VC Radio
Voice Coaches Radio #670 – Spencer’s Got It!
Voice coaches radio, everything voiceover. Welcome to a brand new episode of Voice Coaches Radio. My name is Marissa, and, uh, you know, every once in a while I wanna go ahead and, and either get caught up with a, a former student of mine or, you know, sometimes I get this email where it's like, oh, Marissa, you gotta check out this student.
They're so good. Yeah. And they're getting all this work and like, you know, they've got so much promise and I can't believe their voice. And that is what happened with the gentleman we are talking to today. Spencer, welcome to the pod. Thank you, Marissa. I appreciate that. That sounds like, listen to that voice.
That's the thing is I had no idea what I was getting myself into today. And then you pop up here on the Zoom and, uh, you just opened your mouth for like two seconds and I'm like, well, no wonder they want me to, you know, sometimes there, there are just people that. You just, you ha like, I mean there was that one guy that they found on the street that was like a homeless guy, not like how many years ago?
Yeah. In York. And they're like, he's got the golden pipes. Uh, you know, I think he's been doing work ever since and, you know, obviously turned his life around. But indeed, I wanna know about you, man. Uh, you know, those pipes were only just starting to use them. Um, well, yeah. Yes and no. Right? Okay. Um, I began truly when I was younger, right?
Like I sound like everybody else, right? I was, you know, a kid going through adolescence and all that stuff. This didn't happen till 15 years old, right? And funny story, and I, I'll get into it, and I got out of it. So I, I woke up in the morning, my mom's cooking breakfast. I go in the kitchen. Her back is towards me facing the stove.
I said, Hey, mom. How you doing? Good morning. She turns around and she says, uh, well, she didn't turn around. She just addressed my voice. She said, Kenny, quit messing with me, boy. I said, that's my father. I said, no, mommy. It's me. Hey, good morning. It smells good. She turns around. She, she says. Say something else.
I said, Hey mom, good morning. Hey. She's like, oh Lord, my baby. She starts to, oh my God. So it, it kind of happened from there. And so, um, I, I actually started out wanting to be on film. I wanted to be like a film actor, so the voice thing really didn't appeal to me, nor did I know that you could make, you know, money and make a whole career outta it, out of it.
And so someone approached me and was like, Hey man. Do you know anything about voiceover? Are you a voiceover artist? And I said, what is that? That wasn't even, I mean, I was completely green to the concept of voiceover. And, um, he said, man, you can actually make some money just by recording yourself and saying something like reading a script.
I said, so like that, but not on screen. He said, yeah. I said, okay, cool. So I dunno how to wash my face and put makeup on and I can still get money. Yeah, yeah. Well, just like I told you, I'm like, excuse the appearance this morning. Like, you know, nobody, nobody has to look at me except for you and like my fiance eventually when she ends up getting home.
But like, you know, by then I should have showered. That's not gonna be until like seven o'clock tonight yourself together by then. But that's kind a little bit how it got started. I did, I um, I double that one into radio in college. Um, then after college I did some radio, uh, for about a year, um, in a local market in North Carolina.
Um, but it was just radio not voiceover directly. Right? Right. And so, um, then, you know, that hit a stall where radio wasn't really doing it. I became a dad and I had to really make some money and, uh, radio wasn't really doing it at that time. Um, and then I got reintroduced to voiceover. And when I came across voice coaches, um.
And I guess we'll get into that, get into that a little bit. But, uh, that's kind of how it got me my, my, my fire back to really pursue it seriously as a career. Yeah. I, I, I can understand. I, I mean, I don't wanna say that your kid got in the way, but like, life happens, right? And like, oh yeah. And, and I know, I mean, listen, radio has been my money maker for the last 20 years.
Uh, you know, I've done plenty of other stuff, but that has always been the primary for me. It's, it's not, it's not, we'll say very lucrative. Like it's not giving you a ton of money. It's one of those exactly where it's like you, you kind of, you have to really enjoy it for what it is. Mm-hmm. And, and like just understand that you can build from it.
Uh, and that's what I've done. Um, you know, and it's just one of those things that it's, it's been good to me, but it's not. Something that is sustainable for everybody and absolutely, it has given plenty of opportunity though, and that experience is great for you to be, you know, here now and have gone through the program and you know, you know, whatever to bring.
