Check Out James Hare’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Hare.

Hi James, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out in voice over helping out on student animations for their final year projects at Leeds and Portsmouth University. One of the projects that appeared was called “Is this a Stupid Question?”, a short animated film featuring 2 animated characters. I auditioned for the part of Ben but didn’t actually expect to get anywhere with it. Once they told me I’d got the part I started to panic a little, I’d never done this before! I ended up buying a USB mic on Amazon for about £30, put some blankets and a sleeping bag over my desk and got to work.

From that day I caught the bug for voice acting and started to do more and more research. I’ve worked my way up from a USB mic, hiding under my desk/blankets and watching YouTube videos to setting up a proper studio space with my trusty Rode NT1 mic. auditioning on a regular basis and getting myself involved as much as possible in the VO community. I’ve spent the last 5 years networking and getting involved in all sorts of online training, workshops and networking events, honing and learning the craft and the business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road, it’s a really savage business sometimes, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve almost given up on it all. You have to deal with rejection on a regular basis and learn to just move on almost immediately, whilst trying to stay professional at the same time. There will be times when there’s nothing coming in and you have to find ways to stay productive and creative until it picks up again.

It’s definitely a business where you want to build bridges and make as many connections as you can along the way, developing those working relationships can definitely help when it’s quiet, attending classes, workshops or doing collabs is a great way to not only stay sharp but also to help keep you motivated.

I remember once I made the mistake of getting really really attached to a project, I was very excited about it and shortsightedly just assumed the role was mine once I had auditioned. The usual process for auditions for me is ‘send and forget’ but on this occassion I was waiting at my PC refreshing my inbox every 10 seconds to tell me I’d got the job. It never came. Not even a rejection email. I learned a valuable lesson that day, the disapointment hit hard. Three things I learned;

1. You can control preparation and performance, but not the decision-making process afterward.
2. Silence is common in competitive fields.
3. Sometimes there isn’t even closure or rejection, and learning to tolerate that is a huge skill.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a definite love for VO in animation and video games. I speclialise in those areas mostly, but I do also dabble in commercial and audio dramas.

I’m not really sure I’m known for anything (yet?), but you never know, maybe one day! I’m very proud of the work in animation I’ve done so far, I’ve worked on a few indie animated feature films, one in which I play the lead, a character called Bernard in Fat Chance! The Movie, from Hooting Pictures. I also play the same character in a webseries Transportation Station from the same studio and creator, Sally Basler. More recently I appeared as a character called Ralph in a Five Nights at Freddys animation which currently has over 900k views since coming out 10 months ago on YouTube, the creator Dominoe has made some amazing animations and I’m very proud to be a part of them.

I think what sets me apart from others is my absolute determination to do my best and give whatever is thrown at me a go and not caring what people have thought whilst watching. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from a fellow voice actor was “be a muppet”. It’s helped me out enormously, especially when performing and especially when trying something new that totally terrifies me.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Marc Scott – https://www.marcscottvoiceover.com/ – Amazing VA and fantastic at all things Marketing and Business you’ll ever need as a VA. His web series https://www.youtube.com/@vopreneur is great for all kinds of advice.

Mandy Fisher – Her advice is always honest, on point and amazing. She is currently running a series on VO websites, https://www.youtube.com/@astoriaredhead Her TikToks are also legendary!

Paulette Lifton and Mimi Maynard – Tales from the Booth Podcast series, check them out, amazing information and info on all things from business info to voice over workshops you can take part in for free, https://voice-masters.com/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamesharevoiceovers.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesharevoiceovers/