VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

sshaffer · Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Posts: 9

Hi,

I am looking for a VO coach or classes. I live near Richmond, Virginia, but am willing to drive 1-2 hours which would include other parts of Virginia, DC or Maryland. Although I prefer face-to-face, I recognize that there may not be coaches within driving distance so I am OK with phone and Skype.

I have heard good things about Michael Minetree (Maryland), but he requires 24 weeks of classes which includes everything from the business, equipment, marketing, voice training, etc. I am not quite ready to commit to 24 weeks of classes.

I also heard good things about the Edge Studio. Their pricing seems reasonable and there website claims they only give 50% of the people they evaluate the green light to go forward. I can do it via Skype/Phone and/or drive to Washington DC. If evaluated by Skype/Phone, I can select the instructor. Does anyone have any recommendations to a specific Edge Studio instructor?

Do you know of any other instructors in this area, or any area via Skype/Phone. I found other posts on this subject but they seem quite dated, so I thought I would as again.

Thank you for your time.

graemespicer · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:35 pm Post subject:

In my humble opinion, David Goldberg, the owner of Edge Studios, has some of the best ears in the business. I've trained with Edge in the past, and think they offer good value, but it sometimes seems like a bit of a factory. And honestly, I doubt that they turn away 50% of those that approach them. They have rent on a big new studio facility in the heart of midtown Manhattan to pay Smile

You will hear Nancy Wolfson's name mentioned frequently. She is based in LA, but the majority of her business is conducted by telephone. I have worked with her, with very happy results. She is the only coach that I am aware of that has a top notch formalized curriculum, and it is fabulous. A note of caution - she is not "for the faint of heart". She made me cry. Twice. And she is relatively expensive (but in my opinion worth every cent).

A hidden gem in NYC who likes to work via Skype is Doriane Elliott. She is a busy casting director, and therefore has her finger on the pulse of what voiceover trends are hot in the New York market. She is incredibly talented, very encouraging/supportive and has a couple of specific methodologies that have made a big difference in my work. The drawback with Doriane - she can sometimes be hard to get scheduled because her entire week can go to hell if she gets called into two or three big casting sessions. (Although to be fair she has always found time for me - sometimes even on short notice. You just have to be a little flexible.)

Part therapist, part coach. That's Elley-Ray Hennessy from Toronto. Again, a great talent with a fantastic teaching style. She is gentle and encouraging, but still gets the best performance from you. She is also a great value. She is about the same price as the others mentioned here, but her 90 minute sessions tend to go on for the rest of the afternoon if she doesn't have a session of her own to run to Smile

Especially strong in animation, but is excellent at commercial coaching as well.

And finally, if you have specific interest in TV promo, then Joyce Castellanos and Genes Cordes in LA are the real deal. I'm working with them now ....

There are many others out there - please, please before committing to anyone bring the name back here to the forum and ask us about their reputation. For every Nancy Wolfson or Doriane Elliott there are ten wannabe coaches who will take your money and give you little of value in return. There be dragons out there, waiting to prey on the beginning actor.

Good luck, and please let us know how things turn out!
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Graeme Spicer
Voice Actor

Member of the World-Voices Executive Board

tel • (416) 716-2246
email • graeme@graemespicer.com
graemespicer.com

graemespicer · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:42 pm Post subject:

One last comment - in my opinion you're better off training with an A-list coach at a distance via Skype or telephone than with someone local (and I mean local anywhere, not specifically Virginia/DC) that may not have the same skills and contacts.
_________________
Graeme Spicer
Voice Actor

Member of the World-Voices Executive Board

tel • (416) 716-2246
email • graeme@graemespicer.com
graemespicer.com

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:53 am Post subject:

Free of charge, two skype sessions with (FANFARE) ...ME! Then if you feel things are looking fabby for you sign on with Nancy Wolfson. I am not a coach but you may learn something.

Does that help?

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Wow Philip that's a generous offer - if I were you I'd bite his hand off and get Nancy Wolfson on DVD.
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Wow Philip that's a generous offer - if I were you I'd bite his hand off and get Nancy Wolfson on DVD.
_________________
Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk

Bruce · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:41 am Post subject:

Susie, Philip has just made you a fantastic offer. I'd take him up on it. I believe he will be very funny, and very frank.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

Bish · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:20 am Post subject:

Wow. I can only echo what Colin and Bruce have said. This is a great opportunity.

I was going to add a wonderful, pithy (and side-splittingly humorous) comment here, but I didn't want to dilute the fact that this is a truly great offer.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

graemespicer · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:53 am Post subject:

Holy crap - hey Philip, is that offer open to anyone? I'd love a session with the Sage of Scotland!
Gasp

Susie - jump on this!!!
_________________
Graeme Spicer
Voice Actor

Member of the World-Voices Executive Board

tel • (416) 716-2246
email • graeme@graemespicer.com
graemespicer.com

sshaffer · Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Posts: 9

This information is great. Graeme, thanks for the detail. I will look into each of your suggestions. I do plan to go with an A-list coach as I really don’t have money to throw away. I will definitely run names by this forum before committing.

Philip, I would love to take you up on your offer. Thanks so much. What is the best way to get a hold of you?

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:01 am Post subject:

Probably Skype would be best, add Voiceoverist to your contacts.

sshaffer · Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Posts: 9

I just had an amazing session with Philip. He generously spent over an hour with me and it was the most entertaining/fun I had in a long time. I am brand new to the business, and he got me pumped up. In the short time, he had me read through a couple of scripts and gave me great suggestions on, not on the scripts at hand, but I have a better understanding on future scripts.

Philip - thanks again. It was a real pleasure Skyping with you.

todd ellis · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

Where-the-heck-else could this happen?

Such a cool little corner of the intarwebs!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:28 pm Post subject:

w0w ! super !!
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

Jen Gosnell · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:08 pm Post subject:

Gold star, Philip. Yer a good man.

Graeme, thanks for your awesome, detailed post too. It's one of the best if not the best on coaches that I've seen here or anywhere else. I am sure I will refer to it again in the future. Smile

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https://www.jengosnell.com
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