So, I mean, obviously I'm sure you like many, uh, like the algorithm does what the algorithm does and all of a sudden you're, you're finding out a little bit more about voice coaches. And, and, uh, you know, going and taking a workshop to learn even more. And then, and then you're in the program. How was it going through the program for you?
I'll tell you what, and, um, it was eye opening. And really just I impactful, and I'll tell you why. The key thing was, was the authenticity of the instruction, right? You could really feel that the trainers and the teachers I was talking to truly had a firm understanding of voiceover throughout the changes of voiceover, right?
Even from the last, you know, 30 years that they've had experience in, in talking about that in detail, it made me feel like I was around a knowledgeable curriculum and around some really wise and working, um, actors who could truly put me in a pathway of success. So that truly helped me, right? It made me feel good for making this type of investment.
Because here I'm, you know, I'm not making money out the wazoo, but it was something I took a chance on and I felt comfortable planting a seed here. And, um, it has yielded some good fruit. So I'm, I'm glad I did it. Yeah, I mean, well you, you take a chance on, you know, whatever it is that you're, you know, investigating in, but then, you know, I'll obviously, you know, take a chance on yourself as well.
And I think, you know, that's. Sometimes we have to like, right. Like they always say, it's like sometimes you gotta have a little risk to get the reward. And, and in this case it's like you've got some, you've got like the natural sound. So it's like, how can we polish it up, make it sound even pretty? Exactly.
Uh, you know, and get you out there and you know, listen there I will, I will tell you. Because like the honest truth is like there are so many people that just wanna go ahead and take your money. And, uh, but that's not what, like a good business and a good like actual, like educational program that is built with the right intentions that's not gonna do that for you.
Like, we're not gonna go ahead and just like, alright cool, see ya and, and like maybe a couple little tidbits and then hope that you can figure it out on your, on your own. And I mean, we're kind of here to. Not only like educate you and, and guide you through, but it's like long after everything you, you know, yeah.
It could be, you know, 10 years down the line and you got a question. It's like, Hey, it's Spencer. I took your program Yeah. Back and whatever. And it's like, I just, you know, I've been uh, working and doing this and I know I haven't really stayed in touch, but like, you know, I got this question I was hoping somebody could help me with and you know what we're gonna be like.
Alright, cool. Hold on a second. We'll get the right person on the phone for you, you know. I could not agree with you more. I mean, I not agree with you. Absolutely. I have called times throughout the process. I've called.
And I'm like, oh, wow, that it makes you feel, you know, like, wow, okay, cool. This is a community of close friends and folks that really care, so. Wow. And you know, we don't mind, we're not like some big huge business. We don't have, uh, a ton of people in our office. There's just a handful of us. And, you know, and, and I, I think maybe that's what makes it even better, just because everybody does end up knowing everybody.
And we know a little bit about everybody's story and backgrounds and. Uh, trials and tribulations throughout, you know, the program because life sometimes throws curve balls at us and whatever else. And it's, it's, it's kind of nice to, to have that. So, alright, well, you go through the program and, and I took a little peeky at your file, so I know that while some people just go ahead and they find one demo is just perfect for them, uh, you know, and let's go ahead and let's focus on that.
You were the overachiever and you went and you did too. Uh, so. Yeah. How did it all go? I, I loved it. I was curious about how it would go, because I was like, okay, cool. They're gonna set a demo up. I wanna go and have a studio session, but how in the world is the coach gonna be there with me? Right. And so people always worry about that.
They think that like, okay, demo day's gonna get here, and like next thing you know, it's like, all right, I'm just with some random person that I've never met before and, and just hoping that we can help. Kind of direct myself and no, we don't throw you to the wolves. It made me feel good. I was Okay, cool.
And I can hear her in the background, of course, coming through the, uh, the board and everything, and the producer on the other end. I said, okay, cool. So you got, you guys are able to hear me in real time. Yeah. So that made me feel good. Right. We were able to kind of revisit some of the tips and tricks that we learned throughout the program, kind of, you know, apply certain and certain copy.
Uh, but the process was seamless, honestly. It felt good. I, I had fun. We, of course, went through the pro, uh, the script selection already to tailor the best one that worked for my voice, uh, for commercial and for narration. And, um, yeah, it, it, it was, it was great. I, again, I had fun. We was able to put some personality in it, do some inflections, do some, um, I did like a.
Like narrating something like scary, like a haunted house commercial. Okay. And I was Laugh the end. Mm-hmm. I think Nailed it.
So that was good, right? She's like, yeah, like, let's take a break, because that scared me for real. That's awesome. I, you know, I, I, I, I can hear it. I can, I can hear that coming outta you. I can also hear you like Arby's, we've got the meats, like, you know. Yeah. Yeah. So if I had a dollar, if I had a dollar, truly, I'm gonna tell you really did.
Um, I got sick and tired of telling pe, people telling me or asking me. You do voiceover and why are you here? Because I, you know, I have another job, you know, other jobs outside of this and folks are like, whatcha doing here? Right? Why you should doing this, this? And, you know, sometimes you can get your own way, right?
You get your own mind C right percent, right? And, and thing is you're like, well, when is it gonna be the time about true delight? Take a and go out on it and do it and take it seriously. Yeah. And the timing was just right of, uh, came across my Instagram,
let.
Um, so far it's been alright. So yeah, like, well, let's not hold myself back anymore. You know? And it's, it's not even necessarily holding yourself back. I mean, I get it, like, you kind of go the path where it's like, I don't wanna say the easy money, but like, you know, what is going be easiest for me to do right now that I know that I can get a paycheck coming in instantly and like, it, it, it makes sense, uh, but man, can this be so much fun?
Whereas the what might be the, the easier routes initially is not. Something that's sustainably fun. Uh, you know, so I'm, I'm glad that we can get you diving on into this and, and I, I hear that you've already gotten a little stuff like something rolling. Yeah. Yes, I have. I have actually, um, I've done, um, I've had, well actually I'm doing a project now and I just completed one, um, a couple months ago.
I did the, uh, a campaign ad for my, uh, local county commissioner, and she actually won. That's good. I did the ad for her, her campaign for, you know, getting her votes out, all that stuff. So that was cool. Um, and I'm currently working on an animation, it's a YouTube animation. It's not huge, but it's getting some followers, but gained some traction.
I'm here in Atlanta and uh, I play the, um, think of it like South Park. Mm-hmm. Ox. Right. So adult swim type thing, but it's a YouTube series and, um, it, it's, it's, it's funny and it's comical. And so I play the character, his name is Cliff. He's a 50-year-old, uh, man who, uh, becomes the father of the main character's child.
And so it's the whole thing. But again, it's fun and it gives me to be silly because I'm a silly guy. Yeah.
And yeah. And I'm also doing, um, voiceover work for a church, um, a mega church here. Okay. Two churches, one back at home by hometown and a church here. Uh, I'm doing the announcements and all their media ministry. So, you know, it, it's, it's, it's, it's picking up, it's up and I'm, I'm happy about it. It gives me chance to do three things and two to three different avenues.
It works out. So, so then this is gonna be the question I need to ask, because those are three very, very different things. Yes. How did you go about. Are these people that you knew? Is this like networking that you did? Did you send, you know, demos in for it, auditions? Like, tell me some more. So, I, I really wanna dive in on the entrepreneurial aspect of voiceover, right?
Mm-hmm. Um, I had a chance to talk to somebody about. You know how, just like you said here, how'd you get these, you know, are you auditioning and so forth? Um, a lot of it came straight from network, honestly. Um, I love the fact that in one of the sessions that I had with voice coaches, they talked about how to dominate your local market, right?
And sometimes it may not be the big gigs, it may not be the big casting that comes from the cast directors or agency, but you can still get work. But a closed mouth does. And the, the gift, I mean, in, in my space, people ask me, do I already, before I even tell them just about saying hello, but it comes from networking.
Um, that was specifically was the church one that came from just being a member. And, uh, they were like, Hey, can I ask you something? And I'm like, here it comes. And, and I'm like, yes, yes, I do provide voiceover services. Yes, I'll be to do it. Um, a. I came from, uh, networking on a set. I was actually a, a previous time where, um, the actress there began to do an animation series and called me and said, Hey, could you read for this?
I was like, well, sure. I gave that a shot and boom, we knocked that out and uh, the campaign ad came from another opportunity to rub shoulders with folks. And again, you have to be out there. You know, you can't be a stupid agent. You gotta be outside. You gave just three, three different. Like three different jobs, three completely different types of work and three different ways that you were able to get that work.
