Podcasts
The Sound: Voice Talent Mia Bankston
By Editor-In-Chief, Steph D. Penn
When you think of actresses it’s natural to think of celebrities that you see in film and/or on television but there are various types of performers that often go unrecognized because you hear them but you don’t get to see them. Voice acting is a form of acting yet voice artists seldom receive the same recognition as celebrities that we see in film.
Allow me to introduce you to Mia Bankston. Mia is not only a trained actress who’s been acting since the age of 11, but she’s also a professional female voice talent living in New York City. Her voice is described as warm, vibrant and comforting. Some of her clients include r4a, Caleb Rexius Productions, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and McGraw-Hill publishing.
Interviewing Mia was bittersweet for me because we share a long history. Both of us are from the metropolitan Detroit area and for many years she shared her best friend Tiffany with me. Although Tiffany is no longer with each of us (she passed in 2003) it hasn’t stopped me from following Mia’s journey. Her talent and her story is extraordinary and worthy of sharing with each of you.
Start Doing Voiceover Full-Time with Mia Bankston (ColorVO Collective series)
Gradually start doing more voiceover work during the hours when clients need you to be available. Ask for some half days off to do sessions, auditions and email clients. If you do shift work, try to switch shifts with co-workers. Negotiate with your employer to work earlier and leave earlier than your normal working hours, or start work later and leave later.
You will have to give up some entertainment to work on your craft, especially in the beginning states of building your business, You may need to sacrifice some dinners eating out or social events.
If you have young children, get support for childcare so you can concentrate on your business while you’re working at home.
Evaluate your business from time to time and measure your progress and results against your goals— how many auditions do you want to complete per month? How many gigs do you want to book? What’s your income goal? Do you need to land an agent?
Make sure your website includes SEO keywords so you can be found by potential clients in your sleep.
Decide how much you need to save before you can leave your current job to do VO full-time, and create a plan. Daree recommends the Qapital app.
Celebrate your wins along the way— don’t wait to achieve a big milestones before you celebrate. And if you think that there is one pinnacle of success, and you can celebrate when you get there, you’ve got it wrong. You can be happy along the way. Keep moving forward— there is no “there.” We’re all constantly evolving and getting better as long as we make the effort.
Episode 58 - Working Pros eVOcation
VO School Podcast
In this VO School Podcast Special we present the Working Pro’s Panel from eVOcation2020, featuring voice talents Mara Junot, Mia Bankston and Robb Moreira.
Voiceover Work Life Balance
Black Girl Voiceover World
Tiffany chats with Voice Arts Awards Nominee, Mia Bankston about tips and strategies to make your self-care priority while building successful voice-over business. Chocolate drops of wisdom: Audio-book narration requires stamina just like your voice-over business. Quit limiting yourself to jobs where you get to use your degree. Be open to new opportunities. Know when to say no. Pay attention to your body. Treat yo’ self!