Animation and Gaming Voiceover Agent at VOX INC. with Micaela Hicks

I wanted her on my show for a long time. And then I finally had the courage to ask her like, Hey, would you like to be on my show? And she said, yes. So she's here. Micaela. Thank you so much for joining me. How are you? Hey,
I'm good. How are
You? Good. Thanks for being here. I appreciate you.
Of course. Thanks for having me. I'm honored and grateful that you asked.
Yeah, definitely. Cool. Okay. So buckle up, everyone you're in are very impactful conversation. So I have a lot of people in entertainment who listened to my podcast. A lot of actors, musicians, voiceover actors, people who just admire the craft. So I know we had Tom on season two, Tom lawless, it'll be in the show notes. He's the president of Vox and Micaela and Tom worked together at the same agency and it was so cool to have him on and people love that episode. So let's just get started. So where are you from Micaela?
I actually grew up in New Mexico, just outside of Santa Fe and I went to school in Los Alamos and then I ended up moving to Bakersfield, California, my junior year in high school, and then I moved to LA in the year 2000. So that's kind of how I ended up in California.
Got it. I hear New Mexico is gorgeous.
It's beautiful.
Yeah. I heard there's caves there. So I hear it's very spiritual to
There's a lot because yeah, there's a lot of like still like a lot of Indian culture there's still, and I mean, obviously there's a ton of art there, but yeah, there are definitely some caves. There's lots of great hiking there used to be. I mean, there's good skiing. It's a really good food. Good green Chile. So that's kind of what it's known for.
Cool. And then did you go to school in California? What did you go to school for? It was it for entertainment.
So I went to, so I started, I started as a business major cause I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer. And then I decided that that wasn't what I wanted to do. And then I was a psychology major and I went to Cal state Bakersfield and I was like, I wanted to be a therapist to actors. And then I decided I moved to LA, I got a job as a receptionist at an agency and I was like, I just really vibed with it. And they said they liked to like promote from within. So I just ended up working my way up, you know, as a receptionist and scheduler, this was like all back in the year, 2000, 2001.
And so, you know, in those days, voiceover actually scheduled people to come in. So I ended up just being a scheduler and a booster, like backup booth director. And then I became the animation agent assistant and it just kind of evolved from there.
Wait a minute. Whoa. So your very first job was at a voiceover agency?
No, my first job in LA was a, I was like a club promoters assistant and then I got a job as a receptionist.
Okay. How did you find out about this opportunity as a receptionist and it was at a voiceover agency.
Yeah. I just kind of went to this staffing company that hires in entertainment industry only. And then yeah, just kind of happened. It just fell into it.
Yeah. Cause I mean it's 22 years later, so you've been in the voiceover game for a while, so wow. I mean you can share the trajectory of how it was, like you said, oh, we used to go in for auditions and, and where we are now. Wow. That's so cool.
It would be like, yeah, they're like stop the additions that you'd schedule until 3:00 PM. And then you had to burn the CDs and get them ready for the FedEx to pick them up, to send them to the places where they were going.
Oh yeah. I remember back in the day they had a couriers that would come and pick up for onscreen actors, headshots. They would go from like from the agency, they would have the bin ready and you would take them to the studio and they would submit their actors for projects. Oh my gosh
Has that same thing for voiceover Faxes with the character description, you know, you have to take the fax machine. Like email was very new then. So it was all like, yeah, like you get a fax sometimes you get like, that was when voice bank was the main hub of sending out stuff I think. And it was, again, it was still kind of fairly new, but yeah, so it was voice bank and I don't think at the time, maybe you couldn't upload it. I don't remember, but yeah, a lot of burning of CDs. I just remember that.
Wow. That's so cool. That's so cool. And I remember voice bank, cause I remember I would go and I would just listening to other actors from different agencies and research, like the best agencies and then listen to, you know, the animation, the commercial. And then I would like go over to like one of those agencies where like Morgan Freeman was and it's like, you like, listen to Morgan, Freeman's real, you know,
Fun. I just gotta, yeah. It's just one of those things where I, I basically figured out I had an ear for talent and I just kind of, or ear just for recognizing voices. And I just decided that I wanted to continue on and they let the bosses know that I was interested in working my way up. And so that's what I did.
Cool. Very cool. So you're a receptionist, you work your way up and then you land yourself at a different agency.
I did in the up again, so I didn't stay at that agency. I went to another agency, I got offered a job as an agent that just wasn't the right vibe. And then I ended up basically I went into a smaller agency, which was, they're not around anymore, but it was solid talent. And I basically built the animation and video game department from the ground up. So they only did promos and trailers. So I, you know, had to really recruit talent and make sure I had the right talent. I obviously had the relationships still. And so that, and I was there for like 13 years and then I got offered another job at Atlas.
And then I was there for like a year and a little over a year, year and a half and this wasn't the right fit. And so I left and I reached out to Tom and we had lunch and then like probably a couple of weeks later, the universe decided that we were we're meant to work together. So, so here I am.
Yeah. Yeah. We're one big happy family ever since. I remember when you came to the agency. Yeah. So thank you for sharing all that with us. And I know a lot of people who are tuning in, they come from all different walks of life and backgrounds, but for like the new beer for someone who, you know, maybe gets nervous about certain ways of networking and, you know, relationships that you mentioned like, oh, I was with this agency and I had the relationships when I went to the other agency and I was able to develop this. What are some ways that are important for you when connecting with people, keeping those authentic relationships, you know, like how do you vibe in and develop those relationships that are so important?
That's like, I don't know. That's a kind of a hard question to answer because it's just, it's just kind of what I do. Yeah. Like I just kind of have arm. I've always, you know, I think I generally get along with people, you know, fairly easy and it's just really kind of, most of the time I just treat everybody as if they're my friend and there's no, and with respect and yeah, it's not really a job for me. It's more of a just, yeah. I enjoy people. I'm a people person. And then so yeah, it's just kind of, it's not something that I really can say how I do it. It's just something that I do, you know, I don't have like a necessarily, I don't do anything special other than, you know, I just kind of treat everybody with respect and answer their emails and answer their phone calls and that's about it.
I mean sometimes when we're like ourselves is just, oh, it's what I just naturally do. But to like other people, like there's the book, the art of communication and it's a skill to develop in, in some kind of ethical way. And we get to find out like what works and what doesn't work for us. So I love that. Thank you for sharing how you're just, you just stay true to who you are. And you're just organic with how you're talking with people and then things naturally flow. You don't like pushy or over-analyze, which a lot of people, they probably including myself, like I'll get in my head and I'll overanalyze things and that's just doing too much. So at that point it's like, just remember to breathe and just take some stuff off. Right. And just people want to work with likable, relatable people, people want to work with someone that, you know, that they can connect to just on a base level.
So it's a really important, good reminder. Yeah.
Yeah. It's, it's just, yeah. I mean, it's, I think it might have all the time as well. I, I mean, I definitely understand that. I think human beings get in their head a lot. I think it's just human nature, but you know, I think it's also just important to ground yourself. Breathe. Try to remember that. I mean, I just kind of remind myself, like I'm not that important, you know, like as far as like, I'm not, you know, I don't have to second really second guessed a lot and you just hope for the best just trust. Yeah. Trust the process.
Yeah. And I mean, Vox is such a great team, so you're not on your own. You're with a great family, a supportive family. And I mean, Vox just had their 20 year anniversary of the agency. So they're, well-respected, you're in a good home. I remember coming into the office and it was just orange and you know, the orange is the, is the color of the second chakra. It's the color of abundance and wealth. So I remember when I first went into the agency and I always love going in there because it was just very bright with the amazing view of California, but just this sense of home and the colors and the characters.
And so speaking of colors and characters and honoring teams, you know, like super, super amazing props to Vox and everyone there. So what are some of your, I can't, I don't want to say maybe, I can't say favorite characters, but you probably have so many throughout the years, but some of your favorite animation projects, you could work on them or not just in general, just kind of the kind of animation that you personally like.
I mean, I like, I didn't actually wasn't here when they worked on it, but I do actually really think that adventure time is hilarious. Like I honestly started watching it with my niece, like not too long ago and it's they, my niece and nephew love it. It's good for like, you know, eight years. I don't know. Maybe some parents were, but I think it's hilarious in this like make believe. And I think there's just a lot, I really liked that show a lot. I know it's not really on that. And I'm probably like behind the eight ball on that, but I mean, you just kind of are working all the time. I think that I like a lot of like and love anything that's comedic. Like anything, like that's not going to be, I don't really love to cartooning.
