Voice-Acting in Vegas
Time and again I've referred visitors here to workshops, articles, and offers from Pat Fraley…one of my favorite voice coaches and certainly one of the giants in our business.
Below, see the offer he's making to budding voice actors seeking work in Audibooks. I've studied with Pat, and I have this set he's marketing. It's the real deal. Lots of really good tips.
'nuff said
CourVO
My gosh, here it is May, and the last newsletter I was able to muster was in December of '08.
What the heck have I been doing with my time?
Well, get ready, 'cause I'm preparing a MONSTER newsletter that is basically a TWITTER FOR VO guide.
I've been working on it for some time, now, and I think it's about ready.
Now, I know, Twitter is not for everyone, and you may not care a Twit about seeing this newsletter, but you might get it anyway if you've rec'd past missives. So, just chuck it if you aren't interested.
If you're reading this blog, but have never rec'd one of my newsletters….fire me off a quick e-mail to [email protected], and tell me you want to be on the mailing list.
Here's a quick teaser for what's in the newsletter that might interest you: TWIBES. Yeah, I know. It's ridiculous the names they come up with…but basically, the simple Twitter interface doesn't allow for grouping friends or followers, so a whole cottage industry of software has popped up to be able to do that.
HERE is the address for the voiceover TWIBE. Check it out. Another way for all of us who work alone to do a little sharing online.
CourVO
'Been meaning to write this blog since last Wednesday when my Voice123 paid subscription ran out.
I was looking forward to not being insulted for writing positive articles on them.
I was looking forward to an e-mail box without Smartcast Invitations, and SmartCast Invitation "Reminders".
Not much has changed. I still get "New Project" notifications. I haven't been insulted yet, but I did get this: "…We strongly recommend you to renew your subscription so that you continue receiving all of the benefits of being a Voice123 Premium Subscribe.."
Yes, they listed said benefits, but I know better. I still have $295 I can use towards a much better goal, and my profile on V123 still looks nice.
I suppose it was right for the time. But I've moved on. I really have no ill-will, and would recommend the site to those beginning a VO career. I know some people have done very nicely auditioning for V123 jobs. I never found that groove.
Thanks for the chance, V123…thanks for the hard lessons learned.
CourVO
Bob Fraser is selling something. He's almost always selling something.
This time he's selling the wisdom of selling.
You'll understand when you read the e-mail I've re-printed below. Bob's given me permission to repurpose his stuff in my blog.
I like to do that from time-to-time, 'cause Bob has such a refreshingly honest and unadorned approach to the realities of being in acting.
His message this time is one I personally needed to hear. Having only worked for OTHERS all my life meant that being my own best promoter, businessman, marketer, and salesperson for ME is perhaps the hardest part of conducting a successful freelance voiceover business. I can read the copy. I can handle the technology. Make cold calls?….now THAT'S a monumental challenge for me.
I don't say it as well or as thoroughly as Bob. Please take the few minutes it'll cost you to read his letter below.
CourVO
'Latest issue of EQ online is out, and like those before, this one is a treasure-trove of information. EQ hits the center of the target for Musicians, audiophiles, studio engineers, and others in the music industry. But the next ring out from red bullseye on this publication is voice acting.
Keep an eye out in this edition for 'THE GREAT BIG DAW ROUNDUP"….an exhaustive look at all the many quality sound-editing and production software packages out there.
Also look for "MIXED ON A LAPTOP is no longer a criticism". Great!
Click HERE or on the pic above.
CourVO
My friends at Rain Recording are running some specials on equipment, and there might just be something that tickles your fancy.
I've written some articles for Rain, and they have done work for some of my voiceacting friends on the East Coast. Plus, they've contributed to the sound system of some Cirque shows here in Vegas, most notably "LOVE"…the new Cirque show developed around the music of the Beatles.
Yeah, I think they know what they're doing, and they honest businessmen and women to boot.
See below for their flyer.
CourVO
Love 'em or hate 'em…Voiceover subscriber sites feature the profiles and demos of thousands of voice-actors — many of them seasoned pros.
Some people have amazing success getting noticed and getting jobs on those services…others complain they audition and audition and audition, but nothing happens.
Apparently there IS knack to getting a return on your investment.
Bettye Zoller has a class scheduled JUST FOR YOU if you want to know the secrets of getting online jobs from those sites. See the notice she recently sent to me about this class. Bettye's an original! You can count on straight talk, and just the facts, ma'am!
CourVO
At the risk of over-stating the obvious to some of the seasoned pros visiting today, let me just underscore two sites EVERY voice actor should subscribe to.
VO-BB. Voice-Over Bulletin Board. Administered by DB-Cooper, this is an unbelievable community of wry, giving, sharing and fun souls. Someone willing to spend the time gleaning the collective wisdom in the archives of this site, could publish and make a fortune.
.
Yahoo VO Forum. Often referred to as "TOF" on the VO-BB. "The Other Forum" is presided over by "Dave in Boston". I don't know how long it's been running, or how many subscribe, but lately, the back 'n' forth on topics like FiCore, Music Royalties, and whether VO's should use head shots in their promotional material is stream-of-consciousness GOLD.
You can sign-up for e-mail notices on either of these groups, so you know when some really-good threads are going down.
Number 3 on this list of two must-visits is, of course, the blog you're reading now… that means Bob Souer's Blog and John Florian's VoiceOverXtra are, what?..2.4 and 2.6. But who's quibbling about placement? S'all good, afterall — s'all good.
CourVO
Let me just pass along the name and contact info of the person I often talk to at Sweetwater.
Sweetwater is certainly one of the top online equipment suppliers for the kind of stuff a VO/VA would want.
They're based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, they have a great reputation, and their prices are as competitive as anyone's. Often, they have "can't-miss" incentive sales.
I'll get a call once in a while from my contact: Tom Maxwell. He's always friendly, helpful, and not pushy. The calls are usually of a very helpful variety…and they get the needs of voice actors.
The last couple of times he's called, I've denied him any sales, and he still keeps a smile.
Below, see his e-mail from today, which gives a little personal touch, and here's his contact info:
Tom Maxwell
Sales Engineer
Sweetwater Sound, Inc.
Phone: 800.222.4700 x1313
E-mail: [email protected]
Be sure to drop my name when you call him!
CourVO
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