S8E5: Laura Dickinson - Hard Work, Music, and Voice Acting
In this episode, voice actor and musician Laura Dickinson brings us insight into how she\u2019s made it as a voice actor for Disney Animation and how good old fashioned hustle can really take you the distance.
\nLaura makes her living as a full-time musician, contracting for Disney providing singing voices for animated characters on Phineas & Ferb, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, and Sofia the First. Essentially, \u201cyour nine-year old daughter\u2019s favorite singer.\u201d You\u2019ve also heard her voice on Pitch Perfect, Modern Family, and Supernatural.
\nWhen she\u2019s not bringing her character acting talent, she\u2019s also a frequent live performer fronting her own 17 piece big band and opening for names like Tony Bennett and Lyle Lovett.
\nShe\u2019s also recently released her debut album, One for My Baby \u2013 To Frank Sinatra With Love, which is a beautifully done and wonderfully arranged homage to Ol\u2019 Blue Eyes. \xa0
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\nInterview with Laura Dickinson: Success\xa0Mantra\nHappy to be here, easy to work with. \xa0
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\nVoice Acting\n\u2022 Talks about how she got involved working with Disney animation and voice acting.
\n\u2022 What it\u2019s like collaborating with musicians and producers and being able to anticipate needs, etc.
\n\u2022 If you can find someone you can count on and work easy with, you\u2019ll work with them forever.
\n\u2022 Challenges of singing in the voice of a fictional, cartoon character.
\n\u2022 Always tries to ask a lot of smart questions.
\n\u2022 Adaptability and flexibility are her biggest takeaways from working with Disney.
\n\u2022 Working on people\u2019s \u201cbabies.\u201d Creative pieces that their creators care about. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nTalks about how early in her career, not being as socially adept as she is now, she started talking trash about the show director and the casting director just as they walked in. \xa0
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\nFavorite Success\nBeing a part of Phinneas & Ferb which opened up a lot of doors for her. \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022 Working with other musicians who have different schedules
\n\u2022 Filling in for other musicians (it\u2019s kind of like an understudy kind of thing)
\n\u2022 How she got her real education performing for Disney in their theme parks.
\n\u2022 Talks about how she \u201cmoved up the ranks\u201d for Disney and started performing.
\n\u2022 Find what you really love doing and find a way to make a living at it.
\n\u2022 Always being the best representation if yourself. \xa0
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\nExclusive Content for Patreon Supporters\nThe uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters\xa0and includes about 10 minutes of additional content.\xa0
\nPlease consider\xa0supporting me on Patreon.\xa0 \xa0
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\nIn the Patreon-exclusive content\xa0you'll find:
\n\u2022 Talks about first band she had a part in and how she decided she wanted to become a professional performer.
\n\u2022 Talks about some of the things she did to start drumming up business in performing full time.
\n\u2022 You have to be ready to be told \u201cno\u201d all the time. Rejection is a big part of show business.
\n\u2022 Talks about why and how she formed her current band.
\n\u2022 Talks about some of the many factors that goes into booking a performance with her band. \xa0 \xa0
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
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\nResources:
\nThe Internet.\xa0It's amazing how helpful the internet can be for your business. Plus,\xa0make sure you have all your media in order on the internet so it\u2019s easy for people to find and\xa0hire you.
\nThe Voiceover Resource Guide \xa0
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\nBooks:
\nThe Real Books for Musicians\xa0
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\nLaura's New Album!\nCheck out Laura's new album, One for My Baby, to Frank Sinatra with Love!
\nIf you're a Sinatra fan, you're absolutely going to love Laura's take on some of his most famous songs. I know covering Sinatra is\xa0gutsy undertaking, but Laura absolutely nails it! \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Laura Dickinson?\n\nFacebook | Twitter @elsielaura | Instagram | Spotify | Pandora | Youtube