Edge Studio

more Voice Over Today past issues

This VOICE OVER TODAY Issue Includes:

1.) Upcoming ‘Voice Over Training’ Events

2.) Obstacles and Remedies for Advancing Your Career

3.) Partner Programs

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VOICE OVER TODAY – June 6, 2005

Helping Voice-Talent Build Careers.

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

SINCE: 1988
RECOGNIZED: Voice and Speech Trainers Association
MEMBER: Better Business Bureau
SPONSOR: National Public Radio, Recording For The Blind & Dyslexic

VOICE OVER CAREER BUILDING
- training, evaluations, demos, marketing resources, guidance, duplication

PRODUCTION STUDIO & CASTING
- commercial and narration productions

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An essential tool for those working in audiobook narration-the Audiobook
Reference Guide is worth checking out. This comprehensive sourcebook to
the audiobook industry has over 375 listings for audiobook publishers,
producers, and directors-with their contact information.

To order your print copy now for only $49.95 (inc. s/h), call AudioFile at
800-506-1212 or visit www.audiofilemagazine.com

Be sure to check out the section on Voice Talent-and sign up for YOUR
listing in the online edition. For info on the Voice Talent listings email
guide@audiofilemagazine.com or visit www.audiofilemagazine.com

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1.) UPCOMING ‘VOICE OVER TRAINING’ EVENTS

$25 ACT-UP! WORKSHOPS

To increase your ability, each month has a different focus.
June’s focus is AUDIOBOOKS
July’s focus is COMMERCIAL DOUBLES

• TELE-CLASS (taught by David Goldberg)
third Wednesday of each month (June 15) 7pm-9pm EST
call us for a “dial in” code and payment

• NY STUDIO (taught by Paul Liberti)
first Monday of each month (CLASS DELAYED TO JULY 11, DUE TO THE HOLIDAY ON JULY 4) 7pm-9pm
just show up! Pay at the door!

$25 or $200 for a 10-pack

TELE-TRAINING
call 888-321-edge to receive a “dial in” code

• Do V.O. From Home Seminar: $79 - June 13, 6pm-8pm EST
• ACT-UP! Workshop: AUDIOBOOKS: $25 or $200 for a 10-pack - June 15, 7pm-9pm EST
• Intensive Technique Evaluation Workshop: July 15, 3pm-7pm EST
• Promo Workshop: $79 - July 18, 6pm-8pm EST
• ACT-UP! Workshop: COMMERCIAL DOUBLES: $25 or $200 for a 10-pack – July 20, 7pm-9pm EST
• Telephony Workshop: $79 - July 25, 6pm-8pm EST
• Marketing ‘Get Me Work Now!’ Seminar: $79 - August 1, 5pm-7pm EST
• Do V.O. From Home Seminar: $79 - August 31, 8pm-10pm EST

NEW YORK STUDIO
call 212-868-edge to participate

• Character & Animation Workshop: $99 - June 20, 6pm-10pm
• Intensive Technique Evaluation Workshop: $99 - June 23, 9am-1pm
• Advanced Character & Animation Workshop: $99 - June 27, 6pm-10pm
SPECIAL - BOTH CHARACTER WORKSHOPS FOR $179
• Marketing "Get Me Work Now!" Seminar: $79 - June 29, 7pm-9pm
• Promo Workshop: $79 - July 6, 7pm-9pm
• ACT-UP! Workshop: COMMERCIAL DOUBLES: $25 or $200 for a 10-pack – July 11, 7pm-9pm EST
• Comprehensive 3-Day Break-In Event: $999 - August 12, 13, 14

CONNECTICUT STUDIO
call 203-374-edge to participate

• Intensive-Technique Evaluation Workshop: $99 - August 23, 3pm-7pm

WASHINGTON DC STUDIO
call 202-398-edge to participate

• Intensive-Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159 - June 20, 12noon-4pm
• Intensive-Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159 - June 20, 6pm-10pm
• Marketing "Get Me Work Now!" Seminar: $119 - June 21, 9am-11am
• Do Voice Over From Home Seminar: $119 - June 21, 11:30am-1:30pm
• Promo Workshop: $119 - June 21, 2:30pm-4:30pm
• Telephony Workshop: $119 - June 21, 5pm-7pm

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2.) OBSTACLES AND REMEDIES FOR ADVANCING YOUR CAREER

1. can anyone do voice-over?

