The community of Voice actors is growing in leaps and bounds. With the evolving technology, a plethora of learning avenues and seamless connectivity, today, if you have a will there are more ways. But if these opportunities aren’t all that answer the questions of an aspiring or practising voice actor then what does? The answer could be different for all, but is everyone asking the same question? Probably not, because to some, voiceover is the means and to some, it is the way.
The amount of inauthentic voice work I have come across in just over a decade and the kind of queries that float around online and offline conveys that spoken word art esp voiceovers is predominantly seen as a convenient way of earning money at one’s convenience.
On the other side, there is a skill that has marked its territory for over a century. Have you ever wondered whether the legendary figures we’ve heard were merely fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, or did their craft held deeper complexities that enabled them to be heard and relatable ? Did they possess an innate talent, or did their expertise arise from work on themselves? Leaving luck to mysticism, I’d like to delve into the work. Unless it is the marketing which is designed to manipulate consumers or content aimed at feeding cognitive deficit; everyone is looking for an authentic voice because they want to reach the human on the other side and strike the most resonating chord to move them to a product, service or an idea. The voice is a tool akin to any brand for a particular product. It is the human behind the voice that creates substance, the energy of every thought is contained in the breath that reverberates through the sound of one’s voice to reach you. Training can impart knowledge of practice, and it could also enable us to ‘learn to learn’, but this is something AIML stands on today. Then what are we talking about?
The AI-Human distinction at work. Enough has been said about mindfulness and breath from ancient texts to spiritual practices. Whether it is Shambhavi Mahamudra, Shaolin martial arts, Yoga, Kalaripayattu, Ballet, Jazz or the Suzuki method. Artists who live life with consistent instrument practice are discernible for their presence. So where does this come into the picture for a voice actor? Well, being judged for every audition yet needing to remain neutral about your work, cast after comparison with other voices for other characters yet aiming to be an authentic version of yourself, working with people limited by authority and struggling with the articulation of instructions, working in a highly perceptive environment where social media rings. You are what you are and you may know it but for the world to send opportunities your way it needs to be able to perceive you likewise. Being grounded and your truest self while sustaining your work opportunities and living a fulfilled life needs inner work because it is all cyclical as one feeds the other. Once this is at the fore of attention some ways may start appearing. It could be a spiritual practice, a physical art form or the pursuit of a milestone for the body through form training. Arriving at a state of mind by initiating the body first begins a journey that is absolute, non-negotiable and definite.
Imagine if despite an unfavourable day or phase in life how you responded to a person or situation has no impact on your performance. Form practice and breathwork have this definiteness about them. They lead you to elevate your faculties and capabilities as a human by enabling you to harness your centre. Your well-being as an artist is as much essential for you as it is for the human on the other side listening to you. Whether you count it in your journey is an individual choice but in raising your consciousness you would be undeniably raising that livewire of energy that threads us all.
This article was originally posted by the Author on – https://www.thevoiceovernetwork.org/buzz/the-buzz-magazine-interactive/the-buzz-magazine-32nd-edition/