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Industry conference fun & games ... oh yeah, and a lot of learning and schmoozing, too. What happens when you release over a 1000 voice actors from their teeny-tiny recording booths and set them loose in the biggest voiceover conference in the world? Besides pandemonium? Lots of laughs, love, hugs ... and learning, too. A huge THANK YOU to Anna and J. Michael Collins who took VO Atlanta in its 10th year from a great conference under the leadership of founder Gerald Griffith to an absolutely incredible level. So many top industry leaders, coaches, and mentors shared their knowledge firsthand as speakers, workshop instructors, and good friends. No need to talk about all the details! Suffice it to say that a lot of ground was covered, with eight sessions running simultaneously for two days straight. There's no way to get it all in without a Harry Potter wizarding world time-turner, but fortunately, there'll be replays of the entire conference for registered attendees to watch later. It'll be like getting multiple conferences for the price of one! The hallmark of the voiceover community is the warmth of its people. Everyone - and I do mean everyone - I met was truly very welcoming and supportive of one another. You'd think there'd be a heightened sense of competition amongst so many artists, but ... no. Just a lot of camaraderie, because most of us (I'm sure there are a few holdouts somewhere) see ourselves as unique. No one else has our voice, our personality, our essence. Rather, walking around the conference felt like walking into the bar at "Cheers" ... "... where everybody knows your name 🎶" ('cause you're all wearing name badges) Yeah, it CAN be hard to keep track of everyone. Especially when your brain is getting on in years. Like mine. Names? Yes, I'm good at recognizing names. Faces? Ditto, if I see them enough. Putting them together? Uhhh....give me a minute, why don't ya? But eventually the synapses DO connect and I have the pleasure of getting to know some very interesting folks. It's not hard, though, to distinguish the terrific people who've really made an impression on me, whether as friends, teachers, or industry giants. Here are some of the people I had the pleasure of spending time with this weekend: The Panels of Pros Besides the speaker one hour sessions and the three hour specialty workshops scheduled throughout each day, the conference hosted 16 panel discussions on just about every VO topic imaginable. One of my favorites was the coaching panel, featuring six industry veterans who've collectively coached tens of thousands of voice actors around the world in their long careers. Like anything, you have to keep training if you want to reach the top of your game - and stay there. These top coaches shared their best tips, as well as their personal stories, and inspired everybody to try new techniques and improve upon the ones we already have. The Buddies Voiceover friends are more than just our buddies. Often, they're also our accountability partners, helping us to keep track of our progress and map out our next steps. We're each other's cheerleaders and main supporters, too, when work slows down or life events disrupt our forward progress. Angela Colville and Marissa DuBois are two of my closest VO buddies. They're kind, caring, and very talented, and part of a group of seven (including me) who met through Marc Scott's marketing mastermind program in 2021. So wonderful to finally see them in person after all this time! Zoom meetings are great, but nothing beats a physical presence. Especially for hugs. We're all unique. No one else has our voice, our personality, our essence. The Coaches Dave Walsh - Commercial Dave's been my commercial coach for nearly two years. He has an amazing "True Tell" system to get to the heart of the copy and deliver it in an honest, authentic, and (shall I say it? Yes, I believe I shall) conversational way. One of the very best! Anne Ganguzza - Corporate Anne coached me several years ago and produced three demos for me: corporate narration, explainer video, and eLearning. I'm still getting compliments on them! Like me, Anne originated in the tech world. We pretty much speak the same language. I gravitated to working with Anne because of her business experience and mindset, which I totally related to from my own former corporate career. And of course, she's a natural teacher and a terrific demo producer who very carefully makes sure that each spot fits the talent to a T. Scott Parkin - Improv I've never coached with Scott one-on-one, but oh lord! the man is FUNNY. I first met Scott when he was the keynote speaker at the first VO Atlanta conference I'd ever attended, back in 2018. Later that weekend, he also taught an amazing improv workshop for kids and teens that my daughter was able to attend. I tried to weasel my way in, too, as a fly on the wall, but got swatted out faster than I could say, "please?" So glad to watch Scott in action as he ran a hilarious session on incorporating improv in commercial auditions. Nothing I hadn't heard before, but man, it was highly entertaining. Laura's Quick Tips Break out of your booth and mingle in person with all the other great VO folks! At least once a year. Want to vet a new coach? I did. Several, in fact. Attend their session or workshop. And see if you like their style. You're investing in your career when you attend a conference and really participate. Learn. Network. And have fun with your colleagues. I met some great new connections! Bonus: some of us discovered we were able to refer work to each other. Bingo! As I'm writing this on Monday morning, now a day or so after the fact, I realize that I could have, should have, taken more photos. What else is new? I was too busy schmoozing, learning, collecting business cards and some pretty decent swag, and racing to the lunch line - not to mention the restroom, where there's ALWAYS a line - to remember to stop and take more photos. Oh, well, There's always next year. Because, yeah, I'll be there. How can I not? Best VO conference in the world. And only about 25 minutes from home. If you want more info about VO Atlanta, check out their website voatlanta.me. And if you want to know what I talked about last year as a speaker for VO Atlanta 2022, r ead about it here > Yeah, it was good. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

How do you differentiate your brand in a very competitive market? Every business needs a way to distinguish itself from its competition. Otherwise, you risk being seen as a commodity. Join Lori Lyons and me as we tackle this challenge. Lori's a marketer, podcaster, and website designer; I'm a voice and on-camera actress. Certainly no dearth of competition for either of us! Here's how we break through to establish ourselves as unique, value-driven solo entrepreneurs. First broadcast on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Want to leverage LinkedIn to boost your visibility and engagement with potential clients? The LI Rocks Conference is a virtual event that brings together more than 20 global speakers for 24 hours over 2 days, featuring both live presentations and replays good for 12 months. This year, the event was held March 1-2, 2023, but all the presentations - plus freebies from the speakers - are still available with the purchase of a replay ticket for only $47. The topics are related to business, technology, and innovation, including: video content strategies social selling LinkedIn audio accessibility for ALL users company pages branding networking strategic marketing ... and so much more. Including my topic, Professional On-Camera & Voiceover Techniques to truly elevate your delivery in your own videos. Curious? Head over to www.lirocksconference.com or click the button below. Available virtually! I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Voice overs are all around us, on TV and radio, in film and commercials. Even our phone systems. Curiosity has no age limit and many seniors enjoy learning about new things, especially when it reflects how much the world has changed in their lifetimes. Join me at Somerby Sandy Springs Senior Living for a peek inside the world of voice over: what it is, how it works, and even what you'd sound like on air! Wednesday, March 8th 2 pm - 3 pm EST Somerby Senior Living 25 Glenlake Pkwy NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328 I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Shy or nervous about appearing on camera? Join Sheryl Plouffe and me on her podcast, "Cash In On Camera," as we talk about how to be your best on camera. Are you creating a video? Appearing as a guest online? Or just worried about making a great impression in an online meeting? We'll cover your concerns and give you some tips, tricks, and techniques to help you shine (as the seasoned pro you are!) in your next on camera appearance. Monday, February 20th Available via YouTube & podcast "Cash In On Camera" I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Enjoying the show is one thing, but sometimes it's more fun to know the stories happening behind the curtain. One of the things I enjoy most about the entertainment industry is the sheer unpredictability of it. Maybe it’s because my previous career was in the corporate world where some of those years felt like a grind. Same work details, same schedule, day after day. I much prefer variety with a little surprise thrown in, which is why I eventually migrated over to sales. Some days, you just never knew what was going to be thrown at you. And what you could lob right back at ‘em. Every morning, I look forward to opening my email to see if I scored a booking, a callback, or even an interesting audition. Yup, I’m an optimist, always anticipating something positive waiting for me. And occasionally it happens. Sometimes all at once. This business is often described as feast or famine. Long stretches without any bookings with nary an “atta girl” or “well, you were one of our top three choices” in the bunch. You rarely get feedback outside of a callback or the booking itself. There’s not an actor out there who hasn’t experienced it. I sure have. While I had a few nice projects last year, 2022 was pretty much a bit of a yawner for me. I was a little worried that it would continue into 2023, too. Well, just to show that you can never tell what’s coming around the bend, January was such a blur of activity that the month was over before it even seemed to begin. I didn’t even have a chance to write and publish more than the first week’s blog. Definitely one in the feast category. I was on set in four different projects, working almost every day for a solid three weeks. And that doesn’t count the voiceover work that came in, too. It was exhausting, but it was exhilarating and I loved how each project was so different. If you’re not in the entertainment industry, you probably don’t know how varied each production could be. Hence this blog post, to give a sneak behind-the-scenes peek at each one. A creative career is never dull. Challenging, frustrating, unpredictable. But never dull. Real Time, Real Place, Real Training Video The first project was a corporate training video for the employees of a big box store. It was also the quickest to do – I was in and out in about 45 minutes, which is pretty unreal. I was booked for a half day, but as it turned out, the drive to and from the location took longer than the time to record a few takes. Including the time sitting around while the crew set up their shots. It was also the easiest of the four projects to prepare, for two excellent reasons. One, this was for a repeat client who asked for me directly, so there was no audition involved. Just the inquiry from my agent asking if I was free that day and if I accepted the job. Gotta love opportunities like this that fall in the lap! Second, there was no memorization involved, as the client had a teleprompter all set up. I saw the script ahead of time, which I studied to verify brand name pronunciations (there were a few tricky ones) and to get a feel for what they wanted me to do, but that was about it. Easy peasy! Honestly, teleprompter jobs are a perfect fit for any actor like me who does both voice over and on camera work. Sweet! And the client was thrilled that I could give them several clean takes right off the bat. Thanks, voiceover training! This shoot was a little different than the previous one I’d done for them a few months back. Before, we were on a sound stage against a green screen. A nice controlled environment. This one was shot inside a busy store in one of their product aisles, complete with piped-in music and curious shoppers wandering past, wondering what all the fuss was about. The biggest challenge was for the crew who had a little difficulty getting store management to shut down the piped-in music for a few minutes here and there. Evidently, the store manager liked his Big 80s station and thought it would make great background music. But it all worked out, was great fun, and I even learned quite a bit about lawn care equipment. Always useful, with spring not that far away. Crazy Commercial The day after the big box shoot, I was in my car driving up to Chattanooga for a couple of days on a commercial shoot. This booking required an audition and a callback, both conducted remotely, which may remain the new normal. Pre-pandemic, commercial auditions were almost always held in person at the casting office’s location. Callbacks, too. But like everything that still filmed during the pandemic, submissions became self-taped and callbacks were held via Zoom. Most actors and agents figured that we’d be going back to being in the room again, at least for commercials, but … no. For the time being, and maybe it’ll stay this way, commercial casting is being handled remotely, just like nearly all film/TV auditions. Convenient on one hand and sad on the other, as we miss seeing real people and being able to “read the room” to gauge whether we hit the mark or not. And often the clients don’t even appear on the Zoom screen during the callback, so it’s hard to get a sense of them, too. So, as with any voiceover audition, we live in our heads when it’s time to audition or attend the callback. It could actually be rather helpful when the material is “out there” and we just do our thing without regard to the audience’s … er, client’s … reaction. Like with this project, which called for a really wacky, funny mom character. Which I TOTALLY appreciated. In real life, my kids prefer that I not embrace my silly side, especially in front of their friends, but in this scenario, I was told that there was no such thing as “too big.” All right! I let loose, pulled out all the stops, and was thrilled to play totally obnoxious, strange, and even a little deranged. Definitely would have scored an eyeroll from my daughter. What made this booking a favorite was that this commercial was for a product that my family actually uses and buys often. It wasn’t hard to be authentically enthusiastic! The only challenge was a physical one, as I had to spring upright from behind a couch from a low lunging position, over and over