Here at Such A Voice, we bring together some pretty incredible professionals from all different parts of the world to provide our students with a top voice-over education. Our staff members have such a wide variety of backgrounds and unique personalities. From working VO actors starring in movies, video games, and national TV commercial campaigns, to producers spending their days working on voice-over demos as well as broadcast voice-over work, to copywriters, casting directors and many other industry skills in between! We genuinely love bringing our expertise and our experiences together to create the best programs for our students.
For this week’s staff spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to Craig Spear, the Vice President of Coaching for Such A Voice.
SAV: Hey Craig! Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
Spear: My cousin was the oldest living American. She was 114 and half years old when she died. She had a fondness for sweets and fatty foods. Because she was born in 1890, she was positioned to take in the whole 20th century — she could remember it from beginning to end!
SAV: How did you find your way into the voice-over industry?
Spear: It started with college radio. I learned every jot and tittle of the broadcasting business—from spinning records to editing news. As the station manager, I originated Kaleidoquiz, the largest and longest running—STILL running—college radio trivia contest. Our maiden broadcast crashed the campus phone system and shut down the university.
During the summer months, I worked as a top-forty DJ in my hometown of Cedar Rapids. Our broadcasts were heard over the loudspeaker system by sun bathers at Lake McBride—still one of my fondest memories of life in the Midwest.
Before long, I ended up in San Francisco producing talk shows for KGO—the preeminent ABC news and talk station of its day. By dint of luck, I met Dr. Dean Edell and produced his first nationally syndicated radio show. Within a few years, we landed a daytime network television show on NBC. We went up against Donahue on CBS and an up-and-coming new host on ABC named Oprah. We had a 26-week run.
SAV: Run us through a typical work day and an off day. Interests outside of VO?
Spear: I read, write, ride my bike, and try to swim three or four times a week. After a long career in broadcast journalism, I still follow the news. As a writer, I most admire talented editorial writers and skilled political commentary.
SAV: As Vice President of Coaching for Such A Voice, what advice do you offer to other voice-over coaches about how to work with students?
Spear: Every student is a special case. A good coach has an ear for what sets them apart. And the patience to bring that quality out. A good coach instills confidence, but is also relentless about teaching necessary skills. Natural ability is only realized through mastery of one’s craft.
SAV: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from someone in the voice-over industry?
Spear: I’ve worked with hundreds of talented people over my career. Performers are nothing if not opinionated. I suspect I’ve heard every theory there is on how to succeed in show business. The simple answer is still the most enduring: “Be yourself.” Whatever qualities you have that make you interesting as a performer—personality, talent, wit—find what’s authentic in it. Calculation is the enemy of truth. Audiences detect pretense. All good performances come from the heart.
SAV: Describe your idea of a getaway vacation – the weather, the place, the activities, etc.
Spear: I never plan ahead. I explore as I go. The best travel experiences are the ones you stumble into. In general, I prefer destinations that are quiet enough to soothe the soul but interesting enough to stir the mind.
SAV: What’s your favorite hot beverage?
Spear: Hot toddy. Don’t know what it tastes like, but I like the way it sounds.
SAV: Would you rather go on a long walk or a long drive?
Spear: Driving is for getting somewhere. Walking is for deciding where you want to go.
SAV: What opportunities exist for voice actors entering the VO field today?
Spear: In my experience, the voice-over industry has never been more accommodating to such a wide range of voices, styles and personalities. Thanks to the Internet–and the digital media revolution–opportunities for actors and spokes-voices is continually expanding. The business is competitive. No question. But the secret to gaining a foothold is finding your own strengths, and focusing on what sets you apart. Add determination and persistence to that mix and you’re on the road to voice work that’s satisfying and financially rewarding.
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