Idaho

A Visitor in the Night: An Idaho Mountain Lion Encounter

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A Visitor in the Night

Living in the Idaho mountains shapes the way you see the world, and sometimes, the world shows up unannounced. On February 22nd, we had a visitor. We had our first Idaho mountain lion encounter. After checking our security cameras, I found footage that perfectly captures the stealth, patience, and precision of a mountain lion. You don’t truly understand how silently and calculated they move until you watch it unfold in real time. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you the wild isn’t out there somewhere. It’s here.

Life With Our Feral Cats

We look after seven feral cats, all part of a TNR program. They’re wild, untouchable, and fiercely independent, but they stick close. They trust us. We feed them, and in return, we have zero mice or rodents anywhere near the house. Out here, though, even hunters can become prey. So we keep an eye on them the same way they keep an eye on the world.

Something Was Wrong

On the morning of the 22nd, something felt off.
The yard was empty. Not a single cat in sight.
The cameras filled in the blanks.
At 12:45am, all seven cats scattered at once — pure instinct, pure panic.
Three minutes later, at 12:48am, the reason stepped into frame.

A Mountain Lion in the Dark

I pulled footage from our security cameras, and what it captured was a masterclass in stealth and patience from one of Idaho’s most impressive predators: a mountain lion. Calm. Silent. Moving like a shadow with teeth.

For anyone wondering: all the cats are safe, big and small. Every one of them is accounted for and getting back to their usual routines. The mountain lion may still be out there. But our Idaho mountain lion encounter and the nine minutes of footage we captured is a powerful reminder of what it means to live out here. The wild doesn’t knock. It just arrives.

You may want to watch in full screen mode to truly catch the mountain lion stalking.

WATCH IT HERE

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How to Start in Voice Over: Beginner Tips from a Working Pro

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Gritty and gravelly voice actor Rich Summers
Thinking About Getting Into Voice Over? Here’s What I’d Tell You First

If you’re new to voice over, I’m going to tell you something up front that I wish someone had told me early on:

You Don’t Need a “Perfect” Voice to Start in Voice Over

 A “perfect” voice is not a pre-requisite. You need skills, consistency, and a little patience.

A lot of beginners get stuck wondering if their voice is “good enough.” The truth is, there’s no single voice that works for everything. Commercials, narration, corporate videos, video games, etc., they all need different sounds. What clients really want is someone who sounds natural, clear, and believable.

That’s the part you can learn.

Your Recording Space Matters More Than Expensive Gear

Let’s talk equipment, because this is where people tend to overthink things.

You do not need an expensive studio to get started. What you do need is a quiet space with as little echo and background noise as possible. Closets, treated corners, portable booths; those can all work if you set them up right.

Bad audio will cost you auditions faster than a bad read. So focus on controlling your space first. Start with solid, basic gear and upgrade later. Skill always comes before equipment.

Don’t Just Read the Script — Talk to Someone

This is a big one.

Voice over isn’t about reading words off a page. It’s about understanding who you’re talking to and why you’re talking to them.

It’s something I had to learn. Before I record anything now, I ask myself:

  • Who am I speaking to?

  • What’s the point of this message?

  • How should this feel?

Even something like corporate narration or e-learning still needs intention. If you focus too much on how your voice sounds, the read usually feels stiff. If you focus on meaning, the performance starts to click.

Talk to one person. Keep it real.

Practice Voice Over Like a Professional (Even Before You’re Paid)

You don’t need paid gigs to practice professionally.

When I was starting out, I spent a lot of time:

  • Reading real scripts out loud

  • Recording myself and listening back (yes, it’s uncomfortable)

  • Trying multiple reads of the same script

  • Mimicking spots I heard on the radio in my car.

Listening back is where the growth happens. It’s not always fun, but it works.

And coaching? Worth it. A good coach can save you years of guessing and bad habits.

Don’t Rush Your Voice Over Demo

I see this mistake all the time.

Your demo is not a “learning tool.” It’s a marketing tool. If you rush it, you’re basically telling clients you’re ready when you’re not.

Before investing in a demo, make sure you:

  • Can deliver solid reads consistently

  • Know what styles fit you best

  • Have gotten real feedback from people who work in the industry

There’s no rush. A strong demo opens doors. A weak one quietly closes them. A bad demo is worse than no demo. Believe me.

Treat Voice Over Like a Business from Day One

Even if voice over is just a side thing right now, it’s still a business.

That means learning how to:

  • Communicate professionally

  • Meet deadlines

  • Deliver clean audio

  • Understand basic usage and expectations

Clients remember people who are easy to work with. Talent gets attention. Professionalism gets repeat work.

Ignore the “Get Rich Quick” Voice Over Noise

Voice over isn’t a shortcut career. It’s a craft.

Some weeks you’ll book. Some weeks you won’t. That’s normal – even when you’re established. What matters is showing up, practicing, and improving a little at a time.

If you build good habits and stay consistent, momentum comes.

Final Thoughts for New Voice Actors

If you’re just starting out and feeling unsure, that’s normal. Everyone I know in this industry, including me, started out wondering if they were good enough.

The people who stick around are the ones who stop chasing shortcuts and start building skills.

If you’re early in your voice over journey and want straightforward guidance, with no hype, no pressure, I’m always happy to point people in the right direction. Whether that’s feedback on a read, advice on next steps, or just answering a few questions, reach out and say hello.

Your voice already has value. Now it’s about learning how to use it.

Some great coaching resources (There are a lot of great VO coaches. These are some of the coaches I’ve worked with. When choosing a coach, make sure you are compatible with them and they are able to coach you in the genres you’re looking to explore).

Tina Morasco
David Alden
Marc Cashman
Mary Lynn Wissner
J. Michael Collins
Bruce Kronenberg

Additional resources:

Gravy For The Brain
Voice Over Resource Guide
Voice Actor Websites

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Support Your Voice Actor Community Peers

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The Voiceover Industry Isn’t a Competition — It’s a Community

In the voice actor community, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that we’re all competing for the same opportunities. One audition. One client. One booking. But that mindset is built on scarcity, and scarcity has never been the truth of this industry. Voiceover is not a battlefield. It’s a community. A family. A network of creative professionals who rise higher when we rise together.
The reality is simple: the more we all succeed, the more we all succeed.

🧭 We’re All on Different Career Trajectories — And That’s a Strength

Every voice actor’s journey looks different. Some book national campaigns early. Others build their careers slowly, brick by brick. Some thrive in eLearning, others in animation, others in commercial or narration. These differences don’t divide us — they enrich the industry. When another voice actor succeeds, it doesn’t diminish your path. It expands the industry’s visibility, credibility, and demand. Their win helps create more opportunities for everyone. A rising tide doesn’t lift one boat. It lifts the whole harbor.

🛠️ Why Supporting Your Peers Makes You Better

Supporting fellow voice actors isn’t just good karma — it’s smart business and strong community building.
1. Shared Knowledge Accelerates Growth
When voice actors share insights, workflows, gear tips, and audition strategies, the entire community levels up.
Better talent → better industry reputation → more clients willing to invest in professional VO.
2. Referrals Strengthen the Network
No one is the right fit for every job.
Referring another voice actor doesn’t cost you work — it builds trust with clients and deepens your professional relationships.
3. Collaboration Beats Isolation
Voiceover can be a solitary career.
Community gives you encouragement, accountability, and perspective — the things that keep you moving when the inbox is quiet.
4. Success Creates More Success
When one voice actor lands a major gig, it reinforces the value of professional voice talent.
That win helps everyone in the industry.

🧡 It’s Not a Competition — It’s a Family

The best voice actors I know don’t hoard information or treat peers like rivals. They show up and share. They’re there to celebrate others’ wins. Because they understand that generosity fuels growth.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all walking different paths up the same mountain.
• Some are near the summit.
• Some are halfway up.
• Some are still lacing their boots.
But we’re all climbing — and the climb is easier when we help each other along the way.