again for about an hour to get in all types of shots while my Gen Z scene partners sprawled on the couch. I’m in great shape, but man, that was a workout. Especially since it was only on one side. I walked around a little lopsided for about a day afterwards. I was also able to use my improv training, as they wanted my character to come up with different lines and expressions every time she literally sprung into view. It got a little wild, and once in a while, some of what I said was actually funny. Mostly though, they kept throwing me different lines to spout and I had to keep them all straight while I did my lunging and springing. I knew I was getting tired when I’d mess up here and there, but I remembered what my acting teachers would say: keep it fresh and spontaneous with every take, that’s what they’re paying good money for. Even if I had to do it a hundred or more times. Which I think I did! The teleprompter is a perfect fit for any actor like me who does both voice over and on camera work. Love Games … Hot and Cold I’m actually allowed to name this project before it airs, so there it is. Aptly named, it’s a love story, a sweet dramedy (drama with plenty of comic moments), and a cast of loveable characters. I think it’s destined for Hallmark and it’s a feel-good, boy meets girl, girl kicks boy out of her life, girl sees error of her ways, boy’s still there waiting for her kind of story. I played the sassy but supportive hippy-dippy mom and confidante of the female lead. A fun role with some great lines and plenty of opportunities to deliver those “mom looks” that need no words to be clearly understood. I was on set nine days during three weeks of filming and jumped into it within hours of completing the commercial shoot. The only hitch was that filming took place in north Georgia during the coldest part of our winter, which this year, was actually rather cold, down to the 30s and 40s. Now that may not seem like much to you hardy northern types, but the storyline was set in Florida, in mid-summer, along the water. So we were filming in gauzy summer clothes outside, on a lake or two, while the temps weren’t much above freezing and the wind reminded us that it was indeed mid-January, no matter what the script said. As another acting coach once said, if you can make it look like you’re sweating in hot humid weather while you’re actually freezing your bejeebers off … THEN you’re an actor. I earned my stripes. And the cold I came down with the following week. Despite the weather, it was a fantastic experience with a wonderful cast and crew. I also learned something about myself. In a story with three strong female roles, I know where I fit, especially as “a woman of a certain age.” Not the loveable lead. Not the glamorous best friend. Nah, I’m the short funny one. Which is A-OK by me, as I often got the best lines! Wham Bam, Thank You Ma’am (but not that kind) The fourth project was a spur-of-the-moment, hey-Laura-can-you-fit-us-in-on-your-day-off kind of thing. Gotta love when that happens! Asked for by name, no audition or callback necessary. Just a request to fill in a small role for another film project. Why, of course! And thanks for asking! I’m not even sure what that film is about, or where and when it’s going to be released. Guess I can figure that out later. This was a last minute request that I received while driving home one night from the Love Games shoot. As it worked out perfectly in my schedule, I said “yes” and headed off to set a couple of days later. This shoot took place only about 30 minutes from my home, so it was quite convenient. Plus, it was filmed INDOORS, which meant that I could finally warm up some. I played a mom (yes, somehow, I get that a lot, go figure) with some pretty basic lines I could memorize on my way to set. Again, nice and simple. It was a crazy busy set, too, with dozens of actors and crew running around everywhere. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long for my scene to come up and the director went about his business setting it up and arranging background actors where they needed to be. Nothing too unusual about it, except for one older woman who hadn’t realized that she had been hired to be background rather than a more central character. In fact, she had spent quite a bit of time in the restroom primping and adjusting her hair and makeup and almost missed her call to set. I know, because I was in the long line of people waiting and waiting for her to emerge from the one designated restroom. As it turned out, she had thought she had been hired for MY role and when the 2nd AD (Assistant Director) clarified it for her, she stared daggers at me the entire shoot. Well, she didn’t actually stay for the entire shoot. After being shifted from one spot to another in the background over a few scenes, she realized that she wasn’t going to be very visible after all and stormed off the set, loudly proclaiming that she “didn’t do background.” In case anyone’s wondering, that’s rather unprofessional, especially in the middle of production. It required some reshooting just to ensure the continuity of the background and cost production extra time and money. The moral of the story there is: if you’re going to be an actor, know what your role is BEFORE you accept it. And honor your commitment once it’s made. It’s hard to undo the damage to your reputation afterwards. Laura's Quick Tips Love to expect the unexpected? Be an actor! Every production, every type of project is different. Enjoy it! Don’t be a diva. It’s a good way to get blacklisted. Do you do something that drives your kids or partner bonkers? Learn to make money off it! There’s adventure in the everyday. Recognize and appreciate it! It can make for some great stories later. You gotta love what you do. Like they say, when you do, it doesn’t feel like work. And acting is truly play. Sometimes you get to go off the rails and be a wild and crazy guy (or girl). Other times, you have to grin and bear an uncomfortable situation and power through it. And every time, you need to be professional and easy to work with. And when you DO have an issue with something, state it right up front. No one’s safety should be threatened on set. No one should feel required to do something they hold strong opinions or values against. Be professional and make your concerns known from the start. I’ve rarely had to deal with such a situation myself. Anyone who knows me knows without a doubt that I’m not the silent, long-suffering sort. Unfortunately, others – especially the very young or those new to the business – can be afraid to speak up for themselves. This is where agents, managers, and older actors like myself can help by keeping an eye – and occasionally a hand - out for them. But I want to wrap this post up on a positive note. Because acting IS fun! If you want to find out for yourself, take an improv class. No preparation, no homework, and no one to tell you you’re doing it wrong. (That’s against improv rules, especially the “yes, and …” rule.) See what I’m talking about here > I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Start the new year with a resolution to pursue your dream! It's never too late to start something new, something you've always want to do. We’ll be talking about these kinds of dreams and how to pursue them, including looking out for some common pitfalls to avoid, and practical and psychological strategies for success. Wednesday, January 11th 2pm - 4pm EST via webinar Email programs@silverspringvillage.org to register I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Loneliness, loss of a