The VOHeroes Podcast

Hey there, hero!

I talk about bias for action all the time, and it's not always about being ultimately efficient, it's often about building in slack in case disaster strikes.

I recently read an article on Big Think by Eric Markowitz on this idea, and he said something that just spoke to me: 

"We worship efficiency. We optimize. We squeeze. But when the storm hits — and it always does — what keeps you afloat isn’t optimization. It’s excess capacity. Wiggle room. Optionality. Margin for error. It’s slack."

https://bigthink.com/the-long-game/slack-the-key-to-resilience-in-a-world-that-keeps-breaking/

Others have said it even more succinctly:

It's better to have slack than ultimate efficiency.

It's better to have some savings in the bank than live paycheck to paycheck.

It's better to be prepared for the unexpected by having some padding built in.

Having a bias for action helps if disaster strikes.

How do you give yourself a break with your schedule, and still refine your processes? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/in-praise-of-a-little-slack-in-your-schedule/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

One of the concepts I learned when I trained in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) has stuck with me like paint, and has really helped me be at peace with my level of accomplishment.

And maybe it will help you.

It’s a bit of a chain reaction, but it can ease the anxiety of feeling like you’re not good enough, or you don’t always rise to the occasion, or you need to do better.

Our personal menu, and the automatic choice we all make to select the number one item on that personal menu, assures that you are good enough, you do rise to the occasion, and that you’re always doing your best.

Every. Single. Time.

This episode has a bit to unpack, but it might be worth it to you.

Do you struggle with being “good enough”? Does the concept of personal menu choices help ease the uncertainty and give you more confidence? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/the-automatic-choice-from-your-personal-menu/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

One of the most frequently asked questions about the physical nature of voice and on-camera performance is what to do about mouth noises.

And when people offer potential solutions, I will reply “Fantastic! So glad that’s working for you.”

With a biiiiiiiggggg caveat…

…what works for someone else may or may not work for you. Why? Because everyone has a slightly different biology when it comes to saliva production (and reduction).

For example, green apples don’t work for me (they actually make things worse), but they may work for you, and maybe even better than it does for someone posting in a group that this is THE solution.

The point is to try it out, and if it works, great. Try more things out whether green apples work or not.

Let’s start a list of the things you’ve tried and rejected, or tried and succeeded with. Maybe someone else will be helped by one or the other.

What works (or doesn’t work) for you? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/the-best-solution-for-reducing-mouth-noise/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

ACX is a great way to connect with a client to produce their audiobook, but only if both of you are tax paying residents of one of four countries: the US, the UK, Canada or Ireland. If you both live in one of those, you’re golden.

If not, you’re stuck. And it’s been an ongoing problem for both narrators and rights holders to contract if either live in places like Australia, any country in the EU, Mexico or other Central American/Caribbean countries, South American countries, Japan, India, China…you name it. If you’re not the ACX four, you’re going to have issues.

Especially as a union narrator.

Welp, just moments ago, I finished recording a Zoom session with Noah Michael Levine, my paymaster. I use him for all directly paid audiobook narration projects, on ACX or not. He’s the guy who runs Skywire Paymaster Services.

https://skywirepaymaster.com/ 

And he has a solution for that pesky “We live in different countries, one or more of which is non-ACX” issue.

He can administer that kind of project, too.

Hear him talk about that in this particular episode of the podcast.

Questions? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/how-to-produce-audiobooks-for-rights-holders-globally-not-just-where-acx-operates/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

There’s a lot of dreaming going on in our community. We simply have to be dreamers to decide to be creative artists.

And we also have to be doers. And that moment when you decide you can’t ignore your dreams any longer and have to put in the work to achieve them…can stop us dead in our tracks.

It’s a big leap to move from the possibility of something nebulous and fancy to something planned and concrete.

And…you could fail miserably at the execution.

I’m offering a pathway or two to make that moment a bit easier and more graceful for you.

Do you hesitate to pursue your dreams because of that moment of decision? That feeling of doubt? What do you do about it? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/daring-to-move-from-the-dreaming-to-the-doing/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

I’ve noticed that some people have forgotten, or have never learned, the most useful words you can use when you are getting feedback from those who might give you work.

Without judging the quality of the feedback, without deciding whether to use their feedback or not, just say “thank you.”