No. Voice-over is about being natural. And yet while we use our natural voices all day, there is much more to voice-over work than just talking. Some obstacles follow.

2. obstacles, remedies

When one reads, several factors can make it difficult to sound natural. For example:

• Since we grew up noticing affected deliveries (and not noticing natural deliveries), we gravitate towards using it. To prevent this from happening, begin by listening carefully to natural voice overs, such as most national commercials, documentaries, telephone systems, training videos, and so on. Take note of how natural the voice is.

• In natural conversation, we produce complete thoughts before speaking them, and therefore our words flow together naturally. However when reading scripts, we tend to read words one at a time, and that lends itself to sounding stilted, choppy, and unnatural. To fix this, ‘look ahead’ when reading – in other words, always know what’s coming up next. This way you are prepared for it.

• When we’re in the spotlight (in front of the microphone), it is instinctive to be over-dramatic and theatrical. This is simple to remedy: pretend you are talking to one person.

• Since the voice-over artist knows that millions of people may hear the recording, there is a tendency to project. To sound natural, remember that you are talking to one person… as if they are right near you. (Remember that listening to voice over is generally a solitary activity - i.e.: you listen to radio commercials, documentaries, audiobooks, etc. by yourself.)

• The fear of the microphone not ‘picking up’ our voice makes us speak louder. Yet like when you make a telephone call across the world, there is no reason to yell. Let the electronics do their job.

• The unnatural environment of wearing headphones in a soundproof room promotes the use of a projected voice. This simply takes time to get used to.

• Scripts are typically written differently than we speak. They are written in someone else’s words and in the ‘third person.’ Yet in natural conversation, we speak in our own words in the ‘first person.’ Becoming a better reader compensates for this.

• A recording session can create nervousness, which creates an unnatural sound. Practice and confidence will correct this.

3. required skills

Being a capable reader is just the beginning. To succeed, the following skills are necessary:

• One needs a marketable voice. A marketable voice is one that is suitable for voice-over work — it does not necessarily mean that the voice is beautiful, sexy, or powerful. Today, most voices are marketable. Interestingly, the more mainstream the voice is, the more work there is available.

• Being adaptable and directable allows you to follow the producer’s directions accurately.

• Listening carefully allows efficient and effective communication with the producer.

• Being creative helps the production come to life.

• An ability to remain calm during recording sessions, even when numerous confused producers give contradictory commands, is essential for getting the job done.

• Appearing professional signals experience and confidence.

• Patience and dedication is a must, as your voice is not ‘right’ for every part and it takes a while to gain numerous clientele. Success does not usually happen overnight.

• And finally, being diligent and professional is key — from marketing to work.

4. obtaining the skills

Professional skills are generally best acquired with professional tools, including:

• Professional guidebooks and workshops — it’s practically impossible to train yourself.

• Private coaching sessions — the best way to harness your personal strengths.

• Listening to and learning from professionals — both good and bad.

• Experience.

* TIP * Every recording studio has a microphone and therefore has the potential to teach voice-over and produce voice-over demos. But unless they have a producer who truly understands the voice over industry, it’s unlikely that they can train you to sound like your professional competitors.

5. time required to reach your goals

Face it: A voice-over career doesn’t happen overnight. (If it were that easy, everyone would do it.) Instead, one must practice, market, and be patient. Remember that the professionals, who make it sound simple, do exactly this. Learn from them.

Numerous variables will dictate the time involved in reaching your goals:

• Experience — Unnatural voice experience, such as radio broadcasting, stage acting, and some public speaking, etc., may require one to need additional time training. This is because skills will need to be unlearned before learning voice over.

Conversely, some experience may make it easier to break in, such as reading for the blind, reading for children, counseling, singing, and on-camera acting.

• Inhibition — One needs to be loose and carefree in front of the microphone. Inhibitions can be detrimental, as they can produce a stiff and unnatural sound.

• Natural aptitude — Some people are naturals, some are not.

• Diligence — Practicing is a key to breaking in. Therefore, the more you practice, the sooner you can enter the field.

• Goals — Choosing to specialize in one genre of the voice over industry usually will require less schooling, as there are fewer styles to learn.

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3.) PARTNER PROGRAMS

If your current voice over instructor/school does not offer training resources that Edge Studio does,
feel welcome to use our Partner Programs.

The objective is to enhance your career and resume, as Edge Studio is one of the most trusted resources in the voice over industry.

NOTES: If you tell your current instructor/school about Edge Studio’s Partner Programs, and they call us for more information, you receive an additional 10% off Partner Programs. Partner Programs are only offered if you are signed up with or are currently training with another instructor/school, OR have completed another instructor/school’s program within the last 30 days.

PARTNER PROGRAM PACKAGES - via TELE-TRAINING and IN-STUDIO

Starter Partner Program
Appropriate if your current instructor/school does not offer initial evaluations (essential to determine your vocal strengths/weaknesses, and to establish your most marketable niches which help set a marketable path (i.e.: documentary, audiobook, character, commercial, training, etc.). Includes comprehensive, organized practice tools.
• Intensive Technique Voice-Evaluation Workshop
• Industry GuideBook
• Practice Scripts
$109 (non Partner Program cost = $138)

Starter & Ender Partner Program
In addition to benefits of the Starter Program, this Program teaches you how to get work. Plus the ACT! UP Workshops prepare you for actual work and auditions.
• Intensive Technique Voice-Evaluation Workshop
• Industry GuideBook
• Practice Scripts
• Marketing Seminar
• two ACT! UP Workshops
$229 (non Partner Program cost = $267)

Starter & Ender PLUS Partner Program
In addition to the Starter & Ender Program, this program helps you expand your career by offering clients productions from your home-studio. Plus the additional ACT! UP Workshops are designed to ensure that you sound as good as your demo.
• Intensive Technique Voice-Evaluation Workshop
• Industry GuideBook
• Practice Scripts
• Marketing Seminar
• Do V.O. From Home Seminar
• four ACT! UP Workshops
$329 (non Partner Program cost = $396)

Ender Partner Program
Appropriate if your current instructor/school does not offer post-demo training. As any sales-person knows, you must understand your industry and the best way to get “in the door” to get work. And once you receive work, you must be prepared, which is why two ACT! UP Workshops are included.
• Marketing Seminar
• two ACT! UP Workshops
$109 (non Partner Program cost = $129)

Ender PLUS Partner Program
In addition to the benefits of the Ender Program, this program helps you expand your career by offering clients productions from your home-studio. Plus the additional ACT! UP Workshops are designed to ensure that you sound as good as your demo.
• Marketing Seminar
• Do V.O. From Home Seminar
• four ACT! UP Workshops
$219 (non Partner Program cost = $258)

DEMO PRODUCTION Partner Program
If your trainer/school does not offer demo production, feel welcome to use our production team. As you know, creating a competitive demo is more than simply hitting “record” and reading. It takes thought, attention, and trained ears. Which is why demos produced here usually produce results.
• Practice Scripts
• Demo Preparation Session
• Demo Recording Session
• Demo Production/Mixing Session
• Receive master CD and MP3 emailed to you
• one ACT! UP Workshop
$539 (non Partner Program cost = $599)

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NYU-trained screenwriter-filmmaker needs voiceover artists to read aloud 1)
produced full-length screenplays (American Beauty, Shawshank Redemption,
etc.) and 2) drafts of his own full-length screenplay. 3-hour sessions.
Straight reading of all text. No acting/voiceplay. Readings are held in his
small Chelsea studio apartment on weekends and weeknights. No pay, but good
practice accurately cold reading screenplay text and taking direction.
Email slaymakerb@sullcrom.com for 1-page audition, which can be done by
phone. (Full-length readings usually done in person, but can be done by
phone.)

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HAVE A DEMO?

We're always searching for new voice-talent.
Please email your MP3 demo to: demosubmission@edgestudio.com

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HAVE A WEBSITE?

Adding active links on your website can expand your profile while
increasing search-engine results. Take this opportunity to add a link
to Edge Studio. Visit www.edgestudio.com/link.htm

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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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Copyright 2005, Edge Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. This article is
protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property
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