Breaking Into Voiceover Work // Episode 7243 - Simone Serra

Original Recording Date: July 17, 2024
In this episode, we dive into the world of voiceover artistry with Simone Serra, a seasoned performer who has mastered the art of storytelling to elevate brand messages with authenticity and impact. With over 20 years of acting experience and five years in the voiceover industry, Simone shares how she keeps a pulse on what’s trending, marketable, and memorable in today’s competitive landscape. Her expertise has earned the trust of top brands like Samsung, "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," and Ulta Beauty. Join us as we explore Simone’s collaborative approach to delivering broadcast-ready audio and how her fun, positive attitude makes the creative process both enjoyable and successful. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the craft of voiceover and the intersection of creativity and commerce.

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Transcript

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Hey there, I'm Simone Serra and I'm here on breaking the Biz podcast.[Music] Stay tuned for today's episode of Breaking the Biz, an informative podcast where we dive into the world of entertainment by interviewing seasoned professionals who have made their mark in the industry. Gain invaluable insights as they share their personal journeys. Offering advice on navigating navigating the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. Whether you're an aspiring actor, musician, filmmaker, author, animator, or any creative soul, tune in for expert career guidance, insider tips, and firsthand accounts on breaking into the entertainment industry. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind successful careers and fuel your own passion for the limelight. Please remember to like this video and to subscribe to our channels for more great conversations. Greetings from "Breaking the Biz" brought to you by Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education. I'm William Felber, your navigator through the intriguing universe of the entertainment industry as revealed by the visionaries and creators who bring it to life. Stay tuned as we delve into diverse insights from the forefront of entertainment. Hearing from pioneers, creators and agents of change, prepare for a journey filled with tales of innovation, resilience, and the undying quest for artistic brilliance. Welcome to "Breaking The Biz" Podcast with the Yes I Can crew. We have got a great guest with us tonight. We have Simone Serra, who is a voiceover actor specializing in commercial e learning, podcasts and everything else under the voiceover realm. She's a seasoned voiceover performer who can help you elevate your content and your brand through truthful and dynamic storytelling while making the process collaborative, easy and fun. So you've come to the right place if you're looking for some of the best and the best in voiceover. Over the last five years, her experience in the voiceover industry has kept ears attuned, in the pulse of what's trending, marketable, and what sells. She offers a service that brings all three to your project with over 20 years of professional acting experience, multi skilled to provide a range of performance that can be tailored to your company and its ethos. As a result, those skills have taught have caught the attention of the national and globally recognized brands with clients that include Samsung, the Late show with Stephen Colbert, Domino's act, Mouthwash, Ulta Beauty Eco products, and Dollar General. Without any further ado, let's jump into it. So the first question I love to ask our guests are, when you were a small child, what was the dream job? You're like when I grow up, I want to be. Since we little. My answer has always been an actor. That has always been since probably the age of four or five. It's actually more. I don't even know if I had the words for it, but it was always more instinctual. When I was a kid, I used to watch all of my favorite movies, and I would learn all of the lines to every single character of each, whoever it was that was in the film. And I would really just always be studying their behavior more than anything. And once I learned all the lines for every character, I would just stand in front of the tv, and I then would just perform, and I would be performing outwards to then whoever it was that I was talking to. And so, like I said, it was so much more of an instinctual habit that I had from such a young, young age that then once I was able to really kind of realize that what the people who are on the screen, that was their job, I thought, oh, that's what I want to do. I love it. I love it. So let me ask you, in high school, I'm going to go on a limb. You did a lot of theater. Yeah, I did. I did a lot of theater. I was also a dancer for a really long time, too. So I was in dance classes. Yes, I was in dance classes since I was a kid, and all the way up until high school. And then, of course, I wanted to be in all of the high school plays and in all the musicals that they were auditioning, but I was in dance classes, and so that was really hard on my schedule, and I really tried to do both, but my heart was always in acting, and I think I was always kind of afraid to admit that to people at first because I also had a passion for dance, but I really then wanted to lean then more into this other route, and so. And then I started then doing a lot of theater in high school. Okay, so theater in high school, when you tell your parents, I'm going to be an actress, did you have support, or did you have the parents that say, why don't you try to be a doctor? Why don't you try to be a lawyer? Or did you have the parents that said, if that's what you're passionate about, let's go for it? I had definitely pushback from my parents, for sure. My dad immigrated here from Portugal when he was 24 and 25, and my mother was a nurse. And so they were both very, very. What's the word? They had a huge. They really tried to push education on me more than anything else. And so they, even though they supported that, that was something that I was passionate about. At the same time, they also really would try to drill it into me. But, like, you need to go to college, and if you do go to college, you should probably have this as your, as your second backup or something to do that then you can enjoy as a hobby. But maybe you should try to think of something else. And so, and even though my mom, especially my mom was definitely one, she always came to all of the high school musicals