1. FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
Tony Jackson. Phoenix AZ. Scorpio. I love spicy food, heavy metal, and living life. I officially started my voiceover journey late 2019. In addition to being a voice actor, I also write grants for a disability focused nonprofit, have been a power wheelchair soccer athlete since 2009, coach, and broadcaster since 2012, and recently began downhill skiing competitively.
2. PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
WOW…that could be a small chapter in a book. Long story short, I discovered voiceover at my college radio station (The Blaze @ Arizona State University) in the early 2000s. I worked my way to becoming the production director and thought, “people get paid to do this stuff …”. Back when online radio was still very underground, I found a heavy metal station based in Alaska and offered my services. They said “yes” and that was my first ever VO gig…and I got paid! Then I didn’t pursue it any further. I don’t know why.
3. WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?
15 years after college radio, an acquaintance told me about an “intro to VO” workshop in the area. I had been working other jobs, but voiceover would knock on my door occasionally and remind me it was still there. I said to myself, “it’s now or never. Do this or move on with your life. With a friend’s encouragement and help, I signed up and the rest is history.
4. PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
The moment I got my first paid job and realized people make a living behind the microphone. At that moment, I knew my life had to eventually land behind the microphone.
5. PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
I face many of the same challenges my fellow voice actors do…building the business into existence, carving out a space within this community, and mouth clicks. Living with a physical disability presents other unique challenges. I had to design a custom booth that can accommodate my power wheelchair. I rely on caregivers to help me live every day, and since they don’t live with me, my time is a bit more limited. I can’t get up at 3 AM to get in the booth and record. However, I do what I can with what I’ve got, and it’s worked out well so far. If I’m going to pursue this goal, I have no choice but to figure out solutions and make it work.
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 admire so many people in this industry for a multitude of reasons. Some have simply been in voiceover for a long time. Others have overcome immense adversity in their personal lives and continue to thrive as a voice actor. Then there are those that seem to do it all with tireless energy and dedication…and let’s not forget those who just kick ass and serve as a benchmark for excellence. Although I don’t personally know everyone, here are just a few voice actors who come to mind (apologies if I didn’t list you here…I still love you):
Emma O’Neill, Rider, Donovan Corneetz, Joe Cipriano, Laya Hoffmann, Christy Harst, Tom Antonellis, Steven Goard; Tim Friedlander, Carin Gilfry, Matthew Parham and the entire NAVA group, Maria Pendolino, Gabe Kunda, Jenn Henry, Paul Schmidt, Dave Fennoy, Sebastien Croteau, Melique Berger, JP Karliak, Pete Gustin, Charlie Toro, Gina Scarpa, June Yoon, and others…my brain is failing.
7. IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
I want to voice sports promos in the future. MLB on FOX. NFL on CBS. English Premier League on NBC. College Football on ABC/ESPN. If it’s sports on network TV, I want to voice commercials for it. Or if Aqua Teen Hunger Force came back, I would be all over that. C’mon Adult Swim!
8. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
I am working on improving my commercial reads. With my broadcasting background, it has been challenging to knock the “announcer” out of me. I'm much better now than I was (thankfully), but I still have so much more room to improve. Also, I am going to push into more training for promo and radio imaging work.
9. PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.
I think that there is still something alluringly magical about Hollywood. Certainly, the mystery behind the curtain has been pulled back over the years, however there is still something glamorous about it. Although entertainment is much more democratized and accessible these days, Hollywood still has an impact on us culturally and that's not going to disappear anytime soon.
10. WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?
At the end of the day, we are all actors. However, some of the more well-known voice actors whose work I admire include Mark Hamill, Billy West, the casts of The Simpsons and The Animaniacs, Dee Bradley Baker, Tara Strong, Keith David, Peter Cullen, Mel Blanc (of course), Jennifer Hale, Bob Bergen, Seth Green, and Phil Lamarr.
11. WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?
A great voice actor makes the listener feel something. They can embody the story and with their vocal folds vibrating air, a great voice actor can influence the way we feel in that moment. It’s a powerful human ability.
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 have only ever worked remotely. However, I thrive in group settings, so I look forward to the day when I get to work in the studio.
13. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
I’ve been training in commercial, TV promo and movie trailer, and a little bit of animation (more recently). I want to dive into radio imaging, which is essentially voiceover that serves as branding for the station. Radio production in college influenced that.
14. WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?
Wake up. Get in the booth. Record auditions. Cry. Leave the booth. Send out marketing emails. Cry some more. Eat breakfast. Stop crying because you’re not hungry anymore. Send more marketing emails. Get back in the booth and record that audition that’s due in 10 minutes. Sometimes book a gig.
15. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?
Get training. Seek out reputable and trusted coaches. Meet people who are actively working and find out who their coaches are. Build your skills. Build your network. Once you’re ready, make a demo, market yourself, and fly.
16. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?
See #11
17. YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?
You can expect to still see me around in 2026 because I’ll be working in 2025 to improve every day. I will train with coaches and colleagues. I will market my services to help others achieve their goals. I will continue connecting with friends new and old. I’m here now and I ain’t going anywhere. Unless I die. Then everyone is invited to my Viking-themed funeral, complete with mead, a towering pyre, and a band of minstrels performing acoustic versions of Iron Maiden on the lute.
18. CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
I’m sworn to quadruple secret secrecy.
19. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
They can email me at tony@tonyjacksonvo.com and visit my website at tonyjacksonvo.com to hear samples.
20. ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?
The voiceover community is one of the most welcoming collection of souls you could ever meet. There are so many incredibly generous and kind people in voiceover. It is an amalgamation of outcasts, nerds, weirdos, misfits, geeks, and dorks. When we come together to harness and combine our individual superpowers, magic happens. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community. I have found my people.
