God-given or developed?

September Day Leach · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007, 22:44 (GMT) Post subject: God-given or developed?

so is being a good VO a God-given talent? can anyone do it with the right training? How many of you have had formal training and how many are self-taught?

I myself have never taken a class. I dated a DJ in my teens and was told I had a nice voice. Once I got a little older, I decided I'd give it a go and bought "The voice actor's Guide to Home Recording". I spent $300 setting up a small studio, signed up for Voice123 and got going. I want to do Susan Berkley's class in NYC someday but I wonder how much I will learn. Did any of you learn anything groundbreaking at a class? Did you get better?

Craig Koepke · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 00:22 (GMT) Post subject:

September,

I took classes this year from Sound Advice in Chicago. Kate McClanaghan and Coleen Archer were superlative coaches. Each had there own strengths. Kate is tough as leather (personality wise) and has no time for pity or those who do not want to do the homework even though you are paying her. Did I get better? Well I'm not going to go there. Did I learn anything. For the money I laid out for the 6 hours of coaching, I was doused with a goodly amount of information about the business, techniques, warm ups, and just good old one on one coaching. It was well worth the money I paid out.

Whats the magic key then? Re-listen to your sessions, work on the techniques, you cannot possibly take in all that information while just attending a class. I would love to have Kate's Company do my demo, but alas, body parts keep breaking down for now. So V123 and TOS are going to have to do for now.

Yes I would also like to take that workshop in NYC.

Man voice over and the people we meet in doing what we love is just fantastic!

Craig Very Happy

Kevin Miller · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 00:36 (GMT) Post subject:

September,

If you're in the NY area, Please PM me. I may have an alternative. BTW I feel it's a combination of both. I've always been a singer and public speaker for various fraternal orginazations I belong to. It was only through a mid-life crisis I decided to try VO (cheaper than the red sports car, and possibly profitable). I have had some coaching, but my original coach said from the outset"If you don't have it to start with, then we won't waste each others time."

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 00:40 (GMT) Post subject:

No training. No books. Been doing it since I was 16. Experience. Mostly gained from 20 years as a radio production director in a "spot mill." We cranked'em out by the dozens.

Vance Elderkin · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 04:19 (GMT) Post subject:

I did the Susan Berkeley weekend in NY. It's quite good, and I would recommend it. One of the things you'll learn extensively about is the marketing aspects of the business. As the saying goes, most of the work of voiceover is GETTING the work.

Amy Snively · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 07:13 (GMT) Post subject:

I believe I had a lot of natural ability, but it wouldn't have gotten me very far at all if I had not gotten extensive training, which is ongoing BTW. At this point, I seek private coaching when I need to improve a weak area. I've come a long way, but still have a long way to go.

I worry about falling into the trap that I've seen so many others with natural ability fall into-- I don't want to make the mistake of thinking I'm better than I am, or that I there aren't things left for me to learn.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 07:21 (GMT) Post subject:

OK, I've got to ask. How much of hireing an expensive voice coach is buying your way into jobs?

Amy Snively · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 07:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 12:59 (GMT) Post subject:

If you are a voice over you have an intuitive skill, no one can teach that but there are some who are able to nurture it. I have been paid to do voice overs for over 17 years and been doing it full time for 15 years. Never read a book, been to a seminar or paid a coach.

One of the difficulties in finding a coach is that most people will never admit they were wrong, made a mistake or were simply ripped off. No, they are not being dishonest, that's just human nature.

"Oh I got so much out of my classes with Zach Drywall"

"Great! Like what? What one thing turned your career around for you?"

"Oh, that's a hard one, there was SO much!"

We've all heard the above and the honest answer to the question would be "nothing", were there one thing the person would have remembered it. Could you honestly say that if there was one thing that turned your career around you wouldn't be able to recount the story in great detail?

Decide what you want to get from your coaching/training and ask anyone offering you their services specific questions so that you can be as sure as possible that they can deliver.

A few weeks ago I saw a blog on a business site. The person was extolling the virtues of a scheme (probably MLM) and saying how rich people could become if they signed up. Let's be clear, this person said that this scheme would make people income (financially rich). My question to her was - I will disclose to you how much I made from my business in May 2007 in return please tell me exactly how much you earned from the scheme you are selling? No response.

In context - Fred, you say that people make millions with their voices, name the graduates of your course making millions?

"I'm a successful voice and can make you one too". No you're not, if you were really successful you'd be doing voice overs as they pay more than coaching.

Steve Cotsalas · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 14:36 (GMT) Post subject: Re: God-given or developed?

Robert Jadah · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 15:00 (GMT) Post subject:

That's a sensible and helpful post, Steve.

Appreciate it.

Voice On!

Elisabeth Hart · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 15:14 (GMT) Post subject:

I will admit, I've not had any further training than what I received in college when I went through for Radio Broadcasting. And I'm not sure there are many (quality) vocal coaches in Peterborough!

I'd love to get some more training at some point, but right now I'm relying on my good friends at this forum Wink

And some other contacts in the business that I've made through work to help me along.
E.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 16:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Amy Snively · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 16:20 (GMT) Post subject:

I avoid the big-hype VO coaches and carefully select ones who can specifically teach me whatever the thing is that I want to learn.

Steve Cotsalas · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007, 16:20 (GMT) Post subject: