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The Next Best Thing to Chocolate Let's talk dessert. What's your seasonal choice of pie? Pumpkin, pecan, or sweet potato? How about cookies? Are you into decorated, frosted cookies shaped like Christmas trees, stars, Santa, wreaths, etc.? No? Maybe you're more inclined to something different that's still sweet, but sounds a bit healthier. After all, we really don't want to start the new year with a resolution to whittle away all those extra pounds from holiday eating. So, maybe a dessert with fruit? Hey, stop right there, don't even suggest the old December standby, fruitcake. Nope, that won't help you keep off the extra pounds. Besides, I've got something better in mind. Furthermore, it's healthy and delicious enough to show up on the breakfast table. Dessert for breakfast ... every kid's dream. And a dish to enjoy right from the oven or warmed up the next day. I'm talking about an easy to make banana-blueberry crisp that I originally found as a summertime recipe when freshly-picked blueberries were plentiful. It works just as well in the winter, though - just substitute frozen blueberries for fresh and you're good to go. This fruit crisp is especially versatile. Serve it hot out of the oven as a dessert with a little vanilla ice cream on top. Warm it up the next morning (or eat it cold) as a substitute for oatmeal, perhaps adding a little milk to it. I love it served warm on a cold morning with a little vanilla almond milk mixed in for a creamier consistency. It's the best type of recipe - quick and easy to make! Short grain rice works particularly well, but really any type will do, as will other grains like bulgur wheat. I prefer brown rice, which I cook in a rice cooker while I pre-heat the oven and prepare the rest of the ingredients. Banana-Blueberry Crisp 2 cups cooked rice or bulgur ¾ cups skim milk ¼ cup brown sugar 1 Tbs margarine, melted (optional) 1 tsp cinnamon 2 bananas, peeled & sliced 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine rice or bulgur, milk, sugar, margarine if desired, and cinnamon. Add fruit and mix gently. Transfer to an 8 inch square baking pan and cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving. And enjoy! It'll put a smile on your face and maybe entice your kids away from the overly sugary breakfast cereals, too. Not mention helping you avoid putting on that extra winter weight.

A few chuckles to help you get through your day. Stuck at home. Again.

New Places to Find Talent For Your Project 2020 is one big, long sob story for just about everyone. Just a few months into the new year and then all work comes to a screeching halt. Long-planned projects derailed, stalled schedules with indefinite return dates, pipelines of new business frozen or - worse - dissipated. It’s been a tough year for film, television, and stage actors, too. Most productions ground to a halt last March and only now are some studios beginning to gear up again. That’s a long time to go without an opportunity to earn some money at your craft. But both businesses and actors have been searching for - and creating - workarounds. it's really rather amazing how ingenious people can be when the tried and true no longer works, and new ways must be found. I described in a previous article how some businesses and studios are successfully doing this. On the performance side, too, more and more actors have been turning to voice over as another medium. After all, they have the acting training, the script analysis skills, and their experience on camera and/or on stage … right? It’s a natural fit, isn’t it? And while voiceover work has slowed down a bit during the pandemic, it hasn’t stopped. And it can pay pretty well. There are many actors who are this type of “triple threat” – they perform behind a mic, before a camera, and on stage. (Disclaimer: I’m one of them.) But it’s a mistake to think that an actor can just glide from one genre into the other without training and preparation specific to that medium. On-camera acting, for example, is very different from stage acting. The camera captures expressions, conversations, and physicality close-up, so the acting needs to be much “smaller” than that required for the stage, which instead requires bigger movements and louder or more exaggerated speech to reach the audience members in the last row of the theater. Voice over work in that sense is even smaller, with only the actor’s voice conveying the message and emotion of the story in tone, pitch, pacing, volume, etc., even if the performance requires physicality to convey those qualities through the voice. In short, success in voice over requires more preparation than just picking up a microphone and starting to talk into it. Not all actors realize that, and that’s not even touching upon the necessities of having the proper equipment, a broadcast-quality home studio, and the training to use, record, edit, and deliver high quality audio files to agents and clients. I’ve had quite a few fellow on-camera actors call me up and ask how to get started, thinking all they need to do is to pick up a USB mic and find a quiet corner of their home to work in. That’s why I created a Resources section of my blog to advise them on how to get started , find the training , create a home studio , make their first demo , build a voiceover website , and find work . Here's where businesses who employ voice actors can benefit. In addition to the regular voice talent on their rosters, creative director and producers can now call on more of these "triple threat" actors, too. Once they have invested in voice over training and gone through all the steps to be professionally up and running, these new “triple threat” actors have so much to offer. With on-camera, stage, and voiceover training and experience under their belts, they have multiple tools at their disposal to truly dive into a script, understand its intrinsic message, and convey the client’s message in varied ways that are informative, compelling, and entertaining. They know that techniques unique to one genre can, with adjustments, be applied to another. After all, it’s all storytelling, even if the story is a technical medical narrative on the benefits of a new pharmaceutical drug. The skilled actor knows who he/she is supposed to be and who the listener is, understands the story’s background and the client’s message, and can to weave the narrative to teach, explain, or showcase the product. It's been interesting to observe how film and TV producers have been rewriting commercials, TV episodes, and films to incorporate voice over more than ever before. In many cases, it streamlines the production process, reduces the time to film, and gets around strict on-set requirements to adhere to the new COVID-mandated guidelines. The device of incorporating 911 calls into a plot line seems to be especially popular now. I’ve noticed many more voiceover jobs being listed, for example, on Actors Access, a casting site for on-camera films, TV, commercials, and industrials through which actors can apply directly. On-camera actors can't help but see which way the wind is blowing, at least while this pandemic drags on, and pivot accordingly to qualify for these jobs. So, as a client looking to book voiceover talent, what does this mean to you? First, with an influx of professional on-camera and stage actors, you have a wider (and possibly deeper) pool of talent to draw upon. Just be sure to verify that they indeed have the skills and wherewithal to produce a quality audio file. A good voice over demo can speak to their skills and a requirement for them to describe their studio and equipment can serve to screen out those not sure how to even answer. Second, by using these on-camera casting sites to post voiceover work, you have more ways to attract talent than just through agents, voice casting sites, or through your own rosters. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find the fees or commissions lower on these sites, and save a few dollars, too.

