Michelle Falanga

In the voiceover industry—like in every industry—things are constantly evolving. Technology moves fast, and with the rise of artificial intelligence, it can feel like a full-time job just keeping up.

As a professional female voice actor, staying ahead of the curve is essential. I keep my equipment top-tier, stay current with industry trends, and connect with clients on the latest platforms. But here’s the twist: while I sound like I’m 30, I’m actually 55 (yep, AARP card and all). Sometimes, my voice footprint and the human behind it feel like two different people—and that’s okay.

I am from the amazing Generation X.  We grew up with tape recorders, landlines, and TV dinners. Summer days were spent outside—no phones, no supervision, just endless imagination. I built forts in the woods, swam in local ponds, and roller-skated everywhere. We learned early that nothing is handed to us. We worked hard for everything we had—and that work ethic stuck with me.

So how am I “old school”? For starters, I still use a paper planner. There’s something satisfying about writing things down with my favorite pen. I build relationships the old-fashioned way. Before Covid, when people were in the office more, I used to send handwritten thank-you notes—yes, actual snail mail with a stamp! Around the holidays, I’ve mailed homemade bread, hand-dipped fortune cookies, and my famous healthy granola to clients.

Even now, I treasure face-to-face conversations. Since we can’t always meet in person, I value a good coffee talk – Zoom call where I can really connect and understand what my clients need—so I can deliver exactly that, and more.

And guess what? People notice. Over the years, I’ve had so many clients surprised (in the best way) by a handwritten note or a box of baked goodies. It’s a small, personal gesture—but it speaks volumes. It says: You matter. I appreciate you.

In a world full of digital noise, these “old school” ways stand out. They’re personal. They’re real. And I believe we need more of that kind of connection.

So yes, I embrace being old school. I think it’s a good thing. Because at the end of the day, being who you truly are—that’s your SUPERPOWER. And that never goes out of style.

STOP CHASING BUTTERFLIES, BUILD A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AND THE BUTTERFLIES WILL COME

I’ve always loved this quote… and honestly, it really resonates with me. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had much luck trying to “sell” my Voiceover services, even though I reach out in a very personal, and thoughtful way. I’ve never outsourced any of my outreach – every message I send is directly from me.  There are no newsletters or mass emails here – if you’ve ever heard from me, it’s really ME taking the time to connect, hoping we can collaborate and work together or maybe just cheer each other on as kindred spirits in this creative world. It’s all about keeping things real, I will always prefer one-on-one chats, whether it’s over coffee with a friend or a walk with my sister, rather than big group events. I thrive on real conversations and authentic connections. Even though my approach is personal, I know people are bombarded with demo emails from voice talent all the time, so my messages often get lost in the shuffle. I’ve never had much luck chasing those butterflies. What does work for me is when someone hears my voice somewhere and then decides they want to work with ME – that’s such a blessing. When a client credits me in a video and lists me as part of the “creative team”, it often leads to future opportunities, and let’s be real – as Voiceover artists, we don’t always get that kind of recognition, but when we do, it can totally change the game.  I’ve learned that my voice is what truly sells me, not me trying to sell myself.  If I lead with my voice, that’s where the magic happens. The challenge, though, is how to get more people to hear it.  My SEO for my website and YouTube channel could definitely use some work, so that’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.  That’s why I’m embracing the idea of “Stop chasing butterflies, build a beautiful garden, and the butterflies will come to you.”

 

Lately I am focusing on what I CAN control, both figuratively and literally.  I’m working on sprucing up my portfolio, making sure it really shows what I can do, and I’m actually turning my Voice booth/Studio into an actual GARDEN with poppies (my favorite flowers) adorning the outside.  So, in this slower season, my focus is on tending to my garden – weeding out what’s not working, planting seeds for what might grow strong, and nurturing it every day with love. I’ve built this garden from scratch, and I’m determined for it continue to bloom.

If you’re looking for me, I’ll be out there with my gloves on, head down, doing the work – so send those butterflies my way, I can’t wait to work with you and create something magical.

 

If you see any of my social media (though I will admit I have been quiet these days during this transition) …you will know that we just bought a home and sold our current home.  To say this process has been stressful is the understatement of the year… I am a creature of habit, who does not like CHANGE or the UNKNOWN…. Let’s just say if I were at a carnival, I would be on the Merry go round, NOT the Roller Coaster.  I am also someone who is a bit Technology Averse…not to say I don’t DO technology, I do…all the time… but the GEAR and Sound Equipment / Microphone / Interface that many of my colleagues love and geek out about… IS NOT MY FUN, I could care less… I just want it to work right so that I can focus on what I love to do…CONNECTING TO A SCRIPT.

 

We have lived in our current home for the past 11 years… in a lovely town just north of Boston. It was a home where we have had some very tough times, but also AMAZING times, growth, laughter, tears and so much silliness.   This home is where I published my Children’s Book, where I began as a FULL-TIME Voice Actor in 2014 (after many years of doing it on the side), where I grew my business client by client, job by job until, at the 5-year mark, I was finally earning what I had made at the job I was laid off from in 2013….NO overnight success, but 5 years of blood sweat and tears.  This house is where I finally reached a goal, I didn’t even know was possible in that career and then won 2 Emmy Awards.  This empty room you see behind me is where I did ALL THAT…. At first in the closet to the top right of this picture, with bedding and pillows and a flashlight and hair clip to hold up my script.  Eventually I moved to a Vocal Booth (outside of the closet) when I finally upped my game in 2019.   This room has been VERY significant in my life and so, as I leave it, I reflect on the gifts and lessons I have learned there.  I hope and pray I can find new success and joy in the new studio room (though I will say I am having some growing pains already in there and have NOT found my footing yet), but hey, it has only been a few days…I must trust that it will all work out…IT HAS TO…. THIS IS WHAT I LOVE TO DO…and all I want to do.  I am so grateful for this NOW empty room…for its many gifts and the precious life moments it contained.  I now enter a new ROOM, bringing along my hair clip from my original booth as a reminder of how far I have come and MAKING ROOM for new possibilities.

January 1^st… a shiny New Year filled with promise, hope and excitement…endless posts from colleagues and friends about how excited they are to make 2022 the BEST year ever…YAY!!! RAH!!!!  WOOHOO!!! So why do I feel so tired and scared?

2021 was a groundbreaking year for me career wise.  I hit goals that I didn’t even know I had.  I built a “HOUSE” literally one brick at a time, client by client, job by job, with hard work and perseverance, late nights, early mornings, crazy sessions and so many interesting clients and jobs from all over the world.  When I reached December 31^st, I had built a shiny amazing house made up of sweat and tears …a house I was proud of…and then POOF, January 1^st comes and my house has been sold and I have a flat piece of land to build a new house on, a blank spreadsheet to fill.

Now, if you have read any of my blog posts, you know I ADORE analogies, and if you know me personally, you also know that in 1999 I lost everything to a fire in the middle of the night.  It was a total loss and we had to start all over with absolutely nothing except a toothbrush from the Red Cross – so this HOUSE analogy is not lost on me and I know personally that starting over can be hard.

What is wrong with me???  I should feel like everyone else, embracing the challenge, promising to slay 2022 and accomplish all my giant shiny goals…so why do I feel overwhelmed?  I LOVE what I do…I eat sleep and dream Voice Over.  The first week of January started off slow and I felt the weight of this daunting task of building my new house…this house must be bigger and better than last years’ house.  How can I build something even better? What does that even look like?   I could feel the anxiety rise in my chest.  What if I can’t build a bigger and better house, what if I fall short?  The self-doubt and fear set in and shut me down.

You see, I believe in FEELING my feelings and acknowledging them, even if they don’t make sense, or if they seem counter intuitive.  After calming myself down, praying and having an honest talk with my husband…I decided to stare down this new empty lot of land and try to make peace with it.  I decided NOT to get in my car and drive away and throw in the towel.  The truth is that while it IS a challenge, I am not REALLY building a house from scratch…. I have years of experience.  I have built a house before, many of them, each unique and special in their own way.  I already know what materials to use and the best way to lay tile and put-up sheetrock.  I know many of the contractors by name.  There will be new contractors who will bring new dimensions to my house…maybe a room in Audio Description or Animation…maybe a sunroom that will include a great Agent, maybe a quaint fireplace that could hold another Emmy (Hey, It COULD happen).  Maybe I will meet a new friend or two to have coffee and conversation in my cozy breakfast nook.  I have NO IDEA what the house I build in 2022 will look like, and while that is a little scary…it is also EXCITING.

As I stood there looking at this empty lot, the sun began to rise over the land and warm my face.  I felt so much gratitude that I GET to build another house, no matter what it will become….and after taking a few moments to soak in the view, I decided it was time to roll up my sleeves and GET TO WORK.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…..lawn mower? leaf blower… snow plow… car radio (insert any noise here). Sound and the home studio – how noises I never noticed before – make me crazy.

I have a professional home studio…. “Professional” in the sense that my sound is great. I have recorded countless spots for radio, TV and the Web in my studio. These spots have been National, Regional, even recordings that have been played in a giant football stadium. I know many fellow Voice Artists have created home voice studios of their own. These studios range from full on sound-proof whisper rooms to holding a giant quilt over their head while recording, and everything in between. I am somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. I have a quality microphone, a good interface, and a dedicated closet that I have lined with bedding and popcorn mattresses. When there is no outside noise at all, my studio is perfection. The challenge is that I live on a busy street, directly behind a Landscape company, right next to neighbors on both sides who have dogs and cars and like to hang out gabbing with friends while their car radio blasts loud rock and roll music at the high end of the speakers range – the kind of loud that you can actually feel because it is THAT loud. The funny thing about this is, I have always been a “city girl” at heart. These types of background noises truly never bothered me before; I actually enjoyed them to some degree. The carefree city girl in me has been replaced. Now, as I make my way in this world of voice over and building a career, I rely on silence to pay the bills. These constant noises are my arch enemy, my kryptonite. Sometimes they feel like they are mocking me…like they are anxiously awaiting that moment when I need to record to suddenly decide to make an appearance. Murphy’s Law is very active in my world. I can’t tell you how many expletives I have had to remove from recordings from being frustrated (and I am NOT someone who swears). I will be in the moment of a beautiful read when a giant truck starts beeping loudly in my ear – ruining my momentum, stopping my recording and frustrating the hell out of my spirit. These constant interruptions delay my work, stress me out, and make recording an intermittent activity. So what is a Professional Female Voice Talent to do? How do you make a living when the loud world around you is trying to trip you up and test you? Well, until I have my “perfect” situation where I live on a dead end street in a quiet neighborhood and have invested in and installed a sound proof Whisper Room in my home – you just DO.
I must push through, I must work around these noises, stay up very VERY late, or get up before anyone else is sane enough to roll out of bed, and find those moments of peace. Those brief windows of time where the magic can happen without interruption. Those precious seconds where I can be “in the moment” and actually do what I am truly meant to do. Connect with someone else’s words, give them meaning and life, and speak them into a microphone, in my perfect, imperfect room.