VAM 107 | Q & A Session 21 – Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed as a Voice Actor?
VAM 107 | Q & A Session 21 – Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed as a Voice Actor?
Welcome to episode 107 of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
In this episode, I continue answering questions from my podcast audience! For those who may not be as familiar with the podcast, in past episodes, I’ve given out a phone number where you can call in and leave me a question about voice acting as a voicemail. From time to time, I’ll pick the most relevant questions I receive and answer them here on the podcast.
For this round of Q & A, I answer a question from Varna from Rock Hill, SC.
Varna has what seems like a perfectly straightforward question. She asks how do you know if you have what it takes to become a voice actor. She’s gotten compliments on her voice from her friends, but she doesn’t know how to determine if she really is capable of succeeding in voice acting as a career. In addition she wants to know how I knew that I would succeed as a voice actor.
If you’re wondering whether or not you have what it takes to be a professional voice actor, you’re not alone. It can be difficult when looking in from the outside to determine exactly what is required to become successful in such a specific and often poorly-understood profession. As of now there are no college degrees I know of for voice acting, nor is there any official or accredited path into the voice over industry. While many professions require specialized schooling, exams and licenses, voice acting seems mysterious because people from all walks of life seem to achieve varying levels of success. What’s even more confusing is that formal acting education may or may not be the determining factor in any one person’s success. Some people seem to be “naturals” while others need more structured training. Because Varna’s question is so common and every person who asks it faces a different journey on the way to a voice acting career, I’ve decided to spend this entire episode deciding once and for all “what it takes” to be a successful voice actor.
I hope you find the answer to her question useful in your own voice acting endeavors!
If any of my listeners would like to call in with your own thoughts, thank you’s or questions, the number is:
323-696-2655.
Please don’t forget to include your first name and what city in the world you’re calling from. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks for listening!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #107 Here (MP3)
Excellent episode. I bought Bang Zoom’s Adventures in Voice Acting DVD and remember hearing the word, “persistence,” a lot. Sometimes the best way to find out is to just do it, and see what happens. It’s almost like when someone pushes you into the water to learn how to swim.
Thank you for your time and wisdom.
You’re very welcome. Persistence is key. No artistic craft is developed overnight to a professionally competitive level. It takes fascination and persistence. Glad you enjoyed the episode.
Thank you so much for this episode. I was thinking I pretty much had to take a leap of faith and fail to learn if I had what it took to make it in this industry.
I’m just completely fascinated with character development and psychology. Why a person thinks this certain way, why do they take this action when this action seems more plausible to get what they want in life, things like that. Humans are fascinating creatures, and characters are just another form of them. Just for a finite time.
So there in lies a challenge to find out what motivates a character and figure out why they do what they do in a relatively short amount of time (Unless you’re a main character in a extremely long series, say, Ichigo in Bleach), Their journey, the way their thinking changes as they grow, how far they’ve come… I can go on and on.
But thank you for putting a sort of “litmus test” to the masses if this career is a true calling or just a passing hobby.
Lovely episode as always.
~ Kalyn
You’re very welcome! So glad you found the episode helpful!
This is certainly an episode I will revisit many times if I feel any kind of doubt or if I feel lost. Your breakdown was incredibly easy to remember and follow.
I personally love storytelling and being invested in a completely different world filled with wondrous things and people. So being able to be a part of and contribute to that world is truly fascinating.
Being honest with yourself can be tough, almost a skill in and of itself. I think one of the best way to be honest is to compare yourself with industry professionals and then you’ll be able to pick out what needs improving. That’s just one way at least.
I think the only thing I’m scared of is the selling yourself in the competitive industry. But I’m sure the more I hone my skills, the more confident I’ll be with putting myself out there.
Terrific episode Crispin!
I’m so glad you found my conceptual breakdown useful. That’s heartening to hear. So glad you enjoyed the episode!
I would like to say thank you Voice Acting Mastery for helping me and many others about being honest with themselves and really taking a look at what matters to them.
I personally love playing the characters through the stories we love and the process that comes with it. I love figuring out the “why” and I love working with people who do the same.
Thanks again Mr.Freeman for helping me find my passion and the opportunities/lessons that came with it.
Fantastic Episode.
-Ian Pabito
You’re very welcome Ian. Thanks so much for listening.
I’m still trying to figure out if I have what it takes. I love telling stories, and the idea of helping to create them, but I find that sometimes I can’t really relax when it comes to work. I find it far to easy to blam myself for anything that doesn’t go quite right. If I can’t relax in the booth, do I have what it takes?
Hopefully you can find a way to relax in the recording booth when it’s time for you voice act. Being confident and relaxed is important in any career pursuit, but especially in voice acting. If you are telling me that it’s impossible for you to learn how to relax, then I’m not sure how to help you.
Hello Crespin, I thank you for making available this awesome podcasts! I just want you to know that you are one of the voice actors I admire a lot. It’s very motivational to receive advice from someone so awesome!!!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcast.