The Versatility of the Voice Over Career

Frank Sheadrick knows what it’s like to march to the beat of a different drummer. As a drummer himself, Frank opened a voiceover studio, but instead of focusing on himself, Frank went into the business of serving the voiceover narrator. “That voiceover artist needs an edge when producing their content and soundtracks, and I see to it that their voice ultimately sounds very special,” says Frank, 39, who’s been in the business of sound since 2007.

Frank’s is an example of the versatility of the voiceover career. He began in audiobook publishing with “The Liberal Redneck Manifesto,” written by Trae Crowder. Now, published as an eBook and for sale at Barnes & Nobel and Amazon, the unique book is narrated by the writer himself. And for the liberal audience it appeals to, it’s a runaway hit. It is available to anyone, but it sounded good because of Frank. “We recorded every page, and I equalized and shaped every word to create a great experience for the listener,” says Frank. “I learned at 21, the power of contributing to sound, so it became my passion to identify that special ‘sweet spot’ in their voice, develop it and finalize it to perfection. Every voiceover artist has something unique about them, and I’ve dedicated my life to the voiceover artist, versus being a narrator myself.”(https://www.versatilegroove.com)

And with that ability, Frank attracted movie star turned director Cylk Cozart. Cylk had just received the Global Humanitarian Award from President
Biden, so he had his vast choices of who he chose to work with, and he picked Frank as his sound designer. Cylk, best known in cinema for “White Men Can’t Jump” and (50) other films and TV appearances, needed to narrate his new documentary to have the sonic quality of a Hollywood studio. “I chose Frank because he finds the rhythm in your vocal delivery and makes it work to the betterment of the story,” said Cozart.

Frank Sheadrick (left) in his voiceover recording studio with Cylk Cozart (right)

“The Story” Frank Sheadrick is recording is a documentary called “Inherit the Land,” the true tale of two elderly white women who willed (800) acres of land to a black family in the 1920s. “And as the narrator, I needed someone who could take my voice and make it come to life as a character, and Frank can do that,” says Cozart. That is not an easy task. Working in voiceover production in any capacity is a collaborative effort. “Frank finds the best in you and makes it come to life,” says Cozart.

Author Cylk Cozart leverages Frank Sheadrick’s voice for audiobook narration.

Frank is an example of the career options of working in voiceover. People from all walks of life have appeared on the voiceover landscape and with today’s technology, living in Los Angeles for film production is no longer necessary. It can be learned remotely from wherever you are by the team at The Voice Shop (voiceshopcoaching.com), which is a sister company of Creative Media Design (cmdnyc.com).

Listen to the story of Mike Lenz. A registered pharmacist for 30 years and the mayor of Saratoga Springs, New York. Mike changed his career at 54 and entered the voice-over business. “My distinct specialty is audiobook narration,” says Mike, who is a member of SAG/AFTRA. Mike had already been the voice of Xerox, Clorox, Bayer, and Dell. But it was the audiobook niche that opened the door to union membership. “Because I love to read, I wound up in audiobook narration as my voiceover specialty,” explained Mike.

Mike has 140 audiobooks to his credit. “Being a pharmacist and a politician were wonderful careers, but there is something really special about telling a story with your own twist to millions of listeners,” says Mike. “I wanted to work for large publishers, and I wound up with the biggest publishers in the world.”

Mike learned his career in voiceover by taking classes. And he advocates anyone wanting this career cannot do it without and understanding their audio expectations, “and you do that by taking courses and immersing yourself in training,” says Mike. Mr. Lenz operates out of his home studio in upstate New York and lives by the credo “to be persistently consistent.” And this consistent sound leads to more and more publishers trusting him to narrate their book. “To me, the versatility of all things sound is what eBook audio is all about.” And through his course study, Mike got requests to help others develop their career in voice. And so, to expand his operation, Mike became a podcast producer for other hosts, “and the voiceover experience helped me to grow the podcast producer business.”

Mike Lenz, the former pharmacist, and mayor, now specializes in audiobook narration.

So how can you become someone like Mike Lenz? The answer is to study the art form: “The way I went from filling prescriptions to narrating was through courses I took.” (The Voice Shop)

There are courses in everything from microphone technique to sound engineering. “It’s impossible to succeed alone,” says Frank Sheadrick. “Had I not learned how to shape the voice, I would have never gotten into voice narration for motion pictures.”

The goal is never to stop learning and growing. “It’s a constant work in progress,” says Steve Tardio, one of The Voice Shop’s instructors. “And we teach remotely OR in-studio,” according to lead instructor Mike George. “Not everyone can be here in New York, so we make our training programs available to people nationwide online with personal instruction.”

Mike George provides voice coaching and teaches voiceover classes in New York City’s The Voice Shop.

Mike Lenz believes anyone can succeed. “Never underestimate the power of serendipity,” says Mike. “I was anything but knowledgeable about the business, but I learned through course study. Wonderful things will happen if you just begin your journey, but you do have to BEGIN; you can’t just think about it.”

Having a fortunate discovery or “serendipity” is part of what becoming a voiceover professional is all about. “Most people have no idea that they have that special something,” adds Frank Sheadrick.

Mike Lenz equates the voiceover business to sailing. “Just get in the boat,” says Mike. “Once I took my first class in voiceover, I knew.” And that’s how you discover your calling in voiceover, “You just set sail.”

Keith Brunson