Debbie Grattan

A few months back, I saw an article posted in one of the voice over community chat groups in Google. The title of the article was: Celebrities are Silencing Career Pros in Animation Voice Work.

Provocative title, right?

I see and enjoy all of these animated films… Not only because I’m a professional voice over talent and it’s part of my industry, but because I’m the mother of two children, and they love watching these types of animated movies.

This year for Halloween, my kids dressed up as Astrid and Hiccup from the “How to Train Your Dragon” movies (see cute costume pic down below).

So, are celebrities really squeezing out other voice over actors in animated movies? There is certainly a fair amount of discussion and sour grapes about it in the voice over community. The article referenced above makes some very thoughtful and compelling arguments.

However, my personal opinion is, these types of voice over jobs have gone (and will continue to go) to celebrities and famous actors, and there is really nothing the voice over community can do to change that.

Voice Over Acting is Viable and Appealing to Celebs

What’s wrong with an “A” list actor wanting to do animation, in film or TV? Acting is acting! And in the voice over case, it can certainly be a lot less taxing than being on set for months at a time, in period costumes, working long hours in some foreign land, away from family.

I don’t begrudge a celebrity from finding work wherever they can, and in whatever genre is available. They’ve earned it. If they want to work on Broadway, public television, Sesame Street, for Disney, Pixar or Dreamworks animation, then that’s certainly their prerogative.

I think the idea in the voice over community that these celebrities are “taking away” jobs from non-celebs is misleading. These jobs wouldn’t go to unknown acting or voice talent anyway.

There Are Reasons Why Celebrities Are Well-Known

Part of the reason an actor gets to be an “A” lister in Hollywood is due to their talent. They are at the top of their craft. If you pit any of the stars or celebs mentioned in this article up against even a journeyman career VO actor, who has no name recognition in the general public, and perhaps limited or no experience playing roles on stage or screen, who do you really think is going to come out on top when it’s time to hit the box office?

Any “celebrated” actor out there has paid their dues. They’ve come up the ranks from being a no-name to a recognized, respected, perhaps even award-winning actor. That takes time, perseverance, dedication, talent, and a good dose of luck.

Being in a place in one’s career to have the opportunity of playing a character in a big animated feature, is a perk of reaching the top of one’s profession.

Sure, I can cite examples of situations where someone instrumental in the formative stages of a project was not the final choice for the end product, but that’s show biz for you. It happens all the time. It’s not about being fair.

It’s about choices; and making ones that will have fiscal rewards for the producers and entertainment value for the audience. That’s the producer/director’s job; to employ the best possible actor for each role. Best includes “best return on investment” and celebrities often bring that in spades.

There Will Always Be a Few Exceptions

There is always room for new talent. Getting that big break and then staying on top, is what most actors work a lifetime towards.

There are a few success stories as well.  Some of the voices in current blockbuster musical animation come from the Broadway ranks, and have no real name recognition at all in the ticket-buying public. The mega-hit from last year, “Frozen” is a prime example, with Broadway diva Idina Menzel (aka Adele Dazeem) playing the lead, despite the fact that few people outside of the Broadway community knew of her before that role.

Artists can be gifted in many different ways, and can grow and develop outside of their beginning niche. We see crossover all the time with actors cutting an album or singing or playing an instrument in a film. We see current pop stars making their feature film debuts…

Continue Reading this Article here…

 

This is Part Two of “Celebs Are Taking Voice Over Jobs Away from the Voice Over Community… Really?!”

Artists can be gifted in many different ways and can grow and develop outside of their beginning niche. We see crossover all the time with actors cutting an album or singing or playing an instrument in a film. We see current pop stars making their feature film debuts – for example, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and The Voice making his debut in Begin Again (which I’ve not seen, so I have no comment on his acting prowess).

And then you have someone like Josh Groban hosting a TV reality music show. Are there actors who focus on and pursue TV hosting gigs that are up in arms about that? Do they feel he is stealing their hosting gig? He’s a singer… What does he think he’s doing hosting a reality show?!

Pro athletes who have retired from playing are often hired as commentators. Does that make other sports announcers angry? If they have the background and name recognition for providing draw an audience, then why shouldn’t they get the gig? If they can’t cut it, it will be apparent very quickly, and the network will let them go.

Michael Strahan has taken a pro football career to new heights in broadcasting as co-host of Live with Kelly and Michael every morning. And we’ve certainly seen a round-robin of commentators on The View, who are not broadcasters by trade, but actors, comediennes, and personalities that drive a conversation show, just giving their opinions.

Maybe Every Voice Over Job is Fair Game For Anyone

Sons and daughters of famous folks (actors, singers, politicians) will occasionally find a springboard with their name and notoriety to help get them in the game, but often they are held to a higher standard and, again, have to prove themselves to maintain their spots. Jenna Bush Hager is a good example. She’s now a regular commentator on the Today show after a ramp-up that wasn’t always stellar. I’m sure other broadcasters would love to have had that spot, but it went to someone who audiences can recognize by her name and connections. Sometimes it’s all about connections and how we use them.

