If you’re following me on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, what you’re about to read will be no news to you. But I know some people are just connected via this blog, and you need to hear this too. As you start reading, you’ll find out why.
Okay… so, today I’m going to try to explain something to you that I find hard to explain to myself. It’s about me and my connection to my voice over community which I feel has been shifting lately.
BEING A VOLUNTEER
It started a while ago, but it really hit me when I volunteered at a summer camp for kids down the street from where I live. It’s called the Old Stone House Time Travelers Camp. Kids from 6 to 12 spend a week playing, learning, and having fun together. I was mainly there to take pictures, but most of the kids interacted with me, and were actually interested in the person behind the camera.
And what’s more, they thanked me for volunteering and for taking pictures of their camp! After the first week, the leadership team at the Old Stone House sent me this card:
Although I always say: “I’m in it for the music, not for the applause,” I have to tell you: it’s nice to be appreciated. It makes me feel that what I do matters, and that it makes a difference; that it’s not a big waste of time.
I had the same feeling when I was emcee for the Easton Farmers’ market, the oldest outdoor farmers’ market in the United States that’s still going strong. For me it was a way to use my voice for my town, for my people, and help local farmers and merchants sell their produce and products. And every Saturday, people told me how much they enjoyed it, and they thanked me for doing it… and it felt good.
I have to tell you: it felt much better than receiving a nice cheque for doing any of my voice over work for clients I don’t even know.
Every year the farmers at the market threw an appreciation dinner for all the volunteers, and that was always a highlight of the season.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND APPRECIATION
There’s no such thing in the voice over community. Of course that has to do with the fact that we mainly interact via social media and not in person. But even on social media we can show our appreciation in many ways. But most of the time…. we don’t, and that’s why I started #goodmouthmondays.
The idea behind it is that every Monday you pick someone you’re grateful for, and you praise that person in public using social media.
The first couple of weeks I saw quite a few goodmouthmonday posts here and there, but I don’t think we’re keeping the momentum going. I can’t force anyone to say something nice about someone, and something will only be a success if people see the value. Nevertheless, I have to admit I expected a bit more. Of course everyone who’s been to the One Voice Conference is still overflowing with praise and gratitude , but once the exuberance of the experience dies down, we’ll get back to normal.
CRITICIZING CRITICS
Another thing that has disappointed me has to do with how poorly the voice over community handles criticism. I have shared with you before that I think our community is pretty lame, and very few people dare to speak up against the powers that be. And those who do – people like me- are quickly labeled as being “negative” and “nasty.” I usually shrug that off, but you should see some of the messages I receive when people don’t like what I say.
Those are not the messages you see in the public comments, by the way.
Usually, they turn it into personal attacks instead of challenging the actual content. It’s part of the risk of being outspoken… but I’m happy to have a discussion about the subject matter with anyone, anytime… As long as people stay respectful and polite.
When I point certain things out, I do it in the hopes of making things better, not to tear anyone or anything down.
THE SILENT MAJORITY
And here’s one last thing that doesn’t sit well with me. When I go to conferences and meetups, so many people come up to me, thanking me for saying all the things they tell me that THEY are thinking but are too afraid to share. Of course I appreciate hearing that, but I’ve been hearing it for years and did it move the needle in any significant way?
Did those same nice people back me up when I advocated for fair fees and protested against predatory Pay to Plays? Did they weigh in about unfair Terms and Conditions? Did they speak up when colleagues dragged me through the mud?
Some did and I’m thankful for that. But a silent majority sits back and enjoys the spectacle while complaining about low rates and how hard it is to find any work as a voice over.
Let me ask you: how’s that working for you?
Have conditions for voice overs improved over the past ten years, or is it harder to make a decent living? And who’s fault is that? Who has been enabling that?
Silence implies consent. We get what we tolerate. Inaction has consequences. Hollywood actors have had it, but most VOICE actors rather hide in their studios feeling sorry for themselves.
TAKING A FEW STEPS BACK
Uncle Roy’s annual voice over BBQ is coming up. If you’re not familiar with that, Roy Yokelson’s party is one of THE voice over events of the year bringing many colleagues together for a potluck meal, bagels, and drinks. With a heavy heart I told Roy I’m not going this year ’cause… I’m not feeling it.
I’m kind of sick of people who tell me how much they appreciate me being so outspoken, but who don’t have the balls to back me up in fear of their reputation. I know voice overs are good at giving lip service, but actions speak louder than words.
Here’s what I’ve decided: for at least a year I’m staying away from in-person events such as meetups and conferences. I’m also not doing any interviews, podcasts, or speaking engagements. I just said no to an invite to appear on the Voice Over Body Shop.
STAYING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
I will keep on posting on social media (including this blog) because it keeps my brain active and it feeds my soul. It’s good for my SEO as well. I also don’t want to give my critics the pleasure of feeling they’ve gotten rid of me. Weeds don’t die easily, and I plan to stick around for a while. But my posts won’t all be about, or for the voice over community. I’m broadening my horizons.
Please understand that I’m not asking for sympathy or last-minute appreciation. I’m not Eeyore hoping to be noticed. If I haven’t heard from you for some time, don’t bother. It’s okay.
And if you don’t hear from me for a while, I’m probably busy in my local community here in Vermont. With a camera, not a microphone. And a big smile on my face!
Refreshing, refreshing, refreshing!
Your honest self assessment will only help you not hurt you, Paul. A disconnect of sorts can be quite revealing AND healing.
