When someone asks you to come to Texas Funimation to do voice acting for them do it! With not much experience Micah Solusod had the luck of trying out as voice talent for Funimation. He didn’t think he’d get it, but people in the anime industry saw potential in him and developed it. Now he’s played some of the most iconic characters in anime from Soul Eater Evans in “Soul Eater” to Yuri Pilsetsky in “Yuri on Ice.” What personality traits bring a talented artist like Micah into the anime world for us to enjoy? Dedication, persistence, taking on most opportunities, and following through on his work helped him get where he is.
From comedy drummer to lead role in a play during high school, Micah knew he liked acting. The problem was he has social anxiety. Luckily, he discovered voice acting. After doing indie video games and other projects Micah got his lucky break relatively early after his first year in college. His friends made him aware that Funimation was hiring voice actors. There was one stipulation that seemed to eliminate him. People trying out had to be in the Texas area, and Micah lived in Hawaii. It should be said if you like doing something just do it because you never know what will happen. He put together a demo reel of voice acting, sent it to Funimation, and to his surprise they called him to audition to Texas. Micah could’ve stopped then and there with his dream because he almost didn’t believe it was really happening, but he took a small vacation to Texas. When he was done they asked him to come back again, and being young he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Micah didn’t believe they were serious, but he talked it over with the important people in his life and took the big step in going back to Texas where he was developed into a great voice actor.
There was a lot of luck involved, but also a lot of initiative taken on by Micah. Most people never do a demo reel, most people never leave their city to do something they love, and most people would never take a chance to move to another place to pursue their dream. Those are indeed big life choices and chances. Following through on most of those things is daunting. If we can learn one thing from Micah’s journey to voice actor it’s just do what you love, take on projects, enjoy it, follow through, and finish things. These lessons are especially vital for any artists attempting to do something of financial worth because if Micah didn’t do those things he’d be going to a typical 9-5 job that he probably wouldn’t enjoy as much to make money. Most of all his dream of acting in some manner may not have ever been realized. Would he still be voice acting for little to no pay in indie games? Or would he have just quite voice acting altogether eventually since it wouldn’t bring financial rewards if he didn’t have the traits of taking chances, and following through with his art?
It should be important to note that the little details add up to help someone be a paid creator in their art. Micah consulted his friends and family before going back to Texas, and from there Micah had mentors who taught him the ways of voice acting. Although this wasn’t talked about in depth much by Micah mentors are very important. Many artists are closed off from learning others, and most artist only have mentors on Youtube. While that’s great learning from actual established artists from your art is vital. As a performing flamenco guitarist and DJ I simply wouldn’t be who I am without them. They can teach you the right exercises, give you the right performance experiences, and get you immersed in the real life culture of your art.
People make their own luck and chance in becoming paid artists through many traits like dedication, persistence, and following through on what they do like Micah. For those who never get the accolades they may deserve, want, or are aiming for in their art just remember you’re doing what you love. Art in any form contributes to the world so enjoy the journey. Micah’s story might seem like it was all by chance, but the truth is there’s a lot more to the story. Even though his route was relatively easy compared to many artists such as Vincent van Gogh who lived a miserable life and was never recognized in his lifetime, Micah still had to be willing to put in the dedication, work, and following through regardless of any promised rewards.
