Seven-Yoop Did you know at age four what you wanted to be when you grew up? Well, neither did I, but it turns out I was practicing for a career in voice over at that early age. Still learning to read, I was riding through in the car with my mother when we passed a 7-Up billboard. “Seven Yoop!” I pointed proudly at the sign as I read aloud. She eventually stopped making fun of me for that and I continued reading signs and billboards like the announcers on tv. The Boy Who Hid As a boy, I was captivated by performers on television, especially magicians and impersonators. Then there were The Muppets, the epitome of surrealism in our living rooms. Watching all these professionals entertain and make people smile made me desperately want to be one of them, but there was one tiny little catch: I was incredibly shy, the kid who would take an “F” in class rather than stand up in front of everyone to give a report. So, I practiced magic and puppets in a mirror in my room. Someday We’ll Find It Over the years, I searched for my ideal creative outlet, working professionally in cartooning, sound design, magic, puppetry, editing, filmmaking, acting, and radio. I found that voice over draws all these passions together, using one’s voice as a brush, painting a picture for the listener. I no longer mind performing in front of people and hearing the laughter of your audience is always a rush, but I do love being in my studio. And I still read signs and billboards aloud.