Imagine an animated show without any voices or sounds. The show will have a hard time keeping the attention of its audience and viewers will most likely switch to another show. Now if the same animation is filled with funny voices, the audience will start enjoying it and will not willing to change the channel. Power of a voiceover is uniquely important for animations as it is a must-have success factor for breathing life into an animated video. Jonathan who is a brilliant voiceover artist and skilled SAG-AFTRA actor has done incredible voiceover for clients including Electronic Arts, Verizon, Oracle and many more. His most notable client is California’s Great America Theme Park. He has successfully performed on stage throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in community theaters and the Los Gatos and Mid-Peninsula Shakespeare Festivals.

Can you tell us about your journey as a voice over artist? What was your first voice over project?J: I have always been good at doing voices so my mom found a studio in San Francisco where I could study voice over and learn the business. I’ve been taking classes and learning from professionals in the field—voice actors, casting agents, directors, writers etc. I can’t really remember my first job but early on in my career I was the voice of a major California theme park for 5 years.

What is the best thing you love as a voice over artist? How do you practice to do different voices?J: The best thing is getting to be all kinds of characters…I always wanted to be a cartoon! To practice, I drink plenty of water and do vocal warmups just like a singer does. I watch a lot of animated films and cartoons and follow many people who do voice over.

What kind of preparation do you need when you are working on voice over projects? What kind of challenges do you face?J: You don’t really need to do a lot of preparation before a project unless it involves doing specific dialects. Then I might work with a dialect coach beforehand. The important thing is to come in with some ideas about how you think the character should act and sound, but be open to changing depending on what the director wants. The biggest challenges are getting the jobs. You have to do lots and lots of auditions and many times you have to drop what you are currently doing to do them because they come in unexpectedly.

Which role do you like the most, being an actor or a voice over artist and why?J: They are really the same thing but you can see an actor either on stage or on camera. In voice acting, you just hear the voice but it’s really important that you know how to act so you can do that voice!

Who is your inspiration?J: I have many. Jim Cummings is a favorite because he voiced all the Disney characters I liked as a kid.

What are your other hobbies?J: Playing video games, reading and hiking.

Who is your favorite celebrity and why?J: Again, I have many. I really respect and admire Benedict Cumberbatch because he’s so versatile. I’ve seen him play so many different roles brilliantly. My favorite is the BBC “Sherlock.”

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about that place?J: I like the book store. It’s always quiet and I can read the magazines and comics I enjoy.

What do you like to do when you are with your friends?J: We like to just hang out, watch a movie or play games together.

Any special message for our community?J: Don’t be afraid to be who you are. I am autistic, with Asperger’s Syndrome, but it hasn’t stopped me. Don’t let anything stop you!