Stay Healthy behind the mic

Recently I have started to eat very healthy and work out daily. And you would not believe how much of a difference it has made in my reads. I have more energy, my breath is sustained longer and i am finding more creative possibilities in the copy. 

Due to this recent change in my lifestyle and seeing the positive impact it is having on my performances. I began to ask myself why is it that more VO talent do not make physical health a larger priority? After all we call ourselves Voice Actors or Voice Talent. 

Well, Actors, Talent and Professionals in most industries that are talent based make physical health a huge priority. 

Before my career in VO, I was trained in the world of Theatre. Actors of the theatre are taught that physical conditioning is a must. Just think about it. Dance, Song, Stage Fights, Filling the theatre with your voice and sustaining stamina through a 2 or 3 hour performance. All are dependent on how physically "fit" your body is. 

Now Let me be clear. When I say the word "FIT" I am not saying that every Actor/performer or Voice Talent needs to have a Six Pack. But What I am saying is that your body needs to be exorcised and treated properly. In Theatre "Breath" is of huge importance. Theatrical Actors Spend countless hours training in the art of "Voice and Diction". Which is heavily focused on the power of the voice and understanding how to control the muscles that create vocal sound. The Diaphragm/Lungs, Larynx, Nose and Mouth. 

Learning how to breath properly and increasing blood flow in the body. Make powerful changes in your voice, creative choices and stamina. 

The stronger your heart is the more blood it pumps to your brain, Allowing your mind to work at a higher level of consciousness, which as a performer impacts your ability to improv or make new and creative choices. 

Your Lungs and heart are incredibly strong muscles, and Muscles need to be worked in order to stay strong and strengthen. Actors who perform in front of an audience understand how important this is to their career. 

In the world of VO. We are not in front of our audience. It is just you and your mic. And Breaths? well if you are taking to many between words all you have to do is edit them out, leaving just enough to sound "natural" Right? A lot of Voice Talent are to dependent on the technological capability of altering their performances. We don't perform live, so making the perfect "take" is just an editing process. But I don't really think it should be. If we Call ourselves Actors of our trade. We should discipline ourselves to the extent that live performers do. Focus on developing our "vocal muscles" and increasing our blood flow and stamina. Be able to nail the performance in one take, treat our performance as if there are 200 plus eyes watching waiting to hear you "hit that difficult note", "stick that landing"or touch their hearts with your compelling performance. 

I truly believe that if you make the choice to take care of your body. Strengthen your Heart and Lungs. Stretch your vocal cords and dictate the actions of your tong and mouth. You Will be capable of so much more as a Voice Actor and likely increase your bookings. 

Stay Healthy behind the mic.



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