[chucktaylor]

REVIEW OF STEVE HUDSON’S PSR METHOD HOME STUDY COURSE

Reviewed by Chuck Taylor

My first thought upon receiving the review product was, “Wow! This is nicely put together!” The home study course comes in a leather bound package, (the title of the course is embossed in the leather) 2 course study cds, course study workbook, and a pencil…and then when I looked at the inside pocket, there were two more wire bound books…both titled Talk Your Way to Success, but one for voiceovers & corporate presentations and the other just for corporate presentations….and a third cd. (I’ll get to these later!)

I think it’s important to note that PSR stands for Presentation Skills and Reading and this is exactly what you work on in this course. A caveat before I continue; In order to review this product, I listened to the cds and followed along in the work book, but in the spirit of doing my review in a timely manner, I did not do all the recordings that the course asks you to do. Will I go back and do the recordings? You’ll find out, keep reading!

I’ll start by saying that Steve Hudson has a pleasant voice to listen too and obviously follows his own teachings. The only drawback of the course study cds for me was the amount of time spent on track one listening to commercials, I wanted to get right to the course, and I have a feeling others might feel that way as well. With that being said, once you get to track 2 and actually get into the lessons, my attention was held throughout the course. So let’s give a brief synopsis of what is learned. Steve’s PSR method has seven elements they are in no particular order: 1) Read and speak slowly; 2) Read and speak with energy and enthusiasm; 3) Starting and ending sentences; 4) Creating blocks of information; 5) Read and speak softly; 6) Recognize red flag words; and 7)Putting it all together. He explains in great detail each of these lessons in such a way that you come away from the course feeling that you’ve truly learned something that will help you in your voiceover career. Also provided in the workbook are sample scripts of radio and tv commercials and thoughts on how to go about making your demo.

I’ve been a broadcaster for over 20 years and while I was working on my Master’s, I taught the beginning announcing labs, so I’d be lying if I said that some of this wasn’t already know to me, for instance, recognizing red flag words, starting and ending sentences, and reading and speaking with energy. However, new to me was learning the difference between your number 10 voice and your number 1 voice and how to find your number 5 voice. Heck I didn’t even know that your voice had different numbers. So did I come away from this home study course feeling as if I learned something? Yeah I did, and yeah, I’ll go back and do the lessons because I feel it will make a difference in my radio career and my fledgling voiceover career. Is it worth $495? I think that if you don’t live in an area where there are good voiceover coaches, or you truly want to learn a technique that will give you an edge, then this is an investment that you want to make! The only disadvantage I found was not being able to get immediate feedback like you do with private coaching.
In conclusion, let’s look at the pros and cons of this home study course. Pros: Steve is very detailed. The lessons are simple to understand and Steve holds your attention throughout. You come away learning something new that, if you practice it, will give you an edge in your voiceover career. Cons: Too much time, in my opinion, spent on track one before you get to the lessons, and no immediate feedback (but you’re going to have that with any HOME study course).

If I had had to buy this on my own, (after saving for months on a broadcaster’s salary and much explaining to my wife) I would not feel disappointed with the new knowledge that I came away with. As grandpa used to say; “Boy, the day you stop learning, is the day you dig a six foot hole and crawl in!”

Chuck

Oh yeah, those other 2 books and the third cd? Marketing materials explaining why you should use the PSR method.

*Steve Hudson contacted me after reading my review and added the following information..."I would like to make a couple of points...firstly, people are always welcome to call us (SKYPE)during or after the course. I have taken your comment about the price seriously and although we offer a $100 discount on the $495, I'm going to make it a permanent $395 plus an occasional discount.

Thank you again.
HAve a Hapoy X-mas and a prosperous 2008!

Kind regards,
Steve"

So I stand corrected, you can do get immediate feedback with this home study course! And look at that price change. Thanks Steve!

Chuck