4 Things In Praise of Obsession

I have taught hundreds and hundreds of actors.  Well, most were actors, some were not but I taught them.  Some succeeded, some didn't and some are still learning and trying to work but the ones who succeeded seem to have one thing in common - Obsession.   Live, work, breathe V.O., imitate, mimic, create, rinse and repeat.

Last night I recorded the first "The Voice Over Show" pod cast. My guests were two very talented actors with lots of experience and plenty of "obsession" for their work.  Both of them talked about their love for what they do, how the visceral and mind blowing effect of animation early in their lives shaped them as well as day to day voices in the public realm that make them excited and form their own choices.

I have mentioned in my blogs before, my obsession with playing the guitar and singing when I was 12 or 13 years old.  Bleeding fingers, howling neighbors…all of it forming my life as a musician.  So, it is the question I often ask artists of all kinds, "were you obsessed?"  Most say..…absolutely!  I am frequently presented with parents who tell me their children don't want to practice or go to dance class or memorize their lines.  My reply is "then let them go play" I mean, really?  If you're kid does not have any interest in something, why are you forcing your agenda on them? OK, I'm not going any further into that.

Obsession: an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.

plural noun: obsessions"he was in the grip of an obsession he was powerless to resist"

synonyms:

fixation, ruling/consuming passion, passion, mania, idée fixe, compulsion, preoccupation, infatuation, addiction, fetish, craze, hobbyhorse;   phobia, complex, neurosis;  informal bee in one's bonnet,hang-up, thing  Well, this all sounds normal to me.  So, here are the 4 things I appreciate in an obsession!

1. A healthy, creative mind.  The ideas that flow and then become organized, the daydreaming about what could be, these are the things I love the most.  I actually believed I could do it and was excited every minute about it.  I thought up ways to create sounds and listened to records over and over - needle drop…play it again…needle drop, play it again until I figured out exactly how "They" did that! 

2. Something new.  Nothing makes my inner light, my soul soar, my very being get warm, hot and/or icy like music.  Hearing something new and pleasing, something I can't quite grasp yet, something that stirs s#%t up in me is the most fun ever.  If I've experienced what a lyric says or never heard a groove quite like it or just never heard that singer before it can trigger a loop in my mind that won't stop until I've exhausted that damn thing! reference my blog "What You Don't Get Doesn't Matter" and Ryan Adams.

3. The absolute NEED to do it.  Simply put, I will do nothing else fully until I can do that again.

4. The actual knowing it is good. When I finally realized I had created something good for the first time….there was nothing else on the planet for that moment.  It sent me down the road to the next one and the next, never stopping and always knowing it was good to love something this much.  i.e.: Transistor radio under the pillow, falling asleep with the headphones on.

Well, once again…I talked about myself too much.  Without all of the fantastic stimuli and friends in my life, I wouldn't learn a thing or last a day.  What are you obsessed with?

LA

Expectations - 3 Quotes I Can Relate To

Expectations.  Are they a big set up for a big let down or are they justifiable? 

“If you expect nothing from anybody, you’re never disappointed.”

― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

“Would you like to know your future?

If your answer is yes, think again. Not knowing is the greatest life motivator. So enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to you in its proper sequence -- a surprise.”

― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration  

         

“When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.”

― Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life            

         

Oof.  I relate to all three of these. 

Sylvia Plath’s idea seems so dismal but I have had the experience so often of expecting someone to either perform or deliver or show up and been let down.  I think it’s part of life for things not to work out but it’s how I react that makes it painful.  I have been known to take things personally only to be shown that circumstances were not in anyone’s control and so things didn’t work out the way I “planned” it or that they just weren’t meant to be.  I get resentful and hurt; it’s a knee jerk reaction with me.  Now, intellectually I know that this does no good.  I know that my expectations are sometimes way to high or I count on someone else’s a little too much to deliver my satisfaction but the feeeeeling is that God hates me or I am worthless, why even try.  I have to admit, that happens less and less the older I get but then, I have been through this a lot.  That’s so hilarious to me!  Yep…I’ve been burned.  I now know that I just need to do my own work and leave the expectations of others alone.  I do not get upset if things don’t work out my way because maybe the other way is even better…or at least different.

The fact is Vera Nazarian’s quote works for me.  I like the way things unfold.  I like the path.  I like not knowing. I like doing the footwork anyway.  It’s been my experience so far that Vera’s idea is the most honest path in my business.  Yes, I do have responsibilities and other people counting on me but the things I can control are – showing up on time, being prepared, coming from a loving and kind place and doing what I said I would do.  

Donald Miller, you’re statement hits home with me.  Who am I to demand perfection in someone when I am imperfect too?  That’s a laugh.  In my last blog I talked a lot about jealousy and judgment. These are also traits I am not proud of.  They are bourn out of fear.  I think a lot of artists no matter how highly evolved or successful still have a modicum of fear.  Um yeah, could that be because they are under intense scrutiny not only from press, fans, peers and the media but their own perfectionism? Am I so rigid in having my ideas expressed and attended to by others that a mistake is a major assault on me personally?  Do I then eye you with great disdain and add on a label of ineptness?    Geeze…oh how I have failed over and over and not lived up to others’ expectations…I am sure of it.   How could I hold a different standard to you than of myself? 

Oof again.  Lessons need to be learned.   Humility needs to be in place.  Acceptance is the key.    My head: “Oh yeah? Go F Yourself!” I am a work in progress I guess.

I am striving in my classes to let people know the truth about the Voice Over Business, to strive to be better and then the best and to help other people learn and grow too.  Being the best is not an expectation it’s a goal.  Helping others, well I need to get out of my own personal cheering section of a head and do something for someone else once in awhile.  In my experience perfection doesn’t exist no matter how hard I try to make it happen or believe it will but the journey towards creating something good and human in my art is the most satisfying, exciting thing I have ever experienced.  I CAN expect that journey to be almost perfect.

I’m no expert but this is how I feel.

          www.lavoiceoverproductions

Lauren@lavoiceoverproductions.com

4 Ways I'm Trying Not to Be Jealous

As a musician, I deal with rejection all the time.  Not everyone likes what I do or the kind of music I play.  It's what that rejection does to me that matters.  It's how I perceive that rejection or judgement that matters.  It's all about how I compare myself to other people.  Ugh.  This is the most useless thing I have ever bought into!  I've heard it said that "judging your outsides by my insides" is a trap of self obsession.  As a voice over director, I have seen people destroyed by some teacher or casting director and let their work suffer from an opinion that was hurtful to them and being jealous of another's success.  I have also seen the disappointment when dreams don't come true on someone's time schedule and plans of fame and fortune are postponed. So, today I want to talk about how I, as a creative person deal with this stuff and maybe throw in a little advice too.

Here are the reasons I still create and try not to buy in to my judgments.

1. SUCCESS? As someone who at one point in my life never thought I would make music at any level again,  I am successful!  I got a late start making records but I have made 3 and am in the middle of #4.  Success to me is that - I write songs, people want to play their instruments on these songs for low pay and a sandwich and I am fulfilled.  Occasionally, I have a song placed in film or TV or another artist wants to record it but the true success is in the creating. I have to do it.
2. I HAVE TO DO IT  I need to create stuff and I need to be around other people who do that too.    When I am in my studio alone, I have ideas to improve my classes, my demos, my webinars (coming soon) and my music.  I may have other things to do but I always take time out to try new things.  I have learned to call people, complete strangers to ask them how they did things and what it did for them as an artist. If I don't investigate I can't let it go.  If I don't try new things, I am stuck.  If I don't have relationships with other artists, I am nowhere.
3. MY INSIDES vs. YOUR OUTSIDES You're not making a six figure income from your art, you are not sipping cocktails on your private island contemplating your take over of the world. Directors and Producers are not pounding on your door and your publishing deal is nonexistent.  None of that matters.  When someone's success story inspires you, that matters.  Be the person you are meant to be and don't get trapped in what you think you need to be happy in life.  You may find out that what you want and what you need are two different things.  If you have a "day Job" you hate (I have had a few), plan your escape and at some point, jump off the cliff.  If you don't grab for a branch on the way down, you will know freedom upon landing.  It might not look like what you thought it would but there is relief and "the next indicated step" towards a fulfilled, artistic life.
4. CONGRATULATIONS!  I try to feel good about someone's else's success.  I try.  It is good for the universe, it is good for the collective artistic minds around me and it is good for my ego to say Congratulations!  I have to learn over and over that jealousy equals misery, that fear and anger over what I don't have equals being stuck right there and that genuine support and happiness for someone else's successes actually helps me learn, makes me feel good and provides me with inspiration in my work.  

I am no expert, as you can tell but I try…oh I try.

