What is it like being a lead in a 21 episode show? Well, it was challenging. It was a big acting stretch, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I am of course referring to the show, Veronica the Series, an Unbrandable Media production, written by Dennis Sharpe. Veronica takes the lister through the sometimes dubious adventures of Veronica Fischer, a small town vampire who runs a local brothel. Its filled with vampires, ghosts, and horny zombies. Unsavory? Probably. Sardonically hilarious with a cast of talented actors? Also – spoken as someone very intimidated by so much talent – yes.

As a kid, you will likely have the opportunity to do theater. There is usually something coming up in any given few months to audition for in most school programs. If your community is like mine, there’s also community theater shows to audition for. However, as a working actor mostly in voiceover working from home with other responsibilities, it’s difficult to find the time to be part of large theatrical productions. Like any working actor, you are always “on,” always looking for your next role, always pounding the pavement or the internet. I work on a lot of commercials. Let me tell you, there is a reason the acting industry separates commercial from theatrical acting. Commercials often break the fourth wall, and typically demand a very relatable voice for a very real-life situation. As a commercial actor, you are trying to get into the world of the audience, hopefully bringing them some kind of product or service that makes it better. In a theatrical situation, you bring the audience into world of the character, and (through writers, other talent, directors, sound engineers, composers, editors, recording studio managers, etc…) hopefully make them want to stay there. As a lead actor, that’s a BIG job and it’s not often that you get practice at it. So, when Dennis approached me about this badass female lead I was thrilled. When he described how big the project is? It brought me back to the scope of huge theater productions and I was, well, a little scared.

Why is it so intimidating? Well, besides the usual psychological hiccups of imposter syndrome (acting amidst some of the world class talent of Jim Cummings, Veronica Taylor, and Tara Sands to name a few) everything the character does (or says in this case) needs to feel genuine.

“Finding truth in imaginary circumstances.” – Stanford Meisner. Playing something fantastical like a vampire and making her feel real is a challenge, but might be my favorite part of this process. Her wine cellar filled with blood is basically a pantry that you or I would stock with fruit or water. Her rise and shine at night is my 7am (if I’ve got my life together that day- another thought, I think Veronica would appreciate). These trains of thought are all ways to relate to her, discover who she is and how she thinks. I think it’s necessary to fall in love with your character at least a little if you want other people to.

Unlike film and theater, there is no visual element. Everything needs to come through the microphone to make the moments clear and punctuated. My 5×3 sound booth needs to hold life and death, ghosts, vampires, zombies, lovers, family, feelings, lies, victories and a whole story. How do I physically warmup for this task? Lip trills, sirens, and all the other vocal stretching exercises that will make you sound crazy to anyone near you (for a few suggestions, see my blog 5 Vocal Warmups for Voiceover). For 21 episodes, many coming in over an hour, Veronica and Claire Coyle needed to be “in it.” The good news? During the recording process, this got increasingly easier as the season continued (now THATS good writing). Her relationships, her wins, and especially her losses (some kicking the listener right in the gut –no spoilers though ;)) were all so easy to care about. I couldn’t help myself. I found myself shedding anxieties, getting lost in Veronica, and having FUN. I left the experience thinking, “this is what an acting career is supposed to feel like.” It’s supposed to feel like I put sweat, tears and of course blood (Veronica is a vampire after all) into my work and took a great adventure. I hope listeners enjoy this adventure as much as I did.