I, I feel like, I mean, I like to work on it, but I don't personally think vibe so much with it. And this usually it's really like, not too high-pitched, you know, I don't know, but yeah, those are, I kind of like the drive, funny, like anything comedy.
Yeah. I I'm a complete ball. I like it. I'm like cheesier the better like cartoony the better I'm like, I'm all about like the cartoon.
Yeah, totally. I think you, I mean, like, I think that there's, there's like, there's, there's just something for everybody that's what's like, what's awesome about animation. Is there such a ride range of like there's cartoony, there's real, there's, there's even a little serious, which if that's what you want, you know, there's some very, there's just like a huge range. And I think also nowadays, I mean, there's even more, there's so much, there's so many like different avenues and opportunities coming up for different streaming services and they all have a different vibe. My favorite thing is just like, just funny. I do really like a lot of the, like, not super kids, but like anything, you know, I just, I have a niece and nephew, so whatever, like they're into, I went to,
Yeah, same. I have a niece and nephew and that's going to segue me into when I book Minecraft because I was at home visiting the family in Detroit and the kids were playing Minecraft. And so I was viscerally, like seeing what was going on and I get right back to LA and I got an audition for Minecraft. And of course I booked it. They wanted a Melissa McCarthy where she called me to like move her mouth. So I went to YouTube and I saw how she moved her mouth like that. And so sorely, I was going through Minecraft like, cause I was just so fresh in my mind and I booked it and it was like, because of that and all of a sudden like gum PLA you know, like Gundam, like now I'm auditioning for Gundam stuff, not too long ago. And it's like my nephew cause my niece, she draws anime.
And so she got my nephew into Gundam. And so like all of a sudden I'm auditioning for Gundam now. So it's so cool with, with my niece and nephew, I'm able to watch Disney animation stuff with them. And then, and then in the in know about video games too, cause it's like, how do you keep up with it? It's just so much, you know?
Yeah. There's a lot for sure. I think that that's super important. Like I think that, yeah, if you're gonna, if somebody's going to take the road to get into animation or see what they have that question. Yeah. Watch it. Like there's a world of resources for you to see the vibe and the energy and the, and just kind of like, as if you're an actor, like soak that in, that's your job, you know?
Yeah. To explore it and not look at it. Like I got to get this done tonight or tomorrow, but just it's an exploration, like soak it all up, see all the different kinds of shows defined because one has to find their voice, right. Or their multiple voices, like know the base of their strengths and their weaknesses because a lot of people think, oh, I can do animation, but can you sustain that character right through a whole series? That's the thing of the craft of acting.
Yeah. It's holding the character and being able to be believable as a character and bringing the, you know, bringing life to the character, giving them the nuances, you know, every voice over actor, that's been a voice of a character that's been gone on and on. They have, they have whatever nuance has brought that character to life. Cause you know, you watch it and you watch animation and you don't really see, you don't really think there's a voice actor behind that character. Like you just see the character, you know what I mean?
Oh yeah. I mean, when I was a kid, I watched all the cartoons and I was like, oh wow. Those are those voices that I was so enthralled in. I was so eager and excited. I had no idea they were voiceover actors. I thought they were real. I, I thought they were. I thought the care bears were real.
Yeah. You definitely didn't. You didn't really didn't think there was somebody on the microbes
Doing
All that stuff.
Oh my
God, this is also really cool. And there's a lot of them like, yeah, there's a lot of stuff. It is a time of they're repurposing a lot of stuff from when I was younger and that's kind of cool for me cause I'm just like, that's awesome. Being a fan of that. So being able to help because there is a younger generation that doesn't know about that stuff. And then, so I'm able to kind of direct them. Like that's not how they did it, you know?
Yeah. I mean, it's so cool that you grew up as a fan and now you get to see it again and now you're casting and helping with the productions. Like it's just, it seems like full circle in such a big blessing, you know, like such a huge, huge blessing and what a gift To follow your voice and your passion and to receive those gifts. It's wow. Yeah,
Yeah. I'm super into, you know, like yeah, just manifesting and law of attraction and stuff. And then actually just like when you're sitting in awareness and you're like having, sitting in going through what I'm doing now, and I think about a memory that I had of like, I think that I manifested this a long time ago when I was a kid like that. I used to pretend I was a manager for talent when I was a kid. And, and now I am an agent. So it's kind of like, you know, you can't really, the timeline of that is truly not up to me. I do believe that I'd meant to do this for a long time.
And I just really, it's something that I really enjoy and yeah. Being a fan and it's a very interesting part of the business. It's not something that, I mean, now people know about it, but when I first started in it 20 something years ago, it wasn't even people who were like, what's that, you know, it was voiceover.
Yeah. Yeah. In a world. I love that movie in a world with like bell. That's so cool. And then yes. So now, I mean, before the world blew up, right in March, 2020, I was already was self-sufficient with the home studio, but the business went from five days a week to seven days a week for almost a year. It was just like seven days a week nonstop. And then a lot of people when the theater closed, like there's a lot of buzz, you know, the theater community, they all pivoted to voiceover. A lot of people, I was like calling guitar center, searching to get my new TLM 1 0 3 mic. And they're like, oh, we're backdated by like six months because everyone took their checks, those federal checks.
And they're like, I'm going to be a podcaster. I'm going to start recording. So everyone got this equipment to start thinking they were going to do voiceovers and recording. So what did that look like for you on your side when all that happened? Just with the technology of it all and how the industry is now?
I mean, well, thankfully like cause Vox kind of Vox had was one of the first agencies that basically had talent going remote. So they, a lot of the talent was already somewhat set up with microphones or whatever, but it was a lot about, you had to sending a lot of basically the studio is sending us emails of what they needed talent to get set up with. So it was a lot for a minute. It was a lot of just like sending out questionnaires about what talent had. And, and then some people put together like what was, what would be helpful for talent that was maybe not quite set up and needed to get set up. So it was a lot of organizing of that, creating a spreadsheet of everybody because at the time we didn't really have that, which you know, new people had at least somewhat audition quality.
Now you had to get broadcast qualities. Now I asked to get, you know, source connect and you have to get, or source connect ready. You have to have either net connections and people are finding a place in your apartment.
Yeah. I have double of everything. You have a backup mic, a backup interface, a backup laptop. I just got a new laptop. I have my ether net cord. That goes all the way to my recording studio over there. And you have to have backup of everything just in case
Ethernet port is we're taking we're on back order because everybody skinny.
Oh my gosh. Wow.
Wow. And that was like, you know, maybe like the first couple of weeks of April. And then it just kind of said, Hey, let's go. Like, you know, people who are sending kids out, you know, that was another thing that happened. Just, you know, certain celebrity town was working, they needed to get a kit sent to them because, you know, typically they don't really have that kind of stuff. I did hear a lot of frustration for a minute, you know, from actors who are just not used to that editing or recording, you know, remotely and, and you know, just, just a few like snags here and there, obviously you're dealing with, you know, maybe there's a washing machine running in the back, you know, cause you live in an apartment and you know, just find it, there was definitely some growing pains, but I think, you know, because it went on for as long as it has, you know, work out and now people are going back into the studio.
But
Yeah, thanks for sharing that. And for the person tuning in, if you are a union member, the sag foundation, they have classes for tech for those kinds of things. So if you're a union actor, you can take workshops and Eric Shuford, you know, he was on the podcast and I'll put that link as well. So people can tune in there, but SAC foundation is a, a great resource of information it's totally free. So you can, you know, tune in and learn more about like setting up from, you know, a basic level. Yeah. Yeah. That's cool. Now at Vox, what you do animation and video games and then it's just ongoing all the time.
Right. I mean, from what I see on my end. Yes. But it's not like actors where there used to be a pilot season animations just all year round, right? Yeah.
Yeah. I've never really seen a pilot season with animation. It's always, it's just like, just whenever somebody has a pilot ready to go and yeah. It's just this constant all the time. There is, I mean, there might be weeks where it's not as heavily audition based, but I mean that doesn't, that's not same as like, you know, like right now it's pretty heavily, I'm pretty saturated with several different types of auditions, but I, you know, but I'm grateful for it and I'm here for it and I'm, you know, I'm making it through it and we're, you know, everybody's, you know, getting it together. And thankfully we have, again, we have a really great team.
