Whenever I start coaching a brand new student, the first question I ask is, “Why do you want to do voiceover?” Invariably, the answer is, “It seems like it would be fun.”
And you know what? That’s a great reason to want to be a voice actor. In fact, it’s the best reason. Unlike almost every other job on the planet, your primary responsibility as a voice actor is to go crazy – and have fun. Now this doesn’t mean there’s no method behind the madness; you’ve got to have the fundamentals of script analysis etched in your brain: who am I…who am I talking to…what’s my connection to the script (I could go on forever, but that’s for another day) – but if you aren’t having fun, no amount of prep will help you land, or keep, that voice gig.
You might be saying, “But isn’t having fun automatic?” You would think so, yet sometimes, when you land that awesome audition, or book that coveted role, fun flies out the window and worry sets in. “I wonder what kind of read they’re looking for.” “Am I doing it right?” “Gosh, if I land this gig it could be my ticket to the big time,” et cetera, et cetera. This negative inner dialogue is so common and so dangerous that acting coaches and casting directors devote entire articles to the subject in trade magazines like Backstage! When you’re stressing over what “they” are looking for….you aren’t having fun!
Why is fun so important? Because fun is the key that unlocks your imagination!
Imagination is what brings the voice actor’s performance to life! We use our imaginations to:
- Make our character real and interesting.
- Craft a meaningful and historical relationship with the imaginary person we are speaking to.
- Build a vivid location and relatable circumstance in our minds for the story contained in the script.
You’ll be amazed at how compelling and believable these steps can make your commercial performance!
It’s like Robin Williams said, “The more personal and specific you are, the more your audience will relate to you.”
You are going to be nervous at auditions – no doubt about it. But you can still have fun. Here’s how:
- Arrive at your audition/booking at least a half hour early and ask if you can get your script ahead of time.
- Go somewhere where you can prepare and make your choices in privacy (this is extremely important. Remember: the other actors there are not your friends. Don’t get caught up in trivial conversations or checking your phone. Your time is precious!)
- Once you’ve made your specific choices, practice some relaxation techniques, clear your mind, stretch and listen to soothing music. By doing these things you will be releasing useless, negative thoughts and making room for your imagination to run wild!
- Did I mention do not check your cell phone? There is probably no other invention today that does more to zap an actor’s creativity than the cell phone. This is because when you are looking down at that phone you are not observing the world around you. As actors, it is our responsibility to be “students of life.”
- Practice living in the present moment. When you are present, you perceive emotions and nuances that are “gifts” for your performance.
Each one of us were experts at having fun – until we reached the age when recess stopped! As children, play-acting was second-nature; we didn’t think about it, we just did it.
Our goal is to look at the recording booth as our playground. So…go have fun, and get paid doing it!
Nancy Wilson is a busy voice-over actor in Los Angeles and is currently training with the legendary comedy group ‘The Groundlings’. She just booked the role of “mom” in SAG/AFTRA’s Old Time Radio show, Father Knows Best. You can find her on Facebook and on her website: www.nancywilsonvo.com.
