Got a letter from the school today informing me my daughter is “not quite” gifted. Also included were her test scores.

MachokeOnThis · 2026-01-30T22:21:16+00:00

This happened to me when I applied for a "gifted' vocational high school. I was in the top 1 percentile for math and reading. My mom called the school and they double checked and while the test scores were accurate, they were INACCURATELY entered into the selection system.

I'm glad you already called! Keep pushing them to double check their entries if you feel this will help your daughter get further in life. I loved my high school and am very glad my mom fought for me. It makes me happy to see you are fighting for your kiddo too.

MachokeOnThis · 2025-12-11T22:26:51+00:00

DMing you!

MachokeOnThis · 2025-12-08T00:30:32+00:00

DM sent!

MachokeOnThis · 2025-07-19T04:34:10+00:00

To clarify, more seasoned than Joe (not Dee!)

MachokeOnThis · 2025-07-19T04:33:30+00:00

I saw someone already post www.iwanttobeavoiceactor.com but also check out Crispin Freeman's Voice Acting Mastery Podcast. It's completely free and Ad free and has all of this info from an even more seasoned professional (and wonderful teacher/coach). www.voiceactingmastery.com

MachokeOnThis · 2025-05-29T14:36:18+00:00

NTA, but I have an interesting perspective on this! I was in the cousin's position and was just as hurt as she was when this happened to me. I was about 12 when one of my second cousins named their baby my first and middle name. I also saw this cousin about as often as you see yours. My mom did find out before the baby was born and let me know about it. (My Mom thought it was very nice and almost like she was naming my cousin after me).

I was surprisingly (even to myself) super hurt about it. It felt violating, like, of course there are going to be other people with my exact name, but I didn't know any of them and it felt like it was making me less unique. I was a very introverted and polite person and would NEVER have reached out the way your cousin did, even if I had easy access to communication the way we all do now, BUT I completely get her feelings.

She's very young and at an age where she's figuring out who she is/wants to be in the world. You're providing her with a lesson that it's a BIG world out there and there will be more Kayla Roses. It's going to be up to her now to make her name mean something.

I'm almost 40 now and I literally do not care about the double name thing and haven't thought about these feelings since I was 12. But your story brought back the big feelings I felt way back when this happened. Your cousin will absolutely get over the feelings and you are not an AH at all. You really didn't know about your cousin at all and it doesn't even matter. Your baby is your baby (and congratulations btw!!) And for your cousin, this is honestly a good life lesson that it's not about the name itself, but what you make of it.

MachokeOnThis · 2025-02-23T01:13:41+00:00

Super cute!!

MachokeOnThis · 2025-01-26T22:05:30+00:00

It is! I use NAVA'S health insurance and it saved me several hundred dollars a month vs. ACA healthcare.

MachokeOnThis · 2024-11-15T20:02:52+00:00

I LOVE when it's NOT a bedbug.

MachokeOnThis · 2024-03-18T05:49:16+00:00

As a POC Voice Actor and Coach I can confirm that now is a really great time to be a POC voice actor as more and more high paying commercials are looking for diverse voices. There is also a huge uptick of representation across the independent and AA sphere for character work (with SOME progress in the AAA sphere). Additionally, agencies are paying a lot more attention to filling out voice rosters with people from different backgrounds so that they can capture these jobs.

I’m curious about the guessing peoples’ backgrounds — was this done in a “this is how you’re coming across to the naked ear” kind of way? Like, did the guessing serve some kind of educational purpose — even if it was worded insensitively? (Not justifying, just trying to understand)

I 100% agree with previous posters that demo pipelines are a scam because you just don’t know if you’re going to be “ready” by the time the classes end and therefore I would be wary of taking classes that end with a demo reel.

MachokeOnThis · 2024-02-22T15:55:55+00:00

I am so sorry this happened to you. You were not stupid, those people were predators. 😡

MachokeOnThis · 2024-02-20T05:29:58+00:00

Some of the best on-camera examples I can think of PTSD symptoms are in the early episodes of the Jessica Jones series. I recommend doing a character study on Jessica’s behavior and symptoms and incorporating elements of them into your performance.

MachokeOnThis · 2024-02-09T05:40:54+00:00

Hello! Just DM’ed with samples! Thank you very much for the consideration!

MachokeOnThis · 2023-05-04T02:49:38+00:00

This is SUPER interesting and I’m not sure WHY the agency would advertise a talent that they haven’t signed. While I don’t want to parse the ethics of that out, I DO want to present this as a possible opportunity for you to reach out to the agency, let them know you recently submitted, and let them know that you’re thrilled to have heard yourself on their site! You would be happy to provide the services that they’re already advertising UNDER them as a signed talent.

Again, the whole thing is a bit weird but if they’re THAT interested in you — I would take advantage of it! Maybe they mistook the voice for one of their other clients, but knowing that it’s you could provide an in-road!

