What itā€™s like to a Voiceover Actor with Becky Boxer
Mar 02, 2022
Episode 36: What it’s like to a Voiceover Actor with Becky Boxer
Are you thinking about breaking into the Voiceover industry?
Join me as I chat with Voice Actor, Becky Boxer about Voiceover auditions, voicing for Sims 3 and more!
From being the voice of California Tourism to selling salad dressing to voicing Zombies, learn as Becky shares her experience living and working in L.A.
By the time you finish listening, you’ll know:
- Becky’s journey working in Voiceover for over 20 years
- How the industry has changed for the Working Voiceover Actor over the years
- Setting up your home studio and auditioning/working from home
- How ‘who you know’ can often help you book the role
If this episode inspires you then I'd love to hear from you! Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories and tag me@katherine_beck_ !
Then follow me on Instagram to go 'behind the scenes' with me and my own journey as an American accent coach and Voiceover Actor.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Ready to master the ALL AMERICAN ACCENT? Grab my free guide to learn how to master the All American accent. Grab my free guide here.
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SHOW TRANSCRIPT
You're listening to the All American actors podcast, Episode 36. In today's episode, I'm talking with working voiceover actor Becky Boxer. She's sharing with us what it's really like to work in this industry and some of the cool jobs she's voiced over the years that's coming up next. Ready to go behind the scenes and learn what it really takes to build a sustainable career as a working actor in the US film and TV industry. Join me Katherine Beck, you're all American accent coach, as I give you the insight and inspiration to take action on your career, learn my best tips and tricks to performing with an American Accent and hear from working actors and other industry professionals. To give you a comprehensive overview of this biz we call show biz. This is the all American actors Podcast. I am so excited to speak with today's guests. But first I want to give a very big shout out to Christina who says I've just listened to the podcast and can't wait to start working with Katherine. Everything she has to say makes a lot of sense. And I believe she can help me sound like an American speaker also to improve my diction and be more confident. Thank you so much Christina. Such wonderful words. And I am definitely here for you both in the podcast and in my training programs to help support you and guide you to help you with your American accent. So thank you so much. And if you've been listening to this podcast and you're loving what you're hearing, too, do me a favor and make sure you click the subscribe button. If you haven't done so yet. Tap those five stars and leave a review. Just let me know what you think of this podcast really helps us out with those Apple reviews. So let us know and I can't wait to hear what you have to say. All right, today's guest I met way back in my Chicago days. We went to college together and then reconnected back in LA and she has worked both on screen and behind the microphone and has crafted a voiceover career for herself. This lasted more than 20 years, she's had an incredible and long lasting career. Becky boxer is here to share with us her story, not just all the good times, but the bad times the ups and downs of the industry. And that's what it's really like to be a working actor. And she shares that with us today from being the voice of California tourism to working in video games on Sims three to working in her home studio these days. I know you're gonna get some really amazing value and insight into her journey. So let us begin. Welcome to the podcast. Becky boxer. It's great to have you here. Thank you. So Becky, why don't we start if you don't mind, just telling our listeners a little bit about your background, who you are how you got started in acting and voice acting and all the good stuff. Becky Boxer 2:54 Okay, I'm from Chicago, I moved to LA in 1997 right after I graduated college, and I was doing on camera and voiceover. But I certainly always had a unique voice and people were always commenting that voiceover would be my, my thing. And then I moved back to Chicago for a brief time when I was in married. And I called up one of the agents in Chicago and she happened to answer her own phone, which she never does. And she said she had a good feeling about me. And then I went and I booked my first national commercial the next day. So she I know I booked to Nash. I know it was insane. But this was like now we're talking like 20 years ago. And so I really lucked out. And then I booked a few things after that. And then I was on my way. And she had a reciprocal relationship with William Morris and LA. So when I was moving back, and they had had someone booked originally on that campaign campaign that I booked, and then I booked it off them. So he was like, Alright, you want to come here. And so then I just kind of walked in there. And they just signed me and I was there for like until they closed last