Look at the time, it’s almost the end of September! That means it’s now just over 2 weeks until we run the next Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop at Bang Bang Studios in Southbank.

This popular workshop has now been running for over a year and is limited to just 10 participants. Right now there’s just 1 place available for this workshop.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines just thinking about doing a Voice Over Course or some coaching, this is a great opportunity to get started.

The October 12/13 Introduction to Voice Over workshop is suitable for ages 15+ and this will be the final Introduction workshop for 2019.

We hope to see you there!

Andy and Cecelia.

A Voice Over Demo compilation is the best way to showcase your abilities as a Voice Over Artist to the world…but at what stage should you create one?

Of course there’s actually nothing stopping you from recording your voice at any time and sharing it with others and it’s a great way to get feedback as you progress on your voice over journey, however, a well curated collection of your best voice over work is how you will ultimately land some work.

I know, I still haven’t answered the original question, but I’m working up to it as there are a few things to consider first.

Most importantly your Voice Over Demo needs to be a reflection of your abilities, not the ability of the producer/ sound engineer to make you sound amazing. It’s important that I say that as there are some studios that offer demo creation services where they will literally take someone with little or no experience and coach them through a handful of scripts, then with plenty of skilful editing and post production techniques make them sound simply amazing.

So what’s wrong with that? Well, it will quickly become apparent the first time someone hires you to do a voice over for them and you’re not able to perform as well as your demo suggests you can. This ‘short cut’ then actually finds you with a demo that’s not really much use as it doesn’t reflect your actual ability as a voice over artist. The studio that made it for you won’t care because, well frankly all they wanted was your money.

So…when?

Ok, I’ll finally answer the original question – but I’ll have to ask YOU more questions to get the answer.

Try this for a check list.

• Are you comfortable and confident in the studio with others watching?
• Do you have a good understanding of Microphone, breathing and script marking techniques?
• Can you read a short script (e.g 30 seconds) from start to finish without tripping over your words on every take?
• Are you able to take direction and adjust your read to deliver the required result?
• Do you already have some recordings of your voice over work?

If you’re answering YES to those questions I would suggest that YES, you’re ready to get a demo together.

So what exactly goes into a demo?
For experienced voice over artists that are booking regular jobs the demo is a well crafted compilation of recent great work performed.

For example here’s my (Andy) current compilation.

Some voice over artists have some great examples of their work, but perhaps not enough for a full demo that contains a variety of styles. In this case they would simply record some new material to help fill in the gaps.

That’s exactly what I did this week with Kat – a Perth-based voice over artist who came to Melbourne to attend the ‘Voice Over for Video Games’ workshop.

She wanted to freshen up her current demo with some new material so came in to see how I could help. After listening to her current demo I selected some scripts that I felt would help ad some variety to her body of work and we recorded and produced them. Here’s what Kat walked away with.

Ok, she didn’t actually walk out of the studio with demo in hand. Post production does take some time, so it was a few days later.

If you feel like you’re ready to make a demo, contact us to talk about it or book in a demo session HERE.

We’ll be running the last Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop for 2019 on October 12&13 and limited places are available!

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone interested in discovering what’s possible with their voice and finding out more about the world of professional voice overs will really enjoy this workshop and no experience is required.

Many people who come to the Introduction to Voice Over workshop have never recorded their voice before or set foot inside a professional recording studio.

Others have done some acting or singing or work in completely unrelated industries and have been told they have a ‘great voice’.

No matter what your background or experience, you’ll gain new skills and meet a group of people with the same interest while being coached by experienced Voice Over artists.

Now we could spend all day telling you how great the workshop and coaching services are (and you’re also welcome to call us for a chat) but you may also like to read our reviews on Google.

Remember, places are limited to just 10 participants for this workshop, and it will be the final Introduction to Voice Over workshop for 2019. Currently there are 7 places available and we hope to see YOU there.

If you’d like to book your place you can do that HERE.

