My 2024 SOVAS Nomination! Post-Awards Show
On December 7, 2024, I hopped on a plane with my daughter to find out who won at the 11th Annual Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Voice Arts Award Gala. To have been nominated for the demo that we'd worked so hard on, and that you - my friends and family - assisted me in affording, was an absolute dream. I was in the same room with legends of Voiceover Joan Baker, Joe Cipriano, Mahershala Ali and Niecy Nash-Betts, to name just a very, very few.
I was grateful to be able to bring along my little, who although a bit overwhelmed and under-the-weather, kept a smile on in every photo with mama. She is one of the strongest people I know and I admire her so much.
Melissa's Dress by Etsy , Melissa's Boots by Milanoo , Indi's Dress by Lola + The Boys
Melissa, Who Nominated You?
Lots of people ask "Who Nominated You?". The answer is - I did. I submitted my Animation Demo entry. One thing many of us entrepreneurs learn early in our careers is that no one will know about your work if you do not make yourself known and throw your name into the hat.
And my name was in the hat with MANY, MANY, uber-talented individuals backed by teams made up of seasoned industry professionals. I was grateful to have the Voice Direction of Paul Liberti and the Audio Engineering prowess of John Robnett in my corner, supporting my talent and performance. MAKE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT... we all do the hard work, we all maintain the vision, and then we release our works into the world and hope that they resonate with the people for whom it was intended.
This was not an overnight success. I've been training over a decade for this moment, putting in thousands of hours of animation training, client work, networking and business maintenance. Keeping the bills paid while making the large investments it takes to get to this point in one's career.
I've documented most of my journey on social media - most notably LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. So, if you are curious - you can follow along with me on my journey there!
But, the question begs to be answered...
Melissa, aren't you sad you didn't "win"?
NO. Absolutely not. I was in the company of a WHOLE HOST of UBER TALENTED voice actors who also "didn't win". And I say... we don't do this kind of profession for the "wins". In fact, most of the profession entails keeping positive and submitting auditions that knock-it-out-of-the-park! And then sitting back and letting the casting directors decide who they will select. It is my JOB to be awesome! To instill confidence in the people with whom I work with and for... It's not for the accolades (although the marketing, street cred and visibility are reeeeeeealllly nice.)
So, what's next?
The cool thing about the Voice Arts Awards taking place at the end of the year is that it really sets the stage for the upcoming year - where I'd like to take my career, who I'd like to meet, what types of projects on which I'd like to work. I had declared 2024 as the YEAR OF MY ANIMATION DEMO. And that's exactly what, together, we did!
In 2025, I'd like to book my first HIGHLY RECOGNIZABLE animation role. I've got an Eggland's Best commercial running on the major networks right now, and it's so satisfying when my mom calls me and says "Your egg commercial is on again! Keep sellin' those eggs!" (and to be fair, Eggland's prices ARE affordable in this climate and economy). This is not really the kind of career you can "plan"... it is the kind of career you prepare for, audition for, place yourself in the right circles for, set intentions for, but then you let go and allow the Universe to place you where you are most needed - commercials, promos, documentaries, cartoons, audiobooks, corporate and medical narrations, etc. etc. etc.
I've been asked by my daughter's friends, when they find out what I do, "What would I know you from?" And, while I've done a dozen or so voices for the Who Smarted?! Children's podcast, I'd absolutely LOVE to cite a well known, television or film animated character. If you think about it, put out a good word into the ether that this dream would find me - Pixar... Dreamworks...Disney....Cartoon Network...Nickelodeon...Netflix... I'm ready!
Thanks for riding along with me on this journey!
Melissa