that I was in or all of my dance recitals. My dad, though, he worked and he had to work a lot. And I think that it was a little bit more difficult for my dad to understand. My mom always really wanted to stay supportive. But then as I got older and she realized, like, oh, this is, and just a hobby for her. This is her passion. She, she kind of got even more scared as I got older. I love something you said there, a, you know, mom getting it and supporting, but you said that's, you know, the passion. And we always look to figure out what it is that you're passionate about and how you can turn that passion into a paycheck. So I want to ask, after you graduate high school, what's your route? Did you go to college and what did you pursue or did you go a different route? Yeah, I did go to college. I started off at a community college first, actually, because my head was always so much in acting and in dance. I wasn't really the best at school. And so my grades weren't so great to get into this huge university. So instead I started small. And I started, not that a community college is small or that there's anything wrong with doing that, but that was just my route that I had to go on first. And so I started at a community college and then I transferred. Then I got my bachelor's degree in theater studies, and I studied for four years at Montclair State University in New Jersey. And then after that, I wanted to continue my training and I wanted to continue to learn more about my passion and the craft of acting. And so then I studied even more. And so after college, I went to a two year conservatory and I studied acting intensely for another two years after college. Okay. I love it. So you graduate college, you do two more years. Where do you find this voiceover world? Well, it was actually not a very linear path. You know, it was, I want to hear it. It doesn't have to be linear. Tell me, tell me the bumps. Well, the bumps were, I mean, there were a lot of bumps. You know, after I graduated then from that conservatory, I was very, I was prepared and I was trained and I was ready to go. And I thought, I'm ready for all the opportunities. But then there were no opportunities, or at least they were very slow or they were, there were opportunities that were not paying me anything. And I was living in New York City, and that was really hard and complicated. And then that was where I started to really struggle because there's the dream of what it is that I want, and then there's the reality, right, of then having to live then through your everyday life and make a living and how do you kind of balance those two things? And so I really had a hard time figuring that out. And then, so there were definitely thoughts that I thought I was going to give up and then I was going to quit and I wanted to move on to something else. But then a friend of mine had, I ran into and she told me that she took a voiceover class. I was like, we were just catching up. And she said that she had just taken this voiceover class with this great teacher who also happened to be a casting director and casting directors who then, you know, cast then these commercials. And I had already had taken so many classes with casting directors that then take your money, you know, that you meet them and, like, you pay for classes and really to build these relationships with them, but then you sort of never hear from them after that. And so I was a little jaded by it. And so I thought to my, I said to her, I don't really know if, I don't know. I'm kind of over taking classes with these casting directors. And she said, no, no, no. This guy, this guy is a real deal teacher. Like, he's amazing. You really should give it a shot. And so then I did. And I think I also went into the class being like, okay, well, I'm going to give it a shot. And I have no expectations whatsoever. You know, the fact that I just thought, I don't know what's going to come of this. I don't really care if anything comes from this. I've never tried this before. And I just want to have fun because I also had lost that sense of fun than I had always had when I was acting and pursuing this career, and I lost that. And so when I went into his class, it all of a sudden was so much fun. And because I was having fun and because I had no expectations that really offered me the freedom to be able to play and to be able to really, then again, have no thoughts whatsoever of, I just was able to leave my brain for like a bend sense of time. And so then once this class was over, I thought, well, okay, that was great. And then he emailed me a few weeks later, and he said, hey, would you like to come in and audition for me for a commercial that I'm casting? And so I said, okay, sure. And I did. And then it was down to me and somebody else, and they ended up casting the other girl. But then a few weeks later, he called me in again for another audition. And then that second audition, it was down to me and somebody else, and then again, they went the other way. But then he said, well, do you have a demo? You know, do you mind if you have, if you have a demo, can you send it to me? And I did have a demo, and a friend of mine who worked in audio, I said, this was years ago, before I had even taken this voiceover class. I said, you know, I think I'm supposed to have a voiceover demo for my acting website. Would you mind if I can go into your studio and just record something and just play around? And I did. And so that was the demo I had, and it was really bad. I did all the wrong things in it, but it was all that I had. And so I gave it to this casting director, and then that casting director, like a week later, had given it then to a talent agency, and that talent agency then called me, and then they said, hey, we got your demo. We would love it if you could come in and have a meeting with us. And then I did, and I went in, and then I started working with that talent agency immediately after. And within about a month of working with them, I booked my first three commercials. Wow. I absolutely, I love this story. Right? Like, first of all, you know, when we expect things and we're expecting the outcome, that's when we're always disappointed. So I love how, you know, I feel like things come to you when you're about to give up or you just kind of go, hey, whatever's going to happen is going to happen, and then the universe makes it happen. But I love even your resilience with the fact of you go, it's down to you and the other person. That person gets it. You know, down to you and the other person. The other person gets it. It's very