sense of purpose, feeling old ... OR ... (insert head spin here) more FREEDOM Ouch! That sounds rather unmotherly and selfish, doesn't it? So some may think, but I say, "YAHOO!!" Empty nest syndrome. Wikipedia, the closest thing we have to the wisely practical but unfortunately fictional Encyclopedia Galactica, defines empty nest syndrome as "a feeling of grief and loneliness parents may feel when their children move out of the family home, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university . It is not a clinical condition." Ya think? No one has ever perished from it, though I know quite a few parents (mostly moms) who suffer from it. Not coincidentally, these are often the same moms who used to hang out at their children's preschool long after they'd dropped off their kids, many of whom were pretty eager to do something on their own that didn't involve mom. The same moms who teared up when their children began elementary school, went off to summer camp, or took off for the evening with their friends in the family car. OK, I'm with them on that last one. That's why the powers that be invented electronic trackers, Life360, and nose and glasses disguises. Heh heh heh. Like anything, seeing your kids off to a new, more independent stage in life takes some parental adjustment. The empty nest - a major change in family dynamics. Do you welcome or mourn it? "Heave ho, out you go" I'm a pretty independent sort. I come from a very independent, individualistic, and loudly opinionated crowd. I usually keep my mouth closed, except when I have something profoundly wise and insightful to share (which I think is more often the case than those around me - namely, my kids - do). I've raised my kids to be independent, free-thinking adults, capable of making their own decisions and accepting the results. Or consequences of their actions (most of which, I claim, came about because they refused to listen to the wisdom of their mother...). So when they each turned 18, they were treated as the young adults they'd become. Still with a lot to learn - hey, the pre-frontal cortex that governs rationale thinking and intelligent decision-making doesn't fully mature until age 25 - but newly capable of living independently from mom and dad. That whole "heave ho, out you go" thing? Hey, relax, just being funny. We don't go that far. Tragically, there are way too many awful stories of parents who do, throwing their kids and their belongings out on the street when they hit the magic 18. Rather my husband and I believe in preparing our kids for each stage of independence, giving them more responsibility as they grow and demonstrate their abilities to handle them. Though often not as fast as they'd like. Patience, young grasshopper . It impacts the entire family when the kids start leaving the nest. Even if they do return occasionally for holidays, school vacations, and laundry services. The family dynamic changed when our first child went off to college; it'll definitely be altered when our last one takes off in a few weeks. The burden on the heart and - let's be honest - the wallet This change in the family dynamic hits hardest emotionally. I began my journey as a mom 25 years ago when our son was born. Really, though, it I should say it started about a year earlier, because pregnancy itself changed everything, and not just physically: Changing the way we thought of ourselves, from a couple to a family Moving the health and welfare of the baby to our #1 priority Rethinking my career, which required long hours and travel. Twenty-five years is a good chunk of time in which the needs of the kids moved front and center. School, sports, activities, and all the wonderful and frustrating moments that go along with raising them. No matter how much independence they enjoyed while they were still at home, there's an emptiness left behind when they truly fly the nest. You emotionally never go back from being a family to just a couple. Twenty-five years of photos - and college tuition, room and board, etc. - serve as a constant reminder. Ah, yes, they may be gone, but their expenses are still with us. The blessing, also known as the happy dance of freedom The flip side, the one I choose to embrace, is two-fold: Reconnecting with my husband as a couple primarily focused just on each other REALLY being able to spend more time on my acting, voice over, and speaking career Either way you look at it, it's tacit permission (after 25 years) to go back to my rather self-centered ways. Kinda sorta. The nice thing about being an empty-nester is the chance to spend quiet 1:1 time with your spouse, travel during the school year when crowds and prices are both down, and have more time doing fun and interesting things vs. the humdrum menial household chores that support actively raising a family. In my experience, that's been a lot of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and driving the mom taxi. It's also the time to focus on what YOU really enjoy doing. Or to concentrate more fully on your career or other responsibilities. Personally, I'm really looking forward to investing more time and energy to this business I love. More uninterrupted time to work for my voice over clients, to travel farther afield for film and TV bookings, and to expand my public speaking engagements. It's also more time to reconnect with old friends, cultivate new ones, and become more fully involved within my community. I enjoy meeting people, and it's easier to network at business breakfast meetings when you don't have to devote your mornings to corralling your kids, feeding them, and seeing them off to school. Your experience as an empty-nester will be affected by WHEN it happens in your life, too. Timing and attitude are everything Your experience as an empty-nester will be affected by WHEN it happens in your life, too. Are you in the heyday of your career? Or are you and/or your partner nearing or in retirement? This change in family dynamics can ease your responsibilities and give you greater freedom to pursue your interests. It can also double-down on a sense of endings, loss of identity, and lack of purpose. Your temperament and outlook on life - as an optimist, pessimist, or realist - will also influence your reactions. Do you welcome or mourn the change? Maybe a little of both? And how easily do you move on to the next stage of your life, however you choose to define it? And if you're caring for elderly parents, well, then it may not feel like much has changed, except for the generation receiving the care. We're in a mix of all of the above. While my husband is retired, I'm still full steam ahead in what I'm doing and have no intention of slowing down. And while his parents are long gone, mine are getting up there in age and will eventually need more time and attention. I'm looking forward to the empty nest for all the reasons I gave earlier, but my husband is a bit more conflicted. Truthfully, we're both a little wistful and I find myself looking at my kids' baby pictures more often. Laura's Quick Tips Expect to experience both the sweet and sour when your last child leaves home for college or independent living Your kids will always be with you in your heart, even if they do try to stick you with their dirty laundry Enjoy the opportunity to focus more on yourself for a change: interests, hobbies, your work ... your freedom! Your feelings about the empty nest can't help but be influenced by the time in your life you experience it. Use them to propel you into the next stage of your life. I like to think that nothing's over until we're permanently