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The AFTRA Mastery Panel evening wrapped up with audience questions. “What are the differences between voice over and acting?” someone asked of Marice Tobias. “There are no differences. Everything you are steps up to the mic. Voice is the mirror of the mind, the extreme close-up.” Then Marice was asked, “What is it that makes the top voice talent successful?” She immediately responded with, “point of view.” She continued with some sage advice, “stop being afraid of going too far. Go too far. Then pull back. The words will flow much more.” And Marice’s final piece of voice over advice? “When you have that long list of specs in audition copy, trim it down to one thing; They’re looking for YOU.”

There you have it. That constant theme in performance success. Whether you’re a stage, film or television performer or a voice actor, it’s all about being yourself. As this panel of masters shared insights on how to get there; through tapping into your point of view, connecting with your body and movement, getting past victimhood, and sharing your life story on the stage, tonight they were shining examples of sharing their own authentic selves. It was crystal clear how they got out of their own way to achieve tremendous success.

-Tracy Pattin