easy to go, you know what? This is just not working for me and give up. But you didn't. And I imagine you've got a strong growth mindset. You learn from each audition, and you just kind of take that and move it into the next one. I also love the fact, and it's a great example, we always have those type of friends who are talented in other industries, and it totally makes sense to reach out to them and go, hey, I loved how you mentioned I need a voiceover demo. Is that something that you can help me out with? And I imagine what I have heard from demos, they're extremely well produced. They've got sound effects. There's the commercial one, there's the animation one. You know, there's all these different things, but it was enough to get your foot in the door. And then obviously, personality and talent, they were like, done deal, but amazing. Right after that, three commercials booked. Yeah, it was really, truly, it was like a surprise to me more than anybody. But it's true. It's like, it doesn't have to be perfect. Right? Even though. Yes. Like, to anybody now, I would say if they were in my position, you know, don't really do what I did in terms of, like, getting this demo, there's other ways that you can go about it that then would be still just as professional and just as good a quality. But again, like, it doesn't have to be perfect right away. Just put yourself out there. You know what I mean? Like, you have to take the first step and, yes, let's, like, it's not even about your resources, right. It's about your resourcefulness. So if you don't have maybe the money to be able to buy that demo, you maybe might know somebody. Yes. Who has a friend that then does recordings or, like, works in radio or knows somebody who's an audiobook narrator. That may be, hey, could they do me a favor and coach me for one session? You know, like, you have to be able to sort of figure out ways that then to work around what are, quote unquote, obstacles. But really, again, like, these are the things that everybody runs up against. And you can either. Yes. Like, kind of give up in those moments, or you say, well, hold on, maybe I need to just sort of sit with this for a second and think, okay, no doesn't mean no. It just means not yet. Right. And like I said, just take one step at a time. Doing incremental small steps. Like I said, that don't have to necessarily be perfect, but they're all already just, like, putting you out, putting you out in front of everybody. I love even how you reframed, like, no just means no, not yet. Right. Like sometimes we get asked, can you do something? And you go, I can't do it. And it really should be, no, I haven't done it yet, but I'm willing to take an opportunity and learn. Right. So I love that. And we had, like, the head ADR of Disney as a guest speaker, and he talked about the best voiceover artists are truly actors within, even behind the microphone, you're still acting. You still have to find that character and you have to be able to take constructive criticism because you are doing a service. It's whatever they want and how they want it. And it might not be how you think it should be, but you have to take direction. How, how. Right on is it being able to take constructive criticism to get exactly what that the casting director or the director wants? It's really crucial, you know? And I think, again, you also made a good point, too. It's like there was training that I had as an actor first right before then. I understand when everybody has this idea that they go, oh, I really have always thought about doing voiceover and I really want to give it a shot, but I don't really kind of know anything about it. And so there's this eagerness that we have then to sort of like, kind of bypass then all the steps that it is that we need to do to sort of get us prepared in order to then book those jobs and to work professionally, then with then these, and have these professional relationships. But it's so vital and important to have the training behind it. And I think so much of my training and so much of what I've learned over this, over the years of me being an actor was learning how to work with directors and taking direction and learning how to not sometimes take those things, not, not to take them personally. Right. It's literally just all they're doing. It's, there's nothing wrong with what it is that they're, you're doing, but they're just asking for, you know, a little shift, a little, you know, there's nothing to do with you. And that, of course, like, you know, I mean, we're human beings or of course, we're emotional and we might, you know, it's nothing to have your feelings hurt, heard over. It's always just about, it's just a shift in your mindset, that's all. And like I said, it just had taken me so many years or I've been able to, I attribute so much and everything, and even all the success that I've had with voiceover always goes back to the bedrock of my experience in acting was always through my training. And you're exactly right. You know, the one crucial skill that everybody needs to attain as a voiceover actor? Everybody thinks that you just need a great voice, but it's really just the ability to be able to tell a story. And actors are storytellers. And a promising voiceover actor requires the performing skills that really demonstrate a deep understanding of storytelling and solid crafting, you know, because telling a story behind a microphone is so much harder than, than doing it in person, right? Because it's like if you're an actor on stage, you're able to see an audience and see every and who you're acting with and their facial expressions and their body language. But in voiceover, everything is coming out of your mouth, you know, and it's all audio. And so voiceover actors instead have to compensate even more and bring those stories to life, right? And directors are going to also help you because they have an idea or they have visually what it is that they hear and see. And it's not only just directors, it's a client, right? Because a lot of voiceover is also advertising. You're doing commercials. And so this is a product. And then it's not only just the ideas of a director, it's the ideas of the creative team and the client who are then selling this product that you have to then bring their story then to life. And 100%, I agree with you, like, the fact that you can't use your hands, you can't use body language, and we really do all communicate with our body. It just means that much more. You have to be on your game. I want to ask you, you land three commercials, is that all within a year? Year. That was actually in the first month. So you have, like, crazy odds. You know, we've had people who say, like, if you land maybe two, three, four gigs a year, you're, you know, you're doing good. You do three in a month. What are the three? Tell us what they were. The first one was for act mouthwash. The second one was for Beth Israel Leahy Hospital. So it was like, kind of an internal for their company. And then the second one was for rackspace, which was a graphic design company. So the same thing. It's like. But Act Mouthwash was the one that we're airing on television, and it was four commercials that then I recorded for them in one recording session. So that was like, that was a lot. I love it. So at this point, when you're doing the recording, are you going into a studio, or is this all from your home studio where you do the recordings? Yeah. So this was actually, I started that when I booked those three. That was in January of 2019. And so, of course, right before everything then became remote, I for a year, was going in to recording studios. I was going out on auditions where I would then go to recording studios to record my auditions and meet with casting directors. So, yeah, all of those were happening, like, in a recording studio, which I miss. Sure. No, absolutely. And, you know, I'm glad you brought up. Obviously, Covid-19 changed the way everything worked at the time. We had the ADR from Disney, and they were doing a new monster show, but they were saying that they had to pivot and they sent recording gear to John Goodman and Billy Crystal to do everything from their house because they just didn't feel safe coming into a studio. Yeah. You also have to be adaptable and be able to pivot and then do everything from home. So after Covid-19 is that when you purchased all your own gear? Because obviously you don't have the luxury of going into a studio and recording. Yeah. So there were, and also, to clarify, there were auditions that I had during that 2019 year where I was, when I was officially working as a voiceover actor, that I had a microphone at home. It was my husband's microphone that he used to play video games. And so I would use his microphone because sometimes I would record auditions from home. They would give me the option, hey, do you want to record come into the office or do you want to record from home? And sometimes I would just do it from home. So I would just do it at his computer desk. And by the way, I would also record it on a program that I didn't know how to use. And so I would ask him, I would say, hey, can you maybe help edit my mp3 s for me? Because I'm like, I could just do the talking. I was like, I can't do the technical stuff. And then when 2020 happened, and then, of course, yes, I did end up having to buy then the materials and the resources that I need to record all that from home. And my husband started working from home. And when voiceover, you need to have, like, a good, solid setup, you know, to make sure the quality of your audio is nice and professional. And so my husband, he started working from home, and he was sort of my lifeline that who would help me with my recording and my editing and things like that. But then he had to work. And so when I would run into the bedroom and say, I have an audition I have to record. Then he would say to me, I'm working. So there's YouTube. You're going to have to learn to do it on your own. And, like, what you just talked about is this adaptability that for me was really a struggle. Like, I'm not very good with change and I'm not very good with learning new things because I, by the way, I'm also, I've had to work a lot on my confidence and my ideas about myself and, and what it is that I think that I'm capable of. And I would always, my go to response always at first would be like, no, no, no, I don't know how to do that. I don't know how to do that before I would even try. And I, you know, he, this, it was a huge learning curve for me and I'm so grateful that that happened because, you know, I had to learn and I had to learn on my own. And it was hard. It was really hard. But it, and it took time and patience with myself and, but I did it. I did it. And now I edit all my stuff on my own. And then I had to learn about equipment. I had to learn about all of the technical side of voiceover that, again, like, never really interest me and not like it interests me a lot that much either. But it's like I have to know these things. I have to know them. As a voiceover actor, you know, there are always going to be parts. Like acting is always the fun part, right? That's the fun stuff. But now what we're talking about in terms of the business side of things, you have to know and learn and educate yourself because, again, nobody's really going to be doing it for you. You know, you are the one doing the work. Of course there are people that will help you. But again, it also requires the work on your end as well. That's really, that's the most work, right? Sure. Absolutely. Editing and getting it down and it's so easy to say, I don't know how to do that and then get to the point where you're like, okay, I got to figure this out. I got to do it on my own. Yeah, yeah. You have no choice. So you start editing 2020, you're still going, you know, doing the auditions from recording it at home, sending it out, what comes next, because you've got a bunch of stuff on, on the resume from the agent that you got. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, there are different agents in voiceover. For different things. So what I'm saying is, like, is there an agent that handles, you know, like, animation? Is there one that does e learning just commercials or does it, does an agent cover all of those? There are, yeah. I mean, there are specific agents for specific genres of voiceover. I mean, even though my agents, I mostly work with them commercially, I have gotten auditions through them for video games and for some, like, animation things. But yes, there are agents that do a lot for either audiobook narration or for animation for sure. But then, you know, I also, though, do a lot. So I'm freelance with my agents, which means that I am not fully under a contract with them in the way that I only work with them exclusively for voiceover. But I also have the freedom if I wanted to work with a different agency, I could orlando. I mean, I then personally also audition on my own. I go out and I find auditions on my own. Besides then just only waiting around for my agents then to submit me for auditions, especially if that's, like, the way that I want to make income. And so you work then either as, like, I mean, actors are this anyway, or entrepreneurs, right? And with voiceover, you can do independent contract work, is what it's called. And so I scored a lot of auditions, yes, through my agents. The majority of the jobs that I've had, or at least the big jobs, have been through my agents. But then also a lot of the jobs that I have, like the Late show with Stephen Colbert, that's actually a job that I got myself. But it's also because the guy who directed then those, those scenes that I'm the voiceover for, I've known him since middle school. And so that's sort of another kind of thing that I love to talk about and bring up is about cultivating community around you and building up your professional and creative relationships. Those are the things that also will help carry you because, again, I'm sure everybody who's here has heard this, just sort of waiting around for an agent to then send you an audition. It's just not enough, especially if you're hungry enough and especially if you love it as much as you do and you want to be doing it all the time, then you putting in the work on your side, too. And I just am. And like, and like I said, I mean, I also even just going back to the original story of me talking to that girl that then, you know, that had taken that voiceover class, she and I hadn't seen each other in a couple of years, you know what I mean? Or we hadn't really talked, but we ran into each other that we were in a, we were in a class and, and we were catching up and talking. And it's so, so I say this also to mean about maintaining these relationships, but also with just being kind and staying friends with people that you respect and whose talent that you admire and that inspire you, really also keeping them close in your circle as well, because you never know when anybody that you know can help you bring along an opportunity to you. Yeah, no, I love that. I love the fact that you understand community, and I agree with you. Any good leader or someone with an entrepreneurial mindset understands that you've got to put a team around you with people who have different skill sets and bring something to the table or just bring the best out of you. And I think the example of just talking to a friend that you haven't seen in a long time is also a great example of natural networking. We always think networking means going to a party or walking around a table and just taking business cards and then going, that's not how it has to be. Networking can be just you sharing, just like your example of, hey, I just took a class, you should try to take that class. You're talented. And it is also a clear example of when you have a good circle around you, opportunities are going to come your way and it is a good person who goes, hey, this is an opportunity and not so much, oh, you're going to be my competition one day. There's enough jobs out there for everyone. But I think that's a great example. So obviously, networking has been key to your success. Totally. And you also said something about like, kind of walking around in the party, you know, like that type of, where we think of, quote unquote networking. There was also, for me, I also this sort of idea of like direct marketing. Right. You know, that I have to do on my end that always sort of feels super inauthentic, you know? So, like, that's what it means about like, where you go into a party and then you're trying to always think if you go into each relationship thinking, okay, like, what is it that I'm going to be able to get out of this? As opposed to just having the genuine, authentic connection with who it is that you're talking to? You know what I mean? Enjoying their company, enjoy. And, yes. And building, you know, relationships with people that have common interests with you. Like, that's something that helps fulfill you creatively anyway. Right. And so, like, yeah, it's those, those are you just. That's planting the seeds, not you just trying to calculate. Okay. Like, you know, I should get in front of this person because they're going to give me that opportunity. No, no, no, no. Don't worry about that. You know, opportunities will come, Brian. Yeah. And it. Absolutely. And I think it even comes back to what you said earlier when you were saying, when I just didn't expect to get the job, and I wasn't expecting something out of the class, I just kind of went into it with an open mind to take it in. I think that's the same thing with going to an event where there are people there that could make things happen. But if you go in there with that preconceived notion of just like you mentioned. Oh, that's. That's Steven Spielberg. I gotta go talk to him and tell him I'm a vote. Like, it doesn't work that way, and you're gonna be disappointed. I loved how you mentioned just planting the seeds, planting relationships, and allowing it to be organic. Yes. So much. Okay, talk me through. We were right. At 2020. I want to hear how quickly you start booking these opportunities and these voiceovers, recordings. Well, you know, I mean, it was interesting because I was very lucky that I had, within the first month that I was with my agents, that I had those three. And I think that over the whole year, there ended up being. I think it was another four more. So I had, like, eight jobs then, like, total that I had booked. But then 2020 happened, and so then it's definitely everything slowed down a little bit, and. And the opportunities came, like I said, because stuff with my agency was so, oh, here comes my cat. The stuff with my agency had gotten. Covid. Slowed everything down. But there were also then these websites that people can go on that they call, um, they're called, like, pay to plays, if you will. So you subscribe, then, for websites where you pay a month. Sorry, my cat. You're good. Let's make an appearance where you pay maybe a subscription for a certain amount of time, and then you're able to just audition for as many jobs and as many opportunities as you like. So you could either pay month to month, or you can pay for a yearly subscription. And that was where. Because I was sitting at home and I didn't have anything else going on, and so I thought, okay, well, off I go. And I just. Then, just every day, I would set then a specific amount of auditions that I was, like, a goal for myself, like, how many auditions I would submit for how much time I was going to take then recording these auditions, because if I were to do it for hours and hours and hours, I'd go crazy because I'm sitting in a small, you know, closet on top of my toiletry