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Voice Coaches Radio – #649 – Margaux Newman Gets In Front of the Neumann!
Voice coaches radio, everything voiceover. Welcome to a brand new episode of Voice Coaches Radio. My name is Marissa and, uh, here we are joined once again by someone who has just started this dang thing of voiceover, but, uh, you know, a few months in the, in the works and getting educated in all those things.
And I'll let you introduce yourself. Go ahead. Okay, thanks. My name is Margo and yeah, I started this past spring taking the, uh, I bought the package and, and taking the monthly one-on-one classes, and then, uh, just last week I recorded my demo. I know. How exciting. Oh my goodness. I, I mean, I can't believe it.
It's just, it's really fun for me to be able to, I don't know, see people in the beginning and, and just watch them. Flourish, um, you know, and, and, and get like more and more excited and, and like, I know there's some nerves involved and stuff 'cause like this is new and it's like you're, you wanna do it well and uh, yeah.
So it's like, that's inevitable. But, you know, it is really, really fun to be able to, to see you, you know, get into demo day and just like. Almost like hype yourself up, you know? Yes. Once you're going through, you know, because it's like, holy crap, look what I can do. Um, yeah. You know, and like, look at, look at me, go like, you know, flying through this stuff and like, you know, it's just really, really cool.
So let's go back to the beginning though. Um, you know, some people, it's like they kind of. Have an inkling of, you know, wanting to do some sort of entertainment when they're little and like maybe get pushed in other directions. And some people just, um, you know, they wanna do something different as they're getting into later years in life.
But what, what's your situation like? Tell us what, what's sparked the, this interest in voiceover? Sure. Well, honestly, I really just fell into this opportunity. Um, it, it was not, uh, uh, trying voice acting was not like in the front of my mind, but it was something where, you know, I listen to books on tape or I, I hear, you know, um, commercials on the radio and, and I do wonder occasionally how people get into that work.
You know, it, it did seem like something that would be fun to try. But I, I never pursued it further than that. And then I was actually looking up a different event, um, online for birdwatching in my area and the, for the drastic difference birdwatching, I was looking up Bird event. Yeah. I mean, you know, one is very, very quiet and the other.
Just a quiet environment. Um, but no, go ahead. Yes, yes. No, and the, uh, the voice coaches, um, advertisement for intro to, to voice acting just popped up in my feed and I thought, um, yeah, I am interested in that, that, that sounds, that sounds like something I'd like to check out. I'll at least take the, uh, the introductory class.
Um, and I was hooked. I loved it, so no, and I'm glad I did it. Yeah. I guess tell, remind me your background, right? Like when it comes to like what you've done professionally, but like. Were were you more of a shy person growing up? Were you more extrovert like? I mean, fill me in. I definitely, I'm not shy. Um, uh, but I, I took a more, uh, mundane, uh, route.
Vocationally, I'm a nurse. Okay. Um, uh, yeah, but I'm, I'm outgoing. I love dancing and, and, um, you know, going out and, um, actually in New Orleans, I was in a disco dance troupe, uh, operating group. So I, I do like that kind of thing. And this is just a, a new outlet for that. Um, yeah. And I'm loving it. Yeah. Well, you know, and I think that's what's fun too, right?
Is like, you know, day in and day out you have to be. So, you know, you have to keep all that inside a bit, you know, you can maybe, you know, some patients I'm sure enjoy a little personality, um, but not gonna asking you to be disco dancing. Uh, you know, so to be able to have something. That allows you to express that in, in some sort of way, that energy and that creativity like Yeah, I mean I know it's very much needed.
'cause like when I was during the pandemic and I really wasn't doing the voice stuff because, you know, for me that's like the radio side. Everything just kind of shut down and there just wasn't anything for a while. I, I fell back on my art degree and I just started painting again and next thing I know I'm like.
Somehow that turned into a, a career in that moment. 'cause I started like, wow. Taking pictures for people. 'cause they were like seeing what I was doing and it was just kind of cool. I'm like, well, I guess I got a fallback plan if I need it. Yeah. But, uh, but yeah. So, um, so all right, well you, you get in for you, you, you skip birdwatching.
Mm-hmm. And you, and, uh, you start this, you know, how. How different was it to you? Uh, because obviously, you know, you've heard all this, you know, commercials and listened to audio and, you know, and, and wondered, you know, how do I do this? Did you, did you think it was like much different than you maybe expected it to be?
