How Voice Over Training Works

THINKING ABOUT VOICE OVER?

PERSONALIZED & STRAIGHTFORWARD TRAINING

Our high success rate and strong Better Business Bureau status aren't the only reasons why talent agencies, acting schools, and casting professionals endorse us.

Professional and aspiring voice over artists train here because we are straightforward, offer practical training, and match students with coaches for each genre of voiceover.

By the way, we also produce and cast, so rest assured: you're in good hands (and ears).

TELE TRAINING

This is an industry about hearing... no one has to see you. In fact, over 50% of professional voice over jobs are directed by clients who listen by telephone or ISDN.

Oddly enough, tele-training is more like the real thing.

Tele-training works with your regular phone. For PRIVATE TRAINING, our instructor will call you. For TELE-CLASSES, dial into our class conference line. For DEMO-RECORDING, go to a local studio and we'll direct you via telephone -- then we complete your master-demo at our studio (editing, music, sound-effects, mix, etc.).

STUDIO TRAINING

If you're near us, then feel welcome to train at our place. But PLEASE note that we strongly encourage everyone to have at least one tele-training session, since more than half the jobs are produced that way (gain the experience with us, before your first job).

TRAINING PHILOSOPHIES

We've been helping voice-over artists advance their careers since 1988. And we love it.

Following are our training guidelines.

TRAINING SHOULD NOT COST MUCH

Voice-over should come naturally to you - if it doesn't, it's not worth pursuing. Therefore a lot of time and money should not be required when training. For if it is, you may never be as proficient as the professionals who do it naturally. In that case...why bother?

We will always be candid with you, and inform you what we feel your chance of succeeding is.

DON'T JUMP IN ... BEGIN WITH AN EVALUATION

We hear about too many people signing up for expensive, time-consuming training packages WITHOUT an evaluation. Regardless of wonderful your voice is, it may not be in demand...and regardless you may not have talent.

Start with an evaluation. Ours or someone else's. Then assess if you should pursue, and in what direction.

BE YOURSELF ... NO ONE DOES "YOU" BETTER THAN YOU

Base your career upon your natural voice, as most scripts require this style delivery. Conversely, many newcomers try to gain additional work by affecting their voice, which works against them as they sound contrived. (Even if you don't hear this, producers will...and may not hire you.)

Remember: there is always someone who "naturally" has the voice the producer requires...and that is the person the producer probably hire.

TRAIN WITH UP-TO-DATE COACHES

While its roots go back to the early days of radio (early 1900s), voice over has only been a main-stream profession since the 1980s, and it’s only been a common household name since approximately the year 2000.

During its short life, there have been many transitions. Yet not everyone who speaks about voice over is up-to-date. Therefore many coaches speak about the voice over industry “the way it was” as opposed to “the way it really is.”

Which makes it important to verify that any coach/voice over school who helps you is up-to-date. If they are not, any coaching, advice, and resources they offer, such as marketing questions and voice delivery technique, may not be beneficial. If trained by them, you may obtain less work and eventually require seeking guidance and training from someone who is up-to-date.

As with anything, feel comfortable with who you look to for advice. Confirm they are immersed in the industry, understand current trends, styles, and resources, and can offer useful guidance.

KNOW YOUR OBJECTIVES

Our training serves two purposes. First, to help you produce a demo that demonstrates your most marketable vocal capabilities (this will increase your chance of obtaining work).

Second, to teach you to perform on your own so you don't need us accompanying you to your jobs, reminding you how to read correctly.

TRAIN TO BECOME ADAPTABLE

Since unlimited types of scripts exist (fast, happy, informative, etc.), studying every type is impossible. Instead, it's essential to become adaptable so that you can easily deliver the script the way the producer requests.