I’ve been a narrator for 30 years, but I never take it for granted. I’m always striving to improve, to make sure I can truly capture the appeal of a product for the audience. I recently received a certificate for serving as a judge at the SVAS VOICE ARTS AWARDS, an international voice acting competition. It’s a true honor. Thank you Rudy Gaskins and Joan Baker.
When I listen to other voice over talents, I often have insights: ‘This could be better, that could be cleaner. Wow, that’s fantastic!’ But when it comes to my own work, it’s much harder to be objective. It’s difficult to notice those things in myself.
Throughout my career, I’ve explored many facets of my voice. And I’m still on that journey of discovery.
When I was just starting out, senior directors were always there with advice. I absorbed every bit of it. But now, most of the directors I work with are my peers, or even younger. They’re incredibly talented, but the opportunities for feedback have become less frequent. I’ve been in the industry longer, so maybe they feel it’s not their place to critique me.
Day in and day out, I’m making decisions about my voice over talents, finding my own answers.
Recently, I had the chance to get feedback from a director in Tokyo. He listened to a 5-minute demo reel of my commercial work. He gave me detailed insights, not just about the equipment I used, but also about the challenges I’ve been grappling with, the nuances I’ve been trying to refine.
It’s incredibly difficult to put something intangible like voice into words. But this director was able to articulate the things I’d been struggling with. It gave me a fresh perspective, and I suddenly saw areas where I could improve.
Of course, it’s just a start. But I’m going to focus on those areas, and do everything I can to deliver commercials that truly resonate with the audience.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity! Thank you! I’m excited to keep growing as a voice over talent.”