It irks me that some people think there should be some boundary around what any particular person can do. Why do we have to put everyone in a box and hold them there? There are auto mechanics who are also musicians, lawyers who are also voice over professionals, and doctors who are also ballroom dancers. And if they are better than someone else, who calls it their profession, why shouldn’t they get the gig when opportunities arise?

Same for celebrity actors getting voice over jobs in feature animation projects over unknown voice over actors. The article’s title that prompted this discussion suggests “celebrities are silencing career pros.” Silencing? As if a journeyman VO actor somehow expects to be offered the lead in a feature film instead of (the late) Robin Williams, Steve Carell, or Cate Blanchett?

I think it is possible… but not very likely. Leads in any motion picture are not up for grabs for the entire acting community. Casting directors are not throwing out an open call for these roles. And those actors cast for their talent and name value, in my opinion, are not stealing work from other qualified candidates. They are actors who have reached a level of success where they have more clout and, in turn, more choices. They are rewarded by being on the inside track.

In my book, no rule says what is appropriate or acceptable for anyone to do, regardless of their background, training, or position. There is room for everyone. The attitude that somehow voice over jobs are being “stolen” from VO actors (by other, presumably better actors) is something one can dwell on or complain about, but for me personally, it just doesn’t even enter my mind as something useful to think about.

I prefer to focus on gratitude for my work, the voice over clients who continue to hire me, and new work that continues to cross my path. It’s all about perspective. We all have the right to choose how we see it. I’m not blind. But I choose to focus on the good… and then more good follows.

I took a walk this morning with my husband (who also happens to be my VO business partner), and as is usual for these sunny walks around the neighborhood, it provides us with not only a bit of exercise and a healthy dose of vitamin D, (sadly lacking sometimes during our winter months here in Michigan) but also a chance to carry on a little business discussion, outside of the typical office environment.

I find that walking and progressing forward with my body tends to jog my mind and move thoughts and ideas through my brain in a very free way. It’s amazing sometimes what serendipitous ideas come up for us on these walks. Especially as a professional voiceover actress, I do tend to spend the majority of my time indoors, and most of that within a booth with no windows whatsoever.

I sometimes get to the end of my day and realize that I have not ventured outdoors all day long! While this can be great for holding laser focus on projects, it can also stifle physical and creative energy flow. That energy and life experience is so very necessary to continue to breathe life into the copy that clients send me, as well as continuing to inspire me on a marketing level…to say nothing about just maintaining my sanity and quality mental and physical health.

Check out this interesting article on the topic: “Take a Brisk Walk — It’s Good for the Brain” As our bodies age, it’s almost counter-intuitive to realize that simply taking regular brisk walks can have such a profound positive effect on so many levels of the mind, body, and spirit.

As a Professional Voiceover Actress, I Make Getting Outside a Top Priority

I ran across this quote recently from one of my favorite sources for inspirational and outside-the-box thinking, which seemed to be a great fit with this subject:

“Get out into the sunlight where everything has a vibration that is so dominant, so pure, so clean, that those who annoy you, disagree with you or make you feel uncomfortable don’t come into your experience. And the world that revolves around you just feels like that great feeling vibration.” – Abraham-Hicks

The “vibration” of nature, especially on a warm sunny day, can have a powerful effect on our state of being, mood, attitude, and ways of thinking. Being out in nature helps to “reset our vibe” to a more healthy state.  A change of scenery and the moving of one’s body can often un-stick some stale thinking, solve a nagging challenge, and just plain make you feel better.

I was recently dealing with a little technological glitch with my new computer, and I noticed how much more resourceful I felt talking about it while walking versus talking about the problem while sitting in my office. It was a striking difference!

Because my physical health (and wealth) as a professional voiceover actress depends on my overall wellness, it seems a pretty good practice to spend 20 – 30 minutes a day just exercising my body and mind outside in this terrific summer weather. I know, as a transplant from So Cal to the Midwest, that not all days or seasons allow this easily, and it’s not as inviting to be walking on icy streets and in freezing temperatures.

But now, in the middle of summer, I am inspired by just breathing in the fresh air, hearing the happy birds, and witnessing the green and multi-color landscape. I don’t even mind the drone of the occasional lawnmower!

Balance in all things, outside and inside, seems to be my mantra for this season. I do hope as a fellow voiceover professional. You can make the time for some outside enjoyment as well, amidst all that necessary indoor time.

Please share your comments on your practice for balancing your daily routine. How do you maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit working as a professional voiceover actress or actor?

Debbie Grattan has worked as a professional voiceover actress since the late 90′s. She has collaborated on thousands of projects and teamed up with scores of production companies, marketing, and advertising firms, commercial voice-over recording studios, and corporate/business clients around the United States and throughout the world. Listen to her professional voiceover actress demos and request a Custom Voiceover Audition for your upcoming project on her website.