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5 Things I Do to "Slow It Down"

I was born and hit the ground running.  I don't think I stopped or even looked back until my 30's.  My parents had no idea what to do with me.  I was on the move!  I became reckless and unmanageable at school and wouldn't stop to ponder much, except for music and learning to play the guitar.  I was obsessed and stayed in my room until my fingers bled practicing and trying to learn the Ian and Sylvia song "Four Strong Winds" (look them up).  I used to get out of doing the dishes because my calluses would get soft from the water and then I couldn't practice more after dinner.  Sorry Sis.

This was my course for a long time.  Read the directions?  Hah!  I can figure it out.  Listen to instruction?  I'm too busy pounding out a rhythm in my head, or on my lap.  Of course, many things became screwed up or missing or just not getting done.  SO, after cleaning up my act a bit in the 1990s there were a few things I learned to do to slow myself down.  Even to this day, when I read a voice over script I have a tendency to speed through and use speed as an emotion.  It's a trap and I have learned to, for the most part; not let it slam shut.

Here are some things I have learned to do over the years to just slow down and take my time.

1. Do The Dishes I don't know about you but my brain can become too full of content, emotion, and thoughts of anything but what's in front of me.  There are always dishes to be done or a bathroom to clean or a bed to be made.  This is all meditative for me and helps me become centered and "right here, right now"  It's a relief.
2. Take the Next Step  When I am not motivated or am just staring at content on the web or blaring music, I am usually avoiding doing something I need to do.  I turn everything off, all distractions and either plan or do the next indicated "thing" in my day.  By indicated I mean check a to do list or look at my schedule or even intuitively know what that step is. Then, I am on my way!
3. Back Away From the TV With Your Hands In the Air!  I had a habit of getting up and turning on the morning news show while I had my coffee and fed the animals.  I began to get revved up and overloaded by some of the hype and angry about the ridiculousness of stories considered news.  Now, don't send me angry letters about not knowing my current events, I am as informed as I want to be by other means.  I have just started sitting and listening to the quiet in the morning.  Sometimes I meditate, sometimes I don't.  Then, I can think about my day and what adventure I'll be on.  The lack of noise is centering and I feel a lot more connected to the world when I don't turn on the TV.
4. Follow Direction Somehow down the line, I thought I was the authority on everyone else's creativity.  What a joke.  The copywriter wrote the copy after someone came up with the concept, it was approved and then had many meetings about the branding and the this and the that before a casting was ever sent out.  They know what they want.  Why can't I just give to to them?  I slow down, read the direction and if someone is directing me I listen and do what they want.  My "ideas" of what your campaign should say or do are not relevant.  However, my creativity and good fundamentals are what got me here so what comes naturally should do the trick.  I guess what I'm saying is, be of service.
5. Remember  I think remembering to be of service, to look at the whole picture, what the direction says, that I know what I'm doing, that I can be of service anywhere and reading this script is just as good as any, helps me set the right pace.  Things get done.  The words are read without the mega speed-metal force that sometimes pounds in my head and everyone is satisfied.  Whew. I slowed it down. 

As a director, I have had a lot of pressure during the day.  Busy, busy, busy.  Things get stacked up and I want the next actor to be ready and get things in one take and not need me to help them.  Isn't that why I'm there?  I need to slow myself down then too and just let the day unfold as it should be.  Let's face it folks...I think you get the gist...I needa slow my ass down!

 Call me for a free 15 minute consultation!

What You Don't Get Doesn't Matter

Yes, I like Ryan Adams.  It's not because we are related, we are not.  It's not because David Letterman asked him to play an encore on his show which has apparently never happened before.  It's because he persevere's.  When I first saw Whiskeytown at the Whisky or the Roxy can't remember…I was sure he was doomed, for many reasons.  Then he started putting out music on his own and everyone got really judgmental, including myself.  Musicians and critics thought he was "copying us, the 60's and 70's rockers and writers…as if we owned music all together.  Feeling a little threatened much?  I wonder if Robert Johnson felt that way when his blues became popular and morphed into a generations "sound"?

This is not a review of "Ryan Adams" his latest CD but it is great.  He is extremely prolific but I think, he really did what he wanted to do on this one.   For some reason, I can't stop listening to it. That never happens.  It must speak to me in the way music did when I was learning to play the guitar, when I was listening to my transistor radio under the pillow or falling asleep with my giant headphones on listening to Led Zeppelin or James Taylor or CSN.  I want it inside my head at all times, that is my "good" barometer.

A lot of artists have stumbled into fame and into careers that people think they "Don't Deserve".  The jealously of others seems to follow them around right along with the adoration.  Well, they deserve it as much as you do.  In most cases they worked just as hard. Who knows who gets picked?

