1. FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
Hi! My name is Lisa Margaroli. I’m a SAG-AFTRA singer and voice actor based in Los Angeles. I grew up in Long Island, NY about 45 minutes outside of NYC, and moved out to LA to pursue my singing and acting career around 15 years ago. I was a theater and music kid. I played instruments, I sang in many singing groups, did musicals, and eventually went to Hofstra University for a B.S. in Music Business. I had incredible internships at Sony Music, the Metropolitan Opera and RPM Music – Tony Bennett’s management. I learned so much about the music and entertainment industry from the business side. My first job out of school was at Atlantic Records in the International Production and then Publicity. I was singing at night and on the weekends. Life was great! Then, I got into an abusive marriage. I had to leave the job I loved. Thankfully, I was able to get out of it and was divorced pretty quickly and easily. I visited a friend who had just moved to Los Angeles, and I couldn’t believe it. The sun was out every day! There was rock music still being played all over the Sunset Strip! I decided to save money for a while and move out to LA. Here in LA I’ve been lucky enough to work on some film and tv, sing with some heroes live on stage and in the studio. In addition to voiceover, I sing lead and background vocals with live rock and corporate bands, in musical theater shows, and huge choral masterworks in large choirs on some of the most famous stages.
2. PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
When the pandemic shutdown happened, I was laid off from a day job. Singer friends were setting up home studios. Recording sessions went remote. I decided to take a recording class and learned how to record and mix myself in Logic. I learned how to make demo recordings. A friend suggested taking some voiceover classes, and that’s when I started. I took a few commercial classes with Kelly Moscinski at The Voicecaster and I loved it. I loved using my voice in a different way, from my own home. I could still be myself, or someone else, and do it in pajamas! I then started taking classes at Voice Masters, thanks to another friend who had taken animation classes with and recommended the wonderful Paulette Lifton & Mimi Maynard. What a blast that was!! I was learning so much and meeting fabulous people! Teachers and classmates would complement the tone of my voice and would describe it as knowledgeable, authoritative, professional, nurturing, warm, and comforting. Since I had a corporate background, I found that I did well with medical and technical terminology. I tried a few narration classes with fabulous Heather Nichols at VoiceMasters, and some through the SAG Foundation. As a paid up SAG-AFTRA member, The SAG Foundation offers all kinds of incredible classes and resources for free. Eventually I did a commercial voiceover demo with Kathryn Horan at The Voicecaster, and an animation demo with Paulette at Voice Masters.
3. WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?
People would sometimes tell me that I had a great speaking voice, spoke well or that they liked its tone. I was always pretty comfortable speaking in public, or to groups or crowds from my experience in theater, the corporate world, and vocal/singing training. I’d never really thought about getting into voiceover, and didn’t realize all the different genres and opportunities that are in the voiceover world. Once the pandemic happened, I was open to learning more and trying it.
4. PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
As a performer, I think that in general, I want to move people. I want to make someone laugh, or feel inspired or comforted. I want to help people escape from their problems and be entertained. I also want to help inform and educate people, whether it be in a documentary about a historical event, or in current events.
5. PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
There is a lot that we have to do ourselves on our own. We have to perform, we have to be recording engineers, producers, students, marketing geniuses, promoters, etc. Being a presence on social media, engaging followers, and keeping content current is challenging. We are always investing so much into ourselves, and sometimes we don’t see a return on that for a while, or ever. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day and it’s hard to get motivated. Fatigue is real. We have to rest, and stay healthy and hydrated. I like to take workshops or seminars to stay engaged and keep my chops up. Voice Masters does fabulous weekly mini masterclasses and workouts on zoom on Fridays. They are free! There are different guests each week: agents, actors, directors, etc.
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?
I look up to classic voice actors like E.G. Daily who has done on lots of iconic voice over work, on camera work and has sung in bands, etc. I love that she embraces all sides of her personality.
7. IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
I have so many wonderfully talented friends and teachers, so it is always a gift to work with any of them. I’d love work on anything with Clancy Brown. His voice and performances as a fim, and voice actor have such depth and versatility. I’m a huge Disney fan and would love to work on any of their projects as a voice actor and singer. I would be honored to be a part of any kind of musical project.
8. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
I recently did my first dubbing job for an Italian reality show on Netflix, which was a blast! I dubbed the voice of the lead character’s agent who is sassy and sarcastic, just like me! Good times! I also did a spot for Discover LA for Spotify which was fun and helped promote the city I love. I’d like to get more into corporate narration, and possibly political narration. I’ve taken several classes and workshops, but would like to take more. Any kind of work that includes singing is priority and focus as well. I take pride in my voice and want to make sure to follow my own morals and ethics in the messages I share, as best I can. This year I’d like to obtain representation and collaborate to find awesome projects to be a part of.
9. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.
Hollywood/Hollyweird is an interesting and exciting place. I’ve had incredible opportunities here that I never would’ve gotten anywhere else, including New York. I’ve been able to manifest dreams to come true, like singing at the Hollywood Bowl as part of Wynton Marsalis’s All Rise Symphony Choir with the LA Phil and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and singing impromptu background vocals for Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, the guitarist of Aerosmith, my all time favorite band. You never know who you are talking with or meeting. You never know what you are walking into. It keeps me on my toes and paying attention.
As a performer, I think that in general, I want to move people. I want to make someone laugh, or feel inspired or comforted. I want to help people escape from their problems and be entertained. I also want to help inform and educate people, whether it be in a documentary about a historical event, or in current events.
11. WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?
A good voice actor is someone that makes you feel something. Whether it’s tugging on your heart strings, making you feel hopeful, or convincing you to buy a product, a good voice actor gains your trust and helps you to relate to and believe them. A good voice actor brings themselves to the character and differentiates themselves from what we think a casting director wants to hear. They make it their own. Consistency is also key. Staying sharp and in class will keep your chops up. There are so many virtual classes offered in all different styles. It’s easy to practice with anyone in the world.
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 enjoy and appreciate both, but I do love the collaborative process in person. I love the live dynamic and energy. Yes, you can interact and communicate over a remote session, but being together in person is just different and so much fun!
13. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
Teachers and classmates would complement the tone of my voice and would describe it as knowledgeable, authoritative, professional, nurturing, warm, and comforting. Since I have a corporate background, I do well with medical and technical terminology, and narration. With my experience in musical theater, I’d have a blast creating an animated character that sings. I’d love to poke fun at and embrace my NY Italian American Accent and the stereotype that I can be!
14. WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?
There’s so much to do. The day can start with some vocal warm ups and morning auditions. Anything involving your voice requires strong hydration. I love a morning coffee, but then have to switch over to water. Having a social media presence is important, so creating some content showcasing your personality and talents are on the to do list. Making sure social media pages and personal websites are up to date are important too. I love to engage with friends in the industry as well as industry professionals. I love to comment and support friends on social media. Uplifting and complimenting friends makes them, and you feel good. I love that and think it’s important. There are lots of in person and virtual classes, workshops and workouts available to take.
15. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?
If interested, I would definitely recommend taking some basic classes to get an understanding on terminology, styles of voiceover and how auditions and the process works. Most auditions are now done as a self record from home. Recording classes and familiarity of a DAW (digital audio workstation) and microphone technique are important. Acting and improv classes are also important. Being a good actor is more of a priority then how good your voice sounds. You have to be able to deliver the acting portion of being a voice actor. Classes are a great way to learn your craft, and meet fellow actors, teachers and directors who you can potentially work with down the line. Podcasts are a great resource. You can hear interviews with actors, directors, agents, teachers, etc.The voiceover network is very supportive.
16. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?
17. YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?
This year will be about networking, auditioning, more classes, and seeking representation. Each no is closer to a yes.
18. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
19. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
Absolutely! Feel free to check out www.lisamargaroli.com. I’m @lisamargaroli on most platforms. I’d love to hear from you! Let’s work together!
20. ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?
In any industry, consistency is key. You can’t win if you aren’t in the game. I do believe in manifestation. Give yourself goals, and figure out how to do the work to get there. I know it can be easier said than done. The amount of work we have to do on our end, such as the social media aspect, can be overwhelming. I try to surround myself with or follow people that I look up to and admire. That helps me stay engaged and raise my own game. We can do it!
