Current Events > I feel like a fucking idiot for trying to follow my "dream".

(+) Yeah! (+)

Voice acting or VO/narration. For some reason I've always had a knack for stuff like that. I have a great voice, I can deliver lines well, and I have a pretty versatile range of voices I can do.

I'm embarrassed to talk about it because it's such a silly, stupid goal. Most people my age have sensible career goals, but I have to be a moron and go for some childish "It's not a real job!" nonsense. Like I deserve it.

It turns out in order to be a VO you need a bunch of existing contacts in the field, you need to send in shit like headshots, etc. etc. etc. and after all that, it turns out they don't get paid much at all.

Work on smaller projects like YouTube videos n shit

People like Christina Vee are always checking out new talent on Twitter

Yeah that seems like a hard industry to break into. I hate pretty much anything where connecs are mandatory

Also if you really want it

Do. Not. Stop.

Learn from failure

Smackems posted...

Work on smaller projects like YouTube videos n shit

That or voicing characters from mods in popular games like Skyrim. It's a good way to get your name out there.

Smackems posted...

Work on smaller projects like YouTube videos n shit

People like Christina Vee are always checking out new talent on Twitter

I can't afford a decent setup; all I have is a Blue Snowball mic and a decent computer. My YouTube channel has gotten a ton of subs and views lately but I'm having a hard time transitioning into the content I want to do.

Yeah

Just do stuff

Even if it seems insignificant

Nolan North and Troy Baker are the vast majority of this field.

CRON posted...

I can't afford a decent setup; all I have is a Blue Snowball mic and a decent computer. My YouTube channel has gotten a ton of subs and views lately but I'm having a hard time transitioning into the content I want to do.

See about collaborating with other fuckers

You're not an idiot for following your dreams. You're an idiot for not planning ahead properly and being aware of the changes and sacrifices it entails. The important question now is whether or not it's still your dream.

I remember you mentioning this, I'd still try to get in if you have a passion for it and have a talent you believe in.

I'm in the process of quitting my full time job to follow my passion and I'm willing to fail but I can't see myself doing anything else now I've worked for money and was never fulfilled infact that made me depressed.

Yeah fuck money

CRON posted...

I can't afford a decent setup; all I have is a Blue Snowball mic and a decent computer. My YouTube channel has gotten a ton of subs and views lately but I'm having a hard time transitioning into the content I want to do.

A hard time because you lack the tools or the content you want to make isn't as popular?

If it's the first one consider a loan, business expenses aren't a bad risk...

You just have to fucking get out there man

Be assertive

Can we get a vocaroo tc , so we can judge this voice for ourselves .

MedeaLysistrata posted...

A hard time because you lack the tools or the content you want to make isn't as popular?

If it's the first one consider a loan, business expenses aren't a bad risk...

As eye-rolling as it might seem, my anxiety issues are a huge hurdle. I live in a very dense area and I simply can't just do what I do and record on the microphone without this fear of my next-door neighbors wondering what I'm doing and judging me.

It probably stems from never having any privacy in my life. I vividly remember being terrified of making phone calls to my "friends" back in the day because I was scared of being eavesdropped on.

When will you learn TC, to just do whatever you want and stop worrying what others think?

CRON posted...

As eye-rolling as it might seem, my anxiety issues are a huge hurdle. I live in a very dense area and I simply can't just do what I do and record on the microphone without this fear of my next-door neighbors wondering what I'm doing and judging me.

It probably stems from never having any privacy in my life. I vividly remember being terrified of making phone calls to my "friends" back in the day because I was scared of being eavesdropped on.

Idk man you'll have to find some way to get past that

Passed?

Nah man go for it

Ar0ge posted...

When will you learn TC, to just do whatever you want and stop worrying what others think?

This is my biggest problem. I simply can't overcome this as it's just too ingrained in my nature. I've had this issue since I was a toddler. It stems from constantly being bullied and scrutinized, starting from a very early age.

Those are excuses.

CRON posted...

As eye-rolling as it might seem, my anxiety issues are a huge hurdle. I live in a very dense area and I simply can't just do what I do and record on the microphone without this fear of my next-door neighbors wondering what I'm doing and judging me.

It probably stems from never having any privacy in my life. I vividly remember being terrified of making phone calls to my "friends" back in the day because I was scared of being eavesdropped on.

What about rending a hotel room or Airbnb?

