voice acting – Such A Voice https://www.suchavoice.com Voice Over Training and Demo Production Thu, 15 Nov 2018 03:33:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://www.suchavoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-favicon-32x32-1-32x32.png voice acting – Such A Voice https://www.suchavoice.com 32 32 Working Wednesday: The Voice Acting Skills Involved in Dubbing https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/11/14/working-wednesday-dubbing/ Thu, 15 Nov 2018 03:33:55 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11971 Read more

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dubbing

With the massive growth of streaming and digital networks, companies like Netflix are bringing tons of international movies out of the vaults to be dubbed into English and other key languages. Although it looks easy, dubbing is an art form in and of itself. It requires training and very specific skills, and there are many ways to do it. Dubbing for films is another part of this massive trend. Today, we take you inside the studio with Daxx George, our 11 year old son, who is dubbing efforts (mostly sounds, very few words), for a kid that was unable to be mic’d because he was riding a bike, and then performed a stunt with wires. You do hear the original actor in production, but the director was unable to use his voice.

The goal of good dubbing is to watch the characters, emulate the way they look, look at your script, and glance back up at the screen, all while fitting the new words right into the character’s mouth without sounding like you are reading.

Oh, and acting! Sound easy? That’s what an actor friend of ours thought at a party.

“You guys get paid for that? It’s so easy.”

Being the kind friends that we are, we invited him to come in to work on a show we cast and give it a shot. He walked into the studio with a puffed out chest. He definitely was going to prove to us how easy dubbing is. We played him the scene, he rubbed his hands together, cracked his neck, planted his feet and after the 3 starting beeps for sound and performance, he froze. “Let’s give this a shot!” he said, not knowing that he missed his first cue. Kindly, we re-rolled. Beep. Beep. Beep. Again, he tried to take the words off the page and get them into the mouth of his character. He trailed behind what the on-screen actor was saying by at least two words and many frames.

“One more shot? Sure thing! We wanted him to see how EASY he said it was.

Third time’s a charm, right? Nope. Epic fail. Although we did want him to succeed, we couldn’t help, but smirk a tiny bit.
Under his breath, he mumbled, (drum roll please…)

“Okay, I’m sorry. This is not as easy as it looks.”

We were good with that. We ended up talking about the skills involved and showed him how to do it. The entire thing felt intimidating to him.

After years of practice, it is a matter of muscle memory and just getting into the groove of knowing your script and watching your character intently. The words and adaptation may not always fit, but as actors, we can help to make the necessary changes and our characters come to life, and in so many instances, make the entire piece better than the original.

Next week, we’ll take you inside of another session where Grant dubs using a band, also known in the dubbing world as Rhythmo Band and Voice Q. This too, is a skill unlike any we have seen. We recently voice casted a high profile film and we had to make sure that every person who was hired knew how to use the band. It has a learning curve that requires strong concentration and focus

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Working Wednesday: Relax and Visualize to Enhance Your Voice-Over Performance https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/10/24/working-wednesday-voice-over-performance/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 07:42:14 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11918 Read more

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From time to time, a script comes across our desk that is particularly tricky to perform. Even if we’ve already auditioned for the spot and have booked it, we may find ourselves in a position where we have to recreate the delivery of this tricky script with a room full of creatives and account people listening in. That can feel like a lot of pressure, even for seasoned professionals. Heading into a session with a nervous mind and a stiff body will only hurt your voice-over performance. In order to deliver the exceptional read that the client is expecting, we must find ways of relaxing and building our confidence before the session even begins. Your voice-over performance is often the result of what’s happening in our heads. So, let’s talk about how we can flip the switch, and make what’s happening in our heads positive and affirming.  

voice-over performance

First, let’s remind ourselves that:

Each one of us is special and unique. Just by allowing ourselves to relax, we are at an advantage, because doing so allows a little bit of our unique self to shine through in our delivery.

We were booked for good reason. The client considered us perfect for the role, based on our demo, a recommendation, or the stellar voice-over performance we gave in the audition. We can relax now because we’ve already done the work.

Visualization is also a great tool to get our head in “the right place,” before a session. Athletes use this technique and have reported great results. Shouldn’t it work well for performers, too?  

Before a session, try closing your eyes and take several steady deep breaths. While you are in this state of physical relaxation, allow yourself to visualize the details of the session, step by step.

Imagine:

The beginning of the session – You are given a positive and engaging introduction to the people representing the client and/or agency. Perhaps, even visualize them praising your audition or demo.

During your session – See yourself delivering a knockout performance of the script, that feels incredibly connected and “in the zone.” Essentially, you nail it on the first read. Then, imagine the client’s positive reaction. Perhaps they could say, “That was absolutely perfect. Now that we have what we need, feel free to read it a few more times, and bring any ideas you have to the table.”

Ending of your session – Hear their praise on a job well done and how excited they were to work with you. Imagine that everyone is very pleased with you and also with themselves for being smart enough to cast you in this role.  

 

It may be uncomfortable at first to visualize a voice-over performance this way. However, with practice, it will begin to feel routine and the results can be pretty remarkable. Give it a try and let me know how it goes in the comment area below!  

 


                                                       About the Author

organize your goals kelley hustonKelley Huston caught the acting bug at the ripe young age of 8 and has been at it ever since. After finishing college with a degree in Theater Arts, she stepped into a vocal booth and felt immediately at home. With over two decades of experience behind her, Kelley brings a sense of approachable confidence and a playful wit to her reads. She is skilled at a range of styles, but is known for her authentic and genuine delivery. Her commercial & narration clients include Adidas, Suburu, Lean Pockets, Fisher-Price, American Greeting Cards, Target, Aquafor and Dell Computers to name a few. She also voiced Catwoman in Sony Online Entertainment’s Playstation game, DC Universe Online and has enormous experience as a narrator for eLearning courses. Kelley also has 10 years of experience as a line producer in the commercial industry, giving her a unique perspective on voiceover within the field of advertising. A few of her production credits include major brands such as Lowe’s, Nike, Purina, Kellogg’s and Anheuser-Busch. She finds coaching to be incredibly rewarding. Being able to share her enthusiasm and experience with students is a real treat.

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Working Wednesday: Wake Up With Intention And Be A G.O.A.T! https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/09/12/working-wednesday-be-a-g-o-a-t/ Wed, 12 Sep 2018 14:29:03 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11518 Read more

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g.o.a.tYou have to begin each day with intention and purpose, and you must always be a G.O.A.T!  Not the cute farm kind of goat or the “let’s do yoga” kind of goat, but a G.O.A.T. – Greatest of All Time!

While I would love to take credit for this acronym and the idea of being the greatest of all time, I can’t. I discovered it while reading an interview on Serena Williams, who is very comfortable being a G.O.A.T. In the interview, she didn’t apologize for being incredible – she simply owned it, saying “I always play everyone at their greatest, so I have to be greater.”

Let’s be clear, I’m not indicating that you should announce to the world that you are the most wonderful thing since sliced bread! I’m suggesting that you give yourself permission to own what you do well. It’s adopting a positive attitude, believing in yourself, and rewarding yourself for your accomplishments.  

Voice-over is a business in which you have to prove yourself, audition after audition. And in this business, you have to focus on pursuing mastery at many different levels – professional voice-over training, home studio set-up, self directing your auditions, editing and marketing, just to name a few.

Be prepared to perform with confidence and tenacity. Take a chance, be bold, be fearless. You want to maximize the odds of being the voice that the client must have, so be courageous and embrace how truly wonderful and incredible you are.

Whenever successful people want to accomplish something, they go at it absolutely convinced they will achieve it. Be that person. Pat yourself on the back and embrace the greatness of what you’re doing as you follow the path to becoming a voice actor and a G.O.A.T.


As you consider your greatness, contemplate the following questions:

How can I bring my life experiences to a script and make those words come to life?

What is my greatest strength in my voice over vocal delivery?

Who does this client need me to be?

What kind of extraordinary zing can I give to this audition that will make it a great one?

 

 

Thanks for tuning in for this week’s Working Wednesday segment! Remember, we LOVE hearing your feedback so be sure to join in on the conversation!

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Self-Care Tips: How to Improve your Health and Performance Quality https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/09/06/self-care-how-to-improve-your-health/ Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:57:21 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11499 Read more

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self-careMost people are busy. Really busy. We live in fast paced world where self-care can take a back seat to everything else. As self-employed voice-over artists and entrepreneurs, we are focused each day on climbing to the top of our massive to-do list. Sadly, by the time we accomplish even fifty percent of what’s on the list, we are running on empty. However, this lifestyle is not unique to voice-over artists. We’re not alone. According to a New York Times article called, “How to Recognize Burnout Before You’re Burned Out,” a recent Nationwide survey found that 50% of respondents claimed to be consistently exhausted because of work, as opposed to only 18% two decades ago. Personally, I’m hearing some sirens going off. To me, this is alarming.

Becoming a successful voice-over artist takes stamina. We can’t afford to burn out. As the old adage goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Well, voice-over careers are also not built in a day.  My accountability partner, Heather Costa, and I often have to remind each other to think of our careers as a marathon, not a sprint. If we take off running each day at top speed, we won’t be able to keep that pace long enough to reach our goals. We make a conscious decision to actually reduce the number of boxes to put on our daily task lists. The result is that we end up working (and acting) from a place of being grounded, focused and relaxed. We create a schedule that is realistic and has space for self-care.  

Now that we’ve created some space in our schedule for self-care, what do we do with it? Some of us are so busy, that the thought of self-care is a completely foreign concept. It’s difficult to know where to start. If the thought of taking time for your well-being seems overwhelming or impossible, start small. You’ll see a big difference in your health and your energy when you make even the smallest change.


Here are some suggestions:

self-care-Make an effort to drink more water each day.

-Set an alarm to remind yourself to quit working at a designated time each day.

-Get more sleep by sticking to an earlier bedtime routine.

 

 

 

These are just three examples of small lifestyle changes that can have a big impact on your physical and emotional health, your vocal quality and your performances.  

Another key component of good health, of course, is exercise. However, in a busy day full of deadlines and obligations, the necessity of exercise can often be overlooked. We often look at taking the time to exercise as a luxury, but it’s not. Voice-over artists spend the majority of their day behind a microphone or at a desk, being mostly sedentary, which means we must make a concerted effort to get moving in order to stay healthy.  

Scheduling an hour to exercise 3-5 times a week can make a noticeable impact on our energy, self-esteem, and physical fitness. Again, it’s important to remember that small steps can also make a difference. If you don’t feel that you are in a position to exercise for an hour at a time multiple times a week, begin by making small lifestyle changes.


Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-Set an alarm every thirty minutes to remind you to get up and stretch or walk around for a few minutes.

-Make a personal rule that any time you are on the phone, you are on your feet.

-Get a fitness watch and make a daily steps goal to keep you motivated and accountable.  The general recommendation is to accomplish ten thousand steps per day.

Click here to view an article that will give you suggestions on how to get there!  

 

In closing, I want to mention that prioritizing health and wellness does not come naturally to me.  As a voice-over artist, entrepreneur and mother of three, I’ve definitely gone through periods of time when my health and well-being have been neglected. It’s something that I continually struggle with and work at. During the times that I get off-track, I remind myself that a little self-care goes a long way. I know that I’m a better voice-over artist and mother when I’m rested and healthy. So, I start small. Being an “A-Type” personality, I literally schedule health and wellness tasks into my work day. If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t get done. The important thing is to figure out what is going to work for you and your lifestyle and commit to it.

 

Check out what’s trending about Such A Voice and join in on the conversation!

 

 


About the Author

organize your goals kelley hustonKelley caught the acting bug at the ripe young age of 8 and has been at it ever since. After finishing college with a degree in Theater Arts, she stepped into a vocal booth and felt immediately at home. With over two decades of experience behind her, Kelley brings a sense of approachable confidence and a playful wit to her reads. She is skilled at a range of styles, but is known for her authentic and genuine delivery. Her commercial & narration clients include Adidas, Suburu, Lean Pockets, Fisher-Price, American Greeting Cards, Target, Aquafor and Dell Computers to name a few. She also voiced Catwoman in Sony Online Entertainment’s Playstation game, DC Universe Online and has enormous experience as a narrator for eLearning courses. Kelley also has 10 years of experience as a line producer in the commercial industry, giving her a unique perspective on voiceover within the field of advertising. A few of her production credits include major brands such as Lowe’s, Nike, Purina, Kellogg’s and Anheuser-Busch. She finds coaching to be incredibly rewarding. Being able to share her enthusiasm and experience with students is a real treat.

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Commercial Voice-Over Work: Where to Start & How to Book https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/07/26/how-to-book-commercial-voice-over-work/ Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:00:01 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11295 Read more

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commercial voice-over workCommercial voice-over is a popular, specific genre of the industry. With our industry now including streaming and social media options, there has been more demand for commercial voice-over work in those various mediums. Here are some steps that you can take to securing commercial voice-over work:

 

Training and Recording a Voice-Over Demo

It is imperative prior to recording a commercial demo that you have the proper voice-over training, so it’s the best quality it can be. You will work with a teacher or coach on various voice-over techniques and learn how to adjust a read based on what the casting director and/or client is asking for, while staying true to your natural and authentic voice. You will also find out through working with your coach, what styles of commercial voice-over suit you and where your specific “voice-over niche” or “brand” falls into the commercial voice-over industry. Do you excel at reads that need a “sweet girl next door” quality or the edgy, millennial, straight-forward sound? Or can you do both if you make the acting adjustment? These questions can also be answered as you continue to book work within a specific “type”, but it is always helpful to know this prior to marketing yourself and recording your demo. Once you are ready for your recording session, you will want to focus on creating a commercial voice-over demo that shows range and spots that reflect your unique self and what you do best. Your voice-over demo is what a headshot and resume is for an on-camera or theatre actor, it becomes your “calling card” and is representative of your work.

 

commercial voice-over workPutting yourself (and your demo) out there!

Once you have your demo and training in place, it is then time to let the world know you are a voice-over actor! Make sure it is known on social media, that you have marketing in place to reflect your voice-over talents and brand, and a website where people can hear your work and contact information to book you. You would be surprised how many people work in other industries unrelated to the voice-over field but then need voice-over talent for their in-house training videos, narration, or commercial spots. LinkedIn is a great resource to connect to people who are in your circle, but also work in marketing where your voice talent may be needed. There are also pay-to-play sites (a website where you pay a monthly or annual subscription to have access to auditions) that can also help you secure work and build a portfolio and/or clients.

 

Secure Representation

If you are in a major city with agents and managers who represent voice talent, be sure to research any connections you may have and can politely ask for a referral. Many agencies have contact emails that they release to the public, or a place where you can submit your voice-over demo for consideration. This may not be something that happens right away, but as you continue booking commercial voice-over work on your own, you can also reach out to them and keep them updated on your bookings (with polite discretion! No one likes their inbox bombarded!) A very important piece of advice: voice-over agents and managers should NEVER ask for money upfront or ever, it is only a percentage off of work you have booked through them (usually 10% – 20% is standard). Always do your research to make sure the person you are working with is legitimate and if possible, franchised by SAG-AFTRA (the voice-actors union).

 

commercial voice-over workImprovisation Classes!

Speaking of representation, many agents and managers (as well as directors, producers and clients!) LOVE when voice-over actors have improvisation training and experience on their resume. It allows for more freedom in your reads of voice-over copy and helps you to pivot when given direction. It’s also just really FUN!

 

Networking – Be proactive!

Be sure to connect with various casting directors, producers, and directors in the voice-over industry. This is always easier in large markets such as NYC or LA, but if you do your research there may be studios with in-house casting, locally, near you. If you immerse yourself in the industry and treat this as your business, you are bound to make connections that can be long-lasting and help you build a sustainable voice-over career.

 

There will come a time when you have secured such a great deal of commercial work that it’s possible the original demo you recorded and coached becomes replaced with your booked spots! This takes time but it is a great goal to have your sights on. As with anything, hustle, hard work, and persistence is involved in booking commercial voice-over work. In the ever-changing world of technological advances, it has become more and more frequent to accomplish your goals from your very own home studio. Keep putting yourself out there, working hard and treating this as your business: there is plenty of commercial voice-over work out there!

As always, join the conversation to hear what other people are saying about Such A Voice and feel free to share your positive experiences!

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Working Wednesday: Setting Up With A Sound Engineer https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/07/18/working-wednesday-sound-engineer/ Wed, 18 Jul 2018 19:31:59 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11275 Read more

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sound engineerI hear a lot from people outside of Los Angeles talk about how much they aspire to work in a studio, especially on an animation project. Although our trip to Peach Music to record
Shaboom is located in downtown L.A. and is much smaller than Warner Bros., the basic information and process of setting up with a sound engineer applies across the board.

Quick tip: try to arrive early so that there is plenty of time for parking, greetings, and setup before the session official starts.

In this Working Wednesday segment, Eric Breimer, the sound engineer and owner of Peach Music, goes through the sound setup with me. He explains how things are connected and how they will work for this recording session. It is important to ask questions when you have them. The sound engineer, like Eric, will usually be more than happy to explain things to you. It is in his/her best interest to make the talent sound good and the client happy. Eric shows me where to position myself to get the best sound out of the particular microphone we are using and gives me performance guidelines for when we are actually recording.

As you can see, it takes time to get set up. As voice actors, we need to respect the time involved in getting things just right. Sometimes I feel impatient and maybe you will too. My suggestion is to stay alert and keep yourself busy while you are waiting. Once things are up and running, you are going to need all that pent up energy to do your job and then you’ll remember why you were there in the first place!

Don’t forget to join the conversation and share your positive experiences about Such A Voice. We always appreciate your feedback! 

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3 Reasons Why You Should Attend A Voice-Over Conference https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/07/12/3-reasons-to-attend-a-voice-over-conference/ Thu, 12 Jul 2018 16:00:16 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11254 Read more

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voice-over conferenceBeing able to work from home is a big perk of being a voice actor, but as we addressed last month in our Working Wednesday segment, having your own workspace away from others can be isolating. One way to connect to the outside world and still be able to expand your voice-over knowledge is to attend a voice-over conference.

Simply put, a voice-over conference is designed to inform members of the voice-over community about industry standards and trends. Not all voice-over conferences are the same, meaning that you can typically expect to find different speakers and topics of discussion at each one. Topics may include: marketing strategies, script analysis, voice-over techniques, editing and recording software, demo production, and much more!

 

So, why should you attend a voice-over conference? We’re here to explain our top 3 reasons as to why you should make attending one, part of your business plan.


voice-over conference1. This is a chance for you to be in a room full of other people who love voice-overs just as much as you do!
Take advantage of the opportunity to be in-person with other voice talents and don’t be afraid to start up conversations!

Challenge yourself by… sitting next to people you don’t know. It may be a step outside of your comfort zone, but it’s a step in the right direction for extending your voice-over network!

 

voice-over conference2. You get to gain a new perspective on a familiar subject. How many times have you heard that you need to know how to market yourself as a voice-over artist in order to get the work? Do you use LinkedIn? Are you on Twitter? Everyone has their own story and insight into the industry. Who knows, you may find yourself walking away with knowledge you never knew existed about a familiar subject.

Challenge yourself by… incorporating at least three voice-over practices that you’ve learned at a voice-over conference into your own practice.

Example:
– Create a LinkedIn account to market my voice-over talents.
– Buy recommended home studio soundproofing materials and soundproof my home studio.
– Begin taking an improv class to improve my acting skills.

 

voice-over conference3. You get to travel. Even if it’s related to work, it’s healthy for you to plan some time in your schedule to travel. How cool is it that most
voice-over conferences are located around major cities? They could be in cities that are within walking distance or cities that you may have dreamt about visiting.

Challenge yourself by… making your dreams a reality and visiting a city you’ve never been to! Go to a voice-over conference that’s not in your local area and expose yourself to a new culture.


Interested in what voice-over conferences are coming up? Luckily, there’s plenty going on! 


Check out some major voice-over conferences happening in the next couple of months:

Above and BeVOND 2018 – September 22nd & 23rd in Cheshunt, England

Mid Atlantic Voice-Over – November 9, 10 & 11, 2018 in Herndon, Virginia

That’s Voice-Over Career Expo – November 17th in Burbank, California

VO Atlanta – March 28-31 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia

Voxy Summit – May 3-5, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina

One Voice Conference in the UK – May 9-12 2019 in London, England

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Working Wednesday: Voice Acting in Los Angeles https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/07/11/working-wednesday-voice-acting-in-los-angeles/ Wed, 11 Jul 2018 05:00:16 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11249 Read more

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voice acting in los angelesJoin me (Katie Leigh) and Mark Chen as we drive to a studio in downtown Los Angeles and chat about voice acting in Los Angeles, networking with other VO talents, taking care of your vocals, and getting voice-over work. We also touch on the joys of finding new characters through the auditioning and hiring process. Mark is breaking into the voice-over business and was curious to see how this session would work. I met Mark Chen, my videographer and guest, through some other VO friends. Making friends is the key to everything! I enjoy giving others the opportunity to see what I do. I also like having someone along for the ride so I can use the carpool lane (teehee).

Now, if you don’t live in the area, but would like to relocate to do voice acting in Los Angeles, you should know it’s quite common to have to drive an hour to get to a studio fifteen miles away. Traffic is a way of life. So, be prepared!

A great way to spend one’s commute time is with vocal warm ups. I like to listen to podcasts when I’m alone and take care of business calls. I am an LA native, so I guess I’m used to all the driving.

The time spent commuting can be especially challenging for those of us who also work from home. I have decided it’s like comparing apples to oranges. The trade off is meeting new people, making new friends, getting out of the house, and building a reputation in town. I also believe that work evens itself out. I’ve learned not to base whether or not a job is worthwhile solely on the compensation. I have been delighted with the surprises I encounter in real time and in the future when I venture outside the four walls of my own studio and begin voice acting in Los Angeles.

 

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3 Voice Acting Exercises To Practice In Your Free Time https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/06/14/3-voice-acting-exercises-to-practice-in-your-free-time/ Thu, 14 Jun 2018 16:04:29 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=11004 Read more

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voice acting exercisesI often suggest voice acting exercises to my students to break them of resistance, to expand their vocal range, and to teach them to feel uncomfortable until their muscle memory kicks in (much like how a professional dancer uses their body).


voice acting exercisesVoice Acting Exercise #1: The Rollercoaster

Benefit: Breaks the monotone delivery

Imagine your voice is on a rollercoaster. Read a script inflecting up and down, either from word to word or every few words. At first, don’t worry about the musicality of the script. This voice acting exercise help you explore your vocal range and encourage you to play with inflection. Be sure to record your practice and listen to it. You’ll be very surprised at how it sounds more natural than your very first read. Do it several times and notice the added benefit of really finding the musicality in the script. As you do it, be willing to go as low and as high in pitch as you can. Mix in medium range vocal tones as well. This feels uncomfortable and unnatural when you’re doing it, but like many of my students, you’ll be surprised at how the script read will sound a lot more interesting! It may feel over the top, but if you’re willing to do this behind closed doors, when you’re in the booth for an audition, you won’t be as afraid to express yourself and use your vocal instrument to its maximum ability.

 

 

voice acting exercisesVoice Acting Exercise #2: Speak to a child

Benefit: Breaks the hard sell

I have taken VO workshops at the SAG-Aftra union offices here in New York City. I studied with  successful VO artist, Sara Krieger. In her workshops, she often imparts the direction to “speak to a 5 year old.” I find myself using this technique for many of my students here at SAV and it has proven to generate much improved deliveries. From my own coaching experience, I have added to this voice acting exercise. Select a few scripts (narration and commercial) from the SAV Script Catalog. Record yourself reading each one as if you are talking to a 5-year-old child, a teenager, someone your age, and then a senior citizen/grandparent figure. Notice how your tone changes. Often, students who have trouble expressing their nurturing side, sound much more compassionate when they speak to a 5 year old. And the best part? They are simply explaining not selling. I can also hear my students escaping what initially sounded like a monotone delivery.

 

voice acting exercisesVoice Acting Exercise #3: Crazy Eddie

Benefit: Brings energy to your read

I trained on how to read a teleprompter. My instructor, Darlene Benjar, at the SAG-Aftra Union offices, where the class was held, learned a technique from her own training that she refers to as Crazy Eddie. Years ago, in the 70’s and 80’s, there was a well-known car salesman, Eddie,  who would appear in his own television commercials. He called himself Crazy Eddie because he expressed his over-the-top enthusiasm for his deals on cars, by physically jumping around, flailing his arms about, and using exaggerated facial expressions. As VO artists, sometimes we’ll approach copy with low energy. Read your copy a few times like Crazy Eddie, then go back and read it again as YOU. Guaranteed, you’ll see an increase in your energy too, but just the right amount.

 

 

Enjoyed these voice acting exercises from Rosemary? Check out our YouTube channel for more voice-over tips! Also, don’t forget to watch the video for 3 Voice Acting Exercises To Practice In Your Free Time and listen to voice-over professional Rosemary Chase in action!

 

Be sure to also join in on the conversation and see what’s trending on the Such A Voice Facebook page!

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Voice-Over Rates: Knowing Your Value and What to Charge https://www.suchavoice.com/blog/2018/05/24/voice-over-rates/ Thu, 24 May 2018 15:00:12 +0000 https://www.suchavoice.com/?p=10791 Read more

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voice-over ratesOne of the most frequent questions I hear from other professionals pursuing a voice acting career is, “How much should I charge a client for [insert voice-over project here]?” It’s imperative for voice-over artists to do their due diligence in researching current industry standard rates for various projects, as well as speak with other professionals in the industry about voice-over rates.

At SAV, we’re lucky to have a built-in community of other voice-over actors, mentors, teachers, engineers, and peers. The power of communication regarding ever-changing voice-over rates in the industry is really important and there are various guidelines to consider:


Know Your Worth!

When asked by someone outside of the industry how much I’m compensated for a commercial voice-over, I can see their eyes grow large with excitement. It may sound like a large number for two or three hours of studio time, but what is not understood is the investment in time, money and education that it takes to begin and sustain a voice acting career. As voice-over professionals, we need to remember (especially if we are setting our own rates) that the time we have spent in classes, coaching sessions, and our booth add up to our expertise in this field. When setting your own voice-over rates, or negotiating those set by producers and/or clients, you need to not only consider your session fee (the time spent in the booth recording the specific copy), but also all the training you’ve acquired and the investment in your home studio (which helps make your client’s job much easier).

 

Usage

Another factor to consider is how the project is being used and in which medium. If you record a commercial that’s airing nationally on television, then that is a larger rate than a regional television commercial specific to a certain market. The voice-over spot you worked on is being seen by more viewers nationally as opposed to regionally, which warrants more compensation. You should not only consider your session fee, but also get the specifics on how the voice-over is being used. My personal opinion is to avoid “in perpetuity” usage because as your career develops, something which was not a conflict in the past could be in the future. If the spot you had conflicts with another brand in which you are auditioning, this could become a conflict that was unforeseen when you initially booked and recorded the job.

 

Research

voice-over ratesAlways update yourself on industry standard rates. I recommend reviewing the union rates set forth by SAG-AFTRA.  Voices.com also offers a rate card as well Voice-Over Resource Guide. Upon viewing these rates you may find, based on your current experience, you fall a little lower or higher than said rates. Maybe you have a great deal of experience in the commercial voice-over world, but now you’re branching out into narration, e-learning or audiobooks, so your voice-over rates may be a bit lower for that genre as you find your footing. The most important thing is that you have a baseline rate for yourself and you’re comfortable and confident stating this rate to a client. It’s beneficial to first ask your client’s budget and proceed from there. While stating your rate, also take into consideration edits and pick-ups. It’s customary to include one free round of edits in your rate, but any edits or pick-ups past that incur a fee.

 

Community

One of my favorite things about being a voice-over actor is the incredibly supportive community. Use your community to communicate with other voice-over actors regarding rates and best business practices. I have rarely found anyone who is secretive or not willing to share their past experiences. By being a generous and communicative community, we are stronger as voice actors and can advocate for ourselves to get paid appropriately. If you are operating from a home studio and all communication is between yourself and the client (versus an agent as the intermediary) it’s usually your responsibility to invoice after sending your VO files. I always include a polite 30-day payment term at the bottom of my invoice. In certain states (for example, New York) there is a “Freelancing isn’t Free Act”, in which you can politely mention to be paid in a timely manner.

 

Keep it Professional

Always keep it professional. A client may not have a budget that works within your rates presently, but one day they may have a project with a much larger budget and think of you as the talent to circle back to! It never hurts to politely decline when a project has too low of a rate and exclaim, “I would love to work with you in the future when our rates align!”

 

At the end of the day, we all need to have a baseline of what is an acceptable pay rate and what you may need to walk away from politely. This is a competitive market and when you have put in the training, financial investment, technical education in perfecting your studio sound, and countless hours practicing in the booth you must advocate for yourself and know your worth! If you have any questions, reach out to the SAV community. We’re here to be stronger together as you move through your voice acting career!

 

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                                                                                                       About the Author

Megan MacPhee is a voice-over artist, singer, actor, dancer, content creator, and teaching artist based out of NYC. A member of Actors Equity Association, credits include national tours, regional theatre, Radio City Music Hall, and The Metropolitan Opera. Her work as a voice-over artist includes national television commercials, social media spots for various brands, voicing the role of EMMA/GHOST GAL in the animated series “YU-GI-OH! VRAINS,” as well as e-Learning, demos, promos, and audiobooks. She has a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from CUA and Contemporary/Classical training from London Dramatic Academy. To view more of Megan’s work visit www.meganmacphee.com or check out her web series, www.unbalancedwebseries.com

 

 

 

 

 

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