We recently had the chance to connect with Melanie Haynes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melanie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For many years, I did a lot of marketing for the voiceover side of my business. Then, when I started splitting my time between Houston home and Los Angeles, I just relied on my long time steady voiceover clients and agents around the country to bring in new work. With the last few years of Covid 19, strikes, and general changes in the business, I’m getting back into learning about current ways of marketing especially for my voiceover business. Part of that is reaching out personally and actually making phone calls to prospective clients which is something I am not comfortable with and have avoided for many years.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In a business that worships youth and fast fame, I am a veteran of many years in voiceover, film, television, and theater. I am rewriting my third act in an age when Hollywood too often tries to render women of a certain age invisible, I’m doubling down – booking roles, stealing scenes, and attempting to make it impossible for the business both on and off camera to look away. I have no intention of fading quietly into the background. I’m getting louder, sharper and more visible.
Welcome to my Act Three. It’s not a swan song. It’s a mic drop.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Although it has surged and waned over the years, my feeling powerful has often come from my performances whether on stage, on camera, or on mic doing voiceovers. My parents had me standing on the kitchen table reciting nursery rhymes at the age of two. I remember being on stage in highlighted roles in school and church productions. Additionally, I satisfied that need to perform by being a cheerleader and twirler, playing piano, singing and playing in the band in school and church. I started taking dancing at the age of 4. I went back to dancing after college and danced with Patsy Swayze’s Houston Jazz Ballet Company. Performing has definitely always been my calling.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self you are enough as you are right now.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I believe that what you see is what you get with me. I’ve never tried to pretend to be something I’m not except for my acting roles. And even in performing those roles, I try to bring in some part of myself.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I believe I could give everything my best no matter whether being praised or not as the need to do my best comes from within. At this stage of my life, I’m used to not always getting praise for my work whether personal or professional, but I always try to do my best so that I feel that I’ve left nothing on the table. I have become better at deciding which things need full focus and which I can let slide for my own peace of mind and health.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.melaniehaynes.com
- Instagram: melaniehaynes_actor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniehaynes/
- Twitter: @melanie_haynes1
- Facebook: Melanie Haynes Actor & Voice Talent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Melaniehaynes and https://www.youtube.com/user/melaniehaynesactress
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/melanie-haynes-voice-over
- Other: http://www.imdb.me/melaniehaynes
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