Have a Great Time!

By Eric Hunt

“Stage actors are amazing!  They’re great with voiceover because they’re trained.  And not only are they vocally trained but they have this way of being free, and being goofy.  In my world, the bigger, the better!” 

--Sarah Noonan, Senior Casting Director for Animation Casting and Talent, Nickelodeon

(quoted from Ross Reports Animation & Voice-Over Casting Directory, 2006)

Ms. Noonan would know, having cast some of the biggest powerhouses out there, like Sponge Bob, Avatar the Last Airbender, The Penguins of Madagascar, Fairly Odd Parents, and Jimmy Neutron.  This is not to say that only those with training and experience in stage acting should pursue character voiceover work.  

What should be gleaned from this gem provided by a major industry player is that those of us aspiring to land a principal role in the next national-level animated television series should emulate the best of the best stage actors. 

The best characters are born out of those impromptu moments of creativity that can only come out in the absolute absence of inhibitions.  Obviously, those who are engaged in the pursuit of entertainment industry careers must accept that they will be fiercely judged, as this is the nature of entertainment.  The paradox here, though, is that the stage, screen, and vocal performances we have loved the most throughout history have been done by those actors who were able to transcend the critical eye of the public, immerse themselves in the moment, and basically have a great time!

Tip: After you have done all your preparation and you are ready to record, take a moment to remember: you’re in it to have fun!  Jump into it like a kid!