have an unrelenting self-belief, and understand the power of small daily efforts. I've yet to face a challenge in this industry that makes me doubt my abilities. I also under- stood early on that voiceover is an entrepreneurial endeavor. That means you have to try and fail a lot and be proactive, don't lie around waiting for things to happen. So yeah, unrelent- ing self belief, 1% better everyday, and an entrepreneur mindset; I think those qualities are found in every successful voice actor, regardless of the genre(s) they specialize in.

ANY PROJECT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?

I don't have any particular project or people I would like to work with. I like to keep it loose and go with the flow. However, I keep a list of professional goals that I work toward. I aim to be the promo voice of a major network, and an A-list movie trailer VO.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

I always defer to Sanford Meisner's quote: "Acting is behaving absolutely truthfully under the imaginary circum- stance." Without a doubt, understand- ing who you are at the emotional level is the most important skill. Too many aspiring voice actors rely on their voices to do the heavy lifting. The game-changing discovery I made was that every facet of your performance - voice, expressions, gesticulations...all follow your emotions.

Develop your emotional recall. It will provide the lattice that supports your storytelling throughout the script.

NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERY- THING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

So, I joined the industry during the global pandemic, so I've only ever known remote recording. As such, it's just normal for me. Source Connect makes it possible to connect with anyone around the world and facilitates a high-fidelity recording session.

WHAT TYPE OF VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

So, I specialize in commercial, promo, trailers, and narration. I love having a new and different project to work on every day, and those genres offer that.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

A voice actor's day is ever-changing. I reserve mornings for the crazy amount of auditions I receive from ACM Talent and my agents. Then I offer VO coach- ing for an hour before lunch. In the afternoon, I knock out the second wave of auditions, spend time practicing my reads, do some marketing outreach, communicate with clients, etc. I adjust my schedule based on bookings. Some days, I cannot even do one audition be- cause I'm so busy recording for clients. Then there are the various workshops and coaching I attend to keep my skills sharp. My schedule, it's never really set in stone, ya know?

I learned that VO extends to so many other genres like commercial, TV promos, in-show narration. That was when I knew I could carve out my own spot in this vast industry.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Be a self-starter. I've met too many folks who say they want to get into the industry but have any number of reasons why they haven't yet. Months down the road, they still haven't even started yet.

There are a lot of things you can waste time overthinking: which mic to use, which software, which genre, which platforms or marketing services...it's all unnecessary at the beginning. Just pull out your phone and start video recording yourself talking. You'll learn more from that simple exercise than any amount of microphone research.

Also, consume as much free information as possible before spending a dime. Do not pay for coaching. Do not pay for demos. Just spend the first few months recording yourself on your smartphone, watching YouTube vid- eos (like the ones on my channel), listening to VO podcasts, free VO webinars, etc. There is more free information out there now than there has ever been.

DJ DYKES

Once you've done that for a while, you should have a clearer idea of what to do next.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I'm the in-show narrator of NBA's NBA On Fire weekly recap series, which airs inter- nationally in markets like Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. I also have a small role in an upcoming Netflix animated film set to release Q2 2025.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

You can learn more about me at www. djdykes.com and email me directly at dj@ djdykes.com. Or you can reach out to my manager, Jeffrey Umberger at ACM Talent: [email protected].

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

Yes absolutely! For your neutral English and Spanish needs, I'm your girl! I also provide transla- tion services. To learn more about me please visit my website elizabethcarrillovo.com. There you will find links to my socials and ways to contact me directly or to contact my agents.

KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

¡Hola Fusion! I am so excited to be sharing space with you today. My name is Elizabeth Carrillo. I am a first genera- tion Mexican American bilingual voice actress. I am a bonus mom to an almost 12 year old and a cat mom of 6. I love plants...oh and earrings!

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED

IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I think one of the first things I did was buy equipment (Some of you are probably cringing by reading this. I know! If you're new and reading this, PLEASE DON'T BUY EQUIPMENT FIRST) I bought all the wrong stuff and eventually had to sell it on Facebook Marketplace and then get the equip- ment I actually did need. I remember I booked a 1-1 session with a voice actor on a pay to play site that gave me some basic information. From there I started to buy books on voice acting, I listened to podcasts, and I took classes. Being able to attend any class remotely made learning super accessible.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Ultimately, it was the support and nudge from my partner, Gilbert. Like we say in Spanish, fue la gota que derramo el vaso. It's the drop that made the cup overflow. Uff, but it was such a long time from when the first voice over seed was planted until I actually started to water and nurture the idea! I NEVER thought I would follow a creative career until my high school Spanish teacher, Mr.Rojas, made a comment. I was always the type of student that would volunteer to read out loud. He was the first to tell me, "you should be a voice actor." I honestly just shrugged that off, like "yeah ok." I saw myself pursuing other careers. From the time I was re- ally little, I wanted to be a teacher and then the dream switched to wanting to become a veterinarian. Eventually I went to college for Clinical Nutrition and Spanish, and that's when the "what if" of the comment by Mr. Rojas about voice over echoed. I couldn't change majors, are you kidding. I'm the daughter of immigrants and I had my mind set on a good career that was fail proof. I was going to be a dietitian. Ok, well fast forward to 2020, Gilbert and I are sitting in our studio apartment during one of those nights we had a curfew during the pandemic. We questioned if we felt like we were really living a fulfilled life. I mean, it was a scary time. More and more people were dying each day be- cause of COVID, and life felt so precious and ephemeral. We wanted more from life. I wanted to be a voice actor. "Why not me?"

FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

At first, the challenge was overcoming some negative thoughts I had about my own voice, because I was teased for it for so long when I was a teenager. My voice may have been a target of ridicule at one point, but now I see it as my super power.

Currently, one of my biggest challenges is balancing my full time job while also pursuing voice acting. I work full time as a lactation consultant at a hospital. I've arranged my schedule so that I work on the weekends so I can be more free during the week for when auditions are more likely to come in from my agents. Working weekends is tough. I mean I've missed birthday parties, tías visiting from Mexico and even quality time with my partner. It's been really hard, but I know it's going to be worth it. It has been so far!

WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Since the beginning of my acting career, I have definitely focused heavily on the commercial side of voice acting. It's the type of auditions I get the most of. But in the last year I was able to branch out and book some animation and dubbing jobs!

EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I definitely like that work can be done remotely, because if I had to come into the studio to audition, it would be very difficult for me to fit in with my full time job. BUT when it comes to recording final projects, I love when there's an option to record in studio. It's great to meet the engineers and other people collaborating on the same project. And going into the studio is a great excuse to bring in donuts!

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

For me, it can vary immensely. If it's a hos- pital day, it means getting to work before 7:00am so that I could be home by 4:00pm so I can start recording and submitting auditions.

ALL PHOTOS BY EMILY SANDIFER.

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?

Your college degree doesn't have to decide the rest of your life. You're allowed to change your mind. Explore your "what ifs." Be bold with your life and take chances. If there's something that excites you, something you can't get your mind off of...ahí es mamita! Take the first step and let yourself feel new at something again.

JALEN ASKINS

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hello there! My name is Jalen Askins. I am a professional voice actor in the Los Angeles area and have been pursuing voice acting for about 7-8ish years. I have provided voiceover in many dif- ferent genres such as video games, ADR, Animation, Com- mercials, and Promos.

• TALK ABOUT
• HOW YOU
• GOT STARTED
• IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I got started in the industry really just posting stuff online of my voice like fandubs, covers you name it, and while that was going on I was taking classes with Del Mar Media Arts, Voicetraxwest, and other mentors. Then, I booked my first agent in 2021 and did my first ever gig for a museum. After 3½ years of just auditioning I was also in some great indie projects that made me better as an actor. I started working on audiobooks back in 2023 and went full time in that same year. Finally, by 2024 I took a class with my agent Arielle Negrin at Voicetraxwest for my first class, and ultimately became repped with my current Agency Atlas. Since then I've been a full time voice actor and been grate- ful and blessed to work with many great talented individuals.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Growing up my parents bought me all the renais- sance disney movies on VHS and I watched them consistently because I loved and adored animation as a whole. When I was 4 I started doing impressions of the animations I watched growing up like Scooby doo, Yogi Bear, Mickey Mouse, Looney Tunes and so forth. I was excited to go to the movies as a kid because it meant I got to see my favorite animated movies. So since I was little I had a love and overall admiration paired with inspiration for voiceover and animation that made me ultimately decide to want to pursue this career.

ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH?

I would honestly love to voice for an Avatar animated project, because when I think about it I love the storytelling and world building that the avatar franchise has built. Whether it's a love interest, comedy relief, villain or even one of the main heroes it would just be an honor to play in that world. Another would definitely be the ninja turtles just to play one of the iconic four turtles that bring us that joy and imagination. Even a marvel animated series would be cool to be a part of, and most definitely would love to join in on some Kung Fu Panda project whether it be a series or a film because I also love the story and world of characters they have created that are timeless.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Currently I've been getting into more indie anima- tion and trying to break into more animation roles. Reason being I love recording animation because of how expressive, fun, and overall exciting when I get to record or just ad lib when I can. I'm also loving audio descriptions because of how fun they are and the projects I get to work on and seeing everything come together.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

What makes a good voice actor in my opinion is someone that doesn't just act but embody the char- acter to the point where I get lost in the world and story. An actor that is dedicated to the craft and gives to their craft such as giving the character authentic life and development. Someone who is willing to learn that these characters we voice need as much nuance as life gives us.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I like several types like Audio Descriptions, ADR, Video Games, Animation, Commercials, and Promos. Each one I see as a different style like the martial arts. They all have the same core principle but differ- ent ways to tackle and learn them.

I STARTEDDOING

IMPRESSIONS OF THE ANIMATIONSI WATCHED GROWING UP LIKE SCOOBY DOO, YOGI BEAR, MICKEY MOUSE, LOONEY TUNES AND SO FORTH.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Someone who is willing to learn and give themselves to the craft. Someone who can bring out not just the character but the story to life. In life we as actors pull from our own personal experiences to bring these characters, spots, etc out. A good voice actor knows how to pivot, how to hit those emotional beats like a musician knows how to bring those melodies and harmonies out. They are a master of their instrument and every inflection is deliberate and every decision is intentional. They are the ones that guide you through the story or whatever medium as if we are on an adventure.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Yes! I am working on some cool projects that are be- ing worked on such as an indie pilot named Zipped Up which I play the Big Bad Vapor which is currently running a kickstarter and would love for folks to do- nate to because the creator and the team along with the cast are phenomenal. I also have an animated series debut on Amazon Prime where I voice a cool character coming in the upcoming months. I am also in a project called the Lunchbox project my Team Horizon who are working very hard to get the short out. I got some stuff behind the scenes happening so keep a lookout on my social media.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?

Keep going the journey is worth it. There is a lot to this business to learn and there is room for everyone to win, especially those who want to be a part of this craft. Whether you want to get into animation, video games, etc do not limit yourself. You may think you are a good fit for one thing but you may be a good fit for multiple things. I want to hear your voices or even work with you guys someday there's always stories to tell so start now. Write that story, get that $100 mic and do a funny dub with your friends, but in the end just start. You got a voice and if this is your passion the world needs to hear you. Even in the times where you may think you will never make it, but take it from me it takes time and patience. Remember it's not a race it's a marathon.

BRUCE NIX VOICE ACTOR

For all the viewers reading, please kindly introduce yourself.

My name is Bruce Nix, and I live in Hunts- ville, Alabama-also known as "The Rocket City"-with my wife of 30 years, Necie. We share our home with a chocolate lab named Jane, a corgi named Winston, and a tuxedo cat named Charlie (short for Charlie Chaplin―he's got the strut to match). We also have two wonderful adult daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, who are the pride of our lives.

I'm a professional voice actor and proud Army veteran. I've been in the voiceover industry for about five years, lending my voice to promos, commercials, dubbing, ADR, scratch tracks, audiobooks, and animation. I love the challenge of bringing characters to life and telling stories through voice alone. Outside the booth, I've also dabbled in promotional modeling and did some background acting-including a stint as a prison guard in the film Brian Banks.

I'm excited to share a bit more about this journey with you!

Please talk about how you got started in the voice-over industry.

My journey into voice acting started around the end of 2019 when I saw an ad by Such- A-Voice on a "Introduction to Voice Acting" workshop. I thought to myself that I didn't want to have any regrets about exploring new areas so I registered and learned about the business side of voice over, market- ing, equipment, etc. Our instructor was Wendy "Jazz Hands" Shapero and she was wonderful at providing a deep dive into the industry, not just the "cool part". We did a little demo during the class and I received good feedback from Wendy and the class. After the workshop, Wendy contacted me told me I had a good voice and I could do well in the industry. Now, I was a little hesitant and actually asked her "How many people do you tell that to?". Not knowing a lot about the industry or how to get into it, I was pessimistic thinking her job was to sign people up like a "timeshare". After sev- eral conversations with people, I made the jump and signed up for training. My very first coach was Jack Levy, who now runs a highly recognized podcast series called "The Table Read"

After training and having a few demo reels completed, I started auditioning on a few P2P platforms and it was long before I landed my first gig which was an NFL on FOX playoffs pregame promo spot for LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks. I still remember the moment, when that came on and I was so excited and thrilled and was thinking that millions of people just heard my voice on TV! From there, I kept building my skills and portfolio doing workshops with Brent Allen Hagel, who is a fabulous voice actor that performs Movie Trailers is the voice for Discovery Channel, TLC and so much more.

He was so giving of his time and experi- ence that I started attending as many of his workshops as possible and at that time he had his own Voice Over roster, called Trailer Voice Artists and I remem- ber the email he sent me after one of the workshops with the subject "Loving your stuff Bruce". He added me to his roster and really gave me an opportunity to grow as an artist. With Brent, I was able to provide scratch tracks for movie trailers, voice match ADR for Grown up Ralphie on "A Christmas Story Christmas", voice over for Best Independent Movie category at "The Golden Trailer Awards" and so much more.

From there, I continued to work on my craft with great voice actors and coaches, like Mark Rider, who also pro- vided the opportunity for me to be in my first animated series, "PotenDogs". I have taken workshops with Dominic Cianciolo, a great voice director for the Mortal Kombat video games, dubbing workshops with the great duo of Fan- nie Brett and Max Rabuolt. I continue to work on my craft through workshops and my patient coach, Dave Walsh.

What made you get started in the voice-over industry?

I was raised by a single mother, with a 3rd grade education and she worked so hard at 2-3 jobs at a time to provide for us. That meant, I spent a lot of time on my own and I was drawn to comic books and all the characters that were brought to life through storytelling and artistry. Some of favorites were Bat- man, Superboy and The Legion Of Su- per Heroes, X-Men, Fantastic Four and The Defenders. I would get lost in the comics and when I was alone I would voice some of the different characters, acting out scenes.

. At the time I was growing up, the shows that I would watch would be H.R. Puffenstuff, The Banana Splits, Scooby-Doo, the Hanna-Barbera Car- toons and the early Marvel cartoons, Spider Man, Thor, Iron Man and Hulk. Orginally, I thought about how cool it would be to work for one of the comic book publishers and be an artist for them as I also did a lot of creative drawing. At that time, Jack Kirby, Vincente Alcazar and Stan Lee were really the main creatives in that space that come to mind, although there were plenty of talented artists from that era.

Through the years people would comment on my voice and make comments like "you should be on the radio" which I would always take as sort of a throw away comment. I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself until I took the Introduction to Voice Over workshop by Such-A-Voice and booked a national promo that I really started saying to myself "I can do this"

I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TEST MY SKILLS AND Be PART OF MY FIRST VOICE over conference.

Please share a moment where you felt in- spired to be part of the voice-over industry.

I remember I was scrolling through some posts on LinkedIn, when I saw one by an artist, Charlie Toro about a contest "CBS Audition Spotlight" for and organization called Society of Voice Arts and Sciences in 2022. I thought this would be a great opportunity to test my skills and be part of my first Voice Over Conference.

I literally, forgot about entering until I received an email from, Joan Baker (co-founder and Vice President), one of the most giving, gener- ous and supporting humans you will ever find. The email stated I was selected as one of the 40 finalists, out of 1800, to come to LA for the spotlight callback.

I was so excited when I read the email, how- ever, at the time, my wife was having back surgery and we discussed it and she wanted to me to go and I said I would do the callback and immediately fly back to Memphis, TN, where we are living at the time. I went to LA and that is where I felt the magic of the voice- over community. I met so many talented artists who were so supportive of each other and was greeted with hugs and smiles, for an introvert like myself, it was a bit overwhelm- ing while also being relaxing, knowing I am in a community that cares about each other and our growth as artists.

After the callbacks, as I mentioned my plan was to simply hop on a plane and go back home. I was talking with a friend and talented VA, Trisha Lynn, and told her what was going on and she suggested I should at least talk to the judges. So, I waited until all the callbacks were done and went in to the thank the judges, Stephanie Thomas, Tim Friedlander and Dave Walsh and let them know I appreciated the opportunity and that my wife had back surgery and I need to get back home.

I remember Tim looking around and saying "To- night?", I made a comment like "I mean unless I made it the next round", never believing that I would. He said to give them some time and wait outside. I was waiting anxiously around the corner with my friend Trisha, when Tim came out, looked at me and said "You need to change your flight plans". Needless to say I was extremely excited at being chosen as one of the six finalists. I was also feeling apprehensive as my wife was back home recovering, and our daughters were there tending to her needs (I don't want the readers thinking I abandoned my wife!) We discussed the opportunity and decided I would stay one more night and go through the next round.

When my name was called as one of the finalists, it was a moment that I will never forget. I was assigned a fabulous coach, Issa Lopez, who was so insightful and supportive and when we went on the stage for the final reads before the audience and judges, I was so nervous and remember looking at the other talented finalists, many of whom I am still in contact with today and just thinking how lucky I am to be living out my dream.

The finals came to down to 3, then 2 and when Joan called my name as being the winner, I literally said "No, fucking way". It was during that conference, that I decided I wanted to be a bigger part of the community and started looking for ways to give back even in small ways. When Joan asked me to be a callback Judge at the 2024 SOVAS CBS audition spotlight competition, I jumped at the chance, and sitting next to the same judges I met for the first time when I won, was a very surreal moment. I have mentored young voice actors who are wondering how to get started, and I look for opportunities that I can recommend other voice actors for.

Please talk about the challenges you face in this industry and how you overcome them.

Voice acting is an amazing career, however, like anything worth pursuing it is not without its challenges.

One of the biggest challenges, is your own mindset and believing in yourself. As I have mentioned, I was not very confident in myself in the beginning and certainly admit

it's a struggle during slow times. Believing in your talent and creativeness gets translated in the booth. I created a "My Journey" infographic that is outside of my booth to remind me that I have earned this place in my life and career, through hard work and training. You should still remain humble, while being confident in your abilities.

Another big one is competition-there are so many talented people in the industry. The challenge here is how to make yourself stand out in auditions, on social media and in person. I overcome this by continuously improving my craft, taking workshops, and staying persistent with auditions.

I see a lot of people that have been at this a few years, and get discouraged because they haven't made the "overnight" success they feel they should or deserve. These are most likely the people that have gotten into voice over thinking it is "easy" and someone told them they have a great voice and they should do it. I remember a voice acting coach and marketing expert, Paul Schmidt, saying "a good voice is to voice acting, is like a nice pair of legs is to running" It takes way more dedication and commitment then most people realize to get proficient. Dealing with rejection is part of the job, but I've learned to see it as motivation rather than discourage- ment.

Japan is known for many great iconic voice- over actors. Who is someone inspirational that you admire in this industry?

I could probably take up a whole issue on this question being so many people I admire in this industry.

I really admire Joan Baker and Rudy Gaskins for creating SOVAS and the work they put into the conference, the arts and the community is very admirable. They create so many extraordi- nary opportunities for voice actors that is truly commendable. When you attend SOVAS, you will see Joan out and about, talking and hug- ging with people all while keeping everything on time and running smoothly with a team of fantastic people.

Then there are people like Tim Friedlander, Carin Gilfrey and Matthew Parham, with The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), which if you are not familiar with them, The National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and advancing the voice acting industry through action, education, inclusion, and benefits. NAVA actively champions voice actors' rights amid Al advancements by engag- ing with legislative bodies and Al companies to ensure fair compensation and consent. The organization promotes diversity and authentic representation by supporting initiatives like the Disabled Voice Actors Database and Voices of Color. Additionally, NAVA provides resources such as scholarships, legal aid, and educational events to support voice actors' professional development.

One of my goals is to voice a movie trailer, and I really look up to and try to learn from people that are leaders in this space like Brent Allen Hagel, Mark Rider, Gabe Kunda, Scott Rummell and Dave Fennoy. I particularly think my voice lends itself best to more mystery, suspense and horror type of films, so I always try and listen and learn from the people that do those like George DelHoyo, Redd Pepper and of course the legends, Don LaFontaine and Hal Douglas.

Another individual, is Christy Harst, founder of "Building Doors VO", which is a campaign advocates for equal opportunities in the voice- over industry, particularly within male-dom- inated brands like sports. It highlights female voice actors voicing ads traditionally done by men, urging brands and agencies to embrace gender diversity. By pushing for equal opportu- nities for both men and women, the campaign aims to foster industry-wide equity. As a father of two daughters, I really admire the work she is doing in this space to support equality.

Another goal is to be a voice in a Marvel or DC animation. I don't care if it is just grunts or me dying, to do that would harken back to my childhood days of reading comics and imagining those characters coming to life. Phil Lamarr is one that I enjoy listening to as Green Lantern, and Kevin Conroy as Batman, Tara Strong as Harly Quinn and of course Mark Hamill as the Joker is legendary.

I also admire the voice actors, who are sup- porting a family through a "day job", while pursuing this dream. It takes a lot of determi- nation and consistency to pursue this path and starting out in the beginning is especially challenging.

any project or people that you would like to work with or collaborate with?

I'd love to work on a Mortal Kombat video game with Dominic Cianciolo, Voice Direc- tor for the game. I had the opportunity to work with him over the course of 4 weeks in a video game workshop series and it was an amazing experience! He is a very patient person and is able to really pick up small nuances to provide direction to the performers.

I think working on a mocap project would also be a great experience to broaden my performance skills. I have studied martial arts for over 30 years and was a cheer- leader in college, so I always thought my athleticism would be something I could bring to the performance of an action type of project.

Please talk about what type of work you are currently focused on.

Right now, I'm mainly working on a series of political action audiobooks for USA Best Selling Author, Jack Mars. I just am just starting on book four of 20 and these are the types of books I enjoy and the main character is a former Marine and Secret Service agent named Jake Mercer. I'm really excited about working with StoryEngine, which is startup based in the Bay Area founded by Stanford student, and has been backed by top-tier investors, to enable securing multi-million-dollar funding to fuel their vision. With them, I am working on several anime dubbing projects, and get to voice multiple characters to really challenge my skills and abilities. I have been working with my coach Dave Walsh, on improving my Promo and Commercial reads and I'm always looking for new op- portunities to challenge myself in different areas of voice acting.

If you have ever walked into a store that has those Halloween animatronic figures that are motion sensored, I have had the pleasure of voicing some sinister voices for a few of those.

talk about what you like about Hollywood entertainment.

Hollywood has an incredible range of productions, from animated films to high-quality video games. I really appreciate the emphasis on storytelling and character depth in Hollywood projects. The voice direction and performances in major animated films and video games are truly inspiring. With so many streaming and viewing options these days, I like how it creates opportunities for smaller, indie type of projects which can be a great growth platform for many creatives and performers.

What voice-overs do you admire the most from Hollywood?

Some of my favorite Hollywood voice actors are Jack Black as Po in Kung Fu Panda, Key & Peele as the wolves in Storks was just

Of course, the voices of Hank Azaria and Seth MacFarlane with their performances in The Simpons and Family Guy really stood out to me because of the depth and uniqueness of the characters. I also admire how Hollywood productions invest in strong vocal performanc- es that elevate the storytelling.

What makes a good voice actor?

A good voice actor is more than just someone with a pleasant voice-they are a storyteller, a chameleon, and a master of emotional con- nection. Discipline is essential; honing your craft requires consistent practice, self-direc- tion, and an unwavering commitment to the work. Acting ability is at the core-great voice actors bring characters to life, convey emotion with authenticity, and create believable worlds using only their voice. Many people would be amazed at how much facial expressions and body language play a role in voice acting.

Above all, authenticity and the ability to con- nect with the copy are what elevate a perfor- mance. When a voice actor truly understands the message, audience, and intent behind a script, their delivery becomes more than just words-it becomes a powerful, memorable experience. It is also very important to be able to take direction well and be adaptable.

Now in today's society, everything is done by remote work. Do you enjoy this process, or do you prefer to show up at the studio?

Remote work has changed the industry, there is no doubt about that. I love the flex- ibility of recording from home because it allows for more opportunities worldwide, with tools such as Source-Connect and Zoom, etc. to make it easy for studios to connect with performers. However, as companies are now trending with the "Return to the Office", I am seeing more auditions that are requiring performers to be in a specific location or able to record in a studio in LA or New York.

I always let casting directors know I am avail- able to travel for in-studio sessions if I am a fit for a particular project. I enjoy in-studio sessions because of the collaboration with the directors and other actors, which I feel does enhance the performance chemistry. On the flip side of that, I feel there are so many tal- ented performers that are overlooked simply because of a lack of proximity to one of the major cities (NY, LA, Chicago).

Determination and resilience are vital in an in- Typical day in the life of a voice-over actor? dustry filled with rejection and fierce competi- tion. Mental toughness allows a voice actor to stay focused, bounce back from setbacks, and keep striving for excellence. Continuous learning is part of the journey-whether it's new vocal techniques, evolving trends in audio production, or simply deepening one's under- standing of script interpretation.

We live in a tech world, and there are products that enable us to connect to studios, like Source-Connect and be in a virtual environ- ment and if we are not taking full advantage of that, then are you getting the best talent for your project, or are you getting the most conveniently located talent?

What type of specialty in voice-over work do you like to focus on, or do you have several types?

I specialize in promo, commercial and trailer work, although lately I have been booking more and more animation, character type of work and audiobooks. Each type of work has its own unique challenges and rewards, and I love exploring different aspects of voice acting. Coming from a background of business consulting, I have delivered multiple presenta- tions and taught workshops and classes, so I also feel I would be a good fit for e-Learning type of projects.

I am not sure there is such a thing as "typical" when it comes to being a performer. My day usually starts with some quiet time to men- tally prepare for the day ahead.

A good vocal warmup is essential for voice health and I also like to stretch in the morning and practice breathing before jumping in the booth. If I have active projects, those are my priority to ensure I meet any deadlines.

Then I will focus on auditions. Any audition I get from my agents, will also take priority over anything. I try to maintain a social presence as much as I can as part of marketing and mak- ing updates to website and profiles to ensure everything is up to date. I like to work on small personal projects to practice, so I will at times find a script and record the audio and add video to it to enhance those skills.

I try to make time to connect with my network of performers and connections as well as com- munity is a big part of being a voice actor. I think a lot of talented people get disappointed and fail when they don't approach this as a career and only something "cool to do". There are a lot of moving parts and while you don't have to be an expert in all of them, you should be aware of where you can be "T" shaped to either help others or help yourself become the best voice actor you can be.

What do you recommend for anyone that is interested in voice-over work?

Whenever I get asked by someone who is in- terested in learning more, I always point them to Dee Bradley Bakers website, iwanttobeavoiceactor.com/ This does a great job of going into detail on the path to becom- ing a voice actor. After that, I let them know that after they read that I am open to any questions they may have. I have had some people compile a great list of questions after reading and research and those are the ones I know are serious about pursuing the path.

After that, I would recommend a coach and training for the specific genre you are inter- ested in. There are a lot of people that are call- ing themselves coaches and providing training and this is where someone needs to really do their research to vet people and training of- ferings. I would recommend becoming part of NAVA, which has a lot of vetted resources for voice actors as well as a discord so you can ask the community questions.

Work to identify what is unique about you as a voice actor. What sets you apart from the mil- lions of voices out in the world? Ask friends, family, co-workers, connections and don't be afraid of asking for feedback. Sometimes, it will be positive other times it will be construc- tive and you need to be able to take it all in and then differentiate what is helpful to you to grow as a performer.

I would recommend experimenting with dif- ferent genres, voices, read scripts aloud, and study performances from professionals, stop skipping commercials and advertisements and listen to how they are delivered. Taking acting/ improv classes can help you develop essential skills. Also, invest in a decent home recording setup and start auditioning. Most importantly, be patient and persistent-it takes time to break into the industry.

In your opinion, what makes a good voice- over actor?

A good voice-over actor is a blend of perform- er, technician, and storyteller. Strong acting skills are fundamental-the ability to shift between characters, tap into a range of emo- tions, and understand pacing and tone brings the copy to life. Adaptability is vital, especially when working with different genres, directors, or clients. The best voice actors take direction well and adjust on the fly without losing the essence of their performance.

Beyond talent, which is the table stakes really, the real magic is in the mindset.

Discipline drives growth. Whether it's warming up daily, refining your booth setup, or spend- ing hours auditioning, this work demands a steady grind. Determination, mental tough- ness, and resilience are part of the job descrip- tion-because let's face it, rejection is part of the process. The ones who succeed are the ones who keep going, stay focused, and stay grounded.

Confidence is essential-you must believe in your voice and your ability to serve the story. But humility is just as important. A good voice actor knows they are part of a bigger picture and stays open to feedback, learning, and collaboration. No ego, just commitment to the craft.

And perhaps most importantly, a good voice- over actor practices kindness-especially to- ward themselves. This industry can be tough, and it's easy to fall into self-doubt. Speaking affirmations, showing yourself grace after a tough session, and celebrating your wins (no matter how small) go a long way. Encouraging self-talk like "I am enough," "I bring something unique," or "Every take is a step forward" can be the fuel you need to keep showing up.

The best voice actors aren't just voices- they're full-hearted humans who connect deeply with the words, honor their gift, and always strive to improve without losing their sense of self.

You are currently active as a voice-over ac- tor. What are your plans for 2025? What can we expect from you for 2025?

I am really looking at 2025 with energy and intention!

This year, I am looking to expand my work in the anime world, partnering with StoryEn- gine on exciting dubbing projects that really push emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.

I will be continuing my narration work with the Jack Mars book series and will be looking for an opportunity to narrate a good horror story.

As I mentioned earlier about voicing some sinister voices for the Halloween Animatron- ics, you will be able to hear me as a "Night- mare Spectre" this Halloween, so keep an eye or ear out for that.

Scripted audio dramas remain a key focus, with new episodes on the way for popular podcast series Petra the Protector, Wilder Dreams, and Pixel Quest. Each story offers a different vocal landscape to explore, from sci- fi to fantasy and mystery.

Perhaps most exciting is the momentum building behind my first animated series, Poten Dogs, where I voice Kai, the charismatic leader of CoreNet, and Mountain, his formi- dable enforcer. The show is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, YouTube, and the newly launched KAOZ TV, with a steadily growing fan base. This was a fun project to work on with so many talented performers and I had the opportunity to sing in this one, which was a fun time!

Behind the scenes, I will continue honing my craft with my fabulous coach Dave Walsh, focusing on promo and commercial perfor- mance, and keeping an open door for new op- portunities across the voice-over landscape. I will continue to look for opportunities to check off the goal list of Movie Trailer and voicing for Marvel or DC and other independ- ent type of projects that I can be part of.

FOR ALL THE VIWERS READING PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

Hey what's up everyone! I'm Jane Aquino and I'm a voice actor based in Vegas. Thank you for having me

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUS- TRY?

My path is a little different than most. I didn't dream of becoming a voice actor nor do I have a background in acting or theatre.

I discovered the voice industry out of cu- riosity, and it was a blessing in disguise. A year before the world shut down due to the Covid pandemic in 2020, I was already feel- ing unstable at my day job, my youngest son was in and out of the hospital, and my mom's Parkinson's Disease Dementia ac- celerated causing me to miss a lot of work. When she passed in late 2019, I wanted to find a hobby or change careers. I needed to shift my mindset and look forward to doing something for myself.

I started noticing voiceover videos on YouTube on audiobook narration and just started watching and learning from what I could and was interested in enough to look deeper. I found a Groupon in my email for an Intro to VO workshop for a local VO studio that my older son took a few years back (but didn't pursue). He encouraged me to check it so, I signed up.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT IN WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED YOU GOT INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDSUTRY?

I realized there is a whole voiceover com- munity rooting for each other. In-person meet-ups, virtual meet-ups and social media groups. Clubhouse was my first interaction with other professional voice actors where industry topics where being shared during the Covid shutdown. I'm inspired by many kind, informative and caring voice actors who also teach and lead by example. I'm also a part of a small ac- countability group and we're from all parts of the U.S. They all keep me motivated and I appreciate them so much. The idea of hav- ing a voiceover career where it's your sole career is also inspiring.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES

YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVER COME THE CHALLENGES?

There are many challenges. The #1 challenge is overcoming the imposter syndrome for me. Having the courage to market myself and not feel the pressure of if I'm doing something wrong (or right). There is high-level competition out there that are always booking. I have to keep reminding myself, we're all human and it's all about the selection not rejection. I continue my performance trainings and try to get in front of casting directors and voice buyers by ways of classes and networking. It's not easy as just having a cool voice or a mic that sounds decent.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABERATE?

I just want to work with cool, kind, and down-to-earth people. I'm a team player and I love to collaborate. I would love to lend my voice on issues around human rights, women's rights, and healthcare. A Super Bowl commercial would be a dream, a Cirque Du Soleil commercial/promo/ trailer, a true-crime or nature documentary would be so fun.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED?

This year my focus is to book commercial projects while continuing to voice for eL- earning, explainers and corporate narration for companies. I've been training, I've got- ten great feedback from coaches. It's time. But I also want to work on in-show narra- tion performance and build that knowledge as well.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

Professionalism, talent, resiliency, good at- titude, be early, take chances. As one of my coaches would say: Don't be mean

NOW IN TODAYS SOCIETY EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK, DO YOU EN- JOY THIS PROCESS OR DO YOU PERFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I'm able to work remotely out of my home. It's convenient for me. But any chance I get to work in studio, I'll take it. I always ask if we can record in your studio (in and around Vegas). I love it. Gives me time to bond a little with the engineer, directors and everyone face to face.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK YOU LIKE TO FOCUS OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I enjoy working in the explainer, casino, in- dustrial, corporate narration genres but will be expanding into commercial and in-show narration hopefully in the near future.

WHATS A TYPICAL DAY IN THE DAY OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

A voice over actor with a non-vo job's typical day starts with checking emails and setting the day's priorities around audition- ing and submitting way before the dead- line. Cuddle and then feed the dogs. Feed myself. Then get to whatever is priority and flow. I have a little ADHD so I can get distracted and jump from the day job to handling the voice over business.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANY- ONE THAT IS INTRESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Do your research into the industry and different genres, attend an Introduction to Voice Over workshop and ask questions, take group performance classes (learn w others), take private coaching, and learn how to run a business (accounting, brand- ing, marketing), specifically for voice over. Invest in gear and demos after. Follow professional voiceovers, engineers, casting directors, etc on social media that provide value and resources. Give yourself 2-5 years and never stop learning.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACVTIVE AS A VOICE OVER WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR 2025 WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

I will continue improving my processes and work flow and honing the craft. I'm looking forward to more agency representation and I hope you get to hear more of me in 2025!

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

Thank you! Yes, please reach out. You can find me at www.thejaneaquino.com

JANE

AQUINO

Helping the Voiceover Community Turn Their Dreams into Reality-Together!

VO MENTOR, AND THE VOICE BEHIND COUNTLESS CAMPAIGNS, TISH HICKS IS NOT ONLY A MASTER OF HER CRAFT BUT ALSO A GUIDE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOICE ACTORS PHOTOS BY JERRY CORIA AUTHOR AMANDA STEVENS

In a world where voices are everywhere-in commercials, apps, video games, and podcasts- it takes something special to stand out. For more than three decades, Tish Hicks has done just that. A seasoned voiceover artist and teacher, Hicks has built a career not only on the strength of her talent but also on her ability to guide others toward discovering their own.

In 2011, Hicks founded The V.O. Dojo, a full training program that approaches voiceover like martial arts: discipline, practice, and respect for the craft are central. Based in Los Angeles but accessible online, the Dojo offers comprehensive training that guides, supports, connects and accelerates voice actors at every level-from "I don't know" to working pro. What sets the Dojo apart is its philosophy. Hicks emphasizes the mind-body-spirit connection, encouraging students to approach voiceover not just as a technical skill but as a holistic expression of who they are. For her, aligning people with the power and possibility their voice is everything-while also equipping them for a sustained, successful voiceover career. Her efforts haven't gone unnoticed. The V.O. Dojo has grown into an international community, and in 2021, Hicks earned a Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year-proof that her impact goes beyond the recording booth.

Take your voiceover career all the way www.theVodojo.com

Hey, I'm Tish Hicks. I'm originally from Chicago, and have been a successful voice actor in Los Angeles for 30 years! I've been a voice of Subaru for the past 15 years and have been the voice of Citibank, GTA V, HP, and many other well known campaigns.

I'm also the founder and Master Sensei of The V.O. Dojo, a holistic full voiceover training center that for the past 14 years has been guiding, supporting, connecting and accelerating passionate people around the world on the path to creating their own sustained, successful voiceover careers. Our mission is to align people with the power and possibility of their voice!

You've had a thriving voiceover career for decades. How did you first get started in the industry?

I studied at Northwestern University and was doing all the things you do after you graduate with a theater degree-doing improv and working at The Second City, continuing opera training, performing Shakespeare at regional theaters, waiting tables at a swanky jazz club and giving poetry readings between sets.

A friend at Leo Burnett, one of the top ad agencies, called me about doing voiceover for some spots. I said, "Sure!" having no idea what it was, but figuring I could do it. I left that first session knowing this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, and I moved to LA shortly thereafter.

I call it "the helicopter moment." Some opportunities are like a helicopter taking you up the mountain-I jumped on, but I was far from an experienced mountaineer!

What was your first big break, and how did it shape your path?

That first job was a big break, awakening me to the possibilities of my voice and voiceover... and it made me hungry and ready to do whatever it took! When I moved to LA, knowing people from Chicago was another big break-Second City and the Northwestern "mafia"-a community of amazing, talented, focused people who were ahead of me on the VO journey.

