Voice CoachingVoice coaching is an essential tool in becoming a Voice Talent. I started voicing commercials when I was only 16 way back in 19XX (never mind what year). For the next 25 years, I worked in radio and television and always did voiceover work on the side. But when I wanted to take my voiceover career to a higher, more professional level, I went to a voice coach. Even now I continue my education through seminars and individual coaching to advance my career. There are several crucial facets to proper voice coaching: 1) Accent Reduction This is probably the most difficult thing to overcome. Most people speak with a regional accent. If you only want to record regional, low paying projects, there’s no problem. But the bigger, better paying jobs...and in particular, overseas clients...want a very neutral sound. The good news is that sometimes your accent comes in handy. If you’re from New York and the producer wants a true “New Yorker” accent, you can deliver. Treat your accent like a coat. When it’s warm take it off, when it’s cold put it back on. 2) Articulation Learning proper articulation is just a matter of practice, practice, and more practice. Poor articulation comes from two sources; (a) Laziness...and that speaks for itself. (b) Attempting to communicate with the people around us. We all tend to speak the way others in our sphere speak. It’s an ancient desire to fit in with the tribe. But with voiceover, you must learn to enunciate and speak clearly. Here’s my favorite example: What do you put on your toast at breakfast? Butter. Now say the word out loud. Did you say BuTTer or budder? You may have clients from all over the world. If English is their second language you must be precise in your speech. 3) Copy Interpretation This is the facet of voice coaching that separates the exceptional voice talents from the average. You must learn to find the character in the script, and you must learn to find that character rather quickly. We all do this every day, by the way. When you’re on the phone with your mom you use a certain voice. When you’re on the phone with your boss you use a different voice. When you’re on the phone with your spouse/partner and you’re really mad, you use that other voice. The trick is to find the emotion and communicate on demand. That’s why many refer to this business as “voice acting.” A friend of mine read a Gingiss Formal Wear commercial for a voice coach. The coach asked, “You don’t like to dress up, do you?” “No,” he answered. Then she said, “I could hear that in your read.” Even voice talent with that James Earl Jones-like rich, rolling voice will not climb to the top tier of this industry without superior copy interpretation. 4) The Business of Voiceovers You can have stellar talent...a voice like an angel or the voice of God...and the best demo every produced. But that won't get you work in the world of voiceovers. You must also learn the business side of the voiceover industry. And that business has changed dramatically over the last decade. You will either learn the changes in voiceovers, or you will not succeed in the VO world. 5) The Demo So what’s your goal at the end of the lessons? The Demo. The Demo is your audio resume, and as such should be of outstanding audio quality. You should LOVE your demo! If you do not, how can you recommend it to potential clients? A voiceover Demo lasts one minute, and in that one minute you must show a range of delivery styles and nuanced performances. Experienced voice talent use their most high profile commercials in their demo. Newcomers use scripts from real projects produced by a professional audio editor. Any successful voice talent will have several demos: 1) Commercial 2) Industrial 3) Books on tape/Inspirational 4) Character 5) Radio/TV imaging/Movie Trailers You need at least the first two to get started as a voice talent.
With Deborah Richards The leading talent agents in the Southeastern United States all send their actor clients to me when they want the actor to have a voiceover demo. Consequently, I have a waiting list for coaching slots, as I only take five students maximum at any given time. Customarily, our first meeting will be at no cost. I'll get to hear you read some ad copy and answer your questions about voiceovers. Based upon that first meeting, I'll be able to evaluate your potential and inform you whether or not I'll be able to accept you as a student. PLEASE NOTE: I turn down 3-5 candidates for every one that I accept. Here are my Voice Coaching Packages and rates: The Gold Package for Coaching and Demo...$800 - Perfect for the novice voice actor. This package includes 4 one-hour sessions of individual voice coaching to: - reduce accents - develop articulation and enunciation - sharpen pronunciation - hone copy interpretation skills As a student, you will work in the studio before the demo is recorded to help you become comfortable in front of a microphone. Finally, two demos (Commercial and Industrial) are recorded and edited, which include music and sound effects. You will graduate with a professionally-produced demo on CD as well as an MP3 digital demo. The Silver Package for Copy and Demo...$650 - If you have worked with a voice coach or actors workshop and just need help with copy, this is the package for you. Student meets for one sixty-minute session to review copy provided by the instructor. We'll discuss delivery options and make sure you have a wide range of "voices" for your demo. In a second session, two demos are recorded and edited which include music and sound effects. You will graduate with a professionally-produced demo on CD as well as an MP3 digital demo. The Bronze Package for Demo Only...$600 - This is for the experienced voice talent who simply wants to freshen up his/her demo with new copy. Talent is responsible for providing all copy. Two demos are recorded and edited which include music and sound effects. Talent may decide to incorporate existing demo material as well. You will receive a professionally-produced demo on CD as well as an MP3 digital demo. Upon completion of the demos, all students are given a list of approved local talent agents and recommendations for national voicecasting websites. Additional One Hour Coaching Sessions Sometimes students feel they need additional lessons and coaching. Or you may find that you want specialized coaching to prepare for a big audition. One hour coaching sessions are $75 and are scheduled as my time permits. Your Payments A payment of $75.00 is due prior to each private coaching session. Once your payment is made, you may schedule your lesson with me. The balance of your chosen demo package is due before the demos are recorded. You may pay with check/credit card/Paypal through our shopping cart and secure merchant account (link below). To make your payment, please click on the link below which will take you to the Shopping Cart. Coaching Cancellations I try to be as accommodating as I can to your changing schedules. Unplanned stuff happens. However, I require at least 24 hours notice if you cannot keep your scheduled lesson. In the event of a cancellation made with less than 24 hours notice, your payments made in advance will cover my time lost. Reschedule right away to make up the missed lesson. Continuing Education Audio Editing: The ability to edit and produce your own voiceover work is the wave of the future...NOW! Give yourself a competitive advantage by learning audio editing techniques. This is available at the rate of $75.00 per hour. Home Studio: More and more successful voice actors are setting up a professional studio in their home. With your own studio, you gain yet another competitive advantage in a fiercely competitive marketplace. My consultations will show you how to set up the studio as well as what vendors to use to get the best prices on equipment. This is available at the rate of $75.00 per hour. Click HERE To Make Payments
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