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Former Voice Actor John Stocker Shares Insights and Career Journey

John Stocker, a former voice actor, had a prolific career spanning over three decades. He lent his voice to various beloved characters in popular shows, including Beastly in "The Care Bears," Longarm in "COPS," and Toad in "Super Mario Bros.," among many others. In this article, Stocker shares insights and talks about his career journey in the voice acting industry.

The Beginning of His Career

Stocker's love for acting started at a young age. He started his journey as a child actor in a Canadian television program called "Folio." When he got into voice acting, he found it less stressful than live-action acting and fell in love with it. Stocker's first voice acting gig was in a cartoon show called "The Adventures of Miss Frizzle" produced by Nelvana Limited. Through this opportunity, he met other voice actors who introduced him to his next project and the next one, leading him to establish his voice acting career.

Insights in Voice Acting

When it comes to voice acting, Stocker emphasizes the importance of understanding the script and the character you are playing. He believes that voice actors must know their characters' backstory, objective, and motivation to give the most authentic voice performance. Furthermore, because the voice is the only tool voice actors have to convey emotions, Stocker reminds that it must come from within. Therefore, voice actors need to be present in the moment and feel what the character is feeling to create the most natural and convincing performance possible.

Challenges Faced in the Industry

Despite his success, Stocker faced many challenges in the voice acting industry throughout his career. One of the most significant hurdles was getting typecast, where he was repeatedly cast in a particular kind of role. This issue is prevalent in the voice acting industry because an actor who excels in a particular voice role will most likely be typecast. Stocker also faced challenges when he found himself doing character voices that he felt might be offensive or racially stereotyped.

Advice for Aspiring Voice Actors

For aspiring voice actors, Stocker advises to invest in voice acting classes and workshops to learn techniques and develop the skills necessary to become a versatile and successful voice actor. He also suggests building a portfolio with different character voices and recording yourself to study and improve your performances. Networking is also crucial in the voice acting industry, so he advises aspiring voice actors to join organizations like the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) to get exposure and connections in the field.

The Future of Voice Acting

As the industry evolves, Stocker is optimistic about the future of voice acting. He notes that with digital platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime producing more animated shows globally, there's more opportunity for voice actors around the world to gain exposure in the industry. However, Stocker acknowledges that competition may be steeper now than ever before due to more people seeking work in voice acting. Still, he advises those interested to be persistent, stick to their unique style, and always be willing to learn and improve their craft.

Conclusion

John Stocker's journey in the voice acting industry is a testament to the challenges and rewards of a voice acting career. His insights on the importance of understanding the script and character in voice acting, as well as his advice on investing in training and networking, are practical tips for aspiring voice actors. As the industry continues to grow and become more competitive, Stocker reminds aspiring voice actors to stay true to themselves, stay persistent, and keep honing their craft.