I. I, um, I mean, not surprisingly, it's harder than it looks or harder than it sounds, you know, it's, it's acting and, um, you know, y'all boil really boiled it down for me in the beginning to say, you know, you're gonna learn the skill of reading in such a way where it sounds like you're speaking naturally. I.
Um, so, so it did surprise me how hard it is. Um, I'm definitely still growing and it takes a lot of practice. Um, but the other thing I was surprised by that I really enjoyed about the classes was learning kind of like the background of voice acting and then the actual concrete skills that I can practice and work on to become a better voice actor.
Um, I just like, I liked how it was presented. Yeah. Like, I think that it's just like any other skill that you develop, I think people will look at, you know. John Mayer, or you know, you think of some like guitar legends and you're like, you know, that's a talent like that is something that I can't just pick up a guitar and I can't just do that.
But then there are some other skills where people just kind of think that it's just so easy. Anybody Yeah. You know, and, but this, this is, it is a skill, it is an instrument. Um, you know, it, it does take. Sometimes, uh, you know, on the side of work that I've been doing so prominently it takes some quick thinking and on your toes kind of re reactions to things and, um, being able to formulate those thoughts, you know, uh, on a whim and, and do it like with articulation and, uh, you know, not sounding just like a complete fool.
Um, and you know, some people think that, oh, well I could do that. Then you go and you actually try and you're like, well, holy crap, maybe I can't. Yeah. You know? Um, and it is always fun to me to, to kinda watch somebody, especially just going through our initial stages of things and, and going through like different exercises and realizing like.
Oh my God. Like I, I did read that paragraph, but I know I, I flipped some of those words, or I got some of those words wrong or I changed them. And, uh, you know, all of us do that at first. I mean, I, listen, I'm dyslexic. I do that all the damn time anyway. Uh, you know, but I've, I've just worked very, very hard on it to make sure that doesn't happen all the time.
But yeah, it is, it's always fun to, to watch like the. Eyeopening moment of like, this isn't exactly what I thought it was gonna be. Yeah. In the beginning. Fun. Right? You had fun getting knowledge and, and practicing and stuff. Yep. I was willing to be brave and, and, uh, and, and, and keep going. Um, but there was definitely that eye-opening moment in the beginning where I thought, okay, there's the way I sound in my head and like, there's how good I think I'm gonna naturally be at this.
And then here's the reality of it. When we do the exercises and I, you know, or I record myself and listen to it, like. Like you said, I may be missing part of the copy or, um, I'm, I'm just making inflections in weird, unnatural places, um, that I wasn't aware of until I started listening for it. There's also like that there's also that moment of, of, like you said, like you don't fully know how you sound.
You also have an idea of what it should sound like, and then. You know, even on, like say it's demo day, you know, and, and you're doing things and you've practiced that piece. Mm-hmm. You've gotten to a point and we get to demo day and like it still isn't necessarily where you thought that you could have it.
And you're like, what the heck is wrong with me? Uh, but it's like reality. It's like, well, listen, you might be able to get it to where you think it's supposed to be at some point, but like, Hey, you're still new. Like the growing and the like, the growing pains and the growing changes. Like they happen so much for so long.
It just, uh, it's, it's crazy. But like you, I'm sure you witnessed. Just because I know that, I mean, were you, you were recording stuff like almost from the beginning, right? Just on like your phone. Your phone. Yes. Yeah. So from when you started to demo day. How, how fantastic is it to hear that change? Yes, yes.
No, definitely. I grew, I progressed. Um, I, I got myself, um, just in the comfort of my own home to a great place, I feel like. But like you said, then I walked into demo day and just the studio and all, I, I think I was my own worst enemy. Mm-hmm. Because I started to overthink things and get in my head. Like, maybe I'm not ready.
Maybe I shouldn't be doing this, Scott. I'm awful. You know, we are all the pressure. Look how fancy this place is. We're so hard on ourselves. It's, it's, you know, we always say how we should be, you know, better to other people, but it's like, you know, we're not even good to ourselves most of the time. It's like, you know, it's gotta start within, but you know, when you got into demo day, I know like mm-hmm.
That situation can be rather intimidating. Um, but. But tell me about your experience, because like I know from my end Sure. The producer being the, the director of it all, um, and, and just how great that you were doing. But you know, what were the feelings you were having as you were going through that session?
