How to Thrive in Your VO Booth with Gina Scarpa and Amie Breedlove

Gina Scarpa:
I mean, the only thing that really can't wait is when you're in a directed session. But even then, I think it's okay to say, right. Is it okay if I just take a two minute break? People are gonna be understanding. If you need a second.

Amie Breedlove:
Honestly, I feel much fresher too. Once I take that break, I can totally tell a difference. I come back and I do another audition, and I'm like, oh, okay. I feel so much fresher. So for me, it's definitely a big refresher,

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
As you can tell, this is a very special episode of Vox Talk. I've got two guests. We've got Gina Scarpa and Amie Breedlove. In today's episode, we're gonna talk about how you can thrive in the booth. Joining me in the Vox Studio are talent and voice over coaches, Gina Scarpa and Amie Breedlove. Ladies, welcome to the show.

Gina Scarpa:
Thanks for having us.

Amie Breedlove:
Hello. Thank you.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh, so wonderful to see you. Yeah, so wonderful to see you both and this is awesome. This is like a first for our Vox Talk, um, to have two guests in two separate locations. So yay, yay for us is good. Uh, so while we're here and I see you're both in your studio setups, this is great. Um, you spend hours upon hours of time in them every single day. So how often do you come up for air?

Gina Scarpa:
I'll go first. Uh, not as often as I should. Not as often

Amie Breedlove:
Go, Gina.

Gina Scarpa:
Not as often as I should. I try to commit to taking a break every now and then, but I find that I get lost in auditions or even emails. Definitely in sessions. It's obviously extremely hard to take a break. Um, so I'd say, you know, every two hours, but I think it probably should be every hour. Amie, what about you?

Amie Breedlove:
I, um, try for every hour as well. Um, and es especially if I have a long session, I'll definitely take a longer break after that, um, to, to get a breather for sure. But like you, I get stuck with, you know, the auditioning and then, um, checking emails and, oh, I have to clean my email inbox and, um, oh, I have to do some, uh, paperwork and oh, I should probably dust as well. And, you know, so

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh my gosh, dusting. Yeah, I, I don't know how many people actually clean in their studios. Uh, but I, I surely hope there are some of you who do. So, um, that's, yeah, that seems like a long time to be sitting. I mean, probably once an hour is good. I don't know, just thinking about long car rides or on airplanes, you're supposed to get up every so often. I, I'm sure the same is true for, for sitting in general. Um, but what does it feel like when you're in the booth for too long? What are the symptoms that you might experience if you've just been sitting for way too long?

Gina Scarpa:
For me, it's definitely nausea. I can feel my stomach start to hurt if I stay in here too long. And then also very hot, which I know a lot of voice actors can relate to. It's like the minute you come in your booth and you shut the door, the temperature just skyrockets. But it's that nausea. I know I need to take a break, and headaches, too.

Amie Breedlove:
Interesting. For me, it would be, uh, my ears need a break because they're so sensitive and just staying in here longer than a couple of hours or three hours. Um, I've had long sessions before. It's just, it can be maddening sometimes with the, the tightness, the Auralex, you know, gives you, um, so that for sure, definitely for me.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Right. Oh my goodness. I I, I can empathize to a degree. I am not spending nearly the amount of time that you both do in your booths. Um, and it's a different environment. I, well, for anyone who's been to the Voices Studio, it's, it's quite, uh, large. So when you walk in, there's tons of air and, and we've got pretty good airflow in here. And, um, but I know that all studios are, are different, right? Like some people are in their closets, some people are in an isolation booth, some people are, uh, you know, in a constructed sort of environment that's more enclosed, but, but not like one of those, um, traditional iso booths. So, uh, yeah, I think it's really great that everyone just takes a break for whatever reason. And we'll get into any number of those reasons in just a minute. But, um, just thinking, I wonder if like for the sitting part of compression stockings would help, like it would, it would certainly keep the blood flow going if someone's, you know, feeling

Amie Breedlove:
That that's a really good idea.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah. Yeah. I've never used them. I mean, I know that they increase like the blood flow right from your legs to your heart. I've never used them, ‘cause I always assume that they're just (laugh). I don't know if I'm right, but I always assume they're for older people. Am I wrong? I'm like, I'm not ready for compression stockings yet. Am I? Maybe, maybe. I definitely could use (laugh) some help with blood flow, but, um, (laugh), I'm like, am I ready for these (laugh)?