We have a great stable of actors and we have, there's a lot of different avenues of voiceover. Like I'm not even, I'm not just doing animation and video games. I actually work in more areas. There's dubbing anime, which those are, that's called Debbie and it's, it is low budget, but a lot of people are doing it. There's podcasts, scripted podcasts, there's Commercials, promos, you know, there's a lot of stuff. So
Yeah, gratefully, I, you just booked me on some dubbing stuff, which is really cool for Disney. That's coming up. So I'm grateful for that. Thank you. Thank you very much. And then there are places where people can get involved to take animation classes, commercial classes learn about voiceover and that's how people can catch you. I've seen your name, I'm on some email list so people can get on different, find on Facebook and get in the community, get on some different email lists, but that's how they can catch you when your guests directing certain workshops in the community of voiceover acting, right?
Yeah, totally. Yeah. I get, I've been asked to guest direct several classes. I feel like I've done like one or two a month and are reaching out and asking if all guests direct. So that's kind of cool.
Very cool. Very cool. That's really awesome. I'll give a shout out to bill Holmes because he goes by the VO doctor. He taught me young in my career, how, you know, you brand yourself. And so people want to work in voiceovers. They go to bill, you can do a zoom with bill, you know, oh, he'll say, oh, you have a promo voice or you're really good for this or this or that. I, because of bill, I branded cartoon Katie. Cause I sound like I'm walking, talking cartoon character And yeah, it's Katie. And it took a while to get my avatar, but I just got my avatar. So I'm going to send you my avatar. You've probably seen it.
It's it's half of my podcast logo. That's half of my avatar, but that she's cartoon. Katie that's cartoon. Katie. I just did a merge line of cartoon Katie, but it took a while. Like I got the name and it takes a while to brand and to grow voiceovers. Isn't like an overnight kind of thing. I mean, it's like, you know, it's like grows I guess, with like fine wine. But Phil Holmes is amazing, you know? So maybe check out the voiceover doctor and sign up to see what workshops and things he has going on. If you want to get involved in voiceovers and maybe you can catch Mikayla Hicks, they're doing like a guest directing in the near future. That could be really cool if people wanted. I think with Vox is probably just like referral based only.
But if someone wanted us, if someone wanted to send you their resume, like the real, are they able to do that through the website? Like what's the best way if someone wanted to maybe do that.
And I think that they go to like Vox usa.net. There's like, you know, I'm pretty sure my email address is on there. Like they have our, you know, profiles and I'm sure that they could go on there. But yeah, it is a lot of referral based. We, we don't really, it's really hard to take on talent that is really just getting started because it's just gotten a lot of, it's pretty difficult to develop talent from the ground up again. I've done it in my career, but that sat a smaller agency. So like a boutique agency, if you're just getting started, that's my recommendation. That's my honest recommendation. And then you can, you know, and then maybe you congratulate to box, you know? And then because it's time for you to spread your wings and, and, you know, cause some of the smaller agencies don't get like some of the opportunities that that we're getting, but they do.
It's a great place to get experience and start. It just depends on who you go with. Just do your research.
Yeah. It's been a few years, but last time I looked there's there was like this pamphlet and I think there were like 21 or 23 voiceover agencies. And because of what's happened in the world, there's probably less now I love what you just said. Like you're just getting started, like just approach a smaller agency. It's the smartest thing to do. So I appreciate that. Those words of wisdom. Yeah.
Yeah. So you can get some experience. Cause I know that that's the question is like, how do I get the experience if I don't get, but there's so many, there's so many ways to, you know, there's the payer place sites. That's always another thing that if you're just getting started, I do recommend, like I do say like get on one of those as well. But again, like for the animation and video game, the best thing is you have to be an actor. You can't just be like somebody who has a cartoon voice. You have to be an actor
1000%, 1000%, you know? And I know we're wrapping up here, just honing back into the podcast thing. I wanted to start my podcast, like in 2019, what I did, I'm like, oh, I want to start my podcast nine years ago. Right. So now it's like add a couple of years on it, but I didn't know how to get on the train tracks. But with voiceover it's like, oh, like for me, it's like Scarlett Johannson, Emma Stone, like young Demi Moore or like Alicia Silverstone, like you'll get a, like a tight right of your voice or they'll say like an animation film, like this character or an animation from like this TV show. And then once in a while you'll get a clip of a podcast where it's like, do we want it authentic? We want it like this kind of vibe of a podcast.
