A prospective student inspired me to write this piece after we had a quick chat about her possible future in the voice over industry. She wanted to understand the details of home studios, recording software, the audition process, and a few other things to then assess if this was something she should pursue. Now yes i am a bit biased here as i make my living as a coach, but i have always taken a very strict position on the pursuing of dreams, and it is this: first comes the DOING, then the THINKING follows afterward. Does this sound like the voice of a crazy teenager running towards the edge of a cliff and diving 100 feet down into the ocean? Yes it does. Guess what happens to that teenager after they splash down into the water – they feel EXHILARATED. Guess what happens to the teenager who stands at the edge of the cliff asking themselves the questions, “what if I don’t clear the edge?” or “what if my bikini bottom rides up when i hit the water?” They don’t jump, and they don’t get to feel that exhilaration of taking a risk and coming out on top. They never pass go and they never receive the $200.
So what this means in the voiceover world is you begin your voiceover training first, then you learn about all the details of the business afterward. Give yourself the chance to see if you have what it takes before you squash your own dreams with those deadly “what ifs.”
All pursued dreams involve some risk, otherwise there wouldn’t ever be the intense gratification when you finally achieve them. It is common knowledge that our very strange species tends to not appreciate anything without some struggle and challenge first! Yes, you should quickly assess that you will be able to clear the edge of the cliff before you take a running start, but any more dwelling on it and you’re toast. Done. Rooted to the ground like a dead tree stump. There’s a reason for the term “baby steps”. You take one step at a time and don’t worry about what is 5 measures beyond that. I can guarantee you that the most successful voice actors I know all “jumped.” If they didn’t, you wouldn’t be hearing them on the radio today.