Three years ago yesterday was my last day of full-time employment. Three years ago today was the beginning of an adventure.
When that adventure began, I thought I new roughly how it would play out, not unlike the way that I thought I knew how my animation career would play out. Entering the animation field back in 2001, I envisioned myself steadily growing and improving as an animator, eventually working for one or more large studios, with my years of animation experience climbing far into the double digits. I had no way of knowing that, just seven years into that trek, the work that I once loved would suddenly become a source of stress and anxiety, prompting me to shift gears into TD work. I had no way of knowing that, during those seven years, I would be introduced to the world of voiceover, and would begin recording VO work out of my own home for clients big and small around the world. I also had no way of knowing that my love of acting would build into a raging fire after just four years of TD work, prompting me to leave full-time employment in the pursuit of freelance creative endeavors.
When I said farewell to my friends at Reel FX on July 24, 2012, that’s where I thought my adventure was taking me: toward a life filled with work behind a microphone, on the stage, and on the screen. And then, just a few months later, things took yet another unexpected turn.
In my need to find other sources of income to fill the gaps while pursuing acting and VO work, I took a seasonal job as a costumed character at a local resort. While I had worn a couple other full-body costumes at small events many years before, I quickly learned that the work could get pretty taxing. I was perspiring like never before, my body ached from the demands of the costumes I was wearing, and yet I had to somehow keep up my energy and enthusiasm to entertain the folks who had come to see the characters I was portraying.
And I LOVED it!
What I thought would just be a quick winter gig resurfaced in the spring, then the summer, and then winter again. From there I began seeking for (and booking) other mascot opportunities. An unexpected third winter season at the resort opened doors to other mascot work. That gave me the courage to apply for a position in the demanding world of professional sports, which I was blessed to be offered. The work continues to grow and expand, and I still love every minute of it.
VO is still plugging along nicely, as are a couple other part-time/freelance jobs I do in addition to mascot work, though I haven’t animated in a long time. I haven’t totally given up on animation, but I’m very picky about the jobs that I take on. In a strange sense, though, I’m still an animator. I’m still bringing characters to life, but as a mascot I’m doing it in real time, for a live audience. And better than any animation gig I’ve had, I also get to hug that audience, and high-five that audience, and dance with that audience, and hear their laughter, and see their smiles, and help them make lasting memories.
“Isn’t it hot in there?” You’ll never hear me answer, though I may nod on occasion. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you. Now turn and smile for the camera. And yes, I’m smiling too. Oh man, am I smiling. 🙂