VAM 008 | Interview with Wes Davis, Part 3
Welcome to the eighth episode of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
This is the third and final part of my interview with Wes Davis. If you’d like to learn more about Wes, feel free to check out his voice acting website:
In this episode, we get into some of the most important issues when pursuing a voice acting career including:
- Where does your confidence come from?
- How do you warm-up before a voice acting job?
- How do you achieve your goals?
- What do you say to yourself to keep from being discouraged?
In the next episode, I’ll be addressing an issue that has been asked many times in the comments here on the website: “What can I do to be more confident?” I look forward to giving you my take on it in the next episode!
As always, I welcome your questions and feedback! If you feel inspired, please leave a comment on this blog post.
Thanks for listening!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #8 HereĀ (MP3)
Wes is going to go far in this industry. He has all the makings. And with the Comic Con goal, that’s one of my goals too. Go to conventions, talk about characters I’ve played and pass on the craft. I just don’t have the means for advancing that goal just yet.
I was in my playwriting class the other day, and I was going to read a monologue that I’ve written. I was the last to go, and nervousness built up around my diaphram. I tried to get rid of it, but it wouldn’t go away. But when I got to reading (it was in a southern accent also), it was fine. I adlibed a bit, but it was fine.
Confidence is everything. I can’t wait till next podcast!
Good for you for standing up and going for it in class. Many times, that’s all it takes to get over one’s nervousness, realizing that you’re not going to expire if you get up in front of people!
Thanks!
I have a bit of a question. Trends show that a lot more people are recording from home now. Is it feasible for a voice over artist to record lines at home and then send them off to be in a cartoon like My Little Pony or an anime like Durarara?
Or does it have to be recorded all in studio with a director and engineer running the board?
Thanks!
~Kalyn M.
It is not feasible for you to act in an animated series and record from home. Every actor must be recorded on the same equipment so that the entire cast sounds consistent and professional. While it is possible to do some industrials and narration work from a home studio, animation and video games (on the professional level) require the actors to come into the studio and be directed.
Awesome. Thank you for answering!
Great episode as always. I have a feeling Wes is gonna go pretty far, before you know it he’s gonna be the next familiar voice in animation. Looking forward to the next episode, it’s on my biggest issue.
I have only one question, if I want to start voice acting, how do I begin?
That’s sort of the topic of this entire blog and podcast series. Have you listened to the episodes where I tell the story of how I broke into voice acting? Did you listen to how Wes Davis broke in? Have you downloaded and listened to the Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Voice Acting? If so, is there some information that you feel you’re still missing?
I have indeed listened to all of those, but I’m still having trouble. You see I’m from a small town in Indiana where there aren’t any good opportunities. I can’t travel because I’m “too young” so basically I’m stuck in this little town without any choices on where to begin. And I want to begin SO badly! I even tried to get into theatre, but once again my location has left me stuck. I know the logical solution to this would be to move to an area where there are better opportunities, but I simply can’t. I really have a passion for acting and it’s killing me to not be able to fulfill that passion. What should I do?
I think you should get in touch with some of the online voice acting communities such as the Voice Acting Alliance: http://voiceactingalliance.com/board/forum.php
These are people, just like you, who are doing their best to advance their voice acting skills and have come together online to make a community to support each other and work on projects. That way, it doesn’t matter where you’re located.
In the future, I hope to be able to offer online classes. I’ll make sure to announce when those are available here on the website.
Hope that helps.
That is a HUGE help!! I checked out the Voice Acting Alliance page and loved it!! I made an account, and already I have begun to understand more, as well as get some of the problems and questions I had resolved.
Thank you so much for the help! You have no idea how appreciated it is!
I can’t wait for your online classes! I will definately be there!
Great 3 part series. It was really cool to hear someone who’s trying to make it in the industry now. I know not all paths are the same but I feel certain aspects of his journey coincide with mine. I too am a member of voices.com! Ive been practicing my booty off with home recordings, perfecting my script and saving money to have a professional demo done.
All in all great series and I look forward to the next podcast.
Glad you’re enjoying the podcast! Thanks so much for your comment!
I’ve been mulling over this question for a while, and I still don’t have any eloquent way to ask it, so I guess I’ll have to be blunt about it.
In your opinion, do you think youtube is a relatively good way to start getting comfortable in front of a camera or microphone, as well as accepting negative or constructive feedback? Or for that matter, a way to get some form of a name for yourself out there?
I know it’s only youtube, and I highly doubt that any big names are browsing the channels until they see someone they like and think “oh wow, we should so call this dude and offer him a job!” But is it still at least slightly conducive to the preparation for acting/ voice acting process?
Thank you so much for the podcast, by the way. They’re fantastic.
When you’re just starting out, any chance to get in front of a camera or a microphone is good practice. It not only lets you practice, but it gives you a recording you can study later to see what you need to improve. I highly recommend recording yourself and watching it back so you can see what you look and sound like.