caddy, trying to make, like, a little makeshift booth. So I also had to be sure that I was, like, giving myself, like, okay, you know, mental, like, mental and physical rest as well. So I wouldn't, you know, burn out as well. And, you know, and so I got a lot of auditions from submitting on those websites and then I got a lot of jobs and from those websites, but that also was a learning curve as well, because those websites are for people that they have representation and then there are some people that don't. And Covid was a really interesting time because, like I said, everybody was home, so everyone was able to order a microphone, build themselves a booth, and for somebody who's always wanted to try voiceover, but they've never taken a class before and they just sort of thought, oh, how hard could this be? It's just talking into a microphone and never having any training. And so it really oversaturated a lot of these websites where so many people then were auditioning. And also that maybe didn't have a basic understanding about ultimately, once you do book the job, then all of the things and work that then you have to do on your own, right, like the recording and the editing, but then also in terms of getting paid, learning things, like, okay, the commercial will run for a certain amount of time and that will be then the terms of usage. So will it run for eight weeks? Will it run for twelve months? And if it does, how much are you getting paid for those things? And when you don't have representation and if you don't educate yourself and understanding, then like those sides of the business, you can get taken advantage of. And so, and also you have to really just sort of pay attention. And I definitely, there were times where I was coming from a scarcity mindset, right? And so I was just auditioning for any and everything, every and all jobs. And there was one job in particular that I didn't read the fine details. And so I booked the job and it was going to pay me $500, which is a lot of money, of course. But this website also, they take a platform rate, so they take 20% of it. So as if they were your agent. It's a lot. That's a huge percentage. And then when I then got the job, because I didn't read the details like it was it was for a chemical hygiene company. And I didn't read the details, like, you know, how many words the script was, and it was like 7000 words. And. And also my setup was still not up to par just yet. And so when I had started to record very difficult vocabulary and language in my closet, which, again, was. The sound was a little off. And then I gave them samples and then they said, yeah, we're not too happy with the quality of your sound. And so then having to, like, figure that all out then, like, on the fly was really, really stressful, you know? And, like, I kind of had backed myself all into a corner. But again, like that, that was a learning process. That was a. That was an opportunity where I learned something of being like, okay, like, I can't just sort of just take any and all job just because it's going to pay me money. Not all money is good money, you know? And, um. But, yes, but that year was a lot of that. It was a lot of having to, like, maybe two jobs, three jobs were great. And then there would be a lull of no jobs at all, you know, and. And there would be stretches of time when there was nothing, you know, so. So it's. Even though it would come in spurts, you know what I mean? Where it'd be like, oh, there pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop. There would be something, something, and then nothing for a long time. And then. Or I would say, oh, I'm. My agents would say, oh, you're on hold. Meaning they were checking to see my availability, but then they ended up going with another actor. So there would be, oh, oh, oh, there's an opportunity. Oh, no. Okay. No, it's not. So a lot of, like, two steps, three steps forward and then maybe five steps back sometimes, which is. Which is honest, you know? I love the honesty because that's the truth. You're not going to be working all the time. You have to think of a backup plan. You know, you. You book a gig and you're bringing in money, you got to save some of that money in case the gig doesn't really come around the corner. I love your example of not accepting all jobs, even if it pays. Sometimes you have to be able to say no or read the fine print, because when that site's taking 20% and you're doing it, and then they go, ah, can you re record this? That's taking away time from auditioning for another project, which could be bringing in larger amounts of money. Yeah. So just all those examples, you know, sometimes it's not ever like just a straight up projection, right? Like, you have to go up and down. That's how the world works. And you can't always be on top. But the fact of, you know, you coming out of the gates and getting, you know, eight voiceover jobs is absolutely extremely impressive. But I also want to say one last thing. Again, coming back to your growth mindset, I love it because someone could go, oh, man, I just did this and I'm not making $500 and I got screwed. But the way you reframe it is, that's a lesson I needed to learn. That's just preparing me to make better decisions moving forward. It didn't derail you from this industry. It didn't make you go, I'm not going to use those pay to play website. So those are all just great examples of taking it with stride and learning from what you could say is a mistake. And no one learns if you don't make mistakes. Absolutely. Yeah, no, it's so true. And like, that was, again, like, and trust me, there weren't. I'd be lying if I said that there weren't times where I was so mad like, that I would take a week off. I would be like, I'm not. I need to step away from this. Like, I cannot audition because I would be either mad at myself or I wouldn't give myself enough grace to be like, okay, listen, it's okay. You're going to learn, you know, but that's also, you made this really great. My cat really wants to play. You make a really great point of it. Just. Yes, then those, those. If you're not also learning as you go, what ends up happening is, is that, yes, then you're having to learn on the job. And then that does take away then from your precious time, you know what I mean? Of you having to then, like, yeah, go on, do submit for more auditions, and instead you're having to just add more work to your plate that then already feels overwhelming. Right. And so that's also why it's so important. Or at least I really advocate for people who are just starting out to also, because I know you're eager and I know you want to get, I know you want to do it, but you also have to, again, like I said, it's, it's, you will end up then, like, kind of putting more on your plate than you feel like you can handle. And then those moments are the times then when we start to think to ourselves or we'll say to ourselves, like, this is too hard. I don't know if I can do this. Like, I don't know if I can do this when really it's just like, no, we just sort of, like, kind of took too many steps forward before we were really ready yet, you know, and, like, or really just took our time and had patience with ourself and the process, you know, it's so hard. Trust me, I know it's so hard because you just want to do it and you just want to make money and you just want to be good at it. You know, you want, you want it so bad. But then you also, like, I just, it makes me so sad sometimes because then people really do just get discouraged so fast. Or we just have the way that we speak to ourselves that then, like, can really talk ourselves out of things sometimes, too, especially the thing that we want the most. No, it's absolutely true. Let's talk about mentors. Obviously, that first coach who brought you in, you took that class, you absolutely loved it. Kind of brought back that energy of just the passion of loving theater. Would you say that is, you know, your number one mentor or have you found mentors along the way? Yeah, I've definitely found mentors along the way, but he is truly, like, the whole reason why I have any type of voiceover career whatsoever. And so I always try to give him, like, those flowers when it's due. But my mentors, especially my mentors are my acting teachers, you know, that I trained and studied with because, like I said, like, I would have, I don't think I would have been as successful in my voiceover career if it hadn't been for then, like, the teachers that taught me how to be an actor to begin with. And all voice acting is, is acting. But I've also, for sure, I mean, I've, I've built relationships and, and gotten to know, especially the voiceover community is so kind. Like, everybody is so nice. Like, anybody that I've ever come across in the voiceover industry are so supportive and uplifting of one another. And so, yeah, there's definitely some mentors that I have and also in areas like audiobook or animation that I go to because I don't have all the answers and I'm still, like, learning as well. I don't know everything. And I've been doing this now for what, five years? I still don't have all the answers. So of course, I have to still go to people that I trust and that I really value and respect, then their opinion, their talent, who they are. As a person, that's so important. Yeah. Okay. So obviously you are an extremely positive person. Is there a mantra that you kind of catch yourself saying, you know, we were just talking about that self talk. Sometimes that self talk can be the thing that gets in the way of our success, or that self talk can actually be the thing that leads us to success. Is there a mantra that you see yourself saying, Dave? Yes, it's actually on my post it. My post it that is a picture of my grandparents right here. And it's my 2024 mantra. And it says, I expand in abundance, success and love every day as I inspire others around me to do the same. Love it. Beautiful. Got one last question for you. So I want to ask you, a younger, a younger self, is there any piece, like, what's the biggest piece of advice you would give to your younger self with all that you have learned throughout your life? It could be from theater to voiceover. Obviously, you're not one of those people. Like, I change it. You're about the process and the ups and the downs. But I'm just curious, is there one piece of advice or one nugget that you would maybe tell a younger self? Yeah, so funny that you say younger self because I also, next to my post it note is a picture that I have of my younger self in my first acting role in kindergarten that I keep here at my work desk so that I can see and also see her every day and talk to her every day. And that piece of advice, I think, would be, if I could, it would be, go for it. Go for it. Because there has been so many times, I mean, you said, oh, you know, I'm a positive person. I wasn't always a positive person. And I would, and trust me, there are times when I'm not positive and I have to also kind of remind myself of that. But go for it, because I say this and I say it took me a really long time to get here. I used to compare myself to people all the time, and especially my classmates, especially all of my other people that I would audition with. And I used to really think like, gosh, what's wrong with me? I don't know if I can do this. Like, I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I'm too scared. Like I, and also too, when I had parents that, you know, especially from a young age that were a little skeptical and I wanted their approval and I wanted to make them proud, and I was so afraid that then I wasn't capable of that and I would just say, go for it. Go for it and do it. Scared anyway, you know, everybody's scared. Everybody thinks, everybody, like, is. Doesn't know what they're doing. Everybody is scared, scared. You know what I mean? They just. They're just maybe a little bit. They just practice not showing it, you know? But really deep down, they're still scared and they're doing it anyway. I love it. Go for it. Right? Like, it makes absolute sense. You can always ask questions, you know, later, you know, but get your foot in the door. Yeah. And you're gonna make mistakes. You know what I mean? Like, you're gonna make mistakes. Go for it. You're gonna be scared. Go for it. It. You don't know what you're doing. Go for it. That's okay. Like, just putting one small step in front of the other and again. And giving yourself patience. Like, having patience with yourself. That's huge. Like, again, like I said, I was not. I wasn't like that for a very, very, very long time. I had to learn to be like this, you know, like, or I had to, or not learn. I had to practice. I had to put those things into practice. Took a long time. And it also. It doesn't stop. Like, that never ends, you know what I mean? Like, I still have to do those things every single day, you know? I still have to say my mantra every day, you know, I have to shift my mindset to more positive thoughts as opposed to already going to the negative first, you know, because that was taught to me that I learned that, and then that narrative became my own that then ultimately