Last weekend I attended a conference dedicated to voice over in video games called Get Your Game On Los Angeles. Presented by the Voice Over Network, the conference was an all-day event with incredible presenters who are well-established in the video game industry, including voice actors, casting directors, and voice directors. Suffice it to say, the day was jam packed with content and impossible to unpack in a single article.
The final panel of the day featured an array of the day's speakers who were all asked "What's one piece of advice you'd give to aspiring voice actors?" Here are their responses:
Simple, yet powerful, and something we all probably need to hear from time to time. And coming from the Senior Casting Director at one of the biggest video game companies in the world, I think it's safe to say this advice is universal and needs to be heard by everyone from the beginner to the seasoned VO veteran.
Dave urges us to remember that "our characters don't have scripts." We, the actors, get to read our lines over and over again, but each time the character says it, it must be as if for the first time. And playing a character honestly comes down to strong acting.
You should love the learning process. It is full of self-discovery and personal growth. The actors who best connect with their characters are those who have learned to connect with themselves.
Focus instead on what you can control:
Everything else is out of your hands. The performance that you bring to the table is just one part of the larger puzzle.
Don't make the mistake of trying to be who you think other people want you to be. When you do that, you leave behind the one thing that sets you apart from everyone else - yourself.
In addition to letting go of what you can't control, do yourself a favor and stop dwelling on what isn't happening for you and shift your focus to the positive, to the little things you achieve every day. Okay, so maybe you didn't book the part, but you got the audition! Celebrate that!!
The perfect quote to button up this list. Just... wow.
Andrea Toyias also revealed the number one thing missing from auditions right now (drumroll, please)....
Let that sink in. Acting. Storytelling. Truth. Among the hundreds of auditions she receives, less than 10% have good acting! And you'd be sorely mistaken if you think that only applies to the lead roles, she says, "because even if you're an orc, troll, demon, or goblin, video games are about the human experience."
Well, there you have it. Good voice acting, it turns out, requires good acting.
How to Manage your Training and Career During Social Distancing
Look who's coming to Voice One next week!
Join Sally in the morning or evening for an 8-person 2-hour voice over workout!
For the time being, all Voice One classes have been moved online. Here are the confirmed dates.
The schedule for the 2020 Summer Fast Track series is now available for online registration!
If you use a grocery list – rejoice! Sally shares a technique for strengthening your VO with a shopping list.
Voice over industry veterans share their words of wisdom on the video game industry.
Three steps to stop listening to yourself while performing commercial VO
Our February Professional Invitational guest is revealed!
In the voice over industry, you must stand apart from the rest, and in more ways than you might think!
Let’s tackle big, old, ugly fear. Here are five ways to conquer your fear of trying improv, or anything new.
We've created a guide that you can print up and bring with you to your Super Bowl watching party. After the game, upload your answers and compare!
We'll be sending a new-and-improved commercial watching guide for 2020 - check out last year's guide and repsonses, and stay tuned!
Danny spoke with Leapfrog senior producer and fellow voice actor Chuck Wedge to find out why his upcoming "Sense of Play" class has been on his mind for over 10 years.
Sally suggests letting these four words become your mantra for 2020.
Sally toasts to 2020 with a story of a time she felt like she could conquer the world...
Sally ponders what would happen if actors were to give an audition as a gift to their client.
Give the gift of learning this holiday season. Voice One holiday gift ideas for your list or theirs!
Due to popular demand, beginning in 2020, Voice One will now be offering online classes!
Happy Holidays! Our December 2019 newsletter has arrived, and is chock full of exciting announcements and offers!
We had such a great response to our Black Friday sale, we've extended it to Cyber Monday!
Here's a look at what's coming to Voice One between now and the end of the year. End the year with a strong finish as you continue to hone your craft!
An article from our upcoming Professional Invitational guest, John Kovacevich
We are excited to announce our special guest for the final Professional Invitational class of 2019!
Take a look at our ten brand new classes coming to Voice One in 2020!
Now through Monday 11/4 at 5pm, take advantage of our discounted pricing for these classes
See what Voice One has in store for 2020, including some exciting new classes!
Join us this Sunday to meet the "VO-mad" as he speaks about his career as a world traveler
From Robin Williams to Tina Fey, here are 25 reasons why improv not only make you a better actor, but change your life!
The Voice One Training Vocal Booth is available to rent in San Francisco! Here's how you can use it...
What is the meaning of this mantra? Take "Script Analysis" with Sally and find out!
Sally muses on a recent article from Second City's Kim Greene Hiller on how improv builds resiliency, listening, team-building, and creativity.
Another VO for Kids (ages 10-17) is just around the corner. Help spread the word to any youngsters you know who are itching to get behind the mic!
Find out why Copy Intensive is some students' favorite class at Voice One
Be understood no matter the circumstance using clear diction
The latest bookings, signings, and other news from your peers!
Sally reflects after her recent showing of Hamilton
We've got some great classes headed your way next week and there are a handful of spaces available in each of them! Take a look...
Guess who's back?! That's right! Lil' Dino has returned to usher in the fall with a Labor Day Weekend Flash Sale!
Actors with an interest in Corporate Narration should not miss this workshop!
Inspired by the three-week intensive some of our students recently completed, Danny spoke with Voice One Vocal Health instructor Julia Norton who has over 25 years of experience teaching people how to have a free and healthy voice.
It started on July 20th. 23 days and 138 hours later, our Summer Fast Track is complete. I watched these students grow and flourish over these three weeks, and here’s what I came away with:
Wanna know a great way to end your kids' summer vacation? With Voice Over, of course!
Danny spoke with Voice One Founder Elaine Clark, who has over 30 years experience as a casting director in video games, anime, toys, corporate narration, documentaries, and commercials, about what it means to be a casting director.
We know you're going to like this announcement...
Courage to what? Speak, fight back, be heard, perform voice over, recite poetry, sing, rap, record, and amplify your authority.
An Interview with Top Dialect Coach Doug Honorof
Sally shares a bit of wisdom she heard from a former coach that has helped boost her confidence during auditions.
An upcoming class to practice "inhabiting an audition"
Having the backing of talent agents can be critical to our success!
Sally reflects on her early resistance to the union in her prior work, and how important the actors' union is to her.
Please join us for an upcoming event featuring our local SAG-AFTRA union rep!
Sally takes us back to her early days of voice acting and the origins of her cleverly crafted persona, Actor Girl.
Why every voice actor needs personal branding and self-promotion.
The importance of those "additional skills" - A little more about our Business & Marketing, Advanced Marketing, and Home Recording classes
We are thrilled that the incredible Amanda Rose Smith will be here at Voice One for a three-hour audio editing workshop.
The Daytime Conservatory takes you and a small group of peers on a ten-week tour of the core, expanding your range by immersing you in scripts from across the VO-spectrum.
Sally recounts a pivotal moment in her voice over training
We sent out a Super Bowl scavenger hunt to aide you in watching the year's biggest commercials with a critical eye. Many of you sent us your answers, and we wanted to share some of our biggest take-aways.
Voice One offers a beginning improv class that takes you through the the basic rules of improv (believe it or not, there are rules!) through games and scenes. Laura Derry creates a fun and safe space for you to succeed and fail and you'll laugh and learn a lot!
A guide for watching the Super Bowl commercials with the critical eye of a professional voice over actor.
We are premiering a new class called Storytelling in VO. The class takes place over two Thursdays: January 31st and February 7th from 6:30pm-9:30pm taught by Sally. The class will cover the short story format, with scripts from commercials, corporate narration, literature, and children’s books.
Sally tells her own voice over story - how she went from dancer to voice actor.
