Whether a novice or an old pro, it is absolutely essential that you are constantly working to maintain and improve your chops. That means developing and practicing your performance technique, as well as staying on top of trends in the media landscape.
Keeping your skills fresh and knowledge contemporary are especially important if you’re working primarily out of a home studio, where, if you’re not careful, you can easily get subsumed by isolation and inertia. And no matter what market you’re in, with the typical ebb and flow of auditions and gigs, you could go days or weeks with nothing on your plate, and then all of a sudden be flooded with opportunities. So, the key is to keep yourself technically prepared and emotionally balanced. That’ll help you even out the highs and lows, keep your instrument well-tuned, and stay focused on the long-term.
Part of the reason that I’ve had sustained success as a VO actor is because I’ve always approached it with a hunger and ambition to constantly improve my skills and expand my opportunities. Most people who try to get into the voiceover world have talent, but it’s what they do or don’t do with that talent that most determines their success or failure. There are a lot of flakes and dilettantes who try to break into this field, but putting in a strong and consistent effort is what separates the hard workers in the long run.
So what does that mean exactly? Once you’ve developed enough of the talent and tools to be competitive – honed your technique, produced top-notch demos, assembled your home studio and done research and marketing to find the best work out there – you must be ready for the opportunities that will come. The first thing you should do is make a schedule and set a routine. Everybody is different, so it’s up to each individual to figure out what kind of routine works best with their rhythms and responsibilities, but try to keep it consistent.
A great use of your time – no matter how much or how little experience you may have – is to listen to other pros. Watch commercials, promos, cartoons and documentaries on TV; listen to ads and imaging on the radio; and peruse the internet for examples of industrial films, tutorials, e-learning productions, etc. This is how you’ll learn what’s contemporary and in demand. Also, collect copy: I used to accumulate binders full of scripts used in auditions and gigs. I have many more saved on my computer. They were an invaluable resource for me. Before I was auditioning regularly, I would practice daily on a range of them – commercials, promos, and narrations – to keep myself fresh and ready for the next opportunity. There is really no substitute for regular practice on real copy. One way to accumulate it is through your own work experience. Another way, when your career is in a more nascent stage, is to work with production companies, and coaches who have access to a range of scripts.
A final thing to understand is that you need to be ready at any time. This is not a normal job, and it does not always adhere to regular work hours. I can’t tell you how many producers have contacted me well into the night or on a Sunday afternoon to turn something right around. So, always be prepared to spring into action, and be in the frame of mind that no time is a bad time for work! These prep strategies will help you stay ready and able whenever the need for your talent arises.
Alan Schwartz is a nationally recognized voice over talent who has served as the voice for Sprite, Verizon, Smirnoff Ice, and “Alex” from the Mac Operating System, among others. You can find more of his work at ajsvoiceover.com.