You know what I mean? Like you just happened to be a parishioner, you know, so you're over there and you know, you're talking at the church and they just heard your voice and boom, like beautiful moment, right? It was like a, you know, kind of not right place, right time, but like just. You, you were just there.
Uh, you know, and then you've got the, the already networked relationship that you had with this other actress and that spawns, you know, this opportunity. And then, so just rubbing some elbows, you know what I mean? And like being at an event. Um, that's the thing, like some people think that it's just only one.
There's only one way to do it. And. There are so many ways to do it. And, and that's why even, even like the relationships you already have are so important, you know, because you just never know what it's gonna lead to or who's gonna call, or who's gonna text or who's gonna, you know. So opportunities are, are all over the place.
It's a matter of people knowing. Tell you what, man, I, I, I live under the creed. You treat people where you wanna be treated, obviously, right? But you also wanna plant seeds and be nice to people because you don't know what they're going through. You dunno what anybody's going through. And so for that reason, you don't wanna burn bridges and always treat folks with a smile.
And those small investments, which are freedom, make honestly can pay dividends. I've been a recipient of that. And, and I, I apply that to anything that I do. And especially here in the word of voiceover, you just don't know who you're talking to. And again, be confident in your gift. And that's another thing that voice coaches did.
They learned, they taught you how to hone in on your skill, find your authentic voice, and then navigate with confidence with it. And that's the beautiful part about it, because once you have that confidence, now you're able to answer when someone asks you without being, you know. Nervous. Yes, I am a voice actor.
No, I don't have the million dollar house yet, man. I have all this, and yes, I'm a voice actor. Yes, I can do that. Yeah. Right. And once you navigate with confidence, you, uh, you have a better opportunity for success. So I'm happy for that very much. Agreed. And you know, it's, I, I can go over here and I can say a whole bunch of like how like I had to rebuild after the pandemic.
I had lost everything because of it, you know, that, that timeframe. And I had to start from. The ground up all over again. And the same way you've been getting work is what I've relied on. I mean, for basically everything it's, it's word of mouth, you know? It's all these relationships I had built, and then it's like, well, one person sees what I'm doing and then another, and then another, and I'm getting this call and this text and this email and that.
Those that hard work of, of making sure that you're cultivating and caring for those relationships really goes the distance. And I'm glad that you're, you're already seeing that. Like, you know, you're seeing the impact of that. Um, you know, so just really cool. So, I mean, what's next? What, tell me, do you have anything that you're gonna be potentially working on that you're aware of?
Or is there like a big goal that you'd like to reach? I'd like to be full-time VO. I mean, full time voiceover in the next 18 months. Okay.
I can be, I can be a person that gets in my own way and I'm tired of it this year, I'm not doing it. Um, I've had some losses over the last couple of months and you know, it kind of put a fire in me to say, Hey man, life is short. Mm-hmm. And tomorrow's not promised. And whatever it assignment you have, whatever gift you have, use it.
Alright? It's been given to you for a reason. You have the mechanics, you have the training, you have the confidence. Let's go out and do it. So I wanna do it the next 18 to to 24 months. I wanna be full-time voice. I wanna walk away from the nine to five and my passion. Well, hey, I, I don't think you're gonna have any issue if you continue on the path that you're on and you continue with the confidence.
The confidence is gonna be a, a key factor here because I think that will keep you driven and motivated. Um, you know, when it's very easy to kind of like, get in, like we said in our own way and have that glass half empty. So just, you know, keep with that positive mindset and that confidence and just keep.
The two words that were always so vital and so important that I, I hone in on so often are keep going. Because sometimes it, you kind of feel like you're running in place, but you almost don't realize that, wow, it feels that way. You are taking, even if it's just tiny steps, you're taking steps, you know, and it's gonna, it's just working you to get to you to where you need to be and where you're gonna be.
Um, so you already know anytime we can help you, you holler. All right. Marissa, I'm telling you. Thank you, uh, for, for, for this time. And you're right. Again, it's not just what you're saying. I, I, I, I receive it. I've, I've seen it. I've benefited from it. Just a phone call away. You guys picked up, talked to me, and, uh, questions I had.
