Hey everyone! I’m BAAACK!
Yeah, I know it has been nearly a year since I wrote and posted anything, and there is a reason for that (or really several reasons). The past year has been a whirlwind of activity…and problems. First, we sold our home in Virginia in May of 2024, and embarked on a 5 month journey living in an RV full time. Karen and I bought and improved an acre near Charles Town, WV suitable for parking the RV and living there. We were VERY excited, since it meant we would be near our grandson full time.
Two days after arrival I somehow injured my back. Probably while wiring our new shed to have electricity for WiFi and some fun Ring cameras.
Not only did I have pretty severe back pain, but also a sharp pain running down my left leg. Sciatica. The pain was bad enough it was impossible for me to stand or walk for more than a couple minutes at a time. I was basically a captive in the recliner of the RV.
After two months of agony I was finally able to get in for an MRI where the docs discovered a ruptured disc that had fragmented. Yeah, not good. Five days after the MRI results came in I was under the knife to correct the issue. Thankfully, mere moments after I woke up in recovery I was walking around virtually pain free. I consider it a miracle, but still had to be careful for six months of recovery and I am just NOW to a point where I would call things normal.
Anyway, a month after the surgery, we packed up and headed t South Carolina where our new home was finally ready for us. AS you may expect, things have been pretty busy with moving in, unpacking, getting settled, and making the home “ours”. Here it is almost a year later and I am finally in a place where I can start writing again. Oh, and I can start golfing again at the end of this month too! WOO-HOO!
OK, so that was a long winded explanation of why I’ve not been “around” for a while.
My creative transition
For those of you who’ve been following my voice acting journey in these blog posts, you’re probably wondering what the heck is going on. You’ve seen the posts about Voice Acting shift from a concentration on being in the booth, to a concentration on being in front of the camera.. So, yeah, what gives? Why the sudden shift in… scenery? What follows is a “Based on a True Story” dramatized discussion of my ivot from Voice Acting to screen acting. Excuse my poetic license.
The Whispers of the Silver Screen (and a Really Awkward Audition)
Let’s be honest, voice acting is amazing. It’s a world of pure imagination, where you can be a grumpy badger, a sassy space princess, or a sentient toaster oven or (more commonly) just some guy having a conversation with an unseen person. I’ve loved every minute of it, and I still do. The creative freedom, the connection with incredible writers and directors… it’s a dream come true. But… there’s a “but.”
That “but” arrived in the form of a truly spectacularly awful audition. Picture this: I’m vying for the role of a sassy, yet vulnerable robot in an indie sci-fi film. I’m in my home studio, clad in my lucky recording robe (it’s a bathrobe, don’t judge), feeling confident. Then, the director asks me to… cry. On camera. While still voicing the robot.
The result? A performance that oscillated wildly between robotic monotone and a full-blown meltdown. It wasn’t pretty. It was… memorable. And not in a good way. I watched the playback, cringed so hard I dislocated my jaw, and then… something shifted.
The Unexpected Charm of the Physical Form (and My New-Found Love for Wardrobe)
That disastrous audition, instead of crushing my spirit, ignited a spark. It revealed a yearning I hadn’t consciously acknowledged: a desire to explore the physicality of acting, to connect with the audience not just through my voice, but through my entire being. It was a realization that felt both exciting and utterly terrifying. Terrifying because, unlike voice acting where I could hide behind a microphone, screen acting requires… well, me. The whole, gloriously imperfect, sometimes slightly awkward me.
The transition hasn’t been easy. Suddenly, I’m grappling with things like blocking, stage presence, and the sheer agony of remembering lines while simultaneously attempting to convincingly portray a heartbroken alien warrior (Not really, but you get the idea). I’ve discovered a whole new world of challenges – learning to work with cameras, understanding lighting, and navigating the intricacies of on-set etiquette. My voice acting skills are still incredibly valuable – they’re helping me with character development and emotional expression – but now they’re just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
But the rewards? They’re incredible. The collaborative energy on a film set is electrifying. The feeling of embodying a character fully, using every tool in your arsenal – your voice, your body, your emotions – is exhilarating. And the wardrobe! Oh, my sweet, glorious wardrobe! I’m finally getting to wear costumes that are far more exciting than my lucky recording robe.
From Monologue to Movement: Embracing the New Challenges
One of the biggest differences between voice acting and screen acting is the level of physical engagement. In voice acting, your body is largely irrelevant (unless you’re doing motion capture, in which case, bless your heart). In screen acting, your body becomes an instrument, a way to convey emotion, tell the story, and connect with the audience on a deeper level. This has been a steep learning curve. I’ve taken classes in movement, improvisation, and even stand up comedy.
Another major adjustment has been learning to work within the constraints of a physical space and time. In voice acting, you have the luxury of multiple takes, the ability to tweak your performance until it’s perfect. On a film set, time is money, and every take counts. This has forced me to become more present, more instinctive, and more adaptable. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding process.
The Unexpected Synergy: How Voice Acting Enhances Screen Acting (and Vice Versa)
Interestingly, my voice acting background has proven to be a significant advantage in my screen acting journey. My skills in character development, emotional range, and vocal control are all directly transferable. I find myself using the same techniques I honed in the recording booth to create believable and engaging characters on screen. The discipline I developed in voice acting – the ability to focus intensely, to control my breath and my tone – has been invaluable in navigating the pressures of a film set. The need to convey emotion and personality solely through vocal inflection in voice acting has sharpened my ability to communicate subtext and nuance with my face and body on screen. It’s like having a finely tuned instrument already in place; I just needed to learn how to play it in a different key.
Conversely, screen acting is enhancing my voice acting. The increased awareness of my physicality and emotional expression is translating into richer, more nuanced vocal performances. I’m more attuned to subtle shifts in body language and how they affect my voice, allowing me to create even more believable characters. It’s a beautiful synergy, a cross-pollination of skills that is enriching both aspects of my craft.
The Journey Continues (and the Coffee Consumption Remains High)
This pivot hasn’t been a simple switch; it’s been more like a thrilling, slightly chaotic rollercoaster ride…punctuated by a long period of NOT being able to do either form of acting. There have been moments of self-doubt, moments of sheer frustration, and moments where I’ve questioned my sanity. But there have also been moments of pure joy, moments of unexpected breakthroughs, and moments where I’ve felt a profound sense of accomplishment.
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that growth often lies outside of our comfort zones. Stepping away from the familiar embrace of the recording booth and venturing onto the unpredictable terrain of the film set has been challenging, yes, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. It’s pushed me to grow, to learn, and to discover new depths within myself as a performer. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
I’m still at the beginning of my screen acting journey, and I’m incredibly excited to see where it takes me. I’m embracing the challenges, celebrating the small victories, and learning from every stumble along the way. I’m still a work in progress, a perpetually evolving actor, and I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with you. While I understand you may decide to unsubscribe thanks to my shift in focus, I sincerely hope you’ll stick around to see what happens next!
So, what’s next?
Well, I’m currently working getting back into the swing of things after my prolonged down time. I’m auditioning several times a week, starting to work on self-produced short videos for social media and participating in a mentorship program with Judd Lormand (LCDR Blake in the series Seal Team)through GetScene Studios in Atlanta. Fun stuff. There’s a lot to explore, a lot to learn, and a lot of fun to be had. Oh, and I’ll be attending the 2025 Southeast Actors Summit in Atlanta this month too!
Decision time…
Want to stay updated on my adventures in both the booth and on set? Subscribe to this blog (if you are not already subscribed) for more acting insights, tips, and tales of triumph (and the occasional hilarious disaster). And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for even more updates, videos, photos, and maybe even a sneak peek at that brokenhearted alien warrior. Let’s continue this journey together! Until next time, keep creating, keep dreaming, and keep those microphones (and cameras) rolling!
I’d love to hear from you
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this post. I’d love to hear from you about what resonated, your personal shift from voice to screen, or even how your journey is treating you. Feel free to comment below, or head over to my Instagram or Facebook and leave a comment or send me a DM.
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