Realigning Work and Priorities Thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, TV and film production (and nearly every other industry) came to an abrupt halt in March 2020 in an unprecedented worldwide economic shutdown. Social distancing restrictions halted work on all levels, from major studios down to film student projects. Actors, crew members, and support personnel were suddenly out of work and without a paycheck for the unforeseeable future. Fortunately for voice actors, the work is by nature compliant with social distancing. You can’t get much more isolated than by working alone in a 4x4 recording booth for hours at a time. And for production houses able to work from home offices, many projects are still going forward. So, while voiceover work may have slowed, it certainly hasn’t stopped, and in some genres – especially medical narration and eLearning – the work is picking up dramatically. As both an on-camera actress and voice talent, my time previously had been split more or less evenly between the two. Bookings pretty much decided where my time was allocated. Priority was given first to awarded jobs, with preparation for those jobs, paperwork and administration in support of those jobs, auditions, and marketing/social media work scheduled around those important client commitments. Once the quarantine hit, half of that activity immediately evaporated. Too many other actors, however, saw all of their professional momentum hit a brick wall. Even more painful, those working in the service industry as waiters and bartenders had their income safety nets yanked out from under them. Some are just trying to hold out until the industry shutdowns are over, but others with special skills are showing ingenuity by offering their services online in new creative ways, such as teaching design for social media platforms or leading group fitness classes from their homes. I have nothing but admiration for those folks and their resourcefulness. In my case, I’ve shifted my focus to voice over, fully investing in my business by launching a new and better website, updating my demos, and upgrading my ability to service clients with better connectivity options. But the on-camera side has not been ignored; actors have to continually work at their craft lest they become rusty. Like many others, I am also taking advantage of online workshops, coaching, and Q&A sessions with casting directors, as well as open casting calls generously offered nationally by many respected casting directors to consider new talent. The smartest actors are using this time to create original content, practice their monologues, or learn new skills, readying themselves for when productions will resume casting. Not surprisingly, voice over is attracting a lot more attention from the on-camera talent. I’ve been fielding many questions from actors interested in learning the basics and the steps to developing their own VO business. Aside from helping them get started, I like to remind them that VO practice will also help them keep their on-camera acting skills sharp; the foundational training, which is the script analysis and character study, is the same. It doesn’t matter if the actor is in front of the camera or out of sight behind a microphone. The actor is still telling a story, whether it’s from a character’s perspective within a crime drama or as an experienced medical worker explaining how to properly use a COVID-19 test kit. And a commercial voice over script often requires the actor to tell the whole story within 30 seconds or less. Excellent training material for the on-camera actor trying to convey intent and purpose in a longer-lasting scene. Life never stands still and we’re always called upon to pivot in response to unexpected events. Repositioning ourselves and our careers in especially uncertain times like these … well, it can seem more like we’d been unceremoniously thrown off a tower than just being pushed down to the ground. We can sit at the bottom of that tower and nurse our grievances, but most of us would prefer instead to check for broken bones, scramble to our feet, and dust ourselves off (probably with a curse or two) before looking for a way back up into that tower. Or maybe we’d decide to invest our days inside a nearby, more structurally stable building instead. Either way, the repositioning begins with a positive thought that there is a way out, followed by a goal-setting mindset that these new objectives can and will be achieved. Priorities are certainly changed by these major events. People are appreciating good health in ways few stopped to consider much before. Family, loved ones, and friends are top of mind, whereas career may have once occupied most waking thoughts. And while we may not be able to control the causes of these unwelcome changes, we can manage our personal outlook, responses, and new priorities and do our best to mitigate the damages. We can shift our time, attention, and resources to make the most of what we have and can do for ourselves. Perhaps best of all, we can keep a cool head so that we can assess a changing situation and position ourselves as best we can to make lemonade out of lemons. We may not have enough sugar to sweeten the result to our liking, but it’s better than just sucking on the lemons and feeling sorry for ourselves.

