Monday, July 13, 2009

Outside of Voice Over...

Any full-time business owner would say that they have a 24 hour a day job. Voice Acting is no different. Have you ever recorded an audition past 11pm? I have. Have you ever just finished dinner, had the phone ring, and the next thing you know it's 8pm and you are in your recording booth doing a session? I have. Have you ever woken up with the sunrise to make it to your studio for an early morning session? I have. In fact, I'm guessing most of us have done these things many times!

When you truly love your job, it never feels like you are going to work. So, the late night or early morning sessions never feel like a burden. Auditioning can be fun, and great practice- so it never gets old. The truth is, passion is a great driving force, and success can be a little addictive. The question is, when was the last time you allowed your business to take a backseat?

Trust me, it's something I can easily write about in this blog, but it isn't so easily accomplished! I recently asked myself a few important questions: When was the last time you took a vacation without your travel studio? When was the last time you didn't look up the nearest studio to your hotel? When was the last time you took two hours out of your workday to do something you love?

And most importantly...When you work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- don't you think you deserve the break? Yes, I do. So- I enrolled recently (after some serious encouragement from my husband) in photography classes. Now, I am someone who loves to learn, so I've taken many, many classes over the years. Yet, somehow they always relate back to voice over. Acting, Spanish, Improv, etc...they all help me with my job. But photography has absolutely nothing to do with voice acting- and that was little scary for me!

Friday was my first class. It was only two hours out of my day, and my business held up just fine in my absence. I managed to complete my class 'homework' this weekend, and yet still made it into my booth first thing this Monday morning to complete a recording. No one suffered, the sky did not fall...but I grew. As a photographer, and as a person.

So, I ask you...outside of voice over, what will you do this week?

6 comments:

Chris Wagner said...

Kara,

I don't find much inspiration from blogs these days, but this entry you made is making me think about finding a photog class. I bought a Nikon D40 a few years ago, but never had the time to really learn how to use it, or how to take great pictures.

Thanks for the inspiration, let's see if I go as far as to push myself now. :)

Kara Edwards said...

Chris-

First, thank you :). Second- GO TAKE THAT CLASS! OK, sorry for yelling. Seriously, I can't believe it has taken me so long to take a photography class. There was always a lame excuse not to. "If I'm going to spend that kind of money- it should be on my busniess", "When will I have the time?" blah, blah. Never again. I have a Nikon D60- and in the first 30 minutes I learned more about my camera than I did reading the instruction manual cover to cover...twice! If it's something you enjoy, then I say- go for it! You will be so glad you did!

Kara

Peter O'Connell said...

So you're taller now? Because if that's the case I would be VERY much interested in attending this class.

My heel inserts haven't worked out the way I'd hope. I'm not so much taller as I'm tipping more.

Now get back to work!

Best always,
- Peter

Kara Edwards said...

Peter-

Great news! Photography DOES make you taller...I think they call it 'Photoshop'. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!
Kara

Liz de Nesnera said...

Does a "Road Trip" count? ;-)

Peace!

Liz

Kara Edwards said...

Liz-

Oh yeah- it counts!! :)

Kara