By Rukayat Alabede
As voiceover artists, the skill of conveying emotions, narrating stories, and breathing life into characters are important factors in delivering a successful voice over project but it can also be quite challenging.
Performance anxiety is a common challenge for voice over artists, one that can hinder your ability to deliver a confident and captivating performance.
However, with the right strategies, you can overcome it and unlock your true potential as a voice talent.
Causes of Performance Anxiety
While there are no specific reasons to feel anxious before or during a recording session, there are some factors that can make you experience performance anxiety, and they include:
- Fear of judgment
This can often be an offshoot of a talent battling with impostor syndrome or esteem issues. However, with the right knowledge, confidence, support system and belief in your skills and ability as a voice actor, it becomes easier to tolerate or navigate the fear of other judging your work.
- Pressure to perform
Meeting deadlines, delivering a specific tone or matching client’s expectations can create pressure and anxiety.
- Negative feedback
Concerns about criticism or rejection can be a significant source of anxiety. On the flip side, it can help you grow and become better if you learn how to handle it.
- Lack of experience
Most green horns in the voice over industry experience anxiety on their first recording session (which is absolutely normal because sometimes, Professionals also get performance anxiety) but do not fret, repetition will definitely get you to mastery.
- Unrealistic Expectations
setting overly high expectations for yourself can lead to disappointment and anxiety. Take one step at a time please.
- Imposter Syndrome
This refers to that little voice in your head saying you’re not good enough or trying to convince you that you’re too ‘small’ and you shouldn’t be the one “getting that gig” or ‘voicing that big project’. You must understand that even the best sometimes battle this monster, you just neet to learn how to confront and overcome it.
How to Manage Performance Anxiety
- Master Your Material
Practice is key to building confidence and reducing performance anxiety. Thoroughly rehearse your script, paying attention to pacing, tone and character; the more confidence you are in your delivery, the less room there will be for doubt.
- Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations and remind yourself of your past successful projects. You are exactly who you say you are. My advice, positive affirmations before a recording session; “you are the absolute best at whatever you do or put your mind to”, and that’s on period.
- Always prepare your voice and body with vocal warm-ups.
- Accept Imperfections
Recognize that it is okay to make mistakes and focus on learning and improving. And please, don’t forget to breathe; “Na voice actor you be, no be Jackie chan… Lol”.
- Regular Exercise
Balanced diet and sufficient sleep can improve your overall well-being and reduce anxiety. “Abeg, chop ooo!”.
- Talk to a Therapist or Coach
If your performance anxiety is severe, visit a therapist who can help you identify underlying issues that may contribute to performance anxiety and also help you develop strategies for managing it.
- Visualize Success
Visualization is a powerful technique to overcome performance anxiety. Close your eyes and visualize yourself delivering a captivating performance, then imagine the joy on your client’s face and the connection your project have with the audience. By consistently visualizing success, you will prepare your mind for confidence and ultimately reduce anxiety.
Overcoming anxiety is a process that requires patience, persistence and self-compassion. Trust in your abilities, celebrate your progress and embrace your imperfections. Cheers to consistent growth even if it comes in tiny droplets. Trust the process!
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