Certified Voice Artist Program WEEK ONE 20 June 2020
During the first Module, Sir Choi started the program by telling his life story on how he got inspired to become a voice artist. Pocholo de leon Gonzales is born in Mariveles, Bulacan. He grew up listening to radio and drama hoping one day that his mother would hear his voice on the radio. He went to Manila at age 16 to study at the University of the Philippines Diliman to take up Creative Writing. He realized that he like to talked more than he liked writing, so he shifted and eventually finished his Bachelor's Degree with a Major in Speech Communication.
One of his firsts stints in the industry was he joined a radio contest at ABS-CBN/DZRH where he beat one of the contestants to be part of the program "Barkadahan sa Radyo" where he became an anchor, scriptwriter & director. That is where he met his first mentors, Joey Galvez & May Valle. He eventually got his first role as a Dubber as a part of a crowd setup. His first line in Dubbing was "Lisanin na natein ang dagat na to!"
He experienced struggles & hardships as he got a first taste of office Politics where people from above would practice nepotism where they would favor friends and family first rather than skill. That triggered Sir Choi to become better and land bigger roles such as the Father of San Chai in Meteor Garden, Bibo Hotdog, Cyber Kuro-Chan, and much more! After receiving several awards locally and internationally, he eventaully set up his first Voice Acting school called UNIVOICESAL Productions with 2 Million Investment, but failed after 6 months. He started again where he setup another school in 2005 called the Creativoices Productions with only P10,000 capital and a simple USB Microphone! The rest is history...
On the Second Module, Sir Choi also busted popular myths about voice acting such as "YOU need to be good at imitating voices" or "All you need to do is real a script and talk, then you earn money" and of course "Voice acting as a means of making money". All of them are WRONG, according to Sir Choi, because becoming a Voice Artist is so much more than just making MONEY. It is focusing more on the ART and the RELATIONSHIPS, and less of the NEED.
The first requirement is you need a Proper speaking voice and know how to properly read a script. You should also know how to listen and follow instructions carefully to your directors & clients, be willing to invest in TEAM (Time, Energy, Availability & Money), have a wide sense of creativity and imagination, and be willing to go CRAZY if necessary! Last is don't lose your day job just yet, as the Voiceover Industry is not a stable means of income especially as a beginner. You have to fund your passion first, then eventually your passion will fund you.
To conclude the first week of the workshop, one of the biggest takeaways from Sir Choi in becoming a Voice Artist is you have to "Know your WHY". Have a sense of purpose on why you entered a career as a Voice Artist. If it is for the money, then it will be almost certain that you won't have a bright future, as majority of starters such as myself go through a series of Voluntary works to build their brand. That's why his favorite line is "Availability is the BEST ability" as this applies to both amateurs and veterans alike.
For aspiring Voice Artists out there, it will be a very rocky start especially at the beginning your career. You will encounter plenty of disappointments, struggles and rejections that may take years for you to adjust. But as long as you bear in your mind and heart the willingness to "learn, unlearn & relearn", reach out to the people who are in need, and the mindset of availability, you will have a fruitful career not just as a Voice Over Artist, but also a meaningful life in general.
Always remember, the best things in life take time.
#creativoices #voicefromhome #certifiedvoiceartistprogram #cvap
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