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This week I had one of those surreal moments that make you stop what you’re doing and reflect on your life. In my case, my voiceover career. I was featured in Express & Star. Look mum, I made it!

To see my journey, my passion and my voiceover career captured in someone else’s words felt pretty darn great actually. It’s not every day that we get to see our stories from another’s lens, and I must say, I quite like it.

During the past 40 years, voice acting has been my absolute world. I’ve been to places I never imagined and it’s connected me with incredible people and brands. To have my career milestones documented like this feels like a celebration of everything I’ve poured into the craft.

Looking back over the article, what stood out most wasn’t just the milestones or the names I’ve worked with (although I’m immensely proud of those!) but the reminder of where it all began. A bold step, some incredible mentors, and a whole lot of determination. My path, shaped by challenges, growth and joy has been… an experience. To see that journey acknowledged makes me feel extremely grateful.

For anyone who has supported me, collaborated with me or simply listened to my work over the years, thank you. This feature is as much yours as it is mine. And what of the future? I feel inspired to keep pushing the boundaries, sharing stories and embracing all the exciting opportunities that voiceover still holds.

“Welcome to the Alluring World of Voiceover”

That sounds like something one of the oddball characters from Alice in Wonderland would say, in a mysterious, perhaps slightly creepy manner!

In fact, it’s what most people working in voiceover will tell you and have you believe. Yes, it can be a beautiful community full of love, joy, and friendships. But it’s often portrayed as being just that – perfect. Being all these amazing things 100% of the time.

Yes darling, it’s simply enchanting! Oh the warmth, oh the camaraderie!

Many a new voiceover artist floats in imagining a utopia where everyone gets along.

I should cut everyone some slack I suppose, we’re storytellers after all. And who doesn’t love to embellish a tale they’re telling?

 

 

The Reality of Voiceover

Sorry folks, but it’s exactly like any other industry. It’s competitive, challenging and there are some downright awful people embedded in it. You only have to look at some of the voiceover groups on Facebook to see how some people respond to others’ requests for guidance or assistance. Let’s just say not everyone is supportive of their peers.

But difficult people and difficult situations are all part of life. So why would your chosen profession be any different?

It’s not all bad though…

 

Why This is a Good Thing for a Voiceover Artist

Life isn’t all pink, fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows. (Remember that song?) While the voiceover industry can be tough, it’s this very climate that will make you resilient. Get yourself a very thick skin, because you’re going to need it. These hurdles will shape you and your path in voiceover and if you stick with it, the rewards will come.

 

Happy Anniversary To Me

As I steamroller into my 40th year as a voiceover artist, I can confidently say I’ve done AND seen it all. Triumphs, setbacks, moments of joy, and times of frustration. And despite what I’ve said above, I have a brilliant network of fellow voiceover people around me – many of my closest friendships have come about because of the work we do.

But you can’t be everyone’s best buddy. And that’s fine. My middle name is Marmite. Just trust that you and your people will find each other.

This industry is demanding, and not everyone makes it. Success in voiceover is as much about grit and determination as it is about talent. And I’ve got all of those… (please note, do not confuse confidence in my own ability with arrogance!)

I’m still embracing the wild journey, with all its peaks and troughs, and dare I say it…

Here’s to the next 40 years!

When deciding to refresh my website, I had some specific ideas in mind – specifically the addition of a Rorschach. I love Rorschachs as everyone sees something different in each design. Amy Archibeque and I worked together to create this design and I wanted to know how she found it designing a Rorschach.

The interview

– Did you enjoy designing the Rorschach? 

I did enjoy designing the Rorschach! It was a fun and challenging project. I always enjoy working on pieces that the client feels a personal connection with, because it’s so much more rewarding when they are happy with the outcome. Working with Alicia and Tanya was a very pleasant experience, and I really love these collaborations when the client and I can work together on coming up with ideas on how to create the image they want. 

 

– What was your process? 

For my process, it was important that I started out getting to know Tanya as a client and what she really wanted to represent. I got to speak with her. I found out about her style. And I saw what images she was drawn to the most. We then went back and forth on some mockups in styles she was drawn to. Once we determined a style, I was able to move forward with the logo design.

 

I started with finding naturally occurring ink blots, specifically in the style of spray paint and ink splatter. With Tanya, we wanted to create more of an edge to her design, so I wanted to use this style of ink,  as opposed to the classic water-based medium of Rorschach ink blots. The ink splatter allowed more movement and expression in her design, helping to create a stronger statement. I initially built up a few pieces that formed a crown, then added accent pieces along the edges to help create more movement. 

 

As a rule of thumb, however, it’s always important to step back from your art and get a fresh perspective. As Tanya pointed out, one of my initial designs looked like a raw chicken. And she was right–haha. As soon as I zoomed out and stepped back, all I could see was a cold dead chicken breast with skinny legs. Another reason this piece was so fun to work on was how subjective this piece was. Everyone was going to see something different! Obviously, we didn’t stick with the chicken, but Tanya then came back with the raven idea. I worked off a Rorschach piece she liked and used ink splatters again to create movement along the wings and form the outline. 

 

I also had to be mindful of having enough space in the middle to add the logo, so I did have one of the original crown pieces help fill in the middle. It was subtle enough that it could still pass for the chest of the bird, or part of the wings. Or whatever one wanted to see.

