Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Dina Sherman Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Casting people work their butts off to fill the roles for their clients. They want to look good and be hired back, so they are counting on us to do our job. They are humans and really do want us to do our best. Keep that in mind when you audition and follow up with thank you notes. In fact, always be sure to thank people.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dina Sherman.
Dina has a passion and commitment to storytelling through portraying unique and authentic characters. A professional voice-over artist for decades, she is known as the “Voice of the Annie Awards” and her credits include, stage, TV and film, to animation, anime, video games and commercials.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I am so excited to be doing this with you, sure! I grew up in Southern California. My first job was at Disneyland, and I was several of the characters. Now, don’t go thinking I got picked to play Snow White or another princess, nope! Dopey! My first character was the smallest, silliest dwarf. I loved it! I also played several other costume characters in parades and parks, this is before people lined up for autographs and photos, we just got mobbed. I also auditioned and was cast in several shows in Disneyland. I loved to dance, and I was probably the youngest, newest kid to be cast in the shows. It was exciting and daunting.
When I went off to college at UCLA, I would come home on the weekends and watch Saturday morning cartoons with my brothers. I loved cartoons! I was always copying the characters and trying out new stuff. In high school, I competed on the debate team in humorous and dramatic interpretation. I won state and national awards for my many character performances. On those fabulous Saturdays, I would bribe my baby brother to ride his bike up to the local store and buy us chocolate Pop-Tarts. I remember my dad coming downstairs and quasi-yelling at me, “I send and pay for you to go to college and you come home and all you do is watch cartoons?!” Well, Dad, I think college and the cartoons have paid off!
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Yes, there is a really cool “Hollywood” story. After college, I was a struggling on-camera actress. I was busy doing plays, TV and some films. I was getting some credits to my name, but I was pounding the pavement and casting director workshops looking for work. It was at one of those workshops that I got “discovered”. After I finished my scene with my scene partner, I sat down and the casting director, Roger Mussenden, a big-time film casting director, barked out, “Dina, call my office tomorrow.” Every actor in the room turned and gaped at me. I was so excited, this was it! The next day I called his office and he got on the phone and told me to call his buddy Jeff Danis at ICM and talk to him about voiceovers. Wait, what?! I was being told I had the perfect face for radio?!
Back then, animation was almost gone. The Little Mermaid had just come out and started the rebirth of the animation world. Well, that and a bunch of cartoon studios came into existence. My world changed and I couldn’t be happier!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
The most interesting? Well, this is pretty interesting and now awesome. Way back in the late 90s, and early 2000s, there was this “underground” anime work. Nobody really heard of it and the agents and unions wouldn’t cover it. It wasn’t acknowledged as “real’ animation work. We didn’t talk about it. I was lucky and got to work on a lot of shows that were recorded under pseudonyms, we didn’t know the real titles. It was dubbing work, which is a lot harder than animation and it paid horribly! I think we made around $132 for 2 hours of work. Today, anime is huge! There is this ginormous fan base around the world and I have just started attending conventions. These shows that paid nothing, are now allowing me to make money and meet some amazing fans and followers. It’s crazy! Sometimes fans come up and tell me the shows I was on, and now I know the names of those shows I recorded 2 decades ago.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Oh dear, it is not the funniest story, but I did learn my biggest lesson. It was early in my career and I was cast on an animated series. I finally got to voice a little boy, I was mostly doing girl kids and teens and young 20s. This was my first kid-boy role. A few episodes in, the producer called me into his office. He asked me if I could do any other boy voices. I didn’t have any others, that was the one! Well, one of the other actresses was voicing two characters, one being a little boy and it was too close to mine. They couldn’t ask her to change, she already was doing two. I was let go on the spot. It was devastating. However, I now have so many different voices for boys of various ages, real and animated sounding, in my arsenal. I will never make that mistake again.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
A job I am particularly proud of is being the live announcer of the Annie Awards for 19 years now. The Annie’s is the highest award given to animation in TV and Film. Yes, they have the category in both the Emmys and Oscars, but Annie’s honors those solely in the animation world. It is an awesome show and inspiring to be around all that talent.
Back in 2005, I was working on a series called Biker Mice From Mars. The producer, Tom Taratanowicz, was on the board of ASIFA Hollywood, the organization that puts on the Annie Awards. He approached me and asked if I would be interested in being the live announcer for the Annie Awards show coming up. I said sure (although I had never announced a live awards show before, I had experience working live performances and with voiceovers), why not? My first year went off great! I wasn’t sure if they would ask me back, but they did, again and again and again. One year they didn’t call me back and I thought I had lost the gig. So, I had my agent reach out. They forgot to email me and just assumed I was announcing again that year! After that, they told me the job was mine and branded me “The Voice of the Annie Awards”. Thanks to Tom T. for casting me in the series and recommending me for such an amazing show, he made a big difference in my life.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Don’t quit your day job! No, seriously, and on more than just the financial level. Getting into this business is expensive. You now have to have your own home studio equipment and that means you are now competing against people from all over the country and around the world. You have to invest in classes; voice-over, acting, improv classes, making your demos, and more. So make sure you have a stable foundation financially.
Yet, it’s more than that. Having a job and life outside your booth gives you real and different perspectives. Voiceovers are more than just making funny voices, it’s bringing real characters to life. Commercial copy these days are all about being “real and conversational”. This direction is on almost every commercial audition I get. One way of keeping it real is to imagine talking to someone in your life. For example, we all have friends or family we can joke with, share secrets with, inform or learn from, etc., and these relationships and how you would talk to them color your auditions/jobs. This keeps it sounding real and uniquely you. So, yeah, don’t quit your day job! Make money and keep collecting characters and inspirations from the world around you.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
I have seen so many changes in my years and years as a voice artist. My first demo reels were actually on reel-to-reel tape. Imagine those old movies in the 70s or 80s when they showed computers and those reel things spinning with that flat brown ribbon going from one through the computer to the other. Kind of like old film projectors, but smaller. Yup! Those were my first animation and commercial demo reels. Back when I started dubbing, they would have to literally, and I mean literally, cut the audio tape with a razor blade to match it to the picture tape. We had to be so precise. Now it’s all done by computer and software. It still takes a certain skill set to dub to picture correctly, but there is definitely way more leeway than “back in the day.”
The tech boom really helped our industry blossom. I would like to hope that AI will help too and not replace us! We are all very worried about what this new technology can do. I think the advancements created with AI are amazing and should be used to enhance what artists do, not replace the human element. I guess if I were to answer this question in a sentence it would be to see the industry embracing the artists and using AI tech to only enhance and support what we complicated, imperfect, amazing humans can create.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
Awe, thanks. There have been some fun ones for sure. I am working on a few things now, but sadly I am under NDAs so I can’t talk about them yet. I can’t wait to share and when I get the green light, I promise to post everywhere.
My passion project I created during Covid, a Made for Kids Youtube Channel, DinaShermanStoriesAndMore is something I am so proud of and still finding ways to build upon.
https://www.youtube.com/@DinaShermanStoriesAndMore
I created video readings of well-known children’s books, as well as wonderful stories by new authors from around the world. I also produced fun content that helped kids through the pandemic as well as educated them about all the federal US holidays. There are well over 100+ unique content videos up on my channel. I hope to be adding more soon.
Besides continuing to audition and work on some of my current projects, like Bleach, Genshin Impact, and Pororo, I am also producing an animated series for adults, or grown-up boys. It is nasty and edgy, full of fart jokes, and pretty funny. I’m so glad I went to college, raised 2 kids and now I can create something I’m sure my dad would be proud of. Well, at least we know it won’t be on Saturday mornings.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Rudine Sims Bishop wrote about “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” as it relates to children’s books and I believe it can also be applied here to TV and film. Bishop states that books should be “mirrors” that reflect the lives of readers, “windows” that allow readers to see into the lives, stories, and cultures of others, and “sliding glass doors” that enable readers to be transported into a story and become part of that world and experience. I believe any project will always be enhanced when you have people from all walks of life represented at the table. Sharing stories and perspectives from all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, abilities, and ages adds such flavor and nuance, it makes our stories better, our projects better and our lives more open and understanding. Diversity broadens our empathy and we all can grow with that.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
Five things, well, I wish someone had told me it was a business first. In my end of the industry, we are all creatives and business seems so outside of our wheelhouse, but it shouldn’t be. I am also my product. Know how to sell your “product” and what it is worth. Treat your career like a business; market, promote, and sell what you can do. However, learn the rules of the business and do it professionally. I was at an industry event and the host of the show was standing with me and we were chatting with some producers. They loved him! He did an amazing job and works a ton. I watched him pitch himself and ask for work. It was not the time or place and I watched their faces change. I learned at that moment that a simple sentence like, “Let me know if there is anything I can do for one of your projects, I’d love to work with you,” would have been fine. He didn’t need to give his “elevator pitch.”
Network. Network. Network. Build relationships with people. In almost all businesses, people want to work with their friends. Join organizations that revolve around your business and meet people, but don’t pitch yourself to anyone unless they ask, and then keep it short and focused on your strengths. Build those relationships! A few years ago, I was hired to interview the celebrity award winners on the red carpet for an animation awards show. I bumped into a producer friend of mine I hadn’t seen in a while. I asked how she was doing and she was super excited because she was about to start work on her pilot. I was genuinely excited for her! Before we parted ways, I mentioned if there was a role I was right for, please keep me in mind. She said she would have a casting call me. The next morning, casting did call me! Long story short, I auditioned and booked the role! Crazy enough, it was for an on-camera role, not the voices of the dolls. I was shocked, but thank goodness, I had years of being on sets and knowing how that works, I was prepared for the first day of shooting. It went great, and the pilot is fabulously fun! Hopefully, it will become a series someday soon.
Casting people work their butts off to fill the roles for their clients. They want to look good and be hired back, so they are counting on us to do our job. They are humans and really do want us to do our best. Keep that in mind when you audition and follow up with thank you notes. In fact, always be sure to thank people.
Acting first, voice second. Everyone and their nanny’s husband (true story) think they can do funny voices. Sure, we all can create a funny voice, but can you act? Can you sustain the voice and the character for a 4-hour session, or months or even years at a time? Can you bring life to a scene and tell the story with other actors? Take classes! Acting classes, improv, workshops, and casting director workshops when you are ready. Keep honing your craft. Keep learning and growing your repertoire and skill set.
The person paying you is the only one who is right. When I coach now, I always share this piece of advice. The director or producer knows the aesthetic and flow of the show. They know what is needed in the story they’re telling. If they see the character a little differently than you do or want a different read on a line then you think, let go of your choice and take the direction. Let go of your ego, they are paying you, so they are right. Unless you are a celebrity and know better, take off that hat and just fulfill the role. It’s about the whole project, not just you. By the way, I once heard the studio recording of a celebrity recording session where this big-name star was arguing with the director. After several tries by the director to get the actor to deliver the lines with a certain attitude, the celebrity finally popped off with something along the lines of, “I know my character and this is how he would say it.” He came off like a rude idiot. I was in a class listening to this and we all laughed uncomfortably and were horrified. Now that I think about it, said celebrity is not working anymore.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
Let me break down this question a little. There are things I’ve learned along the way that help keep me balanced. For example, don’t judge yourself when you get a break from the busyness of ‘the business’ and life. Enjoy it!
When my kids were young, I found myself with a 2-hour window of time in the middle of the day. I went to the library, checked out a book, and went across the street to this beautiful restaurant. I ordered a lovely salad and iced tea and sat down to read my borrowed book. As hard as I tried, I kept thinking of all the things I should be doing. I was totally shying on myself! (I should be doing this! I should be doing that, etc.) When it was time, I left and went about my busy day, not much refreshed and worried I wouldn’t get everything done. Well, it was three months before I got another two-hour window again! When it came, I went back to the library and restaurant, and this time I fully enjoyed my time to relax. I promised myself then and there, I would never “should” on myself again when the opportunity to find time for wellbeing came around again. I learned to not judge myself so harshly and embrace these special moments, especially when they can be shared with family or a friend.
In regards to my work, I never really thought of what I do as routines or treatments. I know my instrument is my voice and I need to keep it, and my body, in shape and healthy. I walk my dog at least a mile every day and go to the gym 2–3 times a week. Before recording, I warm up my voice and throat. I have a bunch of vocal and singing warm-ups I do so that I don’t strain or lose my voice. By the way, I am very careful at big parties or loud crowds especially if I have to record the next day. I can’t afford to be hoarse. And no, I don’t scream on roller coasters anymore. If you are interested in a quick and fabulous vocal warm-up that is also perfect for public speaking, check out How to Warm Up on YouTube. I use Shana’s exercises too.
I don’t know if this answers your question, but I find that helping others helps my mind, heart, and soul thrive. I volunteer for several organizations that help bring literacy to homeless and underserved children. I also participate in organizations where I can mentor or advise at-risk youth. I coach voiceovers as well, some private and some I volunteer through workshops. Since the 1990s up until the pandemic, I have been bringing my unique skill set to classrooms and sharing the joy of reading with kids in elementary school. I have spearheaded fabulous events for the Alzheimer’s Association, KureIt Cancer Research, and Game Changer Charity. For years, my son and I created these amazing and fun charity events. We started when he was 10. I watched him grow and learn how to interact with adults, create successful events, inspire his friends, and make a difference in the lives of others. I can’t help but smile when I think of all the events we did together and the amazing young man he has become. Inspiring others and helping them overcome obstacles to achieve their goals, really does make you feel good too. I always say to my kids, “Put your passion to a purpose.” When you find something you love to do, explore ways you can share it to help others.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Preparation + Opportunity = Success” or “Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
I love this quote, it is so true. When you work and prepare for something you want and someone opens the door of opportunity, that is when you find success. A good example just happened recently, I was at The World Animation Summit in November and sitting at lunch when I overheard the lady next to me pitching her cartoon to some other people at the table. It is a really cute show and I asked her about the characters. She was raising money to do a pilot and for fun I started improving a scene between the two main characters. She loved it and so did the folks at the table. She hired me and I recorded the pilot two weeks later. At KidScreen in San Diego this February, everyone was pitching their animation projects. I would listen carefully to the stories and ideas of what they were looking for and provide a little voice sample for their characters. I will be recording another new pilot next week, with hopefully more to come.
“How can I solve your problem? This is what I can do to bring your project to life.” All my years of training and working in my field, prepared me for these amazing opportunities, and getting hired is successfully achieving my goals.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Something that I am personally passionate about is joining the movement to bring literacy to children with home insecurities! These families are often being moved from shelter to shelter while trying to find work and care for their kids, but these children’s academic needs are being forgotten and they need more accessible support. Many organizations are trying to provide support for struggling students and their parents. I have been involved with one in particular and they are trying to make a difference, but it’s just not enough. I work with early elementary students and they are so far behind. For example, the third grader I worked with was reading at a kindergarten level, it’s clear the pandemic took a toll on their education. When working with these students, I feel so sad and frustrated because these kids are not getting the attention and resources they need to become proficient readers and succeed academically. We need to find a better way to support these students so that they meet academic standards, as this would help them break the cycle of inequity. Education especially literacy, makes a huge difference in children’s lives and helps better prepare them for the future. If I could inspire others, it would be to put our heads together and find a way to help create stronger support systems with better access to education for children struggling with home insecurities. I think together we could find a way to really make a difference for the youth of our country.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Hugh Jackman. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my “hall pass” or “island man” first. I would love to have lunch with him and if he somehow decided to break into song, I wouldn’t tell him to stop.
I would also love to have lunch with Wayne Brady. That man is a comic god. You’ve heard of Zeus, Ares, and Apollo, well, he is humorous, the God of inspired comedy. Ok, not really, but Wayne is a comedy genius! His ability to improv as well as to make up songs is inspiring. I love improv and I constantly make up my own lyrics to songs. Nothing I care to share, but, okay, wait, there was this one time, I’ll share this with you, but please don’t judge me. I was auditioning for this early elementary-age, children’s cartoon, that will remain unnamed, and part of the audition was to sing this cute little song. They provided background music and the lyrics. It was sweet and simple. For fun, I recorded another version for my agent to make him laugh. I sometimes do that, if I have time. Anyway, in my “never to be shared” version I changed the lyrics to “Pop pop popping those pills. Do, do, do you know it’s good for you, only if you take it with a prescription…” It was very funny (and wrong) sung to that sweet little tune, but the real embarrassment came when my four-year-old decided to sing it in Rite-Aid at the top of his sweet little voice! I didn’t know he could hear me practicing, nor did I think he would remember it, let alone pick there of all places to sing it! Good grief!
Anyway, back to Wayne Brady. Having lunch and chatting about comedy and funny things would be amazing. Being able to improv with him would be an absolute dream!
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Yes. I try to stay active on social media. You can find me
LinkedIn — Dina Sherman https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-sherman
Facebook -@dinasherman https://www.facebook.com/dina.sherman1
Instagram — @dinsherman https://www.instagram.com/dinasherman/
Twitter/X — @dinasherman https://twitter.com/DinaSherman
TikTok — @dinasherman21 https://www.tiktok.com/@dinasherman21?_t=8lMkyzPPOVX&_r=1
Website — www.dinasherman.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DinaShermanStoriesAndMore
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for inviting me and letting me share my story. I hope it inspires others to follow their passion.
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
