We recently connected with Tim Powers and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

A lot of people think that voice actors simply contort their voices into wacky sounds and read scripts from a piece of paper. That’s reasonable, because when I was a kid, that’s what I saw Mel Blanc do on TV all the time. The truth is that this is an ACTING job, and what I do behind the microphone is no different than what your Oscar and Tony winners do- I act.
I had to learn the nuances of acting, improvisation, and performance. Fortunately, I had some great coaches along the way and people in the industry to help me learn.
The best thing anyone can do is REMAIN COACHABLE. If you’re starting something new, forget what you THINK you know, because, really, you don’t know anything. If the person who’s teaching you is making a living doing what you want to do, a good idea is to do what THEY do.
For voice acting, there are so many things to do in order to learn to do this proficiently and professionally. I’d recommend taking an IMPROV course and join a cast. Then I’d study voice acting with any number of amazing VO coaches out there.

Tim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started in Radio in the 80’s and loved it, but there’s no money and no future in radio. I was always funny, I so went to a training program to learn improvisation because I wanted to be like Belushi and Ackroyd and Bill Murray, and it was there that I learned about acting and theater.
When I relocated to LA in 2003, I started doing stand-up at the Comedy Store and the Improv, and it was through that work that I met some great directors in the VO industry who mentored me into the business. I was lucky, but I was also coachable and willing to learn. Here I am, decades later, making a full time living talking in a box.

Dude, Let me tell you, the industry is full of cookie-cutter training programs. Here’s the thing – your voice is one-of-a-kind, just like a fingerprint. Why settle for a one-size-fits-all approach?

In my program, we focus on YOU. We’ll explore breath control, character creation, everything you need to master this amazing art form. But we’ll do it in a way that highlights your unique strengths. Think of it as sculpting a masterpiece – your voice is the clay, and I’m here to guide you.

Now, voice acting is a journey, not a sprint. That’s why I don’t just throw information at you. I equip you with the tools and techniques to train your voice consistently, just like you would exercise an instrument. The beauty is, you can practice anywhere, anytime! Waiting in line? Perfect some breathing exercises. Making breakfast? Try out a new character voice. It’s all about making it a part of your daily routine.

Forget waiting for a “big break.” Let’s start building your skills today! My sessions are fun, engaging, and designed to integrate voice acting seamlessly into your life.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I was successful in radio, but that did not prepare me ONE BIT for voice acting. Announcing and voice acting are very different skills, although they look very similar.
In announcing, I am simply sharing information, regardless of why anyone cares. I’m simply conveying news.
in voice acting, I am PERFORMING, and connecting on an emotional level to form a human connection between me and whoever happens to be listening to my performance.

One of my acting coaches literally pulled me out of his studio after I gave him an announcer-y performance, and physically threatened me if I ever did that again. He said, “You’re an actor, not a DJ. Knock off that announcer garbage, and ACT!” His lesson resonates with me decades later.

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?

A lot of people think that the key to success in voice acting is just to have a “nice voice.” A kid approached me for industry advice and told me he had a “GOLDEN VOICE.” I told him that literally every single other person working in VO ALSO has a “golden voice” and his is nothing special in a room full of people who sound just like him. Why should he, a new and unproven talent, win a job, when a reliable and experienced voice is already available?
It’s not about the voice, any more than being.a rock star is about the brand of guitar you use. Talented musicians like Eric Clapton can pull a $50 guitar out of Goodwill and make it sound better than I could make a $4,000 Martin Guitar sound– but we both have guitars.
It’s a skill. It’s a craft. Learn how to do it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.voiceofpowers.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-powers-vo/
• Other: https://www.TimProv.Net

Image Credits

All images (C) 2024 Tim Powers Voice Over LLC