Do I have a chance in Voice Over (VO)? 2

I’ve heard plenty of my voice over classmates ask this question of our instructors. Heck, I’ve asked the same thing once or twice! The response is almost always the same: “Absolutely.”

But for many people, “absolutely” just isn’t enough. We want our egos stroked, dammit! We want to know that the money we’re investing into classes and equipment is going to reap rewards.

The thing is, there aren’t many professional actors or directors who will tell you that VO isn’t for you. And it’s not because they want your money… It’s because they know that you’re the only one who can stand in your way.

YOU decide if you have a chance in voice over

In the November 2010 issue of Theatre Bay Area magazine, actor and writer Kristin Brownstone contributed an insightful article called, “Navigating Rejection.” She interviewed loads of working professionals–actors and directors alike–about handling rejection, including Bay Area actor and acting instructor Damon Sperber. As someone guilty of asking if she has a shot in the business, Sperber’s advice made all the difference:

The key to dealing with rejection is to not get yourself rejected by failing to prepare. You can’t fall back on tricks and assume your talent will emerge. Coach John Wooden of UCLA said, ‘Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.’ Even if you’re prepared, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the role, but at least you can feel good about your work. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do this–that you don’t have enough talent to be an actor. You have to decide if you have the stamina, the belief, the skills. If the answer is yes, no one can tell you no.