Good Things vs. Challenging Things During Lockdown

As an actor, voice performer, coach and director, life continues to bring little victories, challenges and opportunities. I thought I’d share a few of them here on the Inside Voice blog.

The Good:

When a friend/peer/coaching client emails to share that she booked not one but TWO recurring roles on animated series.

The Challenge:

When you can’t hug, toast or celebrate that friend/peer/coaching client in person.

The Good:

When your office closet has been upgraded to a well-equipped home studio, with sound quality you feel proud of, every time you self-tape.

The Challenge:

When the only other soul in the audition waiting room is your cat. She’s adorable but oh, how I miss the social aspect of auditioning.

The Good:

When your first voiceover booking of the year at a professional studio feels completely safe, with COVID protocol followed to the letter. 

The Challenge:

When you and the recording engineer in the adjoining studio are the only people on the entire floor of the building and it feels downright spooky.

The Good:

When you have regular requests to self-tape for animation, commercial, new media and audiobook projects.

The Challenge:

When you have to remind yourself to limit your number of takes to choose from. Knowing when to stop has suddenly never been harder. Micromanage much…? 

The Good:

When you watch your gifted theatre artist peers creatively pivot and adapt their content for digital use.

The Challenge:

When you miss sitting in a theatre for a live performance more than you ever thought possible. Don’t even get me started on being on stage or I will “ugly” cry. 

The Good:

When your acting buddy generously acts as your reader by Zoom for your on-camera self-tapes, and you finally get to return the favour.

The Challenge:

When you can’t be in the room with them and viscerally feel the connection between you.

The Good:

When you narrate an entire nonfiction book by yourself, over 28 hours and your work gets a glowing review. 

The Challenge:

When, during the record, your director is at home, working by Zoom, and due to technical issues, can’t hear many of your one-syllable words.

The Good:

When you remotely voice direct and edit a demo reel for the very first time.

The Challenge:

When you forget to join in on the client’s hilarious dance party at the end of the session. Sigh!

We’re all in this together. Even while we’re apart.

Until next time,

Tracey