What you don't get doesn't matter.

I have heard actor, directors, agents and voice over coaches say this over and over "your job is to audition"  The idea being that once you have the job, you get to have the fun and creative experience you crave and the hardest work is auditioning.  I'm not going to talk about rejection, I'm going to talk about letting go of the results.  I'm going to ask you some questions.

1. Have you trained?
2. Do you continue to learn?
3. Do you create new work?
4. Are you helping others?
5. Are you grateful?

I have discovered that #4 and #5 are so important that I seek ways to do them daily.  As much as I do #1 though #3 (constantly), I always win when I help others and accept others' success as my own.  Now, don't get me wrong, this is against my competitive nature and…I want what I want …if you get it I am jealous.  That has always been in my brain…..but I have learned.  Success is, in itself an abstract concept in the world of an artist.   If you are a trained voice actor, if you have talent and have nurtured it, if you have the drive, the marketing in place and the absolute "fan-like" passion for it, then all you need to do is show up.   The results are already in.  All you need to do is show up.  

Have you ever noticed how Jimmy Fallon gets so excited and is such a fan of his guests?  He's like a little kid on Christmas morning when they come out.  He's like "I get to play with my idols!" That's the kind of exuberance and wonderment I want to have about all of my work.

Maintaining all of this excitement is difficult at best when you are in a slow spot but that's where #4 and #5 come in.  The minute you start donating your time, calling to see how other people are doing (Not asking what they have auditioned for lately) and realizing that you really do have the best job in the world…I KNOW…life will change for you.

What you don't get doesn't matter.

Love,
Lauren

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6 Things That Voice Over Agents LOVE

I am lucky.  I was never an agent.  I never sat behind a desk and negotiated a contract for anyone.  I never wanted to.  Once I started working with the talent in the booth, that was all I really wanted to do. Yeah I know, people say that's not ambitious and the money is bad but really…as a creative person who writes music, performs and produces others, I want to be happy and enjoy my life.  I liked the excitement and joy of being around other creative people.  Actually, these days being tied to my desk means I am creating!  That's an amazing transition isn't it?  I am so busy doing demos that I am at my desk more and more these days.

I wanted to share today what I have witnessed and learned about approaching an agent for representation.  I have seen everything from a thank you note to an ice bucket with milk and 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies as a gimmick to be noticed but here are six things agents LOVE from your submission!

1. A really, really  good demo that you can back up.  If you send them a professionally recorded demo and you actually have the talent and training to back it up.  They want to interview you.  Oh, don't worry they can tell if the production doesn't match the talent and if they take the time to interview you and have you read for them in the booth, you should be able to bring it!
2. A complete resume.  Yes, they want to know where you are from, where you went to college, what acting experience you have, who you have studied with, and what your goals are.  Although I have never seen an agent say "She went to Berkley?  I can't possibly take her on, I have heard them say "There's nothing here about who they are". Please, do not lie or over embellish your life, you will be found out.
3. A client or manager referral.  This is a key to getting an interview IF they like your demo and sometimes even if they have never heard it, depending on their relationship with the "referee".  If you have a friend who has representation in voice over and they are willing to either walk in your CD (which is pretty much obsolete, more on that later) or personally email your demo to their agent for you, you have a great opportunity.  This is a definite plus.  If you are pursuing voice over acting then your manager should have relationships and a positive track record with voice over agents.  Agents like to trust managers to bring them "work ready" talent.
4. You did your research.  I have seen submissions arrive in the mail to people who have not worked at the agency for over ten years.  I have seen voice over demos arrive in the mail addressed to the On Camera Department agents and the accounting staff.  I have seen demos arrive in the mail addressed to people who have never worked at that agency.  I don't care how you do it, find out the names of the current agents and the correct address.  Here's a tip:  The receptionist is usually very busy so when you call to get names and their submission policy, be polite, be quick and don't "chat them up", a very nice "thank you so much, have a great day" is appreciated.  A check of the agency website will sometimes have their submission policy. 
5. You Do Not Badger.  Sometimes it takes awhile to get to your submission.  Agents are working very hard for the clients they do represent.  This doesn't mean they are not looking for the next big thing, they are always ready for that but they are truly busy.  I have seen assistants go home over the weekend with a stack of CD's and email folders FULL of submissions.  Yes, the assistant will filter out the actors he/she thinks the agents doesn't want to hear and then pass the good ones on.  This is not agency wide but happens more often than not. If you've done step #1 here, you have a good chance of making it through. Do not call every day or every week to see if they have listened to your demo, they will get to it eventually.  If you do this - they will remember your name for all the wrong reasons. You will not get feedback of any kind, so don't ask. By the way, the receptionist is not the one to try and charm into representing you.  That is as far as you'll get on the phone,  Do not ask to speak to an agent.
6. You sent a thank you note.  I heard an agent say the other day that she actually got a little teary eyed after reading a simple thank you note from an actor who submitted to her.  She of course, got an interview.  A hand written thank you for listening note is a positive imprint and of course, the polite thing to do.  Sending cookies or candy or flowers or fruit baskets does not get you an agent.  A little tip, do NOT put glitter or other stuff to fall out of your thank you note.  Who wants to clean that up?

