How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
So you want to be a voice actor. You wouldn't be here otherwise. And no matter what you do or
say, it seems like an impossibility. After all, how do you even get started? It's the same question
that's been asked over and over, so here's the answer, straight from professional voice actors
themselves!
1.) Get as much acting experience as possible (and music doesn't hurt either).
"Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. The more you play with your voice, the more fun
you can have with your voice, the better you will be...the important part of voice ACTing. If you
can catch the verbal hint when I say voice ACTING… is the ACTING part in voice ACTING. If
you can do voices, wonderful; if you can’t act, you can’t work.
"
-- Scott McNeil
"Any kind of acting, theater experience, improv, and kind of acting in general is good. You
have soooo many things you have to think about in the [recording] booth. Music also helps. A
lot of voice actors have musical backgrounds as well. It helps with the matching of lip flaps [the
character’s mouth movements] when you are comfortable with music patterns.
But acting....please acting..."
-- Monica Rial
"...get involved in school plays and community theater groups. Remember, the most
important part of voice-acting is the acting. "
-- Veronica Taylor
Acting experience is key. No matter where you are, you can find a way to get acting experience.
Look for school plays, church plays, community theater, or anything that will give you some
solid experience. Google is your friend in these endeavors. Why? Well voice acting is part voice
and part...::drumroll:: acting! And the acting is a very big part of it. Any sort of experience in
acting will make you better. While some may argue that stage acting and voice acting are too
1 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
different, we'll leave that for a different article. If you're interested in getting into dubbing, music
is also very helpful. The musical training helps you with timing. If you ever watch the Princess
Mononoke commentary, you'll hear the director mention that drummer Billy Bob Thornton had a
much easier time with dubbing his character due to his musical background. Dubbing adds
another layer of difficulty since you have to act well and pay attention to timing. Getting into
music will help. But more than anything, practicing acting is the way to go. If you're looking for
even more than just stage work, there are even places on line where you can practice voice
acting (see our handy links section). The other very important thing you will get from this is
networking. Networking is key! The more people you know in the industry, the better off you are.
Your director might be best friends with someone looking for fresh talent, or your costar might
be someone who will go pro in a few months. Wouldn't you want to be friends with them?
2.) Take acting classes, especially improv.
"Unfortunately, there are no voice-over colleges, but I highly recommend all sorts of classes,
especially acting, scene study and improv. "
-- Tara Strong
"Take a class / workshop on acting or improvisation. Nothing beats a solid foundation.
Improvisation is one of the best skills a voice actor can have because you never
know what you may be expected to do. Classes and workshop are totally valuable
because you have a chance to work on your skills while bouncing ideas off of other
people. The critique and feedback are priceless. "
-- Greg Ayres
There's only so much you can do to improve on your own. And yes, I know you're already quite
awesome at voice acting. But don't you want to be even more super awesome? Then take
classes! They'll teach you sneaky little tricks you never knew. If your teacher is good, he or she
will be able to draw new voices out of you (more voices = more work), and improv is especially
useful as most voice acting is done cold (without seeing the script ahead of time). Plus...you get
the all important networking factor! Most voiceover teachers or coaches have plenty of
connections in the professional world. Many are professional voice actors themselves, or even
directors. Taking a class with them is a golden opportunity to get noticed by someone in the pro
world. That being said, do yourself a favor and don't try to show off. While talent is a large part
2 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
of voice acting, no one's going to take in a newcomer who looks like they're going to be
obnoxious.
3.) Make a demo reel.
"In order to get an agent interested in representing you, you will need a professionally
produced commercial demo. The demo is comprised of roughly 90 seconds of excerpts of
different commercial scripts. The excerpts need to show range (energetic, warm, authoritative,
etc). "
-- Kyle Hebert
The demo reel is your resume/business card/lifeblood/whatever. It is, in short, a sampling of
your best voices that you send out to agencies in the hopes that they'll decide to represent you.
Basically, it's your two minutes to show off what you can do in terms of voices, acting, and
delivery. Back in the day, they were tapes. These days with all sorts of newfangled digital
things, most demo reels are on CD (or sometimes MP3). For more about demo reels, read the
article " The Demo Reel and YOU ."
4.) Go where the work is.
"...you'll eventually have to move to one of the cities where it's really happening, like NYC or
LA. "
-- Yuri Lowenthal
"...you must live in the city where the work is done. That would be Vancouver, LA, Houston,
3 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
Dallas & NYC. "
-- Vic Mignogna
"You must live in a city where animation voice over work is being produced. This is vital. Too
many people think they can just plug a microphone into their computer and get work as a
voice-over artist from the convenience of their own home. Doesn't work that way. You must live
where you can meet people and make connections. "
-- Crispin Freeman
First off, yes, there are voice actors who do their work online. But they have professional quality
home studios (once again, another article). Plus, they do mostly smaller work. You won't get
picked up big a larger studio (and especially not a dubbing studio) if you can't come in to their
own studio to record. Second, yes there is such a thing as a phone patch where one studio
connects to another one that's far, far away. You're likely not going to get that offer unless
you're already an established talent. So go where the work is. LA and NYC are the big hubs for
voice acting, with LA being decently larger (and it has Bang Zoom! if you care about dubbing). If
you're looking for dubbing, Dallas, TX is home to FUNimation (Houston was ADV's hub, but
ADV doesn't really...dub anymore), but you won't find a whole lot of work outside of that.
Canadians will find the hub of voice acting to be Vancouver. So why do you even have to live in
the area? Why not just fly in to record and then be on your merry way? Voice acting doesn't
work that way. Sometimes emergenies come up, sometimes schedules change, and sometimes
they absolutely need you in to record tomorrow. Directors and studios will look for someone who
can be there tomorrow if they're needed. While it is possible to ferry back and forth between
cities (some actors do it), keep in mind that they are already well-established voice actors and
it's not reasonable or cost-effective for someone trying to break into the business.
Aaaand there you go. Ask any voice actor, director, or anyone in the business and this is the
answer you'll get.
4 / 4
Friday, July 31, 2009
How do I become a voice actor?
When Do You Need a Demo?
When Do You Need a Demo?
Written by Morgan Barnhart
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 23:07 -
The short answer is: Whenever you're ready to send it off to agents.
However, when you're learning and training online, there are pros and cons of making demos.
Pros:
-You get critiques from your fellow voice acting peers.
-The possibility of scouting from your fellow producing peers.
-The chance to show off your progression.
Cons:
-If it's poorly mixed, you'll scare people off more than bring them in.
-If you're unaware of how to make a demo, but you make one anyway and it sounds
amateur-ish, you'll again, scare people off.
-People have a tendancy to remember the bad instead of the good. So if your demo doesn't
showcase who you are as a voice actor, they'll remember that and will almost instantly put you
into their list of 'voice actors I will never use'.
Now, do the cons much matter in the amteur world? Sort of. If you want to gain training and
1 / 2
When Do You Need a Demo?
Written by Morgan Barnhart
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 23:07 -
experience before going pro, you'll want all the support and roles you can get. And if you
pre-maturley present a demo to the public before you're ready, it's going to reflect on your
negatively.
Can you regain people's attention by bringing out a new, more awesome demo? Most
definitely.
However, what I'm trying to say, is that you DO NOT need a demo right away. At least not while
you're training and trying to become the best voice actor around. Get some experience and
training under your belt first before making that demo.
Will it hurt your chances of getting scouted if you don't have a demo? Maybe. Producers do
listen to productions and if they happen to like your performance in a production they've heard
you in, then that's one way they can scout you.
But you don't need to rely on scouting. You need to get out there and audition, audition,
audition!
Now, when you go pro, that's when a demo is your life-line. A demo showcases your talents and
is necessary to get an agent or to get any roles, period.
So when you're just starting out, chill back, relax and audition your little heart out, you'll be able
to make that demo reel when you're ready to go pro.
2 / 2
Where are the opportunities?
Where are the opportunities?
Written by Morgan Barnhart
Sunday, 21 June 2009 23:24 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 02:18
One of the biggest inquiries we hear are people wondering where the opportunities are. They
should be asking, where AREN'T the opportunities?
Here are a few of the opportunities you'll come across on your journey to becoming a voice
actor:
-Podcasts
-Video tutorials
-Radio ads
-Web intros
-Narrations
-Phone messages
-Audio Books
-Video games
-Animations
1 / 2
Where are the opportunities?
Written by Morgan Barnhart
Sunday, 21 June 2009 23:24 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 02:18
-Localization (Dubbing)
And that's just a FEW of the options. Look around and listen to all of the opportunities around
you. Voice actors are needed everywhere. Opportunities are endless, but only if you're willing to
go after all of them.
There are some people who are only interested in the anime industry or just the video game
industry or just the audio book industry, etc. If you limit yourself to only one industry, your
chances of getting in decrease immensely. That's not to say that you won't get in eventually, but
it could take you a very long time. If you look at all venues, you have a broader range of places
to network, opportunities, and pay. Ask any professional voice actor, and they'll tell you the real
money is in commercials. Cartoons might be a whole lot more fun, but they certainly don't pay
the bills. If you intend to pursue voice acting as a living, you must consider all forms of voice
acting, not just one.
So what does that mean for you? It means that even if you don't live in one of the big cities,
there are still plenty of ways to get experience. Look for local radio stations that need someone
on the air. Find charities looking for people to do public service announcements. Maybe the
local bus system needs a new recording of someone announcing the next stop. In many larger
cities, newspapers hire people to read articles for the blind. Not only is this a great way to get
practice, it's a steady source of work - after all, there's new news every day! Call around. Ask
places if they need another DJ or someone to do announcements at the mall or a local game
tournament.
There's nothing wrong with aggressively going after one area of interest, but try to consider
going after the others as well, just to keep your options open and hopefully keeping your
work-flow steady. Voice acting is everywhere, take advantage of it!
2 / 2
East Coast, West Coast, Online?
East Coast, West Coast, Online?
Written by Morgan Barnhart
Monday, 22 June 2009 00:01 -
Thanks to the internet, it's incredibly easy and simple to voice act online. Sites like Voices.com
and Voice123.com make it easier than ever to audition and send completed audio through
email.
However, people believe that because it's so easy to voice act online, that living in LA or NY is
obsolete. Which is far from the truth.
One of our article writers known as Rina, used to live in Alaska and would voice act online.
However, she quickly realized that in order to go pro like she had always dreamed, she would
have to move to LA.
Let's give an example of why it's so important to physically be in LA or NY (or even Chicago or
Texas). Places like Adult Swim and FUNimation will not hire voice actors online. They need the
voice actors to be there in person so they may watch what they're dubbing and so the director
can direct them in person.
Directors want everything to be perfect, and they don't want to waste any time doing it. That's
why so many places want you to be there in person so they can get it done right then and there
within three takes or less. They don't want to spend days going back and forth with a voice actor
through email, asking them for redos.
Of course there are those that don't mind waiting for a response and redos, and voice actors
are rather quick to reply when it comes to paying work.
But those directors that are willing to wait, are truly few and far between. The jobs that you see
on Voices.com and Voice123.com is such a small number of auditions that are going on
everyday in LA or NY.
1 / 1
The Demo Reel and YOU
The Demo Reel and YOU
Written by Ayu
Monday, 22 June 2009 03:05 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:09
Your demo reel is your business card. It's your resume. It's your chance to prove what you're
capable of. A demo reel is typically an audio clip a minute or two in length that features a
selection of voices and emotions that you are capable of. Demo reels are sent out potential
agents and anyone looking for a voice. Your demo represents all that you can do. It should
showcase all of your best voices and emotions. It's your chance to get someone to sit down and
actually listen to what you can do. Done right, you'll attract a lot of attention. Done
wrong...you're not likely to get a second chance. For an experienced voiceover artist, the demo
reel is a collection of previous work they've done. For the new actor trying to break it, the demo
reel is a collection of lines and reads meant to sound like previous work. There are different
types of demo reels for different sorts of casting, and it's not a good idea to mix types.
Commercial - The commercial reel showcases voices you would use for commercials. It's as
simple as that. There are different "types" of commercial voices like hard and soft sells, sensual
types, friendly types, and so on (we will go in depth on this in another article). If you are looking
for material to read for a commercial demo, look through magazines and clip out lines from the
ads. When it comes to the commercial reel, how well you sell the product is the most important
part. While it's best to avoid using the exact same voice for each read, similar voices are fine as
long as you are selling your product.
Character - The character reel is all the voices you'd do for "characters," in things like cartoons,
video games, audio dramas, computer games, etc. Basically, things that sound less like real
people and more like characters. You want your character reel to show as much vocal range as
possible in terms of pitch, delivery, and accents.
Do not rush into creating a demo reel. This is the first thing that agents and producers here from
you; you want it to be the best. Spend time scripting out things that show off your best side.
Listen to professional demo reels and figure out which ones sound really good to you. Why did
you like them? What did they do right? What about the ones you didn't like? What did they do
wrong? Make sure your demo doesn't drag in any places. You don't want the listener to ever
get bored of your voice. Avoid putting similar voices or reads together. Utilize our forums and
get feedback on your demo. When you're ready record your demo in a professional studio and
have it mixed by a professional engineer. These people are paid to make you sound good. They
will make you sound good. Don't be afraid to shop around for a studio. Get recommendations
from friends. Find out who's good and who isn't. You're trying to sell yourself. Don't sell yourself
short.
1 / 2
The Demo Reel and YOU
Written by Ayu
Monday, 22 June 2009 03:05 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:09
"The demo reel is the one thing you absolutely should not skimp on. You can cut a lot of
corners, but not with this. I recommend spending as much time and money as it takes. "
--Chris Patton
Related Articles:
When do you need a demo reel?
2 / 2
Commercial Voices
Commercial Voices
Written by Ayu
Monday, 27 July 2009 16:12 -
While most aspiring voice actors probably don't dream of being the next official "McDonald's
voice," any seasoned voice actor will tell you that commercials are where the money is at. A
serious voice actor will have two demo reels: a commercial reel and a character reel. But what
exactly goes into a commercial reel? Is it as simple a reading off a couple magazine ads? And
what sort of "voices" do you put in when you can show off your wacky character range? This
article breaks down some basic "commercial" voices to help point you in the right direction.
These divisions are not exclusive, and they often overlap and combine.
Hard Sell - The hard sell is the urgent, loud, and sometimes annoying voice telling you there
are ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE BIG BLOWOUT SALE IS OVER FOREVER!!! It's a
strong and urgent voice that lets you know that you absolutely must go out and buy this now or
your life just won't be complete.
Soft Sell - In contrast, the soft sell doesn't force the product on anyone. It mentions that buying
the product is no so bad, maybe even kinda cool. The soft sell understands that your life just
isn't that great, and it thinks that you might be happier if you had this product.
Authoritative - The voice knows what's going on here, and you need to listen. As a doctor, it's
aware that its patients don't get enough fiber. That's why you need this product. Because it
knows better than you.
Friendly - This voice is honestly concerned for your wellbeing. It's your best friend or a next
door neighbor confiding in you that they, too, don't get enough fiber. But this product really
helped. As as a friend, they're going to suggest it to you too.
Man-to-Man - This is a male voice that's telling other males out there what's up. Usually it's
busy advertising manly things like beer or barbecue, but in the end it's all guy talk. And since
he's a dude, then you guys totally understand each other.
Woman-to-Woman - Unsurprisingly, this is a female voice talking to other women. "As a
mother..." or "Whenever you feel like you're having a bad hair day..." or other phrases will
remind you that this voice completely understands where you're coming from, and she's just
1 / 2
Commercial Voices
Written by Ayu
Monday, 27 July 2009 16:12 -
here to help.
Sensual - It's the deep, seductive voice that tells you how exotic or luxurious this chocolate
pudding (or new car) is. And since it's exotic and luxurious, it'll make you feel the same way
when you eat it. And who doesn't want to feel sexy? Eating pudding is VERY sexy.
This is a basic sampling of some of the standard commercial voices. A good way to practice is
to pull out magazine ads and read them aloud. Look at the ad and decide what sort of
commercial it is. Is it a wild and fun hard sell from man to man, or a friendly woman-to-woman
soft sell? Read it out loud and experiment with your voice and inflection. There are a plethora of
variations out there (e.g. child-to-child), but mastering these will give you the tools to do even
more.
2 / 2
How do I become a voice actor?
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
So you want to be a voice actor. You wouldn't be here otherwise. And no matter what you do or
say, it seems like an impossibility. After all, how do you even get started? It's the same question
that's been asked over and over, so here's the answer, straight from professional voice actors
themselves!
1.) Get as much acting experience as possible (and music doesn't hurt either).
"Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. The more you play with your voice, the more fun
you can have with your voice, the better you will be...the important part of voice ACTing. If you
can catch the verbal hint when I say voice ACTING… is the ACTING part in voice ACTING. If
you can do voices, wonderful; if you can’t act, you can’t work.
"
-- Scott McNeil
"Any kind of acting, theater experience, improv, and kind of acting in general is good. You
have soooo many things you have to think about in the [recording] booth. Music also helps. A
lot of voice actors have musical backgrounds as well. It helps with the matching of lip flaps [the
character’s mouth movements] when you are comfortable with music patterns.
But acting....please acting..."
-- Monica Rial
"...get involved in school plays and community theater groups. Remember, the most
important part of voice-acting is the acting. "
-- Veronica Taylor
Acting experience is key. No matter where you are, you can find a way to get acting experience.
Look for school plays, church plays, community theater, or anything that will give you some
solid experience. Google is your friend in these endeavors. Why? Well voice acting is part voice
and part...::drumroll:: acting! And the acting is a very big part of it. Any sort of experience in
acting will make you better. While some may argue that stage acting and voice acting are too
1 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
different, we'll leave that for a different article. If you're interested in getting into dubbing, music
is also very helpful. The musical training helps you with timing. If you ever watch the Princess
Mononoke commentary, you'll hear the director mention that drummer Billy Bob Thornton had a
much easier time with dubbing his character due to his musical background. Dubbing adds
another layer of difficulty since you have to act well and pay attention to timing. Getting into
music will help. But more than anything, practicing acting is the way to go. If you're looking for
even more than just stage work, there are even places on line where you can practice voice
acting (see our handy links section). The other very important thing you will get from this is
networking. Networking is key! The more people you know in the industry, the better off you are.
Your director might be best friends with someone looking for fresh talent, or your costar might
be someone who will go pro in a few months. Wouldn't you want to be friends with them?
2.) Take acting classes, especially improv.
"Unfortunately, there are no voice-over colleges, but I highly recommend all sorts of classes,
especially acting, scene study and improv. "
-- Tara Strong
"Take a class / workshop on acting or improvisation. Nothing beats a solid foundation.
Improvisation is one of the best skills a voice actor can have because you never
know what you may be expected to do. Classes and workshop are totally valuable
because you have a chance to work on your skills while bouncing ideas off of other
people. The critique and feedback are priceless. "
-- Greg Ayres
There's only so much you can do to improve on your own. And yes, I know you're already quite
awesome at voice acting. But don't you want to be even more super awesome? Then take
classes! They'll teach you sneaky little tricks you never knew. If your teacher is good, he or she
will be able to draw new voices out of you (more voices = more work), and improv is especially
useful as most voice acting is done cold (without seeing the script ahead of time). Plus...you get
the all important networking factor! Most voiceover teachers or coaches have plenty of
connections in the professional world. Many are professional voice actors themselves, or even
directors. Taking a class with them is a golden opportunity to get noticed by someone in the pro
world. That being said, do yourself a favor and don't try to show off. While talent is a large part
2 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
of voice acting, no one's going to take in a newcomer who looks like they're going to be
obnoxious.
3.) Make a demo reel.
"In order to get an agent interested in representing you, you will need a professionally
produced commercial demo. The demo is comprised of roughly 90 seconds of excerpts of
different commercial scripts. The excerpts need to show range (energetic, warm, authoritative,
etc). "
-- Kyle Hebert
The demo reel is your resume/business card/lifeblood/whatever. It is, in short, a sampling of
your best voices that you send out to agencies in the hopes that they'll decide to represent you.
Basically, it's your two minutes to show off what you can do in terms of voices, acting, and
delivery. Back in the day, they were tapes. These days with all sorts of newfangled digital
things, most demo reels are on CD (or sometimes MP3). For more about demo reels, read the
article " The Demo Reel and YOU ."
4.) Go where the work is.
"...you'll eventually have to move to one of the cities where it's really happening, like NYC or
LA. "
-- Yuri Lowenthal
"...you must live in the city where the work is done. That would be Vancouver, LA, Houston,
3 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
Dallas & NYC. "
-- Vic Mignogna
"You must live in a city where animation voice over work is being produced. This is vital. Too
many people think they can just plug a microphone into their computer and get work as a
voice-over artist from the convenience of their own home. Doesn't work that way. You must live
where you can meet people and make connections. "
-- Crispin Freeman
First off, yes, there are voice actors who do their work online. But they have professional quality
home studios (once again, another article). Plus, they do mostly smaller work. You won't get
picked up big a larger studio (and especially not a dubbing studio) if you can't come in to their
own studio to record. Second, yes there is such a thing as a phone patch where one studio
connects to another one that's far, far away. You're likely not going to get that offer unless
you're already an established talent. So go where the work is. LA and NYC are the big hubs for
voice acting, with LA being decently larger (and it has Bang Zoom! if you care about dubbing). If
you're looking for dubbing, Dallas, TX is home to FUNimation (Houston was ADV's hub, but
ADV doesn't really...dub anymore), but you won't find a whole lot of work outside of that.
Canadians will find the hub of voice acting to be Vancouver. So why do you even have to live in
the area? Why not just fly in to record and then be on your merry way? Voice acting doesn't
work that way. Sometimes emergenies come up, sometimes schedules change, and sometimes
they absolutely need you in to record tomorrow. Directors and studios will look for someone who
can be there tomorrow if they're needed. While it is possible to ferry back and forth between
cities (some actors do it), keep in mind that they are already well-established voice actors and
it's not reasonable or cost-effective for someone trying to break into the business.
Aaaand there you go. Ask any voice actor, director, or anyone in the business and this is the
answer you'll get.
4 / 4
How to prepare for and behave at a professional audition/session
How to prepare for and behave at a professional audition/session
Written by Kira
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 02:41 - Last Updated Friday, 03 July 2009 07:27
Preparation
-Before you go to your audition/session, BE SURE TO WARM UP YOUR VOICE. Scales,
tongue twisters...whatever your preferred vocal workout is. If it's too awkward to do this at home
because of family members or roommates, just do them in the car on your way to the studio. It
is very important to warm up especially if your session is early in the morning and you have that
froggy sound in your voice.
-It's best not to drink anything besides water or warm tea before you go in. (Soda, milkshakes,
etc. can clog up or dry out your throat. If you're like me and need caffeinated beverages each
day, treat yourself to one AFTER your session!) Take a bottle of water with you---it's much
better to be prepared than to have to ask for water halfway through.
-Eat SOMETHING before you go in---it's going to affect your focus if your stomach is growling.
Just be careful what you eat---fruit is good (especially green apples; these are supposed to help
with mouth noise) but avoid things with a heavy dairy base such as pizza.
-DO NOT be late. It doesn't matter what your excuse is... it makes a terrible impression
especially if this is your first time going there. Allow plenty of extra time for traffic jams, detours,
weather conditions, etc. You should be there 5-10 minutes early, but PLAN to arrive 15-20
minutes early to account for any delays in arriving at the studio. If you get there too early (say,
earlier than 10 minutes) simply sit in your car and wait for a bit or take a walk down the street.
Being too early can create an awkward situation.
-Turn your cell phone OFF before you go into the studio. Don't put it on vibrate--- chances are
the microphone will pick up the buzzing sound. The same goes for pagers, alarms, beeping
watches, or anything else that makes noise.
-Avoid wearing clothing with extremely baggy sleeves or dangly jewelry (such as bangle
bracelets). These things can flap around/clink/make other unwanted noise that interferes with
your recording, and the director/engineer will have to ask you to take them off. It's a good idea
to take your jacket off too, as jackets can make noise when you move your arms.
-If this is your first audition with a particular studio, bring a demo, resume, and professional
headshot (if you have one) along with you so that they have something tangible to keep on file.
A word of caution about demos: If your demo CD is something you made at home, make sure
that your recording quality is excellent and the mixing sounds professional. A demo that looks or
sounds amateur can hurt you more than help you. Be careful that any work listed on your
resume appears professional as well (flash movies can be listed as something like "a
web-based animated series" but don't put "flash movie on Newgrounds".) Demo and resume
should be labeled with your real name (or PROFESSIONAL stage name--aka something that at
least looks/sounds like a real first and last name) and contact information.
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How to prepare for and behave at a professional audition/session
Written by Kira
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 02:41 - Last Updated Friday, 03 July 2009 07:27
Beginning The Process
-Chances are you will feel extremely nervous going in for the first time. You may also have
other things going on in life that make you distracted (I woke up to go to my first real recording
session yesterday morning to find someone BROKE INTO MY CAR OVERNIGHT!) but you
must
put these things aside when you go into the booth. You ARE that character now and you must
think like that character ~ this is a basic acting technique that gets you out of the things
you
are preoccupied with as an actor. My former acting teacher/voice coach had a favorite saying
"leave it at the door" when it comes to anything that will affect your ability to deliver a great read.
-Note that studio microphones are generally very sensitive and will pick up all sorts of things
that your home recording setup doesn't. Watch any mouth noises and extra breathing through
your lines. This sounds gross, so bear with me, but you don't want a lot of extra saliva in your
mouth because those things are very easily heard on the other side of the booth and the sound
engineer will have to clean it out of your recordings.
-Do NOT touch the microphone or mess with the stand; they will set it for you before you begin
recording. ESPECIALLY do not tap it or say "Hey is this thing on?" when you put on your
headphones. It's natural to use your hands a little when recording dramatic lines but be sure
you do not hit the microphone or otherwise make unwanted sounds.
-Confidence is key! If you've never heard yourself through your headphones before, it may be a
little uncomfortable at first, but don't ever say anything negative about your voice or "I don't like
hearing myself on tape" or anything like that. If you think you'll do a crappy job...you probably
will!
Recording
-The director's word is final when it comes to what you do with the character's voice and line
delivery. Do not argue or make excuses---a good director knows what s/he is talking about and
can get the best performance out of you. Even if you know so much about how the show/game
was done in Japanese and you think you know exactly how x character should be done... that
isn't your call, and you can trust that things like pronunciation have been supervised and
approved already by the client. Also, when the director asks you to try the line a different way,
don't apologize or say things like "I suck at this!"---it wastes everyone's time and just makes you
2 / 4
How to prepare for and behave at a professional audition/session
Written by Kira
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 02:41 - Last Updated Friday, 03 July 2009 07:27
look unprofessional.
-Don't spend a lot of time chatting or making jokes when you're in the booth. You'll be wasting
the producers' time AND the client's money (if this is an actual recording session). You don't
have to be completely serious---if you have a laid-back director s/he may make a little bit of
small talk with you at the beginning just to get you comfortable---but as soon as that recording
begins try to avoid unnecessary talking. They tend to like people who can get the work done
fast!
-Messing up is a part of recording. Sooner or later you're going to trip over a line or word,
pronounce something wrong, or accidentally add an extra word in. When this happens, do not
make a big deal over it! Pause briefly and restart from the beginning of the sentence. Again, do
not ever put yourself down or make long-winded apologies; that is an indication of being an
amateur.
-You may or may not be told what you're recording/auditioning for. It can be very exciting if
you're told you're going to be in a certain game or show, but you can express your enthusiasm
in a mature manner rather than acting like a fanboy/fangirl. You want them to think of you as a
voice talent, not simply a "fan" that they might run into at a convention.
Leaving the Booth
-After a recording session, you will be asked to sign paperwork regarding payment information.
If you weren't told before what the pay rate was for the project, this is where you will find out
exactly what you will be getting paid and sign off on it. You may also be asked to sign a
non-disclosure agreement, meaning that you cannot mention what you recorded for until the
product is released or until the producer gives you consent. ALWAYS make sure you are clear
on the confidentiality rules for each project you record for before you mention anything to friends
or post it online---failure to abide by these rules can get both you AND the studio in trouble, so
don't risk it!
-
Thank each of the people you met there for their time and the opportunity they gave you. If
you have a business card (which you should!), hand it to them if this is a first-time client. Do not
ask them when they will be calling you or remind them to listen to your demo. As long as they
have your contact information on file, it is up to them to contact you again (if it's been several
months, it's okay to follow up, but remember that these people are very busy.) Don't ask "how
did I do?", "was I any good?", etc.
3 / 4
How to prepare for and behave at a professional audition/session
Written by Kira
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 02:41 - Last Updated Friday, 03 July 2009 07:27
And the final thing I cannot stress enough... BE PREPARED!! If you are thinking about
calling a place to schedule an audition, don't do it until you feel you are absolutely ready
to do ANY type of voice or style of read they ask of you. It's hard to get a second chance
with the same place, so you MUST be ready for your first one and confident that you will
deliver your absolute best performance--treat this as your one opportunity to make a
good and lasting impression with your voice and acting skills!
4 / 4
IMAGINE getting paid just for talking!
IMAGINE getting paid just for talking!
That’s right, you can literally get paid for doing something you do everyday, TALKING! Voice Acting is one of the best recession proof skills you can have. Think about it for a minute, every business uses a Voice Actor in one way or another, but most don’t know where to turn to find one, now YOU can be there for them.
Imagine being the voice of your favorite cartoon character or hearing yourself on TV and Radio commercials. The gaming industry is exploding with jobs for trained Voice Actors. There are so many opportunities and so few skilled Voice Actors that the demand for trained Voice Actors is unbelievably high. Everyone can have a piece of the pie and still go up for seconds, and thirds, and fourths and …
You don’t have to have a big booming voice either. The industry needs ALL types of voices! Any one, any age, any gender can be a very successful Voice Actor. Plus, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. Imagine getting up and going to work in your undies and actually getting paid to do it. Did you know you can set up a home studio, that sounds as good as any $100,000 studio, for LESS than $100 bucks. We’ll show you how to do that and more, actually we’ll guide each step of the way and teach you everything you need to know to get started AND where and how to market yourself and find work.
What does CREATIVOICES PRODUCTIONS have to do with this? Well, CREATIVOICES is a group of professional Voice Actors who have gotten together to teach you the skills you need to get you on your way to a FUN, FULFILLING, and PROFITABLE career as a Professional Voice Actor. We want to give back to a profession that has been so lucrative for us. Everyone has a unique voice, we want to help you bring yours out.
We don’t think you should have to spend $5000 or $10,000 dollars to hone and refine the skills you already posses, let’s face it, who doesn’t know how to talk?. Our workshops will teach you everything you need to know to get started, plus they are taught one-on-one, giving you the utmost amount of attention. Best of all, they are inexpensive and set up to teach you the most amount of information in the least amount of time, so you can get started right away. Everything is taught on-line and at your convenience. You’ll be up and running in no time at all!
Check out the Workshops page to get started.
The Art of Voice Acting
The Art of Voice Acting
Weekend Workshop
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ~ June 17-18, 2006
Presented by Chanti Productions This is a weekend chock-full of information
you can use immediately . . .
from two of the top VO coaches in the US
James R. Alburger & Penny Abshire
In The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop you’ll learn:
• What the voiceover business is all about
• Performing skills you need to have to make money as a full or part-time voiceover artist
• Performing techniques to "get off the page" when working with any script
• How to create believable characters and the voices to go with them
• The differences between all the various types of voiceover work
• How to market your talent to producers and agents
• What performers need from a director to deliver a great performance
• How voice-acting techniques can make you a more effective communicator in any business
Each section covers a specific area of voiceover:
We begin the workshop with an introduction to voice-acting techniques, warm-ups, breathing, breaking down performance barriers, and lots of fun stuff! Next, we’ll take you on a 2-day interactive journey through every aspect of the craft and business of voiceover. Our workshop isn’t just a series of lectures—you’ll be actively involved in exercises and personalized coaching that will allow you to
accelerate your learning. You’ll experience first-hand how to use the tools we give you for creating characters, discovering attitude, expressing emotion, and delivering a totally believable, and compelling performance. We wrap it all up with an open forum Q&A session featuring local voiceover professionals.
Workshop sessions are held on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00 pm with a break for lunch. We also provide for optional private coaching on the Monday following the workshop. It’s an intensive weekend designed to immerse you in the craft and business of voiceover with the result of developing performing and business skills necessary to be a successful voice actor.
I probably learned more about voice-acting in 2 days than most people would learn in a lifetime!
Jon Paleologos, Horsham, PA
Here’s how the weekend breaks down:
DAY ONE (Saturday – 10:00 am - 5:00pm): (doors open at 9:30am for check-in and we start promptly at 10:00)
• Orientation & Introduction to voice acting—
You’ll learn how to develop a professional mindset, warm-up exercises, breath control, and more.
• Principles of voice acting—
We’ll cover basic acting techniques, the differences between voiceover and all other types of performing, working in a studio, and more.
• Voice acting techniques and exercises—
Interactive exercises will give you first-hand experience at how to achieve a believable performance.
• Finding emotion and drama in a script—
If you really want to take a script “off-the-page” you won’t want to miss this.
• Creating characters and their voices—
Ever wonder how to sound like 6 different people? Most of the afternoon you’ll be working on techniques for developing characters and voices that will increase your versatility as a voice-actor.
DAY TWO (Sunday – 10:00 - 5:00pm):
• More work with characters and their voices
You’ll start the day by documenting your voices and introducing some of them to the class.
• Working on-mic with single-voice copy
Use the techniques you’ve learned to create compelling performances.
• Working on-mic with dialog and multi-voice scripts—
You’ll learn the keys to comedic timing and delivering honest and believable dialog.
• Finding the story in technical scripts and long-form narration—
Do you know how to correctly pronounce “myoclonus” and other technical terms? In this section, you’ll learn how to make “Greek” your second language.
• The business of voiceover—
Unions, agents, setting fees, contracts, marketing, following up . . . we’ll tell you what you need to know to be successful in the business of voiceover.
• Producing your demo and marketing package—
When will you be ready for your demo? How long should it be? How do you market yourself? You’ll get the answers to these questions and more in this section.
• Demo evaluations (if time permits)—
Here’s your opportunity to have your demo and marketing package evaluated by James & Penny. Find out what you’re doing right . . . and how you can make it better.
• Evaluations and goodbyes—
We’ll wrap it all up with some parting thoughts and a few surprises.
We only have space here to give you the highlights of the workshop. What we can tell you, is that even if you’ve been working as a professional voiceover artist for years, you’ll learn a completely new way to approach your work when you attend The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop.
THE ART OF VOICE ACTING BOOK:
Although not a required text for this workshop, we highly recommend you have a copy of The Art of Voice Acting book by James Alburger. If you have a copy, please be sure to bring it so James Alburger can autograph it for you. If you don’t have a copy, you can purchase at most book-sellers or
on-line at www.voiceacting.com. The price is $24.95 plus shipping. We’ll only have a limited supply of books at the workshop.
PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE COACHING:
On Monday, June 19, we have 4 one-hour private coaching opportunities. Both James and Penny will personally coach you on your delivery, or discuss any aspect of the voiceover business. Here’s your chance to work one-on-one with two of the top VO coaches in the US. The cost for 1-hour private coaching is $100US, cash only. Sign up for your Private Coaching Session at the workshop, or call us at 1-858 484-0220. If you have a USB Flash device, your private session can be recorded.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 17-18, 2006
Times: 10am—5pm both days
Tuition: (includes BOTH Saturday & Sunday. Travel, Hotel, and meals are not included in the tuition.)
Before May 31st: $400US ($465 CA)
June 1st –9th: $500US ($580 CA)
After June 10th: $597US ($694 CA)
You must call (780) 718-4394 to register or send an email to Deb Munro at chantidm@telusplanet.net to request registration information.
Lunch: $10 each day for a deli sandwich w/drink (order at workshop), or bring your own
Location: Transalta Arts Barns
10330 - 84 Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 2G9
Materials: All materials are included. You must bring a USB Flash device if you want to take your recorded work with you. We don’t record on cassette or CD, and we won’t be able to email MP3 files.
Personal Recording: We permit audio recording of our workshops on personal recording devices provided the recording is for personal use only. Video recording is not permitted.
Nearby Hotels & Maps:
Click here for a Mapquest Map.
For nearby hotels, call Chanti Productions at (780) 718-4394
The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop Sat/Sun June 17-18, 2006
For voice actors, talk isn’t cheap
For voice actors, talk isn’t cheap
After training, some use gifts
for advertising work
By SARAH B. WOLFGANG
Gazette Contributing Writer
Voice actors can’t sell a car ny showing it.
They can’t entice a customer to buy a soda by
offering a sip. Standing in a sound booth the
size of a closet, they have only a few pages of
unrehearsed copy and their unique set of pipes
to get the job done. “Do a strawberry and a
lemon taste the same?”
That was the question John Gallogly asked
Susan April and Lisa Caron after hearing them
read copy for a commercial about a new kind
of juice during a workshop last month at
Holyoke Community College. “They don’t, so
each one has to sound different. I want to
believe this is the best fruit drink you’ve ever
had. And smile,” he added. “I want a big
smile. It comes through in your voice when
you’re smiling.”
Gallogly is senior creative director for Voice
Coaches, a professional voice-acting company
based in Upstate New York, which offers
classes in the Pioneer Valley on a regular
basis. The next sessions are at Springfield
Tech on June 12 and Holyoke Community
College, June 16, both at 6:30 p.m.
In a March 4 class at HCC called “Getting Pais
to Talk,” Gallogly immediately put the group
of eight to work. Over the course of a few
hours that evening, he gave an inspiring
primer about voice acting – providing insider
industry tips, discussing pay rates and offering
caveats. “You need passion, belief in yourself
and action. If you want to be a voice talent, be
one,” Gallogly said. “Your biggest
competition is you. Only you will keep you
out of this industry.”
Getting it going
Nearly 15 years ago, Heather Frenz, a 37-yearold
voice actor from Albany, N.Y., started her
career reading on-hold messages. She was
working in an office as a human resources
department secretary when one day she
checked an applicant’s references and a man
she’d called commented that she had a
distinctive voice. Inspired, she looked for ans
found a job. Then she signed up for an
introductory voice-acting class taught by
Voice Coaches.
She was hooked. Frenz said she liked the
realistic, balanced approach to the industry
presented by David Bourgeois, the president
and creative director of Voice Coaches. In
fact, shortly after taking the class she went on
to train with his team at the main studio in
Schenectady, N.Y. “They are very
professional,” she said. “They train you in not
only how to use your voice more effectively,
but how to create a demo and market
yourself.”
Since then, Frenz has lent her vocals to a
variety of narrative and commercial projects.
In one recent week, she recorded radio and TV
commercials for a car dealership and a clip on
a Web site for a laundry detergent company.
“I still keep a part-time job,” she said. “And it
varies how much I make doing voice-overs,
depending on how saturated my voice gets out
there. But I make good money, and I’ve had
work consistently for the past eight years.”
A training group regularly holds
workshops in the Valley for people
who want to turn their vocal
talents into income. A program
will be held April 17 at Springfield
Technical Community College.
For more than 25 years, Bourgeois, 42, has
worked in professional music and audio
production. He started out as a musician
during his teen years, playing his own material
and recording on other musicians’ albums, and
eventually transitioned to the production end.
Since 1990, he has promoted conversationalreading
training methods. Gone are yhe days
where only guys with announcer-like deep
voices can get jobs, he said. Now the industry
has changed. The definition of an appealing
voice has become both male and female, and
one that’s intimate, authentic and natural.
He created Voice Coaches based on his
experience with voice talent that didn’t quite
know how to operate in the vocal booth. He
saw a need for one-on-one training to improve
professionalism and marketing. “There’s a
flawed mentality – gotta make a demo first,”
Bourgeois said. “But the first step is
education, not a demo. I know if I look across
a half million dollars worth of equipment
whenever I have a professional or not. I’ve
seen people who have made a great demo and
then can’t deliver.”
While Gallogly and Bourgeois recommend
education before making a demo, Gallogly
said they listen to all of the material they
receive, whatever the quality. “The maximum
length is a minute and 30 seconds,” Gallogly
said. “You’ve lost a listener after that. The
tracks can be diverse only if you are, but not if
your not. Do what you do best and that’s it.”
To create a demo, Gallogly stressed the
importance of using license-free copy and
recording on equipment that produces a
network-quality product. Two tracks – about
one minute to a minute and a half for several
commercial clips and the same for narration –
are all that are needed on a CD. Narrative
clips need to be longer and fewer. “There are
two types of voice work: commercial and
narration. Ten percent of the field in
commercial,” Gallogly said. “My advice is
don’t put 100 percent into commercial, or
you’ll fail.”
One problem. Anybody who can read aloud
wants to do voice-overs, especially when
money is discussed. For a 30-60 second spot,
a beginner may make between $150 and $350,
Gallogly said. A seasoned pro makes
approximately $300 for 15 minutes.
After completing training and putting together
a demo, the next step is getting hired.
Gallogly said one way to start is to call a
company and ask to talk to their audio visual,
or AV, department. If a company has one,
chances are they do their commercials and
training materials on site. Frenz advised
newcomers simply to type in “production
companies” or “voice-overs” into Google or
read reputable trade magazines for job
postings. “And for me what’s also worked
well is talking to people locally – networking,”
she said.
Another way to get clients to notice you,
Bourgeois said, is to create an online profile at
www.voices.com. That way, people can
showcase their skills and clients can review
them – without going through an agent. David
Ciccarelli, 29, hatched the idea for the Web
sire in 2003 with his wife, Stephanie, and
launched it in 2004. It now posts 50,000
online profiles. In 2006, the Business
Development Bank of Canada nominated the
Ciccarelli’s for the Young Entrepreneur
Award.
The next “Getting Paid to Talk: session will be
held April 17 at Springfield Technical
Community College. People can sign up
through Mary Breeding in the Continuing
Education department at STCC by calling
(413) 755-4501.
How do I become a voice actor?
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
So you want to be a voice actor. You wouldn't be here otherwise. And no matter what you do or
say, it seems like an impossibility. After all, how do you even get started? It's the same question
that's been asked over and over, so here's the answer, straight from professional voice actors
themselves!
