Trying to Break Into Business

Gerry Slavin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

I have made friends, co-workers, and family laugh from many voice impressions over the years. Friends have been encouraging me to submit a demo and I was directed to Voice 123. I do not have an
I Mac. How can I record impressions in order to post to this site?

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

I first suggest taking some acting classes. Then look up recording studio in your local phone book. Wink

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007, 12:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Gerry, not to be tongue-in-cheek or facetious, but if you're clueless as to how to record audio, or are referring to an 'iMac' then you have light-years to go.

1) Do what Deby said.
2) Spend hours, days, WEEKS on these forums and read, read, read, read, read... and learn
3) Talk to those in the business. Listen. Learn.
4) Practice.
5) Buy books, study, read, learn, practice

Making our friends laugh does not a career make.

Joe Rodriguez · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007, 15:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Gerry,

One great suggestion someone gave me (which I still haven't done) is to get a book, and read it into a recorder (tape, digital or whatever) every day, then listen to what you've recorded. Tape and listen, tape and listen. It's great practice.

Once you really like what you are hearing, have some other people listen to it. Friends and family tend to like everything we do, but there are lot's of people on this message board and others who will lend their objective ears and listen to your stuff. They will give you pointers, ideas and direction (otherwise known as critique) to help you on your road to voiceover superstardom.

Good luck!

Gerry Slavin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

I guess I should say that this is something that I thought ofdoing "on the side", but of I would put in the time and energy. I have figured out the recording part. That was pretty easy. My "talent", if you want to call it that, is the abiltiy to imitate and change my voice. I would probably be best suited for cartoon characters and puppets. I do not know where that would really get me. I'm sure there are pleanty of people who can imitate characters like Bugs Bunny, Micky Mouse, Elmo, etc. Of course, because friends and family think the impressions are "dead on" does not mean much more than some entertainment before pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. I want to at least give it a shot. I do appreciate the advice. Thanks.

Joe Rodriguez · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007, 15:32 (GMT) Post subject:

Gerry,

In "Talking Funny for Money", Pamela Lewis says that even a "straight announcer" is a character. Anything that is not the "real you" is a character, so being fluent in characters can only help you.

Look for Bob Bergen who does roaming character workshops all around the country as well as Pat Fraley who is arguably the most prolific voiceover instructor in the country.

There are also lots of books and self-study programs that you may find helpful. I have several listed at my site at http://www.voiceoverthespian.com/resources.html and I also sent you some in a PM.

Good luck!

Allison Scussel · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 928

Gerry,
You've gotten great replies from everyone. May I throw in my 2 cents? Rodney Sauslberry offers great books for beginners & he also offers workshops online or in LA where he's based.

http://www.rodneysaulsberry.com/

You Can Bank On Your Voice is sometimes referred to as the Bible of the VO industry, esp for beginners.

I met excellent talent at one of his workshops this past summer who specialize in character voices.

Good Luck and Much Success To You!

~Ally~

Joe Rodriguez · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007, 13:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison Scussel · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 928

LeeAnn Benavides · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

Gerry,
Do not get discouraged as this may be the just the beginning of a long road to success! Keep following your own instinct, keep making your family laugh, and keep your head up. Eventually it will all come together with a little hard work and much practice!

Good luck, my friend! Very Happy

LeeAnn

Patricia Wixted · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 6

Scott referred to the IMAC in his response in this thread and I'm wondering if IMAC Desktops are "no good" for voice recording. I recently purchased one with Garage Band and was told that IMACs are good for voiceovers. Was I misinformed??
Pat

Joe Rodriguez · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007, 21:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Patricia,

I don't know what an iMAC is but I know that many voiceover professionals use MAC equipment. If you can record audio data on it, it should be fine. The keys are having a quiet place to record, having a decent microphone, and getting as much training as you can so your reads don't sound like "reading". There is a ton of information about low-cost mics and such in other areas of this board, and others. Poke around, I'm sure you'll find lots of useful information.

Good luck!

Patricia Wixted · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for your advice on practicing, coaching, etc. and for reassuring me the professional voice artists do use an Apple IMAC>

Good luck to you.
pat

James Collymore · **Voice Talent** Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 16

Hello.

I'm new to this group, but I couldn't help but notice some of the buzz about using an "iMac" for recording.

I have been a Mac user for 20 years. Back in the late 1980's I would startle people when I told them I bought my computer for "Music Processing" (as opposed to "Word Processing"). I used to compose music (although self-taught, I am a "Writer" member of ASCAP.)

I am still learning the ins and outs of using GarageBand myself, but as with most things "Mac," it is quite user-friendly. If you don't have experience in recording or computers, well, THAT'S another story.

If I can be of help in the area of using your Mac for recording, please let me know. Very Happy

Jim Collymore

p.s. All of my demos were recorded on my 2003 vintage PowerMac G4 1.25 GHz (Dual), running OS X 10.4.10, 2 Gb RAM, using GarageBand 4.1. Check out my "Borg-Resistance is Futile" demo to get an idea of what you can do with it.

Joe Rodriguez · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007, 19:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Jim,

Interesting Demos. Your "Multiple Character Voices" demo has some big plosives on it that you may want to clean up.

Good luck!

Joe