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- Ten years and counting
Greetings Audio Citizen!
Hope you had an okay week. And happy belated international men’s day. Yes, international men’s day does exist and it’s commemorated every 19th day of November!
For Simpsons’ fans, this weekend we say adieu to voice actor Pamela Hayden who’s retiring after 35 years of voicing Milhouse Van Houten and other characters on the show. Milhouse is Bart’s best friend, a key character on the animated sitcom. On Sunday, November, 24, Hayden will voice her last episode on the show. |  Bart, Milhouse Van Houten,Lisa Simpson |
In today’s issue:
As we celebrate men this week, “Voices November series” continues with a guest blog from seasoned and multi-award winning & multi-award nominated voice actor, Ian Russell.
Find exciting opportunities in the audio/media world on the noticeboard.
Looking for podcasts to binge this weekend? The ACE podcast club has new recommendations for you.
Ten years and counting with Ian Russell
 | I started VO about 10 years ago when my wife bought me a 1-day ‘Introduction to VO’ workshop as a Christmas gift – who knew it would provide such a long lasting impact on both our lives and that of our children! As with all entrepreneurial endeavors, it’s not a straight line, there have been good times and lean times but I hold on to the universal truth that if you continue to create and submit good work, the type of work that has booked previously, then any tide will turn and bookings will come in. |
The first few years were a genuine struggle. I had no clients, no contacts, no agents but over time that changes and now I would say that the constant hunt for new clients has been somewhat replaced by a balance of returning clients and agency opportunities alongside the need to continue marketing and reaching out to new opportunities. The hustle is real!
A great pleasure has been the opportunities that voice acting has brought to the rest of my family. Both my girls have booked roles in videogames and other projects and my wife now works in the business too, creating content for social media and monitoring and updating profiles like IMDb, You Tube and my website
My family and I
Industry shifts In the 10 years since 2014, I have noticed some shifts. The need for ever increasing diversity in your demo portfolio, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) as both an opportunity and a threat, and the desire to cast authentically. The shift to remote (during Covid) and the swing back to studios (in large markets) mean that I picked up clients who were uninterested in remote talent and have lost some in the return to studio. On the whole I have a net gain though. |  |
Another new-ish phenomenon is the VO scam. I’ve not fallen victim but I do see them and once you know what to look for, they are pretty easy to ignore. Having worked in finance, I was trained to be aware of unscrupulous vendors seeking to take advantage. My advice, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is and do your due diligence. If someone approaches you unexpectedly, go dig around on the internet and ask in the forums. We are a pretty helpful community.
On favorites……..
There have been so many (over 2000) projects that it is hard to pick favorites but there are some that have, I believe, made a difference. Booking Vernon Locke in Payday 2 gave me a big boost in the videogame genre and, I also believe this has had a direct impact on whether or not I was booked for other projects. Having a fanbase of game players is, overall, a good thing.
My advice for those starting out
If you are starting out, there are some basic simple truths I suggest you must be aware of based on the title of our industry, “You are in the Voice Acting Business.”
1. Voice – Know how to use and protect your voice and create a space that allows you to record efficiently
2. Acting – Train and practice as an actor, learn about script interpretation and be able to embody a character that is not necessarily you
3. Business – Learn how to run a small business. Marketing, Finances, Legal
Learn to discipline yourself to do the work everyday. I’ve been self employed for most of my working life so that discipline is actually hard for me to walk away from. I wouldn’t say obsessed but not far off it.
It’s a wonderful business to be in but don’t expect work to plop down on your doormat.
Best regards, Ian Russell
(You can reach out to me on Instagram here)
Noticeboard
Opportunity Corner
Webby Awards The Webby Awards presents two honors in every category: The Webby Award and The Webby People’s Voice Award. Categories include; | Call for sessions at On Air Fest 2025 (Brooklyn)
Application Deadline: 25th November 2024 More information on how to apply here |
This week on the ACE podcast club
Kutimba with Siima podcast "Kutimba" is a word from Runyankole, one of the languages spoken in Uganda, that literally translates to "dig up" and means to delve deeper into something. On this show, Siima Itabaaza explores the symbiotic relationship between art and music. She invites guests to select an album cover to unpack on every episode.  | Hypno Wellness podcast (wellness and mental health) This podcast is hosted by Cindy Brainerd, a retired hygienist and certified hypnotherapist passionate about helping people achieve optimal wellness through the power of hypnosis. As the host of the Hypno Wellness podcast, Cindy shares her expertise and insights on how hypnosis can be used to improve physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.  |
Audio Citizens’ Empire Newsletter features audio talent including but not limited to voice artists, spoken word artists, podcasters, public speakers, radio hosts and so on. |