1.) Get as much acting experience as possible (and music doesn't hurt either).
"Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. The more you play with your voice, the more fun
you can have with your voice, the better you will be...the important part of voice ACTing. If you
can catch the verbal hint when I say voice ACTING… is the ACTING part in voice ACTING. If
you can do voices, wonderful; if you can’t act, you can’t work.
"
-- Scott McNeil
"Any kind of acting, theater experience, improv, and kind of acting in general is good. You
have soooo many things you have to think about in the [recording] booth. Music also helps. A
lot of voice actors have musical backgrounds as well. It helps with the matching of lip flaps [the
character’s mouth movements] when you are comfortable with music patterns.
But acting....please acting..."
-- Monica Rial
"...get involved in school plays and community theater groups. Remember, the most
important part of voice-acting is the acting. "
-- Veronica Taylor
Acting experience is key. No matter where you are, you can find a way to get acting experience.
Look for school plays, church plays, community theater, or anything that will give you some
solid experience. Google is your friend in these endeavors. Why? Well voice acting is part voice
and part...::drumroll:: acting! And the acting is a very big part of it. Any sort of experience in
acting will make you better. While some may argue that stage acting and voice acting are too
1 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
different, we'll leave that for a different article. If you're interested in getting into dubbing, music
is also very helpful. The musical training helps you with timing. If you ever watch the Princess
Mononoke commentary, you'll hear the director mention that drummer Billy Bob Thornton had a
much easier time with dubbing his character due to his musical background. Dubbing adds
another layer of difficulty since you have to act well and pay attention to timing. Getting into
music will help. But more than anything, practicing acting is the way to go. If you're looking for
even more than just stage work, there are even places on line where you can practice voice
acting (see our handy links section). The other very important thing you will get from this is
networking. Networking is key! The more people you know in the industry, the better off you are.
Your director might be best friends with someone looking for fresh talent, or your costar might
be someone who will go pro in a few months. Wouldn't you want to be friends with them?
2.) Take acting classes, especially improv.
"Unfortunately, there are no voice-over colleges, but I highly recommend all sorts of classes,
especially acting, scene study and improv. "
-- Tara Strong
"Take a class / workshop on acting or improvisation. Nothing beats a solid foundation.
Improvisation is one of the best skills a voice actor can have because you never
know what you may be expected to do. Classes and workshop are totally valuable
because you have a chance to work on your skills while bouncing ideas off of other
people. The critique and feedback are priceless. "
-- Greg Ayres
There's only so much you can do to improve on your own. And yes, I know you're already quite
awesome at voice acting. But don't you want to be even more super awesome? Then take
classes! They'll teach you sneaky little tricks you never knew. If your teacher is good, he or she
will be able to draw new voices out of you (more voices = more work), and improv is especially
useful as most voice acting is done cold (without seeing the script ahead of time). Plus...you get
the all important networking factor! Most voiceover teachers or coaches have plenty of
connections in the professional world. Many are professional voice actors themselves, or even
directors. Taking a class with them is a golden opportunity to get noticed by someone in the pro
world. That being said, do yourself a favor and don't try to show off. While talent is a large part
2 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
of voice acting, no one's going to take in a newcomer who looks like they're going to be
obnoxious.
3.) Make a demo reel.
"In order to get an agent interested in representing you, you will need a professionally
produced commercial demo. The demo is comprised of roughly 90 seconds of excerpts of
different commercial scripts. The excerpts need to show range (energetic, warm, authoritative,
etc). "
-- Kyle Hebert
The demo reel is your resume/business card/lifeblood/whatever. It is, in short, a sampling of
your best voices that you send out to agencies in the hopes that they'll decide to represent you.
Basically, it's your two minutes to show off what you can do in terms of voices, acting, and
delivery. Back in the day, they were tapes. These days with all sorts of newfangled digital
things, most demo reels are on CD (or sometimes MP3). For more about demo reels, read the
article " The Demo Reel and YOU ."
4.) Go where the work is.
"...you'll eventually have to move to one of the cities where it's really happening, like NYC or
LA. "
-- Yuri Lowenthal
"...you must live in the city where the work is done. That would be Vancouver, LA, Houston,
3 / 4
How do I become a voice actor?
Written by Ayu
Saturday, 13 June 2009 23:33 - Last Updated Monday, 22 June 2009 03:08
Dallas & NYC. "
-- Vic Mignogna
"You must live in a city where animation voice over work is being produced. This is vital. Too
many people think they can just plug a microphone into their computer and get work as a
voice-over artist from the convenience of their own home. Doesn't work that way. You must live
where you can meet people and make connections. "
-- Crispin Freeman
First off, yes, there are voice actors who do their work online. But they have professional quality
home studios (once again, another article). Plus, they do mostly smaller work. You won't get
picked up big a larger studio (and especially not a dubbing studio) if you can't come in to their
own studio to record. Second, yes there is such a thing as a phone patch where one studio
connects to another one that's far, far away. You're likely not going to get that offer unless
you're already an established talent. So go where the work is. LA and NYC are the big hubs for
voice acting, with LA being decently larger (and it has Bang Zoom! if you care about dubbing). If
you're looking for dubbing, Dallas, TX is home to FUNimation (Houston was ADV's hub, but
ADV doesn't really...dub anymore), but you won't find a whole lot of work outside of that.
Canadians will find the hub of voice acting to be Vancouver. So why do you even have to live in
the area? Why not just fly in to record and then be on your merry way? Voice acting doesn't
work that way. Sometimes emergenies come up, sometimes schedules change, and sometimes
they absolutely need you in to record tomorrow. Directors and studios will look for someone who
can be there tomorrow if they're needed. While it is possible to ferry back and forth between
cities (some actors do it), keep in mind that they are already well-established voice actors and
it's not reasonable or cost-effective for someone trying to break into the business.
Aaaand there you go. Ask any voice actor, director, or anyone in the business and this is the
answer you'll get.
4 / 4
DID YOU KNOW?
- DID YOU KNOW that there is a huge hidden Voice Acting market, right at your finger tips, available to anyone who has access to the Internet and I'll show you where it is?
- DID YOU KNOW that every business uses a Voice Actor in some way or another and most don't know where to turn to find one?
- DID YOU KNOW gaming companies like Bioware and EA Games and many others farm out their voicing work to home studios and Voice Actors just like you and me and you can be a part of it?
- DID YOU KNOW you can create a home studio that sounds as good as any $100,000 dollar production studio for less than $100?
- DID YOU KNOW more and more film companies are farming out their Character Voicing work to home studios and Voice Actors just like you and me?
- DID YOU KNOW you can start making a great part-time income, right at home, on your own computer, right away for just a couple of hours of work per week?
- DID YOU KNOW that ANY ONE, ANY AGE, ANY GENDER can be a Voice Actor, no matter what your voice sounds like, the industry needs all kinds of voices?
- DID YOU KNOW there is a huge market for Voice Actors in many diversified areas like Computer Based Training, Web Based Training, Radio Commercials, Television Commercials, Telephone Prompts, On-Holds, Audio Books, Real Estate Tours, Podcasts, Film Documentaries, Movie Trailers, and Much More - you can be a part of it all, right from your home computer?
What do all of these things have in common? To be successful in any one of these, you have to know the basics of Voice Acting and that's exactly what classes at NAVAG will teach you. You'll learn what to do, step-by-step, so you can succeed!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
In The Booth: Anxious & Worried? Flip It With An 'Ode To Success'
One of the things I've noticed over years of teaching, coaching and facilitating a variety of different art forms is that HOW you say it counts. What is the probable effect of what I'm being, thinking or doing in this moment?
I hate this production house .... The booth is like a football field-away from the engineer, and the tech people are always changing .... This is a really important job and could mean a lot of repeat business .... I've worked with this producer before and she always has me back but today I feel like she's testing me .... Putting me through my paces ... If I'm not delivering .... Why do they ...?... Maybe the first-choice talent wasn't available .... And that table in the back is so long! .... They never tell me who's sitting back there ....The producer, the ad guys, the “extra” writers, the client .... And his whole office, the intern's girlfriend .... Who knows? .... I never know anyone's name and I always end up trying too hard and saying the wrong thing .... I'm afraid they don't like working with me .... I hope that doesn't happen today .... Cause man .... I could really use the money!
I am always comfortable in the booth .... I work in a state of dynamic relaxation .... All my gigs go smoothly .... I bring my jobs in quickly and creatively .... My clients are always happy with my work .... And they like me - they really like me - I am so much fun to be around .... I am generous and at ease meeting people and asking their names .... I remember names easily and generate a wonderful rapport with everyone I meet .... I handle challenging people and difficult situations with grace and compassion .... My clients and I have fun collaborating every time .... The bigger the team on the other side of the glass, the more fun we have! .... I feel safe in a room full of advertising executives .... I am at home when I am taking direction .... I am free in my body and my mind at all times .... I belong here! I love being in the booth!
Attend the School of Hard Knocks - Or Knock On Deb Munro's Traveling Workshop 'Doors'
You've probably heard that the best teacher is the School of Hard Knocks. - Aug. 29-30: Philadelphia
- Sept. 12-13: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Oct. 17-18: Dallas
- Nov. 7-8: Toronto
4 Ways to Increase Your Voice Acting Income
4 Ways to Increase Your Voice Acting Income
Posted: 28 Jul 2009 06:55 AM PDT
Isn't it great to be in business for yourself?
While you may be enjoying the successes you have now, are you aware that you could be paying yourself more and reaching greater financial goals?
Here are 4 practical ways that you can increase your income as a voice actor.
1. Increase Your Fees
If you have been charging less than you'd like, there's no better opportunity to change your rates to reflect what you feel you should be making. Something you'll want to do to determine how much money you actually need is to write a budget for your business and also write a budget for your home life. Figure out what it is that you need to be making to more than break even each month in your business. When you are in business for yourself, whatever your business makes, you make. Be sure to set aside a salary for yourself or give yourself a raise. Increasing your fees can help you to do this.
To get started, view some standard voice over rates, charging what the rate sheet suggests or higher.
2. Increase The Frequency That Your Clients Need You
๏ Set shorter contracts
๏ Stay in touch more often
๏ Propose new business around holidays
๏ Give the impression you're readily available (people will pay more for expediency)
3. Increase Your Client Base
You can do this by:
๏ Advertising online
๏ Social networking
๏ Auditioning more often
๏ Offline marketing (sending out mailers)
๏ Doing more traditional networking
๏ Attending events
4. Increase Your Skills
๏ Learn something you didn't know last year
๏ Learn a new piece of software
๏ Learn a new editing technique
๏ Learn a new voice acting technique
๏ Branch out into other areas of voice over
If you've always done commercials, explore narration or audio tours. If you've always done animation and cartoons, translate those acting skills into narrating audiobooks. You can do it!
Summary
Use one or more of these ideas to lay a fresh foundation for increasing your income and reaching your goals. I'd love to hear about your experiences, whether past or in progress, increasing your rates.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Save Money On Printing & Paper - Go 'Green' And Stay Out Of Jams
Due to noise (OK, and financial) concerns, I haven’t yet graduated to reading scripts from an LCD monitor. So while not yet paper-free, I’m striving toward that goal. Friday, July 24, 2009
Delivering Files: Learn Many Ways To Send Your Recordings To Clients
Here's the scenario: You’ve just been booked for a director-less, producer-less session (meaning you’re on your own, recording the project in your home studio). - ISDN
- Source Connect
- Phone Patch
- FTP
- email, and
- 3rd party delivery methods
An understanding of the basic definition of each of these options will help you decide which option will be your best choice.
- the equivalent of a really long microphone cable from a far off studio to your home studio,
- a means by which a producer/director/engineer can communicate with you, and
- the ultimate real-time delivery system for your voice tracks.
ISDN is usually reserved for higher-end recordings or for sessions where the client needs to work in real-time or cannot handle any delays with delivery of recorded files.
The phone company is gradually phasing-out ISDN service. In fact, there are already some parts of the country that used to have ISDN, but now must find other means for real-time recording and delivery. In time, ISDN may be a thing of the past.
Source Connect is one of several options for real-time recording and delivery that use the Internet as a means for transferring audio data.
PHONE PATCH
- A phone patch is NOT a method for delivering audio recordings.
- A phone patch IS a means by which your client can listen to you over the phone as you record their script.
A more sophisticated phone patch uses a digital hybrid telephone interface to connect your VOIP or land line telephone system to your audio mixer - and to connect a “mix-minus” output of your mixer to the hybrid.
Here’s the basic set-up:
- Your microphone is sent (A) to your computer through the MAIN MIX buss of your mixer and (B) to an AUX buss that will include the Caller output coming from the hybrid.
- Your mic is also sent out to a second AUX buss (C) that goes to the hybrid’s input.
- The Caller side of the hybrid (Caller Out) is connected to a Line Level input on your mixer. This input is only sent to the combined AUX output that includes your mic.
If you want your client to be able to hear playbacks of your recordings, you’ll need to connect the output of your computer to your mixer and send the computer inputs through the AUX buss going to the hybrid’s input.
To properly use a phone patch, your home studio must be using an external mixer with two AUX sends, one of which is Pre-Send, and the ability to monitor the Pre-Send buss using headphones.
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is a true file delivery system that uses the Internet to deliver large files.
FTP sites are usually protected with both a Username and Password, so if you don’t know how to access the site, you won’t be able to deliver your tracks.
At your end, you’ll need FTP software (often referred to as the FTP client). This software, along with the URL address, Username, Password, and some other info, will get you access to your client’s FTP site.
Email is probably the simplest delivery method for files smaller than 6 to 8 MB. The larger the file, the longer it will take to upload or download.
There are many, many options in this category. The general idea is to provide a means by which very large files can be delivered efficiently over the Internet.
You may already have your favorite provider, and you may or may not be paying a fee for the service.
- it can handle delivery of multiple files to the same destination during a single upload,
- you don’t need to open a browser to begin uploading files (a downloaded plug-in is required for this),
- it can handle delivery of files up to 1 GB per upload, and
- it’s free.
Here are some 3rd party file transfer services:
Transferbigfiles.com. Send up to 1 GB file for free. File is available for 5 to10 days with free Drop Zone account. This is the best we've found! Places an icon in your task bar for "drag & drop" to send large files.