We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Latrell Carr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Latrell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Through my company LC Voiceovers, my mission as a Voiceover Artist is deeply grounded in a desire to use my voice to inform, inspire, motivate and empower. One of my favorite quotes from the famous poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou is, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote resonates with me because it emphasizes that while the specific words or scripts may fade from my audience’s memory, my voice has the ability to create a lasting impression and an enduring connection with listeners, whether that’s through a commercial, phone greeting, eLearning project, or audiobook. The power to create a profound impact on audiences lies not just in the choice of words but in how those words are delivered. Words, when spoken with precision and emotion, have the ability to deeply connect with listeners and evoke impactful reactions.
When it comes to commercials, the aim of a voiceover artist is to captivate the attention of the listener and foster a connection between the client’s brand and the consumer. Commercials can be much more than just promotional tools, they can also become powerful storytellers that resonate with audiences. Audiobooks represent another platform where the skillful use of words by a voiceover artist can elevate the entire listening experience. Detailed speech, mixed with the right emotion and emphasis can bring bring characters to life and make stories more vivid. One of my favorite areas of voiceover work is eLearning. By employing a tone that informs, motivates and empowers, I have the ability to foster an engaging learning environment.
My podcast, The College Spotlight, serves as another powerful platform for me, as a voiceover artist, to fulfill my mission of inspiring, informing, empowering, and motivating my audience. This platform gives me the ability to share content that aims to inspire and empower students navigating the college journey. By providing valuable insights and perspectives from college admissions professionals, the podcast not only informs but also motivates listeners to pursue their academic and personal aspirations with confidence.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Latrell Carr – a former high school counselor and college career counselor. After many years in the education industry, I transitioned into the dynamic world of voiceover and am now a podcast host, voiceover artist, audiobook narrator and founder of LC Voiceovers, LLC.
As I reflect on my journey into the voiceover industry, I’m grateful for the myriad of influences that have shaped my path. Among these influences was an early passion for reading and speaking that led me to major in Mass Communication in college. Although my educational journey took a detour when I decided to pursue degrees in psychology and education, I always had a desire to reconnect with my first love, Mass Communication. One day, while reading an audiobook narrated by the renowned January Lavoy, her captivating voice and storytelling style ignited my interest in audiobook narration. I soon discovered that audiobook narration is an exciting and rapidly expanding part of the voiceover industry. After hiring a voiceover coach, engaging in months of dedicated research concerning the industry and learning about various voiceover opportunities, I decided to pursue this passion further.
Guided by my unwavering faith in God and the encouragement received from my incredibly supportive husband, who built my home-based voiceover studio, I found the courage to pursue my dream of becoming a voiceover artist. Believing in the path laid out for me, I embraced the risk with the conviction that this journey aligns with a higher purpose. My parents always encouraged me to use my voice, a gift they saw in me from the beginning. Particularly, my late father’s belief in my abilities has been a driving force.
Today, I offer top-tier voiceovers across a range of platforms, including commercials, narration, phone greetings, eLearning and more. I take pride in utilizing the emotional dynamics of words, a skill honed during my years in education, to create impactful and engaging content. Alongside my voiceover work, I host the weekly podcast “The College Spotlight”, which is dedicated to providing prospective college students, their parents, educators and others on the admissions requirements, unique features, academic programs, campus life, and more of postsecondary institutions across the United States. The podcast allows me to merge my background as a high school counselor with my evolving career as a voiceover artist. Recognizing the enduring impact of words and the profound influence they can have on young minds, I embarked on this podcasting journey with a clear mission — to inform, educate, and inspire youth in their pursuit of higher education. Drawing upon my experience as a counselor, I bring a unique perspective to the podcast, offering insights, guidance, and motivational narratives that resonate with students navigating the path to college.
What sets me apart as a voiceover artist is my ability to tailor my voice to meet the unique needs of each project. Whether it’s a friendly, conversational tone or a more confident and energetic delivery, I have the versatility to bring scripts to life. I am most proud of the transformative power my voice holds, turning words on a page into vivid and memorable experiences.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, is the ability to use my voice to evoke emotions and connect with people on a profound level. Whether through the spoken word, as in my role as a voiceover artist, or through the conversations with individuals on my podcast, the opportunity to inspire, empower, uplift, and create an impact is incredibly fulfilling. Witnessing how my work resonates with others, sparks imagination, or brings about positive change is a gratifying reminder of the transformative power of creativity. It’s the joy of leaving a lasting impression and fostering meaningful connections that makes being an artist truly rewarding.
As a voiceover artist, my work often involves collaborating with diverse teams on various projects and connecting with people from various backgrounds. At the same time, this work allows me to work autonomously and provides me the flexibility to work within my own schedule. This freedom lets me add my own unique voice and viewpoint to my work, fostering a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in the creative process.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
For those not deeply involved in creative work, it might be hard to understand how my work as a voiceover artist seems both collaborative and autonomous. On one hand, there’s a collaborative aspect to my work, where I engage with diverse teams, from creative producers and casting agents to video production companies, advertising agencies, audiobook publishers, and audio engineers to bring scripts to life. This involves open communication, feedback, and coordination to ensure that the final product meets the client’s vision. The collaborative nature of voiceover work allows for the exchange of ideas and the integration of various perspectives, enriching the creative process.
At the same time, there’s an autonomous dimension to my role. As a voiceover artist, I have the freedom to interpret scripts, infusing them with my unique style and perspective. This autonomy is crucial in delivering a voiceover that not only aligns with the project’s goals but also bears the distinct mark of my artistic expression. Striking a balance between collaboration and autonomy is a delicate yet essential aspect of my work, contributing to the richness and effectiveness of the final audio product.
Those less familiar with the creative process might not realize the extensive planning, discipline, and effort involved behind the scenes for a voiceover artist. There’s a common misconception that one can simply pick up a script and start reading and speaking into a microphone, overlooking the meticulous preparation and dedication required to deliver a compelling and impactful voiceover. In reality, a great deal of thought goes into understanding a script’s nuances, tone, and intended message. Voiceover artists are required to analyze scripts, research how words are pronounced, and communicate with the project team to ensure a thorough understanding of the client’s vision. The discipline lies in consistently honing my vocal skills and techniques, staying updated on industry trends, and adjusting to different projects. Planning, preparation and discipline are crucial elements in my work. They ensure that when I complete a voiceover project for a client, it not only meets what the client wants but also connects with the listeners. It’s about being professional and dedicated to doing the best job possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lcvoiceovers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latrellcarrcollegespotlight
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lcvoiceovers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh0u4b3X6brto9E9ArieYyA
- Other: https://thecollegespotlight.podbean.com/
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