Quarterly Review

In my last post, I mentioned that I'd revisit the goals I'd set forth for myself at the start of the year.  Here's my first quarter review:

1)  365 Auditions in 365 Days - B
I borrowed a page from Julie Powell, of "Julie & Julia" fame for this goal.  The idea behind it is to instill discipline into my practice of voiceover.  Instead of cooking recipies from Julia Child's cookbook, I'm auditioning as much as I can, whether it's freelance work on voices.com or opportunities sent to my by my agency or casting contacts.

As of this writing it is day 118 out of 365.  My audition count is 98, which is 20 fewer than I'd planned on by this time.   Time has always been a premium in my life, and I've found it challenging to carve out enough time daily.  I've experimented with doing more on weekends, when I have more time to play in my home studio, but find that I allow myself to slack off during the week (for having been soooo productive on Saturday and Sunday).  Morning person I am not, and to help give me time for this, I'm working on waking up earlier so that I can fit in at least one opportunity daily from now on.


As a corollary to this goal, I wanted to book at least as much work in 2010 as I had in 2009.  I am happy to report that by the end of the first quarter of 2010, I surpassed my bookings in all of 2009.  It's not about the money, but about the experience.  To date I have been...

...two badass video game characters
...a Filipino mother worrying over the health of her children
...a narrarator
...a storyteller
...a tag line

And recently, I booked my biggest role to date!  No details just yet, but I am very excited about the role and so grateful for the opportunity.

As I filter through opportunities, I continue to realize that voiceover is both a business and an art.  The business is one of marketing, hustling for audition opportunities, and staying top of mind with your agent and casting network.

But once you've gotten the audition, there's actual work to do...which really, is play.  In the hustle and bustle of, well, hustling, sometimes I forget to play.  As a child, you're encouraged to play and explore, and as we grow up, we are encouraged to tamp down on that playfulness.  So as I continue on this journey, I continually remind myself that it's okay to play.

2)  Take one class per quarter - A+
I'm actually a little ahead of the game.  I started the year by taking a Level 3 workshop at WCT.  It's probably the 2nd time I've taken this class, and though I've already graduated from the WCT's program, I like to revisit these classes from time to time to
- learn something new
- improvise with new players
- improve my own understanding of various techniques

In addition, I've been refining my voiceover chops in a 6 week animation workshop and attending workout groups to keep my commercial and promo skills warm.

3)  Perform - A
Team X recently celebrated its first birthday!  And we continue our regular performances on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at our home theater.  Our audiences have been so great and receptive to us - and I'm super grateful they're willing to stay up late with us on a Monday night.  We've played to some amazing crowds!

In addition, Team X traveled to Seattle in February, to participate in the 2010 Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.   Team X performed 3 shows at the Market Theater near the famed Pike's Place Market, and had a blast!   We loved sharing our energetic style of performance with the improv community of Seattle, and meeting fellow improvisers from Seattle, Austin and Chicago.  To my friends who came to these shows:  thank you!

After our great experience in Seattle, Team X was inspired to keep pushing the boundaries of improv.  We're experimenting with forms, and recently debuted a new style of improv.  And we are grateful and fortunate to be invited to perform in Honolulu, Hawaii this fall at the 2010 Improvaganza!

Looking ahead, I'll continue my journey with Team X, as well as look for opportunitites to explore theater, musical improv and music performance.

A few thoughts & a look ahead
Looking back at the first quarter of 2010, I'm happy with the progress I'm making towards my goals.  I've become more focused and disciplined about my approach to performance and my artistic life, though I still have ways to go.   With the encouragement and support of my friends and family, I'm grateful to be able to do what I do.  And I need to rebalance a few activities in order to optimize my time and energy.   In the months ahead, I'll be taking more classes, auditioning as much as possible, and working on demos and marketing to help expand my voiceover opportunities. 

I look forward to sharing my journey with you, and hope you'll chime in your own stories.  How has 2010 been to you so far?  What are you working towards?  What do you need to do in order to accomplish your goals?

The Balancing Act

Recently a friend of mine asked how I balanced my demanding day job and my desire to become a voiceover actor.   Many of my friends wonder how I'm able to accomplish as much as I do.  In all honesty, it's hard work, and there are some days  I don't feel that I'm accomplishing much.  Every day is a balancing act.  In this post, I'll share what I've learned so far.  Everyone has their own process, this one's mine.  If you have questions or thoughts, please weigh in!  Here we go:

Happy New Year! A look at the year ahead

It's 2010, and we're a few days into the new year.  I hope your holidays were merry and bright, and those of you in cold climes kept cozy and warm.   As we kickstart the first work week of the new year, it's time to review 2009 and take a look ahead.

As a voiceover actor and improviser, 2009 set the stage (as it were) for the year ahead.   After a year of networking and searching, I signed with TGMD Talent Agency.  Between my freelance VO and the agency, I even booked several jobs!  While I won't quit my day job just yet, those bookings and every audition strengthen the base on which I am building my talent.  I joined an improv troupe (Team X), that has enjoyed great reviews and success in its first 8 months together.  This February, Team X heads to Seattle, where we will perform two shows at the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater! 

While I'm not much for New Year's Resolutions (they are usually big promises we find hard to keep), I am a huge fan of writing down your goals.  Each year, I revisit that list and make sure that those goals still make sense for me, that I'm on track, and that I'm continuing to take steps that will allow me to achieve my dreams.  So as we head into 2010, I have focused my energies on the following:

1)  365 auditions in 365 days.  This works out to at least an audition a day, and as a voiceover artist, is totally achievable.  The idea behind this goal is to provide added focus to my voiceover career and find as many opportunities as possible to work in VO.

2) At least 1 class per quarter.   From classes to workout groups, ensure that every quarter of the year I have engaged in a class, workshop or workout group that allows me to flex and strengthen my acting muscles.  When we stop learning, we stop progressing.  I never want to stop progressing.

3) Keep performing.  This is a somewhat open ended goal.  The idea here is to always keep practicing my craft in VO and improv, in whatever form it takes.  Team X has provided me a great way to continually improve my skills as an improviser and actor, but I haven't always been that comfortable on stage.  Every time you get in front of a crowd - from a work presentation to a staged play, it's an opportunity to practice the art of performing.  I have good and bad days, and I hope the more I practice, the more consistently the good days happen.

On a more personal front, I'm working to strengthen the foundations I established last year - by shoring up my financial sector, reintroducing a regular exercise regimen (after a year of injury, I'll have to go slow) and maintaining the relationships that sustain me.   We don't live in isolation, and it's especially important to make sure that you have a support system in place as you make transitions and choices that are not necessarily the norm.  As I continue to balance and merge my corporate and creative lives, it's especially important to me to have that support.  I am so grateful for it, and for the people in my life who bring me joy and inspiration.

What are your goals as we head into a new year & decade?  How will you measure success?  I encourage you to discuss them here, or drop me a line and let me know.  We'll keep each other on track!  Happy New Year, and may the new year and decade bring you amazing new experiences and discoveries!