October 2nd, 2011
What is the path to voice over success?
Here is a simple and crude, yet very descriptive image of what the path to voice over success looks like:
Archive for the ‘Voice over acting’ Category:
September 19th, 2011
The new voice over job
After briefly mentioning the new voice over job that I got back in August I've received quite a few emails asking me to talk about some of the juicy details. Since I aim to please, this post will be all about what exactly the job is, how I landed the job, what the job entails, how much time I spend everyday on the job, and anything else that pops into my head as I write.
But before I begin to divulge, let me say up front that I am bound by a "somewhat relaxed" NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Which means that there are specifics about the job that I'm not allowed to talk about, but I can talk about it in general terms.
So now, here are the most asked questions about the new job and their answers:
August 6th, 2011
Working for peanuts – not prime rib
This isn't a detailed scientific study. This isn't even a controlled experiment. It's just an observation of a single occurrence. And yet every voice actor in the industry has seen something similar. They know this is going on and they know it's causing the slow decline of the voice actor's salary and the cheapening of our image as highly-trained professionals.
It's called 'lowballing" — the practice of bidding extremely low on a project in the hopes of landing the gig — and it really does hurt!
Here's the latest occurrence I stumbled across...
On a voice over job website (which shall go unnamed) a client (who shall also go unnamed) posted a job for a 1-hour narration. The budget listed was between $350 and $500. About one week later that same client posted another 1-hour narration job. But this time: a budget of $50 to $100!
Think about it from the client's point of view...
If you (as a voice seeker) post a job with a budget of, let's say... $350, and then you get offers to do the job for as cheap as $50, wouldn't you then set the budget of your next job to only about $50? I don't know about you, but I certainly would!
If everyone is willing to work for peanuts,
then why would a voice seeker offer prime rib?
Everybody wants to get a great deal. And if there are talented voice actors out there willing to sell themselves short and bid ultra-low, then why wouldn't voice seekers take advantage of it? If voice actors are always quoting a low price, then why wouldn't voice seekers start stating that their budgets are smaller than they actually are?
Now YOU think about it...
For MANY projects, the voice over is just as important as any of the visual elements. And some projects don't even have the visual elements! Your voice will help companies sell thousands and sometimes millions of dollars worth of their product or service. And they'll be laughing all the way to the bank at the great deal they got from the voice actor.
Come on, people! Why would anyone take our profession seriously when we ourselves are willing to accept table scraps as payment for professional jobs?
July 5th, 2011
Double webinar whammy!
The good people over at VoiceOverXtra have been very busy this summer with lots of webinars. Here are two more that are worth checking out!
Voice Acting and Copy Reading Techniques
Three top talents/coaches (Bettye Zoller, James Alburger & Penny Abshire) reveal the techniques for making the right delivery choice for voice over scripts - to win auditions and voice actual jobs. Attendees will learn confidence, how to sound "natural" and how to quickly create and practice characters, read and practice cold copy, and much more. Starts 9 p.m. ET on July 12th.
Twisted Wave: The Basics and Beyond
Learn how to set up, use and get the most out of Mac's new Twisted Wave audio production software, in this live interactive webinar demonstration by acclaimed home studio expert George Whittam. Registered attendees also receive a recording of the entire audio/visual session. Online demo instruction includes setting audio device preferences, file management/organization, basic audio unit effects, creating effect stacks, exporting files, batch processing and more. Starts 9 p.m. ET on July 18th.
May 31st, 2011
Your cool ain’t necessarily that cool
Recently I was hired to voice as a young "cool and hip" 25 to 30 year old guy for an in-house video. I got the script along with the storyboard a few hours before the recording session. I then dutifully analyzed and practiced the script a few times. I was ready, willing, and feeling like a "cool and hip" 25 to 30 year old guy (in a 41 year old body 
)
The session proceeded as usual, ending with a satisfied client at its conclusion. Nice and smooth. Another day at the office. Except that the final read was almost 180 degrees different from what I had prepared.
What happened?
May 18th, 2011
Wanna be working full time as a voice actor? Here’s how!
It's every voice actor's dream: working full time purely as a voice actor. But how can one do it? Is there some magic to the whole process? Is it being connected to the right people? Is it just dumb luck?
'Nope' to all of the above.
Actually, success can be broken down into 5 simple steps, and voice actor Richard Horvitz tells you all about them in his popular 1 hour and 40 minute audio seminar that you can get through Dan O'Day's website.
If you want to boost your VO career, then now would be a good time to check this out:
How To Get As Much Voice Over Work As You Can Handle By Learning How To Play
May 7th, 2011
Choosing a voice coach – part 2
In Choosing a voice coach - part 1, we looked at some of the different types of lessons out there and how to find the best match to your learning style. Now in part 2, we're going to talk a little bit about what kind of person you want as your coach. Should he or she be a full-time voice actor already? How about a professional director (but not necessarily an actor)?
Here we go again...
April 26th, 2011
Something every beginner should know
Ira Glass of This American Life is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of being a person driven by creative ambitions. In this video, Ira shares some extremely profound advice for beginners to any creative field. It doesn't matter if you're an up-and-coming writer, designer, musician, actor, or voice actor, these words will hit home.
Check out the program's website at:
This American Life
April 22nd, 2011
Choosing a voice coach – part 1
Okay. So, you've made the decision to really try out this whole "voice acting" thingy. You've read some really good books on voice acting and maybe even listened to a voice over seminar / webinar or two. But now you feel it's time to take the plunge; to dive in deep. That is to say: start taking lessons from a really good voice acting coach.
"But who should I choose as my voice coach?"
To many, that question is difficult to answer. That's why in this post (and others to follow) I'll endeavor to take as much of the confusion as possible out of the selection process. (And at the end of this post, I'll show you a cool video about teachers, too.)
Class is in session. Let's begin...
April 17th, 2011
How to do voice acting without getting caught!
A while back I stumbled across this excellent audio seminar by voice coach extraordinaire Nancy Wolfson (the audio is brought to you by voice actor Dan O'Day) titled How to do voice acting without getting caught! It's probably one of the most eye-opening seminars I've ever listened to. In it you learn exactly how to not sound like you're selling something. Instead, the vital skills needed to put the sound of truth, honesty, and believability in your words (plus a whole lot more 
) are taught.
The 2-hour 45-minute audio seminar isn't free, however. But hey, the only way to become successful is by investing in your eduction right now, right? And in my opinion, investing in anything Nancy Wolfson teaches is a good deal.
Check it out:
How to do voice acting without getting caught!
