VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[RonJMitchellJR]

I am looking for a little advice for those of you that are in the industry.

First of all, I have not done any voiceover work, it is just something that I have considered over the years, especially in the past year. I have been told for years that I have a good, pleasant voice and that I should be in radio.

What I want to know is basically how some of you got started, what you did to get into this line of work, who do I talk to, where do I go, etc. Thanks in advance for any advice that will help me to get started.

Ron

[Deirdre]

We get asked this question more than any other.
What I did to get started isn't something anyone could possibly replicate these days-- the radio and recording business is an entirely differn creature now than it was 25- 30 years ago.

Have you lurked about here? You should read through the archives.

Try using Google to find "getting started in voice over".
There are some websites specifically geared to just that inquiry.

There are folks here who will help you, too.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[Sameer]

Everyone has a good voice......best way to proceed is get a good voice-coach ...n take it step by step

All the best

[dhouston67]

Ron,

The first thing you need to do is homework. Coming here is a good start, as is searching Google as Deirdre suggested. Then you'l need training and practice.

Having a "good voice" means next to nothing in VO these days; learning how to use the voice you have --- whether it's James-Earl-Jones-booming or Pee Wee Herman-whiny --- is key. Everyone has always liked the sound and timbre of my voice, too, but I'd be nowhere in the VO business without having learned about delivery, timing, volume, and a hundred other skills that can only be obtained with --- again --- practice and training.
_________________
Great Voice. Great Choice. For Voice Talking and stuff.
http://davidhoustonvoice.com
Do That Voice! - The DHV Blog

[Bailey]

Let's see... Cherryvale, Kansas. That's about a hundred miles from anywhere... Tulsa... Wichita...
But small towns do have some benefits. Where's the closest radio station? Even small stations do local commercials. They may even like to have a different voice... now and then.
Some colleges offer training... some don't.
Your profile says "unemployed". Not good. You have to eat while you're looking for a VO job. And lots of times you'll need a job so you can survive until the next VO gig.
I'd follow DB's lead on searching through the VO-BB archives. Lots of good stuff in there, from people who have been there.
Best of luck... and don't quit chasing that dream.

_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 .gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[COURVO]

Ron,
Yes, what everyone else has said...PLUS...marketing yourself. The best pipes, the most positive attitude, top-notch equipment, good copy, interpretation, intonation, pacing, mic technique....all that....won't mean a thing if you never figure out a way to let people know you've got IT.
DOING marketing may be down the road for you yet, but now is a great time to start thinking about that business end of things...and planning strategy.

Dave C.
_________________
Dave Courvoisier - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.CourVO.com
CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

[RonJMitchellJR]

Thanks for the replies. I'll search through the archives when I have the time. I do stay fairly busy for someone that's unemployed believe it or not.

This is something that I do want to pursue. I find myself listening to TV commercials in a different way now, sometimes even mimicking what the VO person is doing, listening to the timing, intonation, etc. I have gotten the name of a person to contact here at the local radio station from a friend of his. Hopefully that will help me get my foot in the door.

I realize that there is a lot of hard work that goes into doing VO work, but I am willing to go that extra mile to make it. I have mostly worked in Construction, Manufacturing and tired of the physical beating my body takes, so I'm looking forward to getting away from that type of work. I've worked out at Hoover Dam, on boilers for nuclear power plants, Cessna Single Engine Aircraft, and at a Amazon.com Fulfillment Center.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Once again, thanks for the help, and I'll let you all know how things go once I get started.

[PJHawke]

[RonJMitchellJR]

[PJHawke]

I'm not a paid pro yet, but I can at least give you some perspective on the noob/trainee situation, for whatever that's worth. YMMV.

Rule one is don't rush it. It takes time to develop your own innate talents, and I've found that the focal point of voicing is not in your throat, it's about 6" higher -- your ear. Listening is paramount; you must be able to hear others' voices, and your own, and be able to specifically note the differences and then make the required adjustments. As you've read here undoubtedly, the big announcer voice is out of style and is now often considered more of a "character" voice. The money guys want a more "natural" or personal read, but if you listen close it's not actually true conversational...VO natural, movie natural, and stage natural all sound very different. Listen to every Commercial, documentary, and PSA that comes your way...then hit the web, look for VO sites, and listen to every single demo you can find.

The first reads I recorded for myself a year ago were horrible when I listened to them, and I thought I was doing a good job when I did them. A couple of classes, 2 sessions with a voice coach, and about 9 months worth of this board and I sound totally different. And I know I'm not quite ready for a demo yet, because even though I can hit that "money voice" sound now, I can't sustain it long enough to be market viable. And since first impressions mean a lot, you don't want to leap into the market before you're ready 'cuz you'll brand yourself as a wannabe right out of the gate and it'll hurt you.

And no matter what you sound like, the business side is what makes or breaks you. There's folks out there with voices from heaven who can't make it in the biz, and people that don't really sound all that great making decent money. The difference is the one knows how to market, promote, and do the real work, which is getting the work. That's the part that's going to be the uphill climb for me.

Good luck...see you in the trenches...and remember....listen.

PJ