Steven Snyder – I Take As Much Training As I Can Get, I Never Want To Stop Learning, Regardless Of What I’m Doing (Voice Over Actor & Writer, Canada)

 The biggest challenge of my life is juggling the right amount of family time with the right amount of work to find a happy home/career balance

 

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I’m a Canadian residing outside of Vancouver and originally from Vancouver Island in British Columbia on the West Coast. I’m extremely fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and I’m very proud to be a Canadian. I’m happily married with two young children who keep me busy all of the time, in the best possible way. 

2. What inspired you to become a voice over artist?

I’ve had several careers in my life including, at one time, radio broadcasting for a classic rock station on Vancouver Island. One of my favorite aspects of the job was reading the commercial copy for on-air advertising. The small amount that I did only made me want to do it more and it’s been a true passion of mine since I began. I have a studio at my house and voice over work is one of the greatest personal creative outlets I have and I truly enjoy it. 

3. Do you often have to keep upskilling yourself?

I take as much training as I can get. The biggest challenge of my life is juggling the right amount of family time with the right amount of work to find a happy home/career balance. Anyone that wants to truly become successful needs to keep up with their skillset as much as possible and it will take a very long time for me to reach all of the goals I have for this industry. I never want to stop learning, regardless of what I’m doing. 

4. Who is your favourite writer and why?

It’s very difficult for me to choose a favorite writer. I’m a huge fan of Alex Haley, James Clavell, Bill Watterson, George R.R. Martin, Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Hunter S. Thompson and David Baldacci. I could list another dozen easily as I love to read anything and everything. I appreciate a great storyteller and reading is one of my favorite past times, although I don’t have much time for it right now. 

5. Who is your role model and why?

My hero’s include Harriet Tubman, Tommy Douglas, Sun Tzu, George Carlin and my Dad!

6. What does your typical day look like?

My typical day includes getting my son off to school and then organizing scripts to voice or editing if I’ve already voiced them. Then I network through different social media platforms and try to increase my client base in different methods. I’m running my own business so everything you can think of which goes along with that. I’m usually learning new editing software, learning from the professionals in the industry and striving to become better at what I do. 

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

As I mentioned with authors, its so difficult to chose one book that is my favorite. I loved Alex Haley’s “Roots” and “Shogun” by James Clavell. “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu has been extremely helpful to me and “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie was magnificent. “It” by Stephen King also anything from Bill Watterson in his Calvin and Hobbes books. 

- Steven Snyder

- Interviewed By Anamika Ajith