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Voice Over Training Articles
Getting Started in Voice Overs, the Ultimate Beginners Guide
By Stew Crossen and Eric Michael Summerer
Chapter 4:
3 More Things You Can Do Right Away
1. Keep A Notebook
Jot down the day and time that you practiced and the copy you used such as a commercial, a narration or a character read. Make notes about how your voice sounded. For example; rough, dry, wet, lower pitch, higher pitch, etc. Make notes about areas you need to work on such as; diction, pacing or your breathing.
If you're interested in character voice work, a notebook is an invaluable tool. When you come up with a new character voice (or new vocal attitude), give it a name and a back-story and put it in your notebook. By turning these voices into real characters it will help in your recall of them when you need them later on. Referring to "Gizmo the Sprightly Elf" is easier than "that high-pitched squeak where I talk through my nose with a lisp." One voice actor we know keeps a picture of every one of his character voices on his cell phone. When he needs inspiration or help recalling a character, he can quickly look them up no matter where he is.
2. Build a Knowledge Base
Go online and search for voice actors, producers and casting companies. Study their web sites for content, features and demos. Bookmark the good ones and visit them often. Search for articles and news about voice-overs and read up on the industry. Try to spot trends. Keep your eyes open to the various ways people use their voice to make money.
3. Read Books
There are lots of books written about voice-overs, and while none of them can replace face-to-face training, many of the authors have a lot of interesting things to say about the business. The voice-over business is very fast paced and changes rapidly. When selecting a book about voice-overs or voice acting, be sure to check when it was written, or when it was updated.
In particular,
Harlan Hogan's book, VO, is
great for its fascinating anecdotes. For character work, Pamela
Lewis' Talking Funny for Money is a good choice. Another
good one is Making Money In Voice-Overs
by Terri Apple.
In Chapter 5, we'll talk about Interpreting And Understanding Copy.
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We also offer private voice over training for
Radio Announcers, Voice Actors, Speakers, Educators, Poets, Business
Professionals and anyone interested in improving their vocal
skills.
What can we do for you?
Call or for voice-over
information.
Stew "Beef Stew" Crossen
800.970.5151
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