You're listening to Voice Acting Mastery episode number 102.

Welcome to the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with Crispin Freeman.

Voiceactingmastery.com is your place to learn both the skills and the mindset you need to become a professional voice actor, even if you're just getting started.

In each episode of this podcast, you'll discover valuable tips, tricks and insider information

to help you portray characters in animation, video games and beyond.

And now here's your host, voice actor Crispin Freeman.

Hi there. My name is Crispin Freeman, and I'll be your guide through the world of voice acting.

If you'd like to know more about me, feel free to check out my personal website at www.crispinfreeman.com.

Welcome to the second part of my interview with my personal voice acting mentor, the amazing Richard Horvitz.

Richard has worked on many famous animated shows, including Angry Beaver's, Invader Zim, and the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.

Richard is also a teacher of voice acting, and offers both classes and private coaching through his website

at Richard Horvitz.com. In the first part of our interview, Richard talked extensively about

the importance of playing pretend when it comes to acting. He gave numerous examples of how we

sometimes get in our own way when trying to portray a character

believably. His examples and exercises were incredibly insightful and practical. In this episode,

Richard shares with us his five-step process on how to play pretend more fully. Not only are

these five steps what he uses in his own acting,

but they also form the backbone of what he teaches his students as well. Afterwards, Richard

shares with us some of the challenges he faced early in his career. It seems that almost every

actor has experienced what one could call the dark night of the soul.

It's that time in your life where everything seems bleak and hopeless,

even though you're doing your best to pursue a successful career.

...