Tag: training

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Finding the energy, pace and physicality in your script

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Had a great experience with a new voice acting coach. My family traveled my entire formative years in a Chevy Suburban. I just did a demo using a Chevy Suburban script (partial). Feeling I’d possibly missed the mark on delivery, she asked if I knew who I was talking to. I told her about my dad and his buddies that towed trailers.

My coach, a very successful 40-something lady, said, “what about me?” “ummmm…”

She proceeded to remind me there’s HUGE market of “soccer moms” out there that need to fill the back end with “stuff” and will never tow a trailer.

So the energy is in talking to the soccer mom and everything follows. More in the video! . What can I record for you? .

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Scary foreboding dark Halloween voices!

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A few different fun character voices!

What can I record for you?

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Working hard- Intentionally! Getting started in VO #15

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I talked yesterday about being intentional in our work and work week. It’s one thing to say “I’m being intentional about expectations”, but quite another to do something about it!

This episode is pretty much motivation to put your head down and keep working on your craft. Get coaching. Practice, audition. repeat!! .

What can I record for you?

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Audio Processing and “Soundscaping”

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We are asked to do many things as #voiceartists and creating a #soundscape as it were. I include three examples!

What can I record for you?

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Where do I find work? Getting started in VoiceOver #14

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Well you’ve done the hard work! Now we stare at the phone and wait for it to ring. We’re moments away from that big corporate contract for a national ad!!!

Or not.

Now its about finding the work. Now we do more hard work. We work to find customers. Find talent agencies, media production houses, etc. We call and ask if they’re accepting demos (more next week on demos). Make a list of those that are. Send kind emails with the demo they might suggest or links to your files you’ve stored somewhere like Dropbox or a Google Drive.

But you’re still waiting on that phone to ring. Another choice is digital delivery platforms like Fiverr, UpWork, ACX, and many, many others. Some like Fiverr and UpWork are free to join, but take a percentage. On ACX you work it out with the rights holder. Many others you pay to join. There’s a TON of information on all these out there. Do some research and see if they work for you!

What can I record for you?

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Phone Messaging & IVR

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For a while now, I’ve been calling various production businesses to discover if they might be taking demos for new artists. I was amazed at how many (apparently) operating businesses had

  • REALLY bad phone message (no clarity, confusing, and worse)
  • NO message- just the standard, “Please leave a message…” that came as a default.
  • There is no voice mail set up for this line. (REALLY?!? You’re a business!!)

It might be time to hire a professional #voiceartist to record the message on your system. Customize for specials or directing customers! And if you’re in a different country or need a female talent, let me know! I know people!! .

Let’s talk! What can I record for you?

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“Failure-Proofing” your business. Getting started in VoiceOver #13

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Long long ago in a faraway land, I spent 10 years in the restaurant industry. Over that time with transfers, vacation coverage and promotions, ended up working in 13 different locations with the same company.

Sorta like banking, but not.

One day (day off) a friend and I were having the “where do you want to go to lunch” conversation. I believe this is universal around the globe:

“Where you wanna go?

“I dunno. Where do you wanna go?”

–Repeat ad infinitum.

I always wanted to start a restaurant named, “I Dunno” I figured I had to capture SOME market share!

The point is that it is theoretically possible for everyone to decide NOT to visit my restaurant, your card shop, her boutique, his auto repair, etc. The point of all this is: What are doing to ensure THAT doesn’t happen? ..

How can I help your business?

John The Templar Knight and Pirate Penguins. (yup!)

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Another “business is growing” week and looks like I’ll have another record month! This week was more character work (short demo inside!) and corporate work. Busy, busy, busy!! Please take a moment to share!!

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We read scripts and know stuff and; A Bias Towards Trust

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You’ve seen the memes where its “(fill in favorite activity here) and I know stuff/things”.

We’ve now defined #VoiceActing. “We read scripts and we know things” if only for very short periods of time. We’re arguably the greatest resource of unconnected facts and trivia around.

Life Skills! heh.

Yesterday I moderated a chat between two educators, one here in the US and the other in India. The doctoral level educator from India said something that I thought was profound. Speaking of “fixing” education, he said,

“We need to establish a ‘Bias Towards Trust'”.

Wow. I’m gonna chew on that. It’s what’s wrong with the US right now in my opinion. Be part of the movement. .

What can I record for you?

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Do I need a coach to do Voice Over? Getting started in VoiceOver #12

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After all the equipment and recording space challenges, this is likely a question I get asked most. “Do I really need a coach?”

Even if you’re an experienced actor, presenter, speaker, trainer… probably! There are so many nuances to this art- like any art- that knowing more is to be better armed to compete. Interview several coaches. Many will offer an initial session if only to chat about their process.

The highest tier coaches may not. Their work already speaks to results. But make sure the coach you hire has a ‘vibe’ that matches you. And remember the wrong coach can hurt you more than help.

Can I help get you started? Would you like a copy of my free resource guide? Drop me a line!