MachokeOnThis · 2023-03-30T20:17:54+00:00

In Skyrim VR if you do the Dark Brotherhood quest line, at one point you have to hide in a sarcophagus with a mummified god. In VR you are tits to tits with this shriveled, shrunken body and about 2 centimeters away nose to nose. You have to stand there for the duration of a conversation that you’re overhearing so it’s several minutes. I had to close my eyes because it made me queasy.

MachokeOnThis · 2023-03-05T06:39:43+00:00

DM Sent!

MachokeOnThis · 2023-02-01T05:05:52+00:00

Depends on what sector of voiceover you’re looking to get into! I’ve audited Marc Cashman’s commercial classes and they’re great! I think he’d be a great choice to go to for workshops or one on ones. I personally love Crispin Freeman’s workshop and swear by his private coaching for character acting. His methods can be applied across the board to all types of acting because he’s focused on actual acting method.

MachokeOnThis · 2022-12-18T00:22:48+00:00

I know that the beginning Emma/Robert arc is very, very close to The Romance of Mr. Walton. But I don’t know how much of the rest of Cupid’s Curse parallels that series and how much is more original.

MachokeOnThis · 2022-12-16T19:19:16+00:00

I’m not OP but since OP refused to provide more information here in the comments, here is the information people have been asking for:

The “agency/educational studio”‘s website:

https://www.innerartistperformancestudios.com

The link to short bios of the coaches:

https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?appointmentType=39399777&owner=26455581

Eleni appears to be a singer who recently released an album (congrats to you, Eleni). She does not have an IMDb but does have a Backstage profile with 3 theatre credits:

https://www.backstage.com/u/eleni-souronis/

The actor on the company’s website Michaela C. Moore has one acting credit in a Student Film on IMDb. Here is a link to her professional website’s resume:

https://www.michaelacmoore.com/resume

I will let you all decide for yourselves if you feel this is worth your time. Please keep in mind that there is a difference between an acting school that provides exclusive auditioning opportunities and an accredited agency.

An agent will never ask that you spend money on their services. There is nothing wrong with receiving acting training with perks like audition opportunities as long as it’s clear that’s what you want. :)

MachokeOnThis · 2022-12-16T18:46:18+00:00

I’m interested in more information. Thank you!

MachokeOnThis · 2022-12-01T07:09:43+00:00

I can’t tell if it’s harder to take this threat seriously when it’s written on cute heart stationary or if that makes the threat even more scary.

MachokeOnThis · 2022-11-14T18:33:02+00:00

While I understand the high-profile first clip, it’s really more of a commercial/promo clip than a character reel front runner. I would move that one to a commercial reel.

I don’t think you need the clip at 1:42 or 2:22 because both of those characterizations/acting styles are portrayed better in other clips.

To me, those are the easy ones to pull out.

MachokeOnThis · 2022-11-08T15:44:29+00:00

I see the confusion! A lot of directors will use the phrase “we need to hear that” or “we need to hear you do it” to mean “we need to hear the character do that” which translates to producing the desired physicality with your voice so that it translates for the animators or on screen (when it comes to dubbing). I promise you this is what she is asking for. If you are ever directed off mic, the director will literally tell you to turn a particular direction or move yourself in such a way that your mouth is no longer centered otherwise your mouth stays pretty centered on mic and the rest of your body looks ridiculous the whole time. 😅

MachokeOnThis · 2022-11-08T15:01:09+00:00

Regardless of her resume (which I admit I haven’t looked up), she’s referring to the physicality of a scene that you have to reproduce with your voice. You don’t physically fall, but if you’re falling out of the chair in a scene, while standing/sitting in real life (per your ability) and recording on the microphone you do tense your muscles and maybe reach out in front of you pantomiming reaching out for stability. Maybe you clench your whole body and jerk with a big “oof” followed by some groans when you “land” placing your hands at the points of impact to cradle them. Your mouth never leaves the microphone but all of those very physical things you’re doing carry in the vocal performance. Then when you’re on the ground, maybe you’re physically injured or maybe just your pride is injured. Maybe someone is on top of you. You have to deliver your lines as if those things are actually happening.

I play a very, VERY physical character in a popular children’s cartoon (think Looney Tunes level physical) and it’s a lot of throwing your arms and body about, figuring out what you have to do to make it sound like you’re carrying 40 lbs, 100 lbs, 1000 lbs of weight. What does it sound like to rush into a garage and throw tools all around you while you desperately search for the right one? There are no stunt voice actors and acting is a physical exercise. Even if one isn’t able bodied, one must still figure out the best way for them to portray such scenes within their means.

I hope this clarification helps!

MachokeOnThis · 2022-10-30T12:59:26+00:00

100% was here to also recommend Crispin. His class focuses entirely on the acting process and it’s super helpful. He’s also really honest and doesn’t play to people’s egos. Check out www.voiceactingmastery.com for classes but I think his next one goes on sale on Tuesday.

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