We interviewed Voice Actor Stacey Cotham!

We had the pleasure of chatting with Stacey Cotham all about voice acting! Be sure to check it out to learn more about Stacey’s creative journey!

What initially inspired you to become a creator, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your creative journey?

Funnily enough, I started on my journey just as a voice actor. I honestly didn’t realize how much more there was to do. Audio engineering, script writing and editing, video editing, self-marketing, etc. I’ve always been open to being a jack of all trades, and this just solidified my desire to be as well-rounded as possible.

I’m currently working on some small joke projects for my own enjoyment. I get a lot of inspiration by riffing off my friends and associates. Tom Schalk wanted to hear “Welcome to Hell” said endearingly, so now I have a whole script about vacations to the underworld.

My big project is something I’ve had bubbling in my head for years. I love all things spooky, and I love working with my friends. So, I decided it would be really cool to have fully dramatized recordings of local ghost stories and legends. Right now, it’s very much still in planning. I want to get funding, too, because I believe in paying my people.

What challenges have you encountered as an indie creator, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?

I struggle with rejection and my own mental health, so I tend to take things very hard. I also need a lot of breaks to recharge my batteries so to speak. I’ve learned very quickly that there’s no timeframe on success. You just do what you can, and take things as they come. You’re not gonna get perfection if you rush or push yourself beyond your limit. Give yourself grace.

Are there any particular creators who have significantly influenced your style or approach? How do you incorporate those influences into your own unique voice?

Like I said, I take so much influence from my friends. I find a lot of my best material just riffing off of chats we have or things that happen when we’re gaming. There’s a lot of humor that can be found in casual moments. I also try to incorporate any jokes that pop up during scripting.

In terms of specific creators, it’s hard to say. I know Mr. Ballen for sure. I like my storytelling to be casual and familiar. However, I’ve been a huge anime fan since I was little, so I also try to incorporate that larger-than-life, silly epicness sometimes depending on what I’m doing.

How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to feedback from your audience or collaborators?

I really try to incorporate feedback as much as I can. I don’t claim to be an expert on much of anything, so I rely heavily on others’ input to express stories in a well-researched and sensitive way. It’s also really important to not just pay lip service to gaps in diversity. There’s millions of stories out there, and they don’t need to be filtered through my very specific life experience.

I find that it doesn’t hamper my vision, either. Part of being an artist is learning to adapt. The other part is having empathy. Once you blend those together, you can do anything.

Can you recall a memorable success story or milestone in your indie creator journey that stands out as a turning point for you?

I think one of my proudest moments in VO was pitching a comic dub to MasakoX as a lark, and it ended up racking up about 80k views in a few hours. I think it just proves that you don’t have to take things seriously all the time for them to be successful. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing in the moment, it translates in a big way to the work. And I feel like the audience picks up on that.

What role do setbacks or failures play in your creative process, and how do you overcome them to keep moving forward?

Like I said earlier, I struggle with rejection. It’s hard in voice over when the majority of the job is rejection. I’ve had to put in a lot of personal work to develop a thicker skin and be open to feedback. If there’s something I can do different or better, I want to put in the work for it.

How do you manage your time and energy to sustain a consistent creative output while juggling other aspects of life?

I don’t (hahaha). I had a really good schedule when I started, but my day job was a big hindrance when it came to having the spoons to deal with finding creative balance. Now that I’ve left that field, I really am taking baby steps to get back to where I can balance work, life, and creativity. I have a really good support network that encourages me when I need it, but I always try to remember that our current society isn’t set up for creative success. That may sound harsh, but it’s true. It’s okay if the laundry isn’t done right this second or if vacuuming needs to wait til tomorrow. If you only have so much energy to devote to your creative self, it’s ok to channel that energy there. No one’s going to judge you for that.

Have you found any unexpected joys or rewards in the indie creator community, and how has it contributed to your overall experience?

The VO community is so big and vibrant, and I’ve met some of the absolute best people who are now life-long friends. There is nothing I love more than celebrating their successes, and they keep me on my toes. They help me set goals and keep me aspiring for bigger and better things.

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring creators, what would it be based on your own lessons learned?

There is no time frame on success, so it’s never too late to start with any new project. Keep learning and striving, and you will get to that goal.

What are your thoughts on All Ages of Geek? What are some things we should change/do? What is something you enjoy about our website?

First of all, big ups for female-led geekery and the diversity of topics you cover. The website’s great. Very easy to navigate and find something interesting. I’d say highlight your originals more. Also, DnD. Love a good ladies DnD night.

Goals for 2024?

Keep working and hopefully get to a place where I can get representation this year or next.

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When articles are tagged under All Ages of Geek, it usually means the Stec sisters are behind the writing. Known for their comedic and fun style, they bring a touch of humor to their work. While they often conduct interviews and write various articles, they’ve recently started reviewing Hallmark movies and niche content. Support us: https://linktr.ee/allagesofgeek