horizontal. Every stage in life holds the seeds for the next one. Even if you're the parent of an itty-bitty, there'll come the day when your child will be ready to strike out on his own. What are your plans for yourself then? One of my presentations is all about reinventing yourself later in life. And how to do it successfully. Too many people hit retirement or watch their kids move out on their own and feel lost, useless, or rejected. Not if you choose otherwise! Here's a little on the subject . I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Pick up the phone! Listen to your inner voice. Chances are it's trying to tell you where your true work lies. Unless, of course, your inner voice is just cracking jokes. In that case, have a good laugh if they're at all funny and steal the best ones. Who knows, maybe your true calling is as a comedian. Or social media star. For most of us, though, that inner voice clues us in as to what really drives us in life. What makes us tick and gives us joy. What truly gives our lives meaning. I'm not talking career paths, like knowing that you're a born artist or accountant. That would be rather nice, and quite possibly save you time, money, and the angst of trying to figure what to do with yourself. I'm not talking vague grandiosities, either, like wanting to save the world, whatever that means to you. "Saving the world" is a lovely ideal, but a bit too undefined to be useful. No, I'm referring to a deeper, underlying sense of purpose. A knowing that you belong. It's a skill set that you love to use, a type of work that makes your heart sing, a niche that just feels right. Operators are standing by. Are you listening? Operator: "Is this the party to whom I am speaking?" You discover your core essence, your calling, as you go through life, experiencing this, experimenting with that. Sometimes people realize it early, seeming to be born to a certain type of work. I applaud those who know from the start what they want to do. They're the doctors and nurses, teachers, engineers, etc. who seem to be on a mission to help people and make the world a better place. I never thought anything quite so altruistic when I was very young. Originally, I wanted to be an actress and a writer, because, well ... it was fun. But I went into business. That's where I knew I had some strong, literally bankable skills. And quite frankly, where my parents steered me, well AWAY from a less likely viable career on stage somewhere. Not a bad thing at all. I loved business and working for some leading edge tech companies, Fortune 50 and startups alike. Every day was interesting, as I was calling upon many different industries and learning a great deal in the process. And in the business world, I began to discover my key strengths and inner purpose. Let the call come through and pick up the line When you're just starting your training or your career, you haven't had much time and experience to really test yourself out in the field. You may think you know what you're good at and the value you bring to an organization, but often it takes a few years under the belt for hidden strengths to emerge and be recognized. And sometimes you'll shift focus and change careers or industries. Like me, who studied finance, computer science, and decision theory in college, only to find that I was more of a people person and more sales and marketing-oriented than I had ever imagined. And then again MUCH later in life into creative work in the entertainment field. Looking back from an older vantage point, you can also better see themes of core abilities that run throughout your life, both at home and in your work. You may change the kind of work you do, but the core skills remain and are just used in slightly different ways. In my case, I've discovered that I'm essentially a bridge builder. My main tools are my communications and organizational skills, which I've used in different ways at different times of my life: writing, speaking, performing, teaching, informing, persuading, motivating, and of course in sales, marketing, negotiations, and mediation. In my corporate career, artistic endeavors, and personal life, I seem to build bridges between disparate groups of people and/or industries: by listening to them, breaking down the complex to simpler steps, and then sharing those ideas and perspectives with others to build on common ground. Those core skills are used consistently , When you see these core skills running consistently through your life like a theme song, then you know that they're a key to an important part of who you are and how others see you. You discover your core essence, your calling, as you go through life. Guess what? It's a party line! We all play various sorts of roles in life. You may be an engineer, a father, a son, a tennis buddy, a crime fiction fan, and the friendly fellow others love hanging out with around the water cooler (do they still do that anymore?), even if you tell somewhat lame jokes at times. You're all that and more, but perhaps your theme is that of a pretty smart guy who's the "answer man," because you never let a problem go without figuring it out. That's probably what makes you a great handyman and fixer-upper at home, a highly reliable engineer, and a thinker on the tennis court. Me, I'm a voice actor, an on-camera actress, a writer, and a public speaker. Also a former sales gal, a devoted mom to my kids, a wife and daughter, and much more. I'm a well-organized communicator who builds bridges for myself and others. I bring people together, facilitate communications and understanding, share stories, and occasionally have been known to proverbially bang a few heads together to get consensus when needed. Maybe that's why I like being a generalist. I'm interested in all sorts of different things and gathering unique perspectives, seeing the big picture that brings it all together. It's a bit of a party full of interesting guests, some of whom need an introduction - or explanation! - to others. We have a connection (and deposit one dime, please) Here's out it all worked out for me: When I was in IT sales, I bridged the technical world and the end-users, explaining complex, tech-heavy terminology in everyday language to lay people, our customers and those we hoped to turn into customers. In turn, they kept our feet to the fire ton make sure that the corporation selling (or hoping to sell them) multi-million dollar equipment "solutions" (a favorite industry buzzword at the time) understood what they wanted and needed. It was part of my job to make sure that their specific requirements to our executive teams were clearly and realistically communicated, so that we could better serve those customers. Sometimes those requirements were a little too vague and unrealistic, which also served to separate out the serious, "qualified" buyer from the tire-kicker and constant (and non-buying) complainer. I'm in a totally different career today. Artistic and creative, but oddly still similar. In a large sense, I'm still bridging buyers and sellers, except now as a voice actor, it's a bigger picture in which I'm bridging the worlds of business and entertainment. Connecting with stories and corporate messages and expressing them in ways that resonate with viewers and listeners. Bringing to life training materials to engage learners and help them retain the information. "Edu-taining" my audience with humor and good, valuable content. Instead of one-to-one communications or small group interactions, today's bridging is to a much larger audience. Or to put into old-fashioned, early telecommunications