I've been trying something new lately (at least for me). I dedicate about a half-hour each day to social networking. This isn't new to many of you, but for me it's been pretty amazing. I've been on Facebook and Twitter for a while, but recently I've been really paying attention to my posts and tweets and to the responses I get. These responses have led me to some great sites and suggestions. We all tend to spend most of our time telling everyone about ourselves. By spending more time following and listening, I've learned some great stuff. In the voice-over business, there are so many ways to find leads and jobs. The more we all listen, the more we'll all get to talk. So take some time each day to pay attention to your social networking and let the path it takes you on lead you to some interesting places - - and more work! Here's a neat site I found on Twitter - http://gamevoices.ning.com/ It's a great site to join if you're interested in doing voice-overs for the gaming industry. Enjoy!
Keep Talking.
Michael
http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Three Years Later!
Do you ever wonder when enough is enough? In the midst of our hectic lives, it's easy to just let some things slip. If doing voice-overs is not your full time career (at least not for now), it can be easy to lose your focus. At least I know I've suffered from this situation from time to time. It's perfectly ok to drift a bit, but it is critically important not to drift too far away and lose your focus.
I was recently hired by the company that trained me, to do a voice-over job. It was the first job they hired me for - - and I was trained almost 3 years ago! I could have easily given up on them a long time ago, but I made a point of staying in touch and sending them my updated demo cds. I friended them on Facebook, and mentioned them in my blog and on Twitter. I even did some volunteer voice-over work in their studio. I'm friends with the President of the company and speak with him on the phone from time to time - - but I'd never been hired by them.
About 4 months ago, I received a call from their Creative Director, letting me know that a client of theirs had chosen my voice for a project. She said she would call me in a week with the details. Our fourth child had just been born and things were a bit hectic (in a wonderful way), so I lost track of the fact that she never called me back. Four months went by without any contact until last week, when I finally got the call explaining that the client had delayed the project, but was now ready to move forward.
While I was in the studio, I was asked if I wanted to be interviewed for the company's online radio show. Of course I agreed! When asked by the interviewer what advice I would give anyone starting out in the voice-over business, I instantly said to be persistant, consistent, and passionate. It's worked for me and it's the best advice I can give anyone. Never give up and never think it's too late.
Keep Talking!
Michael
http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/
I was recently hired by the company that trained me, to do a voice-over job. It was the first job they hired me for - - and I was trained almost 3 years ago! I could have easily given up on them a long time ago, but I made a point of staying in touch and sending them my updated demo cds. I friended them on Facebook, and mentioned them in my blog and on Twitter. I even did some volunteer voice-over work in their studio. I'm friends with the President of the company and speak with him on the phone from time to time - - but I'd never been hired by them.
About 4 months ago, I received a call from their Creative Director, letting me know that a client of theirs had chosen my voice for a project. She said she would call me in a week with the details. Our fourth child had just been born and things were a bit hectic (in a wonderful way), so I lost track of the fact that she never called me back. Four months went by without any contact until last week, when I finally got the call explaining that the client had delayed the project, but was now ready to move forward.
While I was in the studio, I was asked if I wanted to be interviewed for the company's online radio show. Of course I agreed! When asked by the interviewer what advice I would give anyone starting out in the voice-over business, I instantly said to be persistant, consistent, and passionate. It's worked for me and it's the best advice I can give anyone. Never give up and never think it's too late.
Keep Talking!
Michael
http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Take Your Shots!
If you've been following my blog, you know that I've been talking about my particular journey through the world of voice acting. Each individual charts their own course in life, and in the world of voice overs, this assessment is even more relevant. If you talk to ten voice actors, they will have ten different paths and pieces of advice for you. This can be a very good thing, because we can all learn from one another, and there may be an idea that you hadn't thought of that could help you in your journey. I hope that my journey will inspire and help other voice actors along the way to success.
So---that being said, what have I been up to lately? Well, you all know I built my own recording studio, which was a big project, but one I'm glad I undertook. Having the ability to record at home is a great advantage in this business. Many jobs are posted online through companies such as voices.com, and being able to audition for them opens up a whole new world of opportunities. I joined Voices.com in October, and have been auditioning ever since. While I haven't gotten a job through them yet, each audition gives me an opportunity to hone my skills. I've had a few inquiries from producers, and I'm confident it's only a matter of time before one of them takes a shot with me. When that time comes, I plan on doing an outstanding job for them and building from there. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has a quote that I love, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take." Words to live by in the voice-over world!
I continue to enjoy and build my resume doing local voice-over jobs in my hometown region. I've been fortunate to have done radio, television, corporate, educational, medical, documentary, and character voice-overs. Each job, done well, has led to more work. I am determined to take every shot that comes available. I won't make them all, but I'll never make them if I don't take them.
Voice acting is incredibly rewarding and tons of fun. Wherever you are on your journey, enjoy the moment, don't get discouraged, and take your shots!
Keep talking.
Michael
http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/
So---that being said, what have I been up to lately? Well, you all know I built my own recording studio, which was a big project, but one I'm glad I undertook. Having the ability to record at home is a great advantage in this business. Many jobs are posted online through companies such as voices.com, and being able to audition for them opens up a whole new world of opportunities. I joined Voices.com in October, and have been auditioning ever since. While I haven't gotten a job through them yet, each audition gives me an opportunity to hone my skills. I've had a few inquiries from producers, and I'm confident it's only a matter of time before one of them takes a shot with me. When that time comes, I plan on doing an outstanding job for them and building from there. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has a quote that I love, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take." Words to live by in the voice-over world!
I continue to enjoy and build my resume doing local voice-over jobs in my hometown region. I've been fortunate to have done radio, television, corporate, educational, medical, documentary, and character voice-overs. Each job, done well, has led to more work. I am determined to take every shot that comes available. I won't make them all, but I'll never make them if I don't take them.
Voice acting is incredibly rewarding and tons of fun. Wherever you are on your journey, enjoy the moment, don't get discouraged, and take your shots!
Keep talking.
Michael
http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/
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