Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Dillon.
Hi Jack, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in LA back in 2020 after deciding to take a risk and move across the country without any idea of who, what or where I was meant to be doing here other than to act. I graduated from the University of Connecticut amidst the chaos of the pandemic with no real plan. I noticed that the industry in LA was still open for the most part so I made the decision that wasn’t going to wait around for something to happen, but rather try it out and see what I was fated to be doing.
Everything changed when I was met with the opportunity to be part of the QCODE audio drama Edith! starring Rosamund Pike. I knew that VoiceOver was something I was always interested in and that gig opened the doors wide open to the possibility of endless variety. I have gotten to be involved in numerous projects of every genre within the small and welcoming VoiceOver community including anime, film, video games and commercials which can be found on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and more.
I always wanted to be part of a creative community, and this niche definitely scratched that itch. I met so many wonderful creators such as Arianna Ratner, a renown LA voice actor, and Melissa Grillo, an extremely talented casting director, who both encouraged me early on to pursue this thing. I got to form relationships with LA studios such as VOICE TRAX WEST, RealVoice LA,VSI, NYAV Post and work with prolific directors such as Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, and Michael Sorich.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well for one thing I didn’t really know anyone here. I just figured that I would form relationships along the way but to be honest, it was not easy. I think there’s something so wonderful and idealistic about LA in the fantastical nature of its sights and sounds, but what people don’t tell you is that it can be kind of brutal relationship wise. I was endlessly searching for community and coming up short. When I decided to focus more on myself and my work, I started to get the hang of this place.
I think the biggest struggle I’m facing is that I’m part of an industry that is often cutting corners and not protecting its talent. As a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, we are currently on strike regrading our rights in video game/intereactive media projects. It’s important to stand up against these corporations that aren’t looking out for their talent. Without us there would be absolutely no market as it stands today. Souless AI cannot replace us and if there is a new deal to be made, they better take their time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Of late I think about my most recent project which was HULU’s Becoming Karl Lagerfeld where I was part of the English dub in the role of Karl’s lover Jacque de Bascher played by Théodore Pellerin. It was one of my first times doing live action ADR and I was number two on the call sheet. I felt immense pressure to deliver a performance that would compliment the already beautiful one done by Pellerin.
I worked closely with expert director Michael Sinterniklaas and Stephanie Sheh of NYAV Post to really pull something out of me that looking back I was kind if taken aback of how good it was. I NEVER like what I do but something about seeing and hearing the work that I did on that was so rewarding this time around. I think it had to do with the gayness of that show and part which felt somehow full circle for me as the story and character complimented where I was at in my life at that moment in time. There’s nothing like relating to unrequited love am I right???? HAHAHAHH
What matters most to you?
Connection is the most important part of my life. To be able to meet a stranger and form some sort of bond is such a gift. I take it really seriously and the people I have in my life at the moment have taught me so much. I thrive off of learning from others. I’m a sponge. I think the most valuable lessons in my life have come from my friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jackdillonvo.com
- Instagram: jackdillonvo
