You know...  I have to say that Paul and I have always been amazed at how many people we have spoken to who have dreamed of being a professional voice actors for years or even decades and each year when they think about making the jump they just don’t do it.  Human nature can be funny like that. I mean, how many of us want to be more physically fit or maybe we want to learn a new language? We know what we want, we know how to get it, but still for some reason we just don’t go after it.  Instead, so many of us just live our lives one year at a time wishing that we could just do the very thing that we are choosing not to do.  Doesn't that sound crazy? We are all guilty of it though.  

With the new year upon us, there could not have been a better time to get the most recent success update from one of our Master Class graduates. If you have ever considered making the jump into the fun and exciting world of voiceovers then please, do yourself a favor and read the story of 2011 Master Class graduate, Matt Martin.  This may just be the nudge you need to stop thinking about your dream, and start working towards that dream of becoming a voice actor. 

49 Year Old Matt Martin In His Own Words

Matt Martin worked in the business/banking world for more than two decades. Matt was a successful stock broker and had achieved many of his life's ambitions. After many years in the banking and financial industry Matt had this to say... 

I was becoming discontent with the direction the company I worked for was headed and the direction of Wall Street in general. I decided I needed to get out. I left that career behind me and opened a construction company. I could see the writing on the wall with the recession starting to take affect in America and I got out of that as well.

Like so many people I meet who want to get into this business, I remember that people always said that I had that voice. You know, the voice for movies and commercials. The voice of a professional voice actor. On the other hand, voice actors I met had commonly told me that the market is just too tough, and that I will never make it in voice acting. It turned out that they were wrong. I now know that they just did not know how to do it!

Then Came Voices For All

I remember I was shampooing the carpets in my house and I had just quit my last job in October of 2010. My wife brought in a mailer from Gig Harbor Community College, near our home. As I stood there cleaning the rugs she told me about VFA’s class called An Introduction To Voice Acting.  She told me I should go and so... I signed up and went.

That class was my first formal introduction to the real world of professional voiceovers and voice acting. I have to admit that the class was a bit nerve racking. I had done a little acting back in my younger days but nothing big. I had not read a script in years and here I was doing it in front of a group of other students taking the class with me. I have to say however that my teacher Mike Elmore was amazing, and at the end of the class I knew this was something that I wanted to do.

A couple days after the class, I spoke with Courtney Thayer and Sherril Stewart from Voices For All. To be honest when they told me about the Master Class I thought it was just too good to be true. The whole time I was thinking it was all smoke and mirrors and maybe not legit. I decided that I would speak to some people I knew who work in the entertainment industry and I found out that VFA was in fact legit and reputable, and known by many as “The Way“ to get into this business. I remember one friend said to me. “Matt, I have always trusted you, now you need to trust me on this. Voices For All is a great company and you need to go for it.”  I have to admit that my wife and I were both concerned because I was unemployed and we wondered if I would be able to really do this. I had no job, and money was going to run out sooner or later. Was this the right move?

Thankfully, I decided to make the jump and just two days later I was on a plane to Minneapolis to fill the one remaining spot in the Master Class that had just opened up due to a rescheduled student. I will never forget that time. There was a massive blizzard so bad that they shut down the whole city. In fact, the snow was so bad that It shut down the kitchen, elevators, and the swimming pool at the hotel. It was pretty crazy.

Then Came The Master Class

What else can I say except this class was way beyond what I had possibly imagined. I remember being totally impressed with so many things: like learning how to dissect a script, the marketing section was great, learning how to create your own identity, and the step by step process of being successful, also the studio and ProTools section. The whole thing was just amazing. At the end of the class I remember Mike Elmore saying, “you will have questions, do not hesitate to call me directly or VFA”  and I asked “are you sure because I can be a pain in the butt.”  He said, “ Yes, please call me or VFA when you need help, any help at all,” and believe me, I did.  

I also remember that making my demo was a kick. It was so fun and invigorating. Mike can get out of you what he wants, and what you need. He is a great producer, especially for new budding voice actors.  

When I got home from the class I had a concrete plan and I went right to it. I started to put my professional identity together. I received my demo soon after, signed up for the sites that I was referred to by VFA. It took me 3 months to get my first job, and then 2 more months for my next job. Then all of the sudden I started getting more and more work. That was when I decided to start marketing hard.  I started sending many more emails each day and I would follow up with them every four to eight weeks. I was receiving more and more positive responses. I even started getting phone calls from people I had never even contacted in the first place!

Then Came Success

One of my main goals was to double my income every month. It was tough some months but I have effectively done it. I have met my goal and that feels just great! When people ask me about my success I tell them this is such a great Job. Everyone in this business is so fun to work with.  It is the best job in the world. Even my local newspaper is calling me now to inquire about what I am doing and how I am doing it. One year ago I wanted to be a voice actor. Today I am a successful professional voice actor with a rapidly growing clientele. I owe so much of that to Voices For All. 

Some of the bigger companies I have worked for as a voice actor are:

• Cobalt Tools
• Lowes
• Ford
• Jack Rabbit Sports Gear
• TV show Dropped Project Alaska
• Iyogi Software
• National Geographic
• Various Music Videos
• Game Trailers
• Game Narration
• Guardian Glass 
• And many more...

You ask me about success.  I have to say I did not expect any less from myself. After the Master Class I figured that I should have been this successful due to the quality of my Voices For All education and support.  Really, I mean I received a great education and great support.  Why wouldn't I be successful? The Master Class gives you confidence and a plan. Then you just have to act on it and follow through.

What would I say to other people who have been thinking about getting into professional voice acting?

Trust Mike Elmore, trust VFA, and trust yourself. You know that somewhere inside of you this is right. Leaving your 9-5 like I did is not easy. (VFA does not recommend leaving your day job when you are first starting out) Trust yourself, trust these people, and you'll be successful if you put your mind to it.

Congratulations Matt... Keep up the great work! We are all so proud of you.

-Stan Denis 

Managing Partner - Voices For All

Bob R. - IL