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voice coaching

T

Toni Mason

Guest
Hoping to reach out to my VO brothers and sisters out there...or anyone who has some insight!

Any recommendations on voice coaches NOT in LA or NYC?? I'm in Cincinnati and am able and willing to go somewhere within 6 or so hours (Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, anything Ohio, Pittsburgh, etc) for a one-day intensive OR fly somewhere for a 2-3 day/weekend thing. Looking for some 1-on-1 or really small group coaching thing to "go to the next level".

Any insight....good or bad...would be much appreciated!

thanks!
Toni
 
I would suggest an acting class before a voice coaching class, unless you have issues with your voice itself, diction, projection, etc. An acting class would help you interpret and deliver copy more effectively.

Emmett
 
Toni..I am familiar with your work..your demos are just great. Voice coaching might not be the best money spent. First..make sure you are happy with your technical quality. I heard some subtle technical differencess in your audio tracks..probably from various studios..but no biggie there.

Your diction is splendid, and your reads are very solid. If you want to do character voices..make sure you feel comfortable with that, and explore an acting class like Emmett suggested. But a voice coach..mmm dunno about that..Might be good, but there's nothing wrong with your voice at all.

Is there a lack of work coming your way? Are you not happy with your "sound"? What do you percieve as the next level? Might be a much easier and less expensive fix called for here.

Jeff
888-780-8542
[email protected]
 
Thanks Emmett and Jeff for your responses!

Jeff--I'm flattered that you're familiar with my stuff! :eek:

To answer your questions: I know very few VO folks who say "man, enough work already!" So yes...I'd love to get more work. Most of what I do is direct with studios/production houses or ad agencies (I am on voice123 and voplanet, as well). I have a talent agent in Cincinnati and one in Columbus and have gotten a few things with them, but they don't sell me (as I think very few DO!). Plus, those agencies are more geared toward on-camera/print acting & modeling---and mostly local. As I imagine all people in this business do...I want national VOs!! On the websites of many national talents, I see "training" listed AND a NY, LA or Chicago agent...so I guess in my simplistic mind I equate getting national business with vo training and having major-player representation. (oh wait, that just answered the "next level" question too!)

My sound....I don't feel like I have any vocal issues (like a stutter, or something)...it's more an interpretation issue AND wanting to widen my vocal range with different voices/characters. I feel when I get a script, I get one way stuck in my head how to "do it" (inflection, pitch, tone, etc) and have a hard time pulling out a vastly different sounding "take 2". I also think I could use some help on "self directing"---of the last 10 projects I have done, only 1 has been at an outside studio with the client/producer directing it. Obviously, clients give a few words of direction (friendly, warm, etc) for what I do at my studio, but I feel there is a big difference! The home studio can be a lonely place. ;)

I have considered taking some acting classes, but honestly, up until now, couldn't imagine that it would help (but I am basing that on my experience in Acting 101 in college, more years ago than I care to admit!) BUT....as experienced voices have suggested, that might be a better starting point---along with a good "how to" on marketing yourself for voiceovers.

Sorry for the really long reply---does this help explain what I'm thinking/looking for??? Any other ideas?
THANKS!!!!
 
Toni Mason said:
Sorry for the really long reply---does this help explain what I'm thinking/looking for??? Any other ideas?
THANKS!!!!
Click to expand...

DO NOT apologize for the length of your post! Many of us were "going to school" and you put into words what we may be feeling but haven't been able to get it out on paper to "touch and feel".

I'm eager for the second semester of school. When you do take action, hope you can share something of what action you take.
 
Thanks Cowboy for the support! I will keep you posted on my next move. I've been given a lot of resources and things to think about/work on.

Thanks also to everyone on this board for being so darn willing to help and give advice....not just to me, but to others who post here. This production forum is a very informative and supportive place in the (often times) cold cyber-world of radio boards.

THANKS!
 
Hey Toni:

I agree – you’re a great talent.

Couple of thoughts: There many specialties for coaches – just as voice talent tends to specialize… some teach inflection, Four P's, how to work through three down, audition techniques and so on.

Others like Phyllis K Day teach how to lose the radio sound and find your “real voice.”… Still others will teach diction and breathe control.

My experience in working with a coach has been nothing but positive. I heard improvement in my reads – I better understood how to analyze copy… but the bottom line was that I almost immediately began booking more gigs.

I’m far from where I need to be (or think I can be) and when the $$ is available I will always go back for coaching sessions.

So I respectfully disagree with Jeff (whom I admire greatly as a very successful talent).

And when I have to defend the use of a coach, I point to Tiger Woods… perhaps the greatest golfer to ever live – and yet he uses a coach.

Don LaFontaine too.

And about proximity: More and more coaches use a phone patch or Skype to do sessions – though Bob Bergen is one that insists on coaching one-to-one.

I wish you continued success, Toni.

Tom Pagnotti
www.choicevoicepro.com
 
Toni, great stuff!

I took a one day seminar a few years back in Detroit (I'm in Toledo) with Randy Thomas (Academy Awards) and Peter Rofe (FOX and more). It was a four hour class for $200. Well worth the money. Class was about 20 ppl and Randy and Peter dealt with copy interpretation, inflection, technique and more. Ranged from spots to promo and even the correct way to slate an audition. Even what clothes not to wear so as to not interfere with the audition (loud jewelry, etc).

I got to read copy that Andy Geller (ABC, Lost, Grey's) read just the day before. Randy had gotten it from him. I was excited.

Setup was nice too; TLM103 and UA6176.

I found the seminar to be quite useful. Although my work load hasn't increased. But I believe that's a marketing issue (lack of) on my part.
 
As a stupid 20-something, I laughed when my PD said reading children's books out loud would improve my voice technique, but he was right.

I also enjoyed workshops and seminars at AFTRA, which led to me shelling out a mere $20 or so to be allowed to attend classes taught in AFTRA's media training center (something like once a week for a year, but I don't know how strictly that rule was enforced if at all). Besides voice technique, I could have taken classes like ProTools IIRC.

While this board is the most valuable to me, I have also gained some good insight from http://www.voice-overs.com/ .

May we all be able to make a killing working from our home studios someday, get paid much and promptly by easy-going clients, and keep our part-time radio gigs as paid hobbies or piano lesson money). 8)
 
choicevoicepro.com said:
And when I have to defend the use of a coach, I point to Tiger Woods… perhaps the greatest golfer to ever live – and yet he uses a coach.

Don LaFontaine too.

www.choicevoicepro.com
Click to expand...

Great point, Tom!! Thanks for your input.

And VODood.....nice to hear that the Thomas/Rofe sessions are worthwhile. I was actually checking out Randy's website a few weeks ago and saw an old ad for one of her weekend sessions with Peter Rofe from last Spring. I emailed her to see is she's got another one coming up sometime soon (like, someplace WARM in the winter would be great fo me!!)---but haven't heard back yet. Always wonderful to hear first hand from someone who attended.

Thanks again everyone for the ideas!
 
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