had stopped me, you know what I mean? For many opportunities, there were so many opportunities that I said no to, you know, before I, when I was trying to pursue acting. And although I'd like to say I don't regret it. And I think, oh, gosh, it took me so long to get here. Actually, it didn't. It took me exactly the right time to get here, you know? I love it that way. Absolutely beautiful. With the last ten minutes, I'm going to open up the floor to some questions. We have some students that are currently voiceover actors or some others that are pursuing that field. Now is a great time. If you have a question, please raise your hand. What would you do if you were doing your own auditions and all of a sudden you were overthinking, you were taking longer than you should to record? Because I have a constant trouble of, like, overthinking and stuff. What would you do? Would you just, like, say, screw it and then just record it the best you can and then send it off. Oh, my gosh. Overthinking and me are best friends and enemies. I overthink constantly, William. And again, it's the same thing. Like, that's just something that I've had to practice and still happens to me to this day right behind there. And I say, give yourself a time limit. Give yourself a time limit. Let's say I'm going to do it in 15 minutes. I'm only going to give myself three, maybe four takes at most. And then I'm going to send it in. Scared I'm still going to still send it in. I'm going to not overthink it. I'm not going to try to like, oh, is it right? Is this what they're asking for? Or did I, did I do hit all of the notes and all of the points that they have in the breakdown. Give yourself a time limit. First say, I'm going to do it, maybe like, give myself four takes. And if it, what really could help you, too, is if you have maybe somebody at home with you or you can text your friend and say, hey, I need you to be my accountability buddy. Text me in 15 minutes and tell me to stop because I'm recording something right now and I need your help. And otherwise, I'm going to be in here for hours. Because what happens is, is that when you overthink, then you're also going to over rehearse. And then so much of voiceover, especially the trend of what it is that they want now, is that they want it to sound so conversational and real. They don't want it to sound any kind of announcery like or slick or polished. They want it to just feel super natural. And the more you just say the script over and over and over again, what's going to happen is you're going to lock your brain into saying everything in a specific way. And especially if they want you to give more than one take, how are you going to be able to sort of think outside of the box the now that you just put yourself in by saying it the same way over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again? Right. So just give yourself a time limit. Give yourself a couple of takes. And then even if you hate it, even if you don't like it, I promise you, it's better than you think sometimes. Like, I, I think we also think a lot of the time that we are constantly having to be like consumed by our craft and our passion. And sometimes the thing that really is able to then breed inspiration for me is actually when I step away from it and then I go and I live my life. I go and I hang out with my friends or my husband or play with my cat or I go for a walk. I'm in the mood to watch a show. Show and just not think about, like, you know, oh, give me some recommendations of what it is that you think that I should watch or see a movie or go out to a music. Like, even just go and live your life and have acting and performing then out of your brain, because also, too, that's life is our biggest inspiration. The relationships that we have with people, everyday experiences. Like, again, like that, something will come from that as well. Sometimes, like, it's okay to, like, kind of take a minute, like, to step away from. From, like, you know, creativity, you know, like, we always, constantly have to be creating. Yeah, okay, sure. But also, you know, having a solid day of either doing nothing or just hanging with my friends, is that in and of itself my inspiration? You know what I mean? Does that make sense? Makes total sense, yeah. Yeah. And on that note, great questions. Simone, I just want to a thank you for making time for us tonight. I want to wish you continued success in your career. Nothing but health and happiness. Such good karma to you for spreading your knowledge of this industry and providing the next generation of creatives. Real advice. So I just want to thank you again. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you so, so much. This was so much fun. I really, this was lovely, and I'm proud of all of you. And I hope, like any, I'm here for you. So please, like, if you want to follow me on social media, if you want to reach out on my website, you can contact me there. Anybody who ever has any questions or needs any help or advice, please don't be afraid to reach out. It was such, it was such a pleasure. Thank you again, so, so much. Brett. Thank you. Awesome. Thank you. And on that note, everyone, I will share Simone's website with you as well. All right, everyone, have a great, wonderful weekend. Tomorrow's Friday. Thank God it's Friday. And have a wonderful rest of your evening. All right, break legs, everybody. As we conclude another enriching episode, we hope you found inspiration in the stories shared today. Let's take a moment to honor Yes I Can's role in bringing Breaking The Biz to life. Yes I Can's commitment to empowering young people with disabilities through education, education, advocacy, and mentorship shines brightly, paving paths of opportunity and dialogue. This podcast celebrates the organizations dedication to nurturing talent and facilitating impactful discussions. Breaking the Biz is more than a podcast. It's a part of Yes I Can's broader mission to amplify voices, dismantle barriers, and craft a world that's more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Each episode is a chapter in our shared narrative of progress, progress, education, and empowerment, driven by the spirit of Yes I Can. Thank you for spending your time with us on Breaking the Biz. Continue to challenge the status quo, and share stories that resonate until our paths cross again. Let's keep transforming aspirations into achievements and infuse every endeavor with optimism. Here's to advancing the landscape of the entertainment industry, one episode at a time. I'm your host, William Felber. See you next time.