VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[DavidJolley]

Hi;

I’m new here, and I’d like to introduce myself and ask for a bit of advice.

My name is David Jolley. I have been in “the Industry” for nearly 40 years (25 years at Paramount Pictures), but not in a creative role. I was an IT manager for the Studio Group. I also worked at A&M Records, and was the Editor of the first monthly publication that dealt with the use of Computers in the composition and performance of music, so I have a ton of audio experience.

Throughout my career at Paramount, I was encouraged by professionals to pursue a career in VO. People in the “the biz” seemed to think I had/have what it takes. However, I was never particularly interested, as I was knee deep in my IT career. Having retired from that business and feeling like I want to pursue my “creative” side, I decided that VO would be something I would be very interested in.

In the several months that I have been looking into how I might fit into this industry, I have learned a great deal. I recently attended the VO Conference at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, and I got a wonderful “vibe” from the professionals that also attended. A great bunch of people, and I felt very much at home. I have come to understand that VO is actually acting, and I am going to need some training in that area. I have also come to understand the need for Individual coaching as well.

But….I have also learned that there is a Very, very long line of people standing in front of me ready and willing to take my money for said coaching, acting classes, demos, webinars, conferences, equipment consultations, etc. I see this more in the VO world than I have in other industries in which I have been involved. It kind of seems like everyone is a coach or trainer…..even people that have been in the profession for a short period of time and are not making a full-time living at it are offering their services as “coaches”.

So, I am trying to sort all of this out.

One issue I am trying to sort out is whether to invest in a VO-Specific acting class, or steer more toward Traditional acting classes to gain a foundation in the craft. There is NO shortage of acting classes in the LA area, of course.

I am wondering if anyone might have some opinions on training that they could offer. Suggestions for acting classes, perhaps. Also, does anyone here have any experience with the companies that offer VO-Specific group classes, such as Aliso Creek, Kalmenson & Kalmenson, or any of the others?
I want to do this the RIGHT way, and I know that it all starts with the training.

Any suggestions or resources would be deeply appreciated!

Thank You!

[todd ellis]

hi david - welcome to the vo-bb the best little corner of the intarweb since myspace! i hope bob bergen pops in to offer his sage wisdom, because he has a lot to offer and is also in the same physical space.

my little spot of advice is - beware of the VO charlatans & carpetbaggers - and there are a LOT of them out there. they will tell you are ready when you are not - sell you demos & headshots - master classes - offer to teach you the iranian double pause - kindly reject their advances.

the archives here offer a wealth of information - take a long weekend and dig in. we are happy to help for the small fee of feeding the llama every now and then.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Mike Harrison]

[Bob Bergen]

Hey there, David! Being that I am also in LA, I can steer you in the right direction.

If you've had zero acting training, I say start there. My personal favorite acting teacher is John Ruskin:
https://ruskinschool.com/?_ga=2.241562498.1872812158.1546533408-781210739.1546533408

Tell him I referred you. See if he will allow you to audit/observe a class before committing. Most good acting teachers allow this.

You should also check out Howard Fine:
https://howardfine.com

Also a terrific acting coach. He and John have very different styles and approaches, and it's a good idea to shop a few acting coaches to find the best fit.

You should also look into improv training. Groundlings, Acme, Upright Citizen's Brigade, etc. All good, and all different.

As for vo, for now as you study acting just surf the various resources online:
https://iwanttobeavoiceactor.com
This is a great site by Dee Baker, a good buddy and very successful vo actor.

https://vobuzzweekly.com/videos/
Hundreds of interviews with top vo agents, casting directors, and actors. Nice research to prep you if/when your career is ready to meet and network with these professionals. I would also suggest connecting with these vo players on social media. From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, this is a vital part of the vo and acting career, especially in LA.

As for vo coaches, The Voiceover Resource Guide is the bible of all things vo in LA:
http://www.voiceoverresourceguide.com/la/index.html
I like Jeff Howell, Mary Lynn Wissner, Bill Holmes, Juan Carlos Bagnell, Elaine Craig, Dave Walsh. All great, all coach different genres of vo. If animation is of interest you are more than welcome to audit one of my classes. But it has a 4 year waitlist, so just keep that in mind. Debi Derryberry, Richard Horvitz, and Mick Wingert are also outstanding animation coaches.

Also surf the sites of the top talent agents: Atlas, DPN, CESD, WME, AVO, Abrams, SBV. Listen to their talent's demos to get an idea of what you need to live up to, and what you need to be better than. A new talent needs to offer an agent something they don't already represent.

This should be plenty for you to dive into. And if you have any questions about any other entity or person, feel free to email me. bob@bobbergen.com

Break a uvula!
B

[DavidJolley]

Thank you all SO much for your kind welcome and input.

Bob, it’s an honor to be sharing the same web space with you…I was aware of your work way before I considered stepping into this business. I will most certainly check out each of your recommendations, and I truly appreciate your taking the time to make them. Lunch is on me ANY time!

I did see you at the recent VO conference at the Sheraton. Loved your Q/A, “Ask the Pig”……How ironic, those are EXACTLY the same words my ex-wife said to my lawyer on so many occasions…….

I look forward to becoming an active member of this community, and, hopefully, be able to make some contributions of my own.

It’s interesting, with regard to my comments about people “lining up to take my money”…..there is one man I am aware of, back in the Midwest, who has TWO ebooks on VO Success out, a podcast with dozens of episodes, and he offers Skype Coaching and a membership coaching program for $97 a month…..just one problem…..until recently, he was a full time bus mechanic. The man really DOES have it all together, I’m certain he will ultimately be successful….he is a great marketer. But, I think it’s just a little deceptive to offer a “Path to Success” in a field where you are not a success yourself.

Again thanks so much, guys….I look forward to this new journey!

DJ

[Lee Gordon]

[ConnieTerwilliger]

[DougVox]

[Bish]

I can't see the snake oil for all the smoke and mirrors.
_________________
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.

[Philip Banks]

His "How to keep a successful marriage and increase your savings" had a tremendous impact on my life.

[todd ellis]

he helped me take my $100k/year "secret" quantum neural manifestation alignment voiceover ministry to new levels of multi-level success.
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Eddie Eagle]

[quote="DougVox"]

[iannyc]

I sent him $100 this morning because I'm pretty sure he hosted a 'remote sleep learning' seminar in my dreams