As far as looking to YouTube for feedback, that’s more of a mixed bag. Who’s giving you the feedback? Are they professionals who understand what it takes to work in the industry or are they just friends who will say they like your work because they like you. Or will they be anonymous trolls who don’t really know anything? You may get some useful feedback, but you may also get a lot of dreck as well. Take any feedback on YouTube with a grain of salt.
As far as someone discovering you on YouTube, I’ve never heard of that happening in the voice acting world. I guess it’s possible, but most voice over casting directors get auditions submitted to them, they don’t go combing the internet for talent, they don’t have time. However, it’s good to have some of your work up online so that if someone would like to see what you can do that it’s easy for them to watch and/or listen to a sample of your work online. That’s why I have a website with my demos in an easy to find place.
Hope that helps!
I know that I need to work on my speed; I’m a fast talker. Making videos made it all too obvious that I don’t have a train to catch and need to slow down the pace.
I will admit that I did giggle when I saw the word ‘drek’ (I’ve only heard my mother use it when imitating my Yiddush speaking grandmother), as for the actual youtube feedback? Eh, it’s not that helpful.
I was kinda hoping it would even be slightly helpful in getting used to performing for a public audience, but I don’t think the internet really counts. We both know what kind of people are on the internet, and yeah, we’ll just leave it at trolls.
Life would be too easy if they were looking for talent rather than talent looking for them. But true, it is good to have something online for quick reference if needed.
I forgot to ask earlier. I also keep hearing that it helps if you have connections to the acting or voice acting world? Is this true? Wouldn’t it be unlikely that someone with their foot already in the door to the VA world would want to help someone else get in because that would create more competition (I’m quoting my father on my career choice on that one, but I figured I should ask seeing as you have your foot WAY into the door and you’re helping us newcomers out)?
And yes, your answer was very helpful. Thank you.
Of course it helps if you have connections in the voice acting world. It helps if you have connections in any industry you’re planning to enter. That’s one of the main reasons people go to film schools is so they can have connections in the film industry. It’s not necessary, but it can be useful.
People do tend to help other people out. Just look at all the free reviews on Amazon of people going out of their way to tell others whether a certain product is good or not. They don’t have to do that. They want to do that to help others.
I’m a prime example of someone who is helping others. Why? Because there’s enough voice acting work for everyone. I don’t believe in scarcity. Besides, I can’t play all the voice acting roles. š
I mentioned connections because I have a couple of friends who said they have been approached by people asking if they would be interested in doing voice work or not. They all weren’t, but they said they would reference me since I am interested in that particular line of work (one of my friends works at Disney and said he would reference me if asked if he was interested or not. Not sure if he was legit or not, but it’s something I guess).
Thank you so much for answering my questions. Looking forward to the next podcast.
Quick side comment: Thank you for coming to Metrocon this past summer. Hope you come back for 2012.
Again, thank you for all the help you’re giving us, and for answering my questions.
Hi Crispin, I got your message from email and I’m sorry I emailed you a question about two months ago. After I’d listen the part three of an interview, it was quite interesting. I do have confidence, but not 200%. Is it true that I have to faith myself no matter what educations and talents I had, I can do something a better career? Thank you for your time.
It’s not a problem. I’m sorry that my inbox backed up that much.
Unfortunately I don’t understand the wording of your question. If what you’re asking is, “do you have to have faith in yourself in order to succeed at something?” then the answer is emphatically yes. That’s what I say in the podcast.
You’re absolutely right š Thanks for the answer. Since I got Associates of Arts degree about few months ago, I’m doing some career classes how to do marketing and business before I can get a better job.
Crispin – I have just discovered your podcast through a referral from a friend of mine. It’s a wonderful resource and I wanted to thank you for producing it.
I also had a question regarding Wes’s home studio. I noticed he uses a Mac. Is there a particular reason for using a Mac over a PC? I noticed that you recommended Audacity in your Tools page, and that seems to work great. But many ‘professionals’ I know seems to use Mac over PC and the only real difference I can find is that Macs tend to be more expensive. I was hoping that you could provide some insight for me.
Thanks!
Most creative professionals use Macs because historically Macs are far more reliable and creator friendly than PCs. Because Apple controls both the hardware and software then can often create a product that is much more seamless and reliable than the PC world where hardware and software are developed separately.
Macs are more expensive than PCs because they have a more finely tuned operating system and a more integrated hardware and software ecosystem. Creative professionals want something that just works, not something they have to fiddle with.
The only caveat to this are those creative professionals who need the absolute utmost in processing power. That includes people like 3D modelers and game creators. When it comes to filmmakers, audio engineers, photographers and graphic artists, I would guess that the vast majority of them work on Macs.
Of course, you’re free to do whatever you want. If you feel more comfortable in a PC environment, then by all means use a PC.
Hope that clarifies.
It does indeed! Thanks for the response!
What happened to Wes? Has he fallen off the face of the planet?
Great podcast! Just now working through the back catalog. Brilliant stuff!
That’s a good question! I’m not sure! I haven’t talked to him in a long time. Maybe I’ll reach out and see what he’s up to these days.