For Voice Over Talents

Tales From the VO Talent Trenches: When Sickness Hits, Do You Push On or Go to Bed?

October 27, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

I’m one of those people who never gets sick. Well, hardly ever. So when what I assumed was the flu took me down early last week, I thought I was going to have to do my usual routine and just power through it. That’s what has always worked on those rare occasions when I feel a bug trying to get me.

It’s also the mindset that has come to permeate much of the nation, especially those in my generation who grew up with hard-working Midwestern ethics. We push through no matter what, getting the jobs done we said we’d do.

Since I work from home, pushing through is typically a bit easier for me than those who head into the office. I can still try to get a few things done and just take it easy when I start feeling tired. Even though I speak for a living, I can postpone some recording sessions, work on other things that don’t require my voice, and take frequent breaks. Or at least I usually could. Not this time.

When this sickness swelled into seven full days of not getting better, I finally asked my husband to take me to the doctor, where I was promptly diagnosed with pneumonia. This was actually a relief to me, since now I could get a prescription and have some good ol’ Western medical assistance to get me on the mend.

I learned a few things on my health journey this time:

Seven days is just too dang long! Yeah, I know. Heading to the doctor can be a drag, especially if we’re not feeling well. But I now know to act sooner than a week down the line if I’m experiencing a fever that just won’t quit.

Day five is my new benchmark for seeking medical attention. Fever or no fever, day five of an ongoing illness that shows no signs of improvement is a good time to get a professional opinion.

Cost should not deter you. If you’re concerned about the cost of the doctor visit and prescription, think instead how much you’re missing in lost wages due to illness. As it happens, the antibiotic my doctor prescribed was $2.38 (after running it through my insurance)!

Don’t be afraid to accept help. Yes, this one can be a tough one, too, especially for us hard-working, independent-minded Midwesterners. But if you get offers from friends and family to help – bring over food, take the kids out, make a grocery run, drive someone to their practice, etc. – TAKE THEM UP ON IT!

Be honest with your clients. Trying to do the work when you’re simply not up to it can end in disaster – or at least a really lousy end product. I know, many of us think we can be superheroes who can still do a stellar job when plagued by a cold, flu — or even pneumonia. But, alas, we are merely humans. When I told my clients what was going on, I was surprised that in nearly every case, they were willing to wait for me to get better to complete their job. Thank you!

Show appreciation. Whether it’s to your pals who picked up your groceries, your clients who were willing to wait for their jobs, or a loving spouse who cooked you up chicken soup at 2 a.m., remember to say thank you! This counts triple in the case of the loving spouse, who deserves some special love when it’s all over.
And last but not least: “cough it up (and spit it out)!” Sorry for the explicit grossness of that, but it’s an important step to speed up recovery. It’s also a technique we’re still working to help my young son master. And yes, it truly does help!

Stay well and warm this cold and flu season. I wish you all good health! And even though you may not need a vaccine against pneumonia, a flu shot could be a good place to start.

Use Pressure to Help Propel Your Professional Voice Over Talent Career

September 15, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

I was chatting with my young teenage daughter this weekend about the pressures life brings. Even as a kid, there’s that pressure to get good grades, be accepted by your peers, make the team, win the game/race, get cast in the high school musical, and so on.

Pressure seems to start younger these days than it did for my generation. I don’t recall being so aware of the kind of pressure that most kids appear to feel in today’s world.

Competition and the ever-increasing abilities of young people to perform at higher and higher levels in every area are raising the bar all the time.

Pressure is here to stay. It is or is going to be a part of everyone’s life, so it’s essential to understand and develop a strategy to use pressure to one’s advantage.

It Seems We’re All Feeling a Lot More Pressure These Days

Being a professional voice over talent, business-owner, wife and mother of two children under the age of 14, I feel a nearly constant pressure to perform, in my professional and personal life, and to achieve real results on a daily basis.

That pressure (in varying degrees) has been there for as long as I can remember. Even before I had children, I felt pressure to reach my goals, earn a certain level of income, and be the type of person I wanted to be.

Pressure can be a good thing. Used effectively, it can help you achieve your results faster and more efficiently.

But, being under pressure doesn’t actually feel good most of the time. In fact, pressure probably stops many people from reaching their goals for the simple reason that it feels so uncomfortable. Attempting to reach any big goal is going to involve stepping into unfamiliar territory and putting yourself in situations that create a feeling of pressure. It’s pretty unavoidable.

Making Friends With Pressure = Easier Growth, Easier Life

I tried to explain to my daughter that pressure is a good thing as long as you make friends with it.

It can be your best friend in the way that you might have a workout partner who always “encourages” you to do three more push-ups when your body’s telling you that IT is pretty sure you’re DONE doing push-ups.

Without pressure, I think I could become very lazy and unproductive.

My husband eventually got in on this conversation with my daughter and said that he prefers to exist with what he calls “Goldilocks Pressure.”

Not too much – Too much pressure can feel overwhelming and debilitating
Not too little – Too little pressure can lead to feeling unmotivated and unproductive
Just right = A moderate amount of pressure usually leads to progress and productivity

Just moving about his day and getting things done with moderate external (or internal) pressure being applied is his most productive state. He chooses to frame pressure as more of a positive “pulling” energy which helps him reach completion of tasks, thereby causing a reduction of the pressure in the moment.

In the Short Term, Too Much Pressure Can Still Be Manageable

Lately, however, he’s been feeling a lot more pressure (as general manager of my voice over business) since we are in the midst of several business upgrades with website redesign, branding, demo production and re-tooling our marketing strategies. So, now he’s working harder and for longer hours, to “clear the decks” and get back to that Goldilocks level.

Instead of back-pedaling in a retreat mode away from the pressure, he’s responding with more action and more energy.

The danger here is that if this goes on for too long, it can become a source of burnout and exhaustion. But, for shorter time frames (weeks or in this case, even months), it can be manageable.

For me, I have learned to function well under some degree of pressure most of the time.

Maybe it’s from my live theater days, or from being in the fast paced world of LA auditions, where we actors are forced daily to get out of our comfort zones and at least try to be extraordinary. It’s an exciting and exhilarating form of pressure and it really helped me grow as an actor and as a business owner.

Even though I’m not auditioning for on-camera work in LA anymore (I moved away several years ago), I continue to use what I learned from that experience in my voiceover business. Finding and maintaining that “Goldilocks” fit is my new gold standard, as each week I’m juggling a dozen different clients and projects, managing deadlines, answering urgent requests, actively participating in social media, and checking off projects as I send them out.

What is your relationship to pressure like? Do you feel a lot more pressure in your life and business now than ever before? How do you use it to your advantage? Has pressure increased or decreased for you in recent years? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences!

An Artist’s Simple Formula for Success and Balance

August 31, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

I’m always fascinated by artists… Of all kinds. This weekend, I was a spectator at Art Beat, a showcase of local artists in my community here in the Midwest.

Represented on several blocks of downtown real estate on a rainy Saturday was everything from dance, music and theatre, to culinary arts, painting, ceramics, sculpture and creative writing. My daughter even got in on the act, with her musical and writing talents being showcased at a couple of the booths.

Artists Face a Unique Set of Challenges on the Road to Success

An artist is a rare breed. A successful artist, rarer still. While we all have our individual talents, there are only a few who are able to rise up and gain recognition in a world where it keeps getting harder and harder to be noticed and have a sustainable career “doing” your art.

What allows an artist to actually make their livelihood practicing their craft? It’s a combination of a lot of things. But, on top of all the things you have to do, it is very important to keep a balance between the creative process and the all-important selling process of your artistic products and/or services.

Watching this short segment on CBS Sunday Morning this weekend, I thought about how the successful professional musician profiled here distilled a great three-point strategy for maintaining a balance between the creativity in his craft and the marketing of his art.

Musician and composer, Chad Lawson shares how he spends most of his time going back and forth between two keyboards:

– His piano keyboard; to create, “meditate and to worship,” and,
– His computer keyboard for marketing, promoting, and making contacts that will lead to gigs and greater awareness of his music.

And, to top it off, he goes for a run each day, to “sweat everything out, almost like a mental shower!”

He breaks it down to this simple formula:

Do your art, market your art, and re-charge for your mind/body/spirit on a daily basis.

Obviously, it’s easy to outline these three key points, and a completely different thing to understand and develop an actual strategy that puts them into action in your own life.

What he doesn’t say in his words, but demonstrates in his success, is that he’s used discipline in his life to achieve his goals. Knowing what to do is one thing. Taking what you know, and making a plan of action, and then following through on that plan, daily, for YEARS, is what creates success.

As veteran voiceover professionals, we get asked frequently by industry newcomers, “how do I do it?” I say: Watch this 4 minute explanation by Chad Lawson, and apply these concepts to your voiceover business goals.

There is no magic bullet. There’s no fast track to long-term success, although sometimes it can look like there is for a lucky few. It’s just learning your craft, practicing your craft, finding the market for your craft, and maintaining a balance (emotionally, physically and spiritually) as you do what is necessary.

Once you find that perfect balance, then it’s a matter of doing it day after day after day after day. Wash…Rinse…Repeat!

Life as a Working Actor Requires Perseverance, Tenacity and Patience

June 22, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

If You MUST Act, Do it For the Right Reasons

For anyone who gets into acting for egoic reasons, to feel special, famous, have adoring fans, etc… This truth is a harsh wake-up call. If you’re in it to be rich and famous, you’re likely in it for the wrong reason and it’s probably going to be a very painful ride sooner or later. Even if you have a lucky break early in your career, it is extremely difficult to sustain a level of success without a deep love FOR and desire to BE an actor.

The unemployment rate for actors, according to the Actor’s Equity Association hovers around 90%. I’ve heard the stat for many years that at any given time, only 3% of actors are actually working (in paid acting jobs).

The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics recently came out with a report that stated that actors “endure long periods of unemployment, intense competition for roles, and frequent rejections in auditions.” — Unemployment is a Lifestyle For Actors and Now Many Others Too

At best, most actors scramble from audition to audition, add a few bookings to their resume, and end up with barely enough cash from their acting jobs to pay their rent and other living expenses. Most have to take on other jobs just to make ends meet. And the pursuit of the next gig is relentless. It’s always about the next gig, the next paycheck, the next chance to show what you can do.

Even if a stage actor reaches their goal of making it to Broadway, the cost of living in New York City is very challenging if you’re trying to make ends meet on an actor’s salary. A typical Broadway contract for a non-star ensemble role could be $1700 – $2000/week. And just a month’s rent in NYC could take 1-2 week’s pay!

Of course, the reward of getting to act in front of a huge live audience or in a movie is the prize that everyone is chasing. Some of my experiences on stage are among the most happy and memorable moments of my life. But, these types of peak experiences come at a very high price.

Working Voice Over Actor: Slightly Less Desperate Edge Than Traditional Actor

The Plight of the Working Actor — Image Credit: Ana Delao & Cameron Stiehl

Life as a working actor of any type demands a strong will and the ability to be able to roll with the ebbs and flows of an inherently unstable vocation. It requires not only the talent and creativity to understand how to interpret words on a page in any given context, but also tremendous perseverance, tenacity, strength, flexibility, patience, finesse and business sense to find and pursue the actual work.

Given it’s inherent instability, a career as a working actor is one that most people are probably not cut out for. As a professional voice actor, when you’re no longer driven by the next audition or booking, when the marketing, website maintenance, blogging, networking, cold calling and other chores to stay in the game become cumbersome, then maybe it’s time to re-assess goals and make sure it’s still something you want to do.

I’m sure the Tony Award winners from this year’s show are still basking in the glory of being awarded “best” for the season. But even for each of them, the show will eventually close and it will be time to look for the next gig. Ah, the life of an actor!

Go back to Part 1: “The Troublesome Plight of the Working Actor (and Voice Actor, Too)”
Go back to Part 2: “The Working Actor’s Relentless Pursuit of the Next Acting Gig”

Photo Credit: Will Act for Food is a photo essay collaboration between Cameron Stiehl and photographer, Ana Delao. Set in and around San Francisco’s Civic Center, this collection of photos shows the current state of the arts in America where many artists either work at corporate day jobs, relegating their passion to hobby status, or face poverty. Please visit http://www.cameronstiehl.com for more information.

The Working Actor’s Relentless Pursuit of the Next Acting Gig

June 15, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

Continued from Part 1

The Working Actor and the Relentless Pursuit of the Next Gig

The desperation in acting is so strong you can actually feel it in casting waiting rooms. I remember that feeling back when I started out in the acting world in the Southern California market. At that point in my career path it was all about landing leading roles in stage productions and going after film and TV opportunities. Armed with a degree in theatre, I pounded the pavement, joined forces with a few agents, went on auditions and booked some real work.

Robert Picardo and Debbie Grattan - Star Trek Voyager — Robert Picardo who played “The Doctor” and me

I did a lot of live theatre at the beginning (mostly unpaid) and in time I was fortunate to win a few TV acting jobs. The most notable (for coolness factor) was a little guest role on “Star Trek Voyager” in which I got to play a friendly alien, complete with bony facial makeup, who has a few lines with Capt. Janeway before being beamed down to my home planet (S7:E2 “Imperfection” for any Netflix streaming fans).

And yes, getting beamed down on a Star Trek episode is truly one of the most memorable things I’ve ever gotten to do in my acting career! I still get occasional requests from Trekkies for a signed headshot (some fans make it a hobby to collect headshots of every actor who has appeared in a Star Trek episode).

There were other TV series episode appearances along the way, a wonderful and rewarding run at South Coast Repertory, along with a slew of opportunities to do commercials, corporate and industrial videos and other on-camera work. These were all great experiences for me and helped to build my skills and develop my acting talents for the future.

No Business Quite Like Show Business

Show business is indeed a business. There are scores of great actors out there, who have honed their craft and can brilliantly play Willy Loman or Medea. Sadly, the majority still have a very hard time making a living as actors, and they have to hold part-time or full-time jobs to get through the slow times and just make ends meet.

In other professions, the more experience and skill that you have, the EASIER it is to find work. But in acting, and many other artistic endeavors, skills, talent and experience don’t automatically translate into an abundance of opportunities, jobs, or a livable income.

No Business Quite Like Show Business — Images by Ana Delao (photographer) and Cameron Stiehl (actress & model) http://www.cameronstiehl.com

In the internet age, an actor must learn and embrace the art of marketing along with the art of acting. The days of just waiting around for your agent to call you with an audition or booking are long gone. Today, an actor has to be their own agent, which adds one more huge challenge to the list of what makes acting a very tough profession.

Realize You May Be Treated Like You Are a Commodity

In many casting situations, actors are viewed as a commodity. This is especially true for voice actors. No matter how great of a voice an actor may have, there are ten more who can replace them in a heartbeat. Yes, there are a few extraordinary voices out there who are instantly recognizable. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t be replaced.

One area of exception is probably in animation, where a select few voice over actors can have very long term success with certain characters. Check out these multi-million dollar voices. If you are fortunate enough to land in this circle of actors, then you probably are about as irreplaceable as an actor can be. Count your blessings and buy your parents a new house!

Here are a couple of other factors that can make a voice over actor harder to replace:

1. They are connected with the branding and image of the company they are working for, so replacing them could cause some brand dis-association for customers.

2. They deliver great service and are very easy to work with, so they are unique and more indispensable in ways beyond just their voice over talents and acting abilities.

Up next, the final part of this three-part series: Life as a Working Actor Requires Perseverance, Tenacity and a few other qualities that may need to be developed.

Photo Credit: Will Act for Food is a photo essay collaboration between Cameron Stiehl and photographer, Ana Delao. Set in and around San Francisco’s Civic Center, this collection of photos shows the state of the arts in America where many artists either work at corporate day jobs, relegating their passion to hobby status, or face poverty. Please visit http://www.cameronstiehl.com for more information.

The Troublesome Plight of the Working Actor (and Voice Actor, Too)

June 8, 2015 by Debbie Grattan

The 69th Annual Tony Awards aired last night, and being a Broadway nerd (my car radio is permanently tuned to the Broadway Channel on Sirius XM) I always enjoy the build up, listening to interviews with the nominees, and anticipating the live performances. It was a fun show to watch this year, with one of the best opening numbers in recent memory. My daughter, a child voice over talent, budding stage actress and fellow Broadway nerd, stayed up for most of it with me. It is so great to get to share my love of theater and acting with her!

With a child who has such strong interests and talents in performing, I think about the drive, luck and sheer determination required to get to Broadway (or any top acting gig), and the daily effort needed to maintain that level of success. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart.

As a profession, acting can lure you in with the excitement, the fun, the “glamour” and the promises of fame and fortune. But for most actors who set out on the journey with the goal of financially supporting themselves through their artistic talents alone, it’s a long hard uphill climb. There can be minimal rewards along the way and very little fame OR fortune at the end of the line. It truly is one of the toughest professions a person could choose, yet tens of thousands choose to jump in every year.

Why I Chose the Voice Actor Path Instead

The unstable nature of life as a working stage or screen actor is a big reason why I transitioned to the voice over acting profession many years ago. I could see the writing on the wall of what it was going to be like as a traditional working actor. Even though I had a strong passion for acting, I didn’t want to have to struggle that much. It’s hard to understand the downside of what it’s truly like (see awful things article) until you actually experience it.

I also had other goals, like starting a family and enjoying a full life beyond just my work. Those goals seemed to be in conflict with an acting profession, given the time, energy and sacrifices required to even attempt to reach the pinnacle as an actor.

I think trying to “make it” as a female actor can be especially challenging… The whole working mom thing is hard enough. But the working actor mom seemed exceptionally daunting and full of all kinds of uncertainties.

Voice Over Acting Has Always Had Its Advantage

At that time, (late 90’s) voice over acting was still fairly unknown and a welcome oasis from the competitiveness of stage and on-camera acting. Today, voice over acting has many of the same pressures as other forms of acting, mostly in terms of competition for work. The influx of new voice over actors entering the field and the fact that it is no longer under the radar as a profession, makes success even harder to come by and sustain.

Even so, compared to stage and on-camera acting, I believe there is still a higher likelihood of financial rewards and a slightly less desperate edge when it comes to landing jobs as a voice over actor.

The upside to the voice over industry is this: There is an ever-expanding amount of voice over work across many different applications, platforms and niches. While TV and radio commercials are still highly competitive and the place where voice over talents often try to make their mark, there are many other types of jobs (i.e. business narration, internet advertising, animation, telephony and audiobooks) that can pay an actor’s bills. The sheer amount of work in these other areas is vast and continues to grow. The number of opportunities for a successful voice over talent to make an income are relatively plentiful, especially compared to a queue down the block for an Equity casting call in NYC.

Since my goal from the beginning was always “to be a working actor” it is no real surprise that I eventually gravitated to a type of acting where the odds of making a good living were higher. Keep reading for part two… “The Working Actor’s Relentless Pursuit of the Next Gig” and why there really is “No Business Quite Like Show Business.”

Photo Credits: Will Act for Food is a photo essay collaboration between Cameron Stiehl and photographer, Ana Delao. Please visit http://www.cameronstiehl.com for more information.

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