How did you get started as a VO actor?
I come from a music background, so was constantly in studios, recording etc. I was working in the music industry and a friend requested out asking if I could provide a rap in an American accent. The rest was history.
What was your first gig? Any memorable ones since then?
It was a Phillips headphones advert that played across Spotify. It was a great marriage, Philips being a dutch company and I myself part Dutch so it was a nice baptism.
What are you up to presently?
I am growing as a father raising a beautiful little girl and I am developing some short stories which I hope to shoot very soon.
What do you love about your job?
I LOVE MY TIME…I love the pace, the way I really get to ‘spend’ time doing what I love. The flexibility is perfect for my personality type, as well as working for myself. It’s pretty much a dream for me.
Any VO idols/mentors?
My reflection in the mirror haha….I’ve had to navigate within the industry without much guidance, but I do offer any useful gems and tips to those enthusiastic about the industry and wanting to break in etc. I mentor a few people. Especially those who have grown up in and come from environments such as myself.
What did it feel like the first time you heard your voice on the radio/television?
It was a proper ‘mumma I made it moment’ for like 10 seconds … then I started to analyse the strengths and flaws and how I could evolve my style and enhance my tone and delivery, as I am a bit of a perfectionist.
If you weren’t doing voiceover, what else do you think you’d be doing for a career?
I do believe there are parallel universes and there’s a version of Rio doing something different in each world….There’s definitely a scientist as I love technology and there’s a performer tearing the stages up across festivals 😀 ….there’s defo gotta be as superhero out there or maybe a villain?!
Has technology/home studios changed the way you work?
I have always been remote, so for me I haven’t needed to adjust much. But, I do find there is more trust from clients for artists to record remotely. We are a very lucky generation, there are useful remote audio services such as Cleanfeed and Source connect thats really helped current up and coming VO artists to find more independence which is always going to be a positive thing.
Can you offer 3 helpful tips for newbies trying to make it in the voice-over industry?
Resilience: Nothing is personal, unless its personal, so dust your shoulders and keep going.
Patience: The journey to perfection is non existent but intention is paramount for progress.
Evolve: Yourself otherwise become extinct like the dinosaurs. 🙂
And now…onto the more serious questions!
If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose, and why?
With invisibility, I would probable end up just spying on people which is a little creepy so for me the latter..I would choose to fly, but it would have to be in a warmer climate, as flying in a grey cold London during December is asking for trouble.
If you got to choose a song that would play every time you entered a room, what song would you pick?
Probably the hardest question, I guess one I never get bored of is Bob Marley – Waiting in Vain
And finally….If you were a brand, what would your slogan be?
“Live Now” as time never waits