year. I was there for like 20 years. Katherine Beck 3:57 Wow. Was it that long? 20 years. Becky Boxer 3:59 I mean, I started with William Morris. I'm trying to think of NT that was January 2003. Not 20 years, but that's like, so is there like 18 years. Katherine Beck 4:10 It's impressive. Becky Boxer 4:10 I mean, it's kind of like once you're there I feel like they're not like tossing and you know like they feel I think there's like the plus the agent there's from Chicago so I always felt like he felt loyal to his Chicago people. Katherine Beck 4:24 He did. He had a nice little Chicago following. Becky Boxer 4:27 Yes, he did. And they were all kind of tight to me now. Katherine Beck 4:30 Well, that's really interesting. So do you remember what that first national job that voiceover was that you booked? All right? Yeah, it was for craft dressing. Did you work for craft even more than after that because I feel like later on you were doing some other stuff from them. Becky Boxer 4:48 But that was like the big campaign I had for them other like I've done other littler stuff, but not in a minute. It's been a minute since I've worked for Kraft but at the beginning I craft right off the bat which was like, amazing. Well I know some of our listeners like it. The ones in Australia would have heard your voice in your California tourism campaigns. Because I know I've heard you out here I was the voice of California tourism from 2000. And I think five until the pandemic, they kind of stopped advertising. And they put me on like a hold. But it was a very awesome long run is the voice of California was awesome, awesome gig very quick. They were very loyal. They told me I'd have it as long as they were doing that style campaign. And they were, you know, until the pandemic, they changed up their style now, but they really were incredibly loyal, which is rare in this industry to have someone be so loyal. And it allowed me to make my sag insurance every year for a long time. Katherine Beck 5:42 Oh, that's fantastic. That's very helpful out there. And so you've done a lot of work in commercials. Are there any other areas that you work in? In terms of voiceover? Becky Boxer 5:53 Yeah. Oh, yeah. I mean, I've done a little bit of everything. Definitely some promo network promo. And I also have done games. And I now have my first cartoon and after a lot, a lot of cartoon auditions. It was a lot of hard work. I mean, literally, like 20 years of cartoon auditions. I finally, of course, through someone I knew my friends who were working for them through them in a party, because it is always about who you know. And realistically, I got to send them my demo. And after auditioning with them for like, two years, I finally got a series. It's non union. So it's not like I'm like banking it. But I'm really stoked, because it's a great character, a great superhero character, and it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's so exciting. Katherine Beck 6:41 Well, a big congratulations. Because I know when we were at William Morris together, we were auditioning a ton for animation. And he always had such a great voice. And I think you did come close to some stuff. I remember your William Morris, too. Yeah, yeah, for for a blip. Because I did something sort of similar to you. I also moved back to Chicago for a period and was doing voice over there. I was studying in Second City. And then when I decided to come back, I sent our past agent, my demo, and he signed me up. It was that whole Chicago connection. So but you know, it's one of those things that is like, it depends on what time of the day you would go in for your auditions to the to the booth, you know, we're all different times. But yeah, I was there for a bit and loved the experience. I thought it was really great. It was different because you know, you're in a massive agency when you're at William Morris. But I do remember you're getting close to some some of those jobs. Becky Boxer 7:43 I always got close to stuff. But yeah, it's a different issue. And they really use the same people for everything. It's very hard to break in and get opportunity unless, like I went to a party with these, these people at a party through my friend, you know what I mean? Like, and that's really seems to be the way that you can get ahead here. I mean, after all these years, I really think that most job opportunity I've gotten have been through people I've met. Katherine Beck 8:04 Yeah, well, that is really exciting. Congratulations. Becky Boxer 8:08 Thank you. I was in the same as for five years. And that was through a legit audition. I did not know what I was doing. It's all gibberish. It's an international game. It's all gibberish though. So I literally thought about like those jibberish games we did in college, like improv games. Yeah, I just ride it. And they were like, they even tell me after they're like, well, you weren't the best, but you seem fun to work with. And I was like, Okay, cool. So like that friendship even ended, ended up helping me do that game for a while. That was a woman, I was Sims three and neurolysis for now. So it was a bit ago, 10 years ago. Katherine