Mic’d Up For The Planet: An Interview with Todd Stark

Introduction

What genres of voiceover (VO) do you work in?

My focus is Web, TV, and radio commercials, corporate narration, political spots, and e-learning.  I have also voiced video games, animation projects, and promos.

Why do you love being part of VO4TP? What motivated you to join VO4TP?

Having devoted much of my professional and personal life to environmental and social justice, VO4TP provides me an opportunity to be a “voice for good.”  This shared love within our growing team for making the world a better place is, in my experience, unique within the VO world.  It binds us together and that’s a powerful feeling.

What are 3 words your best friend would use to describe you?

Passionate; humorous; engaging

Additional Work Insights

What aspects of your job bring you the most joy?

Voicing projects that speak to my personal interests and passions (nature, science, the environment, music, food & beverage, and engineering).

How did you get started as a voice actor? 

Having a private sector and non-profit background that included speaking engagements worldwide, I felt that voiceover might be an enjoyable next career and a meaningful part of my life.  After leaving the business world, I studied VO in NYC and also with top coaches from LA and Europe (still studying weekly).  I will remain a voice actor for as long as my voice holds out!

If you hadn’t pursued voice acting, what career path might you have explored instead?

As a young person, I was interested in film production, and always enjoyed public speaking and voicing business projects at work.  I’m now a screen actor, as well as a voice actor, and my only wish is that I started 20 years sooner.

The Business Side

How do you manage your schedule and prioritize projects? 

I use business operations and planning tools, some standard and others of my own design, that were integral throughout my supply chain, general business, and consulting career, to create my overall VO business strategy and to execute its elements.  I employ visual tools, both digital and “old school” white boards, to meet my daily goals.  And, I constantly ask myself the age-old question: “What’s the best use of my time right now?”

In what ways has being a part of VO4TP challenged or changed your day-to-day business?

My work life feels more “connected.”  Being a voice actor can seem like a lonely way to spend many hours of the day.  VO4TP has helped me create a natural, comfortable connection to an amazing group of professionals, and given me a reason to work with others that feels organic; like a family.

What is it like working in a collaborative group like VO4TP? 

Building on the point above,  collaboration is the basis of most successful work endeavors, and it’s not always easy to do as a voice actor.  Working within our VO4TP team on the tools, techniques, tips, tricks, and traps of voice acting, running a VO business, client issues, and staying motivated and positive provides a path forward when things get challenging.  Many of us routinely face the same challenges, and as a group, it’s easier to see a solution or get fresh ideas.

Environmentalism

Which organizations are you most passionate about giving to with your time and money?

While my wife and I have donated to many environmental and social justice non-profits over many years, below is a list of some of the environmentally-focused organizations to which we have donated and/or given our time: Save the Redwoods; EDF; Friends of the Earth; NRDC; Center for Biological Diversity; PETA, Oceana; Nature Conservancy; Sierra Club; The Jane Goodall Institute; Soi Dog Foundation; The Humane League; Avaaz.org; Beagle Freedom Project; Wildlife SOS; Milo Foundation.  There are others as well, depending on circumstances.  

The  driving principles behind our environmental giving are these: 1) Organizations with a clear, tightly defined mission of protecting the planet and its habitat through programs, services, education, litigation, and advocacy; 2) Organizations with transparent and efficient financials directed at accomplishing their core mission.

Any great tips on being sustainable in your work and/or life?

In my view, there’s an “illusion of sustainability” propagated primarily by large corporations across industries such as plastics, food & beverage, automobiles, and heavy industry.  The focus for me is therefore on making small, principle-based decisions that can reduce my carbon footprint in areas such as transportation, plastics consumption, and food waste, as well as wildlife conservation. The current political climate makes our individual efforts even more urgent. 

 

 

Just For Fun!

If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be and why?

My 18-year-old cat will be unhappy with me (and I’d never, ever choose another pet over him), but I’d probably want a raptor – a hawk or owl. They are such amazing creatures, and to have the opportunity to be with one so closely would be a gift.

Having had numerous rescue cats and dogs throughout my life, I’m a big fan of providing loving homes to animals without one.  But most animal species should remain in the wild – presuming this can be done safely and ethically.  If I lived on a game reserve, I would commune daily with the Big Cats!

What is the most adventurous activity you have ever done, and how did it change your perspective? 

 Uphf!  That’s a hard one.  Here are a few…backcountry skiing in Europe during an avalanche (didn’t get hit…others weren’t as lucky), being detained by the military in rural Venezuela on suspicion of being a spy (only for an hour!), crash landing in Guatemala City after losing an engine on a private plane (condor collision!), climbing a volcano in Sumatra during a horrendous rainstorm and mudslide, and years of time with inspirational farmers and farm-and-factory workers on five continents in sectors such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, cashews, and apparel.  In all cases, the learning comes down to this; people across the globe are extraordinary, and life is a journey, not a destination, so enjoy the trip.

Imagine you’re creating a playlist for a road trip through the world’s most beautiful landscape. First, where would you be, and second, what would be the first song on your playlist?

Another tough one. If I had to choose…the Nā Pali Coast, on the north shore of Kaua’I.  The first song on my playlist would be anything by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.  The second would be Piano Concerto No. 26 in D Major, by W.A. Mozart.  The third would be anything from Steely Dan’s Gaucho album.  😊

 

Learn more about Todd Stark.