Good Morning All

[La Verne]

Hello everyone,

I am excited about joining you. I am also new. I started out many years ago in high school auditioning as an actress and found out quickly that I have the talent for voice-overs but needed guidance. I hung up my voice for awhile and it seems like everytime I meet someone they ask me "why don't you do voice-overs". I know that I am being called to it and just need some pushing.

So here I am listening and observing...so that I can learn from each of you. :bye:

[JoeActor]

Hi La Verne - Welcome!

Hope you don't mind, but I moved your post to its own thread.

So, tell us a bit more... do you do Theatre or Improv? Taken any good VO classes? Also, your location matters too (market, coaches, agents, etc...)

The more we know, the better the advice!

Enjoy the forum - lots to see and plenty of helpful folks,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[La Verne]

I have done theatre in the past. I attended an Arts High School, taught theatre principles to 1st graders, learned under the late Pearl Bailey, auditioned and then participated in street theatre, Folger Theatre Shakespeare classes at the Folger Theatre in Washington, DC, participated in college plays, etc. I was an extra in Peter Sellers movie, Being There that was filmed in Washington, DC.

I have been very active in plays at my church also.

Originally I wanted to pursue a career in theatre but decided at the time I did not have the "will" to do it. I was also intimidated by all of the talent that was out there. I started out as a theatre major in college and then changed it to Speech Communications.

As far as voice overs, I studied under Mike Weiner (sp) over 10 years ago, participated in 1 voice over for the DC Public Schools over 15 years ago.

Let's see...Last night I particiaped as the voice (narrator) for a Christmas production in song at my church. I actually blew everyone away with my voice as God, Mary, different angels and even threw ina a song. I have a deep voice...most people say that i have a "radio voice".

i work as a Communications corrdinator for a non-profit. Today I have been asked to audition for the voice that we will promote on one of the televisions ads that we hope to launch in the very near future.

I know have the talent for doing voice overs - from a child's voice to a deep "God" voice. I am just not sure what steps to take. I think that I need to attend classes, learn from the experts and then do a demo to promote my voice somewhere....:bye: Advice is needed and welcomed!

[spartacus]

Welcome La Verne!!! funny you should mention that you were in Being there. I just watched it over the weekend.

[La Verne]

Spartacus,

No way! Wow. I am in the Kennedy Playground/16th Street Scene. Mr. Sellers was great to work with. Even though I was an extra, I am proud of the fact that we auditioned for the extra parts and i got a chance to work with a pro even if it meant just walking past him.

[jsgilbert]

My favortie writer is Jersey Kosinsky. It's a shame that some more of his books like Passion Play or the Painted Bird haven't been made into movies.

If you haven't read the Painted Bird, do yourselves a favor. It is one of the most powerfully written books I have ever read. The seen in the kitchen as told from the persepctive of a 7 year old boy regarding a cat in my opinion would make for an oscar winning moment.

Anyway, nice to see an actor here. I would suggest that the best training for voiceover is legitimate theater and improvisation. Perhaps an actual v.o.class here or there for perspective, technique and to get the sense of what it's like being around microphones, but otherwise standard acting and improv will take you far for less $$$.

oh - I'd recommend getting some of the many v.o. books on the market. Look in the front and try to get a few with more recent publication dates or that have ben revised within the past 2 - 3 years.

Good Luck.

[JoeActor]

Being There... Greatest Film EVER!

Must have been a kick to be in.

Sellers Fan,
Joe

[jsgilbert]

Joe likes to watch!

[Diane Havens]

Yes, great film, Being There!

Welcome, La Verne. I have a somewhat similar background to yours, but I put in a full teaching career before jumping off the cliff and doing VO.

Best of luck to you,

[spartacus]

La Verne ... you are the second person I have met who worked with him ... and both of you seem to have the same impression of him. I loved his movies. I also love Steve Martin, but really did not like his impression of Sellers in the Pink Panther movies.

JS .. thanks for the recomendation. I'll take a look.

[La Verne]

Thanks for all of the suggestions about VO. I see that i am surrounded by a great bunch of "serious" yet humorous people. That's what it's all about. I'll keeo my eyes and ears open.:smiley:

[Scott Pollak]

A little late to the thread here. I often skim over the Welcomes and Newbies section and always end up missing out on some good stuff.

LaVerne... welcome! Like so many others I, too, loved Peter Sellers and especially "Being There". I've been an extra in a film here and there, most recently "We Are Marshall" with Matthew McConaughey and I can tell you that from my impression he could learn a thing or two about congeniality from Mr. Sellers.

But I digress.

I'm very impressed by your background and would LOVE to hear some of your v/o work. I suspect with your acting experience you'd probably impress us quite a bit. Post some samples when you can and welcome, again.