Well, first when I arrived, I was relieved that it was just, it was a very nice operation there, you know, great studio, and it was just me and the, um, the, the person there, I don't know what his title is, producer, the, you know, the director. I mean, he's also technically like, you know, that, that would be, I, I guess if I'm the director, then he's more the producer, just like handling the technical aspects.
Mm-hmm. The, the everything, the sound guy, whatever. Um, I, I had all kinds of fears that were unnecessary. Like, oh, he is gonna be staring at me while I'm reading the copy. And of course it wasn't set up like that. You know, he's doing his own work over here and I'm just in the booth kind of alone. Um. And, uh, you know, he taught me how, you know, the distance to be from the mic and how to work with the equipment.
Um, but then just kind of as I learned going along, the first run through was just like of each piece of copy was just like, oh, I couldn't even catch my breath. I was sort of hyperventilating and then I was freaking out, like, oh, I'm messing up. Um, but then by the third take of each piece, I was just like really hitting my stride and I was taking your notes and.
It was okay. And, and that's kind of like to be expected. It's, you know, but I didn't know, you know, I, there's so many people that just believe that it's a one take thing. You know, I gotta, I gotta be perfect on this one take, right? It's like, first of all, nobody's perfect. And then, you know, this is just a team effort, you know?
Mm-hmm. Like. What you bring to the table is, is your initial creative. And then, you know, it's like the brains get put together and it's like, well how can we really knock this out of the park? How about you try this? Mm-hmm. It might be something completely different than what you even thought about, you know, in your practice.
Or you know, like in some cases it might be like you were trying to really paint the picture really well. Mm-hmm. But you are kind of forgetting, well, where, where could this be heard? You know what, maybe it's in a museum. Maybe I gotta think of like how, how, you know, something in a museum may sound, um, you know, in that audience.
Um, you know, and, and those, those small perspective changes can like really just greatly affect your delivery and your performance and then what we get and you know, and again, it's something so small then all of a sudden it's like, all right, cool. Let's just fix this word and uh, and then we'll move on.
Yeah. You know, and, and everything sounds great and, you know, we put that little puzzle together and we move on to the next one. But yeah, I mean, like, that's, that's also the thing, right? It's like you get that first take in and you could stumble and fumble and I like, I never care, right? Like, some people can like almost have a little bit of magic that happens on that piece, that first take.
And then other people just struggle a little bit because. I mean, new environment, you know, different from where you practiced, you know, maybe you haven't looked at it in a couple days because you were smart about it and you didn't, you didn't wanna, you know, be overzealous with it, you know? So it's like getting freshened up for the moment.
And if you stumble and you fumble and you trip and whatever, I don't care. We got time. You know, it's like, let's go ahead. Let's just polish this up a little bit. Yeah. It's all about seeing like, where are we right now? Here today? And then polishing that up from there. Uh, and sometimes it doesn't take a whole lot.
Sometimes it does. It just depends on the person, um, and how much they have put into all this. But for you, I mean, everything was coming together, you know, nice and nice and easy, easy peasy, if you will. So I love, I love too the feeling of like, feeling the magic when it felt like it was clicking, when it felt like a good take.
Like there was one we were doing about meditation. I remember where, I think I was saying it in sort of like an emphatic or passionate way. And you, and then you, you kind of reset me and you helped set the scene. You're like, okay, imagine, you know, it's like a yoga studio and you were painting the picture of like what we were hearing and there's a waterfall and all this, and you know, say it like this.
And then I was able to, um, to do it in that way. And it felt a lot better. Yes. Setting the tone, setting the moof and like, listen, he. If it's just like straight on educating somebody about meditation, it might be just done a little bit differently. But I like to be able to showcase your skills and your abilities.
And if you're talking about meditation, how about we we get the act of meditation. Mm-hmm. Like in there, you know, and. Yeah, I mean, you, you went from what you did initially to like what I, we did like three or four takes of that or something. Mm-hmm. I don't even know if we did four, to be honest. I can't remember a hundred percent, but I, I know it, it came together mm-hmm.
Rather quickly with just me going, Hey, yeah, why try this? And like almost giving you a little bit of like a. Uh, like demonstrative sort of idea of mm-hmm. Of what things should sound like and then you just kind of ran with it. And like, those are, those are beautiful moments. And that is, that's the teamwork, right?
That's the working together and, and that little bit of magic when you do feel it connect. I don't feel like people have that right away. You know, it's like those, those first couple months of you practicing stuff, you're still over there going, oh God, I don't know if I'm doing this right. Yeah. Why am I talking like that?
