What's your name and what area of VFX or animation do you work in?:
My name's Lisa Graydon and I'm a voice actor. I provide voice for characters in animation and games and record either in London studios or at home, in my booth. As a professional singer I've also provided theme tunes for animation shows and vocals for connected products too.
What was your journey into the VFX or animation industry? What got you into VFX or animation?:
My first job was providing the voice for a princess, a baby billy goat and a little boy. That was about 22 years ago. I'd been booked to sing all the female vocals for an ongoing children's project and they'd let the voice artists go earlier that day, and missed out some lines. I was asked if I wanted to 'give them a go?' and I loved every minute of recording them. I found I could change my voice around from young to old and from natural to characterful very easily. I was then booked to do both the voices and vocals for the next part of the project and my voice career began.
What does a typical day look like in your role?:
It can really vary.
For instance this week I've recorded some characters for an animated series from my home booth, editing them and sending them to the client. Then I'm in a London studio recording scripted voice and 'efforts' for a game that will be released in 2026 (this will be my 14th session recording for this project), and then at the end of the week I'm going to be running about outside recording voice in a field for an animated movie. (They want an authentic atmos - it's really fun and looks a bit mad!)
In between, I run my business from my computer in my studio - invoicing my agent and clients, updating my website, studying new accents, recording auditions and connecting with old and new clients via email. I also love being in my garden, walking the dog and I grow lots of produce!
What skills do you think are most important for your role?:
Versatility is really appreciated, but I'd also say you need to look after your voice, respect the project and the people you're working with, and ideally have no inhibitions in the studio!!
A sense of humour is helpful too.
You do need to take rejection well. I do a lot of auditions per week and I don't get half of them...!
What tools or software do you use daily? Is this what you started working in or have you pivoted to this one?:
In my studio I've always used the latest Logic software because it's what my husband taught me 14 years ago when I began recording from home. He uses Logic for music (he's a producer, writer and musician). The mics have changed only once (at present I use Sennheiser for my voice) and I've recently changed to a SSL audio interface which I'm really impressed with. I connect with the latest Source Connect or Cleanfeed as I like how great the sound is for the client, otherwise it's Zoom etc to connect and then I record and send files to clients after the session...
I started out voicing underneath duvets hung over a big frame - great sound by the way, but not soundproofed enough, so I built a beautiful 5 sided booth 8 years ago which is fully soundproofed and big enough for 2 of us to record together. As both my children record regularly, too, it made sense.
What's your favourite part of your job/career so far?:
Recording main characters I can really get my teeth stuck into are the most fun! But every session is different and I absolutely love them all - especially meeting animators, seeing the initial artwork and hearing their ideas, and then eventually seeing the same characters come to life with my voice included. It never ceases to excite me. It feels like such an honour. I could honestly do that every day.
What's a common misconception about your job?:
That all successful voice artists work every week.
Some weeks we are running from job to job, other times, waiting on dates and bookings, or just auditioning for voice jobs.
The long contracts are great - or series work where you return to voice regularly.
I would say, personally, I've always judged my voice career by looking at how my year has gone, rather than my latest month or week. Having a great agent like Damn Good Voices helps enormously, but I also get work myself.
And because I work as a singer too, plus occasionally still do acting jobs in TV, films and commercials, I never really worry about quiet voice work periods.
I've always worked in a few areas that all fluctuate pretty wildly.
It's not for everyone, but I genuinely love the variety and balance.
What challenges have you met as a woman in the industry?:
To date, I wouldn't be able to say if I have more challenges than a man in the area of voice. I don't know if I'm paid less or if I'm booked less because I've never asked those questions, but I have noticed there is less confidence in women - less pushing themselves forward and holding positions in the animation industry where they feel secure.
Personally, in my area of voice work, the challenge has always just been to get heard by those who book voices - to get more auditions, more roles in animation. I wish it always came down to who's best for the particular job, but sadly I don't think that's true. I'd love to see a way to change that.
What's one piece of advice you wish you'd received earlier?:
Don't let anyone or anything put you off and move you away from your career goal.
Keep going for that specific area while nurturing other areas that will keep bills paid and give you all round experience!
Someone once told me the animation voice industry was a 'closed shop' and I'd never break in. I stopped trying for quite a few years, believing what I'd been told...
It's difficult because so often the same voices are used again and again, but I believe there's always a need for good, professional, versatile voice actors in animation.
I'd say start small and spread your good work, and good work ethic, everywhere you can.
Your unique voice can be offered to students, graduates, radio stations, solo animators, small studios, big studios, TV, film, corporate videos, explainers etc etc.
And get a great animation reel to showcase your unique talents.
How do you balance work with your personal life?:
Looking back, it's been an exhausting juggle at times!
Being self employed, with no outside help with the children, meant I included them a lot in what I did. I still do!
My husband and I have always been self employed and when they were young, there were many really tricky times!
But that makes you resilient. It forces you to find ways to juggle better, support each other, do the 'bread and butter' type jobs while still going for what you really love.
On weekends we gigged (taking the children with us - they grew up in green rooms and the band are their second family!), weekdays I voiced and did singing sessions in town, and my husband gigged in the evenings and toured abroad....
While the priority for me has always been my children, I need and I want to work.
I learnt (admittedly late!) that good sleep, eating well, fresh air and exercise outside (to counteract computer time and standing in dark booths) are a must!!
Looking after ourselves - in all ways - is paramount.
What's one stereotype you'd love to break about your field?:
I'd say it's that most voice artists who send their info and reels out will be lacking in the experience you require for the voice job.
Many of us have been doing this for 20+ years, and reach out because we are just really proactive - despite having great agents, lots of experience and the talent to be your next main character.
I'm lucky to have worked with some wonderful animation companies and people so far, but it would be great if more animation studios and production companies used a bigger range of talented voice artists. Maybe starting by listening to the reels sent to them and having conversations with those they haven't yet worked with, but who they can hear have a lot to bring to their productions.
