“I LOVE my job.”
“It’s a dream come true”
“Doing voice-overs is absolutely amazing!”
Not a day goes by without someone shouting from the rooftops that life has never been better since they joined the tribe of semi-professional voice talent hoping to make it big.
They want all their Facebook friends to know how exquisite their existence has become after they got married to their microphone.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” they say. “For the first time in my life I do what I love and I LOVE what I do!”
If that’s how you feel, I’m happy for you. Really.
I’m also a bit worried.
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Spot-on, as usual, Paul.
If I were to become a voice-over coach, the two questions I would ask potential students before anything else would be:
(1) What was it, exactly, that made you want to at least learn more about the voice-over field?
(2) For what reason(s) do you want to pursue voice-over as a career?
I believe the responses to these questions will immediately help make clear how coach and student should proceed.
Good questions, Mike. They remind me of they points I made in “How to break into the voice-over business.”
These types of questions give us an opportunity to address the many misconceptions people still have about the kind of work we do.
Beautifully said Paul! I try to sit back and think about each purchase I make for my business to make sure it’s not an emotional decision.
I’ll be saving this article and add it to my list to give to newbies. :o)
Such good advice! I think most of us know this deep down inside and as life experiences show, these are mistakes we will dearly pay for in the end. Continue with enthusiasm, just keep it in perspective!!
Yeah, buddy! Good point, Paul.
In the words of Bryan Adams… “Love Hurts”
Nothing wrong with being “in love with a VO job” as long as:
1. You’re really professional at what you’re doing. My wife is a good example. She loves opera singing, but she’d never consider doing it on a pro level, because, and I say this with respect and love (also knowing she doesn’t read this blog) she is not very good at it. What I mean here, is that only being eager to do something creative isn’t enough. Little bit of talent and luck are necessary.
2. If it’s love it shouldn’t be blind and hopeless. It cannot be like teenager’s love to a pop star or other teenager. If it’s mature and all basics (place to live, incomes, safety) are considered, than it’s fine.
I love all your responses! I think you hit the nail on the head: just because you love something doesn’t mean you have to turn it into a profession. Sometimes it is better that you don’t.
I know a movie critic who used to love going to the latest blockbusters. Back then is was pure fun. Now watching movies has become his job, and when he’s taking his wife out to see a film, he still finds himself critiquing it.
Beginners have to ask themselves: Am I really falling for the glitter and glamor, or am I ready to look beyond that and see what’s going on behind the scenes?
It’s a job and it’s supposed to pay the bills. I like my job.
Dull people believe that becoming a VO will make them interesting, it doesn’t, it makes them Voice Over bores, they are interested in no one and nothing except themselves and what they do.
Make VO work your job and other people your interest, your passion, your love. Take any other road and it will lead you to madness.
Test yourself – Next week in every interaction, real world or social media, NEVER mention VO work or the fact you are a VO once. When you talk to someone find out 3 things about them before you tell them anything about you.