Featuring Bruce Nix
TARA JADE FOX
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]