VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

marcos59 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:41 am Post subject: Singing

Hey folks, in your opinions, does singing coaching help or hinder the development of VO technique? And is there much demand for it in VO work?

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:43 am Post subject:

I've had singing training and it does help in a number of ways: breath control, pacing, agility in your voice. I've never been asked to actually sing in a VO, but sometimes singing a line helps you figure out a way to interpret it when you speak it.

We once had a narrator sing some difficult science terms to herself and it really made a difference when she spoke them in the narrative.
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cyclometh · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:01 am Post subject:

Not much demand for it in VO work (it does happen, though), but I find that singing is a great vocal warmup for me. I used to sing in the car on the way home from my day job and by the time I was home I had worked all the kinks out of my voice.

YMMV, of course.
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Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

marcos59 · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:27 pm Post subject:

Great, thanks everyone Smile

Monk · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:53 pm Post subject:

yep, I sing. I sing a vocal warm up, "Try to Remember" from The Fantasticks full voice before recording in the morning.

And, I'm in an A Cappella group that rehearses once a week and performs all over the North East. Helps with keeping the lungs open and keeping a smile on my face.

Smile

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heyguido · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject:

Breath control, modulation, pitch control, vocal range, interpretation....

There are lots of great reasons for a VO to sing. Inoccent

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Whit · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:34 pm Post subject:

Agreed with all of the above. I've done quite a bit of singing for commercials.

jsgilbert · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:50 pm Post subject:

About 4 years ago, when the largest part of my day was spent casting, directing and producing other actors, I discovered that my "shortlist"; the one's I liked working with the most all shared one thing in common - they either all were or had been singers in a band.

Now, if you do believe that acting is acting and voice over work is acting, then you'd know that actors study numerous disciplines, including dance, singing, sword play, firing a gun, horseback riding and so on. It's certainly more of an "L.A. thing".

I've been asked to sing many, many times in my career. Sometimes with better outcomes than others. I've also lost out on some incredible voice over opportunities simply because my singing wasn't of the same caliber as my voice over was. Not to mention that there was this little redhead who I dated and wound up losing to a guy who could sing and play some Beatles tunes on the guitar. Hmmm, I'm guessing she probably went on to become a voice actor.

If learning to sing is just one more thing that you can't afford or is something that you'll dread, like getting that sloppy kiss from your aunt at Christmas, then no need. In fact, the way that the v.o. world is going, you'll surprise the producers enough if you can just talk, no need to send them into a coma by turning into a crooner.
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Bill Eshelman · Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Central PA

Singing helps if you are actually singing properly. Otherwise, who knows. There is a mix of training, art, anatomy and "cool factor" in a truly great voice. Always sing. Thats good advice to anyone.
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Yonie · CM Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 906

It sure helps with staying fresh; having fun along the way; and expressing thyself. Especially us tenors need some proper support to not sound like wheezing children.

People who've met me -- without any kind of earphones or music -- know that I constantly sing, all the time. It can get very annoying for some, but it keeps my voice fresh Inoccent

Monk · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject:

The piano player started off in the wrong key... but hey IT'S A PANTO!

but ya, sing out.
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heyguido · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:45 pm Post subject:

Oh. My. God.

Make it STOP.

I'm in tears... Laugh

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ccpetersen · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject:

I had to do a short bit last night and before I started, I belted out "Volare" Jonathan Frakes-style.

It's amazing what a little Volare will do for you...
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todd ellis · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:51 pm Post subject:

mark --- i can't TELL you how much i needed that today!!!

hilariously awesome!
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