This week I had the privilege of chatting with Mindy Baer, a prolific and highly talented voice actor from the Miami area who recently completed a suite of four demos with me, (Automotive goo.gl/tuD9Ao, Pharmaceutical Commercials goo.gl/8AnE3h, Political goo.gl/xJzeV6, and TV Narration goo.gl/r1xf4T.) If anyone has, “the voice,” it’s Mindy. I often joke that she is a thoroughbred, blessed with classic pipes that touch the most refined VO notes effortlessly. Check out what she had to say below.
JMC
You’ve been in the business for awhile. Tell us about some of your favorite jobs.
MINDY
WOW that’s tough….
Over the (many) years of my career, I have enjoyed most of my jobs thankfully. So let’s see…..
I LOVED being the Female voice for HSN -it was a great group of people to work with and I had a great run for over 7 years there. I often really enjoy directed sessions, and I absolutely LOVE Promo work – so doing Dateline and Weekend TODAY was awesome. I enjoyed being an animated avocado more than I expected – perhaps thats why I love guacamole so much? Midas Muffler, Volkswagen were memorable as well. And there a several local companies who I will always love and adore as they have been with me from the beginning. Truly a special place in my heart for those!
SO many jobs…SO MANY YEARS ouch!
JMC
How did you get started in voiceover?
MINDY
I started as a morning radio personality. I was on the air in Miami/Ft Lauderdale for almost 15 years. Not unusual I know, and I have had to work hard to “beat” the radio out of me.
JMC
What advice do you have for new talent?
MINDY
You have to decide if you want a hobby or a little side money…..or if you want a career.
And Voice acting is NOT easy and it IS acting.
JMC
I understand you are a client of Celia Siegel. How has she managed to advance your career?
MINDY
Celia really helped take my career to new levels. Marketing and promoting has never been my strong spot, and she changed that. Celia really helped me find excellent representation i.e. Abrams in Los Angeles. She keeps me accountable and is a partner in my success.
JMC
You specialize in a more traditional, polished sound. What encouragement can you offer talent who just don’t do the whole ‘conversational’ thing?
MINDY
Haha! If I had a nickel for every gig I didn’t get because I wasn’t natural enough…
I have trained and been coached and I can get there SORT OF…..but I don’t beat myself up anymore. There is plenty of room for all of us in this industry. I focus on what I can do well and just keep climbing the mountain.
JMC
If you had to start again today, what would you do differently?
MINDY
I would take it more seriously from the beginning, and wished I hadn’t waited so long to get the support I need. For example, I use a virtual assistant (Raquel Wilson from PeachTree Virtual Assistants.) It’s been a game changer for me! And more recently, I wish I hadn’t eaten that donut this morning.