You guys are like a family, so I appreciate you just, you know, cultivating that atmosphere and that environment for your students. Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
They're so good. Yeah. And they're getting all this work and like, you know, they've got so much promise and I can't believe their voice. And that is what happened with the gentleman we are talking to today. Spencer, welcome to the pod. Thank you, Marissa. I appreciate that. That sounds like, listen to that voice.
That's the thing is I had no idea what I was getting myself into today. And then you pop up here on the Zoom and, uh, you just opened your mouth for like two seconds and I'm like, well, no wonder they want me to, you know, sometimes there, there are just people that. You just, you ha like, I mean there was that one guy that they found on the street that was like a homeless guy, not like how many years ago?
Yeah. In York. And they're like, he's got the golden pipes. Uh, you know, I think he's been doing work ever since and, you know, obviously turned his life around. But indeed, I wanna know about you, man. Uh, you know, those pipes were only just starting to use them. Um, well, yeah. Yes and no. Right? Okay. Um, I began truly when I was younger, right?
Like I sound like everybody else, right? I was, you know, a kid going through adolescence and all that stuff. This didn't happen till 15 years old, right? And funny story, and I, I'll get into it, and I got out of it. So I, I woke up in the morning, my mom's cooking breakfast. I go in the kitchen. Her back is towards me facing the stove.
I said, Hey, mom. How you doing? Good morning. She turns around and she says, uh, well, she didn't turn around. She just addressed my voice. She said, Kenny, quit messing with me, boy. I said, that's my father. I said, no, mommy. It's me. Hey, good morning. It smells good. She turns around. She, she says. Say something else.
I said, Hey mom, good morning. Hey. She's like, oh Lord, my baby. She starts to, oh my God. So it, it kind of happened from there. And so, um, I, I actually started out wanting to be on film. I wanted to be like a film actor, so the voice thing really didn't appeal to me, nor did I know that you could make, you know, money and make a whole career outta it, out of it.
And so someone approached me and was like, Hey man. Do you know anything about voiceover? Are you a voiceover artist? And I said, what is that? That wasn't even, I mean, I was completely green to the concept of voiceover. And, um, he said, man, you can actually make some money just by recording yourself and saying something like reading a script.
I said, so like that, but not on screen. He said, yeah. I said, okay, cool. So I dunno how to wash my face and put makeup on and I can still get money. Yeah, yeah. Well, just like I told you, I'm like, excuse the appearance this morning. Like, you know, nobody, nobody has to look at me except for you and like my fiance eventually when she ends up getting home.
But like, you know, by then I should have showered. That's not gonna be until like seven o'clock tonight yourself together by then. But that's kind a little bit how it got started. I did, I um, I double that one into radio in college. Um, then after college I did some radio, uh, for about a year, um, in a local market in North Carolina.
Um, but it was just radio not voiceover directly. Right? Right. And so, um, then, you know, that hit a stall where radio wasn't really doing it. I became a dad and I had to really make some money and, uh, radio wasn't really doing it at that time. Um, and then I got reintroduced to voiceover. And when I came across voice coaches, um.
And I guess we'll get into that, get into that a little bit. But, uh, that's kind of how it got me my, my, my fire back to really pursue it seriously as a career. Yeah. I, I, I can understand. I, I mean, I don't wanna say that your kid got in the way, but like, life happens, right? And like, oh yeah. And, and I know, I mean, listen, radio has been my money maker for the last 20 years.
Uh, you know, I've done plenty of other stuff, but that has always been the primary for me. It's, it's not, it's not, we'll say very lucrative. Like it's not giving you a ton of money. It's one of those exactly where it's like you, you kind of, you have to really enjoy it for what it is. Mm-hmm. And, and like just understand that you can build from it.
Uh, and that's what I've done. Um, you know, and it's just one of those things that it's, it's been good to me, but it's not. Something that is sustainable for everybody and absolutely, it has given plenty of opportunity though, and that experience is great for you to be, you know, here now and have gone through the program and you know, you know, whatever to bring.
So, I mean, obviously I'm sure you like many, uh, like the algorithm does what the algorithm does and all of a sudden you're, you're finding out a little bit more about voice coaches. And, and, uh, you know, going and taking a workshop to learn even more. And then, and then you're in the program. How was it going through the program for you?
