Well, looks like we’re all going to die and I’m bored. Honestly, the worst thing about being cooped up like this is having nothing to do. I don’t know about you, but when I have very little to do, there’s an Energizer Bunny on steroids inside my head screaming for me to do something. Like many other actors during this time, I don’t have any upcoming theatre or on-camera gigs to keep me from going insane. Since there is nothing going on in the theatre scene and no on-camera gigs at this, I decided to pursue a different avenue. I would like to share this to any actor who is struggling to find work.
As the two of you who read this may know, I do voice-over work at FUNimation on occasion, voicing a fair number of characters. This experience helps me when I look into the other possible avenues for storytelling. Right now, there is an absurd number of voice-over projects that I see auditions for each day. There are people out there who still want to tell stories. They need people to help them make that happen. If you are looking into getting into acting in voice-over, then you need as much experience as you can get.
Now, I’m sure there’s going to be at least one person who thinks, “Hey, I don’t have a microphone, you entitled jerk”. First, how do you know me so well? Second, shhhhhhhh. Third, you can find a cheap USB microphone. Many of them are not as good as XLR microphones, but these microphones will do the job, especially now. Here’s the magic. Many directors who are looking for actors are just grateful to have people reading lines. You don’t need to buy a $1000 microphone to audition. Frankly, you should not buy a microphone that expensive unless you are actually doing enough gigs that it’s necessary. No, doing that one gig for $50 does not count. If you want it just for fun, that’s one thing, but don’t try and tell me about spending $1000 money when you haven’t taken a single acting class. If you have money for an expensive microphone, you have money for an acting class. Rant aside, audition for any audio play, podcast, whatever you see.
Okay, so you already are auditioning every single day? You want classes, but there aren’t any? Okay, you’ve got me there… OH WAIT A MINUTE! There are resources so you can develop your craft. Many websites are offering classes at a far cheaper rate than usual. Those classes that used to be $300-$600? Now it’s $60. Plus, many of them recognize that people are losing work. You might be able to work out a deal where you pay an even lower price than that. I would personally avoid doing this if they do not make the offer. Those people need to make a living too. You can also look into watching Inside the Actors Studio. YouTube also has some good resources, but you have to be more selective, because there is a lot of garbage out there.
This is one of the most serious times in our lifetimes. I know the quarantine makes it difficult for you to feel like you’re an artist when you’re not constantly doing it. I feel the same way. That’s why you have to find ways to keep yourself constantly growing and learning. Please let me know in the comments if there are any resources you use that I didn’t list. You can also yell at me, I guess.
I wish you all the best!
Regards,
Quinn