language: a party line, in which anyone with a physical connection to the telephone line can listen in. Laura's Quick Tips Find some quiet time to really listen to your inner voice - it's trying to guide you. Some things take time to unfold, like discovering your true inner strengths and sense of purpose. Step back and look at the big picture of your life. Or listen to others who may have a more objective view. Enjoy all your roles in life - they contribute to making you an interesting, well-rounded person. If and when you discover your purpose, focus, calling - whatever you may call it - you'll see how you've followed it in many, if not all, aspects of your life. History is fascinating. So are old sitcoms and variety shows. Really reflective of the time! There, you knew there had to be a reason I was throwing in Ernestine from "Laugh-In," tethered land line phones, references to pay phones and collect calls, and party lines. Unless you're of a certain generation, you may not be familiar with any of these. Trivia: AT&T used to be a monopoly, until the government broke it up into "Baby Bells." And Lily Tomlin's Ernestine as a power-mad AT&T switchboard operator was hilarious. Oh, and look up switchboard, too. It used to be a thing. Want more deep, philosophical stuff? Good, 'cause you really won't find it here. Instead, take a gander at this . I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Different genres, common ground. Like a performance Venn diagram for actors. Remember those overlapping circles you learned about in school? Venn diagrams graphically show relationships among different things, specifically how some objects belonging to one group can also belong to another. Or in mother-speak: sharing. As in: "Susie has her toys. Mikey has his. Both of you can play with the boardgames we have stored in the family way, which by the way, take at least two people to play. Now, no fighting or I'll have to go over there and then no one will be playing with anything." That's called "disjointed sets" in mathematics. And in mother-speak: time out. If I were to draw a Venn diagram for actors, I'd make the different genres (on-camera, voice over, theater) my sets and the many skills within each genre would be my objects. There'd be a lot of overlap, because after all, they all require acting, but there'd be some exclusionary skills, too. Voice actors don't use dance in their work and theater actors aren't concerned with how they're framed on camera. Voice actors generally don't have to get all gussied up with hair, makeup, and wardrobe, while those things play an important part in on-camera and theatrical work. You get the idea. I get a big kick whenever I hear a client or casting director ask for something that's less prevalent in their world, but a mainstay in another. This is where it pays off for an actor to be skilled in more than one media. Hello, crossover! Convergence! Collision! Or intersection amongst sets for you mathematically-inclined types. Active in more than one field? Cultivate common skills for a stronger foundation. Crossover skills I've run into on-camera jobs and auditions lately that draw neatly from the voice over world. That's when I do my happy dance. Not that non-voice actors couldn't handle these things, but I love it when I have the extra experience to draw on. My last couple of jobs, plus a recent audition, had me using a teleprompter . Oh happy day! Tap, tap, shimmy, shimmy. I love the teleprompter. Mainly because it means that no memorization is needed. The actor's dream! The nightmare? Getting up on stage to perform and suddenly, totally forgetting all your lines. Thank goodness that's not an issue when there's a teleprompter to, well, prompt you. I don't like to depend totally on the 'prompter, though. If anything can go wrong, it usually does, and I don't want to be caught looking less than fully professional. I actually prefer to memorize, or at least greatly familiarize myself with the script, and use the teleprompter more as a backup. Perhaps It's the old stage actor deep inside of me that's just more comfortable knowing exactly what to say when the lights go up. Or in this case, when the cameras start rolling and the director is calling, "Action!" (Yes, they really do that. It's very helpful knowing when to to start talking when you have the first line.) I can focus more intently on the message and any physical actions that I need to take. The added confidence of really knowing the script makes it easier to have more fun with the material, too. And strangely enough, it opens the door to a little improvisation when the director is up for it, 'cause you can always go back to the script when it's right there in front of you in big block letters. Familiar, comfortable territory Another reason I love reading off the teleprompter is because ... well, it's pretty much what we voice actors do every day. Teleprompter work is essentially voice over! There is that matter of a camera recording your every move, not that it should concern us much if we just focus on the material. After all, as voice actors, we bring our whole selves to our work, including hand, body, and facial gestures that translate as natural performances on camera, too. Teleprompter work is familiar territory. Just with a few extra lights, a camera, and some guy (or gal) calling "Action!" - thought we may get something like that in client-directed voiceover sessions, too. Throw in a little additional fuss about your hair, makeup, and wardrobe, but that's about it. The essential work is the same: Connect with the message within the script. Though knowing something about how to play to the camera is a definite plus. On-camera actors with voiceover experience have another advantage: we're used to performing alone, without a scene partner. Sometimes, the teleprompter work finds us in character, talking to the camera as part of a scene with other actors speaking their lines off camera. On other occasions, we're delivering long monologues to the camera, either as a character or as a spokesperson. Most on-camera actors are used to working with other actors in their scenes, and some are visibly uncomfortable without other people to play off of. Usually these are the less experienced actors, but occasionally even a seasoned pro may feel a bit adrift in these circumstances. Give yourself plenty of opportunities to do your happy dance. The more skills you acquire, the easier it is to navigate new or unexpected challenges. Conversational, not presentational Don't you love knowing how to fill in the gaps in one genre with your experience in another? That happened to me when a different type of crossover skill presented itself a few weeks ago. I had just arrived for an in-person audition as an on-camera spokesperson. I have to say that I was thrilled to have an in-person audition - there've been relatively few in the past several years, thanks to Covid. This audition was more than just a little unusual. There was literally no preparation; the casting director wanted to the talent to come in cold to see how we could handle his material and work with a teleprompter, without the benefit of seeing the script beforehand or even knowing much about it. Fine, I like thinking on my feet and I love improv! And hey, the teleprompter is my friend. The real question was figuring out the right tone and character for a role that you know virtually nothing about and are walking in cold on. Not that it was terribly challenging, as most spokespersons fall into the friendly and personable camp. Though an exceptionally ornery or eccentric character could be rather fun to watch. Fortunately, the casting assistant took a few minutes to explain what they were looking for as we walked down the hallway. Ha! Yes, they wanted a casual, friendly demeanor on camera. This was to be for a series of training films, internal use only. OK, I thought: eLearning. Teacher mode. Caring, instructive, helpful, that sort of thing. The casting assistant elaborated. They didn't want anything too presentational, formal, or businesslike. More like ... like ... what's the word? "Conversational?" I suggested. "Yes, exactly!" he heartily agreed. "That's what we're after. Like you're talking to a friend." I smiled on the inside. Every voice actor reading this is knows what I'm talking about. "No problem," said I. "Conversational is the most requested delivery style in voiceover work today." And there it was: Conversational eLearning style. The voice actor stepped up to the plate, disguised as an on-camera talent, and began to teach. Boom! I love it when performance worlds converge. Thank you, voice over. Laura's Quick Tips What works for you in one skill area ... can work well for you in another. In a new situation? Relate it to an experience where you're a pro. A degree of familiarity will help you do your best. Your expertise in an adjacent skill set can be of immense value to your client, giving them a greater clarity of vision on their own project. And possibly more opportunity for you, too. One trick ponies are so yesterday. It's fun to do a happy dance. Stress-relieving and good exercise, all in one. Now you finally have a use for at least one thing you learned in math so long ago. The Venn diagram is a pretty helpful graphical tool for illustrating relationships between things. It's doubly useful when you choose to work it from the outside in (such as discovering common skills or attributes between two types of work) or from the inside out (seeing where else your skills are needed and valued). It's similar to what my college freshman daughter is doing right now to figure out her course study. Oftentimes, two majors or concentrations offered within the same college are adjacent enough to draw on the same core classes (in addition to the basic university requirements, of course). So it's easy to double major when it's just a few more classes to add to the four year schedule. The result? A stronger, more competitive you. And quite possibly a happy result the next time you walk in cold to a live audition. Want to know more about developing and using crossover skills? Read on, my friend, read on.... > I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Games do more than entertain and help us pass the time. They give us time to think, create, and reflect. And hone our skills. Yeah, I confess. I like playing Solitaire on my computer from time to time. It’s not like I don’t have a social life. Well, I do. Sort of. Not as exciting as it used to be, but hey, we’ve been married for over 25 years. ‘Nuff said. I’m not a procrastinator either. In fact, I like to multitask. Now some people (read “guys”) think that the human brain isn’t wired to truly do more than one thing at a time. Well, they’re not women. All those millennia when the assorted male types were off stalking the elusive beast for dinner, we women were out gathering herbs, berries, wild veggies, guarding against predators, and watching and nursing our babies so that some predator wouldn’t grab them for its dinner. We’ve evolved to multitask. And multitask we do. When you know how to do something pretty well, like laundry or cleaning, it doesn’t take a whole lot of thought to manage. I find that basic repetitive activity sets up a type of white noise that helps the rest of my mind think creatively and solve problems. For example, walking or exercising via Zoom are the perfect times to get that physical exercise while I memorize scripts for upcoming film, TV, or commercial auditions, all of which give very short (1-2 days) turnaround times. And think up new ideas for videos and blog posts, like this one. Solitaire on the computer provides a similar kind of white noise for the brain. When I’m sitting at my desk and feeling frustrated or creatively stuck, I turn to playing Solitaire for a few minutes. It shifts my brain away from the previous patterns where I became stuck. The repetitive, familiar moves of the game grant me the freedom to mentally roam. There’s even a little subconscious encouragement that boosts my confidence as I’m building those card piles. Frustration is replaced with a feeling of progress. A quick game is often all I need to get over my creative hump and see the way forward to the next step. Given to being philosophical at times, I can’t but help see parallels to what goes into playing a good hand in Solitaire and what often works in life and business. Games are testing grounds to discover what works ... and what doesn't Let’s see if you agree with me. Here are some life lessons learned from playing those quick games of Solitaire: 1. Know your goal If you want to succeed at anything, you first have to define your goal and know the rules you have to play by. There are various versions of Solitaire, but the goal and rules are fairly the same. I’m not going to go into the details, but essentially (and for definition purposes for this post), you have three things to work with: The stack of cards to draw from, usually three at a time, using the third card. Seven tableau piles to work from, building from the highest shown on a pile down to the lowest. Largest pile that you could have would be a King down to a 2. The card in a tableau pile must be alternated by color (usually black or red). Four foundation suit piles to build. The four suits are aces, spades, hearts, and diamonds and are built from the Aces up to the Kings, Your goal is to complete all four foundation suite piles correctly. When you do, you win. If you’re playing an electronic version, you’ll often see some sort of digital celebration, with cards flying or joyous proclamations that you won. In life and business, it’s safe to say that most of us have goals or objectives we’re working to meet. Without those, there’s no use planning, unless your goal is to wander aimlessly through life. Not the best way to run a successful business, 2. Move your business forward It may be fun building the tableau stacks, but if you’re not moving them to the foundation suit stacks above (Aces up to Kings), you’re just engaged in busy work. There’s busy work in every business, too, so make sure it’s productive and leads to your desired goal. Otherwise, you’re not going to accomplish anything. You want more customers? You have to do the tedious busy work of marketing and following through on your leads. If you’re sidelined by just scrolling around on your LinkedIn or Instagram feeds and not engaging with others, creating content or programs of interest to your targeted audience, or emailing or calling them directly, or anything else that reaches out to your targeted audience … you’re just playing around. 3. If something’s not working, go on to the next opportunity You can tell when a Solitaire hand is just not going places. If you’re like me, you may play it to its natural conclusion because you don’t want to quit prematurely if there’s a possibility of succeeding, but when you’re done – you’re done. There’s no point fretting or spending too much time worrying over it. Cut your losses, see that it’s just one opportunity, and go on to the next hand. In your business, if one lead’s not panning out, go on to the next one. It’s truly a numbers game. Sales people know this. So do actors. We hear “no” far too often, whether it’s delivered via email, phone, or in person – or, in most cases, with silence. Don’t take it personally, do your best, and if it doesn’t work out, move on. Next! 4. Life’s a crapshoot There, I said it. We can’t control everything. You’re dealt the hand you’re dealt with in life. Maybe you got lucky and were born with every advantage in life. Maybe you got the short end of the stick. Whatever it is, play your cards the best way you can. You can only control what you can control and make the best decisions available to you. Some of the people I respect most are those who daily make the most of what they CAN do, rather than bemoan the unfairness of life and thus never even try. Sometimes the disadvantages are obvious, sometimes they’re hidden. As in Solitaire, most of us can’t tell at first when we’ve been dealt a winning or a losing hand. We have to play it for a while. The whole point is to enjoy the game, the good people and things in life, the entrepreneurial adventure. Even if all the cards don’t end up on their winning piles, we can at least enjoy a satisfying game well played. 5. Teamwork, diversity and inclusion – it’s all in the cards It’s in the rules. You can’t even begin to play Solitaire without including cards of every suit. You have to work with each type of color card (usually black and red) and both the number and picture cards. It’s also in the human DNA. We’re communal creatures. Yes, we’re often most comfortable with others like ourselves (our suit cards), but we have a much richer and deeper experience when we work with the others. And that’s how we build community. If nothing else, this lesson is about teamwork. Working together towards a common goal, knowing the rules of the game, and building strong foundations that support everyone. 6. Look for patterns If you do anything long enough, your mind and eye become trained to recognize the patterns of the game. You’ll build your memory as to what cards are showing on your tableau piles and save time as you cycle through your stack, looking to see if the displayed card can be added onto either a pile or directly to a foundation stack. It’s the same thing with your business. You’ll recognize patterns in talking with leads, solving problems, knowing what steps to take in each situation. The more familiar you are with your business and customer expectations, the quicker and easier you’ll be able to deliver. 7. Take a break We can focus on one task for only so long. Maybe for you it’s two hours, maybe for me it’s only twenty minutes. Know when your productivity begins to wane and factor in breaks accordingly. Take a short walk outside or work on some other task that requires a totally different type of focus. Like I wrote in the introduction, a needed break can jolt you out of feeling stuck. A temporary distraction helps you regain a “fresh eye” on your work. Just don’t spend so much time on your distraction that it takes over your work time. We call that procrastination. 8. There are often multiple paths to your goal - trust your gut Sometimes you’re presented with more than one possible option and it’s hard to tell which will lead to the better result. For example, you have two red 5s in your tableau pile to move on to a black 6 in another. Which is the better card to play? Who knows, maybe one will reveal an Ace hiding underneath or a card that’s ready to move up to one of the four foundation suit piles. And sometimes it doesn’t matter which one you play – you’ll see the same result in the end. When faced with a crossroads, use logic and facts to help you decide, but if you don’t have any other information, use your gut. It’s more often right than not. Try it out in Solitaire when this scenario crops up. You’ll be surprised how right you are! 9. Take one step back to go two forward You’ve got a problem. Something’s not working and you can’t continue until you back up to an earlier stage in your work and make a correction. Or maybe, you need to take an alternative course. Depending on your version of the Solitaire game, the rules may allow you to “unmove” some recent choices. You may choose instead to NOT play a card, which allows other cards to appear that can lead to a successful game. It may look to others that you’ve missed an opportunity, but in reality this little “sacrifice” serves the greater good. In other words, if one path is a dead end, try another. 10. Everything you need to succeed is already there This does not mean that you WILL succeed every time. It just means that all the elements are available, even if they are hidden. Unless you’re not playing with a full deck (literally and metaphorically), every card in a 52 card deck is present and there’s always a probability that the hand can be played to its successful completion. In our own work, many of the elements for success are at our disposal, if we choose to find and use them. Especially in a digital world, we can learn how to do something fairly easily, even if it takes time to master a new skill. Things like marketing, invoicing, providing better customer service, and so on. And there are experts, trainers, books, and online classes available to fill in the gaps. Sometimes the deck is stacked against you and you’re just not going to win, no matter how well you play. That happens in most Solitaire games and in most businesses. 20% of new businesses fail within their first year. Nearly 50% fail within their first five years. Most business owners know this, but proceed anyways because they believe in their products, services, and themselves. As in Solitaire, it’s up to you if you want to play the game. If so, you’ll be like many other entrepreneurs before you and keep trying different things until you succeed. Or quit to do something completely different. So what’s the point of this post? Laura's Quick Tips It’s the little things in life that can teach us the most. Enjoy what you’re doing. It’s truly the journey that matters. Know where you’re going. And what success means to you. Keep a positive outlook and realistic expectations. Do the best you can and celebrate your accomplishments. Mourn your disappointments. Then look for new opportunities. Trust your experience, decision-making, and your gut. Games are more than just playtime diversions. They can be training and testing grounds, motivational assistants, and inner cheerleaders guiding you to be your best and do your best work. And they’re fun to play, either alone or with others. So what’s your favorite game? And how does it help you the most? Yup, practice makes perfect. Or at least as close as we can reasonably get. Want to make a stronger impression next time you're on camera for that video project, webinar, or interview? Check out my series of super-short videos on how to be more comfortable and effective on camera: On Camera Tips for Busy Execs. Right here on YouTube! I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Video appearances can be "easy peasy" with a few On Camera Confidence tips These days, just about everyone is using video to promote their products and services online. So wouldn't knowing a few tips, tricks, and techniques from the actor’s handbook go a long way to make the camera work for you? Join me as I talk with Gillian Whitney about how to put your best face forward (as well as the rest of you!) the next time YOU appear on camera in a video. Live on LinkedIn (info below) or replayable later on YouTube (just click the button). Tuesday, November 1, 2022 1 - 1:30 pm EST LinkedIn Live I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY