Dive Under a Mattress, Make Your Dreams Come True
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, you ALWAYS have to find a way.
Among the many lessons I learned from my dad growing up, is that I can always find a way to make things work if I want them to. When I’m traveling and I see a great audition opportunity land in my inbox, I don’t shrug my shoulders and say, “Oh well. Maybe next time.” I find a way to get that audition to the potential client.
Find a Way
While visiting my parents across the country, I saw an audition for a Honda commercial. The read the specs and the script and knew I could nail what they were looking for. One problem. I had my travel gear but nowhere great to record the audition. One thing you learn over the years is that when all else fails, dive under a mattress or couch cushions or blankets or all of the above. So that’s what I did.
The Rest Will Work Itself Out
And by the time I had won the job, I was back in my home studio, ready to record the final version. This style of read is far different than, say, the more “announcery” Stanley Steemer commercial. It’s a sound I go to when I’m looking to be thoughtful and still somewhat forceful, higher in my register. A corporate anthemic sound, if you will, that may feel more approachable than where I might normally reside in my lower, mumbly, Shaq-like realm.
That’s one thing about voice acting many people don’t understand – versatility isn’t always about having different character voices in your arsenal. It’s about knowing how to shift your natural voice to hit different emotional notes while still sounding authentic. When I’m recording an automotive commercial like Honda, I’m not just selling a car. I’m telling a story about investing in America at a time when people are concerned about industries making their products beyond US borders. Each word needs to carry that weight while still feeling conversational.
This “make it work” mentality has served me well beyond just finding makeshift recording spaces. In this industry, I have to be ready for anything. One day I might be voicing a stirring documentary about climate change, and the next day I’m selling truck tires with the energy of a monster truck announcer. The key is maintaining professionalism and delivering quality work, whether I’m recording in a professional studio or huddled under a mattress in my parents’ guest room.
Make the Abnormal Part of Your Normal
Speaking of makeshift studios, I’ve recorded in some pretty interesting places over the years. Hotel closets lined with pillows? Check. The back seat of my car? Been there. That time I had to turn a hotel business cubicle into a functioning studio? Let’s just say that copy machine has some stories it could tell. But here’s the thing – if the final product sounds professional, the client doesn’t care how I got there, they just know I can make it happen.
This adaptability has become even more crucial in today’s fast-paced voiceover market. Clients often need quick turnarounds, and opportunities can pop up anywhere, anytime. Having a mobile recording setup isn’t just convenient – it’s essential. I always travel with a Sennheiser MKH-416 mic, and portable interface. Because I never know when that perfect opportunity might come knocking.
What I’ve learned from experiences like the Honda audition is that success in voiceover isn’t just about having the perfect voice or the perfect studio. It’s about problem-solving, creativity, and never letting circumstances stand in your way. Sometimes the best performances come from the most unlikely recording spaces, and the biggest opportunities arrive at the most inconvenient times.