I'll tell you what, and, um, it was eye opening. And really just I impactful, and I'll tell you why. The key thing was, was the authenticity of the instruction, right? You could really feel that the trainers and the teachers I was talking to truly had a firm understanding of voiceover throughout the changes of voiceover, right?
Even from the last, you know, 30 years that they've had experience in, in talking about that in detail, it made me feel like I was around a knowledgeable curriculum and around some really wise and working, um, actors who could truly put me in a pathway of success. So that truly helped me, right? It made me feel good for making this type of investment.
Because here I'm, you know, I'm not making money out the wazoo, but it was something I took a chance on and I felt comfortable planting a seed here. And, um, it has yielded some good fruit. So I'm, I'm glad I did it. Yeah, I mean, well you, you take a chance on, you know, whatever it is that you're, you know, investigating in, but then, you know, I'll obviously, you know, take a chance on yourself as well.
And I think, you know, that's. Sometimes we have to like, right. Like they always say, it's like sometimes you gotta have a little risk to get the reward. And, and in this case it's like you've got some, you've got like the natural sound. So it's like, how can we polish it up, make it sound even pretty? Exactly.
Uh, you know, and get you out there and you know, listen there I will, I will tell you. Because like the honest truth is like there are so many people that just wanna go ahead and take your money. And, uh, but that's not what, like a good business and a good like actual, like educational program that is built with the right intentions that's not gonna do that for you.
Like, we're not gonna go ahead and just like, alright cool, see ya and, and like maybe a couple little tidbits and then hope that you can figure it out on your, on your own. And I mean, we're kind of here to. Not only like educate you and, and guide you through, but it's like long after everything you, you know, yeah.
It could be, you know, 10 years down the line and you got a question. It's like, Hey, it's Spencer. I took your program Yeah. Back and whatever. And it's like, I just, you know, I've been uh, working and doing this and I know I haven't really stayed in touch, but like, you know, I got this question I was hoping somebody could help me with and you know what we're gonna be like.
Alright, cool. Hold on a second. We'll get the right person on the phone for you, you know. I could not agree with you more. I mean, I not agree with you. Absolutely. I have called times throughout the process. I've called.
And I'm like, oh, wow, that it makes you feel, you know, like, wow, okay, cool. This is a community of close friends and folks that really care, so. Wow. And you know, we don't mind, we're not like some big huge business. We don't have, uh, a ton of people in our office. There's just a handful of us. And, you know, and, and I, I think maybe that's what makes it even better, just because everybody does end up knowing everybody.
And we know a little bit about everybody's story and backgrounds and. Uh, trials and tribulations throughout, you know, the program because life sometimes throws curve balls at us and whatever else. And it's, it's, it's kind of nice to, to have that. So, alright, well, you go through the program and, and I took a little peeky at your file, so I know that while some people just go ahead and they find one demo is just perfect for them, uh, you know, and let's go ahead and let's focus on that.
You were the overachiever and you went and you did too. Uh, so. Yeah. How did it all go? I, I loved it. I was curious about how it would go, because I was like, okay, cool. They're gonna set a demo up. I wanna go and have a studio session, but how in the world is the coach gonna be there with me? Right. And so people always worry about that.
They think that like, okay, demo day's gonna get here, and like next thing you know, it's like, all right, I'm just with some random person that I've never met before and, and just hoping that we can help. Kind of direct myself and no, we don't throw you to the wolves. It made me feel good. I was Okay, cool.
And I can hear her in the background, of course, coming through the, uh, the board and everything, and the producer on the other end. I said, okay, cool. So you got, you guys are able to hear me in real time. Yeah. So that made me feel good. Right. We were able to kind of revisit some of the tips and tricks that we learned throughout the program, kind of, you know, apply certain and certain copy.
Uh, but the process was seamless, honestly. It felt good. I, I had fun. We, of course, went through the pro, uh, the script selection already to tailor the best one that worked for my voice, uh, for commercial and for narration. And, um, yeah, it, it, it was, it was great. I, again, I had fun. We was able to put some personality in it, do some inflections, do some, um, I did like a.
Like narrating something like scary, like a haunted house commercial. Okay. And I was Laugh the end. Mm-hmm. I think Nailed it.