Learn more about voice over by following these popular bloggers Sometimes, the best way to learn about an industry is to learn from those working in the trenches. Voice actors who write about their experiences. Both good and bad. What works and what doesn't. And what you should watch out for as your own journey unfolds. It's helpful to learn from the perspectives of those who've been in the industry for a few decades. And others who've come to VO from other careers. You'll find some very well-known and respected names here, as well as some up-and-comers who are well worth watching. We're all part of an informal voice over blogging consortium and most of us know each other fairly well. Yes, I'm including a link at the end to my blog, too, since I'm a card-carrying member of this group. I'm a little different in that my blog also touches on life as a film/TV actor, since I work in the on-camera world about as much as I do in voice over. There are also posts about business, customer service, and entrepreneurship, stuff I've gleaned running a voice over business and, before that, as a corporate IT sales exec. Funny observations, too, because good-natured humor is part of my brand and I tend to see the ironic in life. Hey, I figure a little humor now and then goes a long way to bettering our lives. You'll get to know some of my blogger friends through their posts. Several are coaches, others run highly regarded Facebook networking and learning groups, newsletters, and podcasts. They're just some of the super-nice folks who are genuinely happy to share advice and experience with other voice actors in our community. Check them out! And enjoy. Want to learn what it's REALLY like in voice over? Read the blogs of those who've come before you. FEATURED BLOGGERS Paul Strikwerda Paul's name is synonymous with voiceover blogging. With over 40,000 subscribers around the world, he's a straight shooter, unafraid to call BS as he sees it and stir up controversy when and where he deems fit. And we all love him for it! Read & subscribe here . J. Michael Collins JMC is the uncrowned king of voice over. His name - and initials - are well-known throughout our industry for his first-rate work as a voice actor, coach, demo producer, and all around industry cheerleader. Read & subscribe here . Kim Handysides Kim is a longtime voice talent with a knack for well-researched articles that are not afraid to dive into the political arena and challenge the status quo. She has excellent material and a great mind to challenge your views and refine you. Read & subscribe here . Joshua Alexander Josh calls his blogs "edutainment" - and they certainly are! On point, interesting, and always downright funny. And, oh, he heads the VO blogging community. Read & subscribe here. Michael Apollo Lira Michael is an RN and brings a uniquely vulnerable and human perspective to his writings. Read & subscribe here . Carrie Olsen Carrie heads up the " Voiceover Start-Up with Carrie Olsen " group on Facebook and is coach and all-around source of encouragement. Read & subscribe here . Jeffrey N. Baker Jeffrey is a heart-on-his-sleeve blogger who shoots straight. Read & subscribe here . Jon Gardner Jon writes a humorous blog, inspiring and full of life, and always on point. Read & subscribe here. Paul Stefano Paul, along with Sean Daeley ,maintains The VO Meter Podcast . His blogs are honest, friendly, and transparent. Read & subscribe here . Paul Schmidt Paul maintains "The Move, Touch, Inspire Newsletter" which truly lives up to its name. Read & subscribe here . Billie Jo Konze Billie Jo writes a lively blog based on her experiences in the VO community. Read & subscribe here . Natasha Marchewka Natasha runs the Freelancer's Blog, a great resource of thoughts, experience and lessons. Natasha helps the voiceover community through her partnership with Katherine Tole in the V123 Pro's program, hailed for helping voice talent maximize their Voice123 profiles and online marketplace performance. Read & subscribe here . Tom Dheere Tom is a highly trusted name in the VO industry, helping other voice talents navigate the voice over industry as the VO Strategist . He always has a lot to say about our industry. Read & subscribe here . Ian Russell Ian's blogs have an educational, insightful British flare, showing us just how much is possible in the VO realm. Through a joint effort with his wife Sandra, Ian focuses on helping people find creative ways to do business through personal experiences and insights. Read & subscribe here . Sumara Meers From the land Down Under, Aussie Sumara's blogs are full of humor and enthusiasm. Read & subscribe here . Mike Christensen Mike "The Voice Monkey" pens a blog that chronicles his journey in stream-of-consciousness style. Read & subscribe here . Craig Williams Craig's blog is honest, forthright, and occasionally salty, as the situation may dictate. Read & subscribe here . Theresa C. Ho Theresa is a new and honest blogger with a business background who has no qualms about tackling serious topics like diversity in voice over. Read & subscribe here . Jessica Mathison Jessica is a novel writer with a unique viewpoint that is literally moving, as she shares her travels of life and voice over on the road. Read & subscribe here . Tyler Robbert From the perspective of someone fairly new to voice over, Tyler writes very well-crafted and unique blogs that bring a colorful and energetic look at what we do. Read & subscribe here . J.D. Gibson A world traveler, J.D. writes from a business perspective, having worked years in IT in both the military and the corporate world.. Read & subscribe here . Laura Doman And here I am, bringing up the rear on this list! if you haven't already found my blog, you can Read & subscribe here . Want to learn more about the business of voice over and what it's REALLY like? Read more about it 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