Featuring Bruce Nix
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.