Vickie Brown

Hey guys, my name is Vickie Brown. I hail from Los Angeles, California. Even though I was born here, I traveled between LA and in Philadelphia often when I was young, after my mother passed away. It was in Philly that I was thrust into speech writing and public speaking competitions at an early age. I would continue to compete in and win high school forensics leagues in California, and that’s what would cultivate my love for dramatic interpretation.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

Although my background is in public speaking, my family had a relationship with the Detroit and L.A. Jazz scenes back in the 1940’s, beginning with my great-uncle Todd Rhodes, a jazz musician who predated the Motown movement. My father and his brother and their families hosted many African-American singers from the late 60’s, and this carried over to Hollywood, with my mom becoming a hand model and introducing the family to the rest of the modeling business. One of my cousins would become one of the first major Black male catalog models and travel the world breaking barriers for African American men in the industry. He even booked the movie Hair, and turned it down! He would later teach me the business as taught to him by my mom, and told me never to turn down a role.

All of my children did commercial acting and print. One day while attending an acting class with my youngest son, a voice artist complimented my voice and suggested I try voice acting. My entry into that part of the business took a bit longer, as I was told at the time that there was no need for a voice that “sounded like mine”, but my youngest son was in a perfect position, as the VO industry was shifting to youthful roles being played by actual children. I put my son in every youth VO class I could find, from anime dubbing to ADR, and after two years of training, his voice acting career took off. During Covid, I began to explore the space once more for myself, only to learn that my voice is cherished and celebrated in the community. Timing is everything, and now I know it’s never too late!

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Well, I love talking, that’s for sure. One day, I was sitting in a lobby waiting for a class and began conversing with the other people there. One of the women listening quietly approached me afterward and told me how soothing my voice was, and that she could listen to me all day. She spoke about one of her well-known voiceover friends, and suggested I call her to get more info. This girl worked so much she could hardly find time to even talk to me over the phone. The crazy part to me was she didn’t even live in California. I thought, “Wow. I could work from home, school with my youngest son, take him to auditions, and still have a way to express myself and earn a living.” Not only that, but I could make people feel better or happy by the sound of my voice, and still keep the life that I had without too much interference. I never knew that existed before.

PLEASE SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I felt inspired when someone told me my voice calmed them and brought them peace and thatvoiceover was a place I could call home if I wanted to share that gift of peace through my voice with the world.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

I believe that right now, there is and has been a job disparity across ethnicities throughout the industry. At the beginning of my voiceover career, I met a woman over the phone who owned a recording studio and came highly recommended in the VO industry. I phoned her to buy some studio time for my son to record, and she took the liberty to tell me that, unfortunately, there is no “work for Black voice over artists.” I had not even asked or thought about asking about myself as an artist. I didn't even know I sounded “Black”, but she stated that it was very clear to her, and that she was sorry to deliver such devastating news to me but that’s just what it was.

That’s how the business worked. I began to tell her that it wasn’t me that was the artist, and that I was calling about but my son. “Oh!” Her tone had changed, but then she explained that she couldn’t even provide the service that I was in need of and thankfully and happily referred me to someone else. So, although I ended up booking another studio from a legend in the business who spoke so much inspiration to my son and gave lots of guidance, I was left with the lie that voice over was not a place for me, or my voice.

Over time while helping my son establish himself in Hollywood, I understood somewhat what the lady was alluding to, but as time progressed, more opportunities for unique voices popped up into the mainstream. Despite the one lady I would begin to discover that the voice over community in its totality is one of the most collaborative and supportive environments in the industry. I stepped my whole heart in during the shutdown and learned it’s a glorious time to be a voice actor and authentically me. I found a place where I am celebrated and loved greatly! So many great legends to glean from. There is an atmosphere of excellence and great respect and humility in the community. I am blessed to receive unconditional love and validation about myself. They are truly the most honest and humble and positive people on the planet. I found my tribe finally. Oh and they love to talk too!!!

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 

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR

COLLABORATE WITH? One day I want to work with my son Paul-Mikel Williams on Jurassic or anything… and many more- but him first (wink).

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I am currently focused on commercial, animation, and audiobooks and of course

PLEASE TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

I have been around entertainers most of my life and I love the artistry that emanates from within and radiates without. I love the excellence on display. Hollywood is a very special place for those that have the gift of endurance (or luck) and work to make others feel something. It gives the ability to give others hope and also have a ton of joy and have fun in the process.

WHAT VOICE OVERS DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST FROM HOLLYWOOD?

Oh wow there are too many to name. Cree Summer, Tara Strong, Frank Welker, James Earl Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Phil Lamarr. Kevin Michael Richardson (KMR), Paul-Mikél Williams, so so many.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

A good voice actor always over delivers. That means when you arrive early by at least 15 minutes before start time- I prefer 30 minutes because you may have an opportunity to be of assistance to the techs in some way or help with something unexpected. You can ask further questions and you just might even get to meet some of your favorite actors on their way out. Being a great voice actor means being consistent to warm your voice and do your vocal exercise and always always always bring you best research on the characters, product or whatever information you were provided. Listening well to direction and giving good nuanced variety because sometimes they may not be able to accurately articulate what they want- follow your instinct and HAVE FUN. A good voice actor gives themself away.

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?

Remote work was an absolute game changer for me. Initially it was a bit cumbersome because I had to learn how to edit and know when and how to upgrade my equipment, but it honestly opened more doors than I initially thought. I have several new skill sets because of it, which makes the job that much more engaging and diverse, so now I love it even more. That being said, nothing compares to being in the studio and all the magic of it brings being close to your castmates, directors, writers, sound engineers, studio team, etc.. I hope both formats stick around forever!

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

My background is public speaking and forensics to include dramatization so narration comes the most natural, but I enjoy developing new characters for animation. As long as I am talking, I love it all. I am taking the time to learn from all the greats in the industry so that I can be the best at what I can offer a client or listener.

WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

A typical day is listening to other commercials, animations, audiobooks and tons of auditions! I practice tongue twisters and vocal warmups to stay loosened up for any opportunity that comes my way. I do regular stuff too like household things and visit with people so that I can remain grounded.