So weird? You know? Why am I, yeah. Why am I doing this? Why is this smile on my face? This feels so dumb. And then like, you know, here we are four or five months in and, and you're doing all the things. Mm-hmm. And you practice and you just, you go and you do a take and you, you feel it in your gut, like mm-hmm.
Man, that was good. That was a good moment, and you know mm-hmm. Those, those are the kind of things that really, it makes you wanna do more. Uh, mm-hmm. So, so tell me, um, what, what are your goals? I mean, clearly if you're a nurse, um, you're busy, so, you know, life is busy and you're doing great things, which by the way, we just had like a medical emergency here I was telling you before, and we ended up having a.
Screwed over to Vermont and, uh, my fiance's grandmother, we literally thought that she was gone last weekend, like we went there to say goodbye. By the time Monday came around, they had figured out what was going on and started her. She had the NG tube in. She was finally getting some of the right meds.
And not that she was really like vocal, she was still very out of it. Um. Night and day, you know, and now she's been moved to different floors, she's doing better. And like hopefully, fingers crossed, everything continues doing well. Yeah. But it's like, I got to see the, the medical magic happen. I don't feel like I've been in a hospital so many times and I don't feel like I've ever really witnessed it.
'cause it usually goes in a bad direction. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, and this was one of those moments where I was like, well, holy crap, when a hospital has the things they need and the people they need and like. You see it all coming together, like you guys are, you're doing just like amazing stuff. So just pat me on the back from here.
Um, teamwork. Yeah, exactly. Teamwork therapy work here. But you know, we're creating something silly. You're saving lives. It's different. Um, but, um, so, so what for you is, is your big picture with voiceover right now? Like, what do you want and what are your hopes? So I am, to me, this is all just, um, it, it, you know, it's all in Louisiana.
We use the term lanap. It's all just, you know, it's all just gravy to me since I, I went in, you know, with, with. Kind of low expecta, I mean, you know, not, not specific expec expectations. So at this point, like you said, now that I've gotten a taste for it, I know I enjoy it. Um, next steps will be just to learn more about how to, um, get some interviews, how to kind of find out more.
And I know I, I still have, um, you know, opportunities, you know, through our website and all that to learn more about that. I, I just haven't gone there yet, honestly. Um, but I'm excited to see, um, kind of what opportunity, uh, kinda opens up for me as I start to put myself out there. Yeah, no, I mean, it's, it's exciting.
I mean, I know you haven't even, you haven't even gotten the demo yet, you know, it's been a week. Yeah, right. You know, so once, once you get that and you hear it and it's gonna just like reinvigorate you all over again and start, you know, educating yourself and it's, it's just, it's one foot in front of the other, just like it's been this entire time.
Yes. So that's how I feel kind of, yeah. You know, you go through some additional material and start seeing where you need to start, you know, looking out and, and just one step at a time. Um, you know, and I've already started telling people, um, that, you know, like just as you recommended, you know, and, um, I've already come across one family member who knows another person who does it as their full-time profession.
So they're gonna put me in contact, you know, to mentor me and. That's, that's a thing. It's like you never know who knows who. And it's always important to just be like, Hey, guess what I do? Um, you know, 'cause it, it could be exactly where, where it needs to lead you. Um. Mm-hmm. So well keep being excited, you know?
Mm-hmm. Because you're gonna get that demo very soon. And, uh, you know, in the meantime, it's like you can educate, you can start creating a plan of action for yourself, um, you know, and, and keep practicing and keep growing. And maybe take in that bird watching class. Yeah. And, uh, and stay down, keep lives and making a difference.
You know, I think everything that you're doing is fantastic. So, um, yeah, anytime that we can help you just holler at us. Okay. Sounds great. All right, Margo. Um, so, uh, if people want to find your website, I know it is typically like your name. At like I can voice.com or something like that. So tell everybody your full name that you're using on your website.
Oh, great. Sure. I am using my name. It's Margot Newman, M-A-R-G-A-U-X Newman, N-E-W-M-A-N. It should be whatever I can voice.com, I believe. So if anybody, I'll, I'll, I'll post up the link in our, uh, neat. In the blog. I haven't even looked at it yet. So that way it's like, even if the, the, the, you know, um, demo isn't up there when somebody initially clicks, they can go back and take a peek and anytime they want and see, see what you're all about.
