1. FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
I am an Australian voice actor hailing from the small city of Adelaide. I have a background in theater, opera, and cabaret, having trained as a classical singer, but have also worked as a radio announcer. I am currently a full-time voice actor working in commercials, animation and gaming, as well as a mum and performer. When I'm not voice acting I can be found drinking wine in bed watching Norwegian crime shows.
2. PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
My first ever gig was through a very boring office job I had funnily enough. A colleague asked me to do a voice over for an online website navigation system and I was hooked! This was circa 2007 so there wasn't as much information on VO as there is now, so I'd go down the rabbit hole on YouTube to soak up as much information as possible about studio set ups, types of voice over and training. Around then I had started as a radio announcer for one of the networks here in Australia, and they'd have me voice ads when I could. Once I realised I actually had the chops, I cut a demo and decided it was time to take VO to the next level and commit time to the craft.
3. WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?
Since I was young, I would imitate TV voice overs, cartoons, celebrities and accents. I think it was inevitable that voice over would find me at some point in my career. There was a time in radio when I realised I actually wanted to work for myself. I wanted to be the business I was investing in, not working for someone else.
4. PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
If I recall, it was my first paid job. Someone was actually paying me to speak (shock horror). It was an ad for a cruise liner and looking back on it, I laugh at how over the top I sound. I think I was trying to emulate a newsreader! All to say, that being paid for something I truly loved to do seemed too good an opportunity not to pursue.
5. PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
Dry spells! The flow of work is so mercurial, I could go days without a job, then find myself over loaded with deadlines. This is the way of the beast, so you have to be versatile with what you do when the work isn't flowing. I'll brush up my demos, update my website, call potential clients whilst also checking in with existing clients; there's definitely enough one can do to grow your business.
6. JAPAN IS KNOWN FOR SO MANY GREAT ICONIC VOICE OVER PEOPLE, SUCH AS CHARACTERS FROM ANIME OR MOVIES AND DUBBED TV SHOWS. WHO IS SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
Crispen Freeman is a fantastic voice actor, but even more so, generous with his knowledge sharing on voice acting. His podcast Voice Acting Mastery helped me in the early days starting out, especially when it came to casting Do's and Don'ts, and the different pathways in which you can take your career. I would highly recommend taking a listen.
7. IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
The penultimate would have to be Pixar or Disney, but until I get that call, I'd love to work with Ludo Studios who produce the kids series Bluey. The plot lines are so quintessentially Australian and the characters so relatable, it would be an incredibly fulfilling gig.
8. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
Animation and gaming projects are always my North Star because of the depth of character work they provide (and let's face it, they're so fun!) But currently I'm booking a lot of accent work for online advertising, announcements and e-learning.
9. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.
Hollywood was the pioneer of screen entertainment so they've had years to perfect the craft and evolve. I like how in the last few years TV has trumped film to an extent, and we're seeing so many more interesting roles for women that also provide longevity for employment as an actor. It's refreshing to see interesting choices in casting which makes for a much more interesting watch.
10. WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?
My beautiful friend, coach and mentor Lori Alan (Sponge Bob, Family Guy, Toy Story) has had such a fantastic career, and her techniques for character development resonate with me so much. I'm also a huge fan of Kristen Schall who uses her unique voice to its full potential, as well as Nancy Cartwright whom I heard as a keynote speaker for That's Voice Over in L.A last year. Hank Azaria is also quite amazing with the breadth of characters he can perform. Charlie Adler too but the list goes on...!
12. NOW IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK. DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS, OR DO YOU PREFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?
I'm a social person so living my life in a vacuum that is 'the booth' can have me chewing off my arm at times. I love to get out to local studios and have some human interaction as the audio industry has so many great people. I think of audio engineers as your team mates- they're a conduit between you and the client or director, so you have to be on the same page. I love taking directions too which is so much easier in person.
13. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
I've fallen into a niche where a lot of the projects I'm cast for involve accent work. It's really useful for character work, as I'm most often cast as the evil villain or kick ass commander. As my accents are often e.g. General Irish or General Scottish, I will often beat out native speakers for jobs. Clients often want an accent that is widely appealing in commercial work, so keeping it generic usually wins out over an accent from a particular part of the country.
14. WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?
Ooh I just got asked this the other day! People are blown away that this is in fact a real job (let's face it, I still am!) Once kids are off to school it's straight to my studio, going through jobs for that day, recording, auditioning, checking casting sites, updating my website, audio editing and touching base with current clients. It's not a typical 9 to 5 so I throw in some admin and laundry to spice things up...
15. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?
Three steps to get you started: Attend voice over training or workshops. 2. Make a demo with a reputable coach. 3. Set up a simple home studio. Mostly just be prepared to do a lot of hustling after that to procure work and clients. Oh, practice your cold reads! If you have that nailed, you've done half the work before you've even stepped into the booth.
16. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?
Someone who's great to work with. If you can make a session enjoyable for everyone in the room (or on the call) it's a win win. Being able to take direction quickly and interpret what the client wants is also a skill worth developing. Often the client can't articulate what they want you to do- '8% slower with more energy but less announcery and sound cute'- it's your job to work that out and deliver!
17. YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?
At the moment I'm working on my first feature film which I can't wait to see on the big screen. I'm also developing an audio drama with some excellent voice actors I met in L.A, so watch this space. I'll also be entering the SOVAS awards again after last year's nomination. Second time lucky!
18. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
I'm waiting in anticipation for a national advertisement in Dubai to be released in which I channel the wonderful Jennifer Coolidge. It was such a clever script and the director was so brilliant to work with, it was so easy to be in the flow during the session. Jen Coolidge is such a fun voice to imitate as she switches gears so often emotionally. It's a great vocal workout.
19. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
Website: www.tamaralinke.com or Email: SoundBowlProductions@gmail.com
20. ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?
Be willing to put in the work as establishing yourself as a voice actor can be a slow burn. Social media is a necessary evil so putting yourself out there is a must. No one's going to discover you sitting on your couch eating cereal, so put yourself in the front line. (Oh, and practice your 'P's so you don't mic pop).
