Learning.. About Learning. - CVAP Vlog, Week 2

(in the voice of legend Doc Harris) Previously, in CVAP Week 1 (end voice) we talked about how voice acting is an art.

Last week, we went deeper into what that really means... and it gave me quite the revelations. Let me explain.

During the morning session, we were introduced to the technical components involved if we were to, say, take our voices a little more seriously than most. Sir Brian gave us a virtual tour of their studios, so we were simultaneously given an idea of how all said components worked together.

You had your mics (connected via XLR/USB, and mono-directional/bidirectional/omnidirectional), and far as I remember, that hooks up to the audio box, which is connected to the mixer, and then finally to the laptop/PC.

I mean, you're just going to be talking, right? What gives? Well, I gathered that this setup was necessary so (1) you eliminate unnecessary noise, while (2) improving necessary sounds at the same time.

It's quite the investment, but it's quite necessary, especially if, as mentioned earlier, you're looking to take your voice a little more seriously than most.

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The afternoon session was, well, lively. Sir Harlem took the helm and he was pretty comprehensive in sharing most, if not all variations you could make to your voice. It was quite entertaining to hear how this apparently seasoned veteran in the craft was able to shift immediately from voicing an old man to a child with barely any pauses.

Through the demonstrations (his, and ours), I appreciate how, every now and then, he emphasized how the variations aren't necessarily where we should be focused on - they're there for us to practice, as a means to an end. In other words, we try talking like young girls, old men, mages, warriors, heroes and villains - we try talking like ALL we can, in order to discover our own voices.

Say this: 'My name is (state your name [and literally YOUR NAME and not the words 'your name', you juvenile delinquent]), and I speak as only (your name) speaks.'

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So in the morning we talked about equipment, gear and tech... and in the afternoon, we talked about the voice component - and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who made the realization that you need to master the latter before you appreciate the former - You need to master your own voice before you get excited about what your studio is going to look like.

You know, while I was going through all of this... well, it all looked so familiar, because this is sort of the same path you take as you learn photography.

It would be best if you learned to master your own eye before you started thinking about what fancy-schmancy camera to buy.

I've always been a firm believer in Chase Jarvis' saying, 'the best camera is the one you have right now'; how can you say you can take a good picture with, say, a Hasselblad Medium Format Camera - when you can't even take properly exposed, properly focused, and properly composed pictures with the camera on your cellphone?

And, lemme segue really quick - how can you drive a Lamborghini if you're having trouble driving the car you have right now?

Sorry. Rant over.

My point here is, you gotta master the innate foundations before you have an eye out for external enhancements...

..and we saw, through sir Harlem, that a sure way for you to attain said mastery is passion.

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Motivation can launch you and keep you 'on fire' - well, at least for a small distance. Discipline keeps you going no matter how tough things get. Passion takes the best of both worlds and has you 'on fire' for the long run.

Be honest with you, I wasn't really paying attention to all the time he took to share where he's been and what he was involved in, but now that I think about it - well, I must say that the man is very passionate about voice artistry.

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What are we learning so far?
You need to be good with your externals (equipment).
But before you get good with your externals, you need to get good with your internals (foundations).
BUT before you get good with your internals, you need to be resolved in your heart (passion).

This seems to be a very viable blueprint to follow. Whether you're taking on an art, or learning a skill, consider: heart, then internals, then externals - or, sure, passion, then internals, then externals.

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I hope I added value to you today. Thanks for your time!