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Well, you know, actually I wear them quite a bit. Um, and do you? Yeah. Yeah. And I'm not right now, which was, was silly. You're not supposed to put them on if your feet are still a little damper, wet it, you know, ‘cause they're just so tight and whatever. Um, so anyway, uh, I didn't manage to to get those on today, but, but yeah, they help all kinds of people. Um, I think people who work in healthcare or constantly on their feet, uh, people who are in the aviation business, like airline, uh, attendants, um, stewardesses, they'll be wearing them. Um, I think they, they almost always wear them because of just the altitude and the, the, the constant whatever. But it does help. So it, it's one of those ask your doctor questions and um, a chiropractor can measure you up and see what kind of, uh, you know, what you need and what's, uh, the tightness is, 'cause at the drugstore, they don't sell medical grade ones. They're only, um, you know, the basic, yeah. So, but anyway, that's a whole other diversion, but it could help somebody. You never know. Some people record sitting or standing and, and who knows, right? I've

Amie Breedlove:
Got a coupon, I'm going out and buying some today. (laughing)

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh gosh,

Gina Scarpa:
Laugh.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Well, they, they're really helpful and useful and you don't feel as tired. I think that's part of it is you don't feel as tired. So, um, you know, obviously all that, that's kind of cool. And please talk with your doctor. You know, this is not a medical podcast. We're just giving some ideas and some thoughts, uh, that you can think about. Um, but you know, we've all figured out by now the breaks are a great idea. So, uh, you've mentioned you kind of get up maybe once an hour, maybe every couple hours if you get distracted, but, you know, how frequently should we be getting up and moving around and, and how would you know that you actually need to, like, is there like a ding, ding, ding, ding, like little fire alarms that should go off, uh, when you need to take a break?

Amie Breedlove:
No kidding. That would be helpful because I tend to sometimes wonder if I'm taking too many breaks. Um, (laugh), but you know, my boss is like, yeah, sure, take a break (laugh). But that would definitely be helpful.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah, I mean I also agree that I think a break every hour is really important and maybe having an alarm set on your phone though, not having the sound notification (laugh) so that it doesn't affect obviously your recordings or anything. But definitely the moment you just start to feel unwell. And for some people it might be sooner than an hour and for others they can go a little bit longer. But when you really start to feel sick, I feel like you gotta give yourself that break and walk away for minute. That audition can wait. I mean, the only thing that really can't wait is when you're in a directed session. But even then, I think it's okay to say, right, ‘is it okay if I just take a two minute break?’ You know, uh, people are gonna be understanding if you need a second.

Amie Breedlove:
Honestly, I feel much fresher too once I take that break. I can totally tell a difference after just even just walking outside or even just going to the restroom or maybe grabbing some more water. Um, even if it's 10 to 15 minutes, maybe not even that long, and I come back and I do another audition and I'm like, oh, okay. I feel so much fresher. So for me it's definitely a re big refresher.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Splendid taking breaks is good no matter the season or the weather that you have, you still need to go outside and get some vitamin D. So that being said, what kind of activities do you do on those breaks to make the most of them?

Gina Scarpa:
So I have been doing, um, stretching exercises with YouTube videos and I have found that between going full-time with voice over and I also think the pandemic, I always joke, I have the stamina of a baby sloth. I can't do anything anymore. I literally get out of breath, like over anything. So my doctor wants me to do cardio and I was like, ‘man, it's gonna be 10 minutes of stretching for a while while I build it up or take my dogs outside’. But I would say those are my two main things that I do, at least to get my body moving and even just stretches takes me out. Sometimes I need a nap afterwards.

Amie Breedlove:
That's so funny. I just, uh, started stretching with YouTube videos as well, uh, last week, so Oh wow. We need to, uh, chat about the stretching videos, Gina for sure. (laugh)

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah, we do.

Amie Breedlove:
Uh, but for me it's being in Florida, thankfully we have fairly nice weather here most of the time. So I'm such a nature girl. Um, for me it's definitely just going outside, grabbing a few minutes of nature, sunshine, a breeze, um, always helps me. But, uh, there's always throwing in a load of laundry or maybe running to the grocery store to grab things for dinner. There's those as well.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
I love that you can actually get outta the physical space, you know, for a break and, and actually changing entirely what you're doing. Like, you know, whether you do a load of laundry because someone's gonna do it and it has to get done at some point, right?

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Um, but like I know that I would do that totally. I'd be, you'll probably laugh, but I have it scheduled my calendar to do laundry every night at 8:00 PM (laughing).

Gina Scarpa:
I love that. Whether it happens at a time or not

Amie Breedlove:
pure organization

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
I'm doing it, I'm, but you know, like if you don't schedule something in, it doesn't happen.

Gina Scarpa:
Facts.

Amie Breedlove:
True

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Like, even if it's just a visual reminder to be like, oh, right, that thing, you know, and you could do it. And I love the whole thing about, um, working from home or being a freelance voice artist, uh, a talent working from their home studio is that you can literally shift your schedule around to suit what you would like to do

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Amie Breedlove:
Right

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
So long as it doesn't conflict with a client deadline or, or something else that you're working toward.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah. I always tell people that's one of the best parts of being a voice actor is pretty much having control over your own schedule. You wanna take a break, go ahead, go do that laundry, take a walk, say, I'm gonna take the morning off from auditions, I'll do them later. I mean, having that autonomy over your schedule is definitely helpful.

Amie Breedlove:
Flexibility is key. (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
It is. Especially, I know you both have dogs. I have a dog too. So kind of your life sort of revolves around their schedules at times as well (laugh) and, and all that, so

Amie Breedlove:
Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Um, but just going back into the booth here for a second. So, uh, it obviously affects so much about us, you know, all of our senses I think are affected, you know, sight, smell, hearing, touch, and even taste because when you're stuck in this booth, like the air quality changes, you know, it'll end up, you'll, you'll be like, ‘oh, it's kind of, you know, I need some more air.’ Or you get dried out or like, there's so much going on. Um, so all of that said, what kind of external factors that are in your studio environment can impact our experience in the recording space?

Gina Scarpa:
Um, one thing that I think can affect some people, and it def it definitely affects me is the lighting in the booth, the overhead lighting I have, it almost looks like an element, you know, those elementary school overhead lights that are like super bright I know, hurt my eyes and get, you know, give me a headache. So I actually just recently bought a little side lamp that has more natural lighting and I feel much better, but I often find that that overhead lighting does not make me feel good at all. And like you're saying, it affects more than just one of your senses. So that's one thing that's definitely helped me.

Amie Breedlove:
For me, there's a couple of things. Um, and lighting is definitely one of them. I have, um, I don't know if you can see this light behind me, if I don't have it on, it's too dark, but I like having it there just for the ambient light. And I can see it in my screen though, too. So when I'm working in editing, it's like, sometimes it's the, the, what do you call that? The dimensional thing? I can't think of the word, but I see the light or I see my editing and sometimes that gets in the way and annoying. The other thing is, of course, eye strain. The eye strain gets really annoying sometimes with just the, uh, editing and the scripts. Uh, but for me it's just the editing and editing and really focusing on getting those audio clips cleaned up well.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
So for everyone listening, the eye strain, it is totally real. Um, there's an episode that we did that you may have heard, or if you haven't, go listen to it with Nozomi Kiuchi from Japan (https://www.voices.com/podcasts/voxtalk/podcast/eye-care-for-voice-actors-with-nozomi-kiuchi/). And we were talking actually about just how you need to take care of your vision and your eyesight in the booth and why that matters so much to voice of our artists. But thank you both for mentioning the lighting and your eyes and, and how that can really affect. I know if someone's had like a head injury or something like that, like a concussion, you might need softer lights, like pink lights instead of, you know, the really bright fluorescents. Um, so just think about that because some of the factory standard stuff that they, they send in lamps or whatever you might have, may not actually be as conducive to what you wanna create for your recording environment to help your eyes not to become as tired and, I don't know, like, like, you know, blue light that can do stuff to you too and, and just kind of, if you wear glasses

Gina Scarpa:
Mm hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
you can get some kind of a tint for your glasses. Um, but just thinking, like you were saying earlier, Gina, about the temperature.

Gina Scarpa:
Yes.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
And that can be like awful, especially if you live in a hotter environment like you're in Florida, Amie.

Amie Breedlove:
Yeah. Hello!

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
You know, kinda what, what it's like. And to not be able to have the air conditioning on or to not leave a window open.

Gina Scarpa:
Mmhmmm

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
like, that's killer. Like, I, I highly doubt people suffer from a too cold studio environment. It's usually too hot. Um, but you know, it's, it's really, it can be really aggravating for people if you don't, if you feel like you've got goosebumps and you're chilly, your read's gonna have that come through, it's gonna sound like you're not warm, right?

Gina Scarpa:
Oh yeah. Even right now, I mean, I, Amie's living in Florida, I'm sure it's very warm, but here up in Connecticut it's like 50 degrees today, but the booth is 78. I mean, it's almost 80 degrees in here and I'm, I'm already hot. I don't even wanna think about it when it's July or August. Amie, how do you even deal with it in Florida?

Amie Breedlove:
Well, thankfully I have my AC vent right here behind me, which definitely helps. Um, but there have been times like, uh, today I'm wearing sleeves and uh, you know, it's already starting to get a little warm in here. Um, the AC isn't running. And if I have a session, I always have to remind myself, don't forget to wear a t-shirt or a tank top because, um, I've actually run into a session before and not changed into a t-shirt or a tank top. And it's just the whole time I'm like, ‘oh, I'm so, so warm.’ And I'm like trying to keep myself cool and read the script at the same time. So yeah, it's, it can be challenging, especially in July through September. Those are the hottest months.

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Right? So dress in layers. I think that's kind of a lesson ‘cause I've had to like, yeah, there have been situations even in this larger environment, it gets super hot in the studio at Voices like crazy hot sometimes. And it's like, okay, well you know, if you're wearing a sweater you're stuck wearing that sweater. But if you've got a jacket and a t-shirt and whatever, you can take something off and be like, okay, that that'll work. Or you know, worst scenario take, I don't know, your boots or your shoes off or (laugh), not that that's happened, but you know, like if you have to find a creative to let some heat out, um, I'm sure that taking your shoes off would not offend too many people because they can't see you like they don't know.

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Amie Breedlove:
I usually go shoeless.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Yeah?

Amie Breedlove:
Yeah!

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
I wonder if that's a thing in, in the town studios because there was, I remember way back when, some of you might recall. Um, but um, Penny Abshire back at the voice conferences, she had these bunny slippers and like everyone wanted to wear their bunny slippers, right? I didn't ever have a pair, but it was kind of a thing like, oh, wear your slippers in your studio. I wonder if talent are wearing slippers in their studio is, or is it like a barefoot experience? Is it slippers?

Gina Scarpa:
I'm having a barefoot experience right now. (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Yeah?

Amie Breedlove:
Cool.

Gina Scarpa:
Always!

Amie Breedlove:
Me too.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
It's too hot not to, right? Like Yeah. Oh man. Anyway. And I hope no one's wearing a hat ‘cause if you wear a hat that keeps the heat in, right. Never. Like

Amie Breedlove:
Good point.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
All the guys

Gina Scarpa:
who's doing this?

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh, I'm gonna wear my, my hat and look cool in this session. Like it's keeping you hotter than you maybe wanna be. So just, just food for thought there. But, but anyway. So we've talked about ventilation. I'm amazed that your, your ventilation Amie is not creating noise. Like, is that ever a problem for you?

Amie Breedlove:
I have a great, um, plugin on my Apollo twin that knocks it out.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Wow. What is that plugin called?

Amie Breedlove:
Uh, soft tube.

Gina Scarpa:
Ooh. I have an Apollo Twin now I'm gonna go everyone. Thanks Amie.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Find it,

Gina Scarpa:
Find it everybody. Okay. (laugh)

Amie Breedlove:
It's great.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
This could solve so many problems. You've just mentioning that for people because you know, like everyone's struggling with that. It's like, do I stay cool or do I suffer and sound good? Right. So

Amie Breedlove:
I um, in fact I found it when we moved to Florida. It'll be five years this or next month, I'm sorry. And, uh, I'm like, what am I going to do about the AC because I'm used to AC vents on the floor, um, back in my hometown and here most are in the ceiling. So like, this is really, what am I gonna do?

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Amie Breedlove:
And thankfully I found this and it works great.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Fantastic. Yay. I'm, I'm so happy whenever I hear it, someone's found something that works for them in their studio. It's like, oh right. That's a win, right?

