A Happy Cat Ranch Productions Testimonial.
The world of voiceover is vast and filled with brilliance. There are so many good coaches around, that when one really resonates, really connects more than the others, you should really pay attention to that.
When I first met Rachael Naylor at MAVO 2022, her vibrant, joyful energy was already filling the room before we entered. I had zero awareness of characters for video gaming; no idea how to approach the genre or what its world is. An hour later, as I was leaving for the airport, I was exhausted from doing battle to the very last breath with dragons, forces of evil, acting method and technique, and my own emotions. Talk about getting value out of a paid session!!!
Here’s what Rachael does: she draws out the truths you haven’t revealed yet, and turns them into superheroes, monsters, NPCs, and better work than you’ve ever heard yourself doing. WHAT TRUTHS??? Well if we start from the premise that every character in every D&D, Fortnight, etc., is at its base a real person or creature with three dimensions, we can move anthropomorphically towards realization. Or, in plainer language: everyone has a story. Everyone has emotions and experience. And in the Gaming world, Rachael has a knack for helping those three-dimensional beings to step out of your head and flow into your mic.
Supportive. Imaginative. Enthusiastic. Brilliant. Funny. Rachael has mad coaching SKILLS, yes, and they are well-developed over time with an astonishing background. But you can’t teach the kind of soft skills, people skills, interpersonal intuition skills, that Rachael Naylor brings to the table. She is so focused, so present, that the student or client never feels anything but held up, sustained, while out there on an invisible cliff raising that heavy broadsword ONE MORE TIME against the creature as the storms blow and the fate of your people’s very survival depends on your summoning that ancient power from deep within… in front of like 12 of your peers in a hotel conference room.
I next trained with Rachael at an all-day intensive in Manhattan, where an elite group worked DEEPLY into scripts, character building, truly visualizing the scenarios while truly embodying your role. It was exhausting, fulfilling, challenging! And in that small-group context, we were all able to make enormous strides under her guidance. I love a day full of surprise and discovery.
That was also the day Rachael and I came up with “Customized brain” as a new nomenclature for my brain damage. I have since moved on to also calling it a gift basket. But I am including this anecdote because WHO takes the time, on potty break, during a professional daylong event; WHO ELSE TAKES THE TIME to also be a one-woman support group for a colleague who is actively adjusting to a full-plate diagnosis of What The Thing Is With My Brain? This is beyond business. This is Human Connection.
That night there was also a delightful cocktail party for the Voiceover community. But that’s networking; back to coaching and working with Rachael Naylor.
The process of recording my demo was so fascinating, and such a joy! The Elements Demos team was open to working with me on ideas and characters as they developed my scripts. The client’s wishes are, apparently, Job One at Elements, and Rachael’s team worked hard to get my range, style, humor, and “moments” just right on the page. When recording day came, it felt far more like a party than a work session, and yet we made some amazing audio. The Elements Demos team was also so easy to work with in post-production! We tried different edits, different ways, until we were all thrilled with our work. Does that sound weird? Well… neither Elements, nor Rachael, nor I, want to call a job done until we’re officially, professionally, Delighted. And we all are.
Because I just came home from the One Voice Conference USA, where that gorgeous, beautiful, yummy demo we made, was nominated for a One Voice Award. Out of FIVE THOUSAND entries, my Gaming VO demo from Elements Demos, was one of those nominated by peers and their ears.
Next up: I’m traveling to join Rachael and her guests at Get Your Game On L.A. Because where Rachael Naylor goes, Brilliance comes along. Come along.
Ready, Player One?
We’re very businessy.
About the Author
Diana is an amazing human being. Her writing is witty, yet philosophical and her words reach out, wrap their arms around you, and give you a huge hug.
Website: www.dianawildevoiceover.com
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