One of my improv friends introduced me to Jennifer Hale shortly after I arrived. We bonded as fellow horse girls and she guided me to the right VO people to train with and gave me good advice as we rode the trails! Knowing people who had been successful in VO made it feel so much more attainable That is why Community and Connection are at the heart of The V.O. Dojo. It's always just you, but you never do it alone!

Another key moment didn't seem like a big break at first, but it turned out to be crucial to launching my career. About 10 months into my training-taking classes non-stop, being in workout groups, doing workshops and private coaching-I felt ready to do "I left my first session knowing this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing..."

my first commercial demo. I coached with a fantastic demo producer who told me, "You are 98% ready and I am not going to produce your demo... because to make it at the top levels in this biz you need to be 110% or 130% ready." She referred me to a working pro level class with one of the top casting directors and I went back to the drawing board for another six months.

After that, I made an unstoppable demo that got me my first agent, and the breaks kept coming. I got my first small regional campaign for a hospital in Kansas, then the next campaign for HP, Cooking.com, Burger King, and eventually the voice of Citibank for seven years!

You've worked across so many genres— commercials, animation, video games... Do you have a favorite and why?

I have had the most success being the voice of big long-running commercial campaigns, which brings up my favorite part of VO- the walk to the mailbox to open residual checks! But I truly love working on every type of voiceover.

For all, you need to bring yourself fully and authentically, and each requires a little bit different aspect of yourself. Every genre allows you to collaborate and become part of that team bringing something to life... the ad agency working on a commercial spot, a marketing team needing corporate narration, a studio producing animation, a publisher putting out an audiobook, or an instructional designer building an e-learning series. We are part of the solution.

What are some of the most memorable or meaningful roles you've voiced?

The Citibank campaign I voiced for seven years was one of the first times a female of 770 FRO voice was used on a major financial campaign. Helping to break those gender glass ceilings has always meant a lot. My street cred with my two sons went way up when I did the game play narration for GTA V for Rockstar Games.

My first animated series always holds a huge place in my heart. I played Lt. Carmen Ibanez in Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles, one of the first CG series with an amazing cast and production team. I got my first action figure with Farrah Goodfairy in Ever After High. And, of course, being one of the voices of Subaru for 15 years and counting has been an incredible blessing!

How has the voiceover industry changed since you started, and how have you evolved with it?

When I started, the game was to move to a major market, get your skills up to get representation at a major talent agency who would have relationships with all of the ad agencies and producers. It took work to get there, but once you were there, it was a little like a trout pond. A certain number of people were around it, a majority of the work was only accessible from the pond, and most of it was union. In addition, most agencies had VO booths with directors where we did our auditions, in community, with collaboration on a daily basis.

Over the years, the industry has changed, so the way we must run our own VO businesses has also had to change. There still exists a certain amount of work at these highest levels that requires working relationships with agents and managers to get access to it... AND there is also so much more work that can be gotten in different ways on our own.

Today, the VO business requires a true entrepreneurial approach. We are the CEO and the employee, the talent and director and engineer and marketing director and admin. The good news is that at the moment there is more work than ever, and more we can do from wherever we are in the world (with reliable internet). Now, we also need to actively create the community and support that was built into the way things worked before.

"Today, the VO business requires a true entrepreneurial approach."

• RULES OF VOICEOVER
• Share your truth.
• Trust your voice.
• Keep energy moving forward.
• Listen carefully.
• Play fully.
• V.O.Dojo www..com

The V.O. Dojo was inspired by a period in my own career when things had taken a downward turn for the first time. I had to dig deep in a moment of doubt, remember what it was that made me a successful voiceover artist, and reclaim my VO mojo.

At the same time, I was invited to lead a peer group for Northwestern alumni, where I shared the things I had been reflecting on. Just as I felt my calling in my first voiceover session, I realized that I had something powerful to share through teaching.

The word Dojo means "the place of the way" in Japanese. The V.O. Dojo is a place where committed individuals can come and learn that voiceover is not only a great way to make a living, but becomes a way of life.

The idea of a dojo was inspired by my years of training with my kickboxing sensei, the legendary Benny "the Jet" Urquidez and his wife, Sara Eaglewoman, a powerful medicine woman and urban shaman.

I recognized that VO requires a similar rigorous commitment to learning, discipline, and structure to build skills toward mastery, delving deep into oneself to align mind, body and spirit, and to fearlessly cultivate the light warrior spirit that is required to have a sustained successful voiceover career.

Consistency, Continuity, Connection, Community, and Self-Empowerment are the pillars that we build on.

For those who don't know, how would you describe The V.O. Dojo, and what sets it apart from other programs?

The V.O. Dojo is a hands-on, hearts-in, full training center that guides, supports, connects and accelerates you every step of the way, from "I don't know" to working pro-and beyond.

It's not easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. At the Dojo, we do it together.

V.O.Dojo

The "It's not easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. At the Dojo, we do it together."

TWO DIVISIONS: DEVELOPMENT & WORKING PRO

Wherever you are on your VO journey, we will meet you there and help you get to where you want to be.

The Development Division lays foundations with our You Should Do Voiceover Launchpad + Workouts, a comprehensive overview and hands-on exploration of everywhere your voice can be making money, what it is and what it takes.

Using a martial arts model, Launchpad is the first of five Belt Levels in our Mystery to Mastery Program that provides a full structured path to working pro:

White Belt - Awareness Yellow Belt Exploration Green Belt Self Exploration/Demo Prep → Blue Belt - Demo Production → Brown Belt - Business Launch

Each belt level develops the seven areas of mastery that are necessary for your sustained successful voiceover career:

• 1. Mindset 2. Skillset
• 3. Hands-on Experience 4. Technical
• 5. Vocal + Physical
• 6. Business

7. Community + Connection

Unlike other programs that offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, with short commitments with random people, at the Dojo we recognize that building mastery to competitive levels requires time, patience, determination, and collaboration. You are climbing the mountain and learning to be an excellent mountaineer along with a group of other committed and focused people. We are here to support you and keep you powerfully on the trail-together.

The Working Pro Division begins when you have earned your Black Belt. We call it the Nth Degree Program. It continues to deepen your skills, support and connect you as you take on the next challenges of building your voiceover business practice together! Now you are ready, now your work begins.

One of its anchors is The V.O. Pro Fight Club, our working pro workout that connects top-notch talent with the high- caliber decision makers who can hire us in all genres. Past guests have included decision makers from Sound + Fury, Crunchy Roll, Disney, and many more. It's a fiercely friendly faceoff that uncovers the process of how casting decisions get made and helps to build relationships with the people who are making them. One of our members, who is now the voice of Minnie Mouse, first met the decision maker at a Fight Club! We vet talent to be players and everyone can be a spectator!

You've helped so many to launch and grow their VO careers. What makes you most proud as a teacher and mentor?

I love that the Dojo is a home for such a diverse array of people who are ready to heed the call and take action on their VO visions. We have a beautiful range of ages, from 14 to 80, and life experiences- Broadway cast members, Grammy Award- winning opera singers, influencers, models, retired judges, firefighters, army colonels, and creatives of all sorts-getting their voices aligned with making money to live their passions fully and freely.

What's one of your favorite success stories from a V.O. Dojo student?

There have been so many over the years, but one of our recent Dojo Black Belts, Anderson Stinson III, embodies everything the Dojo is about.

A pre-med student turned theater major, Anderson took You Should Do Voiceover, when he was just finishing college. He went off on his own and had some success in booking some jobs, but he came back to the Dojo, recognizing that he wanted to reach the highest levels of the business and wouldn't be able to get there alone. With humility, he chose to start at Yellow Belt, the beginning of the Mystery to Mastery program. Anderson consistently showed up and quickly became the backbone of a committed, connected, and collaborative community-a shining example for and biggest supporter of his Dojo colleagues.

When he was a Blue Belt, he was scouted by Cope Management, a top voiceover management company, and was ready to deliver! He also signed with Portia Scott at Coast to Coast and is booking regularly, being mentored by legendary VO talents, and is aligned for his first six-figure year.

What do you think is essential for breaking into voiceover today?

Making the decision to do it. Embracing an empowered mindset. Developing your skill set to a competitive level. Practice and "The V.O. Dojo is a hands-on, hearts-in, full training center that guides, supports, connects, and accelerates you every step of the way, from 'I don't know' to working pro- and beyond."

persistence, hands-on experience. Support, and doing it together with community.

What excites you most about the future of voiceover?

As Al becomes more prevalent, I think it is going to require that each of us really examines and advocates for what it means to be human. Our voices are the heart of how we express being human, and the demand for authentic connection and genuine emotional resonance will only increase. We are going to need to stand up for that concept and stay in an authentic relationship with each other. Like with any technological advances, voiceover will need to adapt and evolve. So, how will we be thinking ahead and sticking together?

LET'S CONNECT!

If you are just starting out or ready to take it to the next level, sign up for a Voice Over Once Over Call (www.theVOdojo.com/fusion) to talk about where you are and how we can help you get to where you want to be!

With your Voice Over Once Over, you'll get a FREE Spectator Pass ($49 value) for one of our V.O. Pro Fight Club Workouts. Watch and learn from the pros! Check our website (www.theVOdojo.com) for FREE monthly events like our Ask the Sensei Q&A (with recent guests like Bob Bergen and Dave Fennoy) and Get to Know VO, inspiring webinars to move your VO career forward. Follow us @theVOdojo (Instagram, Facebook, X)

• PASS THE India
• IndieWire
• Disney
• IndieWire
• DISNEY
• IndieWire
• DISNEY
• FOMOTE
• Dis
• NEY IndieW
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• IndieWire
• Disney
• Wire
• SNEY IndieWire
• VICKIE BROWN

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hey guys, my name is Vickie Brown. I hail from Los Angeles, California. Even though I was born here, I traveled between LA and in Philadelphia often when I was young, after my mother passed away. It was in Philly that I was thrust into speech writing and public speaking competitions at an early age. I would continue to compete in and win high school forensics leagues in California, and that's what would cultivate my love for dramatic interpretation.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

Although my background is in public speaking, my family had a relationship with the Detroit and L.A. Jazz scenes back in the 1940's, beginning with my great-uncle Todd Rhodes, a jazz musician who predated the Motown movement. My father and his brother and their families hosted many African- American singers from the late 60's, and this carried over to Hollywood, with my mom becoming a hand model and introducing the family to the rest of the modeling business. One of my cousins would become one of the first major Black male catalog models and travel the world breaking barriers for African American men in the industry. He even booked the movie Hair, and turned it down! He would later teach me the business as taught to him by my mom, and told me never to turn down a role.

All of my children did commercial acting and print. One day while attending an acting class with my youngest son, a voice artist complimented my voice and suggested I try voice act-

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I am currently focused on commercial, animation, and audio- books and of course

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

A good voice actor always over delivers. That means when you arrive early by at least 15 minutes before start time- I prefer 30 minutes because you may have an opportunity to be of assistance to the techs in some way or help with something unexpected. You can ask further questions and you just might even get to meet some of your favorite actors on their way out. Being a great voice actor means being consistent to warm your voice and do your vocal exercise and always always always bring you best research on the characters, product or whatever information you were provided. Listening well to direction and giving good nuanced variety because sometimes they may not be able to accurately articulate what they want-follow your instinct and HAVE FUN. A good voice actor gives themself away.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

My background is public speaking and forensics to include dramatization so narration comes the most natural, but I enjoy developing new characters for animation. As long as I am talk- ing, I love it all. I am taking the time to learn from all the greats in the industry so that I can be the best at what I can offer a client or listener.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

ing. My entry into that part of the business took a bit longer, as I was told at the time that there was no need for a voice that "sounded like mine", but my youngest son was in a per- fect position, as the VO industry was shifting to youthful roles being played by actual children. I put my son in every youth VO class I could find, from anime dubbing to ADR, and after two years of training, his voice acting career took off. During Covid, I began to explore the space once more for myself, only to learn that my voice is cherished and celebrated in the community. Timing is everything, and now I know it's never too late!

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUS- TRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

I believe that right now, there is and has been a job disparity across ethnicities throughout the industry. At the beginning of my voiceover career, I met a woman over the phone who owned a recording studio and came highly recommended in the VO industry. I phoned her to buy some studio time for my son to record, and she took the liberty to tell me that, unfortunately, there is no "work for Black voice over artists." I had not even asked or thought about asking about myself as an artist. I didn't even know I sounded "Black", but she stated that it was very clear to her, and that she was sorry to deliver such devastating news to me but that's just what it was. That's

A typical day is listening to other commercials, animations, audiobooks and tons of auditions! I practice tongue twisters and vocal warmups to stay loosened up for any opportunity that comes my way. I do regular stuff too like household things and visit with people so that I can remain grounded.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTER- ESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Learn as much as you can and share as much as you can. Ask questions - no such thing as a dumb question. You never know where your path may lead and enjoy the relationships, the people you meet, and stories and lessons along the way. Never give up or be discouraged from finding your dream. Remain open and flexible and always be ready to say yes to yourself and opportunities life brings you. Sometimes it may not start off how you think it is supposed to, but keep going and enjoy the journey. Volunteer if you have to. Take a side gig if you have to to make ends meet. Let people know what you need. Record yourself and let friends give you feedback. Do it afraid.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

This year I am investing in myself and spending time with the greats and working on areas I want to improve in like anima- tion. You can expect to hear me on more commercials and developing my animation character style. I have expanded my business and taken on more new clients for vo management/ coaching along with my son. VBrownManagement in conjunc- tion with Paul-Mikel Williams Enterprises.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

how the business worked. I began to tell her that it wasn't me that was the artist, and that I was calling about but my son. "Oh!" Her tone had changed, but then she explained that she couldn't even provide the service that I was in need of and thankfully and happily referred me to someone else. So, although I ended up booking another studio from a legend in the business who spoke so much inspiration to my son and gave lots of guidance, I was left with the lie that voice over was not a place for me, or my voice.