But, uh, Margo, thank you for, you know, spending a few minutes with us and, uh, hopefully everything is on the up and up and, you know, you can reach out when you get that first gig. Okay? All right. Thanks Marissa. I. Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
And I'll let you introduce yourself. Go ahead. Okay, thanks. My name is Margo and yeah, I started this past spring taking the, uh, I bought the package and, and taking the monthly one-on-one classes, and then, uh, just last week I recorded my demo. I know. How exciting. Oh my goodness. I, I mean, I can't believe it.
It's just, it's really fun for me to be able to, I don't know, see people in the beginning and, and just watch them. Flourish, um, you know, and, and, and get like more and more excited and, and like, I know there's some nerves involved and stuff 'cause like this is new and it's like you're, you wanna do it well and uh, yeah.
So it's like, that's inevitable. But, you know, it is really, really fun to be able to, to see you, you know, get into demo day and just like. Almost like hype yourself up, you know? Yes. Once you're going through, you know, because it's like, holy crap, look what I can do. Um, yeah. You know, and like, look at, look at me, go like, you know, flying through this stuff and like, you know, it's just really, really cool.
So let's go back to the beginning though. Um, you know, some people, it's like they kind of. Have an inkling of, you know, wanting to do some sort of entertainment when they're little and like maybe get pushed in other directions. And some people just, um, you know, they wanna do something different as they're getting into later years in life.
But what, what's your situation like? Tell us what, what's sparked the, this interest in voiceover? Sure. Well, honestly, I really just fell into this opportunity. Um, it, it was not, uh, uh, trying voice acting was not like in the front of my mind, but it was something where, you know, I listen to books on tape or I, I hear, you know, um, commercials on the radio and, and I do wonder occasionally how people get into that work.
You know, it, it did seem like something that would be fun to try. But I, I never pursued it further than that. And then I was actually looking up a different event, um, online for birdwatching in my area and the, for the drastic difference birdwatching, I was looking up Bird event. Yeah. I mean, you know, one is very, very quiet and the other.
Just a quiet environment. Um, but no, go ahead. Yes, yes. No, and the, uh, the voice coaches, um, advertisement for intro to, to voice acting just popped up in my feed and I thought, um, yeah, I am interested in that, that, that sounds, that sounds like something I'd like to check out. I'll at least take the, uh, the introductory class.
Um, and I was hooked. I loved it, so no, and I'm glad I did it. Yeah. I guess tell, remind me your background, right? Like when it comes to like what you've done professionally, but like. Were were you more of a shy person growing up? Were you more extrovert like? I mean, fill me in. I definitely, I'm not shy. Um, uh, but I, I took a more, uh, mundane, uh, route.
Vocationally, I'm a nurse. Okay. Um, uh, yeah, but I'm, I'm outgoing. I love dancing and, and, um, you know, going out and, um, actually in New Orleans, I was in a disco dance troupe, uh, operating group. So I, I do like that kind of thing. And this is just a, a new outlet for that. Um, yeah. And I'm loving it. Yeah. Well, you know, and I think that's what's fun too, right?
Is like, you know, day in and day out you have to be. So, you know, you have to keep all that inside a bit, you know, you can maybe, you know, some patients I'm sure enjoy a little personality, um, but not gonna asking you to be disco dancing. Uh, you know, so to be able to have something. That allows you to express that in, in some sort of way, that energy and that creativity like Yeah, I mean I know it's very much needed.
'cause like when I was during the pandemic and I really wasn't doing the voice stuff because, you know, for me that's like the radio side. Everything just kind of shut down and there just wasn't anything for a while. I, I fell back on my art degree and I just started painting again and next thing I know I'm like.
Somehow that turned into a, a career in that moment. 'cause I started like, wow. Taking pictures for people. 'cause they were like seeing what I was doing and it was just kind of cool. I'm like, well, I guess I got a fallback plan if I need it. Yeah. But, uh, but yeah. So, um, so all right, well you, you get in for you, you, you skip birdwatching.
Mm-hmm. And you, and, uh, you start this, you know, how. How different was it to you? Uh, because obviously, you know, you've heard all this, you know, commercials and listened to audio and, you know, and, and wondered, you know, how do I do this? Did you, did you think it was like much different than you maybe expected it to be?
I. I, um, I mean, not surprisingly, it's harder than it looks or harder than it sounds, you know, it's, it's acting and, um, you know, y'all boil really boiled it down for me in the beginning to say, you know, you're gonna learn the skill of reading in such a way where it sounds like you're speaking naturally. I.
Um, so, so it did surprise me how hard it is. Um, I'm definitely still growing and it takes a lot of practice. Um, but the other thing I was surprised by that I really enjoyed about the classes was learning kind of like the background of voice acting and then the actual concrete skills that I can practice and work on to become a better voice actor.
Um, I just like, I liked how it was presented. Yeah. Like, I think that it's just like any other skill that you develop, I think people will look at, you know. John Mayer, or you know, you think of some like guitar legends and you're like, you know, that's a talent like that is something that I can't just pick up a guitar and I can't just do that.
But then there are some other skills where people just kind of think that it's just so easy. Anybody Yeah. You know, and, but this, this is, it is a skill, it is an instrument. Um, you know, it, it does take. Sometimes, uh, you know, on the side of work that I've been doing so prominently it takes some quick thinking and on your toes kind of re reactions to things and, um, being able to formulate those thoughts, you know, uh, on a whim and, and do it like with articulation and, uh, you know, not sounding just like a complete fool.
Um, and you know, some people think that, oh, well I could do that. Then you go and you actually try and you're like, well, holy crap, maybe I can't. Yeah. You know? Um, and it is always fun to me to, to kinda watch somebody, especially just going through our initial stages of things and, and going through like different exercises and realizing like.
Oh my God. Like I, I did read that paragraph, but I know I, I flipped some of those words, or I got some of those words wrong or I changed them. And, uh, you know, all of us do that at first. I mean, I, listen, I'm dyslexic. I do that all the damn time anyway. Uh, you know, but I've, I've just worked very, very hard on it to make sure that doesn't happen all the time.
But yeah, it is, it's always fun to, to watch like the. Eyeopening moment of like, this isn't exactly what I thought it was gonna be. Yeah. In the beginning. Fun. Right? You had fun getting knowledge and, and practicing and stuff. Yep. I was willing to be brave and, and, uh, and, and, and keep going. Um, but there was definitely that eye-opening moment in the beginning where I thought, okay, there's the way I sound in my head and like, there's how good I think I'm gonna naturally be at this.
And then here's the reality of it. When we do the exercises and I, you know, or I record myself and listen to it, like. Like you said, I may be missing part of the copy or, um, I'm, I'm just making inflections in weird, unnatural places, um, that I wasn't aware of until I started listening for it. There's also like that there's also that moment of, of, like you said, like you don't fully know how you sound.
You also have an idea of what it should sound like, and then. You know, even on, like say it's demo day, you know, and, and you're doing things and you've practiced that piece. Mm-hmm. You've gotten to a point and we get to demo day and like it still isn't necessarily where you thought that you could have it.
And you're like, what the heck is wrong with me? Uh, but it's like reality. It's like, well, listen, you might be able to get it to where you think it's supposed to be at some point, but like, Hey, you're still new. Like the growing and the like, the growing pains and the growing changes. Like they happen so much for so long.
It just, uh, it's, it's crazy. But like you, I'm sure you witnessed. Just because I know that, I mean, were you, you were recording stuff like almost from the beginning, right? Just on like your phone. Your phone. Yes. Yeah. So from when you started to demo day. How, how fantastic is it to hear that change? Yes, yes.
No, definitely. I grew, I progressed. Um, I, I got myself, um, just in the comfort of my own home to a great place, I feel like. But like you said, then I walked into demo day and just the studio and all, I, I think I was my own worst enemy. Mm-hmm. Because I started to overthink things and get in my head. Like, maybe I'm not ready.
Maybe I shouldn't be doing this, Scott. I'm awful. You know, we are all the pressure. Look how fancy this place is. We're so hard on ourselves. It's, it's, you know, we always say how we should be, you know, better to other people, but it's like, you know, we're not even good to ourselves most of the time. It's like, you know, it's gotta start within, but you know, when you got into demo day, I know like mm-hmm.
That situation can be rather intimidating. Um, but. But tell me about your experience, because like I know from my end Sure. The producer being the, the director of it all, um, and, and just how great that you were doing. But you know, what were the feelings you were having as you were going through that session?
Well, first when I arrived, I was relieved that it was just, it was a very nice operation there, you know, great studio, and it was just me and the, um, the, the person there, I don't know what his title is, producer, the, you know, the director. I mean, he's also technically like, you know, that, that would be, I, I guess if I'm the director, then he's more the producer, just like handling the technical aspects.
