In this brief interview, Marika Casteel discusses her experience as an actor, what kind of VO work is out there, and how to put your best foot forward on your career path (Class link for her Pro "Meet and Read" group below).
Transcription
Aaron: Sally says you’re one of her heroes for having over 20 years as an actor in the Bay Area, in everything from on-camera stuff, to voice over, and live events. What do you think keeps you going for all this time?
Marika: The word “consistency” just popped into my mind. I think when you just are consistent, you put one foot in front of the other, and whether you're sure about that step or not [laughs], but you're out there taking those steps … you get some road behind you and some jobs. So I've been open to things. I did not have a fixed way I saw myself. There's work here in voice over, great! How do I approach that? I’ve done modeling before, which you know, I'm only 5’1”, but hey they hire real people for that, so ok what do I need to do that? And so I’ve just kind of been open, and I think that has really helped.
Aaron: As far as voice over work goes, because that’s what we’re primarily interested in, what kind of work do you find the most that you voice for?
Marika: So I do a lot of announcer work, so you’ll probably hear that. You know, just… I don't even know how to describe it but, “this is the product, and we’re here to talk about the product” and that sort of thing. Also some “real people” stuff, but really I do a lot of announcer work and spokesperson, and then tags. I love to do tags, which you have to have a little speed for, but have still clarity. And I love to do that. And also there are a lot of video games here in the Bay Area, so I've done some video games, and promos, and also some looping for movies. There’s just all kinds of stuff, so once you get in a start to meet people and learn about things, you find out about opportunities that, you know, aren't spoken about all the time, which is cool.
Aaron: Do you have any advice for voice actors that are just starting out right now?
Marika: Take class! I cannot under-score that. That has been my foundation, absolutely, because I think there are one or two things that can happen to us as performers, as creatives, either our ego gets in the way or what’s going on in our head gets in the way, and that’s where class comes in. When you have that foundation of knowing what you’re doing when you get in the booth in front of the mic with your voice, which is your instrument, you can step into any situation with confidence, even if you’re feeling nervous. And also when the client is throwing things at you, you know you have that foundation to not only get through it, but to deliver what they want and also bring what you know you uniquely have. That’s what you learn in class! I cannot under-score that. I’ve learned so many things about myself and watched other actors and learned from other actors, and watched what they learned about themselves and their craft. It just all goes together in a little “acting soup”. It’s Fabulous!
Monday, 12/6/21
6:30pm-8:30pm PST
$100
ONLINE, attend from anywhere!
The Youth VO Program returns this Summer! And it's better than EVER!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 27-Apr 2) and what's coming your way next week.
Sarah Natochenny voiced Pokémon’s Ash Ketchum for 17 years. Q&A.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 20-26) and what's coming your way next week.
Warning -- spoilers ahead! Click to read about voice actor cameos in The Last of Us.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 13-19) and what's coming your way next week.
Everyone can embrace and actively support equity.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Mar 6-12) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 27 - Mar 5) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 20-26) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 13-19) and what's coming your way next week.
We've created a guide you can use for your Super Bowl watching party!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Feb 6-12) and what's coming your way next week.
From Robin Williams to Tina Fey, here are 25 reasons why improv will not only make you a better actor, but will change your life!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 30-Feb 5) and what's coming your way next week.
Words of wisdom on the video game industry from Voice over veterans.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 23-29) and what's coming your way next week.
Erika sits down with Marvin Greene to discuss the importance of studying the craft, his favorite breakthroughs, and more!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 16-22) and what's coming your way next week.
Guest post: Overcoming audition anxiety with improv!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 9-15) and what's coming your way next week.
Get out of your own way and own your year in VO by applying this advice. Here are four simple steps to help you reach your goals!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Jan 2-8) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Dec 12-18) and what's coming your way next week.
Check out these gift ideas for the voice actors in your life
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Dec 5-11) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 28-Dec 4) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 21-27) and what's coming your way next week.
We wish you happiness, success, and good company this Thanksgiving
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 14-22) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Nov 7-13) and what's coming your way next week.
