Today we’d like to introduce you to Lou Hunt.
Hi Lou, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a young woman I was extremely shy and insecure. Mostly I studied a lot and did art and my friends were much the same When I was 17 an older friend suggested I enter the local Miss America pageant because she had done so and told me it was a good experience. I thought if I could do that, I’d stop being so afraid. I figured I’d get eliminated in the preliminary competition, but I didn’t and then I had to go through the onstage show and judges interviews. OMG! Somehow I got through it all and to my amazement, I won! That started a whole cascade of experiences that boosted my confidence which created a whole new persona and several incredible jobs!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Actually I didn’t really have struggles, I was in the right places at the right times and had great mentors! When I started doing Voice Over it wasn’t called that; it was just radio personalities doing “announcing”. Advertising execs didn’t think a “woman” could sell a product effectively. I started my career as an On-Camera spokesperson and oftentimes they would need me to the “tag line” for the spot. Eventually, my voice became familiar to Ad Agencies and I started getting hired to do the Voice Over for various commercials. All this started in Milwaukee. My agent who previously was a professional business woman, trained me to look at this as a career and handle it in a professional manner; how to deal with the clients, how to promote myself and knowing what to charge. Gradually I started doing both On Air and Voice Over commercials for Boston Store which eventually became Macy’s. After a couple years I got a Chicago agent which meant I now had access to the auditions for National commercials. I was very successful there and after a few years I decided I’d try my hand at the “big time” in LA. I was lucky to get one of the top 3 agents there and started doing a lot of jobs. That’s when I became eligible to join SAG. I was the first woman to do weekly Promos for CBS, NBC AND ABC and the first woman to do the Announce for a Game Show. I won 3 Addys and one Emmy. for my performances. While in LA I discovered that actors knew nothing about Voice Over, so I started coaching actors and producing their VO Demos. Soon I established my own company, Word of Mouth Productions, hiring 3 other women as coaches for various levels of performance. My Masters class has been accredited by UCLA. After several unexpected deaths in my family I moved to Phoenix and established my teaching here.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been a Voice Actor for over 50 years and a VO Coach for 30 of those years. I’m also an artist and poet; my
first poetry book is about to be published and includes my artwork.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Evaluate your strong and weak points, get a “Mentor” to help you emphasize the good ones and work on the others. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Stand up for yourself but do it with respect and courtesy.
Pricing:
- $75 an hour Private Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.voiceovercoaching.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatingyourvoiceimage
