Podcast Summary: The Voice Over Coffee Shop – Episode VOCS 073 | Coffee with Jenna Birmingham

Release Date: April 21, 2024

In Episode 73 of The Voice Over Coffee Shop, host Andrew Morrison sits down with the accomplished voiceover artist and producer, Jenna Birmingham. Jenna shares her inspiring journey into the voiceover industry, her multifaceted role in radio production, and her passionate efforts to empower women in automotive voiceover. This detailed conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring voice actors and industry professionals alike.

1. Introduction

Andrew Morrison welcomes listeners to the 73rd episode of The Voice Over Coffee Shop, introducing Jenna Birmingham as a distinguished voiceover talent and creative producer. Jenna is lauded as "one of the most creative and talented producers" by Andrew, setting the stage for an engaging discussion about her experiences in the voiceover industry.

Notable Quote:

• Andrew Morrison [00:21]: "In this episode we have my very good friend Jenna Birmingham. Jenna is an award-winning voiceover talent, one of the most creative and talented producers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing..."

2. Jenna Birmingham's Early Aspirations and Path to Voiceover

Jenna reminisces about her childhood dreams of becoming an actress, highlighting her involvement in acting camps, theater, choir, and musical education. Despite her initial focus on traditional acting, life's circumstances, including motherhood and a move to Hawaii, steered her towards the voiceover field.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [02:18]: "When I was younger, I always wanted to be an actress. I wanted to be an entertainer."
• Jenna Birmingham [02:27]: "One of my girlfriends, who's a producer in Hollywood movies, suggested I consider voiceover work."

3. Building a Career in Voiceover and Production

Jenna details her entry into voiceover through a position in the promotions department at a Hawaii radio station. Her proactive approach—volunteering for recording tasks and learning audio editing—led to her producing and voicing commercials, including a notable McDonald's sweepers.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [03:17]: "I timed it right and I got in the promotions department... I made a 10-second sweeper for McDonald's."
• Jenna Birmingham [04:45]: "I fell into production. And while I was doing that, I started doing some freelance voiceover stuff."

4. Education and Skill Development

To enhance her production skills, Jenna pursued certificate programs in radio production and music entrepreneurship. These courses provided her with knowledge in various digital audio workstations (DAWs) and business aspects of the music industry, which she applies to her voiceover career.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [12:26]: "It's more of the business side of the music industry, the behind-the-scenes stuff."
• Jenna Birmingham [12:53]: "I learned Pro Tools, I learned MIDI... Just getting my hands on various production tools."

5. Navigating Production Work at a Major Radio Distribution Company

Jenna elaborates on her role in a major radio production company, where she oversees the creation of up to 2,000 commercials annually. Her responsibilities span scripting, casting, voicing, selecting music beds, adding sound effects, and ensuring client approvals.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [16:30]: "There are times where we will be given a flyer for a restaurant... and then they send it off to the client for approval."
• Jenna Birmingham [17:05]: "We make about 2,000 plus commercials... I'm voicing over half of those."

6. Managing High-Volume Production Seasons

November, a peak season for advertising, presents immense workloads. Jenna shares strategies for maintaining productivity and mental well-being during these intense periods, emphasizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and regular breaks.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [18:12]: "Knowing that there are going to be days like that in November helps me prepare for an onslaught."
• Jenna Birmingham [21:48]: "Hydration and rest. Vocal rest. Don't whisper."

7. Maintaining Vocal Health

Jenna underscores the critical role of hydration and adequate rest in preserving vocal health, especially during high-demand periods. She advises against whispering, which can strain the vocal cords more than speaking normally.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [22:46]: "Hydration is huge. Hydration is key."
• Jenna Birmingham [22:53]: "Don't whisper. Whispering puts so much more stress on your vocal folds."

8. Audition Techniques and Career Management

Discussing her approach to auditions, Jenna favors a natural delivery over excessive editing, aiming for authenticity in her voiceover submissions. She values efficiency, often submitting high-quality auditions promptly without overcomplicating the process.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [24:16]: "You're getting what feels right, what my natural speech winds up being."
• Jenna Birmingham [28:22]: "I want two takes that are great. Edit it, get it there, versus five takes and a half an hour later."

9. Balancing Company and Freelance Clients

Jenna adeptly balances her commitments between working for Odyssey, her production company, and maintaining her freelance client base. She emphasizes the importance of honoring relationships with both sets of clients to avoid conflicts and ensure consistent work.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [28:34]: "Sometimes a client that I do their spot for with Odyssey will approach me directly."
• Jenna Birmingham [32:00]: "I try to honor my freelance relationships as well as my Odyssey relationships."

10. Mentoring and Teaching Future Voice Actors

Jenna is actively involved in mentoring and teaching, conducting classes at the University of North Texas and preparing to offer voiceover courses. She finds fulfillment in supporting new voices and building a community within the industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [33:18]: "I'm looking forward to teaching a beginning voiceover class because they don't have one at the University."
• Jenna Birmingham [35:00]: "Connections are important... supporting and cheering each other on."

11. Empowering Women in Automotive Voiceover

A significant portion of Jenna's work focuses on automotive commercials, where she advocates for greater female representation. She highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic opened opportunities for female voiceover artists in a traditionally male-dominated niche.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [37:02]: "It's not so much that I'm gearing it specifically for one sex or the other, but I think by me doing it, that does make more women more comfortable."
• Jenna Birmingham [40:30]: "I believe there's a place for women in automotive completely because there are reads men can do that women can't, and vice versa."

12. Insights on Female Automotive Reads

Jenna explains the unique qualities women bring to automotive voiceovers, such as a sultry or conversational tone that complements luxury car brands. She discusses the versatility and emotional nuance women can infuse into these reads, making them a valuable asset to the industry.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [43:48]: "Women really do well with that particular luxury kind of sound that allows you to be a little bit flirty."
• Jenna Birmingham [46:57]: "There's so much flexibility in automotive versus regular commercials."

13. Reflections and Advice to Her Past Self

Reflecting on her career, Jenna advises her younger self to trust her instincts, embrace business education, and maintain confidence. She emphasizes the importance of proactive marketing and not succumbing to self-doubt.

Notable Quotes:

• Jenna Birmingham [49:36]: "I would encourage myself to not question myself and go with my gut and trust it."
• Jenna Birmingham [51:23]: "Take a business class even though I hate it. Do it now."

14. Conclusion and Contact Information

Andrew wraps up the conversation, highlighting Jenna's impressive career and her dedication to fostering new talent in the voiceover industry. Listeners are encouraged to explore Jenna’s work through her website and YouTube channel.

Contact Information:

• Website: jennabermingham.com
• YouTube Channel: Jenna Birmingham

Notable Quote:

• Andrew Morrison [53:06]: "If you'd like to hear her work, you can visit jennabermingham.com."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Jenna Birmingham's dynamic role in the voiceover and production landscape. From her early dreams and unexpected career shifts to her current status as a leader advocating for women in automotive voiceover, Jenna's story is both inspiring and instructive. Her balanced approach to managing high-volume work, maintaining vocal health, and fostering new talent provides a valuable roadmap for others in the industry.

For more insights and episodes from The Voice Over Coffee Shop, visit veocoffeeshop.com and subscribe through your favorite podcast platform.