Time We Discuss: Voiceover Industry Expert Audio Engineer
Watch/Listen to this Episode Voiceover Industry Expert Audio Engineer
Henry Willard, a UK-based voiceover industry expert audio engineer, is featured in this episode of Time We Discuss. Henry began his career running a recording studio that primarily worked with local bands. However, he soon realized the need to adapt to changing demands, leading the studio to focus on voiceover projects. In 2021, Henry decided to go on his own and work remotely from his home studio. Since then, he has built an impressive portfolio, working with prestigious clients like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Dropbox.
Henry shared that voiceover work wasn't something he initially considered during his early career, which was more focused on music production. The transition happened organically as the studio started receiving more voiceover work. He enjoys working with voice and words, making voiceover engineering a natural fit for him. Henry's ability to operate remotely has allowed him to successfully manage clients from across the world, particularly in the U.S., despite being based in the UK. He balances his professional life with family responsibilities by working late evenings, which aligns well with U.S. time zones.
The conversation also touched on Henry's approach to networking, which he heavily attributes to social media. Early on, he spent significant time building connections on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, reaching out personally to voice actors, which helped expand his network. He stressed the importance of branding and uniformity in his social media presence, which played a role in his success.
Henry also discussed the challenges of audio engineering, including dealing with low-quality recordings on some, albeit rare, occasions. While most of his work involves professional voice actors, he sometimes encounters poor-quality recordings that are difficult to fix. In such cases, he assesses whether it's better to re-record or spend time editing.
Another important aspect of Henry's work is producing demo reels for voice actors, where he combines his musical background with sound design. This allows him to be creative, and he enjoys writing custom scripts and designing unique sound elements for each project. Although not formally trained as an engineer, Henry's talent for music and sound experimentation from a young age has been instrumental in developing his skills.
Links from the Show
Also Mentioned in the Show
- Navigating a Career of Voiceover Artistry
- Become a Documentary Film Director, A Guide for Aspiring Filmmaker
Watch on YouTube Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Other Podcast Platforms
Consider sharing this video and podcast. By helping "Time We Discuss", together, we are helping others.