Mm-hmm. The, the everything, the sound guy, whatever. Um, I, I had all kinds of fears that were unnecessary. Like, oh, he is gonna be staring at me while I'm reading the copy. And of course it wasn't set up like that. You know, he's doing his own work over here and I'm just in the booth kind of alone. Um. And, uh, you know, he taught me how, you know, the distance to be from the mic and how to work with the equipment.
Um, but then just kind of as I learned going along, the first run through was just like of each piece of copy was just like, oh, I couldn't even catch my breath. I was sort of hyperventilating and then I was freaking out, like, oh, I'm messing up. Um, but then by the third take of each piece, I was just like really hitting my stride and I was taking your notes and.
It was okay. And, and that's kind of like to be expected. It's, you know, but I didn't know, you know, I, there's so many people that just believe that it's a one take thing. You know, I gotta, I gotta be perfect on this one take, right? It's like, first of all, nobody's perfect. And then, you know, this is just a team effort, you know?
Mm-hmm. Like. What you bring to the table is, is your initial creative. And then, you know, it's like the brains get put together and it's like, well how can we really knock this out of the park? How about you try this? Mm-hmm. It might be something completely different than what you even thought about, you know, in your practice.
Or you know, like in some cases it might be like you were trying to really paint the picture really well. Mm-hmm. But you are kind of forgetting, well, where, where could this be heard? You know what, maybe it's in a museum. Maybe I gotta think of like how, how, you know, something in a museum may sound, um, you know, in that audience.
Um, you know, and, and those, those small perspective changes can like really just greatly affect your delivery and your performance and then what we get and you know, and again, it's something so small then all of a sudden it's like, all right, cool. Let's just fix this word and uh, and then we'll move on.
Yeah. You know, and, and everything sounds great and, you know, we put that little puzzle together and we move on to the next one. But yeah, I mean, like, that's, that's also the thing, right? It's like you get that first take in and you could stumble and fumble and I like, I never care, right? Like, some people can like almost have a little bit of magic that happens on that piece, that first take.
And then other people just struggle a little bit because. I mean, new environment, you know, different from where you practiced, you know, maybe you haven't looked at it in a couple days because you were smart about it and you didn't, you didn't wanna, you know, be overzealous with it, you know? So it's like getting freshened up for the moment.
And if you stumble and you fumble and you trip and whatever, I don't care. We got time. You know, it's like, let's go ahead. Let's just polish this up a little bit. Yeah. It's all about seeing like, where are we right now? Here today? And then polishing that up from there. Uh, and sometimes it doesn't take a whole lot.
Sometimes it does. It just depends on the person, um, and how much they have put into all this. But for you, I mean, everything was coming together, you know, nice and nice and easy, easy peasy, if you will. So I love, I love too the feeling of like, feeling the magic when it felt like it was clicking, when it felt like a good take.
Like there was one we were doing about meditation. I remember where, I think I was saying it in sort of like an emphatic or passionate way. And you, and then you, you kind of reset me and you helped set the scene. You're like, okay, imagine, you know, it's like a yoga studio and you were painting the picture of like what we were hearing and there's a waterfall and all this, and you know, say it like this.
And then I was able to, um, to do it in that way. And it felt a lot better. Yes. Setting the tone, setting the moof and like, listen, he. If it's just like straight on educating somebody about meditation, it might be just done a little bit differently. But I like to be able to showcase your skills and your abilities.
And if you're talking about meditation, how about we we get the act of meditation. Mm-hmm. Like in there, you know, and. Yeah, I mean, you, you went from what you did initially to like what I, we did like three or four takes of that or something. Mm-hmm. I don't even know if we did four, to be honest. I can't remember a hundred percent, but I, I know it, it came together mm-hmm.
Rather quickly with just me going, Hey, yeah, why try this? And like almost giving you a little bit of like a. Uh, like demonstrative sort of idea of mm-hmm. Of what things should sound like and then you just kind of ran with it. And like, those are, those are beautiful moments. And that is, that's the teamwork, right?
That's the working together and, and that little bit of magic when you do feel it connect. I don't feel like people have that right away. You know, it's like those, those first couple months of you practicing stuff, you're still over there going, oh God, I don't know if I'm doing this right. Yeah. Why am I talking like that?
So weird? You know? Why am I, yeah. Why am I doing this? Why is this smile on my face? This feels so dumb. And then like, you know, here we are four or five months in and, and you're doing all the things. Mm-hmm. And you practice and you just, you go and you do a take and you, you feel it in your gut, like mm-hmm.
Man, that was good. That was a good moment, and you know mm-hmm. Those, those are the kind of things that really, it makes you wanna do more. Uh, mm-hmm. So, so tell me, um, what, what are your goals? I mean, clearly if you're a nurse, um, you're busy, so, you know, life is busy and you're doing great things, which by the way, we just had like a medical emergency here I was telling you before, and we ended up having a.
Screwed over to Vermont and, uh, my fiance's grandmother, we literally thought that she was gone last weekend, like we went there to say goodbye. By the time Monday came around, they had figured out what was going on and started her. She had the NG tube in. She was finally getting some of the right meds.
And not that she was really like vocal, she was still very out of it. Um. Night and day, you know, and now she's been moved to different floors, she's doing better. And like hopefully, fingers crossed, everything continues doing well. Yeah. But it's like, I got to see the, the medical magic happen. I don't feel like I've been in a hospital so many times and I don't feel like I've ever really witnessed it.
'cause it usually goes in a bad direction. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, and this was one of those moments where I was like, well, holy crap, when a hospital has the things they need and the people they need and like. You see it all coming together, like you guys are, you're doing just like amazing stuff. So just pat me on the back from here.
Um, teamwork. Yeah, exactly. Teamwork therapy work here. But you know, we're creating something silly. You're saving lives. It's different. Um, but, um, so, so what for you is, is your big picture with voiceover right now? Like, what do you want and what are your hopes? So I am, to me, this is all just, um, it, it, you know, it's all in Louisiana.
We use the term lanap. It's all just, you know, it's all just gravy to me since I, I went in, you know, with, with. Kind of low expecta, I mean, you know, not, not specific expec expectations. So at this point, like you said, now that I've gotten a taste for it, I know I enjoy it. Um, next steps will be just to learn more about how to, um, get some interviews, how to kind of find out more.
And I know I, I still have, um, you know, opportunities, you know, through our website and all that to learn more about that. I, I just haven't gone there yet, honestly. Um, but I'm excited to see, um, kind of what opportunity, uh, kinda opens up for me as I start to put myself out there. Yeah, no, I mean, it's, it's exciting.
I mean, I know you haven't even, you haven't even gotten the demo yet, you know, it's been a week. Yeah, right. You know, so once, once you get that and you hear it and it's gonna just like reinvigorate you all over again and start, you know, educating yourself and it's, it's just, it's one foot in front of the other, just like it's been this entire time.
Yes. So that's how I feel kind of, yeah. You know, you go through some additional material and start seeing where you need to start, you know, looking out and, and just one step at a time. Um, you know, and I've already started telling people, um, that, you know, like just as you recommended, you know, and, um, I've already come across one family member who knows another person who does it as their full-time profession.
So they're gonna put me in contact, you know, to mentor me and. That's, that's a thing. It's like you never know who knows who. And it's always important to just be like, Hey, guess what I do? Um, you know, 'cause it, it could be exactly where, where it needs to lead you. Um. Mm-hmm. So well keep being excited, you know?
Mm-hmm. Because you're gonna get that demo very soon. And, uh, you know, in the meantime, it's like you can educate, you can start creating a plan of action for yourself, um, you know, and, and keep practicing and keep growing. And maybe take in that bird watching class. Yeah. And, uh, and stay down, keep lives and making a difference.
You know, I think everything that you're doing is fantastic. So, um, yeah, anytime that we can help you just holler at us. Okay. Sounds great. All right, Margo. Um, so, uh, if people want to find your website, I know it is typically like your name. At like I can voice.com or something like that. So tell everybody your full name that you're using on your website.
Oh, great. Sure. I am using my name. It's Margot Newman, M-A-R-G-A-U-X Newman, N-E-W-M-A-N. It should be whatever I can voice.com, I believe. So if anybody, I'll, I'll, I'll post up the link in our, uh, neat. In the blog. I haven't even looked at it yet. So that way it's like, even if the, the, the, you know, um, demo isn't up there when somebody initially clicks, they can go back and take a peek and anytime they want and see, see what you're all about.
But, uh, Margo, thank you for, you know, spending a few minutes with us and, uh, hopefully everything is on the up and up and, you know, you can reach out when you get that first gig. Okay? All right. Thanks Marissa. I. Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
This week on Voice Coaches Radio, Marissa catches up with former student, Margaux Newman who initially was investigating in taking a bird watching course. Voice over is, uh, similar….right?! So, what brought her to pursuing this and getting herself a demo made?