 

– What do you see when you look at the Rorschach? 

When I look at the Rorschach, I see a woman wearing a crown. Her head is tilted down and eyes drawn up. Behind her, a raven has just taken off for flight. Its feathers scatter leaves and other particles in the air around it.

 

Comment below what you see in the Rorschach!

“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. 

The late and great John Lennon said it best, but what’s interesting is that we’re constantly told that success only comes from having a plan.

Raising a family?

Have a plan. Get savings. Then get a house. Next, get a well-paying career. Start building that college fund.

Growing your body of voiceover work? 

Have a plan. Get trained. Then get educated. Next, get a qualification. Take that internship. Write those damn CVs and cover letters.

Starting a business?

Oh, you’ve guessed it. You better have a plan in place, or you’re going nowhere.

Here’s the deal.

Despite what everyone else says, what if you did all these things, just without a plan?

It’s okay to have goals and a sense of direction, but what if, and hear me out, you took your foot off the gas and the plan was flexible?

This is how I’ve lived, and it’s turning out well.

Allow me to explain.

I’ve always been politically minded and against the status quo.

John Lennon’s on my mind today.

But he does have a few fair points, doesn’t he?

I’ve never been a fan of the status quo. 

Take my time doing voiceover work.

I’ve been standing at the mic for over 30 years now, and I’ve seen countless trends, styles, and approaches come and go during that time. People with plans and ambitions that they want to bring to life.

But so many have faded away, given up, or moved on to something else. 

But why? 

Why are the people so ambitious and driven to succeed just letting go?

I took some time to think about this, and I can’t move past the one barrier that comes up time and time again, and that’s having a plan.

Now, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some kind of plan when I started out in the voiceover industry.

I planned to be the best voiceover artist in the world. I wanted to thrive in every voiceover genre possible, and I wanted to be like water to the point that I would be able to evolve and change with the trends and markets effortlessly.

I’d never be out of voiceover work, and I’d always thrive.

Three decades on, I can safely say I’m doing it. That’s the life I’m living.

Upon reflection, this comes down to not having a plan.

The status quo of the modern world is to get yourself a plan in life and to stick with it, but I’ve found time and time again that this does not work.

Life is messy and unpredictable. It takes its course and surprises us at every turn.

Take a moment to think about just how many times that has happened in your own life. More than a few, I’m sure.

Here’s the issue.

When you have a strict and rigid plan in place, it can feel like every bump in the road causes a problem. This mindset leads to everything in life feeling like a problem, and you’re only going to hold yourself back.

By letting go of your plans but putting yourself on a path in life and just letting yourself figure out what you need to do when you need to do a road trip through your life fuelled by passion and ambition, then you’ll make it.

I’ve seen it in my own life and the lives of so many others.

Bruce Lee once said;

“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.”

A river doesn’t have a plan. It doesn’t know how it will cut through the forest or across the fields. It doesn’t know what obstacles stand in its way or what dams will hold it back. Yet, over time and with perseverance and its overall goal in mind, it always gets to where it wants to be.

In your own life, when you’re fuelled by passion, you put yourself on a path, but you’re free to go with the flow of the universe, and this is far better than trying to walk yourself through a brick wall.

Far better just to walk around it, even if that wasn’t in the original plan.

When you can do this, that’s when life gets exciting.

Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.

When life inevitably happens, and you’re thrown a curveball, do you feel like a failure?

So many of us do. We crush ourselves and beat ourselves up because we clearly weren’t capable enough to do what we set out to do.

I say don’t be so damn hard on yourself.

Embrace the disappointment, devise a new plan: and take a breather from planning. 

For good.

I say again life is messy and complicated, and 99% of the things that happen in your life are outside your control. 

The trick to success is to be able to go with the flow and still be able to get to where you want to be, regardless.

When it comes to voiceover work, like all industries, you won’t get every job you apply for. Not every person you’re interested in will like you back. Not every movie will be all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes you’re going to oversleep or fail a test.

That’s life.

Don’t let this perceived (but not real) failure hold you back. Instead, pick yourself up, and start dodging and diving. Let your passion for your dreams take you to where you want to go.

Keep doing this, and you’ll get there.

Not necessarily in the way you originally planned, or at the same time, but you will get there.

The only way you can ever indeed fail is if you give up completely.

And hey, I get it. Some of us love to be in control and feel lost without it. Well, why not add some spice to your control?

If you have to think strategy, think outside the box. 

• Grab yourself a dartboard and post-it some ambitions onto it.
• Close your eyes, take aim, and let that dart fly!
• Wherever it points to is what you should do next – no matter what.
• Don’t think; just do – right now! There might be something unexpected where the target leads, a new realm of possibility for you and your goals.

 

My whole career in voiceover work, I’ve been guided by nothing but the opportunity to work in my beloved voice industry.

Of course, it’s important to note that I’ve been doing this for a long time, but this is just me speaking from the heart about what works for me. 

If you need to plan something out, go for it. 

But why waste time on mundane planning techniques when you could have a blast just living your life and doing it?

Dream. Have ambition.

Feed that ambition with nothing but curiosity, excitement, and fun.

Don’t put it into a rigid box.

So go forth and plan, but be bold and switch up your route when the universe throws something new your way!

You never know where it might take you. That’s the beauty of life.