John Wilders has always had a knack for voices—characters, accents, impressions. He knew early on that he had something worth nurturing.
“I had always wanted to make use of this talent,” he said. “And am glad I was able to finally develop it further.”
Thanks to Backstage, he’s brought characters to life across video games, animations, narrations, and commercials—including an English dubbing gig for a Segway promotional video originally produced overseas.
Stay open, submit often
Wilders doesn’t wait for the “perfect” part to apply. “I like to apply for anything that I think I may be a good fit for,” he said. “I’m not picky and quite open-minded.”
And once the work starts? He’s all in. “I make sure to give it my all and provide a good performance,” he said. “The entire creative process is entertaining to me and quite fulfilling. I enjoy feedback and direction—that challenges me to develop myself in various ways.”
Make your profile do the work
“For me, it’s about diversity and range,” Wilders said of building a strong Backstage profile. “The more you can showcase what you are capable of in a holistic manner, the more you can leave a strong impression.”
He organizes his reels thoughtfully to give himself the best advantage when casting directors come looking. “I place what I think are my best reels and demos at the top of my lineups and I make sure to label them with descriptions that are concise and accurate.”
Work the voice like a muscle
Wilders believes in learning by doing—and having fun doing it.
“Use those who are more experienced as guides, but don’t be afraid to experiment on your own,” he said.
“Experimentation is not only fun, but it is the best way to learn because it teaches you through experience,” he explained.
“Have fun. All voice actors do better when they’re having fun and enjoying what they do. Relax and work out that voice the way you would a muscle when you go to the gym. It’s no different.”
A journey worth taking
Remote work has helped Wilders expand his possibilities from Nashville and stay focused on what he loves most.
“It has helped me realize what is possible and that moving forward was never about the destination, but always about the journey,” he said. “I don’t know where I will go in the future, but I know that wherever it is, it will be a fun journey and one worth making!”
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