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VOICE OVER TODAY - April 27, 2003

Helping voice talent build careers.

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Published by EDGE STUDIO
     New York training - 212-868-edge
     Washington DC training - 202-398-edge
     Connecticut training - 203-374-edge
     Tele-Training - 888-321-edge

established 1988
member Better Business Bureau

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WHAT IS EDGE STUDIO?

Production Studio & Casting Office
- for commercial and narration productions

Career Building Facility
- training, demos, resources, workshops, evaluations, and guidance

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WANT WORK?
visit www.edgestudio.com/marketinghelp.htm

NEED PRACTICE SCRIPTS?
visit www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm

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THIS ISSUE INCLUDES:

1.)... Free Marketing Expo, April 30th, in NY city
2.)... Are Accents And Dialects Marketable?
3.)... Interview With Paul Payton…Someone You’ve Heard Many Times

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Armando Plata - One of the top 5 Spanish Voice-over in the world - Corporate, warm, upscale, conversational - CNN-TBS-TNT-Discovery - Neutral Accent - Translations - Emmy Winner - Own State of the art recording studio - ISDN - Iaff, WAV, Mp3, CD or DAT - Same day delivery –

You can reach Armando Plata anytime at 213-458 0816 or 888- 380 7616 - please visit his page at www.armandoplata.com 's or email to platavoice@aol.com

Armando Plata's clients include: USA Marines, Yahoo.com, Best Buys, Visa, Toyota, Sony, Western Union, Erickson, Mc Donald's, FedEx, AT&T, Primerica, Alamo Rent a Car, Visa, Delta Airlines, Coca Cola, IBM, The Ritz Carlton Hotels, Paramount Pictures, Orkin Chemical, and many other Top 500 Corp.

Next time you will need some help in Spanish Projects do not hesitate to call or refer Armando Plata

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1.) FREE MARKETING EXPO, APRIL 30th, NEW YORK CITY

This week is the Free Marketing Expo!

HAVE A DEMO?
Then attend the FREE Marketing Expo. This is only for artists seriously interested in a voice-over career.

WHERE AND WHEN?
Wednesday, April 30, 2003 from 7:30-10:00, located at 122 West 26th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY (between 6th & 7th avenue). YOU MUST BRING YOUR DEMO. Class only available in New York City.

INTERESTED?
For free registration, call Edge Studio at 888-321-edge.

WHAT IS COVERED?
Marketing information, including a clear overview of getting signed by an agent with the intensive Marketing Co-op class.

WHAT IS THE MARKETING CO-OP CLASS?
This eleven week class’ only objective is to get your demo into the hands of over 300 casting professionals and agents. The Marketing Co-op class begins Wednesday, May 7, from 7:30-10:00pm and runs eleven Wednesday evenings in May, June, and July.

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Come to the free Marketing Expo, meet Scott Glasgow, the instructor, and decide. PLEASE BRING YOUR DEMO.

RESULTS?
Historically over half of participants are called by an Agent or Casting Director before the class even concludes.

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Happy with the work you do?

Be your own boss! Enjoy unlimited earnings potential.
Call now to learn how you can start earning money and the spare time to enjoy it with. I have an outstanding opportunity with a company the media are calling a "household word".

Call 203-372-1300 9-5 EST or email at Forcesinnature@juno.com or visit my website at:
www.5pillars.com/forcesinnature
Susan McGrath, Independent Wellness Consultant

"Teaching consumers about wellness products and services, or intellectual distribution, is the greatest entrepreneurial opportunity now and for the foreseeable future." Paul Zane Pilzer, Leading Economist &Presidential
Advisor

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2.) ARE ACCENTS and DIALECTS MARKETABLE?

question:
I can do numerous accents and dialects – would producers hire me for voice overs?

answer:

Your question is a smart one. Producers and casting agents sometimes desire artificial accents and dialects. Sometimes they don’t. Most of it depends upon your proficiency and your location.

Let’s begin with proficiency. When a casting agent requires an accent or dialect, they need someone who sounds genuine. However many people have not mastered the affectation. Often their ‘sounds’ and/or intonation (way of speaking) is not accurate. Other times they are not consistent (one syllable sounds genuine while the next does not).

If you desire an evaluation, we suggest working with Sam Chwat -- he is the accent/dialect coach of the stars, and can help you determine your proficiency. If you’re interested in working with him, call our office weekdays 9-5EST at 888-321-3343 to schedule a session.

Next, let’s discuss location. As a New York city producer, with a large voice-over artist talent pool at my disposal, I can generally find professional voice-over artists who naturally have the accent and dialect that is required. I rarely request a voice-over artist affect his or her voice. Colleagues of mine who work in smaller, less competitive voice-over markets often hire voice-over artists who affect their voice, as they don’t have a large talent pool.

However, if you have the ability to affect your voice, but live in a competitive area, you should consider marketing your talent elsewhere (smaller markets and international ones). Find a local studio (you can use ours if you are in the NY area), and set fees with them so that you use their services when you receive a voice-over job. Then market to the world.

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Get your own website - market your demo.

”There are website companies out there, but none with the complete MyOnlineDemo.com features geared to showcase and promote YOU, the working performing artist.”

www.MyOnlineDemo.com
“Building, Hosting and PROMOTING Websites for Performing Artists”
Buyers of talent are looking for YOU on the World Wide Web:
Be there to greet them with:

Your own complete online talent portfolio featuring your:
Demos—Headshots--Printable Resume/Bio and Performance Schedule Pages--Online Audition Page--E-Commerce Center --Email List Builder—24-hr. access--Your own web address and email…
You select the look and pages-- MyOnlineDemo.com builds it for you and places it on major search engines!
Exclusive promotional package:
Your website can be sent ONLINE from www.myonlinedemo.com/MOD/modFSpromote.htm directly to thousands of buyers of talent who opted in to receive notices from your category of talent.

Amazingly low prices—less than $15.mo.-- and excellent customer support! admin@MyOnlineDemo.com

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3.) INTERVIEW WITH PAUL PAYTON…SOMEONE YOU’VE HEARD MANY TIMES

1. DO YOU LOVE DOING VOICE-OVERS ?

Absolutely yes. It's all enjoyable, even the driest industrials; there's tremendous satisfaction is getting it just right. Every day - every job – is a new adventure.

2. WHERE HAVE WE HEARD YOU IN PAST ?

Some commercials include: Verizon Wireless; CBS-TV (O&O stations including WCBS-TV, NYC), many promos and commercials); Time Life Video ("Big Comfy Couch," "Winds of War," "The American Indian," "Dr. Deepak Chopra"); TV Guide; Maaco Auto Centers; Consumer Reports.

3. WHERE CAN WE CURRENTLY HEAR YOU ?

Some current commercials: Pascack Valley Hospital (NY/NJ, radio); Gearhart Chevrolet (NJ, TV); Greater New Haven Home Show (CT); plus I'm on the hold message when you call Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Also, call Novartis Pharmaceuticals' main switchboard (888-644-8585) and I'll greet you!

4. WHICH JOBS ARE THE MOST FUN ?

Ones where the producer/director/client knows what they want, hires the appropriate talent and trusts the talent to deliver (otherwise, why have that talent there?) Things I like: directors who give good direction; scripts with some creativity; scripts that are well-written, making interpreting them easier.

5. WHICH JOBS ARE THE LEAST FUN ?

The opposite of the above; sessions where multiple-headed clients all try to direct and "put their fingerprints on it" instead of having one appointed source of information; sessions where directors make you guess what they want and hold it against you if you don't get it right. Also: alcoholic drinks are fine at a party, and drugs are for treating disease. Neither belong at a session.

6. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED ?

After many years in radio (and overlapping with some part-time on-air work), a former DJ colleague turned me on to the v/o business. I part-timed for two years before jumping in fulltime. It's the best career move I made.

7. ADVICE TO NEW-COMERS ?

This is a business. Don't try to be a star; try to be a professional who works a lot. Also, don't try to be the "next" someone else - the next Don Pardo, Peter Thomas, etc.; be the first you. There's a market for competent people of every type; assuming a certain level of competence, the market will tell you what it wants from you. (For me, my "job" is finding jobs. My fun and satisfaction come from being in the booth, delivering the goods.)

8. ADVICE TO PROFESSIONALS WHO DESIRE MORE WORK ?

Network directly where possible, especially in the industrial field. No one cares as much about your career as you do, not even your agent and/or manager. (Maybe your spouse does, but not in quite the same way!) Always carry cards and demos; "don't leave home without 'em."

9. STRANGEST EXPERIENCE IN A VOICE-OVER SESSION ?

Being run through 89 (!) takes of one five-line spot because of a multiple-headed client (see above)! As I was finally walking out of the studio, the engineer ran up to me to say, "I hope you realize it wasn't you - you had it by take 5; each of those seven guys had to make you do something different to prove to their boss they were working!"

10. HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU FEEL TRAINING IS ?

One needs to know the "rules of the industry" - "how it's done"; the "etiquette" of networking, auditions, studios. One also needs to know as much as possible about how to present your talent in the best way. Get as much training and coaching as you need to realize your potential. I think too much can stifle your individual style, but I also think periodic "refresher courses" are a good idea. They can help to break the bad habits we all inevitably fall into. I also believe that a person can go through all the training in the world, but if the innate talent isn't there, it will only take them so far.

11. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST TO LOOK FOR IN A COACH ?

(1) Compatibility - you don't always have to love each other, but I think you have to respect each other: you respect his/her ability to help you, he/she respects your potential talent. (2) A track record - either their own when they were/are working, and/or a record of success of their students.

12. HOW DO YOU FORESEE THE INDUSTRY CHANGING IN THE FUTURE ?

The formats of delivery will always be in flux, but until they perfect emotion in voice synthesis, we'll always have somewhere to go to work as long as our producers/directors/clients do.

13. WHAT'S YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS ?

To quote the Grandfather character on the old comedy serial, "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," "The secret is: there is no secret." Find where the business is being done, and try to "stand near it where they see you."

14. ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ?

Everyone can't do everything. Do what you do well, and let people know you can do it politely but assertively. Be flexible and available (unless, of course, you're already booked). Be nice - this is also a relationship-based
business. I try to stay on my clients' minds without being in their way, so that if they need "a voice," mine is the voice they think of.

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The 2002-2003 edition of the Audiobook Reference Guide, from the publisher of AudioFile magazine, is worth checking out. This comprehensive sourcebook to the audiobook industry provides contact information for 600 audiobook publishers, wholesale and retail distributors, creative, manufacturing and support services.

Check out the new section on Voice Talent--and sign up for YOUR listing in the 2002-2003 Edition.

Call 800-506-1212 or visit www.audiofilemagazine.com to order your copy now. Just $24.00 (inc. s/h). For info on the Voice Talent listings email lisa@audiofilemagazine.com.

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"I have spent a lot of time and money. I have a great demo! How can I get agents and casting people to notice it . or even listen to it?"

The outside of your demo should be as interesting as the inside. Get your demo noticed before it is thrown on a pile or in the trash without even being heard!

WANT CUSTOM CD DEMO CARDS?

"What's a Front-Card?" That's the insert-card on the back and sides of your CD demo case.
"What's a Tray-Card?" That's the insert-card on the front of your CD demo case.
"Why do I need cards?" This determines if your demo is heard, tossed in a pile, or thrown away!

STILL INTERESTED?
NYC area - I come to you! Either your place of business or home to set up artwork. Together we'll listen to your demo and create Artwork suitable for it. Everything is stored on file for future duplicates.

CD Front Card - $1 per card. CD Tray Card - $1 per card. Cassette J-Card - $1 per card. One time Set-up fee - $40. Cutting Charge - $10 per order

Paul Liberti (212) 229-7856
voiceoverPaul@aol.com

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Are you tired of reading off of cue cards? Memorizing long scripts only to get to the job and receive changes? Then this is for you.

EAR-PROMPTER--The ability to speak, simultaneously, pre-recorded material from a micro-cassette recorder, while hearing it through an earpiece, giving a flawless performance.

This extraordinary on-camera class comes from a leading ear-prompter proficient actor and trainer. Receive a nation-wide list of "Ear" agents at the end of the course and open the doors to more moneymaking opportunities.

Call Andréa Urban 917-664-7777 for private or group lessons

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HAVE A DEMO?
We're always searching for new talent. Please mail us your CD demo to:
Edge Studio, 251 West 30th Street, suite 9-fm. NY, NY 10001 USA

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WANT TO ADVERTISE in Voice Over Today?
Results have been great! Email info@edgestudio.com or call us weekdays, 9-5 EST at 888-321-edge

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