Featuring Vanessa garcia
What does the industry mean to you?
The voice industry is made of incredibly creative, supportive and generous people and I consider myself fortunate to be part of.
What are the feelings when you hear and see your peers on shows on the big screen?
Voice actors are some of the most encouraging indi- viduals you'll ever meet. We all root for one another. Anytime I hear a voice I recognize on TV or radio, I say "Hey! I know that person!"
How competitive is the industry?
Competition is only useful as a tool for comparison with oneself in order to become better at one's craft. The only person that you need to worry about is yourself. There are so many elements that come into play when agents and casting directors decide who they should choose that have absolutely nothing to do with you.
When you focus on the things that are actually within your control, you allow your true creativity to come through
Provide an example of a time when you had to per- form multiple roles in a single recording session.
During a directed session, I had to do the narration, record the audio, and configure the video conference to enable audio playback for the client. Sounds simple, but it's a lot of juggling!
What do you wish you like to see change in the voice over industry?
More awareness and representation of the neurodiver- gent communities.
How do you stay competitive?
Always keep learning. Our industry is ever changing, and we have a responsibility to be adaptable, and flex- ible in order to thrive in this business.
What is next for you what can we expect for you to do this year?
I've taken up acting and will be in an independent film. I'm playing a mafia hit woman which is a com- pletely different than what I'm usually asked to do. Shooting should be done in a few more months.
What do you love most about the world of enter- tainment?
The incredible creativity of the artistic community. How an actor can choose to become someone com- pletely different in each role they take on. There is freedom in being a creative individual.
When performing, do you prefer to have others in the recording studio with you, or would you rather work alone?
Since I work from home, I pretty much work alone. My dog, Gizmo is my constant companion and keeps me company. It's a welcome change when I do get asked to record off-site as it allows me to get out of my booth and see other people.
What is your main inspiration towards voice acting?
It may sound cliché, but it's the voice actors them- selves. We inspire one another to be better and do better. Voice actors are incredibly supportive, always encouraging each other's success. There's an energy within the voice acting community that is unparal- leled.
Describe your process for preparing for a voice acting role?
Meeting new clients, understanding their needs, and working with them to bring their projects to fruition. I love the collaboration aspect of it.
How difficult is it to land work in the voice over world?
There's work everywhere, if you look for it. The goal is to create strong relationships with your potential clients, to ensure consistent and repeat work.
What makes you stand out as a voice actor?
Being a fully bilingual actor, I'm able to provide clients with a seamless experience, in English and in French. I'm also focused on the human aspect of the business; being professional means politeness, listening to my client's needs, flexibility, lots of patience, and under- standing and being okay with the fact that anything can happen.
What do you think is the most important skill for a voice actor to have?
Patience, understanding, the ability to have fun, and always stay passionate about the craft.
How do you handle receiving feedback and direc- tion from producers or directors during recording sessions?
Every session I go into, I already know that everyone in that session wants me to succeed. That way, I can relax and fully be present during the recording, and adapt my narration according to their director or producer's request, whether it's slowing or speeding up the cadence, changing the inflection or removing words from the script to be able to fit the spot.