🌟 Simple Ways to Support Fellow Voice Actors Today

• Share resources or coaching recommendations
• Celebrate their wins publicly
• Offer referrals when you’re not the right fit
• Join or create a VO accountability group
• Give honest, constructive feedback when asked
• Encourage newcomers — it matters more than you think
Small actions create big momentum.

🏔️ We Rise Higher When We Rise Together

Voice over isn’t a zero‑sum game. It’s a community built on collaboration, generosity, and shared success. When we support each other, we create a healthier, more sustainable industry. One where talent grows, opportunities multiply, and clients see the value of working with professionals. So keep showing up. Keep supporting your peers. Keep celebrating the wins! Yours and theirs. Because in the voice actor community, the more we all succeed, the more we all succeed.

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Idaho Mountain Life and VO Work

Why Patience Fuels My Voiceover Career

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🎙️ The Quiet Power of Patience in My Voiceover Journey

If there’s one lesson this industry keeps teaching me, it’s patience. Nothing ever seems to happen as fast as I want it to. I can pour everything I’ve got into an audition, hit submit, feel that spark of possibility… and then silence. Sometimes for days. Other times for weeks. And then some forever. That’s just part of the deal. I’ve learned that patience isn’t optional in voiceover.

Patience in voice acting is essential.

🕰️ The Space Between Effort and Outcome

Producers have their own timelines, their own chaos, their own shifting priorities. Casting decisions move slowly. Projects stall. Clients change direction. I might be perfect for a role, but the timing just isn’t right. I can’t control any of that. What I can control is how I show up.

🎯 Submit, Forget, Move On

The healthiest habit I’ve built is simple:
Do the audition. Give it everything. Submit it. Then forget it and move on.
Not because I don’t care. Not because the opportunity isn’t exciting.
But because my energy is better spent on the next read, the next character, the next chance to grow. Every audition is a seed. Some sprout fast. Others take months. While some never break the surface. My job is to keep planting.

🧭 Patience Isn’t Waiting — It’s Working

Being patient doesn’t mean sitting around hoping the phone rings. It means staying consistent. Honing my craft. Showing up with grit and professionalism even when the results aren’t immediate. It means trusting that the work I’m doing today is building the foundation for tomorrow.

🏔️ I’m Playing the Long Game

A voice over career isn’t built overnight. It’s built through thousands of auditions, small wins, and a stubborn refusal to quit. When I embrace patience, I stop chasing outcomes and start mastering the process. And that’s where the real growth happens.
So I keep submitting. I keep forgetting. I keep moving forward.
My next “yes” will show up when it’s meant to — and I’ll be ready for it.

Remember, patience in voice acting…is essential.

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What Directors Really Need From a Voice Actor

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What Directors Really Need From a Voice Actor (But Rarely Say Out Loud)

In production, deadlines move fast and expectations run high. Directors and producers aren’t just looking for a “good voice” — they’re looking for a voice actor who understands the pressures of the job and delivers work that makes the entire process smoother.
As an Idaho voiceover artist with a grounded, authentic sound, I’ve seen firsthand what directors value most but don’t always say out loud.

A Voice Actor Who Listens Before They Perform

Great performances start with listening. Directors want a voice actor who understands:
• The emotional target
• The subtext behind the script
• The tone they meant, not just the tone they said
Listening well means fewer takes, faster sessions, and a final read that hits the mark.

Someone Who Takes Direction Without Ego

Direction is part of the craft. Whether a director asks for:
• More grit
• Less energy
• A more lived‑in feel
…they need a voice actor who adapts instantly. Flexibility builds trust — and trust keeps projects moving.

Reliability That Doesn’t Need Explaining

Directors want a voice actor who delivers:
• Clean, broadcast‑ready audio
• Clear file labeling
• Fast turnaround times
• Professional communication
When reliability is a given, the creative work can shine.