So that was good, right? She's like, yeah, like, let's take a break, because that scared me for real. That's awesome. I, you know, I, I, I, I can hear it. I can, I can hear that coming outta you. I can also hear you like Arby's, we've got the meats, like, you know. Yeah. Yeah. So if I had a dollar, if I had a dollar, truly, I'm gonna tell you really did.
Um, I got sick and tired of telling pe, people telling me or asking me. You do voiceover and why are you here? Because I, you know, I have another job, you know, other jobs outside of this and folks are like, whatcha doing here? Right? Why you should doing this, this? And, you know, sometimes you can get your own way, right?
You get your own mind C right percent, right? And, and thing is you're like, well, when is it gonna be the time about true delight? Take a and go out on it and do it and take it seriously. Yeah. And the timing was just right of, uh, came across my Instagram,
let.
Um, so far it's been alright. So yeah, like, well, let's not hold myself back anymore. You know? And it's, it's not even necessarily holding yourself back. I mean, I get it, like, you kind of go the path where it's like, I don't wanna say the easy money, but like, you know, what is going be easiest for me to do right now that I know that I can get a paycheck coming in instantly and like, it, it, it makes sense, uh, but man, can this be so much fun?
Whereas the what might be the, the easier routes initially is not. Something that's sustainably fun. Uh, you know, so I'm, I'm glad that we can get you diving on into this and, and I, I hear that you've already gotten a little stuff like something rolling. Yeah. Yes, I have. I have actually, um, I've done, um, I've had, well actually I'm doing a project now and I just completed one, um, a couple months ago.
I did the, uh, a campaign ad for my, uh, local county commissioner, and she actually won. That's good. I did the ad for her, her campaign for, you know, getting her votes out, all that stuff. So that was cool. Um, and I'm currently working on an animation, it's a YouTube animation. It's not huge, but it's getting some followers, but gained some traction.
I'm here in Atlanta and uh, I play the, um, think of it like South Park. Mm-hmm. Ox. Right. So adult swim type thing, but it's a YouTube series and, um, it, it's, it's, it's funny and it's comical. And so I play the character, his name is Cliff. He's a 50-year-old, uh, man who, uh, becomes the father of the main character's child.
And so it's the whole thing. But again, it's fun and it gives me to be silly because I'm a silly guy. Yeah.
And yeah. And I'm also doing, um, voiceover work for a church, um, a mega church here. Okay. Two churches, one back at home by hometown and a church here. Uh, I'm doing the announcements and all their media ministry. So, you know, it, it's, it's, it's, it's picking up, it's up and I'm, I'm happy about it. It gives me chance to do three things and two to three different avenues.
It works out. So, so then this is gonna be the question I need to ask, because those are three very, very different things. Yes. How did you go about. Are these people that you knew? Is this like networking that you did? Did you send, you know, demos in for it, auditions? Like, tell me some more. So, I, I really wanna dive in on the entrepreneurial aspect of voiceover, right?
Mm-hmm. Um, I had a chance to talk to somebody about. You know how, just like you said here, how'd you get these, you know, are you auditioning and so forth? Um, a lot of it came straight from network, honestly. Um, I love the fact that in one of the sessions that I had with voice coaches, they talked about how to dominate your local market, right?
And sometimes it may not be the big gigs, it may not be the big casting that comes from the cast directors or agency, but you can still get work. But a closed mouth does. And the, the gift, I mean, in, in my space, people ask me, do I already, before I even tell them just about saying hello, but it comes from networking.
Um, that was specifically was the church one that came from just being a member. And, uh, they were like, Hey, can I ask you something? And I'm like, here it comes. And, and I'm like, yes, yes, I do provide voiceover services. Yes, I'll be to do it. Um, a. I came from, uh, networking on a set. I was actually a, a previous time where, um, the actress there began to do an animation series and called me and said, Hey, could you read for this?
I was like, well, sure. I gave that a shot and boom, we knocked that out and uh, the campaign ad came from another opportunity to rub shoulders with folks. And again, you have to be out there. You know, you can't be a stupid agent. You gotta be outside. You gave just three, three different. Like three different jobs, three completely different types of work and three different ways that you were able to get that work.