Over time while helping my son establish himself in Holly- wood, I understood somewhat what the lady was alluding to, but as time progressed, more opportunities for unique voices popped up into the mainstream. Despite the one lady I would begin to discover that the voice over community in its totality is one of the most collaborative and supportive environments in the industry. I stepped my whole heart in during the shut- down and learned it's a glorious time to be a voice actor and authentically me. I found a place where I am celebrated and loved greatly! So many great legends to glean from. There is an atmosphere of excellence and great respect and humility in the community. I am blessed to receive unconditional love and validation about myself. They are truly the most honest and humble and positive people on the planet. I found my tribe finally. Oh and they love to talk too!!!

I'm in the development stages of two new podcast shows. One involves genealogy, a deep passion of mine and the second one is dedicated to sharing true tales from my life encounters and all the colorful people I've met along the way- including street moguls (some famous some not), hollywood celebs, and a host of others. I can't wait for that one!

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

I have been around entertainers most of my life and I love the artistry that emanates from within and radiates without. I love the excellence on display. Hollywood is a very special place for those that have the gift of endurance (or luck) and work to make others feel something. It gives the ability to give others hope and also have a ton of joy and have fun in the process.

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?

Oh wow there are too many to name. Cree Summer, Tara Strong, Frank Welker, James Earl Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Phil Lamarr. Kevin Michael Richardson (KMR), Paul-Mikel Williams, so so many.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

ig: speakvickieb, email: [email protected], [email protected]

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABO- RATE WITH?

I would love to get into the dubbing scene for anime. I love watching anime, and the voice acting for shonen anime specifi- cally, especially in recent years, has been so raw and emotional across every genre that it keeps me hooked. I'm currently watch- ing shows like DanDaDan, Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer, and beyond the animation, I'd love to work with the Voiceover Actors for some of the main characters in each series.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CUR- RENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Right now, I'm focused more so on the television side of voice over and on-camera. I like epi- sodic voice over in the sense that I have a longer time to portray my character's arc. I did some work recently as Feather in The Wild

Robot for a couple days at Dream- works, and that was a really fun experience! It's the first time I've worked on an animated feature before, and it was a great way to dip my feet into that new avenue. I'd love to delve into both and work on both sides simultane- ously. I think I'm ready for it now that I've warmed up!

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOL- LYWOOD?

As far as actors, Frank Welker, Keith David, Tara Strong and Steve Blum are my biggest highlights. The voices they have done are absolutely iconic and ones that I've grown up on. Their range alone gives me chills, and I aspire to be just like them soon. I've been blessed to be able to meet all of them over these past years, and they are all just as down to earth and friendly as you'd expect. That's voice actors for you!

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READ- ING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hey, everyone! I'm Paul-Mikél Wil- liams. You may have heard my voice as Darius Bowman in Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, or Feather in The Wild Robot, just to name a couple. On the on-camera side, I've worked on The Upshaws, Sydney To The Max, Ra- ven's Home, and Westworld to name a few more.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

This is honestly the best question of all. It's a bit of a long story, but my mom is amazing, and so are her instincts and for the industry. Her passion and relentless ambition have gone a long way toward getting me here. Back in 2015, when I started getting into on-camera commercial work, she took me along with her to several acting/casting industry workshops after someone suggested she become a voice actor. One of them was hosted by SAG/AFTRA at their Wilshire location, and the one and only Michael Bell was heading the class! After he finished greet- ing everyone, my mom approached him on his way out and asked what he thought about her doing audio books. I remember he paused, gave a thoughtful look and a brief explanation. Afterward, he turned his attention to me, and gently asked who I was and if I was interested in voiceover.

"Yeah, but he's not ready for VO yet", my mom replied. He invited us to walk with him to the parking lot, and continued to share his experi- ence and wisdom for at least 30 minutes. I was only about 9 years old at the time and didn't know who he was by name, but once I learned that he voiced my brother's favorite character in Metal Gear Solid 3 - "The Fear", a character I'd also heard by watching my brother's playthrough of the game - I started fanboying and instantly got my brother on the phone with him. My brother was more starstruck than I was! The rest is pretty much history.

My mom followed his recommenda- tion to the letter, focusing on helping me with voiceover first because the industry was shifting its focus toward casting real youth instead of "adults playing younger." My first stop on the new journey was "Lynnanne Zager's ADR Looping level 1." That was back in 2018, and to this day, I still take classes with voice over greats when- ever I'm able, and after all these years of nurturing my dream, my mom fi- nally had the chance to begin her VO career not too long ago as well! I've heard recordings of her classes and auditions, and she's amazing at it.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I think there have been moments across my whole life that have inspired me to do voice acting. When I was younger, before my teens, I would love to play pretend and act like Cartoon Network characters like Mordecai from Regular Show or Gumball from The Amazing World Of Gumball. From then on, I always wanted to have some part in the process, whether it was writing, drawing, or voice acting. As I got older, those dreams became clear to me, and I had no idea how attainable they truly were if I just committed to them. Sometimes I would stay up on weekends a little later to watch Dragon Ball Z Kai on Toonami, and my brother was a huge fan of Dragon Ball too, so he kind of instantly got me hooked on it.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHAL- LENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUS- TRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

I think a big challenge in the voice over world is patience and consisten- cy. There's never a lack of jobs that you can submit yourself for, and that can create feelings of both intimida- tion and restlessness. You may feel like you go out for dozens or even hundreds of jobs a month and not one of them follows up, or you'll see auditions that you don't think you have the skill for or you simply don't want to do. What I do is remind myself that I'm a voice over actor because it's my dream, and I'm good at it. I'm not afraid to say I'm good at voice acting. Voice acting isn't just making character voices, either. It's embodying that character when the rest of your body can't, and being a storyteller in a medium that even some on-camera actors can't master.

THING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

This is a GREAT question. Remote work has definitely made it a bit more tedious for the majority of voice actors, I'd say, but after the adjustments, many of us have settled just fine. Working remotely also makes me somewhat anxious due to fear of something going wrong, but trading it for the commute isn't bad at all. Personally, I enjoy working in the studio more because of the atmosphere and the intimacy. It feels much easier to work when I'm close to the director/produc- ers. Voice over is very collaborative, and the studio feels like the perfect breeding ground for that creativity.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I like working on 3D animation the most, but I really like dubbing as well! I once did a dub for a French show on Disney+ called "Parallels", and I can honestly say it was refreshing to try a new type of voice acting. I've also voiced a few characters

Paul-Mikél Williams in video games like 11:11 Legends of Ru- neterra way back when, and those were really enjoyable experiences. I'd say I have the most experience in 3D animation, but there's no one category that I like more over others.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Lots of practice and auditions! Even when auditions are slowed, especially in a time like this where the industry has a lot of uncertainty, I focus on keeping my voice intact - I don't scream often, I do tongue twisters and vocal drills to stay ready for any auditions I do get, and I bring a little bit of myself into the booth every time I record, even if for an audition. Authentic- ity is what I aim for. Of course, I make an effort to eat healthy so that I can sustain my body (and voice) for when I use it. But otherwise, I focus on my other passions like writing, gaming and exercising to stay occupied when things slow down.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

First, I'll say the path into voiceover is not easy. It's defi- nitely an investment, and will require some sacrifices if it's your dream and passion like it is mine. But as long as you stay focused and dedicate as much time as you can to honing your craft, you will succeed no matter what. If jobs don't find you, the next best step is to make your own! Write projects, voice your own scripts - whatever you need to do to achieve your dream, is what you do. Push yourself, because your ability to drive yourself is IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

I think that "a good voice over actor" is someone who's comfortable in their own skin, and okay with inviting strangers into not only the world they create, but also their comfort zone as well. The best voice over actors are able to connect to the deepest parts of themselves and combine different aspects of their character and personal- ity to fill in what they can't relate to. For all actors, letting your walls down and letting your natural ego go is a key aspect of the craft.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

To view some of my work and contact info, you can go to "paulmikelwilliams.com", or message me on Instagram at "paulmikelwilliams"! I am also repped by Melissa Berger-Brenan at CESD.

I come from poverty, disability, and an undignified past... but I've never let any of it define me. I've poured everything I have into cultivating my talent as an actor and voiceover artist. It's not just about work- it's about worth. I continue to rise, not because it's easy, but because I know this passion was placed inside me for a reason. And I refuse to let the past steal the future I'm building, one audition, one breath, one brave step at a time.

What got you into a career in voice-overs?

Voiceover found me when I was at my lowest-recovering from a broken heart, silent from an abusive relationship, and living with a body changed by years of disability. I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis for over a decade. I've had both knees replaced twice. There were days my body couldn't move the way I needed it to-but my mind was still alive with stories, emo- tions, and longing to create.

What life experience was most helpful to you in becoming a voice actor?

Voiceover and acting didn't just give me a career-they gave me back my voice. They became the lifeline that pulled me from si- lence and reminded me who I am: strong, eloquent, and worthy of being heard. What began as a way to empower myself has become a calling to empower others too.

Surviving. That's the truest answer I can give. I've lived through abuse, disability, poverty, chronic illness, and years of being silenced emotionally, creatively, and physically. I know what it means to feel invisible. And I also know how sacred it is when someone finally hears you.

Talk about the challenges you face in voice-over and how do you overcome them?

Those life experiences-every heartbreak, every health battle, every quiet scream- have given me an emotional depth that can't be taught. When I approach a script, I don't just read the words. I feel them. I understand longing, joy, grief, resilience. That's what I bring to every role. Not just a voice, but lived truth.

One of the greatest challenges has been getting my name out there without representation-navigating this industry as a freelance artist with limited finan- cial resources and no safety net. Every investment, from coaching to equipment to demo reels, comes from deep sacrifice. There's no fallback, only faith.

Voiceover gave me back my voice-but surviving gave me the soul that fills it.

Any classes, books, or programs you recom- mend?

Absolutely. I trained through Such A Voice, where I focused on commercial and narration work. Their coaching helped me shape a pro- fessional presence and find my unique sound.

But more than anything-I recommend becoming part of the voiceover community. It's unlike anything I've experienced. Coming

How do you approach a voice-over script?

I approach every script like a con- versation with someone who needs to hear it. First, I pause-I breathe it in. I want to feel what it's saying be- neath the words. Then I imagine the person on the other side of the mic: what they need, what they're carry- ing, how I can reach them.

Whether I'm voicing a corporate piece for PHMG, a character in animation, or narrating my own empowerment from a background where support was scarce, I was stunned by how generous, welcoming, and uplifting this industry can be. Voiceover artists cheer for each other. We share tips, re- sources, referrals. There's a deep understand- ing here that rising together is better than going it alone. It's rare. And it's real.

Do you have a specialty in voice work, or do you do several types?

I work across several genres, but my true passion lives in video games and dubbing. I've been a gamer since the 1980s-and I'm not stopping anytime soon. I still game every day with my friends, and my longtime gamer tag has been Bionic Siren-the name that eventually became my brand. It reflects both the resilience I've lived through and the sound that draws people in.

For beginners, The Voice Actor's Guide to Recording at Home is a practical, affordable resource. And platforms like Gravy for the Brain and Voiceover

People often describe my voice as soothing, raspy, eloquent-and yes, even sexy. That natural vocal texture lets me slip into emotionally rich characters with ease, whether I'm voicing a cun- ning rogue, a haunted empress, or a wise mentor

Pros on Linkedin offer both tools and connec- tion.

in a dubbed series.

Outside of that, I've built a strong presence in IVR and corporate narration through PHMG, and also lend my voice to podcasts, meditations, and social content. But video games and dub- bing? That's where my heart truly belongs. That's where I feel most alive.

And speaking of LinkedIn that's truly where it all started for me. I began making authentic connections, learning from working pros, and little by little, doors began to open. That network became my lighthouse.

What does this industry mean to you?

To me, voiceover isn't just a career-it's a lifeline. It was then, and it still is now.

I'll be completely honest: when I started, I was in a very dark place. Living with ADHD and rejection sensitivity dysphoria, I felt like I was constantly battling invisible waves. I had hit a point where I knew I had to do something drastic to pull myself out. I had it all planned... but something inside me wouldn't let go.

One afternoon, while gaming, a single thought surfaced: "I still have a voice. And I can use it to make a living." People had always told me my voice was unique-soothing, raspy, eloquent. That day, I chose to believe them.

That moment didn't just change my direction. It saved my life.

It truly depends on the proj- ect-but for most of my work, I prefer the comfort of my own recording space. Not only does it offer convenience and creative control, but it's also easier on my body. As some- one managing a chronic illness and living in rural America, transportation to commercial studios isn't always available. But I don't let that stop me--I work around the challenge. I've created a professional space that supports both my craft and my well-being.

How do you handle receiving feedback and direction from producers or direc- tors during recording sessions?

I welcome it-wholeheartedly. Feedback is a gift. It means someone has taken the time to see you, hear you, and help you shape the work into something even stronger.

Honestly, I wish more casting directors and producers had the time to offer it. But with the sheer number of submissions they receive, I know that's not always realistic. That's why I attend as many free webinars and live direction sessions as I can-just to get those rare moments of professional insight. I love hearing how others hear me. It sharpens my instincts and stretches my range.

content for TikTok or Boundless Me- dia-I always lead with connection. Tone, pacing, and emotional texture follow naturally when you anchor into who you're speaking to and why the message matters.

And of course, no setup is A good read is technical. A great one complete without my studio is human.

cat, Lola-she knows all my secrets and absorbs sound like a tiny, purring sound blanket. Together, we make magic from the middle of nowhere.

I don't take direction personally-I take it seriously. Because the goal isn't to be perfect. The goal is to bring the vision to life-and I'm always ready to rise to that.

What do you recommend? Setting up a home studio or using a com- mercial recording facility?

PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

My name is Ozzie Wilson. I am a self-em- ployed voice artist. Charisma with Soul

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

In 2019, I was teaching full time, and I started doing audiobooks.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

A friend of mine and myself decided to venture into voiceover. He wanted to do animation characters, and I wanted to do audiobooks.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

Some of the challenges I face keep- ing all the parts of this business going. The marketing is my biggest challenge because I do email and social media marketing and you must stay consistent and relevant. Also, Al voices have become more realistic and clients are more so- phisticated. I have to attach Al riders to some of my contracts to make sure my voice is not used without my consent. Freelance voiceover sites don't always protect the artists either.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

I would love to collaborate with many artists, the only one that comes to mind is my friend Kevin

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I'm currently focused commercial work and elearning.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

A voice actor has to know how to put emotion into their words in a way that feels realistic. A good voice actor also has to have the ability to follow a director's lead and change focus when prompted.

NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

All of my work has been in my own home stu- dio. I would enjoy coming to a studio because I like to bond with people I work with, especially on an artistic level.

.WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

My specialties are conversational reads and Urban, mostly New York accents. I was born in New York City so I can relate to the vibe of the city.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Not sure about all voice actors, but between projects I have a work schedule. I wake up to coffee and emails early in the morning, warm my voice and knock out auditions. I'll eat a bit and do some email marketing. I'll work on that and knock out some more auditions if necessary. Midday, I try to do some voiceover related activities like read, listen to a podcast, watch a video or take a class. I'll do some social media likes and then work on creative content.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

There's so much to recommend. I would say take classes to get your instrument (voice) working well and keep learning. Also, find a quiet space to record and practice your craft. Lastly, delve into different genres of voiceover and if you find that you're really good at a particular genre, go hard!

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU.

I just finished a campaign for Sonny's BBQ and I'm currently working on a meditation series.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I have some things in the works, but I'm not at liberty to say!

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

There's so much to recommend. I would say take classes to get your instrument (voice) working well and keep learning. Also, find a quiet space to record and practice your craft. Lastly, delve into different genres of voiceover and if you find that you're really good at a particular genre, go hard!

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My website is https://www.ozziewilsonvo.com/

Gryo's

PHIL

DOANE

PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hello! I am Phil Doane located in Arling- ton, Texas, which is basically between Dallas and Fort Worth. Though I began my voiceover career in 20211 have been out of the booth for the past three or so years, being heavily involved as a parent volunteer with my twin boys high school marching band activities. Now that they have gradu- ated high school, I am looking forward to getting back on track with my voice over endeavors.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT

I got the idea of voiceover when I was the teacher in the Learning Lab where I inter- acted with students who received special accommodations with assignments and testing. This could be individual one on one time with the student, or they needed a small quiet area to work, so they would come to my room. Some students would take tests with "Oral Accomodation" so I would record the test - reading questions and answers - on an old iPod then give it to the student when they arrived in my room to take their exam.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

I got the idea of voiceover when I was the teacher in the Learning Lab where I inter- acted with students who received special accommodations with assignments and testing. This could be individual one on one time with the student, or they needed a small quite area to work, so they would come to my room. Some students would take tests with "Oral Accomodation" so I would record the test - reading questions and answers - on an old iPod then give it to the student when they arrived in my room.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I would have to say this is when I attend my first One Voice Conference. I was brand new to voice over and I saw an ad on Face- book for a voiceover conference in Dallas. When I attended the first event on Friday it was very mind blowing that there is this huge of a voice over community I didn't know existed! As I met both speakers and fellow attendees, it was very inspiring as it brought my creative side back to life which had been buried for so many years.

STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY. achievements because of their voice, and it

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

There are a couple of challenges I face, and they go hand-in-hand. First is comparing myself to others, which therefore leads to affecting my confidence. How I face these challenges is remembering what they say in the Voiceover community about how everyone's voice is unique, and the fact that there is no other voice like mine. Similar to how no two fingerprints are the same, my voice is very unique only to me. When I keep this in mind, it keeps my focus on me not on any other Voice Artist in their does boost my confidence allowing me to do my best during that moment while I'm recording in the booth.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

There are a few projects that I am partial to because I know the cast and think it would be a really great experience to team up and work with them. One project is The Dad Bod of Destiny by Jason Lettingham, sec- ond would be Leo Brawn Demon Hunter by Jason Beard, and Partial Veil by Allison Cossit. All of these are with binging!

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Since I am getting back into the swing of things I am focusing on commercials, e- learning, audiobooks, and audio dramas! I am really excited to get my creative side going again.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

There are a number of characteristics that make a good voice actor. First is talent. This is foundational. The voice actor needs to show they understand the script and bring it to life. They also need to be able to read it with multiple emotions and inflec- tions. Second would be a professional and "easy to work with" approach in the record- ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU ing session. The voice actor is hired by the client, and they have to provide the client and the directors are looking for in regards to how they bring the script to life. This also helps when the voice actor collabo- rates by offering ideas that easily fit into the flow of the session and keeps it moving in the right direction.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Right now, since I'm returning to being ac- tive in Voiceover, a typical day is working on foundational techniques regarding the voice and script analysis, recording audi- tions, and studying marketing skills.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

First I would recommend doing research to find a coach that you click with and dive into coaching. They can also guide you for the next items of a recording space and equipment. While you are coaching, you will want to look at equipment such as a microphone, interface, and recording software. You will also need to create a space / studio to do your recording. There are many inexpensive methods for the person just starting into voiceover where it does not break the bank. Treat this like a farmer...you have to be patient with planting seeds before you see real fruit to harvest. Be patient with yourself in the beginning.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

What's gonna be next for me is to get back into coaching and sharpen my skills, so hopefully land something at the end of this year or start gaining momentum for 2026.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJ- ECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORK- ING ON NOW?

One project that I am happy to get back to recording for is The Birthday Fairy Project which you can find on all social platforms. The Birthday Fairy Project shines a light on the lives lost to gun violence in the United States by recognizing the birthday of each victim.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My website is phildoanevoiceover.com My email is [email protected]

PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hey everyone, I'm Roberto Jolliffe, though most people just call me Berto. To my family, I'll always be "Bert." I come from a beautifully blended heritage, my father is Panamanian, my mother a proud Nuyorican and growing up as a military kid meant home was wherever we landed. We moved often, but Texas became our anchor.

I'm a husband, a father, a creator and above all, a builder of legacies. For me, voice-over isn't just a career, it's a calling. Every word I speak into the mic is rooted in my journey: the cultures that raised me, the challenges I've overcome, and the deep belief that we all carry stories worth sharing. I have been fortunate to voice for brands like Pop-Tarts, Rap TV, Nike, HBO MAX, Vivid Seats, NASCAR, Pepsi Co., Paw Patrol, Kamala Harris, Beyond Meat, Akedo Ultimate War- rior ad more!

I'm passionate about showing others, especially my kids, that you don't have to fit into a box. You can be multi-passionate, you can rein- vent yourself, and you can build a life that looks like you. My goal is to use my voice not only to tell stories but to create opportunity, impact, and generational change.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I didn't find voice-over...it found me.

Back in November 2020, my son was born during the height of the pandemic. For the first time in my life, I had a window to slow down and reflect. I was on paternity leave, spending more time at home than I ever had, and I found myself looking at the leftover podcast equipment from a show I'd helped friends launch the year before. The podcast had ended, but the gear was still there, just waiting for a new story to be told.

Then I remembered a conversation with my friend William Brown out in L.A., he casually mentioned a voice-over site called Voices.com. At the time, I didn't even know VO could be a real career. But something about it stuck. I thought, "Why not now?" That mo- ment became my 2021 New Year's resolution.

I signed up for the site, uploaded my first samples, and the next thing I knew, I was off to the races. No studio. No formal training. Just me, a mic, and a mindset. What started as a side curiosity turned into a purpose, I didn't even know I'd been preparing for all my life.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

The moment I truly felt inspired to belong in this industry wasn't when I booked a job or got my first check...it was when I found the voice-over com- munity.

In the beginning, I was figuring things out by trial and error. I'd do full reads with zero editing, running straight takes, trying not to mess up. I didn't know about EQ settings, mic placement, or that auditions could be improved post-recording. I was just winging it. But one day, I stumbled across some Facebook groups and YouTube channels where seasoned VO artists were sharing wisdom, breaking things down, and most importantly welcoming new talent without ego or gatekeeping.

That blew me away. I came from industries where people held their cards close, but in VO? People were opening doors, sharing knowledge, and rooting for you. Strangers became mentors. Some even became real good friends, not because of clout or credits, but because of shared journeys. That kind of community lit a fire in me. I didn't just want to do voice-over.... wanted to grow with the people in it.

That sense of inclusion and empowerment inspired me to keep going. It made me want to get better, not just for me, but so I could eventually turn around and do the same for someone else. Because in this space, growth isn't just personal, it's communal.

ROBERTO JOLLIFFE

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

One of the biggest challenges in this industry? Silenc- ing the noise in your own head.

In the beginning, self-doubt hit hard. I'd second-guess every audition: "Is this good enough?" But over time, I realized success in this game comes from unlearning perfectionism and leaning into authenticity. Training, coaching, conferences, all those help, but nothing replaces finding your unique voice.

You also have to understand that being a voice actor isn't just about having a great voice, it's about being an entrepreneur. You're the talent, but also the mar- keter, the tech guy, the scheduler, the accountant, and the creative director. That means building systems, staying organized, and always finding new ways to market yourself without burning out.

The way I overcome all of it? Community. Consis- tency. And choosing to bet on myself every day, even when it's hard. That's the real difference-maker. The biggest battle in Voice Over is YOU vs. YOU.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

Absolutely. I've got a list that stays ready!

I'd love to voice a character in Grand Theft Auto VI or the next Dragon Ball series. Shows like Rick and Morty, Invincible, and anything on Adult Swim I'm all in. I'd also love to voice promos or documentaries for the History Channel and the shows like how brands or companies are made in America inspire me so much. Also, college sports programs, Call of Duty and hip-hop-focused content. There's something powerful about combining voice and culture, it creates mo- ments that feel personal and unforgettable.

And when it comes to people? I'd love to work with creatives like Issa Rae, Donald Glover, Ryan Coogler or Jordan Peele, visionaries who know how to fuse authenticity with art. That's the space I want to move in, where storytelling is bold, intentional, and layered with meaning.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Right now, my main focus is on commercial voice- over, that's the area where I've booked the most, and where my tone and delivery style really thrive. I love tapping into that conversational, trustworthy energy brands are looking for today.

But I'm also pushing deeper into promo and character work, because those spaces light me up creatively. There's something magical about building a voice that sets the tone for a whole show or brings a character to life. I've been training hard in those areas, studying industry leaders, working with coaches, and dialing in my technique so when the opportunity comes, I'm not just ready...I'm undeniable.

I see Voice Over as a long game. So, while I honor where I'm winning now, I'm always planting seeds for the spaces I want to grow into.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FO- CUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

My current specialties are Commer- cial and Promo work, those are core to my foundation. I love the challenge of bringing a brand's message to life in just 15 or 30 seconds. You've got to make every word matter, and I thrive in that high-stakes simplicity. Anima- tion and gaming spaces I'm trickling into little by little.

