Who's Your Voice Over Buddy?

This week I had a chance meeting with a potential voice coach that turned "life coach" on me during our first encounter. Here's the rub.

I have many friends in this voice business that have done quite well for themselves.  I am not one to drop names, but let's just say that almost everyone who watches television has heard at least three of them doing what they do best.

Once I was free from the shackles of a non compete, I took it upon myself to look to my friends for guidance as I prepared to comb a trail to VO success. I prepared my demo reel, and sent it to each of them for their opinions. I received the same answer/opinion every time, under the moniker of "constructive criticism".

"You need to show different styles - a wider range of deliveries - different energy levels".

Once I joined AFTRA I sought more opinions from members who have had various levels of success. I got the same answers back from them as well. Several of them suggested that I needed a voice coach. And if I were to do that, I should seek out the best. "Fly to California." "I know it will take some time to get in with (blank), but it's well worth your time and money". "It's not cheap, but it's money well spent."

I thought that there must be something to these suggestions of seeking a holy grail. Yes, I am a "one-trick-pony" and maybe I needed to get past that selfdeprecating label. But the one thing that kept bothering me more than anything was the fact that most of the successful VO artists I know are all one-trick-ponys themselves. And why is it that I have had eight years of success on the largest broadcast platform in the world (XM) as one of their primary voice talents? What was up?

So off I want to visit the voice coach. I sat on the couch and told my story. The coach listened to my demo reel. There was that uncomfortable moment of silence after the reel ended before I heard the words "why are you here?" I responded with the pat answer: "more range, a wider variety of deliveries...bla bla bla". I was asked by the voice coach, "who have you been talking too?" I responded. Then was told to stop talking to them. "They are not your friends, and they will do anything to keep you out of the business." "It's the nature of the animal Jim", she said. "You need to stop messing around and get out there." In other words, get the demos out and make the calls. Then do it again.

Finally, I have closure. So what if you are a one-trick-pony. If you do that "trick" very well there is a place for you. Your job is simply finding that place. Nobody is going to do that for you.