VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Hey Glenn, I had found Teri here via a search, but at least according to her blog in early 2014, she is no longer teaching/coaching: http://terivoice.blogspot.com/2014/01/free-voice-over-lessons.html

Philip, your point is not lost on me. The VO training industry sounds a lot like the Martial Arts training industry. Pretty much anyone can conjure some "system," claim themselves a 15th degree grandmaster in said system, open a school and take your money.

Therein lies the conundrum, I suppose. I likely require some form of coaching, but how does one verify that any given coach has useful information (or more specifically, information that will be useful to me) to convey?

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:24 am Post subject:

For a coach who is a VO.

1 - Where are they now?
2 - Where did they start?
3 - How did they get to where they are now?
4 - How exactly did it work?

For the above, non-specific answers that can't be measured are not acceptable. If you think that seems harsh please visit ebay and buy my patented parachute designed to open on impact. It's great! No customer has ever complained.

For a coach who has never actually done VO work simply discover where their coaching has taken students.

No one is able to guarantee any degree of success, truth is that anyone starting out on the road to VO Heaven has a >95% chance of achieving nothing.

BS detectors must be set to 100% power

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 979

Devil's advocate: Some of the top/most recommended voice coaches on Broadway have no degrees or credidations. Nor are they actively working themselves on stage. Sandy Meisner was not a working actor while teaching many who became the best of the best. Same goes for many top dance instructors. Anyone can get a degree in the arts. But that doesn't make them a teacher. And the only return on the investment should be education and technique. Just because one knows it, doesn't mean they have what it takes to apply it brilliantly.

Honestly, I can count on less than two hands those whom I've taught animation who had the "it" factor. That's because most, no matter who teaches them, don't have that lil sumpthing extra that sets them apart from the rest. But this is how it's always been and always should be for anyone studying acting and the arts. Everyone who ever studied with a great teacher would be working if said brilliant teacher had the skills to bring work to students based on their teaching skills.

I think asking around is the best bet to finding a good coach. If it's a workshop you are interested in, see if you can audit for free before committing. Just don't confuse a coach pushing you beyond your contort zone with their style not gelling with you. Teachers who stroke to be loved are doing you a disservice. You don't want someone who makes you afraid to try again, but you don't want sugar coating, either. You want to be challenged through encouragement, along with honesty when it comes to what you bring to the table.

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

All good information, and a lot to look out for.

I suppose the first step, before any coaching, is determining if I bring anything to the table that is of enough value or uniqueness that pursuing VO is a worthwhile endeavor... an "it" factor, as you so eloquently described it, Bob. The answer to that may very well be no, and that would be ok, or, perhaps with a little coaching, I could be exceptional. I just don't know the answers to those questions.

richvoice · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:20 pm Post subject:

Based on your last few posts and how he's worked with me, I'd recommend Marc Cashman. He has an evaluation service; I didn't avail myself of it, but based on my experience with him I'm certain that he would be honest, both with the positives and the negatives. Because that's the way he is while coaching: he's given positive feedback where it was warranted, and he's pointed out the things that needed to be better. In short, he has treated me exactly according to Bob's excellent advice: he's challenged me with encouragement and honesty.
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Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Hey Rich,

Thanks for the suggestion. Allow me to channel Philip for a moment, if you don't mind... *gets into character*

1. When you started training with Marc, were you a beginner, like myself, or had you prior experience? If so, what experience did you have prior to your training with him?

2. Did your training with Marc result in a measurable increase in the amount of work you were being cast for, or in a measurable increase in the satisfaction of your existing clients? Or perhaps more directly, more money?

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 2:22 pm Post subject:

richvoice · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 8:46 am Post subject:

David Gibson · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:19 am Post subject:

Rich, I'm glad you mentioned confidence because that is one of the things I need to learn. For example, I've never been formally trained to breakdown a script. I've come pretty far going by feel, but I know I need acting and vo coaching now to become a better actor. Knowing how to do it would mean 1) I'd be better equipped in an environment where I don't have time to analyze, re-analyze, and ruminate about different approaches on a script; and 2) I'd have more confidence in simply knowing what I am doing which would allow me to offer a better performance.
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If it don't kill you, it makes you stronger

David Gibson · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:22 am Post subject:

Steve, you probably know that Marc Cashman is another huge name in vo coaching.
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David Marcus Gibson
TheGoldenThroatVOs.com

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

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Steve,

IMO no matter how great a coach may be, this is mostly a solo and sometimes lonely journey where you learn through much trial and error, failure and some occasional inner contemplation. If you truly have the "fever" you will get there in whatever way you have to.

That said, having a good coach/mentor at certain points is invaluable. They can point you in the right direction at the start and at later points put you back on the right trajectory when you have veered off course. Nancy Wolfson is my main one but Pat Fraley has also been enourmously helpful and very generous.

Deirdre · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:40 am Post subject:

Voice acting is acting.

You might be able to find acting classes nearby.
That will teach you script interp for sures if you have a good teacher.
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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 979

FinMac · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:49 am Post subject: Good coaching pays itself back

My experience is this. Had been booking work in one of the top studios (in this country) but decided I needed to improve my performance. So, I got some good coaching.

Later, after one gig, the engineer that I worked most with said to me (out of the blue), "you have really improved a lot". After explaining that I was getting more coaching he said something like, "it's good to see someone your age wants to still learn more." Smile

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:01 am Post subject:

Voice acting is acting. However, VO also involves techniques that may be unique to our particular profession. So while some acting skill is necessary, it is not necessarily the only skill you need to acquire.
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