But I'm also expanding into Audio Description, which has become a true passion project. I've been study- ing the work of Roy Samuelson and others who are leading the charge in making media accessible for the blind and low-vision community. It's powerful work, because it's not about you, it's about serving some- one else's experience. When I was in the tech industry part of one of my jobs was doing mobile performance testing and always thinking about accessible UI/UX experiences which left a lifelong awareness. So, I take that mindset into all of my crafts, it has made me a better actor and a better person.

In the long run, I want to master every lane, from animation to video games to long-form narration. I'm in this for the full journey.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Yes! I'm working on a few amazing projects right now.

I'm voicing an internal training program for Ohio State University through a grant initiative, it's exciting to contribute to something that's educational and forward-thinking. I've also got some new commercial work dropping soon for Ford and Del Taco, both of which have been a blast to record.

But the project closest to my heart? I'm writing a book called "Ahhh, So You Want to Be a VOICE OVER ACTOR?" It's an illustrated guide for both kids and adults who want to learn about this world in a fun, accessible way. The goal is to demystify the industry and spark curiosity, because sometimes, all it takes is one spark to change someone's life. You'll be able to find it on my social platforms and at TheVOBook.com.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEB- SITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

For sure, I'd love to connect!

You can check out my work at BertoTheVO.com, or reach me directly at [email protected]. My business line is 915-443-1671, and I'm active across all social media channels @BertoBoushae. Whether you're looking for a commercial voice, a promo read, or someone to help bring your next proj- ect to life, let's build something dope together.

LILTIMA

My name is Vanessa Richardson - I've been a full time Voice Actor for over 20 years. I was born in Medellin, Colombia (South America) and raised all over the US. I am bilingual Span- ish & English (which has helped me a lot as a voice actor). I'm a mom to 2 amazing boys. I have worked I every genre of voice over including dubbing, narration, VOG, (most re- cently I live-announced the 2025 SCL Awards), animation, political spots, ADR, promos, commercials, audiobooks, and most recently, scripted podcasts. My most recognizable current shows are My current podcasts are "Killer Minds","True Crime This Week" and "Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes" for PAVE studios - available everywhere you listen to podcasts. I also was the original host of "Serial Killers" for over 7 years over 500 episodes, among many others. I have won many awards over the years for my work including Telly Awards, a Pollie Award, Campaigns & Elections Reed Awards, Peer Awards, among others.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I consider myself a storyteller - no matter what genre I'm working in, I take the listener on a journey - whether it's a 30 second commer-cial, a podcast, an audiobook, an animated character or documentary narration... it's the same idea.

I come from a family of storytellers. My grand- mother was a writer, my father is a musician and film editor; he cut many feature films, commercials, news reels and was most known for his work on music videos back when MTV first started (and actually played music videos!) I grew up around the industry in a family that appreciates creativity and the arts.

I started my career on the east coast working in television production and post-production. As a producer and coordinator, I learned the "business" side of things. I handled budgets and booked edit and mix sessions. I started off hir- ing talent and working closely with producers and then became a producer myself. I learned early on what makes a voice actor successful - and it starts before you even get in the booth!

One day early on in my career, a producer handed me a script and put me in front of a microphone to read a scratch track for a piece that would air on 20/20. I was immediately hooked. They ended up using my scratch track on air, and I knew that it would not be the last time I would be in front of a microphone! It was roughly 15 years later that I would begin my transition from producer to voice talent.

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

There are times when I will audition and not book anything for months... That can be dis- couraging. I have learned that having multiple avenues for work is very important. My main focus is my work with PAVE studios on the shows "Killer Minds" and "Crime House: The Show" (putting out several shows a week plus social media content - which is a huge part of the work now!) I also have an amazing agent, Van-essa Gilbert, who continues to present me with opportunities, as well as a few regional agents.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?

I did the promo materials for Planet Earth narrated by Sigourney Weaver. I recently did a scratch track used by Chaka Khan for an NBA promo. Worked with John Quiñones on a 20/20 piece (when I realized I wanted to work in VO one day!!). I've had the pleasure of working with so many professional, talented people over the years and I look forward to what's coming next!!

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I am currently focused on my shows ("Killer Minds" and "Crime House: the show") - It takes a lot of time to host 3 podcasts a week as well as the social media & community building. Social media has become such an important part of building a career as an actor.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

One of the things I love most about being a voice actor is that every day is different. I must have certain things in place to create structure (my morning workouts, getting my son out the door to school and after school pick-ups, etc) but when it comes to work, my schedule is a moving target - and I love that. I juggle scheduled sessions in the Sherman Oaks studio, auditions, sessions at my home studio, paper- work, social media content creating/writing/

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

In my opinion, being a good voice actor takes a lot.

- Study improv and theater!! (The "actor" part of Voice actor!) This is SO important and often overlooked but the ones who do improvi- sational theater (a la Groundlings and Second City) and who are actors generally do better than those who do not.

- Work with voice over coaches - preferably more than one. You will get different perspec- tives and insight, and it will also prepare you for all of the different kinds of producers and directors you will encounter in sessions!

- Be willing to fail. Love the work so much, you're willing to dust yourself off and get back to the mic (persistence is key!).

shooting/editing/posting, community outreach, etc. It is a FUN job, but you must LOVE it and be motivated. You cannot choose this career and expect work and money to magically come your way.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025?

I work every single day (I am very fortunate - but it also took a lot of hard work and perse- verance to get here). I continue to grow and audition and work hard so I can keep working and support my little family. My shows "Killer Minds", "True Crime This Week" and "Conspiracy Theories, Cults and Crimes" are continuing to grow and I am hoping that there will be at least one more show being revealed by the end of 2025.

- Be smart with your money. Learn to budget and prepare - the work tends to ebb and flow. Be ready. Learn about investing and creating a nest egg for your future.

- Read!! It is important to keep your brain active and keep up with current events.

-Finally, and most importantly, be a good person. People will hire you for your talent, of course - but we humans also hire people we want to spend time with! If you are pleasant and have a great attitude AND make the client look good by being a total bad*ss, amazing talent at the mic, that's the most important in- gredient for success! ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I absolutely love working in person when pos- sible - but I also LOVE the convenience of my home studio! The commute to my office (in my garage) is absolutely heavenly. I also now go into the studio once or twice a week to record "Killer Minds" with my amazing cohost, forensic psychologist Dr. Tristin Engels. I truly am happy either way.

Absolutely! www.vrvoice.com

People can reach out to my agent, Vanessa Gilbert at RSA management or directly at va- [email protected].

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?

If you are interested in voice over as a career, I will say this- You must LOVE the work. It takes a lot of perseverance and time. There is a com- mon misconception that VO is "easy money".. It is a career that takes time, talent, persever- ance, a little luck & timing... fueled by persis- tence and LOVE for the work. If you have those things, then DON'T GIVE UP!!!

I'm not in this for the money, I do it be- cause I love it and need to be doing it, and this is the next step in growing my career. That said, it is a business that I've invested a large sum of money into, and I have to work on making back that in- vestment!

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJ- ECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I wish I could! I've got some things lined up that are confidential. I've been cast in a couple of anime series.

Like everyone else, I would love to be involved in a project at Disney or Nickelodeon. My biggest goal in this career, though, is to work on South Park.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I haven't narrowed it down to any one genre, but mainly I've been submit- ting for commercial, animation, video

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

I love movies and TV shows. I love story- telling, and I love a good performance. I favor originality, so when I see something new that's not a reboot, sequel, prequel or spin-off, it feels refreshing and much more stimulating. Imagination and cre- ativity are the heart of the entertainment industry and we've lost a lot of it, so I re- ally appreciate it when I do find it.

games, and dubbing. I'm also learning more about audio description for the visually impaired. I'm interested in that because it combines doing what I love with helping people.

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLY- WOOD?

Maurice LaMarche, E.G. Daily, Hank Azaria, H. John Benjamin, Debra Wilson, and the late Mary Kay Bergman.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

It's generally agreed that au- thenticity and the ability to live truthfully in the moment are what makes a good voice actor. Improvisational skills and the ability to take direction are ad- ditional musts. Voice actors who are well-prepared, have a good attitude, and show up on time are the ones who will continue to get hired.

NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY RE- MOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I can appreciate the conve- nience of recording at home, but I definitely prefer being in-studio, by far. Nothing feels more legit than being in a glass booth in a professional setting, with a director and an engineer just feet away. That's how you really feel the magic happen-

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Auditioning. Lots of audition- ing. I spend a lot of time recording multiple takes and then editing down to the best one or two, and lightly clean- ing up the audio so it sounds as professional as possible. There's also a lot of interact- ing on social media and LinkedIn, marketing yourself and maintaining relationships with people like directors, casting directors, producers, and others who can be benefi- cial to keep in touch with. The same with colleagues. I talk to other actors like myself on a pretty much daily basis. Keep- ing up with each other, sharing resources, giving advice, cel- ebrating our wins, and venting our frustrations! It's important to have that community and be active in it.

ing, and the excitement of artistic collaboration.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FO- CUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I love being a character. Anything that allows me to do that is the best, so I do focus mainly on animation and video games since those are the most obvious avenues for that. I have a good ear and am a strong mimic, so I also do accents, voice matching, and creature sounds.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

The voice actors I admire are ones that are full of personality and put everything they have into their char- acters, and have great comedic timing. I do love it when I can't recognize the actor's voice from one character to the next, and though that's not necessarily what makes someone good, it is an extra layer of talent that I think puts them over the top.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025?

My plans are to book more main- stream professional jobs. I've been at this for three years as of this month, and have almost exclusively worked on independent projects, mostly unpaid, to build my resume. Now that I have representation in the LA market, I'm hoping to start working on features, series, and games on major networks and platforms.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Save up your money, and train, train, train! Learn as much as you can from reputable teachers and coaches. Strengthen your skills as much as possible. A lot of people (myself included) start out with the misconception that the sound of your voice and how much you can change and manipulate it is so much more important than it actually is. You have to be able to act. The voice is just a matter of personal taste to casting directors, if they even factor it in much at all.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My website is www.sarahnoelau- dio.com and I'm also on Insta- gram at @notthe1stnoel

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF

My name is Sarah Noel. I'm a voice actor na- tive to Los Angeles.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I started with group Zoom classes at a place called Kalmenson & Kalmenson. I learned the basics as well as what next steps to take to get my foot in the door, which was hiring a private coach, getting a commercial demo produced, and reaching out to talent agencies for representation.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Like a lot of others at my level, Covid! We all seemed to have the same epiphany dur- ing quarantine: we're stifling our creativity and not letting it be a priority. I had always wanted to be a voice actor but thought it was nothing but a pipe dream, and was unrealistic to pursue, so I never looked into it. The catalyst was that I had a dream job offer unrelated to voiceover, that turned out to be too good to be true. It fell apart in a very traumatic way, and I was distraught, and I couldn't bear the thought of being back to having nothing but my day job. So I pivoted, and threw everything into VO.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

It's a very volatile industry. Things change all the time and it is hard for me to deal with inconsistency. I thought the biggest challenge would be not getting a part I auditioned for, but that actually hasn't bothered me too much. I've learned that parts you do get offered sometimes fall through, for all kinds of reasons out of people's control. So far, I haven't been met with much else that has really felt like a hardship other than the disappointment of being excited about something and then being let down. It's also hard when there are periods of time when nothing seems to be happening, which can feel discouraging, especially when you see your peers sharing a lot of casting announce- ments. The only way I can get through these moments is to just keep going. I focus on how far I've come, and on continuing to audition and train. It won't be the last time a great opportunity comes along. The future is full of possibilities and that's exciting, and I sometimes have to remind myself of that excitement.

ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS PLEASE KINDLY INTRO- DUCE YOURSELF.

My name is Steven Goard. I'm a full-time voice actor, creator, husband, and father of five. I'm the creator of The Uptown Chronicles, an animated series rooted in culture, family, and imagination. I've had the blessing to voice national commer- cials, narration, animation, and promos - but more than that, I love to use my voice to inspire through creativity. Every project I take on is rooted in that purpose.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I moved to Atlanta, GA in 1995 as an aspiring rapper and music producer. I loved performing, being behind the boards and in the booth! I first stepped into the world of voiceover in 2013, sign- ing with my first agency Houghton Talent. But it wasn't until around 2020 that I began to truly invest in the craft. I trained, worked hard behind the scenes while raising my family and holding down a day job - and in 2024, I went full-time. That transition was a result of preparation, faith, and divine timing.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Even as a young kid, I always felt I had something to say-not just with words, but with energy, emotion, and creativity and inspiration. When I got older and discovered voice acting, it gave me the freedom to express myself fully, to bring life to stories, and to impact creatively with just my voice. I wanted to use my love of performing to build something real - for myself, for my family, and for those who would hear me.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

There are moments of stillness in this journey - times when you're auditioning without hearing back. That can play with your mind if you let it. But I stay centered through meditation, gratitude, and reminding myself that what's for me won't miss me. I lean into my support system, keep my faith strong, and stay committed to my vision of where I see myself going and the legacy I plan to leave.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COL- LABORATE WITH?

I'd love to work with Pixar, Marvel, Disney, or Cartoon Network. I'd also love to collaborate with creators who are building from a place of love and vision. I believe alignment brings the right people together, and I'm always open to partner- ships rooted in purpose.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I'm deeply focused on commercials, promos, and animation. Commercial work allows me to build trust with an audience in seconds. Promos let me bring intensity and presence. And animation that's where I get to play, create, and explore characters that live in entirely new worlds. It's a blessing to do what I love every day.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

Hollywood has always symbolized creativity and possibility. It's where dreams are amplified and stories echo around the world. But what I've learned is - you don't have to be in Hollywood to create something powerful. Magic can happen anywhere. I've seen it in home studios, in late- night brainstorming sessions, and in grassroots collaborations. Still, I have so much respect for what Hollywood represents - a space where imagination becomes impact.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

A great voice actor listens with their heart. It's not just about vocal tone - it's about emotional truth. You have to believe what you're saying, embody the message, and bring a presence that reaches beyond the mic.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

I start my mornings with meditation and grati- tude. Then it's time in the booth-auditioning, recording, connecting with clients, and building. I also make time to be present with my wife and five children. My days are full, and they're rooted in love, purpose, and alignment.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Yes - The Uptown Chronicles is in full motion. We've completed our trailer, actively pitching the series concept to get our pilot produced, launched the comic book, merchandise and steady building our fan base to introduce the world to our characters and story. It's original, it's bold, it's filled with heart, and it's needed to help shift the narrative about black family dynamics as currently portrayed in the media.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

You can reach me at www.stevengoard.com. All my demos, contact info, and booking details are there. I'm also on Instagram @steveng_vo- feel free to connect and say what's up.

• TONY
• JACKSON
• PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Tony Jackson. Phoenix AZ. Scorpio. I love spicy food, heavy metal, and living life. I officially started my voiceover journey late 2019. In addition to being a voice actor, I also write grants for a disability focused nonprofit, have been a power wheelchair soccer ath- lete since 2009, coach, and broadcaster since 2012, and recently began downhill skiing competitively.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

WOW...that could be a small chapter in a book. Long story short, I discovered voiceover at my college radio station (The Blaze @Arizona State University) in the early 2000s. I worked my way to becoming the production director and thought, "people get paid to do this stuff...". Back when online radio was still very underground, I found a heavy metal station based in Alaska and offered my services. They said "yes" and that was my first ever VO gig...and I got paid! Then I didn't pursue it any further. I don't know why.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

15 years after college radio, an acquaintance told me about an "intro to VO" workshop in the area. I had been working other jobs, but voiceover would knock on my door occasionally and remind me it was still there. I said to myself, "it's now or never. Do this or move on with your life. With a friend's encourage- ment and help, I signed up and the rest is history.

SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE IN VOICE OVER.

The moment I got my first paid job and realized people make a living behind the microphone. At that moment, I knew my life had to eventually land behind the microphone.

I face many of the same challenges my fellow voice actors do...building the business into existence, carv- ing out a space within this community, and mouth clicks. Living with a physical disability presents other unique challenges. I had to design a custom booth that can accommodate my power wheelchair. I rely on caregivers to help me live every day, and since they don't live with me, my time is a bit more limited. I can't get up at 3 AM to get in the booth and record. However, I do what I can with what I've got, and it's worked out well so far. If I'm going to pursue this goal, I have no choice but to figure out solutions and make it work.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

I want to voice sports promos in the future. MLB on FOX. NFL on CBS. English Premier League on NBC. College Football on ABC/ESPN. If it's sports on network TV, I want to voice commercials for it. Or if Aqua Teen Hunger Force came back, I would be all over that. C'mon Adult Swim!

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I am working on improving my commercial reads. With my broadcasting background, it has been challenging to knock the "announcer" out of me. I'm much better now than I was (thankfully), but I still have so much more room to improve. Also, I am going to push into more training for promo and radio imaging work.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

I think that there is still something alluringly magical about Hollywood. Certainly, the mystery behind the curtain has been pulled back over the years, however there is still something glamorous about it.

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS Although entertainment is much more democratized INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME IT.

and accessible these days, Hollywood still has an impact on us culturally and that's not going to disap- pear anytime soon.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

A great voice actor makes the listener feel some- thing. They can embody the story and with their vocal folds vibrating air, a great voice actor can influ- ence the way we feel in that moment. It's a powerful human ability.

EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

I have only ever worked remotely. However, I thrive in group settings, so I look forward to the day when I get to work in the studio.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I've been training in commercial, TV promo and movie trailer, and a little bit of animation (more recently). I want to dive into radio imaging, which is essentially voiceover that serves as branding for the station. Radio production in college influenced that.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Wake up. Get in the booth. Record auditions. Cry. Leave the booth. Send out marketing emails. Cry some more. Eat breakfast. Stop crying because you're not hungry anymore. Send more marketing emails. Get back in the booth and record that audi- tion that's due in 10 minutes. Sometimes book a gig.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

They can email me at [email protected] and visit my website at tonyjacksonvo.com to hear samples.

• LiL
• TITH
• LILA

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

I am Tara Jade Fox, an award winning voice artist, TV and film actor, motion capture performer, key- note speaker...aka a hybrid. I grew up in theatre, and instantly fell in love with the vast experiences one can have when acting. At 18, I was told to "grow up and get a real job". So I did-I went medi- cal for a while, leaving acting behind me.

TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

Years later, I came across an article about things you can do from home... and lo and behold on that list was voice acting. Well that instantly caught my attention, especially if there was a way I could get back into acting and not have to leave my house to do it! So that obviously sent me into a research spiral on how do I get started and what do I need to have. It honestly felt like coming home.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

Anytime I hear a performance that is emotionally gripping or just bubbling with fun energy, I think, gosh-how lucky am I to get to do this for a job!

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

I think as in life, acting isn't linear...meaning it's not take stepping stone A and you get to B then move to C. It's a very curvy, often nonsensical path...and therein lies the beauty...your ability to adapt and go with the flow is everything both in acting and in life and career. Acting is a great way to learn how to be human.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

Ohh that's a good question...I would love to play around in the Star Wars universe, but specifically if I could make it happen-I would love for some- one to make a version of Star Wars, an alternate universe of sorts, where Padme stays with Anakin and joins him on the dark side. I think that would be incredible!

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I do lots of different kinds of voice overs- narra- tion, videogames, commercials,etc. On camera work-TV, film, commercials... and some of my favorite things- performance capture or MOCAP. I have even been dabbling in directing! Oh and if I'm not acting, you can probably find me deliver- ing keynote talks.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

I love that Hollywood has allowed us to live out our dreams on a stage, behind a mic, in a lycra suit, in front of a camera...or wherever the winds take us. It gave us a place to come alive and not just tell fantastic stories, but get to live them. WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

Simple. A good actor. Voice actors are ACTORS... they just happen to use their voice. Just as in any other form of acting- its about the story, the rela- tionships, connection, etc...the voice or the sounds you make are a byproduct of that.

WHAT TYPE OF VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I love it all really...everyday is a chance to play. Every script, a new character and experience. Video games have a special place in my heart as you get to play in some of the most wild land- scapes. You can live a thousand lives in a day, love deeply, lose infinitely, get chased by monsters, become the villain you swore you'd never be, and still make it home for dinner.

WHATS A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Everyday is different for me based on booked projects and auditions coming in. But having a morning and night time routine is essential for maintaining health and healthy vocal cords! A few non-negotiables for me are tons of water, tea, protein, supplements, movement, sunshine, and sleep.

A somewhat typical morning involves waking up with tea and water while dancing around the kitchen. Popping open the email to make sure I don't have anything urgent to address- then get- ting some movement in- weights/running/martial arts/etc. High protein smoothie-then hit the day!

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?

So many amazing voice actors out there. The one actor and performance that immediately comes to mind is Sam Witwer as Darth Maul when he is screaming "Kenobi!" It's not just that it was a good scream, it was fantastic, but it was the amount of thought and energy that went into the character he was playing. As seen by Maul's continued fantastic performance. It went way further than skin deep...it's the kind of performance that gives you goosebumps. And that right there is what I love about being an actor, the ability to make people feel.

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

Note what kind of voiceover interests you...audio- books, video games, car commercials...whatever it is, study them! Take a voiceover 101 class- lots of studios offer them as a glimpse behind the curtain, see if that actually is something you like or you find out that it's not for you. Either way-it will point you in the right direction.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I am currently working with some on going nar- ration and video game projects, lots of on camera work and performance capture and MOCAP. Something exciting I can speak to more specifical- ly...I am collaborating on bringing more MOCAP to the Colorado area! Which will be amazing- Colo- rado has some fabulously talented actors!

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My details are all on my website:

www.tarajadefox.com Or you can reach me by email at [email protected]

• 10TH
• FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READ-
• ING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRO- DUCE YOURSELF.

I am an empathetic and passion- ate voice over actress. I come from Costa Rica, a small and lush tropical country in Latin America. I love using my voice as a crea- tive tool-an essential element for storytelling, connecting with people, and expressing emotions. With over 10 years of experience in voice acting, my goal has b been to approach my work with an integrative vision that fosters both business growth and personal de- velopment. A driving force in my life is to constantly evolve, guided by love and compassion.

OICE ARTS

A WA

I hold a degree in Drama Arts and have trained (and con- tinue to train) with top voiceover coaches like Tina Morasco and Dave Walsh. I perform in English, Spanish, and French, catering to a diverse international audience. My clients include global brands such as Google, VISA, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nescafé, Toyota, Spec- trum Mobile, and Fancy Feast.

In 2022, I won the prestigious Voice Arts Award (USA) in an English-language category by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), one of the highest hon- ors in the industry. In 2021, I re- ceived the Lavat Award (Mexico), a notable accolade in the Latin American voiceover community that celebrates excellence in voice acting and dubbing. I've also earned multiple award nomina- tions in the U.S., Venezuela and Colombia.

I'm deeply committed to my craft. I attend workshops, conferences, and coaching sessions to push my limits and gain fresh perspectives. Building community and fostering belonging in the i the industry is im- portant to me-I thrive on mean- ingful connections. My journey is about holistic growth: innovating, exploring new markets, and con- stantly expanding my horizons while trusting my instincts.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT

WHERE YOU FELT INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

For as long as I can remember, acting has always felt like a space

of freedom, playfulness, and belonging-a place where I felt completely at home. I've always been deeply comfortable in perfor- mance-related environments.

I'm particularly drawn to creative teams who view voice acting as an essential storytell- ing element rather than just a production requirement. Whether it's an indie developer crafting a heartfelt game narrative or an international agency producing boundary- pushing content, I thrive when working with people who share that commitment to authentic communication.

When I discovered the world of voice acting, it was a revelation-a new way to perform using only my voice. That intimate closeness you feel when speaking into a microphone creates a powerful connection with the listener, as if your words are reaching directly into their heart.

The ideal collaboration for me is one where we collectively push creative boundaries while staying true to the project's core message. I'm always excited to work with directors, producers, and brands who value the nuanced power of voice to connect with audiences on a deeper level.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

I'm passionate about expanding my creative horizons across the full spectrum of voice work from helping local entrepreneurs bring their visions to life to collaborating with global brands on large-scale campaigns. What excites me most isn't the size of the project, but the passion behind it.

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WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

My voiceover practice encompasses a diverse range of specialties that each bring unique creative satisfaction. Currently, I'm particularly energized by: Commercial & Brand Storytelling: Helping brands craft compelling narratives through television, radio, and digital spots.

Live Event Announcing: Serving as the "Voice of God" for corporate events and high-profile gather- ings, where timing and presence are everything.

Educational Content: Bringing clarity and engage- ment to e-learning modules and instructional materials. Corporate Narration: Giving voice to company vision through explainer videos, training materials, and internal communications. Interactive Systems: Crafting clear, friendly voices for IVR and automated systems that improve user experience. Dubbing: Adapting performances across languages while preserving the original's emotional impact and authenticity.

Documentary Storytelling: Using vocal nuance to enhance powerful non-fiction narratives. Audiobook Narration: The special challenge of maintaining consistency and emotional truth across hours of performance.

What unites all these specialties is my commitment to understanding each project's unique needs and delivering voice work that truly serves the mate- rial - whether that requires technical precision, emotional resonance, or brand-aligned tone.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I can't share details due to the nature of the projects, but I can say there's work coming with international brands and live announcing (Voice of God).

I'll continue working on my personal and profes- sional growth in a comprehensive way, always innovating, entering new markets, and constantly expanding my horizons.

While 2025's full picture is still unfolding, I'm certain it will bring challenging projects that will help me grow as a voice actor. I trust that good things are already on the way: projects that will push me to work in markets I haven't explored yet, to discover new cultures, to explore new genres, and to connect more deeply with this career I'm so passionate about.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, HOW CAN PEOPLE REACH YOU?

• Let's create something extraordinary together!
• Connect with me via:
• Email: [email protected]
• Social: @marielabaltodano
• (IG/FB) | Mariela Baltodano (LinkedIn)

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