With it comes my first blog posting. I figured I should probably jump on the blog bandwagon. Some of them are very popular. I’m not sure that I’ll write anything here that will change the world, but maybe just give you a little insight into mine.
In voiceover, we work because people hire a professional. Years ago, when I was in radio, I was often perplexed as to why the local store owner wanted to voice his/her own commercials. Of course he was paying for the radio time, so if he wanted to have his own voice on the air that was his prerogative. BUT, a lot of creative and effective commercials went by the wayside when the person decided to do it himself. I thought to myself, would I go to the mechanic who was working on my car and say “No, that’s not the right diagnosis. I think my turn signal fluid is low. Why don’t you fix that?” Of course not.
So, over the years, I have learned it’s best to let a professional do it. I hire a CPA to do my taxes, as they are relatively complex. We hire a “bug guy” to keep the critters at bay around our home in the desert and I finally decided to employ that strategy with my website. I had one that I did, but it looked like it. Now, I have a shiny new site, made by a real pro and I could not be happier. Thank you Kathy!
I’ll try to put something up here every week or so, things that I find amusing, whether they be VO related or not.
Now, I gotta go. Auto Zone is having a sale on turn signal fluid.
Leaving the socials behind
/in Uncategorized/by DustinEbaughSometime in March, I decided that I had had enough of social media. I was talking to my friend Angie and she mentioned how the various websites had become “another job” to her. I realized I felt the same way. What would be the harm in deleting the apps from my phone? So, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…gone! I did it! Now, two months later, I feel a kind of freedom I haven’t felt in years. I don’t race to check them every morning and see what’s going on. I realized they really weren’t enriching my life that much. I don’t have FOMO, as I, ahem, feared. I do miss seeing pictures of my nieces and nephews in Austin and Hungary. But I think we can work around that.
Last year, I read the book “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown. It was incredibly impactful. Here’s a link. I hear he’s working on a new book called “Digital Essentialism”. I read about a case study he did where people agreed to give up social media for 30 days. Some of the comments after the experiment moved me. Things like: “I took up painting again.” “I learned how to play guitar.” “I focused on what’s important to me…my family.” WOW! You know what? I can do that too! So, I did. I don’t miss it at all. I did get an e-mail from an old friend who missed me on “the socials”. I miss him too. I miss pictures of what he’s doing and his kids. SO, I added back Instagram to my phone, but I limit myself to 5 minutes a day of scrolling and/or posting. That’s working for me. That was McKeown’s idea too. Remove them all and add back what you miss the most.
Now I have time to do other things, like work on my craft of voice acting, do more auditions, go outside and walk, play on my tennis team and just enjoy life. Oh, and update my blog for the first time in nearly four years!
What to look for in a Voice Acting coach
/in Uncategorized/by DustinEbaughMichael Jordan had a coach. Babe Ruth had a coach. Joe Cipriano has a coach. Why shouldn’t you or I?
Finding a good match isn’t always easy. But here are five tips:
Lastly, you can look at WoVO’s list of Industry Partners to find a good coach. Or ask other voice actors you admire with whom they study or would recommend. One of the most fun parts of voice acting is learning new skills and techniques and then BOOKING with one of them. It’s a wonderful thing and I wish you well on your journey.
Welcome to my new VO website!
/in Uncategorized/by DustinEbaughWith it comes my first blog posting. I figured I should probably jump on the blog bandwagon. Some of them are very popular. I’m not sure that I’ll write anything here that will change the world, but maybe just give you a little insight into mine.
In voiceover, we work because people hire a professional. Years ago, when I was in radio, I was often perplexed as to why the local store owner wanted to voice his/her own commercials. Of course he was paying for the radio time, so if he wanted to have his own voice on the air that was his prerogative. BUT, a lot of creative and effective commercials went by the wayside when the person decided to do it himself. I thought to myself, would I go to the mechanic who was working on my car and say “No, that’s not the right diagnosis. I think my turn signal fluid is low. Why don’t you fix that?” Of course not.
So, over the years, I have learned it’s best to let a professional do it. I hire a CPA to do my taxes, as they are relatively complex. We hire a “bug guy” to keep the critters at bay around our home in the desert and I finally decided to employ that strategy with my website. I had one that I did, but it looked like it. Now, I have a shiny new site, made by a real pro and I could not be happier. Thank you Kathy!
I’ll try to put something up here every week or so, things that I find amusing, whether they be VO related or not.
Now, I gotta go. Auto Zone is having a sale on turn signal fluid.