Also, dude, don't ever let anyone make you feel stupid or childish for pursuing what you're interested in.

apocalyptic_4 posted...

I'm in the process of quitting my full time job to follow my passion and I'm willing to fail but I can't see myself doing anything else now I've worked for money and was never fulfilled infact that made me depressed.

Good luck!

CRON posted...

As eye-rolling as it might seem, my anxiety issues are a huge hurdle. I live in a very dense area and I simply can't just do what I do and record on the microphone without this fear of my next-door neighbors wondering what I'm doing and judging me.

It probably stems from never having any privacy in my life. I vividly remember being terrified of making phone calls to my "friends" back in the day because I was scared of being eavesdropped on.

You can record in a sound booth if you think that might help. You can also buy sound proofing materials and make a DIY sound booth (foam or whatever is pretty good for this, even blankets will muffle and redirect sound), it would probably be cheaper then renting a space every time. That would cost money though. Maybe that is why people record shit in their cars.

I think thar fear should just be faced though.

Anyone who puts down others for following or pursuing they're dreams are loosers forget what they think TC.

CRON posted...

I simply can't overcome this as it's just too ingrained in my nature.

then it's not your calling

not everyone's dream is their calling

btw your dream is really just a job. like any job it requires you to be a good worker and have a good reason to be hired. if you cannot overcome whatever's hindering you, then you're not going to be a good hire and no one will give you money to do it.

Why don't you try submitting for a bunch of jobs at voices.com. You might not win a lot of bids at first, especially if your sound setup isn't great, but it's great practice and it can get you into a good routine.

If you haven't yet, you should also probably learn how to use filters and plugins to make your audio sound the best it can.

I used to hire through voices.com a bunch of times for voice overs that I needed for videos.

GuerrillaSoldier posted...

then it's not your calling

not everyone's dream is their calling

btw your dream is really just a job. like any job it requires you to be a good worker and have a good reason to be hired. if you cannot overcome whatever's hindering you, then you're not going to be a good hire and no one will give you money to do it.

If my dream is Discovery why does it have to be TREK?

You might need improvement.

Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you're not nearly as good at it as you think you are. It's a common issue in creative fields, especially writing where you have aspiring writers trying to get published and submit to agents, but it's clear from the first page they:

1.) don't read much at all.
2.) think storytelling from different mediums (games, books, TV, etc.) somehow translates well into each other without inherent know-how of what's expected in each field.

Like, have you spoken with any agents, just to ask for feedback? Taken any professional classes? Thrown yourself out there for smaller projects?
I recommend doing that now, so you get some harsh inputs from nonbiased parties to know what to improve on, and to find out if you truly have the drive to pursue voice-over work.
Because random no-names are always gonna compliment stuff like that even if it's a little distinct. You need to find well-versed people and ask them to rip you apart to know what you're doing wrong.
Like this:

"For some reason I've always had a knack for stuff like that. I have a great voice, I can deliver lines well, and I have a pretty versatile range of voices I can do."

^ This is a red flag to me, and that none of the praise you've received for your voice is from any noteworthy sources. I could be wrong, but that's the vibe I get. It's like the people who claim to be great writers, but all their praise comes from Redditors or social media or family or friends. Then they try to throw the "well, some are published." and it's like... okay, what's their works, and how well-known are they for their writing beyond the two or three high reviews on Amazon? Who's their publisher, and are they respected in the literary field, or do they publish anything they get their hands on?

Same thing with voiceover work.

Also, don't expect an instant success story. It's okay. Things like this often don't all come together immediately. You just have to stick to it. Don't listen to people who say that you don't have it in you. You just have to put one foot in front of the other time and time again. You can do it.

it's a great dream that you shouldn't give up on. but you should probably have a real job, or a robust support system as well

imo a big part of being a great actor is letting go of the ego. the shame, the embarrassment, let it all go. be cringe. be extra!!

silverpine posted...

it's a great dream that you shouldn't give up on. but you should probably have a real job, or a robust support system as well

imo a big part of being a great actor is letting go of the ego. the shame, the embarrassment, let it all go. be cringe. be extra!!

Very true, a good voice actor knows when some lines they are about to do are going to end up being complete cringe, but they knock it outta the park anyways and deliver a spectacular performance. Someone mentioned Cristina Vee earlier, and she's a great example of someone who just does well, even when she knows the lines are going to be made fun of (not that being cringe is bad, some of my favorite moments in shows are when they are completely cringe because typically that's what the scenes were supposed to be).