I wanted to finally mention that audio CD's have become a thing of the past.   An Mp3 is what agents want.  So, if you have permission to send them an MP3, make sure your resume' is in the body of the email, not an attachment, no one wants to download your resume and make sure your contact information is current.  Keep your email below 5MB, no one wants to download  ton of content. Don't spend a dime on making elaborate CD's.  They are no longer industry standard.

 Finally - DON'T STOP LEARNING, DON'T STOP SEARCHING, DON'T STOP CREATING, DON'T GIVE UP.

Love,

Lauren

AND...Don't forget!  For your free 15 minute consultation call me at 323-985-8648

www.lavoiceoverproductions.com

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5 Things to Do Before/After You Make Your V.O. Demo

I got a call yesterday for a consultation from someone who who is a musician, not a voice actor.  He said he wanted to make "extra money" and thought voice over would be a good idea.  He also didn't have much money.  Could I help him?  In case you don't know, I offer a free 15 minutes consultation on my website.  So we talked.   I explained these 5 things you need to do before and after you do your demo

1. Take classes first.  I don't care if it's a three hour seminar, you need to know SOMETHING about voice over.  If you don't continue your V.O. education, you are doing yourself a disservice.  You need to be ready to work when you make your demo.  I have seen too many people make their demo too soon, stop learning and seeking and never get an agent or work.
2. Make sure you know your strengths and weaknesses.  Find what you know is true for you.  Find what you're the best at.  Then, showcase your voice right there!  Agents and producers want to know how they can make money with you so show them your best stuff.   Don't spread yourself too thin and put pieces on your demo that don't show where you can work.  Doing what you do best is enough.  If you are extremely versatile that's fantastic!  If you're not…yet that is….don't try it on your first demo.  Prepare to take over the world!
3. Spend The Money.  Yes, making a demo can expensive.  Yes, you should shop around but understand that quality is important.  If your demo is done by a professional, it will sound that way!  If your friend has a microphone in his apartment, no directing experience or editing and producing experience that's what it will sound like.  You have a lot of options at your finger tips. Listen to as many demos as you can on www.voicebank.net and ask your friends with demos about their experiences and their connections.  Ask for examples before your hire someone. Do your research and you'll get a kickass demo!
4. Get Your Marketing On.  In this day and age you need to be a marketing whiz.  Twitter, Instagram, Linked In and yes…even Facebook are important marketing tools for an actor.  I recommend taking a course in Twitter.  Yes!  A course in how to use twitter to your advantage.  There are a lot of webinar's out there.  I recommend Madalyn Sklar's "Work Smarter, Not Harder" Webinar. She is a music mogul but teaches anyone how to work "The Twitter"  Here is a link to a free download http://bit.ly/1uxxxjK  Have a website!  There are plenty of free website templates out there:  Here's a list - http://bit.ly/1rXYmQ5  This is where your demo, your bio and yes…your pro headshot goes.  BLOG!  You have things to tell people, not only about yourself but things that will help them succeed.  Share your life, your experiences, your successes!  Here's a list of free templates:http://bit.ly/1wiUaLN
5. Create Your Own Opportunities Voice over web series, Voice over Podcast, Voice Over Blog Talk Radio.  Get out there and create something!  Now that your demo is finished, start getting some attention and keep your creative mind going.  There is never a time to just sit back and wait.  Look for new things to talk about, make friends with other V.O. actors, have a posse!  You have a lot to offer now….keep your creativity alive!

Next week, I'll share my experience at the agency level and how to approach an agency for representation.  

Lauren

Lauren Adams' Voice Over Productions 

www.lavoiceoverproductions.com

www.linkedin.com/in/lavoiceoverproductions/

www.Twitter.com/YourVoiceLA