Entering The Audiobook World

Let's talk audiobooks. If you're a voice actor, you've probably aspired to recording audiobooks. I don't know many people who would say that they don't want to voice audiobooks. That being said, the world of audiobook recording is very different than any other area of voice-overs. I've had the opportunity to record quick radio commercials where you arrive at the studio and an hour later you're done. I've also worked on longer projects that required me to do several sessions, each lasting a few hours. This is the typical scenario for most voice-over jobs. You zip in - get the job done - and move on to the next project.

 Audiobooks, however, are a completely different animal. I would compare it to the difference between voicing the trailer to a movie and actually being a main character - if not the actual star - of the movie. In the first instance, you rehearse a few lines, and record the trailer - your work is done. In the second instance, you are on the set every day, prepared to deliver your lines and act your role, until the movie is a wrap. Recording audiobooks requires a great attention to detail and a desire to immerse yourself in the job for potentially a month or more of intensive recording. If this sounds like fun to you (like it does to me!) then audiobooks are definitely an area of voice-overs that you should work toward.

My current audiobook project should wrap up in about a month. It's been an amazing process to lay down the actual recording of over 300 pages! The preparation was intense, as I read through the entire manuscript and marked up the pages with notes for myself, to help when recording. The actual recording of each chapter took a lot of time and I drank a lot of tea with lemon and honey to make it through. Now, my editor will be working his magic, and we'll be reviewing every word to make sure it's ready to go
It's been a truly rewarding, collaborative effort - and a whole lot of fun!

If audiobooks are your passion, then go for it. You'll work harder than you ever have, but in the end, it will be worth it. After all, even though we're getting paid to talk, it never really feels like work. That's the best job of all!

Keep Talking!

Mike

http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/

The Longest Journey Begins With One Step....

"The longest journey begins with one step".... I love that line. In life we so often envision our dreams and immediately believe we'll attain them overnight. We see others living the "perfect" life, and imagine ourselves doing the same thing. I bet if you looked below the surface of any person you believe has reached a level of success that you aspire to, you'd find out that he or she has been working hard to achieve that "overnight" success for a long, long time.

So...you're probably wondering why Elmo is staring at you. Well, I watched a great documentary the other night, called 'Being Elmo.' You can find out more at http://beingelmo.com/. It's the story of Elmo's creator - Kevin Clash. Watching this inspirational documentary really brought into focus how important it is to determine what you love to do, and to take a step every day in the direction of that dream. If you get a chance to watch it, I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

If voice acting is your passion, keep working at it every day and watch how you progress. Try this test: Every morning when you wake up, commit to doing three things that will move you along in your journey. Write them down - - and then do them. Do this for one month, keeping track of each day's goals and accomplishments. After the month, take a look at where you are and where you began. My bet is you'll have progressed much further than you thought.

And remember.....Elmo Loves You!

Good luck! Let me know how you did.

Keep Talking

Mike

http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/

Stay Connected With Other Voice Actors

Had a great breakfast this morning with a talented young man who is just getting started in the voice-over world. Talking with him reminded me how important it is to stay connected with other voice actors. Hearing the experiences he is going through just starting out, made me re-evaluate my own efforts and really re-energized me.
Social networking is great - Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. are useful tools for getting yourself noticed. Nothing, however, can replace the energy that occurs when you talk with a real live person face to face and share ideas and your passion for the world of voice-overs.
So make sure you get out from behind your computer this week and get out there and actually talk with someone! It's invigorating and fun, and I guarantee you'll learn something you hadn't thought of. You'll also be nurturing or beginning a friendship, and that can never be a bad thing.

Great quote for the week:

"Don't ask the world what it needs; ask yourself what makes you feel alive. Go and do that. That's what the world needs." Whitman

Awesome advice!

Keep Talking

Mike

http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/

Auditions - The Good and The Bad

Going through auditions and not getting selected, can be one of the toughest things to go through as an artist. But even the best in the business don't get picked for every job. But they're the ones who fight through the disappointment, shake it off, and move on to the next challenge.
Recently I was asked by a producer who I've done quite a bit of work for, to audition for an on camera role that he thought I'd be perfect for. I stood in front of the teleprompter and read the script pretty convincingly. The producers were thrilled with it and complimented my delivery style. I left the audition feeling very confident that I would get the job. This would be my first on-camera job, and I knew that it would open up many more opportunities for me down the road.
Needless to say I was stoked - - until I got the email several days later telling me that the client had chosen someone else for the project. Total bummer! I let the disappointment hang around for about a day, and then I thought about what the producers had said to me after the audition. They had been thrilled to know that I could do the whole teleprompter thing and had complimented me on my ability to take copy that I had only glanced at, and read it so convincingly, using the appropriate inflection, and placing the emphasis on the right words at the right time. They said they felt that was a real strength and one that they hadn't found in other actors they'd worked with before. They said that they would keep the audition tape on file, so they could show it to other potential clients.
I am absolutely convinced that all things happen for a reason and that there are no accidents. I also know that I will get in front of the camera eventually. Not this time - - but eventually. I'll get more feedback when I talk with the producers again, and hopefully find out that the client thought I was great,but decided on a woman instead. That's what I'm going with - - don't burst my bubble!
The best vo artists and actors have faced rejection. What distinguishes them is that they never stop moving forward to the next challenge. Keep going for it and, as always, keep talking!

Mike

http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/

Pay Attention To Your Social Networking

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/

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/

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/