Amie Breedlove:
Yes.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
So as we're talking about all of these wins, another one is being hydrated because if you're not hydrated, everybody knows you're not hydrated and you especially know ‘cause your instruments like just giving out all the time. So, um, how much water are you ladies drinking, like on a given day in the studio? And do you bring other fluids, you know, like coffee, tea, whatever in with you as well? How do you balance that out?

Gina Scarpa:
I'm gonna guess Amie drinks more water than me. I don't, I don't drink nearly enough. Amie, I'm going to guess, just from our conversations. Amie, how much water do you drink?

Gina Scarpa:
Um, I try to do, try 60 ounces a day.

Gina Scarpa:
Okay. I do maybe six ounces a day. (laugh). That's why my voice always so and so scratchy. No, my sister's always yelling at me to drink more water and checking in. Are you drinking your water? No. Maybe I get through like a bottle a day. But even when as we were starting Stephanie,

Amie Breedlove:
Okay, I'm gonna be your water buddy.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah. Just say, hey what do you, you can just message me. We have a group chat, the three of us and you can check in on me.

Amie Breedlove:
Yes.

Gina Scarpa:
But Stephanie pointed out before we started today that I was drinking my Dunking Donut's coffee (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Yes. Well, you know, it has some water in it. It

Gina Scarpa:
Has some water. Exactly. There is, it has some hydration going on. There's also some dehydration going on. (laugh)

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Yes! See you had to replace some of those fluids. So that's a lot. I know. Um, up here, our dieticians, um, they'll say drink, you know, two to three liters of water a day. So for Canadians you'll know what that is. Or anyone else using the metric system, I don't know what that is in gallons, but, but you know, you know, two to three liters of water a day. Probably a good benchmark for that. If you're like doing a lot of athletics and, and you're having a lot of fiber, then you might be looking at some somewhere around, you know, three to four, I don't know, like of course check with your doctor ‘cause you don't wanna have too much water. Too much water is also a problem as is too little

Amie Breedlove:
Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
So make sure you're losing balance with that. Tessa Livingston can come back on. She can tell us what to do.

Gina Scarpa:
Yes.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Uh, but anyway, all of that said, I'm so glad that you're hydrating. Um, probably keeping these beverages in your studios. Some people have tables beside them so that they don't actually spill them on their equipment, which I know (laugh) a lot of people are like, I will never bring in a beverage that doesn't have a lid ever again ‘cause they've learned their lesson, right?

Amie Breedlove:
Yes.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Um, but yeah. And so if you are drinking caffeine in your studio, remember, and even if it's a herbal tea, remember that it actually has more drying properties. Like hot water is more drying. Have some lukewarm water.

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Not cold, ‘cause cold can also wreak havoc with you too. So there's, there's something to be said for, you know, it's, you're not being a princess, you just want to have some, you know, room temperature, water. That's all any good. Any good studio knows it.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah. It's like Goldilocks. Not too much water. Not too little water. Not too hot water.

Amie Breedlove:
Yeah. I was just going to say that.

Gina Scarpa:
Not too cold water (laugh).

Amie Breedlove:
We're just gonna sit right in the middle. Just right

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
I it's just right.

Gina Scarpa:
Just right

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Right. Oh, so good. So good. There's also something on the periodic table of elements called CO2 or carbon monoxide, which can be a problem in our studios as well. And so I know that when in our, in our chat we were actually talking about how uh, you all were measuring the CO2 levels in your studios just to see what was going on. And so, um, what did we learn there? Gina, did you wanna start?

Gina Scarpa:
Sure. So I got this, uh, this monitor that's showing, you know, the, my carbon dioxide and, and obviously we need it, but not too much. So when I came in today to the booth, uh, before we met, it was 10:18 in the morning here. And um, the PPM or parts per million were 425, which is great. You kind of wanna see like maybe 300 to 500, that's healthy. If it starts getting over 800, like it starts to get questionable air quality wise. Within 10 minutes the PPM had jumped over 800 for me. Over 1500 needs action. Take a break, open the door. I mean, you're not gonna die, but you need to, you know, take breaks. If we're getting over 5,000, that's another story. But my monitor was detecting over 1500 within 20 minutes of being in here. And some days I have directed sessions that are two and three hours long.

