VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:17 am Post subject: Updating your skillset

What a lovely piece of jargon! It is often used by VO coaches to keep you buying more. If you are not doing the work then it is possible that your skillset/knowledge is not up to date. You do need to keep on top to keep on top.

Fabby!

Now let's look at the coaches - Coaches, if you are not doing the work then it is possible that your skillset/knowledge is not up to date. You do need to keep on top to keep on top.

When was the last time your coach either did it or sat in during a session for a TV promo, national commercial, movie trailer or anything else they choose to teach? They are charging YOU to keep up to date.

"Aww I watch the latest TV ads n promos n trailers all the time!"

BOLLOCKS!

I watch helicopters from the beach all the time yet am still unable to ****ing fly 'em!

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

It's a great point, Philip. I'll also add that one should never produce their own demo unless they also actively work hand in hand with agents, casting directors, and buyers. A great demo producer knows current trends, what the agents expect from a professional demo, etc.

But, I'll also play devil's advocate on your posting. Neither Sanford Meisner nor Stella Adler worked as actors when they taught many who became some of the best actors who ever worked.

Statistically, I agree that for vo if your coach is a working actor then they should be actively working. But there are some I know both here in LA as well as NYC who are amazing coaches but are not and have never been voice actors. Just do your homework and learn the players. It's not that difficult to find who is good and who isn't.

I've been teaching animation vo now for about 28 years. I had no intentions or desire to teach when I started. I was doing a play in LA and a gentleman came to my dressing room after the show. He told me he saw in my bio that I did animaton vo work and asked me if I'd be interested in teaching an animation vo workshop at his new acting school that was opening soon. I thanked him, but declined as it just wasn't of interest and I had NO idea how to teach animation vo.

About a week or so later I got a call from SAG Conservatory asking if I'd be interested in teaching an animation vo seminar. I asked how they got my name/number, and they said I was recommended by a few different people in the business. (At the time there were very few animation vo workshops. I think Daws Butler was the only one, which I'd been a part of off and on for about 10 years.) I was also told that the students paid something like $10 a year for various workshops and seminars throughout the year, and teachers were paid nothing. So, I told em I'd give it a shot. Since they weren't paying me I wouldn't have Jewish guilt by taking money if I sucked.

I taught for free for a good year there, and eventually felt confident that I was pretty good at this. I called the guy who owned that acting school and offered my services there. I taught for him for another year and then went out on my own and have been teaching my own various workshops every since.

My classes have evolved over the years and keep evolving. As I learn and grow, so do my classes. About 25 years ago I tried teaching a commercial vo workshop. Three weeks into a six week workshop I refunded everyone's money and we all went out for margaritas. I was truly terrible at teaching commercial vo. Even though I do miles more commercials than I do cartoons, I didn't have the skills or talent to teach commercial vo technique.

I also made a promise to myself when I began teaching animation vo that if I stop working I stop teaching. Now, if I were producing or directing and (or) otherwise involved in animation other than acting I might consider still teaching. But like your original post, I do believe at least for myself I need to be in the game to teach it. I also don't/cannot Skype coach. I need that one on one interaction. Too many barriers for me with Skype and I cannot do the coaching justice.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:31 am Post subject:

Good on ya, Bob. I salute your integrity.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:46 am Post subject:

Well said Bob!

Note that doing the work does not mean for a number of great coaches being a current, working VO. It DOES mean being directly involved at the sharp end as a producer, director or a coach who has attended sessions that truly reflect how things are done now even if only as an observer. Knowing how things sounded or were done even 5 years ago is "SO 5 years ago"

Someone recently played me their latest TV promo demo and all I could think but was polite enough not to say was "welcome to the 1980s!"

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

Absolutely, Philip! I had to stop recommending my first vo coach from the early 80s because this coach is still coaching a la the early 80s. I adore this coach as a person and it hurt me terribly that it hurt them that I won't recommend them. (I'm working very hard to keep the gender/identity out of the conversation)

Then, I get notes from actors who used to work a lot but refuse to update their demos and marketing tools. They have this "I'm not going to spend money when I have this massive body of work/don't they know who I am??" chip on their shoulder.

....we can't fix everything/everyone. But, we can try.

Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:28 am Post subject:

Great thread. Lots to consider.

Thanks, Philip and Bob.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

melissa eX · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:33 pm Post subject:

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:59 am Post subject:

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:03 am Post subject:

What a coincidence. I was also thinking of updating my skillets.

Oh. skillset. Never mind,
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

kevinpowe · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:05 am Post subject:

Both approaches sound valid, Lee. See how it pans out.
_________________
http://kevinpowe.com
<something>

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 5:31 am Post subject:

Lapianoman · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:06 am Post subject:

Philip has summoned a constable...pun's all over, I suppose.
_________________
John LaPiana
Voice User

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:54 am Post subject:

a substantially better armed constable.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

heyguido · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:31 am Post subject:

Thank God for Lee. I've been waiting for that pun since Philip first posted.

And Kevin's uptake? Priceless.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:38 am Post subject:

I was just trying to do something about the dreaded vocal fry. Shocked

Isn't that what these are for?

Or are those pots? Pots; pans; I always get them confused.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice