Voice Artist Q&A Sessions: Jordyn

Jordyn is one of our brilliant American voice artists, who has provided her voice for a large number projects for us. Jordyn took part in Matinée’s very own voice over course, and since then, has become an integral talent whom we love to work with!

Jordyn’s passion for the voiceover industry is truly inspiring, which we and our clients feel shines through her audio recordings, no matter the subject.

We asked Jordyn a few questions on working within the voiceover industry, her top tips for success, and her day-to-day life as a voice artist.

How did you get started within the voiceover industry and what is it that you enjoy most about it? 

I dipped my toe in many (many!) years ago as a newlywed, but had moved to a small US city for my husband’s job which didn’t have a big VO industry presence (crucial before the proliferation of home studios). My interest was re-ignited here in the UK, and serendipitously, Matinée at that time had a really thorough voiceover course… and the rest as they say is history!

I was excited from the first moment. You know that feeling, for the first time in a while, like you’re really working on something perfectly suited to you? Like butterflies in the stomach, but in a really good way: the first time I got back in the studio, it felt completely grounded, natural, and in flow. And afterwards came the happy butterflies…I love the feel of being in-studio in that quiet, focussed space, the spontaneous creativity that can happen even in the smallest corporate or scientific jobs, the give and take between engineer, voice and client, and the instant feedback on my work. Nailing just the right mood and tone feels fantastic.

How would you describe a typical day of a voice artist?

I’d be surprised if most voice artist’s said otherwise, but there’s no such thing as a typical day for me; apart from the fact that I still do translation and localisation, some days might be recording for more than one client and focussed on scripts and vocal warmups, some days are all about admin, other days can be full-on marketing fervour, and not a week goes by that I’m not making some lovely new industry connection online.

There may be colleagues out there who take their non-recording time and meticulously divide it into daily sections of networking, marketing, industry reading and learning (which I also enjoy), etc. I admire that and would love to be one of those people, but I’m neurodiverse; try as I might, that’s never really going to regularly happen for me – and for any newer voice artist’s who might read this, it’s okay. In fact, just as neurodiversity can fuel creativity, the ability to see a big picture, to rapidly switch gears as needed, sight read with emotion or see an angle a client’s writers might not have thought of, I find the fluctuating schedule makes making connections happen more organically. So it absolutely works for me (although the inner schoolgirl me feels totally guilty about it…!).

What has been your favourite project that you have worked on with Matinée so far?

That’s a tough one, as I’ve been working with the Matinée team for several years now on so many projects. Each industry, each challenge is interesting to me (even the lengthy scientific tongue-twisters—I love a good challenge!). Off the top of my head? I’m particularly proud of lending my voice to a video about greenwashing in a particularly industry, as well as some really inspirational storyboards for an environmentally-related global conference.

I’ve been deeply passionate about environmental issues since I was a teen, so the thought of big auditoriums full of people or thousands of people online watching these videos and being inspired to do better by our planet, and using my voice to contribute to that in some small way, really moves and motivates me.

What is the best kind of project brief to receive? Is there any information that you find particularly helpful to be included before a project takes place?

That’s a good question. A brief that’s thorough but…well, brief!

For the script itself: the most important phrases or segments to emphasise, tricky pronunciations if the client isn’t there to direct, less obvious items like when there are multiple ways to read out times or numbers. I then can print and mark it up with any questions and helpful breaths and I’m ready to hit the ground running efficiently.

Apart from the script, a bit about the client and their audience and how the recordings will be used, so I can get the tone and mood right and connect with the imagined audience—but something concise: not so much information that it becomes distracting in the booth. If it’s too detailed, if there’s too much in my head, it can take away a little from the emotion behind the voice. Even the most academic eLearning needs some subtle warmth and animation to be effective.  

How do live-directed sessions benefit you as opposed to recording independently?

The first few times I recorded with an unknown client on the line was a little intimidating! But live can be very helpful in multiple ways, for me, the client contact, and the engineer. As skilled and intuitive as the engineers are, and however many ways I can think of to deliver different takes for the client to choose from, no-one’s a mind reader.

Sometimes the contact between us and the client has been given a totally different last-minute change in mood or emphasis.  And sometimes they aren’t sure exactly how they want the read to sound like until they actually hear me do it—which is when all that interesting collaboration happens. I love it when they’ve suddenly thought of a new way to read it and I turn it right around for them—you know when it clicks and the lightbulb goes off for them. It’s so satisfying to hear on the spot that they’ve thought of a better way, you’ve immediately given it to them and they’re genuinely delighted.

Why do you like working with Matinée?

The people.

Apart from of course being professional and collaborating with the client to deliver what I need to be prepared, the Matinée team are genuinely lovely to work with. Everyone’s very supportive, doing their best to create a smooth process for me, and they’re just a really friendly bunch!

When it’s miserable out or I’m having a frantic day, walking up to the door and knowing a warm welcome, a cup of tea and a nice chat are waiting on the other side before getting down to work is a real bright spot in my day.

You can listen to Jordyn’s demo’s here!

Do you require a voice artist to record for a project of your own? Get in touch!

Here at Matinée Multilingual, we have a vast database of talented voice artists who specialise in everything from explainer videos to interactive toys. Whichever language you require a voiceover in (we offer over 80!) and whatever your next project is, let us help you bring it to life with our expert voiceover services.

We’ll help you connect and engage with your audience with the perfect voiceover, all the way from offering a selection of hand-picked voice demos, to recording and editing the final audio file. Why not get in touch with us today and find out more about how we can help you?

Call us on +44 (0) 118 958 4934

Or email project@matinee.co.uk