So within 20 minutes we're already at a semi-unhealthy state. And so it shows how important those breaks are every hour. And when you're in a directed session, which is a good example of when you technically can't take a break, there are often times where the engineer is cutting something together, putting it to picture, running it in front of the client and that's a great time to just throw your door open for a minute and just let some fresh air in and then when they're ready to go, just shut it again. But I was honestly surprised when I got the monitor how quickly the levels jumped up in here. And this is without my dogs who are at the sitter today ‘cause I'm way too busy. But, um, they're in here, too. So then everybody's breathing in here. So you've got me and two animals.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh no!

Gina Scarpa:
It's, you know, it's just, it's just not that healthy. But I think that's something that we all as voice actors need to monitor. No, like you were saying earlier, whether you're in a closet, you know, you're in a PVC pipe booth with a blankets or you have something like a studio bricks, I think it's important to look at what's going on because that's a visual indicator that you gotta move (laugh) and take a break.

Amie Breedlove:
That's interesting. I need to get that monitor as well. I have not done that yet. Um, I think earlier you had mentioned, um, or I had chatted with you about this, Stephanie about getting a plant. Um, that would be, if you have a window in your studio, I suppose, um, that would be good to kind of circulate that air and keep the air cleaner.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
That is a theory, yes, that I have. I, I don't know how how it checks out. You know, we might need to talk to some air quality specialist or an arborist or someone (laugh), but I don't know. But, but just thinking like, you would think that because if plants, you know, create oxygen, like they take in like trees as we know, they'll take in the carbon, um, di or dioxide Yes. Carbon dioxide. Oh, another one of those elements. And then they pump out the oxygen. Right. And so you would, you would think now if anyone out there wants to tell us what the answer is, you are more than welcome to tweet it to us to, to let us all know on Facebook or whatever. But it, you know, you would think you would stand to reason. But I think just even the, the act of opening the door as you were saying, Gina just letting

Gina Scarpa:
mm hmm.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
fresh air in and letting it cycle through. And I think we almost need to get a scientist to come on and

Gina Scarpa:
Yes.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
And help us to walk through some of this because if these are valid concerns, obviously Gina, you've done a lot of testing. You are our, uh, our group (laugh), um, leader for this assignment.

Gina Scarpa:
This is amazing ‘cause in high school I did nothing in science, so I feel like I'm making up for (laugh) all the slacking that I did in chemistry in high school with this little experiment between us. We're like a lab group (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
That's actually be kinda hard. I love it. Right. I love it too. Um, but now let's just go back to the booth one more time. So if you could design your dream booth, what would you have in it to keep yourself comfortable and productive?

Gina Scarpa:
Oh my goodness. That's a really hard question. I mean, for sure I would like air ventilation (laugh), can I have the bare minimum please? Can I have air ventilation? That would be phenomenal. Yeah. But definitely I know some booths, you know, some of some booths that people buy Studiobricks or whatever, you know, you can pump in AC which is nice and I'm jealous that Amie has a vent coming in there. Um, but just a little more space as well. Just, I live in an apartment that is not very big. So the booth I ended up buying was, you know, three by three. And I am also claustrophobic (laugh), so it took me a couple days to even have the courage to shut the door. So I'd like a little more room, some air ventilation and ac and yeah, I'd love a plant in my booth as well. Ever since the two of you said it. I've been thinking about it, but there's definitely no windows in here. Uh, Amie, what about you?

Amie Breedlove:
Honestly, I feel like I have my dream booth now. Um, when we first moved in, uh, this is a very small room. It's the second bedroom of the house and it's so tiny and we're like, okay, that'll be perfect for the booth. We had to cover the window, um, just to make it perfect when we first moved in. And then, uh, up my husband said, no, we're gonna upgrade and get the soundproof window so you'll have a window. So now I have a window and I wanted a comfy chair, so I have my comfy chair.

Gina Scarpa:
Mm-hmm.

Amie Breedlove:
Um, I, I feel like, um, that I'm in my perfect booth. So, um, it's, it's very comfortable.

Gina Scarpa:
Jealous (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
I love that. I love that you're content.

Amie Breedlove:
You need to get a window. Yes. And it's, you know, and when I'm working on my invoicing, I open the window so I get the fresh air in. So Gina, we're gonna get you a window.

Gina Scarpa:
Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. I'm dreaming.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh, and I'm sure everyone is who's listening is also likewise dreaming and thinking. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a window? Wouldn't it be nice to, to be able to see something natural, you know, and get that real daylight streaming in and not some kind of, um, you know, halogen bulb, you know, something else.

