We had the pleasure of chatting with voice actor Harry Dryer. Be sure to check it out to learn more about Harry’s creative journey. Perhaps you will find something that will inpsire you and your journey!
Harry is a professional actor with 15+ years experience performing on stage (modern & classical), screen and as a voice artist. Harry graduated from drama school in 2009 where he was trained in the Stanislavski method as well as classical theatre, circus skills, stage combat, acting for camera, acting for radio, vocal mechanics, Alexander technique, dance and singing. Harry is also a professional writer and has written and co-written novels and screenplays. He has also worked in standup comedy, presenting, film making and ventriloquism. He is a dedicated, vigorous and authentic artist as well as a fun, quirky and creative thespian to have in any troupe of players.
1.What initially inspired you to become a creator, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your creative journey?
I have always had a passion for performing and throughout primary school, high school I knew this was what i wanted to do with my life. This led me to college and then eventually to drama school. During this time I also became interested in film making and writing and began to pursue these too. My inner drive was always fuelled by the films, games and stories I loved and how they affected my life. I always wanted to join those performers on the level where i may play a character that would have a positive, inspiring and transformative affect on another persons life as those characters did for me.
2.Can you share a specific moment or experience that fuelled your passion for your current creative project?
In terms of acting and VA work I couldn’t name a specific place but the things that stick in my mind are Jim Carey in ‘The Mask’ which showed me the outrageous, subtle and believability of acting and just made me want to do what he did. In terms of my current writing project, the book I am working on was all fuelled from the many early bereavements of close family members I experienced in my childhood and how it still affects me to this day. How children navigate their way through the loss of a loved one.
3.What challenges have you encountered as an indie creator, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?
The main challenge is simply the vast wealth of creatives in the talent pool. In my 15+ years of been in the industry it has taught me patience, resilience and self determination on a saintly level. One must keep working on their dream and their art and not be shaken by the inevitable rejections that come with the business nor do I allow myself to be distracted or slowed by attributing things to things out of my control. If you want to believe in anything believe in yourself.
4.Are there any particular creators who have significantly influenced your style or approach? How do you incorporate those influences into your own unique voice?
There are so many people who went into my creative makeup I couldn’t really say for sure. I’d say Jim Carey, Rowan Atkinson, Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson would be in there based on my viewings as a child. Films would be Ghostbusters, Star Wars, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Dumb and Dumber, Batman and The MaskAs a writer I’d say Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of OZ, Watchmen, Spider-Man and Batman. In terms of games It would be Super Mario, Sonic the hedgehog, Final Fantasy 7, Resident Evil. I know that’s a storm of an answer but It’s so hard to pinpoint.
5.How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to feedback from your audience or collaborators?
I am very careful who and what i listen to. I terms of my writing I always create the stories I want to tell and that I would want to read. If people tell me to make changes and adaptions then Imust know why and how it will serve the story as another’s ’vision’ might only be based on what they think and not what is best for the story as a whole. With performing its a bit different. I am very easy to work with as I take direction well and If told to do it a certain way then I will do as the director wishes. Like with the writing my job is to play my part in bringing the story alive, it isn’t about my own ego and what I am doing. The difference I suppose is my writing is my creation, my acting is a part of someone else’s.
6.Can you recall a memorable success story or milestone in your indie creator journey that stands out as a turning point for you?
When I created my first successful short film ‘The Loudest minds’ in which I wrote and starred and helped produce. John Grey the extremely talented director and co-creator helped my bring it to life. Kate Murphy the most fantastic of producers and Will Morris the marvellous composer all helped bring The Loudest minds to fruition and when we took it round the festival circuits and picked up awards for it I remember feeling like my stories were worth telling and people enjoyed them.
7.What role do setbacks or failures play in your creative process, and how do you overcome them to keep moving forward?
Setbacks and failures are interesting phraseology. I have had may setbacks but i would never said I’d had failures. I have auditioned for many roles and sent many emails in my life that have reaped no fruit but that is part of the business. I tell anyone who wants to be in the creative industry that they must be resilient because it is a hard slog. However I also know that not getting a part or not getting an agent isn’t about you being terrible or a bad person, sometimes you’re just not right for that part or it was just that someone who was more suitable got it. I don’t view these things as negative, its just some on thing we do and move on. If you think of it as failure its going to have a negative shadow on it and on you.
8.How do you manage your time and energy to sustain a consistent creative output while juggling other aspects of life?
I have to balance work, family and creative work as best as one can. I work my day job as a teaching assistant and then use evenings, weekends and school holidays to record auditions, work on my books and deliver work for people. When i get to the point where my creative work provides enough income to be able to step back form the 9-5 work and allows me to feed my family and keep doing it then I’ll be a step closer to living the dream.
9.Have you found any unexpected joys or rewards in the indie creator community, and how has it contributed to your overall experience?
The main joys and rewards have been meeting other creatives and making new relationships and even friendships. Its also great to see the successes of others because for me in inspires me and pushes me to work harder. I have met people i would never have done and worked on projects that i may never have known about. I love meeting up and coming folks and seeing them level up and achieve their dreams. I always aim to treat people well and help them however I can because you never know who they’ll end up being one day! I learned that from Harold Ramis and hope one day I can be as great a mensch as he was.
10.If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring creators, what would it be based on your own lessons learned?
Believe in yourself, don’t give up, keep going and tell your stories.
11. What are your thoughts on All Ages of Geek? What are some things we should change/do? What are something you enjoy about our website?
It is nice of them to be listening to creatives and creating their own content for people to enjoy. I’m a big supporter of all things geek. There was a time it would be seen as an insult or a shame to be a geek but now it seems to be quite fashionable to be a geek. I’ve never
been a fan of the superficial but if it means there’s more content and more folks like All Ages of Geek then so mote it be.
12. Goals for 2024?
Believe in myself, Keep going, not giving up and telling my stories. One thing I’d love to do is finish my latest book and start approaching literary agents.
