Behind the Voice - Michael Marshall
TLDRMichael Marshall, a Melbourne-based voice actor since 2018, shares his journey with 11 Labs, where he voices characters like Daniel James and Joseph. Daniel, initially intended for a weekly show on technology trends, became the test voice for 11 Labs, surprising Michael with its popularity. Joseph, on the other hand, adds dramatic tension to news stories. Michael, who is disabled, found a valuable opportunity in voice acting, particularly with 11 Labs' fair compensation and the flexibility AI provides. He encourages others to explore AI, as it has positively impacted his life, offering a sense of purpose and financial stability.
Takeaways
- 🎙️ Michael Marshall is a voice actor from Melbourne, Australia, who has been in the industry since 2018.
- 🌟 He is the voice of Daniel and Joseph on 11 Labs, with Daniel being his most popular character.
- 🎧 Michael envisioned Daniel as a voice that people could relax with, ideal for exploring trends and technology.
- 🗣️ Joseph, on the other hand, is portrayed as a dramatic and intense news reporter.
- 🤖 Michael discovered 11 Labs after listening to a podcast that showcased AI-generated human-like voices, which inspired him to get involved.
- 📧 He reached out to 11 Labs with his demo, which led to his involvement in voice creation for the platform.
- 💸 As a disabled voice actor, Michael appreciated the fair compensation and opportunities that 11 Labs provided.
- 🏠 AI voice work allows Michael to work remotely, eliminating the need for studio visits, which he finds very beneficial.
- 🤔 While he acknowledges concerns about unauthorized voice use, Michael sees great potential in AI voice technology for tasks like language translation.
- 🌈 Michael feels that 11 Labs has transformed his outlook on life, giving him purpose and helping him feel valued through his contributions.
Q & A
Who is Michael Marshall?
-Michael Marshall is a voice actor based in Melbourne, Australia, who has been working in the field since 2018. He is known for voicing characters like Daniel and Joseph on 11 Labs.
Which voice has become the most popular from Michael Marshall's work?
-Daniel has become the most popular voice that Michael Marshall has created on 11 Labs.
What was Michael Marshall's intention for the voice of Daniel?
-Michael wanted Daniel's voice to be smooth and relaxing, ideal for a weekly show exploring trends, breakthroughs, and the people shaping the future of technology.
What humorous event did Michael Marshall describe involving the Australian Prime Minister?
-Michael described a humorous scenario where the Australian Prime Minister was locked in a cupboard at Parliament House for at least 3 hours while a key was being found.
How did Michael Marshall get involved with 11 Labs?
-Michael Marshall got involved with 11 Labs after hearing about the platform through a podcast. He was impressed by its human-like voice generation and decided to submit demos of his voice. 11 Labs accepted his demos, leading to his work with them.
What challenges does Michael Marshall face as a disabled person in the voice acting industry?
-Michael mentions that being disabled is expensive and that assistive technology, such as screen readers, can cost up to $3,000. However, working with companies like 11 Labs, which value his content and time, has been refreshing for him.
What does Michael Marshall think about AI and voice cloning?
-Michael Marshall believes that while there may be concerns about unauthorized voice usage, AI and voice cloning have great potential for tasks like translation. He encourages people to look deeper into AI before dismissing it.
How has working with 11 Labs impacted Michael Marshall’s life?
-Working with 11 Labs has provided Michael with a sense of purpose, reducing his feelings of depression and giving him the opportunity to feel useful and valued.
What advice does Michael Marshall give regarding AI?
-Michael advises people to explore AI with an open mind, as they might find a niche for themselves, just as he did with 11 Labs.
How does Michael Marshall feel about his contribution to the AI industry?
-Michael feels that by providing his voice for others to use, he is helping people and contributing something valuable, which has brought a positive change to his outlook on life.
Outlines
🎤 Michael's Journey as a Voice Actor
Michael Marshall, a Melbourne-based voice actor, shares his experience working since 2018. He is the voice behind Daniel and Joseph on 11 Labs, with Daniel becoming especially popular. Michael talks about his surprise at discovering Daniel’s voice being used as a test on 11 Labs’ platform. He explains that his goal for Daniel was to create a calming, weekly show host rather than a traditional newsreader.
📰 Creating Distinctive Characters
Michael describes the personalities he envisioned for his characters. Daniel is meant to be a smooth, relaxing news presenter, while Joseph is a more dramatic reporter, capturing the intensity of unfolding political events. He reflects on the distinct roles these characters play and how they each serve different narrative purposes.
🎙️ Discovery of Text-to-Speech Technology
Michael recalls listening to the 'Living Blindy' podcast, which discussed the advancements in text-to-speech technology, and how it could generate human-like voices. Intrigued by this, he realized that the demand for human voices could lead to more opportunities for voice actors. This motivated him to reach out to 11 Labs, leading to his involvement in creating voices for their platform.
💼 Finding Opportunity and Recognition
Michael highlights the challenges of earning a good income as a voice actor, especially with the additional costs of being disabled. He appreciates how 11 Labs values his contributions and pays him well for his work. This opportunity has been refreshing for him, given the high cost of assistive technologies like screen readers.
🔄 AI's Role in Accessibility and Translation
Despite concerns over unauthorized use of voices, Michael believes that voice cloning technology has great potential, especially for accessibility and translation purposes. He encourages people to explore the technology before dismissing it, sharing his positive experience with 11 Labs, who have been supportive and accommodating.
💡 Embracing a New Path
Michael reflects on how 11 Labs has positively impacted his life. Before joining, he often felt unproductive and down. Now, he feels valued and engaged by contributing to something meaningful. The opportunity has given him a sense of purpose and improved his outlook on life, making him feel more useful and appreciated.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Voice actor
💡11 Labs
💡Daniel James
💡Joseph
💡Living blindy
💡Screen reader
💡Income
💡AI
💡Voice cloning
💡Seismic shift
Highlights
Michael Marshall is a voice actor based in Melbourne, Australia, and has been in the field since 2018.
He voices characters Daniel James and Joseph on 11 Labs.
Daniel James has become a popular voice, especially for its relaxing qualities.
Daniel's voice is now used for testing 11 Labs, showcasing its widespread adoption.
Marshall envisioned Daniel as a voice for a weekly show exploring technology trends.
Joseph's voice is designed to convey tension and drama, ideal for news reporting.
The Australian Prime Minister was humorously reported as being locked in a cupboard, showcasing Joseph's dramatic style.
Marshall was inspired by a podcast called 'Living Blindy' to pursue a career in voice acting.
He reached out to 11 Labs with voice demos, leading to his employment.
Being disabled, Marshall appreciates the financial remuneration from voice acting, which is essential for his needs.
11 Labs values the content and time invested by voice actors, offering a refreshing perspective.
Voice cloning technology is highlighted as beneficial for language translation and understanding.
Marshall encourages a deeper look into AI, suggesting it can offer opportunities like the one he found with 11 Labs.
Before joining 11 Labs, Marshall experienced periods of depression and uncertainty about his career.
Working with 11 Labs has been a 'seismic shift' in his life, changing his outlook and providing a sense of purpose.
Marshall feels valued and useful, contributing to helping people through his voice work.
He emphasizes the importance of not dismissing AI prematurely and exploring its potential.