When I got started in this industry nearly a quarter of a century ago, (OHMYGOD!) I thanked my lucky stars every time I completed even a simple task that brought me closer to realizing my goals and dreams. This included finishing my résumé, getting an agent, finding a studio to do my demo tape, paying for the production of my demo tape, designing the J-card for the demo tape, buying mailing labels for the mailing of the demo tape, booking auditions, booking callbacks and finally booking jobs. These jobs, by the way, paid for all the preliminary efforts of investing in my own career. Investing in your career is “the” most important investment you will ever make. Why? Simply because you are investing in your most important asset — YOU! In an industry where I venture to say 93-95% of the people in the unions are forced to hold other income-producing jobs to support themselves and their families, you can understand the significance of “knowing who you are, and finding out what is needed and wanted, in order for you to realize your dreams and succeed.” This concept is vital for an artist. Not knowing, and understanding that “you” are your most important asset, is like driving your car without an engine. It just won’t go anywhere. Additionally, if you do not take that extra step and find out what is needed and wanted by industry professionals from you as a voice artist, then how do you ever expect to be able to deliver a product that is more than just acceptable? The most important precept that I will advise you on is this — be true to your own goals and dreams. Start by knowing what that means. Whenever I travel around the world and speak to students at the universities, this is the advice I give them: “This is your life. It is not your parent’s or your teacher’s — it is yours! So live it the best way you can. If you are here in college because your father and mother want you to be a doctor, well… you are just going to have that much more trouble making it in the industry. Why? Because there is a lot of competition out there for the same jobs, and the ones that succeed are the ones who have the most passion! If you are just trying to please someone else by studying medicine, or law, or business, or whatever, then just admit it right now, and plan to get yourself a 9-5 job when you leave college, and be content with living in the shadow of what could have been your life.

Make a Sacrifice
I know this is very “in your face,” but you should know that true success does not come easy. It might mean sacrificing some things in your life until you get to the finish line, or it might mean putting in a little extra elbow grease until your career is stable and you are paying the bills with your work. Do whatever it takes. If your next move in your career is not something “you” have “decided” is for the greatest good for your career, then rethink your plan. You will not be happy with your life or career if you don’t think your plan through to the finish.

My point? It is all about integrity. I love that word! It comes from Middle English, from old French, from Latin meaning “soundness” and “wholeness” and “complete” Isn’t it a great word? “Integrity” is the glue that holds the personality of person together. It is the “nuts and bolts” behind the make-up of the individual himself. Integrity is so important that wars have been fought over it, and lives have been sacrificed because of it.

For example, in the film, Braveheart, William Wallace had more integrity in his little finger than entire armies. Artistic integrity is paramount to maintaining good relations with not only those you meet in the industry, such as producers, directors, agents, etc., but indeed in your overall life. After all, what is life really all about if not communicating and getting along well with the people around you? This is an important step in realizing your goals and dreams for without integrity, what chance do you have? When personal integrity shines through, people sit up and take notice of you, you stand out.

Several years ago when I auditioned for the role of Megan on God, the Devil and Bob, I was also asked to audition for the voice of Donna, the mom. I couldn’t have been more pleased. Because I have carved out a niche in the voice-over community doing so many “boy voices,” it was a welcome change to actually have the opportunity to do the voice of a girl. Now here is the rub — I am very aware of my vocal range. To do the voice of the girl and also do the voice of the mom would be a tremendous stretch for me and the “character separation” (the difference between one character sound and another) would be very limited. In other words, my 13-year-old-girl-voice doesn’t sound much different than my mom-voice; however if I were auditioning for the son and then asked if I could also read for the voice of the mom, the separation would be much more distinct.

In this case, I found my integrity challenged. “Dare I speak up and risk not getting the job at all?” Knowing my own range, though, and also the fact that casting is looking for versatility, I would have possibly auditioned myself right “out” of a job! What I did instead was tell producer Marcy Carsey that I didn’t think I was the best person for the part of the mom. I told her that I would recommend some actresses and she should definitely have them in to audition for Donna. I just thought it was the “right” thing to do.