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okwdvc



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:45 pm    Post subject: New - questions, advice, help.... Reply with quote

Greetings,
I'm frustrated. Here is the story:

My son is 14. He has spent pretty much his talking life doing voices. As a teen, he is involved in acting and he is pretty good at it but he doesn't have any desire to be on the stage. He likes doing the voices. Audiobooks and animation are his favorites.

I am NOT looking to make him into a star. I'm NOT looking for work for him. I am simply trying to figure out a way to help my son improve his craft. If he is good enough and wants to pursue this as he gets older, I will support him. If we find out he simply isn't good enough, so be it.

So what is the problem? We apparently live in an area completely devoid of anything related to voice over. I have looked for classes, workshops, and coaches and struck out for years. I've emailed dozens of people trying to locate someone/someplace that can coach my son and I get nothing back. We live on the east coast of FL about an hour from Orlando. One would think Orlando would have something but if they do, I haven't found it.

This is the best I have come up with:

http://www.edgestudio.com/kids-voice-over

I know nothing about this company and my son would have to do the classes via telephone since we don't live in NY. Anyone know if this is worth it?

We have zero equipment and we don't have a demo nor do I feel he is ready to make a demo. I would think training would be the first step. I'm open to buying equipment but I am not going to do that if I can't find anyone to work with him.

Ugh! So frustrated. I wish my kid was into soccer or surfing so I could easily help him. Alas, I have a kid that goes around doing the Geico Gecko, Barney, Erkel, old men, and an assortment of animal sounds and other voices that I can't quite pinpoint!

If you have read this far, thank you! If you have any advice (including the advice to give it uHobo Happy I am all ears.
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Yonie
CM


Joined: 31 Aug 2011
Posts: 906

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi there, okwdvc. Welcome to the forums.

Short note: Telephone coaching can well be worth it, depending on the teacher. I think it was Philip that summed it up neatly: A single teacher won't be the best thing for every VO out there. You have to scour the information and testimonies that are out there in order to find someone who is likely to fit your son.

While I have heard good things via gossip and rumours about Edge Studios, I've also heard the complete opposite.

As for voice impressions: It's a good way to train your ear and voice, but it's not something people are looking for. Being able to do the voice of Zoidberg or any other given contemporary animated character is pointless, since that person is already performing that character.

Hope some of that info was useful.
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Bruce
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7977
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm sorry he doesn't like being on stage, because that can be a wonderful training ground, an opportunity to see what works and what doesn't. Hopefully he can continue to take classes and workshops in acting, for they are the best way to experiment with characters, to interact with other people to create convincing dialogue, and the training is cheap or free. An actor who doesn't know how to interact with others and feel what works with an audience and what doesn't won't go nearly as far as one who dives in to the experience.

Here's a vote against phone training for someone new to the business. Face to face training is ten times better IMO.

Maybe your son could do what a lot of us did and that's play with a tape recorder and a microphone on his own and maybe with friends too, only today it's recording software on a computer and a mic. Here's a link to a board discussion on inexpensive mics:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13960

Frank recommends a decent USB mic that's about $70. Audacity software is free off the web. Let him create fake commercials, his own comedy or adventure shows, a podcast for kids his age. That will keep him busy for now. He can post audio to his own page on SoundCloud and share it with others, and who know where it could go from there?

B
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todd ellis
A Zillion


Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10528
Location: little egypt

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i don't have a lot to add to what bruce & yonie have said - but i WILL say that you should be careful when investigating "weekend seminars" and the like. there are MANY legit beginner classes out there - all over - but there are also a lot of scams - so vet each one throughly. is there a community radio station where your son might volunteer as an unpaid intern?
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okwdvc



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone!

My son will continue to take weekly acting classes and continue to perform in a couple plays a year. He likes it well enough to participate but he just doesn't see himself doing something like this as an adult.

He has also done speech/debate classes over the years and will continue with that.

I think both of those activities are great for voice practice.

He makes stop action Lego movies and voices those and he makes videos with his friends where he does voices. The videos are really lame though and it is nothing but a bunch of goofy teens that think they are hilarious when they really aren't!

Years ago, we made DVD's of him reading some Dr. Seuss books for his cousins for Christmas presents. All of my nieces and nephews thought it was spectacular and said their kids were totally memorized by it. Those kids are older now and I doubt it would have the same thrill. We homeschool and have access to quite a few little kids. I wonder if I should have him do something similar (now that his voice has changed) and hand them out to some of the younger ones and get some feedback?

He does seem to have a strong, deep voice but what do I know? While he can imitate characters that are already out there, he has his own unique style, as well. I enjoy his speeches because he has to talk in his normal voice and he comes across as very articulate and confident to me. Of course, I am his mom so maybe I am biased!

I think I will go ahead and get a mic and some free or cheap software and let him play around with it. He can at least use it for his movies because the sound quality isn't the greatest with the internal computer speakers.

My oldest interned at a radio station (public relations interest not VO) and they did not allow interning until the age of 16.

I wish we lived near LA, NY, Atlanta, or Chicago because I could at least let him take some classes and see if he has the right stuff. He could suck for all I know!
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Bish
3.5 kHz


Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Posts: 3738
Location: Lost in the cultural wasteland of Long Island

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In 2000 I acquired a 10 year old boy with a passion and talent for acting. Apart from the usual stuff available within the school system, we've been through acting classes, stage performances, showcases, small success, medium success, and recently, some major success. He's now getting work in VO, TV & movies.

For what it's worth, here's my take-away about what works if your kid is really interested in following this path:

Acting classes - an absolute must. Work with a group that's taking it seriously and have established goals and experienced & reputable teachers. His acting school frowned upon regular school drama-clubs and community theater. They positioned themselves as a career launchpad (with some notable successes) and not a fun-house for amateurs. This may seem a bit harsh, but of the dozen kids in his class, five have now done TV/movie work. If they do a separate cold-reading workshop, go for that as well.

