If you aren't familiar with Kristen Schaal by name, you've probably heard her voice even if you didn't realize it at the time. She is best known for her voice roles as Louise Belcher on Bob's Burgers and Mabel Pines on Gravity Falls. She also provided several voices for BoJack Horseman, most notably for the character of Sarah Lynn, for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance.
So how did Kristen become a standout voice actor? Acting for animation isolates the wonders of Schaal’s voice, and as a voice artist she is valued for both her gifts and her creative camaraderie. Schaal leans into her authenticity and personality and that fuels her vocal artistry. Essentially, she carved out an animation niche within her larger résumé and has become queen of voicing the askew.
For voice actors in the industry today, use Schaal as inspiration and carve a path for yourself with your unique voice and personality. Put the real you out there. Learn your strengths and weaknesses. And don't try to imitate someone else. The ability to let your personality shine through your performance will help you to more naturally book the best jobs for you.
To read more about Schaal, her voiceover career, and insights from leading industry professionals on what makes her standout, check out the article below from the Washington Post.
(By Michael Cavna)
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