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
That's kind of really like, ah, an unnatural, I don't know. Just think, oh, everybody just, it's such a, an interesting career and, and a different way of working than most people, right? Like this is the ergonomics around being a voice tone are just through the roof. Like you've got so much to consider.

Amie Breedlove:
Mm-hmm. Yes, definitely. And oh, if anyone wants to know about this, uh, window, it's great. So I'm happy to share what kind of window it is, too.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Wow. That is fantastic. Oh my goodness. And yeah, just thanking for talent because you want everything to be quiet, you know, be at your window, the door, the treatments, your clothing. Oh, the clothing. Someone really has to come up with a clothing line that is quiet. Like, I don't know how many times I have to throw this out before someone does it

Gina Scarpa:
(laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
But honestly, if you are listening and this is your passion and you are into fashion, run with it. And tell me.

Amie Breedlove:
So, uh, yeah, for the sake of, I don't wear the rain jacket in here. I've run in here and like had my rain jacket on still and it's,

Gina Scarpa:
She's swooshing all over the place. (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh no. That are like, yeah. Funny. Anything that creates the, the friction, the sound. Well just off the top of your heads, what are the worst fabrics to wear in the studio? Because this does impact your experience as well, like, be it leather or who knows?

Gina Scarpa:
No running pants. Running pants. Right. It's the swoosh of the running pants of your legs.

Amie Breedlove:
Yes.

Gina Scarpa:
Definitely not like windbreaker that kind of material. Never in the booth. Don't do it. (laugh).

Amie Breedlove:
Yep. I know. I have this great, um, workout jacket and it's got the, the little, uh, down stuff in the center of it. Oh, (laugh). And yeah, it's got the swooshy sound and I've left that on before and I'm like, okay, what am I doing?

Gina Scarpa:
Yeah. No Swooshy. (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Yeah. No swishy. No, no. Oh my gosh. Okay. Well one day, and maybe you'll have to have you both back on and maybe we'll invite some other ladies on too. And, and maybe, maybe there's guys who care about this, I don't know. But we could have the conversation about what not to wear in the booth and what you should wear. I think that that's an important worthy conversation.

Amie Breedlove:
This Stacy and Clinton episode (laugh). Remember what not to wear. Am I the only one,

Gina Scarpa:
I know what not to wear.

Geoff Bremner:
I I know the show.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh, well, we'll we'll see. We'll get in the show where we talk about fashion in the booth. But for, that's, oh my gosh, we just had so much fun today. I think that the time has totally run away on us, but thank you both for joining us and uh, obviously, uh, you're both known as as professional voice over talent. You both have your own private coaching practices. Um, you know, why don't we learn more about where to find you? So, um, Amie, you go first and then Gina, you go after that.

Amie Breedlove:
Okie dokey. Um, well, um, obviously you can find me on voices.com as a coach. Um, and then if you wanna slide over to my website, it is www.Amiebreedlove.com

Gina Scarpa:
Yes. And I'm also on Voices as a coach. You can find me there or you can go to my website, which is ginascarpa.com or my studio is positivevoicesct.com. And maybe the three of us need a, a spinoff podcast called The Barefoot Experience.

Amie Breedlove:
I love it.

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Oh my goodness.

Gina Scarpa:
Just talk about,

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
We have to talk about that one.

Gina Scarpa:
Health and vocal stuff. (laugh). It's what we talk about anyway. The three of us (laugh).

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
Absolutely. That would be so much fun. Wow. I would love that. And if anyone wants to hear more from the three of us talking off Vox Talk, please be sure to let us know if you enjoy this or if you would like to hear a spinoff podcast. Who knows. So anyway, thank you both for coming. It's been so much fun.

Amie Breedlove:
Thanks

Gina Scarpa:
Hire Stephanie for your compression stockings, (laugh) (laugh),

Stephanie Ciccarelli:
And that's the way we saw the world through the lens of voice over this week. Thank you so much for listening and for joining us today. We had such a great time. I hope you did too, with Gina Scarpa and Amie Breedlove and all the crazy antics we got up to today. So hope that you'll follow up with them. Let them know what you thought about the show and from Voices, I'm Stephanie Ciccarelli. Vox Talk is produced by Geoff Bremner. Thanks again for joining us and we'll see you next week.