But now because there's so many audio dramas, there's more auditions for scripted. Audio's for podcasting it, which is really cool. So I love having the podcast because I feel like, well, the podcast and everyone tuning in, thank you so much for being here. It's in the top 5% of all podcasts out of 4.5 million podcasts, It's in the top 5% of all podcasts and out of the top 60 arts podcasts, it's number 48. So I'm so grateful for everyone tuning in and showing up and yeah, it's super awesome. It's super great with that being said, it's like for me as an actor, right? And as a voiceover actor, people can hear me, my voice, a brand, someone could hear it and then call my agency Vox and say, Hey, we want to book her in this audio drama or a commercial, a voiceover project.
And then also because of social media and what's happened. So this is for the person who's thinking, oh, well, how do I get started? It's that catch 22? I can, if I can't do this, I can do this. If I can't do that is the thing is it's like with my podcast because I'm independently growing this for the craft of my actor. Right. And voiceover, it's the sound of my voice. But now with social media, it's like, who are you? People want to know like authentically, do you align to this brand? Like, are you a vegan? Like what are your ethics, morals, and values? Like what do you stand for? Because when, when the producers and people want to hire you or agents want to work with you, they want to see like, what is this person into? Oh, I can, they're very bookable relatable on these kinds of projects.
You know? So podcasting, it's like a three-dimensional thing where like voiceovers now it's not just the craft of acting. There's the tech side of it. And it's the psychological aspect as well. So I feel like for branding and voiceovers to the craft of acting, but also like letting people know who you are and you know, making up your favorite characters and just making stuff up and putting it out there and it can you build, you start messy. It doesn't have to be perfect, but just start messy and start somewhere to start building.
Yep. I agree with that for sure. Exactly. Yeah. There's just hitting us. Like, don't be afraid to take a risk is kind of like, you know, that it's just kind of like, there's so many aspects to it, but yeah. I mean, it's just, if it's something you want to do, like I would not discourage anybody from doing it by they, but just be prepared to put in the work. It's not just like, you can't just go pick up a microphone and decide that you're going to do this. There is a lot of work that goes into it. And especially now it's very competitive.
Yeah. I appreciate you Mikayla. Thank you so much.
I appreciate you. Thank you. Yeah.
Oh yeah. I'm so grateful. You came on seriously. This is amazing.
I am grateful to be here.
Yeah. And I'm sure the person tuning in subscribe, like put comments below, let us know what you learned today. It would really mean a lot to us. I'll have any links that I mentioned in the show notes below. I mean, any last words before we depart,
I guess have fun.
Yeah. Have fun. And I guess the last thing I'll say is like, I'll tell you Tom's after, but one of your favorite animation movies of all time
Of all time, that's so fun.
It can be a couple.
I think of like, I mean, I don't really know of all time, but I would say like, you know, I love Coco. I loved, I loved the little mermaid and beauty and the beast like that old school stuff is like me.
Wow. Two out of three. Love that. I love the beauty and the beast is my number one. Oh my God. The bell with the red, with the red rose when the west wing the rose.
Yeah.
Yeah. Love bell. Okay. So Tom, his favor is up.
That was a good one. I liked that one. You know, again, like I kind of like a little more light and funny. I like the one with the, oh, what's the one with all the emotions.
The emojis.
No, with all that. No, that like the girl with the name was Riley and
They were the emotions. Yeah.
Yeah. It was all though. The ones in her head that
Yeah.
To think of it. There's just so many,
I'm drawing a blank too, but I know, I know the emotions, the blue emotion, all the different emotions. Yeah.
Yeah. The one that's like yeah, happy and the angry guy and like,
Yeah. Oh, okay. So a mad respect to ed Eisner because many blessings for his soul homage to ed, because I don't know how long he was with Vox, but definitely, you know,
And he was with them a long time and, and yeah, they put them in up and I would actually put them in some things right before he passed. So he worked right up until he passed. So yeah, it was an honor store for him. Yeah.
Yeah. Big honor. Well, keep shining on McKayla. Thank you for being you and showing up.
I better get to these auditions to send you.
Oh yeah. I love that. I'm everyone's unit next week. So she's all over the place and subscribe and share with everyone. I love you. Bye.
Thank you so much for joining us. We'll see you next time. over and out.