VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks

Is it possible within the voice over field to find training for anything? There appears to be classes for Newbies, intermediates, advanced, ADR, characters, commercials, TV trailers, movie trailers, imaging, narration, corporate, animation, fly fishing and my particular favourite the "Out of work Voice over who needs the money class".

I think we should start with the "Do I suck?" class as it would save a lot of people a great deal of money and heartache. Whether you accept it or not the best voice overs have an intuitive skill and not one day of coaching will change that. You are in business to make money so if any training or coaching does not add to your earning power, don't do it. Philip Banks may be the best voice over coach in the world but if he does not provide a way to make you more money, keep your money!

With the above thoughts in mind, of what would your tailor made voice over class consist. I'm (or anyone else is) holding a one day seminar in Yourtown, what do you want to know? How can I (they) help you make your career more successful?

Hart · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 5:55 am Post subject:

That's a very interesting question. With all of your help, I've identified several areas of acting I need to work on but I don't feel I need to spend the money on that right now.

What would I pay for? I'm looking at some classes at the university where my wife works dealing with business management etc. Okay, so I can talk into a microphone and I'm quite good at producing audio but can I run a VO business? That's the class I need most.
_________________
Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions

Bruce · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 6:21 am Post subject:

I see something to your point, Banksey, but from the line of thought that you can get a rotten education from Harvard, or a great education from a little community college depending on how carefully you apply yourself and how willing you are to absorb information vital to your pursuits, VO training can be very valuable. Of course you've got to pick a teacher who truly has the "chops" and is covering subjects you lack knowledge in. Otherwise you are just throwing money to the wind.

B

.
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:05 am Post subject:

I find that training energizes me. It gets me out of my comfort zone. I meet new people, hear new ideas and come back rarin' to go. I don't think anyone is ever at a place where they can't learn something new whether it's via classes, this board or reading a book. But the thing I especially like about classes is that I more often than not learn as much from my fellow students as I do from the instructors.

With all that in mind - buyer beware. Make sure you do your due diligence and know what you are buying.
_________________
Elaine
The Youthful Mature Voice (Emeritus)
Senectitude is not for the faint of heart.

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

LOL - I was waiting for this thread, Banksey... you are definitely unique.

Yes, I'll send you pictures from my trip Wink

-Anthony

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 9:46 am Post subject:

I'm not looking for anyone to defend or justify what they've done, the purpose of this exercise is to look ahead and encourage people to think about what's worth buying and for any coaches to package things worth selling.

A class called "Firsts" would be useful. Do your first trailer, TV commercial, cartoon, on-hold, ISDN session, self direct and record session for the first time under genuine conditions but in the full knowledge that if things go wrong it's not a paying gig.

Your instructor coaches you and then you go into a studio with a director and a sound man who you have never met and then you do your thing. When you're done you get feedback.

BenWils · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

--
_________________
Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

billelder · Guest

Here is where your business model is wrong. You are actually trying to help people. You should be concentrating on taking their money. I reference Radio Broadcast schools.

It should all begin with someone actually hearing themselves on mic. I have a friend who is from Norwich but who has been in the USA for 100 years. Still has his accent. <g> He worked for Dale Carnegie doing motivational speaking. As a sideline he also sells ads for our state wide Public Broadcast station. They heard his accent and got weak kneed. A fellow worker gave his agent's name to him and now he's doing narration for Coca Cola. It happened in about a week. LOL

Take their money while you can.

skynet74 · Guest

If I may, I would like to turn your light hearted fun into something more serious for a bit.

Oh NOOO. How dare I! Gasp

Voiceover classes should probably focus less on your voice and more on marketing! I've heard some absolutely terrible sounding voices out there and they ARE getting Work! I feel fairly confident in saying that marketing your services is even more important than a Great Voice. The best voice in the world is not going to make you a dime if nobody knows that you even exist. This may be obvious to some. However there are a great Number of people out there who firmly believe that the only thing you need to be successful in this business is a good set of pipes, Unfortunately that is FAR FAR FAR from being the case.

Just Something to think about.

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:03 am Post subject:

You're right. The voice talent has to be there. The voice talent not the Grrreat voice. The rest is down to business and marketing skills.

1 Decide if you are full or part time.
2 How much do you need to earn to make the voice over career viable? Be specific. In my case I work on N voice sessions per week for X amount, Y weeks per year.
3 Give yourself a marketing budget in money and time.
4 Find your best matches and talk to them about giving you work. Know where you fit and where you are unlikely to fit. Keep focused.
5 Give yourself a time limit, a target and set a stop loss. The latter ensures that you don't spend your last dollar chasing an elusive dream.

Hart · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:41 am Post subject:

How odd that you brought this up. Last night I had a conversation with my boss about the future of our company. He was a bit elusive, but it sounds like I may very well be a "full time" out of work VO as opposed to a Production Director who does VO on the side in the very near future. Maybe I'll go mow lawns for the summer or something. Anyway, I leave for vacation tomorrow. So I'm not going to worry about it now. Have to start making some choices and decisions when I get back in a week. The thing 14 years in radio has taught me? Always keep an up to date resume in the drawer.
_________________
Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

the key to be successful as a voice-actor is to intend 100% on being successful as a voice-actor.

it really is as simple as that - everything else is just mental obstacles that we place in the way before even embarking on the journey.

nomad: "I heard NY is dangerous."

me: "Have you ever been?"

nomad: "No."

me: "Bye."

-Anthony

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:58 am Post subject:

Anthony, that sums it up very well.

Voice coaching - The art of teaching the unteachable by providing answers to non-existent questions.

Christopher French · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:13 am Post subject:

[quote="Hart"] Maybe I'll go mow lawns for the summer or something. /[quote]

Hey B-man,

When Jen and I move to Virginia in a couple of months, you can come over and mow our lawns. Sticking out Tongue

Chris
_________________
Christopher G. French

"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump

Hart · Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:21 am Post subject:

Aww, gee. Thanks.

Seriously though, I've got some contacts at other radio groups around here. And, I've been putting off contacting the local production houses as I've tried to improve myself as a voice actor more but I think it's time I start making some calls in that direction too.

Chris, once you guys get settled in VA we'll have to drive up for dinner or something sometime.

Back on topic, well said Anthony.

Skynet makes an excellent point too about marketing. That's something it seems very few people, and not just in vo, seem to recognize the value of. Isn't it funny that as voice actors we are tools to help others market their product or service but often have a hard time marketing ourselves.
_________________
Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions