We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nick Marrs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nick below.

Nick, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

So if I’m completely honest my education was super chaotic. I’m a bit of a trash panda in how I got to where I am. At first I really had no idea what I wanted to do so I was just playing and learning. Keep in mind my journey started about twenty years ago but I’ve been in the professional space for about five years now.

Since I do both Voice Acting and Audio Engineering it’s kind of two part. Like, they’re adjacent disciplines but each has it’s own thing. For Voice Acting I think the most important thing you can do is to figure out what kind of voice acting you want to do. Or at least get a good idea. Most everyone starts off saying “GET A COACH” and that’s good advice but only half of it. A swimming coach isn’t going to be able to teach you how to play hockey. They might help you build athleticism, but it’s not the right tool for the job. Same with voice acting. It’s a huge industry and knowing you want to do audiobooks, commercials, or videogames first is going to help you find a coach that speak the language you need.

I definitely came in with the “I want to do it ALL” mentality and didn’t put in the leg work first. While all acting is still acting I think I would have been better off focusing on commercials. Lucky for me I found an awesome coach I aligned with fairly early.

If you’re interested in Audio Engineering I’d say the same still applies. Figure out what kind of audio you want to work on and find teachers who specialize in those things. You’re not going to learn Kung Fu in a Jujitsu dojo. Funny enough, because I didn’t have a teacher in the early days I never did learn how to do the things I wanted to do. I was trying to use the DAW, digital audio workstation, to use my keyboard to write classical music. I still only sorta have a vague idea how to make that happen. However, after twenty years of poking around I realized I’m really good at sound design and it just blends in seamlessly with voice over. So I took a few classes and filled in the gaps.

So, super roundabout but I think the most beneficial skill is to find the right kind of education and be open and receptive to learning. As much as I tried to DIY my way into this field it would have been a lot easier if I’d put that energy into researching educators that aligned with my goals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Yeah, Absolutely! Well I always say I’m a Voice Actor, Audio Engineer, and BBQ Dad. My journey was a bit of a winding mess, but hey I’m finally here! As a high school freshman I was the lowest bass in the choir able to hit a double low C. Unfortunately, my musical skill… is limited to having a good ear and being a good choir singer. So I spent years simply dabbling. Then I re-found voice over at just the right time in my life and it all clicked.

So my main services are voice over and voice over related audio engineering. As a voice actor it’s my job to translate your words into something that resonates with your audience. I’m the bridge that brings you together. This could be for anyone; a business with an amazing product, a story teller just trying to share a human experience, or an educator who needs their listeners to retain vital information. I like to say I can embody anything from warm professional to a cracked villain.

It’s the same thing on the other side of the microphone when I’m working as an audio engineer. The main goal is to craft the sound and story so that it serves the message. I do a fair bit of podcast editing, commercial production, audio dramas, and demos for fellow voice actors trying to get in front of agents. I also offer tech support and education for my fellow actors who want to be able to use their own equipment without hiring a full time engineer. More than once I’ve gotten a call from some super talented and smart actors with a piece of tech on the fritz. Weirdly, I have a lot of fun on those calls.

Actually, something super funny to me since you mentioned fans. I tend to play a lot of villains and bad dudes. It always gives me such a kick when I talk to a fan and they are surprised that I’m just like a chill dad. I’m by no means famous or anything and that isn’t my goal but I do love meeting fans.

And so, all of that is super important to me. I really take so much pride in being able to help people accomplish their goals. I love being a part of peoples stories. There is just something so human about it. I’ve got to do some really cool things for and with some big names and companies, but at the end of the day it’s that connection that means the most to me. To be able to do this but also do my most important job of being a dad who makes outstanding BBQ and grilled food is just so unbelievably satisfying.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Oh man… so many times. That’s life right? But specifically to the path I’m on right now absolutely. So like I said I’m both a voice actor and an audio engineer. You might think that because I’d been playing inside of the software since high school I would have started this journey as an engineer but that’s not true at all. I knew engineering and enjoyed it but I was dead set on being a voice actor. I had tunnel vision for my career.

One of the things no one tells you when you start voice acting is that it really takes four or five years to get traction in the industry. You might be the best improv actor at your DND table, but this industry is just so massive. You really need to be ready for the long game.

So there I am doing everything right. I’m my own engineer because I know what I’m doing. I’m getting more education and putting in the work. This is my full time life and I’m getting some work but not quite enough. The last thing I want is to go back to work just to pay for childcare for my newborn son. Then one of my VO friends asks me to do their demo because they knew how good I was at engineering from helping the community with questions and the playing around stuff I’d been doing.

That was it, that was the moment I realized I don’t have to be ONE thing. In fact, I was hurting myself by not looking for all the ways I could be engaging within this creative sphere. Since then I leaned into my skill set and expanded both sides of my business more than I ever would have focusing on one alone.

In fact this is one of the best pieces of advice I can give to anyone no matter their field. Look at the things adjacent to the job you want. See if you have any of those skills and if they appeal to you. In the world of voice over there is demand for writers, graphic designers, web designers, marketing experts, and virtual assistants. There are so many ways to stay engaged with the community and build your brand.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

That’s hard. MOST is such a big word. At the end of the day though, the thing I’m most grateful for is that I get to do a job that leaves me enough time and mental space for my family. I’m not forced to be away from home during a specific amount of time without the ability to create. Working from home I can live life, see my family, be creative, and just… breathe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://voicecraftstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicecraftstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VOcraft/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-marrs-voice-craft-studio/
• Twitter: https://x.com/NickMarrs7
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@voicecraftstudio2759
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/voicecraftstudio.bsky.social