And volunteering with a big smile? Well, THAT says it all!
I want to give myself some time to percolate. I will admit that this is somewhat of a symbolic move since I don’t make that many in person appearances. But to me it feels necessary to create some distance and transform my expectations. And above all: enjoy being part of my community in Northern Vermont.
Well said, Paul. Living a fulfilled life is an exercise in creative balance. If we don’t stick our heads up outside of our comfortable silos, we risk becoming isolated and parochial. If we work too hard to reach out and change the world around us, we risk neglecting the work that put is in a position to have any kind of influence. I’ll continue to look forward to your posts and if you occasionally get under my skin, I’ll just take that as a sign that I need to take a closer look at a particular issue and perhaps examine my own attitudes toward that issue. Speaking personally I have moved away from the “predatory” jungle of the pay to play world and am concentrating on what I do best: audiobooks (not that I would turn away from opportunities in other areas). The term “Return on Investment” is a popular catchphrase these days and usually equated with how much money a particular effort brings. I would argue that satisfaction is also a part of the picture. Easy for me to say, since I don’t have to do voice work to pay the rent and put food on the table. Good thing, since if that were case, I’d probably be homeless and hungry. But I will stay on the journey and am counting on you to help me make sense of the community I have joined and stay on a safe path in the Darwinian jungle of voiceover.
It is a bit of a jungle, isn’t it? I agree that “return” in ROI is all about how you define it. My ROI in terms of blogging has more to do with the effect it has on search engines than with the effect it has on my community. Thanks to this blog clients know where to find me, and (some) colleagues know where to find a punching bag. Glad to hear that you find value in my writings. That’s what keeps me going!
I’m confused. You’re ‘taking a break’ because nobody else is fighting the rate battle?
I’ll bet more people are ‘fighting’ than you think. yeah, there are people taking jobs at below fair market value in our industry and they’ll organically bow out after a few piddly paychecks but there have GOT to be people like me who (sorry to say) audition for a P2P job posting that has a budget for a National TV spot at $500 who sends in the audition with the rate of $3000 (read: what’s fair).
I think THAT is in its way a form of ‘fighting the battle.’
I appreciate you. Always have. Ever since I pinged you about your ‘building a studio’ book I’ve read what you’ve posted (blog), valued your opinion on things. I don’t always agree but that’s okay.
Differing opinions matter and your voice matters.
I think you have to look at what you do kind of how I viewed what I did in my old life as a morning radio host. I’d talk and banter and interview and otherwise ‘put it out there.’ but mostly I’d get nothing back from the audience. Yeah, we’d get a phone call if we pushed it or if it was something REALLY thought-provoking or (ahem) needle-moving but mostly you wouldn’t get any kind of affirmation. Shit, I couldn’t even get it from my boss at the time.
But that’s where I think you might have to re-calibrate how you view what you do on your blog and in your social media: Put it out there and if they consume it, great. If you hear back from someone once-in-a-while, GREATER!
Again, I think there’s more people in VO who are fighting for fair pay and pushing for safe AI usage, etc.
The majority of people are silent. Even political causes and topics. The voices you hear on those subjects are usually a few very loud ones. My guess is the majority of people who feel way ‘A’ about a cause are NOT very outspoken about it.
PS…gonna post a #goodmouthmonday next week about a donut employee.
Your summary of my motivation does not do justice to all my reasons, but I since I’m struggling with it myself, I totally get why this confuses you. When you read my piece carefully, you’ll notice that I’m referring to a perceived lack of appreciation and acknowledgement. I also mention the way the VO community in general deals with critical people, and the fact that even the “nice” colleagues have no backbone. They applaud my positions, but that’s just lip service. Lastly, I am frustrated that in all those years that I’ve been writing this blog, I wasn’t able to “move the needle” that much on issues that are important to voice actors. Perhaps I’m a victim of my own expectations.
Like you, I have worked in radio for many years. I was in news and current affairs and it made me sick having to report on human tragedies and natural disasters all the time. So, I quit, just like I am quitting some of my VO-related activities as we speak. It’s more or less symbolic since I don’t attend many in person events, but I felt I needed to do something and say something to show my disenchantment.
Like you I do see that some are trying to fight for fair fees and want to protect our voices from the invasion of Ai. But those are not the people I have problems with. I have problems with the silent majority that -by not doing or saying anything- are enabling the very things they fear, while labeling me as being “difficult” or “nasty.” Perhaps I’m overreacting, but my goal is to do things in life that give me joy and keep me healthy.
“…do things in life that give me joy and keep me healthy”
Couldn’t agree more.
Hi Paul,
Right on. I am so tired of the hype, commercial self-promotion and “look at me” of this social media generation. Perhaps it’s because we didn’t grow up with the ability to gain access to everyone’s private viewing world. And, we were fine without it! You, like me, have grown tired of fluff and commercialism. People are entitled to make a living. However, I don’t like having it shoved at me and invading my personal online space. I look for true Value. Your opinions have value. Podcasting has become so easy for people to participate. However, just because everyone can, doesn’t mean they should. You have to have something relevant to say! You my friend, certainly have and I always respect your opinion. I even respect your turning us down on Voice Over Body Shop. You’re not looking for an audience. You’re looking for a change in society and our insular VO community.
You get me Dan, and I so appreciate that! I love your show, and when my self-imposed sabbatical is over I’ll be happy to come back for an interview when my new book is out. You guys can get the scoop!