VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Greetings All,

The name, as you can see, is Steve. I live in Dayton, Ohio. I have been a Music Producer and Audio Engineer for about two decades now, and I've got some hobbyist experience in Broadcasting. First a college station and currently a weekly, live internet radio show.

I've always had an interest in pursuing VO work, and have done some light work for corporate training videos and phone trees that landed in my lap. That being said, I am completely untrained, probably have all sorts of bad habits that need correcting, and generally have no idea if I even have any potential to work in VO. On the plus side, I already have a pretty nice studio and know my way around a Digital Audio Workstation.

I'd love it if you guys could provide suggestions for someone that could give me an evaluation. Searching for "Voice Over Coach" on google gives me roughly the same vibe as searching for "Get Rich Working From Home," if you know what I mean. I came across Bill DeWees and Michael Minetree; they both seem like upstanding guys, but I'm sort of wandering around blindly.

Any suggestions for someone who can give me a good, honest, one-on-one evaluation would be appreciated, preferably over the internet, as there appears to be no one anywhere near Dayton, Ohio.

Thanks!

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

As an aside, here's a little demo of some of the liners I've produced recently for my show. Project Friday's go-to VO guy is the venerable Bill Murray (Read: Not my voice in these liners!). If any new folks need production services (perhaps for demos and such) let me know. I'm likely WAY cheaper than the voice over mills I've read about.

https://soundcloud.com/silentgloves/steve-gillson-liner-production-project-friday/s-u7rTb

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:40 pm Post subject:

Howdy Do!

Check out This Thread to see what folks around here think of Nancy Wolfson and other great VO teachers.
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Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Hey, thanks! I read through that thread, and through Nancy's site. She seems quite enthusiastic about students having a landline telephone, even for training. I haven't had a landline since like 1998. It seems like other technology such as broadband VoIP would be much better suited to the task. I don't have a digital hybrid, but I can pipe my rig through VoIP.

This is probably a case of something I just don't know. Can someone explain why she might require students use a landline? That would be pretty inconvenient for someone who's just testing the waters.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 9:23 pm Post subject:

She does for the sake on clear continuity and no drop-outs which are a waste of everyone's time.

Take a look at Pat Fraley's site— there are lots of free lessons here:

http://patfraley.com/pf/free

(In the interest of full disclosure: I design and maintain Pat's site.)

There are lots of coaches worth checking out. I think you'll get more input once the holidays are through.
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Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Thanks for the input, Deirdre. I'll just hang out waiting on some input after the Holidays. In the meantime, I'll check out Pat's site.

FinMac · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:33 am Post subject: Coaching choices

Hello Steve,

Welcome to the site. You will probably get lots of recommendations for VO coaches, and have already found some good ones. I have never had the pleasure to work with Nancy, or Marc Cashman, or some of the others you might have heard about. But I have worked with many different coaches and all have had their good points.

To confuse you a little more, here are some names of other coaches you might consider. Some time ago, one VO talent from this site (who is high up in the VO talent food chain) recommend the following coaches to me...

Jeff Howell, Mark McIntyre, Bill Holmes, Mary Lynn Wissner, and Marice Tobias. From that list I have worked with Mark McIntrye, and he is excellent.

My suggestion to you is to shop around. After having worked with many excellent coaches I finally found one, that for me, is head and shoulders above the rest.

Before I reveal the name of that I want to give you some other places to check out.

1. Edge Studio - where you can take an Skype evaluation class. They will give you an honest evaluation if they think you should go ahead or not. I believe they will refund some of your money if they do not think this is right for you. They have lots of good coaches to choose from as well.

2. Aliso Creek Online Voice Over Training classes...IMHO, the best bang for the buck out there. Last time I checked each online class was about 15 bucks. These online classes are more for beginner to intermediate and are focused on Commercials. There is even a free class you can check out.

Finally, here is the coach that, at least for me, is head and shoulders above the rest that I have worked with in the past. Her name is Naomi Jacobson, and she is an award winning actress who coaches through Edge Studios.

I wish you well on your new journey!
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:47 am Post subject:

Free evaluation via Skype from Philip Banks just add voiceoverist to your Skype contacts.

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Loads of good information FinMac! Thanks!

Also, I do like free. Thanks Philip, I send you an add request on Skype from my Project Friday account.

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 3:34 pm Post subject:

Steve,

First, welcome to the VO-BB!

Second, while I adore Nancy Wolfson both as a coach and a person; she isn't going to be perfect for everyone.

Third, as said, you have MANY choices from which to choose. I suggest you compile a list of coaches you find interesting and then run that list through here. We'll be happy to offer some thoughts.

Fourth, our own Board Czarina DB Cooper has been known to do some coaching from time to time. If she's still doing that, she would be on my list of recommendations, for sure.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Hey Bob,

Thanks for that.

First off, I had a nice hour and fifteen minute chat with Philip today via Skype, which I'm grateful for, and he gave me several pointers and some direction. He described my voice as "lending itself to gentle narration." Certainly an excellent starting point.

I've looked into just about everyone listed here, and I think Michael Minetree resonates most with me. I like his no-nonsense approach and while reading his site, I felt more like I was being talked out of pursuing VO work than being sold a product, which is appealing to me. I sent him an email, and I think I'm going to do his Skype evaluation session.

After that, I may continue with him if we hit it off well, or may look into other options.

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

Hi Steve-

You may also want to consider Teri Clark-Linden for VO coaching. She lives here in the Dayton area and is a very good talent and coach and might be able to work with you in person. I worked with her a few years back myself. Looks like you can contact her through her Facebook link on her website- tericlarkvoiceover.com. Hope this helps you.

Glenn

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 10:30 pm Post subject:

Steve,

Michael is a friend and a good man. Glenn's suggestion about Terry is also a good one.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 2:29 am Post subject:

Ignore EVERYTHING posted or said to you about VO Coaches and evaluations. If someone points you in the direction of a person or an organisation ask for a success story.

Self-Help books are a dime a dozen, people read 'em, quote from them and few, if any, derive any real benefit. My favourite book title was invented by Steve Martin as part of his stand up comedy act "How I turned a million in real estate into $2 in cash". Therein lies the truth about much of the business from which I make my living.

In VO work you will find no recognised qualifications and no accredited coaches or coaching programmes so it is essential that you ask the questions that will get you value for money. If someone wants $150-$200 per hour to teach me VO stuff then I have a right to some real evidence ALSO measurable in cash terms that there will be a return on my investment. Never will there be a case when someone will legitimately be able to say to you "well, it's not as easy as that" NEVER!

Should you buy from someone something from which you will will derive no measurable fiscal benefit? Yes. I do it all the time. Having said that I never do it for my business.

I have a magic harmonica and when I play it White Tigers are calmed, they let me tickle their bellies and cuddle their cubs. I'll be going into a cage with 3 of them later this week. Want to pay $200 to join me or would you prefer to meet what's left of my last student?

David Gibson · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 8:07 am Post subject:

The information I've picked up from you guys in the last 3-4 days has been unbelievable! The vo business is really a unique community.
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David Marcus Gibson
TheGoldenThroatVOs.com

If it don't kill you, it makes you stronger