Authenticity Over Performance

Today’s audiences crave realness. Directors want a voice that feels:
• Human
• Grounded
• Honest
• Experienced
That’s where a rugged, Idaho‑forged tone stands out. Authenticity cuts through the noise and elevates the story.

Understanding the Bigger Picture

A voice actor isn’t just reading lines — they’re contributing to:
• Brand identity
• Narrative flow
• Emotional impact
• Client goals
Directors appreciate talent who sees the full vision, not just the script in front of them.

A Creative Partner, Not Just a Performer

The best sessions feel collaborative. Directors want a voice actor who:
• Offers options
• Brings ideas
• Solves problems
• Supports the story
When the booth becomes a partnership, the final product becomes stronger.

Why This Matters for Clients

Hiring the right voice actor means:
• A smoother workflow
• Stronger storytelling
• Faster delivery
• A more authentic final product
If your project needs a voice with grit, truth, and Idaho‑rooted authenticity, I’d love to help bring it to life.

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Idaho Mountain Life and VO Work

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Idaho Mountain Life and the Art of Professional Voiceovers

Living in the mountains of Idaho while working as a voice actor sometimes feels like existing in two worlds at once—one rooted deeply in silence, space, and nature, and the other constantly reaching outward to studios, clients, brands, and stories scattered across the country and around the globe. It’s a life shaped by contrast, and that balance is exactly what makes it work.

Here, roughly 60 miles north of bustling Boise, my mornings often begin with quiet. Pines stand still against wide skies, and the air feels cleaner and sharper, as if it wakes you up before the coffee does. Some mornings, wildlife wanders past without urgency, and the pace of life moves according to weather, seasons, and daylight rather than traffic or deadlines. The mountains of Idaho demand presence. They slow you down, ground you, and remind you that there is value in stillness. That sense of calm seeps into everything, especially my work.

Idaho voiceactor in a mountain setting delivering gritty, professional voiceover performance

Why Mountain Living Shapes a Stronger Voiceover Presence

From my home studio tucked into that landscape, I step into another reality. With a microphone, headphones, and a well-treated room, the mountains fade and the world rushes in. One moment I’m voicing a commercial for a company in New York, the next narrating a project for a client in Los Angeles, London, or somewhere halfway around the world (most recently in Amsterdam). Time zones blur. Accents change. Stories shift.

Yet the work flows seamlessly, carried by fiber lines instead of highways.

There’s something uniquely powerful about recording voice over from a place so removed from the noise it ultimately serves. The quiet of Idaho sharpens focus. There are no sirens bleeding into takes, no city hum rattling walls. That silence allows nuance—every breath, pause, and inflection—to be intentional. Clients may never see the mountains outside my studio window, but they hear the clarity they create.

At the same time, working globally from such a remote place reinforces how connected the world has become. Geography no longer defines opportunity. A voice recorded in a small booth in my home in the mountains of Idaho can end up on national broadcasts, corporate training videos, video games, or films within hours. The isolation that once might have limited creative careers now enhances them, offering both solitude and reach.

How Rugged Environments Influence Tone and Delivery

Living this way also brings perspective. After finishing a session, stepping outside into open land resets the mind. Stress dissolves faster when surrounded by forests, peaks, and sky. It’s easier to remember that while deadlines matter, so does balance. I feel like that grounding ultimately improves my work, bringing authenticity and steadiness to my auditions and reads.

My life in the Idaho mountains isn’t about escaping the world—it’s about engaging with it differently. From a quiet place filled with space and breath, I get to help tell stories everywhere. And somehow, that distance makes the connection even stronger.

So if you’re looking for a voice that’s grounded, real, human, and settled, I might be your guy. Let me know if you’d like a custom read – I’m happy to show you that the voice you’re looking for is just an email away.

Cheers,
Rich Summers

Idaho voiceactor in a mountain setting delivering gritty, professional voiceover performance

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