Cissy Jones, Melissa Hutchison, and Gavin Hammon share advice, discuss their careers, experience, and day to day life as working voice actors.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 31-Nov 6) and what's coming your way next week.
Expert Voice123 tips from Natasha Marchewka and Katherine Tole
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 24-30) and what's coming your way next week.
What are the "right" settings for voiceover recording?
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 17-23) and what's coming your way next week.
Many actors are affected by dyslexia, but it isn't talked about enough.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 10-16) and what's coming your way next week.
Celebrating Hispanic Voice Actors for Hispanic Heritage Month
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Oct 3-9) and what's coming your way next week.
Spotlight on a phenomenal voice actor, composer, singer, and teacher.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 26-Oct 2) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 19-25) and what's coming your way next week.
Insight and advice from Kaitlyn Robrock, the voice Of Minnie Mouse, for voice actors
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 12-18) and what's coming your way next week.
Interviews with this phenomenal voice actor and teacher
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Sep 6-11) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 29-Sep 4) and what's coming your way next week.
Helpful Insights from Working Voice Over Actors and Creatives
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 22-28) and what's coming your way next week.
Check out our highlight reel of the 2022 Summer Fast Track program!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 15-21) and what's coming your way next week.
Erika sits down with Shelley and Angeli to discuss marketing tips on how to grow your voice-over career and their upcoming classes focused on LinkedIn Marketing for Voiceover and Booking International Work.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 8-14) and what's coming your way next week.
We're three weeks into Summer Fast Track 2022! Take a peek at how things are going so far.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (Aug 1-7) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 25-31) and what's coming your way next week.
It's week one of Summer Fast Track 2022! Take a peek at how things are going so far.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 18-24) and what's coming your way next week.
**Spoiler Alert** This article discusses a pivotal character from Stranger Things season 4.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 11 - 17) and what's coming your way next week.
Don't miss these three classes to keep your skills (and your audio) sharp this summer!
Curious as to what an average workday for a voice actor looks like? Well, look no further!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (July 4 - July 10) and what's coming your way next week.
The 2022 Fall Schedule is Here!!! Get it while it's hot!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 27 - July 3) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 20 - 26) and what's coming your way next week.
21 Things You Never Knew About Being A Professional Voice Actor, According to Austin Tindle
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 13 - 19) and what's coming your way next week.
How Kristen Schaal became the queen of quirky voice acting
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (June 6 - 12) and what's coming your way next week.
Jennifer Sun Bell of The PGM VO List has an enlightening conversation with Voice One's Danny Scott about global majority voices in the voiceover industry.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 31-June 5) and what's coming your way next week.
Hear advice from Anjali Bhimani, Cissy Jones, and Jennifer Hale as they discuss voice acting for video games from the feminine perspective in this panel from GamesBeat Summit.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 23-29) and what's coming your way next week.
Explore the role dubbing plays at Netflix, with interesting nuggets from the dubbing and subtitling team at Netflix themselves!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 16-22) and what's coming your way next week.
Seventeen's Leah Campano asks Rosalie Chiang questions about the VO industry, her career and more!
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 9-15) and what's coming your way next week.
The students of Voice One show their appreciation for #Teacherappreciationweek.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (May 2-8) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 25-May 1) and what's coming your way next week.
Elley Ray Hennessy shares her wisdom regarding voicing animated characters.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 18-24) and what's coming your way next week.
Part four of our four part series of what you can do outside the booth to find greater success in voice over.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 11-17) and what's coming your way next week.
Let’s tackle big, old, ugly fear. Here are five ways to conquer your fear of trying improv, or anything new.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (April 4-10) and what's coming your way next week.
A quick look at what's new, what's here this week (March 28-April 3) and what's coming your way next week.
Aaron sits down with Lori Alan to discuss a voice actor's role in animation and up coming class, Talk to the Booth Lady.
If you are a future VO superstar, join our youth Summer program coming up in June 2022! Classes available for students 4th-12th grade!
