The Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast

Voiceover is a beautiful and rewarding field. But if you’re not protecting your energy, creativity, and finances, it will eat you alive before you ever find your footing.

I’ve seen too many talented actors get burned out because they thought VO was just about having a “great voice.” It isn’t. It’s a craft and a business rolled into one. And if any of those three pillars is running on empty, your career won’t last.

Energy: Your True Currency

Behind every polished 30-second spot is hours of research, auditions, editing, outreach, marketing, and more. Without systems to replenish your energy, you’ll be running on fumes—and microphones always reveal fatigue. Protecting your bandwidth isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.

Creativity: More Than Output

Turning your art into your business can drain your creativity if you’re not careful. Output without input leads to burnout. I share ways to keep your “creative bank” full so your performances stay fresh, inspired, and bookable.

F...

In this episode, I talk about mottos. Those little slogans or mantras that can actually keep you going in a business that is often messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming.

A motto is not just decoration. It’s a tool. It helps you:

• Stay grounded when the industry feels chaotic.

• Filter choices and make better decisions.

• Communicate your identity and values quickly.

• Build momentum through small daily actions.

I’ll share a quick history of mottos, what makes a good one, and a few of my favorites like:

• Grow through every no

• Truth over performance

• Consistent action, creative life

• Bring light to every role

But here’s the most important part. A motto has to fuel action. It should connect to something small you can do each day. Even five minutes counts. That could be:

• Sending one outreach email

• Researching a casting director

• Tracking your auditions

• Posting or reposting content

• Reviewing your goals

When you tie yo...

Why Learning the “Language” Matters

Actors spend years honing their craft, but many miss one critical piece: learning how to communicate in the Language of the Agents and the Casting Directors. This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about aligning your training, business practices, and mindset so the industry sees you as the solution—not the problem.

As a casting director, I see it firsthand. Actors who know how to speak this language get representation, book roles, and build sustainable careers. Those who don’t? They’re quickly overlooked.

The Three Pillars of a Successful Acting Career

A thriving career rests on three equally important pillars:

1. Training – Building your instrument as an actor so you know you’re good at your craft.

2. Business – Getting your materials, schedule, and communication in order.

3. Core Energy Work – Tackling mindset blocks like procrastination, perfectionism, and fear so you actually do what you know you need to do.

Neglect any one of t...

Hey there, it’s Mandy Fisher. Welcome back to the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast. I’ve been in the voiceover world for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I repeat over and over, it’s this: all voiceover is character work.

Yes, even that five-second toothpaste ad. Even the audiobook that goes on for twelve hours. Even the one-liner in a loop group session. If I don’t believe in the character I’m creating, the audience won’t either—and you’d be surprised how quickly people can tell when something feels fake.

Why Character Work Matters in VO

Voiceover isn’t just about funny voices or nailing impressions. It’s about embodying choices. A toothpaste spot is still persuasion. An audiobook requires sustaining multiple characters. A video game audition? They always want grounded realism now.

The throughline is the same: I’m acting. I’m building a character.

My Six Quick Character Lenses

When I create characters—whether for a 30-second commercial or a video game villain—I ru...

This week’s episode is all about documentary narration. Voiceover actor Paula Tiso joins me to share her journey from sketch comedy in Los Angeles to working steadily in promos, radio imaging, true crime, and documentary series.

We talk about training, the shift from “perky” reads to grounded storytelling, and what it really takes to support a story with your voice.

About Paula:

Paula Tiso is a veteran voiceover actor whose work spans documentary narration, true crime, television affiliates, video games, and more. She’s voiced Smithsonian Channel documentaries, Oxygen and ID series like Living with a Serial Killer and The Devil Speaks, and brought characters to life in games including Final Fantasy X, No More Heroes, and Fallout 76.

Whether narrating history, guiding audiences through true crime, or connecting viewers to their local TV stations, Paula’s voice combines warmth, authority, and authenticity.

From Comedy to Narration

Paula started out in sketch comedy and found ...

Today’s episode is called “Your Audition Superpower.” We’re talking about what really makes an audition competitive, not just good. Because in a crowded industry, good auditions disappear. Competitive ones get remembered.

Whether you’re stepping into the booth, walking into the room, or recording a self-tape at home, these five elements can transform how casting directors see you.

Why “Audition Superpowers” Matter

Every actor has talent. What separates the hobbyists from the professionals is how you show up under pressure. Casting directors don’t just want a great read. They want someone they can rely on, someone who takes risks, and someone who knows how to communicate humanity through their choices.

That’s why these five aspects aren’t just skills. They’re your audition superpowers.

The 5 Audition Superpowers

1. Confidence

Not the fake-it-till-you-make-it kind. Real confidence is clarity and control, the ability to deliver without obsessing about what the casting director w...

This week’s episode is all about doing the damn thing. Inspired by Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, we explore how to move from wishful thinking into real, consistent action.

Because let’s face it:

• Epiphanies are useless without execution.

• Self-help without follow-through is shelf-help.

• Trying to be an actor isn’t the same as being one.

From Passive Habits to Active Action

Many actors fall into the trap of passive self-help habits. That looks like reading books, journaling, or attending seminars but never actually taking the uncomfortable, messy steps that move your career forward.

Here’s the three-part shift:

1. Awareness – Notice your thoughts, excuses, and passive habits.

2. Acceptance – Own them without judgment.

3. Action – Act your way into right thinking and build your courage muscle.

Every day, ask yourself: Am I going to the gym… or am I really going to the gym?

Be in the 5%

Here’s a sobering stat: only 5% of SAG-AFTRA members qualify ...

Okay actors, here it is—your end-of-summer pep talk. I don’t know how we got here so fast, but summer’s basically over and it’s time to stop stalling. Time to get your act together.

In this episode, I’m giving it to you straight. Yes, I even drop a few swear words, because honestly, sometimes that’s what it takes to shake things up. I’ll share the story of Bowie the cat (our very cautious little housemate) and how it perfectly connects to where so many of you are stuck in your careers. The question is: are you going to stay scared Bowie… or step up and be brave Bowie?

And I’m not just talking theory here. I’m breaking down the exact things that matter most right now: your resume, your headshots, your reels, your website, and the way you correspond with agents and casting directors. These are the details that decide whether we keep looking at you—or hit delete in under three seconds.

What You’ll Take Away

• Why being “brave Bowie” matters more than you think

• The three pill

  ...

When I Froze on “Three Takes”

I’ll be honest, the first time a casting director asked me for three takes in the same vibe, my brain short-circuited. The first one felt okay. The second? I made it louder. The third? I whispered and hoped for divine intervention.

Sound familiar? If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. No one really teaches us how to do this. We just… guess.

But over the years, I’ve learned that “three takes” doesn’t have to be torture. It’s actually an opportunity to show range, subtlety, and intention — if you know where to focus.

My Five Go-To Tools for Variety

Here’s what I rely on:

1. Change the environment. Close your eyes and imagine where you are. A noisy coffee shop shifts your energy in a completely different way than a quiet office.

2. Add human sounds. We don’t speak like robots. A breath, a chuckle, a little “mm-hmm” makes your read feel alive.

3. Play with pauses. I love a pause. It can create tension, warmth, or surprise. Same words, totally d

   ...

Most actors treat their careers like a guessing game.
Send a few emails. Hope someone notices. Post on Instagram. Cross your fingers.

But what if you could know what’s working?
What if you had the exact information to make better choices, save time, and book more work?

That is what tracking data does for you, and yes, it is way less boring than it sounds.

Why Most Actors Avoid Tracking (and Why That Hurts Them)

A lot of actors shy away from anything that feels “too business.”
They think tracking numbers will suck the artistry out of what they do.

But here is the thing: you are your own product.
If you are selling anything, you need to know what is resonating and what is falling flat.

Data is not about turning you into a robot.
It is more like a script you did not know you needed. It tells you what is landing, what is missing the mark, and where to put your energy next.

How to Start Small Without Overcomplicating It

You do not need fancy software to start. A simple spreadshee...