Beck 8:38 Amazing. So what is that like? Because that's one area that I've actually never worked in for voiceover is video games. I've done a lot of animation series and that sort of stuff, but not for video games. So how does that differ? Becky Boxer 8:52 Okay, well, I'm having just working on my first series. Now, I don't have any experience in series. And I've just done a few episodes. So I don't know if I really want to answer that. But also, a lot of the gaming that I've done has been not in any language because Sims is jibberish. So it's just like our dabbas guma nama. They just like gets me you make it up. And then like recent games, I've done like in Resident Evil I the zombies. So like I had for that. Katherine Beck 9:22 Okay, so then is it more efforts and actions and that sort of things that you're contributing to the to the voice that you're creating? Becky Boxer 9:30 Yeah, just so but then I guess in this animated series, I'm doing lots of efforts as well, you know, but yeah, definitely a big part of the games that I've done had been efforts. And for Sims, it's like very specific, but you were literally shivering through actions. Yeah, I mean, it sounds like I mean, you obviously have more experience with animation, but it sounds like similar. Katherine Beck 9:53 It is similar in animation, especially something like if you're playing a superhero, for example, there's going to be a lot of action. He's sort of seen. So you are still going to have to do those different types of efforts and, you know, taking punches or throwing punches or zooming through the air or whatever it might be for your character. So there's still a lot of that involved. But I guess they're probably pretty similar and yet very different in terms of maybe the format and the style of directing or the way they they put the voices together. I don't know. I can't really comment because yeah, it's the same. I haven't been in video game. So I only know TV animation. Becky Boxer 10:35 Same to me, basically, except that with the series, like I know, they bought a bunch of episodes. So it's ongoing, and most of my games have been one day sessions, maybe two. And then Sims was fast. Sims was a crazy experience that was like, so unique. But usually, it's just like a day, like a one off. Katherine Beck 10:50 Yeah, right. Okay. And so when you did the video games, where did you record with other people in the studio? Is it similar in that regards to? Becky Boxer 10:59 Because of the pandemic? I've only recorded the animated series with nobody else in the studio. So I don't. So yeah, pretty much alone. I've only recorded stuff alone. The only time I've ever been with a group is for zombie land two, I did zombie voices. I did like a bunch of zombies in it. And so there was like a team of us doing zombies in there. That's really the only time I've ever unless it's like a, you know, commercial with a couple people. But I've never really recorded with anyone else otherwise. Katherine Beck 11:28 And are you still doing on screen acting as well? Becky Boxer 11:31 No, I stopped doing that I did. I did it for a while, I felt like it wasn't very good for my mental health. I think it's challenging. And I did a few movies where I was, I mean, to be honest, I did a few movies where I was nude. And then that was really the only opportunities I was getting. And I didn't feel like it was like, certainly not what you train all those years for. I'm nothing wrong with that I was in jarhead, which is like a cat like, that was a big movie. And I'm super proud of it. And I just realized that that was not the path that I really felt good about going down and voice overhead. And it was like, why am I putting myself through this other stuff. When I can do this, which feels so much better, you know, you know, like in LA, like, you have to drive to all those auditions. And it's, it's takes forever, whereas voiceovers like a one and done, you know, which is also kind of nice, too. Katherine Beck 12:20 I can totally relate that. I think that's the reason why I was drawn to voiceover and put my onscreen acting career to rest as well as the less less hours on sets, it's less about what you look like. And it's so much fun to be in front of the microphone, creating with your voice. Becky Boxer 12:40 There's nothing like it also not to forget that like, as, as we are now women that are like, of a certain age, it's the opportunities are much less. I mean, it's like, I feel like once I got into my 30s people, it was like, the the range of roles you could play were so much less, you know, to unfold, which is unfortunate, but just part of it, you know? Katherine Beck 13:01 Yeah, it's true. So what do you love about voiceover? What's your favorite part about being in the industry? Becky Boxer 13:06 I mean, I guess the feeling when you get it, that's the best feeling, right? It's like It's like a lottery and you get one. I do like doing I've done I really like doing these charactery things. I've had some really fun characters I've gotten to do. So I really enjoyed that. It's fun to see yourself in something, although very rarely that happens. But it always felt good. When those California tourism commercials were honored to be like, Oh, yeah. And definitely when I've made money in longer now, but when I used to make really good money doing this, that felt really good to. Katherine Beck 13:40 Well, I'm very excited to see this animated series. I hope I can see it out here. I think that sounds really cool. You have to let me know. And so what about like, do you ever do anything's in audio books, or there's so many different facets of voiceover. I know, audio books is one area, I have to say, I'm not as intrigued about I think some voiceover artists. That's their thing. Becky Boxer 14:04 Like that's consistent living doing it, but you used to edit it yourself and record it yourself. Most studios Do Not Have you come in. So that means that not only do you have to read the whole book, you have to edit it yourself. And my friends who do it, do it only when they have to when they need them, because it is so time consuming. Plus you're sitting in a little room for like, I mean, think about how long it takes to read a book. You know, and if you mess up and you have to go back and you're sitting in your little booth all those hours and I just think it sounds really depressing. Honestly, I love listening to audiobooks. But Katherine Beck 14:37 Yeah, I think you you have to, you probably have to be a real book lover, just an avid book reader to be one of those voice actors that does audiobooks because it is it's a whole other thing. Becky Boxer 14:51 Yeah, I can see that the books. Yeah, I have some friends who do that and kids books I could see being fun because they're short, but like those long that's a lot of time alone in a closet. Katherine Beck 15:00 Yeah. So tell me about your closet. What's your voice booth like? Becky Boxer 15:05 Um, so I lucked out. I am subletting apartment and apartment and the guy who lived here before was an actor William Morris as well. And he was handy. So he built a booth in this freaking apartment. So I moved in, all I had to do is put my mic in. And it's I've been I've worked now with the pandemic, I've worked in it so many times and have had no complaints, which is amazing because my buildings from like the 30s and like, when the toilet flushes, I can hear it in my booth. If someone flushes the toilet above me, but I've just lucked out and I were I have not had a problem, the whole pandemic with it. And it's been a lifesaver. I mean, really, he did a good job for he figured it out. He figured out how to take this closet and pull everything out and soundproof it and make it so it's a usable booth. That's amazing. Yeah, really good job. Katherine Beck 15:51 And what's what sort of microphone do you have? Becky Boxer 15:53 I have a way I always forget what it is. A Sennheiser the studio standard FTM at it, it's Yes. Iser. 416. And I think Katherine Beck 16:06 that's Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, it was like that one. Becky Boxer 16:10 Someone once told me it was studio standard, and that it would sound good with my voice being deep. I was like, Alright, I just got that one. I had a road before. But I guess with, you know, different mics resonate differently with your voice. Katherine Beck 16:21 Totally. Yeah, the road works really well with my voice. I get a lot of compliments. When I do auditions or jobs from home. They love it. So it's so interesting how microphones pick up the voice different. And you just got got to kind of like play around and find which one works really well for you. Becky Boxer 16:41 I definitely took people's advice when I had people say, you know, if you got that I had several people say if you got this mic, it would sound really good with your deep voice. And it was like, Okay, so that's definitely to get you to have such a great voice. Katherine Beck 16:53 I've always loved your voice. It's other certain types of auditions or roles that you tend to get with your voice. Becky Boxer 17:01 I mean, I think with the on camera that was part of the problem. Is that, yeah, is that raspy kind of smokery sounding voice was one of the reason the roles that I was getting offered were sexy counter roles, party girl roles because of my voice. So it was limiting in that capacity. I remember when I was younger, and looked very young. And I'm sure when you were out here too. We were in our 20s. And I'm sure you and I went on a lot of the same auditions and you have a much higher voice. But I literally would have cast directors shut me down. They'd be like, you're not reading for an 18 year old you do not. I literally have one cast. It was one of the funniest stories, I went in for a role and she was supposed to be a virgin. And I opened my mouth for two minutes. And she's like, it's so nice to meet you. But there's no way you can play a virgin. And I was like, Okay, I mean, you want me to read? She's like, No, you don't have to read you can go I was like, wow, and Holly. Wow, lucky, nice to meet you. You know, but I mean, that really shows you that your voice. Your your voice does influence your on camera. I mean, it really did influence my on camera, for sure. And voiceover obviously influences too. I one of my good friends does a lot of stuff, and she has a much higher pitched voice. And there are things that I can't do that she can do. I can't or don't have the range. Katherine Beck 18:19 So in terms of character creation for voiceover, what sort of range does that give you then? Becky Boxer 18:25 Well, I do a lot I'm really been into the evil stuff. I've been like doing a lot of zombies. And like, Katherine Beck 18:32 Can you give us an example my zombies are like that's a really good song. Becky Boxer 18:44 I was the only girl and like the zombie cast because I think it's a fairly, probably terrible my voice but difficult thing to do. And, um, so I've done I've done about quite a bit of that. And then I've done other evil ones, I can kind of bring in that evil thing down here with my boys. So we're getting more evil stuff. I'm definitely like, most of what I booked over the years has just been me talk me talking like for commercials, you know, just like, they just want like a real person. And I kind of can do the real person thing. Katherine Beck 19:14 And I think also you've got that authority with that depth in your voice which works really well for commercials, they, they want that. You know, if it's a voice for product, for example, that voice that is relatable conversational. That person next door, but that also has the authority to go I'm going to listen to that person. Becky Boxer 19:37 And usually like there's a like, a lot of female roles. There's like a little bit of sarcasm, especially when it's a male female, like couples situation because the guys are typically portrayed is like stupid. And so weird. If you look at scripts, commercial scripts, and the women are usually like smarter and a little sarcastic. And I think that kind of that kind of speaks to that as well. Yeah. But on the opposite side, I know I don't don't sound like this typical mom. Like when I tried to audition for Pampers, the chances of me getting something like that are pretty rare. I know. And one of the reasons I was California is cuz I can do that in California but like, put me in a Pampers commercial and you'd be like, Katherine Beck 20:15 they'd be going for voice more like mine, Becky Boxer 20:17 You're a mom, right? And you're more like the edgy, like that edgy kind of voice. And I'm really finding it challenging trying to now do a lot of things call for a millennial found. And Neil, and I'm really been trying to listen to TV and popular media and try to pick up the voice speech patterns of millennials, because so many things. Now they want out of the mouth of the current youth. It's interesting, it's a different speech. Katherine Beck 20:47 Okay, so that's interesting. So what would that be? millennial voice, Becky Boxer 20:53 A millennial voice. I mean, it's, it's it hits I'm like, not trying to event any millennials. But like, in the voice over world, the millennial voice tends to be pretty flat, and like very, like unaffected by things. Yeah, yep. Brahmas removed. Kind of, like harder to impress, like, he just kind of like, I think flat is, is a simplifying way to say it, because it's just like, and then a lot of the speech pattern, you know, it kind of goes up at the end. Like, if you listen to like, a lot of people in popular media today, I mean, and then like, the Kardashian being, like, their extreme example of like, going up at the end. But if you can, like, minimize that, that's kind of a millennial sound, but it's definitely like an unimpressed. It's definitely like, yeah, like I'm reading your commercial spot and your products pretty cool. But like, you know, ya know what I mean, it's kind of a lot of spots call for it. And it's like, it's really not about how old you sound. It's about that, that like, Katherine Beck 21:52 just the attitude. It's gnarly. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's interesting. Yeah. Trying to get that, yeah, get that. Get that into your repertoire. Exactly. Definitely called or a lot lately. Oh, well, that's good to know. So what, what's next on the books for you? So you've got this animated series? Is there any? In terms of, you know, it's always fun to set goals for ourselves in terms of voiceover? Like, is there any part of the industry you feel like you haven't really tapped into Is there someone that you would want to work with, maybe an animated movie or something like that, Becky Boxer 22:30 I've tapped into lots of parts, and then I've tapped into them. I had never I was a few networks, I was the voice of for a while. So we definitely like to be the voice of a network. Again. That was really fun. That was a great experience. And of course, like, doing the game and being like a major character, and it would be wonderful. I mean, and of course, like you want the union what part of the problem right now in America is that a lot of gigs have gone non union. So where as it was relatively easy to make it not easy. Strike that, where I had an easier time making a living as a union, with with only union jobs for a long time. Now a lot of I've gotten fire core, which means that I can do a union and non union because the the, the amount of non union auditions is insane. Like I get every day, let's say I probably get 20 auditions a day, a day, roughly, trying to think how many I've had so far today, I think I've done 13 today, so far, and I've got a few waiting for me. So let's say out of those 21 is union or two, and the rest are non union. And it's really interesting, because when it's union, you know, you can make a living off of it. I mean, and you get insurance, which is wonderful. And when it's non union, I'm grateful that I have a team that can negotiate for me a decent rate. But it's much harder to make a living man, it's much harder. And the thing is that the direction things are going, I have it like right after this, I'm going to go read for a very huge soda product that is non union now. Wow. So you go Okay, so this job is going to give you now they're going to say, oh, we're going to pay you out 20 $500. But that job would have made you 40 grand a couple years ago. Yeah. It's crazy, really crazy. But it's really because there's such little amount of union work. The people who are the big names, particularly with animation, are the ones who were they're going to give it you know, that the terrorist I'm strong people who are the names are going to get these big union rolls. And then it's just been a really huge change in the last two years. I mean, my Eric, who you know, who's now manager at ACM, he was like, do you want to work? Or do you want to wait for the big gigs? And you know, it's like, we love what we do. We want to work so it's I'm like, I want to work. You know, I've worked more than I've worked in a long time, and it's harder to make a living than it's ever been. Katherine Beck 24:53 Well, it you know, it's good for everyone to hear that because the industry is always changing and I think we have to set up Thumbs up for that. And it really is about doing what you love to do. And if you can't imagine, you know, doing something else, if this is what you absolutely love, then you fight for it, and you do the union, you do the non union whatever's gonna get you by, but it's true. It's a tough industry, you know, and it's not for everyone. Becky Boxer 25:22 So many of my peers, we've made a living doing this for years. I mean, I've made a living doing it for years. And then in the last few years, it's just these non union gigs, just the pay is so different, it really, really has made it more challenging. And I would also encourage any young talents and not necessarily jump right in the Union. Because, because, whereas you used to have to kind of keep jump into the union, in order to really be valued as a professional, certainly in Los Angeles. It's just that's not the case anymore. Katherine Beck 25:55 So that's really changed. Now. Becky Boxer 25:57 It's really changed. However, if you ask someone of the Union, like, who isn't five core, like, they're very much discouraged what I've done, sure, like, Look, your lips kind of have like a scab thing, but it really comes down to like, do you want to work? Or do you want to work once a year for that union gig and hope it's a good one? Or do you want to work? I work almost every week? Yeah, it comes down to what you need and what works for you. And I think that people have strong opinions on it here. Very strong opinions on it. And that's what I ultimately need. It has to be what works for you. And that's what I kind of realized works for me. Definitely. Union people, but I'm sure their opinions vary. If the differs, you know, Katherine Beck 26:35 yeah, no, but that all makes sense. You were mentioning young talent. And I'd be curious to know, because you've been in the business for such a long time. If you were looking back to when you first started out. And to those new actors that are contemplating getting into voiceover, what advice would you give them, Becky Boxer 26:53 I think the first thing I would know is that I'm going to give up a lot of things, if you're going to make this your main job. The reality is, and this is where I get slightly depressing, but very honest, I'm a 46 year old woman, I don't have children, I'm not married, my career's been everything my whole life, and I'm struggling to make a living. And I think that is the reality for so many of my peers in voiceover. And yeah, some are married, and some have kids. But I gotta tell you, for the people that I know that have made this their life the last 20 years, you give up a lot, a lot. And that's, and that's and I can, I don't know, if I would have, I think as if my younger self, I don't know that I would have dedicated my life to it this long to not make a living, knowing that I would be giving up those things. That honest to her. So I would tell younger talent to really know that you're ready to give it all up for this. Because if you're not, she will look back at your life and go Holy crap, I gave up all these things for this. And not to say you can't have both. But to really give it 100%. I mean, I'm in that booth. I started eight in the morning, and I go to a different every night with auditions. And I take like an hour workout break. That's the reality of voiceover if you want to work, and it does not allow time for much else. Katherine Beck 28:04 That's really, that's a lot of really great information, especially for actors that are over your way or contemplating moving over there. It's a totally different world, you know, here in Australia as well, we don't get nearly as many auditions as you get. And I think it's important for people to know the ins and outs of it. And the fact that you're in your studio that much in the day auditioning, I had no idea. Wow. Becky Boxer 28:33 It depends on your reps by the by, of course, an agency I would not have as many. But in the last 20 whatever years I've been doing this, I mean, I've always had several hours of auditions a day, I definitely feel people that it has to be the focus man, and they want to hear that from you, too. They want to know that you're willing to give it all up for it. You know what I mean? It's it's kind of a really tricky situation. I would say if it's the only thing you've ever wanted to do when you want it that bad. Go for it. And if not really, really think about your life in total and what you want out of life, LA is really gotten very expensive. And cost of living is very high and the jobs aren't paying as much so and you can do them from anywhere. No one cares where you are anymore. You I mean, I can see the time difference for you is obviously a big thing. But like that could be in Chicago and still doing all the same jobs. You know, it doesn't doesn't, at least not what, it doesn't matter like it did now with technology, you know, constant, because people think they have to rush out here and be in LA but that's setting yourself up for a very difficult world. Everyone has. That's one more thing now I'm like, Oh, you have things to say. do this professionally. You need to have source you need to have source Connect. That's what everyone's using. Now. ISDN was the thing that no one cares about ISDN anymore. It's going the way of the dinosaurs. In fact, you can't even I call to try to get in a few other friends did. They don't even offer it anymore. Wow. faces. So but source Connect is you can do on your computer. You know what, it's interesting to set up source Connect for people who are gamers who game with other gamers. If game, I don't know what the word is live gamers, you have to open up certain ports on your, on your internet so that you can live game with other people. And basically, this source Connect does the same thing. It opens it up so that you can be doing these live sessions. They can click on it, and I'm not technical, but you can be doing these live sessions from wherever you are. But it's also something people can do. It's not. It's not something to be intimidated by. It's not it doesn't. I am no tech wizard, and I figured it out. You know. So I feel like if you're going to try to do this, you have to have a way to record live, because sometimes little gigs will be like, yeah, we'll give you 100 bucks to record this incentive. But the big gigs want to be able to record with you live and you want to do you have to have it in your home. Katherine Beck 30:56 That makes a lot of sense. Yeah. Well, that's a lot of really great information and advice. I really appreciate it, Becky. And it's been so wonderful catching up with you. And I know my listeners can't see your face. But it's great to see your face I haven't seen in so many years and I really appreciate you sitting down to talk with us. Thank you so excellently Becky Boxer 31:16 I'm you know what I'm really glad I did. I'm happy to share this knowledge with other young actors. And I wish I had a little more. I was a little more educated when I started for sure. Indeed, Katherine Beck 31:25 yeah, it's good to have the education. And I think what you've shared today has been excellent. So thank you. Becky Boxer 31:30 You're welcome. Absolutely be well take care. Good luck, everyone. Katherine Beck 31:34 Thank you so much, Becky. And I can't wait to hear your voice in your first animated series. And remember, if you're an actor and you've been thinking, you know what, I'm ready to start working on my American accent. Then go ahead and check out my free guide which walks you through my step by step process on how to master the all American accent. It's yours. It's free. Just head over to Katherinebeck.com/accent. And remember, if you love this episode, go ahead. Let me know take a screenshot of the show. Share it with me on Instagram story and tag me in it at Katherine_Beck_ you can find me there if you've got any questions or topics you'd like to hear on this podcast, send me a DM and let me know I'm coming up next week on the show. I am concluding my voiceover series here on the podcast with my own insights into the voiceover biz as I share my voiceover journey with you and what I've learned along the way. Now make sure to share this show with all your actor friends, let them know what's coming on next week and invite them to tune in with you and learn how to become an all American Actor so you can be the working actor you dream to be until then go practice your American accent and I'll see you back here next time.