I’ve seen some younger (and older) creative types, when getting feedback, perceive any criticism as an attack. They then launch into an explanation of their choices, or contradicting the logic of the coach, teacher, casting director or editor, or any number of other defenses of their choices.

There’s no need to do that, unless asked to explain those choices.

If that isn’t requested, just thank the other party and move on. Whether you agree with them or not, there’s no need to feel attacked.

I mean, hey - you asked for the feedback (I’m talking about seeking work, not some “fan” telling you that you suck on social media = although “thank you” stops the conversation/trolling there as well), so be gracious about getting it.

Just say “thank you.” And listen constructively to whatever else they have to say.

Is that how you graciously receive feedback and constructive criticism? Or are you watching this episode and thinking I’m a weak-ass pushover who doesn’t fiercely stand up for his creative choices? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/only-use-these-two-words-when-receiving-feedback/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

As we work toward a better performance career and face challenges to our progress, even the littlest things can make us feel frustrated.

And it’s important to remember that, as challenges go, these speed bumps in our journey need to be kept in perspective.

There are people outside the industry who would give up an awful lot to face the problems we face.

Keeping that in perspective might make your approach to problems a little less stressful and raise the gratitude level a bit as you go about solving them.

Because you will solve them, one way or the other.

How do you keep your actor, VO or writing challenges in perspective? How do you celebrate your position in the world as you make your journey better? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/some-people-would-do-anything-to-have-your-problems/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

Public Service Announcements. PSAs. One of my favorite voice over art forms.

They come along all too rarely, and when they do, I cherish them.

I had a wonderful opportunity recently to coach a voice talent on a PSA, and we spent some of the time during the session talking about what a powerful opportunity they had to change viewers’ minds about the subject of the PSA (racism).

And it was a journey for the client, because they had sold themselves (and the script) a bit short, by equating this PSA to a common commercial.

Couldn’t have been further from the truth, and the change in their performance through the session was stunning.

Do you ever feel like what you’re being asked to audition for is life-changing? Could you assign that power to more audition opportunities than you do? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/psas-vs-commercials-and-the-power-of-art/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

If you could talk to your career crush, the one person that you’d trade places with in their artistic journey, would you ask them what the one thing is that made the difference for them?

I’d like to propose that there is a better question to ask, and a better answer to hear, because it’s very rare that one thing someone does makes all the difference.

I think the better question to ask revolves around how things worked together in their life to make their journey special.

Do you feel like there’s a secret your missing? Or do you feel like there’s a recipe you’d like to know about instead? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/its-hardly-ever-just-one-thing-that-makes-the-difference/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...

Hey there, hero!

“Look before you leap.” (Get some basic info before you head into the unknown.)

…versus…

“He who hesitates is lost.” (Be bold, and go for it. Damn the potential pitfalls.)

So, which is the rule to follow? The answer is, like in most messy, life-y things, “it depends.”

There are plenty of real world examples of “contradictory proverbs” in what we do as performers. In this episode, we talk about one specific clash of “rules” when it comes to your demos.

How do you reconcile opposing rules? What strategy do you put in place when there are two (or more) ways of working things out according to the “rules”? Let me know in the comments below.

REQUEST: Please join this video's conversation and see the full episode on VOHeroes, where the comments are moderated and civil, at https://voheroes.com/so-about-those-contradictory-rules/

#Acting #Voice #VoiceOver #Performance #Productivity #Tips #Art #Commerce #Science #Mindset #Success #Process #Options #BestPractices #Marketing

Want to be a better VO talent, actor or author? Here’s how I can help you...

...become a VO talent (or a more successful one):
     https://voheroes.com/start
     
...become an audiobook narrator on ACX (if you’re an actor or VO talent):
     https://acxmasterclass.com/
     
...narrate your own book (if you’re an author):
     https://narrateyourownbook.com/
     
...have the most effective pop filter (especially for VO talent):
     https://mikesock.com/
     
...be off-book faster for on-camera auditions and work (memorize your lines):
     https://rehearsal.pro/

...master beautiful audiobook and podcast audio in one drag and drop move on your Mac:
     https://audiocupcake.com/

The VOHeroes Podcast is heroically built with:

BuddyBoss | LearnDash | DreamHost | SamCart | TextExpander | Buz...