You know what I mean? Like you just happened to be a parishioner, you know, so you're over there and you know, you're talking at the church and they just heard your voice and boom, like beautiful moment, right? It was like a, you know, kind of not right place, right time, but like just. You, you were just there.
Uh, you know, and then you've got the, the already networked relationship that you had with this other actress and that spawns, you know, this opportunity. And then, so just rubbing some elbows, you know what I mean? And like being at an event. Um, that's the thing, like some people think that it's just only one.
There's only one way to do it. And. There are so many ways to do it. And, and that's why even, even like the relationships you already have are so important, you know, because you just never know what it's gonna lead to or who's gonna call, or who's gonna text or who's gonna, you know. So opportunities are, are all over the place.
It's a matter of people knowing. Tell you what, man, I, I, I live under the creed. You treat people where you wanna be treated, obviously, right? But you also wanna plant seeds and be nice to people because you don't know what they're going through. You dunno what anybody's going through. And so for that reason, you don't wanna burn bridges and always treat folks with a smile.
And those small investments, which are freedom, make honestly can pay dividends. I've been a recipient of that. And, and I, I apply that to anything that I do. And especially here in the word of voiceover, you just don't know who you're talking to. And again, be confident in your gift. And that's another thing that voice coaches did.
They learned, they taught you how to hone in on your skill, find your authentic voice, and then navigate with confidence with it. And that's the beautiful part about it, because once you have that confidence, now you're able to answer when someone asks you without being, you know. Nervous. Yes, I am a voice actor.
No, I don't have the million dollar house yet, man. I have all this, and yes, I'm a voice actor. Yes, I can do that. Yeah. Right. And once you navigate with confidence, you, uh, you have a better opportunity for success. So I'm happy for that very much. Agreed. And you know, it's, I, I can go over here and I can say a whole bunch of like how like I had to rebuild after the pandemic.
I had lost everything because of it, you know, that, that timeframe. And I had to start from. The ground up all over again. And the same way you've been getting work is what I've relied on. I mean, for basically everything it's, it's word of mouth, you know? It's all these relationships I had built, and then it's like, well, one person sees what I'm doing and then another, and then another, and I'm getting this call and this text and this email and that.
Those that hard work of, of making sure that you're cultivating and caring for those relationships really goes the distance. And I'm glad that you're, you're already seeing that. Like, you know, you're seeing the impact of that. Um, you know, so just really cool. So, I mean, what's next? What, tell me, do you have anything that you're gonna be potentially working on that you're aware of?
Or is there like a big goal that you'd like to reach? I'd like to be full-time VO. I mean, full time voiceover in the next 18 months. Okay.
I can be, I can be a person that gets in my own way and I'm tired of it this year, I'm not doing it. Um, I've had some losses over the last couple of months and you know, it kind of put a fire in me to say, Hey man, life is short. Mm-hmm. And tomorrow's not promised. And whatever it assignment you have, whatever gift you have, use it.
Alright? It's been given to you for a reason. You have the mechanics, you have the training, you have the confidence. Let's go out and do it. So I wanna do it the next 18 to to 24 months. I wanna be full-time voice. I wanna walk away from the nine to five and my passion. Well, hey, I, I don't think you're gonna have any issue if you continue on the path that you're on and you continue with the confidence.
The confidence is gonna be a, a key factor here because I think that will keep you driven and motivated. Um, you know, when it's very easy to kind of like, get in, like we said in our own way and have that glass half empty. So just, you know, keep with that positive mindset and that confidence and just keep.
The two words that were always so vital and so important that I, I hone in on so often are keep going. Because sometimes it, you kind of feel like you're running in place, but you almost don't realize that, wow, it feels that way. You are taking, even if it's just tiny steps, you're taking steps, you know, and it's gonna, it's just working you to get to you to where you need to be and where you're gonna be.
Um, so you already know anytime we can help you, you holler. All right. Marissa, I'm telling you. Thank you, uh, for, for, for this time. And you're right. Again, it's not just what you're saying. I, I, I, I receive it. I've, I've seen it. I've benefited from it. Just a phone call away. You guys picked up, talked to me, and, uh, questions I had.
You guys are like a family, so I appreciate you just, you know, cultivating that atmosphere and that environment for your students. Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
This week Marissa chats with former Voice Coaches student, Spencer Humphrey who’s already been getting some work under his belt!
