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#WFH Diaries: Brent Allen Hagel of Trailer Voice Artists
As confinement continues in most parts of the world, we’re checking in with creative people to see how they’re faring. Here’s an update from Brent Allen Hagel, owner of Trailer Voice Artists in L.A.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
I’m Brent Allen Hagel, the owner of Trailer Voice Artists, a marketing and talent development company that specializes in voices for theatrical trailers and promotional campaigns.
Where are you living right now, and who’s with you?
I am at my home in Thousand Oaks, California, with my wife Ivy, our son Lucas (3.5 years old) and daughter Kelly (7 months old).
What’s your work situation like at the moment?
Currently I work from the home studio and have Kelly in her high chair and Lucas comes in and out to play with the microphone and touch buttons. My wife has been a real champion trying to keep the noise down from the kids during any recording and directing voice sessions.
Describe your socializing strategy.
ZOOM! We’ve been doing Sunday workout groups and booking guest directors in the mornings from trailer houses and networks to work with the team for team voice trainings and this also gives us a chance to socialize. It’s been great working directly with editors and production coordinators to provide clients exactly what they need to give a quality product.
How are you dealing with childcare?
My wife and I are taking turns with the kids, and we’ve become quite the team. She left her job when Kelly was born and is focusing on her MBA degree. So we were already planning on a work-from-home life.
What are you reading?
Mostly helping my wife with her MBA degree, so reading a lot about team management and helping to write papers about marketing and maximizing revenue streams. I’m getting the “unofficial degree” through all the assigned readings.
What are you watching?
Well, with the kids, mostly PBS Kids and Nick’s Noggin. But we watched Ozark and Westworld and some of our favorites at night. My wife always asks me about the plot, like I wrote the show … lol… “Just keep watching, the show will explain honey.”
What are you listening to?
Dude. Synthwave. Also, of course, all the YouTube channels of the trailer music composers.
How are you staying fit?
Chasing children on tiny kick scooters and doing baby diaper change lifts. We got the bikes out, too, and have been doing laps.
Have you taken up a hobby?
No. I’m still working hard trying to connect talent with voice buyers. This is an opportunity for me to connect with creatives who are usually too busy to talk.
Any tips for getting necessities?
We’ve been doing solo morning runs once a week to the Ralphs (Kroger) and the Latino market.
An awkward moment since all this started.
Getting creative with the supplies on hand in the kitchen making food, for sure. We’ve been pretty creative. I was a chef before I got into the voice talent business. So the first couple meals I got some strange looks from my wife about what was on her plate. “Come on, just try it?!”
Best work email you got since all this started.
That the Clios will have a voiceover category this year!!!
An aha! moment since all this started.
Regardless of job titles, people are just people.
What’s your theory on how this is going to play out?
I think it will end very soon and people will begin following their hearts instead of chasing money. They will be more conscious of what they are investing their time and energy into, and prioritize personal happiness. Maybe Gary Vaynerchuk was right?!