There are a lot of kids with a lot of talent... but to make a mark, that's only the half of it... they need to be professional and passionate about it. I wouldn't invest in any expensive remote VO coaching (Skype is better than phone) until you know that this is a real career path for him.

From what you say, he's half-way there already. Fourteen is difficult though... he may discover girls soon and everything will go out the window Wink

Cheers
Peter
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13023
Location: Camp Cooper

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are also audio programs that are hugely helpful. Pat Fraley has some fine audio/workbook combinations that have been elemental in my character and accent work.

In the interest of full disclosure: I work with Pat, and I'm his web designer. But I came across his teaching material before I met him, and that's how I ended up working with him!

There are some really spiffy free lessons here:

Free Stuff from Pat Fraley
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11074
Location: Portgordon, Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is THE secret to success and it's worth keeping it in mind as your son doesn't really like stage acting.

Successful people are simply disciplined enough to do the things other people don't like doing.
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Bob Bergen
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Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 979

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey!

Philip really nailed it. Ya gotta want it more than anyone else and ya need to be willing to do more than anyone else. This is a good philosophy for him to start living by now, especially at his age. I would say that the majority out there who aren't happy with where their career is going really have no one to blame but themselves. They either made demos prematurely, made poor demos to save money, don't market, or just aren't as good as those already represented and working.

I tried to put together a weekend animation workshop a couple of times over the years, but there just never seemed to be enough interested to fill a class. I have a weekend class in NYC this fall, but it's not exactly around the corner from you.

He really should go back to theater. Even school theater. And private acting as well as improv classes. He needs to be the best actor he can be, especially if animation is his goal. I would suggest to not worry about the VO classes that are not in your area and look into acting and improv.

As for equipment, no need for anything right now. I was your son's age when I took my first VO class, and I was never without my hand held cassette recorder. If your son has a smart phone with a recording aHobo Tounge, that's plenty. If not, any inexpensive recording device will be fine. He needs to just read out loud and practice daily. Comic books are a great resource! The are basically storyboards, which is one of the scripts used in animation. And the word demo shouldn't even be in his vocabulary yet. The demo is the final step in the education process. It's telling the word you are as good or better than everyone else already represented and working.

Here are some good books for him to check out as well:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1879505878/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1419593331&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=04C9EBBD9KQ0AJT9BZG7

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Voice-Acting-Fourth-Performing/dp/0240812115/ref=pd_sim_b_1

http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Money-Where-Your-Mouth/dp/1581158785/ref=pd_sim_b_14

That should keep him busy! If you or he have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. porkysvoice@aol.com Bob Bergen
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todd ellis
A Zillion


Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10528
Location: little egypt

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

and THAT, okwdvc (if that is indeed your real name) is why you came to the VO-BB ... advice straight from porky pig!

it don't get better than that - take it.
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okwdvc



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks so much to everyone who has responded. Great information! I will look into all the links and references mentioned and rereading all of the responses so I have a good feel on what to do.

I do want to make it clear that my son continues to take a weekly theater class that includes improv plus he auditions and appears in plays in our area. He LOVES it. However, he does not see himself as a stage actor. Most of the girls talk about their big shot on Broadway or their own TV show. My son does not aspire to go in that direction. He truly enjoys acting but he has too many other things that interest him including voice and the technical aspect of the show. He is also a very business oriented individual and has said for years that he will get an MBA and run his own business. Big dreams, and a lot can happen between now and then, but anything is possible!
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Diane Maggipinto
Spreading Snark Worldwide


Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 6679
Location: saul lay seetee youtee

PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

todd ellis wrote:
... okwdvc (if that is indeed your real name) ...


may be the true test of your son's chops, if he can say your name Wink

good luck! i'm enjoying the back and forth, and love your honesty, such as "he could suck for all i know" spoken like a real mom at the water cooler ... Laugh
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melissa eX
MMD


Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 2794
Location: Lower Manhattan, New Amsterdam, the original NYC

PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hah! What Pinto said.

I'm SO glad Bob checked in here. You should check out his story if you haven't already - http://bobbergen.com/bio.htm and if you find yourself in a town where he's doing a workshop it's well worth it.

I second DB on Pat's stuff. Both the free and some of the other stuff. I have some of his CD's - like DB I came across his material before I met him. His workshops, like Bob's, are also great.
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okwdvc



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thought I would update and make sure I was on the right track. First,
thanks again for all the great info! I really enjoyed reading Bob's story. Thanks for linking to that, Melissa. Some day my son is going to write his bio and instead of Bob's great story about his dad being transferred to LA which allowed him to take so many different VO classes, my son is going to write how his life sucked because his dad got transferred to Florida, the empty hole in the world of VO!

Here is what I have done so far. I am starting off cheap and we will see how this goes.

I ordered the MXL Tempo mic. My son downloaded Audacity. We talked to his drama teacher (who has never done VO) but she is going to give him some assignments so he can create commercials or read and record short books so she can review them and offer feedback. Again, she isn't a VO person but it is the best we have around here and it is a jumping off point right now. In addition, we are considering a summer camp that does improv. I have also heard that there are a few teen improv opportunities around town a couple times a year so I will keep my ears open for details.

When my son turns 16, there is an improv club I found an hour from here that sounds like they offer some great classes. I plan on keeping him involved in activities using his voice (drama, speech, and debate club, plus arguing with me on a regular basis) and when he gets old enough to move or travel to places that offer VO, he can peruse that if he is still interested.
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Bruce
Boardmeister


Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7977
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It sounds like you're a great Dad.


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