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How To Beat The Clock & Do It All:
Top 5 Tips For Voice Over Talent

By Moneen Daley
Voice Actor / Performance Coach / Producer

We are all looking to save time, enjoy time, keep time on our side and make time.

In voice over, we especially need to heed the clock as we are making deadlines, delivering to precise times, and often working in multiple time zones.

So my offering to you is: The Top 5 Time Efficiencies for Voice Over Talent.

1. Protect Your Peak Performance Time

Some talent thrive in the early morning hours, some come alive at 10 pm.

Figure out when your peak performance time is and protect it. Do your recording (that doesn't require scheduled directed sessions) and auditions during this personal prime time.

2. Warm Up Your Articulators and Resonators

In a perfect world, we'd all be on the floor for an hour employing the Linklater Method. When that is not possible, give yourself at least 5 to 10minutes of warming up your articulators and resonators so you work efficiently.

Many "one take wonders" are simply properly warmed up talent.

Example: Tiny Mouse and Roaring Lion:
  • Take a few deep cleansing breaths.
  • Next, scrunch up your face up as small as you can while speaking at the highest pitch possible – tighten every facial muscle you have and work to stay there, speaking in that high pitch (like a Tiny Mouse) for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Then, open up mouth, unroll tongue, lift upper palette (by yawing), widen your gaze, give a deep roar and speak (like a Lion) for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Repeat with a quicker transition.
3. Eliminate One Toxic Relationship

There may be a colleague, neighbor, family member or associate who is the quintessential Debbie/Donny Downer. Someone who is looking to be the victim, always has a complaint, wants to suck your positive energy and time like a vampire.

Don't let them.

Guard your privacy and work schedule in your studio just as you would in a corporate office.

Example: In the past month, I have saved myself about 90 minutes a week by (kindly) curtailing a particular relationship that was not serving me.

You can, too.

4. Schedule Everything

Warm Ups, Paid Work, Auditioning, Colleague Coffees/Lunches,Relationship Building, Bill Paying, Administration, Social Media – Everything!

Example: Be specific in the kind of time it takes to do essential tasks so you may adequately prioritize.

Often times when someone says "I don't have time," they are really saying they are not in control of their time.

5. Create & Relate To Your Big Picture

Your big picture is where you want your craft, your business and your personal life to be.

It can motivate you to do the tasks we can easily eschew (like agent pitching or cold calling a studio).

What will it feel like in 3 months if you stick to your schedule and maintain your commitments no matter what?

You'll feel empowered and motivated - and you'll learn to trust yourself!
------------------------
ABOUT MONEEN
Moneen Daley – The Mo of MoVibe Productions -  is a voice actor, performance coach and audio demo producer has spent somewhere around 37,000 hours at the microphone over three decades. In addition to performing, she coaches and directs worldwide from her home studio in Seacoast New Hampshire (featuring a Neumann U87 mic). Moneen has produced Audie Award-winning content for Scholastic Books, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Association of Broadcasters and the New Hampshire Broadcasting Association. Career highlights include co-hosting a Morning Show with the Emmy Award Winning Tom Bergeron, narrating with The Boston Pops, and interviewing celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell, Joy Behar and Linda Ronstadt. Moneen received a diploma from The Todoroff Advanced Performance Conservatory in NYC and is a recent graduate of The Wisdom School led by Cynthia Bourgeault.



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Comments (10)
Renee
2/21/2023 at 9:59 PM
Great article! As a voiceover artist who juggling two careers, points 3 - 5 really resonated with me. Regarding point 3, learning the power of “No” is one of the best life lessons I’ve learned.
RJ Mckay
2/10/2023 at 3:23 PM
All the points in the article are important and are very helpful. For me, Points 2 and 4 really stand out because they can easily get lost in the course of your work day but really sets the stage for success, not only that day but for the following days and weeks. Moneen is not only an excellent and passionate teacher, she's a person who truly wants the best with everyone she interacts with.
John Sulick
2/10/2023 at 12:00 PM
Moneen, you are the absolute best! No one has more passion and/or interest in making sure her students are successful. She is always there for you and always positive. This article is simply another example of the knowledge and talent she possess! Thanks,Moneen!
Constance Howard
2/9/2023 at 7:20 PM
Thank you Moneen for your lovely, timely, and effective advice! It's amazing how difficult we, as people, often make tasks for ourselves. Integrating these seemingly simple suggestions can be life changing; as a person, as an actor, and in the scope of growth. Thanks, too, for a new perspective on toxicity... I definitely have a new way of looking at and disposing of the negativity.

I truly appreciate your thoughtful, concise words of wisdom!

I, too, will be printing this out!
Jack Harte
2/9/2023 at 3:46 PM
Excellent article. Very important information, especially in the world of personal studios. It's easy to get lost and complacent.
RB
2/9/2023 at 3:38 PM
Awesome advice, especially the bit about eliminating toxic relationships. The adage is true that you are who you surround yourself with. Keep the great tips coming, Mo!
Memo Sauceda
2/9/2023 at 3:25 PM
Thank you Moneen, great advice!
Vicki Liston
2/9/2023 at 3:20 PM
I'd never thought about toxic relationships bleeding into my scheduling.
Vocal performances, yes, but wow, you are absolutely right! Energy sucks are also time sucks. Thank you!!
Randy
2/9/2023 at 2:41 PM
Moneen is always full of great direction, excitement and advice!
Sharon D
2/9/2023 at 1:56 PM
Such valuable advice, and think I will print and hang this one at my desk. Thank you, Moneen!
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