Andy & Cecelia.

If you’re interested in discovering how the video games industry works with Voice Over talent and now Voice Over artists actually get work in Video Games, this workshop is for you.

The workshop, held over two evenings on August 27/28 (6.30 to 9.30pm) will be run by U.K based Voice Over artist / coach, Rachael Naylor. Here’s just one of the video game character voices she has done.

That Fox sure has some attitude right, but how do you even get an opportunity to be the voice of a video game character? Rachael unlocks the key information around Video Game voice over work and as part of her interactive workshop will give you the opportunity to try reading some video game character scripts.

As with all our workshops, places are very limited, however we will take up to 12 participants for this exclusive event with a minimum of 9 bookings for the even to run. ( Rachael is flying into Melbourne from her Perth workshop just to run this workshop).

Hope to see you there! Andy

If you’re interested in finding out what’s involved in doing Voice Overs for Video Games we have a very unique opportunity for you.

U.K based Voice Over Artist & Coach Rachael Naylor is coming to Australia and will be in Melbourne to run a workshop focused on Voice Over for Video games!

The video game world is a very exciting part of the entertainment industry. It is growing incredibly quickly right now and voice actors are in high demand. The video game industry actually makes more money than the movie and music industries combined!

Video games are about so much more than shoot em ups now. They are more like movies, with well-rounded characters, fantastic stories, great scripts and amazing soundtracks. 

In this workshop run over 2 evenings, Rachael will talk about what is happening in video games right now as well as how to get into them. 

She will talk through the differences in this type of acting compared to stage and films. This will be informative as well as a very interactive workshop. 

You will also get to work on video game scripts and characters in the studio.

Rachael is very passionate about the video game industry and she would like to share information with you as well as be on hand to answer any questions you have.

You will come away from this workshop inspired, informed and entertained.

Rachael Naylor is a voice actor, founder of The VoiceOver Network, editor if The Buzz Magazine, host of The Voiceover hour, Organiser of GET YOUR GAME ON video game event, international speaker and award winning entrepreneur. Video game credits include ‘Farrow’ in Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, ‘Alarielle the ever queen’ in Total War Warhammer – The Queen and The Crone and many more.

Details:
Date: August 27 & 28 (2 Nights)
Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Where: TBC
Price: $450 (ex GST)

** Bonus **
Sign up for this 2-Day workshop and you will also receive a coupon code for a 50% discount on a 1 on 1 voice over coaching session.
Discount valid until December 31, 2019.

Book your spot today HERE for on this incredible 2-night workshop to learn more about the wonderful world of voicing for video games.
Places are very limited.

What questions do you have about Voice Over work?
Many of the first questions we get from people who are new to voice over are around getting work, signing up with an agent, how much voice over artists are paid and how to get started. We get those questions typically before people do our weekend workshop or a 1 on 1 coaching session.

What we find is that once we start working with someone in the studio, the questions quickly turn to the piece of paper in front of them – the Voice Over script. Here’s a few common questions we get about working with a script.

How much time would I get to pre-read / practise a script?
This can vary. For professional voice over artists who attend a studio to record with a client/agency, you’re likely to see the script/s for the first time when you attend the studio. In come cases you may only know the name of the client or product you’ll be doing a voice over for and nothing else in advance.
Arriving 10 minutes early can be helpful as if the scripts are available you may be able to at least look over them, become familiar with the words and consider how you may approach the read. At this time you may come up with some questions you may need answered before recording starts.

If I don’t like the way something is written, can I change it?
Unless it’s an obvious typing error, generally the answer is no. You should know that before the script has been given you to, it has usually been through quite a rigorous process of writing, feedback, re-writing and approvals so the words are the way they are for a reason. You should certainly ask questions if you’re unsure of anything in the script, but don’t expect to change anything just because you feel it isn’t right. We get this question quite a bit during our Introduction to Voice Over weekend workshop where participants are working with scripts for the first time.

Is it OK to write on the script?
Yes! One of the things we tech in the Introduction to Voice Over workshop and coaching session is how to markup a voice over script to help with your voice over performance. This could include marking in places to take a breath, underlining words you need to emphasise (as directed) and reminders for intonation at the end of sentences. On occasion you may also may be directed to cross out or add a word (or words) into the script.

You probably have more more questions about Voice Over right?
Well, that’s why we’re here and while we’re happy to answer some general questions if you contact us, you’ll gain must more insight by coming along to our weekend workshop or attending a 1 on 1 studio or Skype coaching session.

** Update – July workshop is now full **

We’ve just had a cancellation come through for the Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop happening on July 20/21 so we now have 1 place available!

With our next group workshop after July not taking place until October this is a great opportunity if you’re ready to explore your voice.

It’s just ONE place available, it’s fun weekend and there’s plenty to learn and put into practise.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out or head HERE to book your place.

So you’ve missed out on our July Introduction to Voice Over workshop because it’s booked out… but don’t worry, we will be back for another weekend workshop on October 12/13

If you want to get started discovering your voice before then, perhaps consider a one-on-one Skype consultation or in-studio coaching session.

These options give you a taste of the weekend workshop and also give you the chance to work on what matters to you and your voice.  You don’t need to have any Voice Over experience to take up either of these options.

In a 1-hour Skype session you can start reading scripts and get feedback on what you can work on with your voice and your reading style and you can do it from home!

If you’ve already done one of our weekend Introduction to Voice Over workshops, the Skype coaching is a great way to keep connected with Cecelia and Andy and to continue on your journey to giving you control and getting the most out of your voice.

Pricing: (inc. GST)
Skype coaching – Half Hour – $55
Skype coaching – One Hour – $88
In- Studio coaching/recording – Two Hours – $297

Book and pay HERE. Once payment is confirmed we will be in touch to work out the best time that suits you for your coaching session.

It seems that out Introduction to Voice Over workshop is quite popular and the upcoming workshop being held over July 20 & 21 is no exception.

All 10 places in the workshop have now been filled and we’re excited to meet every one! We’ll be announcing the next workshop dates very soon.

If you’d like to know more about what we do in the workshop you can;
1. Contact us online HERE or call (03) 9013 5576 for a chat
2. Ask questions via chat our Facebook page.
3. Read reviews from those who have already done the workshop
4. Read back through our Blog posts and see photos of the workshop in action.

One of the most popular questions that we get is “How do i get Voice Over work?” and while that’s a legitimate question, if you have no experience whatsoever then it’s perhaps not the question you should be asking.

Perhaps a better question is “How can I learn the skills needed to become a voice over artist?” That’s definitely a question we can help with, because without learning and practising the essential skills (and becoming good at them) there’s no point in asking how you can make money from it.

For example, the process of showing you the top voice over agents in Australia or websites that publish voice over casting opportunities is pretty straight forward, the same goes for setting up your own studio with the right microphone and other equipment needed to record yourself. While this will certainly be useful information (at some stage) it doesn’t teach you anything about how to actually DO the work…that is interpreting and reading a script and then delivering it with your voice as directed.

If you’re new to Voice Over, that’s great because agencies and clients are always looking to hear new voices for their products and brands, but it’s also important to understand that there’s a journey you need to go on before you’re ready to step up to the microphone and be a professional voice over artist.

So…back to our suggested first question “How can I learn the skills needed to become a voice over artist?” A course, workshop or coaching is a great place to start but be weary of anyone who promises that you’ll get paid work as a result or sends you out into the world with a voice over demo as a starting point.

If you’re not in Melbourne but are looking for a reputable voice over coach / course we’re happy to help find the right one for you. If you ARE in Melbourne, we’d sure love it if you came to one of our weekend Introduction to voice over workshops or even just a 1:1 studio session to see if Voice Over is something you’d like to pursue.