5 Questions for a Professional Voice-Over Talent – Matt Dratva
Today’s 5 Questions for a Professional Voice Over Talent are answered by Matt Dratva, a professional voice-over talent based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
1. The beginning: When did you know you wanted to be a voiceover talent; how did your career begin (please include what year it started) and then when did your passion for voiceover develop into something professional?
From an early age, I was imitating cartoon voices and making sound effects but just figured you couldn’t make a living doing that! Then in 2006, I landed on a local voice over talent’s website, here in Toronto and after he critiqued me, the rest is history. It took approx. 3 yrs of auditioning everyday until I could walk away from my desk job and pursue my dream of being a Professional Voice over talent.
2. What is the one thing you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started out in voiceover?
Well quite honestly, I was told the truth upfront…that it would be EXTREMELY hard work but if I dedicated myself to this…it would be possible. And I never gave up, I just kept plugging away, keeping a positive attitude, knowing I would succeed.
3. What do you see as the biggest professional or personal obstacle you face that impacts your voiceover business and how are youworking to overcome it?
The disappointment factor of not booking a VO gig after you and the Director/Sound engineer think you really nailed the read. From experience, of course I know it is so subjective and it could have nothing to do with the read, the client was just looking for a different sound. I regard every audition as a valued opportunity and grateful for the experience….BUT sometimes, it’s still difficult.:)
4. What personal trait or professional tool has helped you succeed the most in your career so far?
My professionalism, timeliness, sense of humour and the fact that I love what I do is transparent to the client and makes them feel at ease.
5. In your development as a voice over performer, who has been the one particular individual or what has been the one piece of performance advice (maybe a key performance trick, etc.) that you felt has had the most impact on your actual voice over performance and why?
There are too many pieces of advice but the few that stand out for me are “lift the words off the page and make them your own” “it doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you say it” And lastly, “give the client 1 take for them (their wishes) and 1 of your own, because sometimes, they don’t even know what they want”
Love those pieces of advice, Matt. Thanks for sharing! 🙂