We sat down with voice actor Chen Ying to talk all things voice acting, what first pulled him into the craft, what keeps him motivated on rough days, and the advice he has for newer actors. He also shares how he approaches auditions, handles feedback, and supports other actors in the community. You may also recognize his work from our own project I Married a Monster on a Hill, where he voices Isaac.
What (or who) first inspired you to get into voice acting, and what still inspires you now?
I think first and foremost it came from a place of self-restrospection. I never had that many special skills growing up or so I thought. But I realized I had a knack for storytelling, presentations, and teachers loved to hear me talk from a very young age and it persisted throughout high school.
Then there was the exposure. A great deal of which came from animations from DreamWorks, Disney, and Studio Ghibli. Those further cemented that calling.
As an active voice actor currently, would it be too cheesy to say I am? An inspiration to myself, I mean. Because, think about it, the biggest and most profound role model should be ourselves. We know how far we’ve come and how long we’ve yet to reach. The fact I am still going despite my shaky start, myriad of awful events, constant self-deprecation? That’s a breathtaking moment to look back on.
When you’re having a rough day, what keeps you motivated to keep creating and auditioning?
My drive is derived from a self-awareness of having done something and achieved things to be proud of for that day. That is personally what keeps me going.
With that in mind, I am thus my greatest supporter & motivator. Yes, there is a theme going here. However, it’s a constant internal struggle. So you should not have a one-track mind when it comes to auditions. Take breaks as needed, reassess what makes you happy, do them. And if it’s voiceover, plan accordingly.
Also, I would be lying if I said that my VO-dedicated series on YT don’t also serve as reminders for myself too. I love seeing & hearing myself. So while you should chase opportunities to stay relevant and thriving. You can and should make your own as well.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you were just starting out in voice acting?
I remember starting out thinking the world owed me a career. So I got lazy, arrogant, and narcissistic. I didn’t know I had so much to learn. This can impact your motivation or lack thereof too.
Be a sponge and soak up every ounce of criticism. Be careful not to mistake haters from constructive feedback. Distinguish supporters from those who take advantage of you.
This knowledge will undoubtedly come with time but there are a lot of online resources and trustworthy VAs out there too that can speed up the process. Find them! Make a community!
Do you have any advice for newer voice actors who feel discouraged or lost in the crowd?
At times it can feel like the world is against you and that your voice(s) don’t belong in any projects. Remember, rejection is the business. But with each one, you’re closer to acceptance.
It is oh so important to know and internalize this early on, your voice may not work with everyone but you can make it work for you. Always keep growing, practicing, and having a blast. NEVER SETTLE!
How do you try to spread positivity or support others in the voice acting community?
I personally adore uplifting other VAs and just people in general. Recently, I started doing VO memes and posts that seem to resonate with the experiences of others, be they good or bad.
I love fostering and nurturing a safe space. I do not tolerate blatant toxicity though, I learnt that from my soulmate. Shout-out to my polar bear!
I am a fan of chiming in when it comes to questions or concerns that come across my feed on Twitter. Doing so 24/7 with a civil manner and making sure they know that whatever I say is my opinion. Feel free to DM me anytime, I’ll try to help with the best of my abilities.
Where can people follow your work, support you, and hear more of your performances?
You can find me pretty much everywhere under “Chen Ying” but these days I am most active on Twitter, YT, CCC, and Discord.
Thank you so much for having me and giving me this opportunity to speak! See you all around~
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I Married a Monster on a Hill (Award-Winning Series)
