intro classes

[Stephen Fessler]

Hello! My name is Steve Fessler. I am new to this forum, and I'm interested in getting into the voiceover industry. I took a two-hour introductory class, and I've been researching opportunities and I've come across quite a few "master" classes. They offer, for around 3000.00, two hours or so of studio time with a professional, training in marketing & software, etc., and who will edit and add music & sound effects to a dry voice track produced in the studio under the instructor's coaching. I want to know if classes such as these are worth the investment. Specifically, supposing I plunk down my 3000 (a lot, for me) and walk away with an excellent demo, what are my chances of actually finding work by sending it out to calls for auditions I'd find on the internet? I would really appreciate any feedback I could get about this, since so far the only "testimonials" I've found are those that are featured on the websites that are trying to sell me a class. Thank you!

[JoeActor]

Whoa!

$3000 is on the high end for a demo produced after a 2 hour class.

In general, I avoid classes that promise you'll walk away with a demo. In many cases you'll end up with something that doesn't come anywhere near a marketable product.

Best to get some regular classes, then have a VO coach you trust evaluate if you're ready for a demo. Out here, classes run between $300 - $800, and can be a weekend, single day, or weekly classes. I'm signed up for one now that's about $500 for 6 weekly 3 hour classes. $500 for 18 hours is a good price. $3000 for 2 hours and a questionable demo... that's just not cool, imho...

There's a tonne (metric) of work that needs to go in before you cut your first demo.

Do a bit of searching in this forum and on the web. I'm sure you'll find some good resources in your area...

2 cents from me,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Mike Sommer]

Right on Joe.

If anyone premisses anything other then a challenging voice over workout, they're not telling truth.

Some of the master one day master classes, are generally geared for working Voice Actors, and usually hit the ground running -you should come out of a class like that physically and mentally drained.

There are some one day intro classes that discuss what it's like to get into the VO biz, and let you on the mic once, these are around $45. If an instructor wont let you audit a class, then something's up. Run like the wind!

AND NO ONE - Let me repeat - NO ONE comes out of one intro or intermediate class ready for a demo.

Hey Joe, who's class are you taking??

[JoeActor]

Hey Joe, who's class are you taking??

I'll be in the Tuesday Intermediate class over at The Voicecaster with Huck teaching...

Next up may be Kalmenson or Cashman.
(funds permitting)

[Mike Sommer]

Keep us informed on Voicecasters.

Chashman is spot on for commercial, and audio book.


Sorry for the hijack.

[Stephen Fessler]

Whoa!

$3000 is on the high end for a demo produced after a 2 hour class.

In general, I avoid classes that promise you'll walk away with a demo. In many cases you'll end up with something that doesn't come anywhere near a marketable product.

Best to get some regular classes, then have a VO coach you trust evaluate if you're ready for a demo. Out here, classes run between $300 - $800, and can be a weekend, single day, or weekly classes. I'm signed up for one now that's about $500 for 6 weekly 3 hour classes. $500 for 18 hours is a good price. $3000 for 2 hours and a questionable demo... that's just not cool, imho...

There's a tonne (metric) of work that needs to go in before you cut your first demo.

Do a bit of searching in this forum and on the web. I'm sure you'll find some good resources in your area...

2 cents from me,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)
Hello, Joe,
Thanks so much! It sounded too good to be true: walk in there untrained, walk out three days later ready to go, demo in hand within two weeks, ready to go find the jobs...but what do I know? First warning sign was how heavily they laid on the praise of my talent after reading a few lines in the intro class (who doesn't want to believe such talk?) I appreciate your taking the time to reply. Thanks!
Steve the new guy

[Stephen Fessler]

Right on Joe.

If anyone premisses anything other then a challenging voice over workout, they're not telling truth.

Some of the master one day master classes, are generally geared for working Voice Actors, and usually hit the ground running -you should come out of a class like that physically and mentally drained.

There are some one day intro classes that discuss what it's like to get into the VO biz, and let you on the mic once, these are around $45. If an instructor wont let you audit a class, then something's up. Run like the wind!

AND NO ONE - Let me repeat - NO ONE comes out of one intro or intermediate class ready for a demo.

Hey Joe, who's class are you taking??
Hello, Mike Sommer,
Thank you! That sounds about right. The more I research this, the more I see goes into it. I can see how a class like the ones I'd described would be helpful for someone already in the business, but it didn't seem plausible that I'd go in there, and emerge three days later as a marketable commodity in a competitive field...but then, what do I know? No more than anyone else in that intro class. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Steve the new guy

[Michael Murphy]

Yes and when your ready for the demo, you can spend less and probably get a demo that represents your talents better than I did when I paid almost $2000. I would hire a studio and person to help coach and produce it separately. There are many good people out there. I rushed into mine. I don't hate my demo by any means, just wish there was more tonal variation. I should have practiced more as well. I am now taking seminars/ classes trying to get experience/ critique to improve and become more ready to begin voice over.

Just my opinion as a newbie!


Mike

[danhughes]

Stephen, are you a student at SIU? If you are eligible, you should take some acting classes and an oral interp class.

And get a copy of THE ART OF VOICE ACTING (3rd Edition) by James R. Alburger. There's a lot of great advice in that book about how to avoid voiceover scams.

Best,

---Dan Hughes, http://danhughes.net

[Steve Cotsalas]

edited

[spartacus]

Stephen .... What Joe and everyone else said ....... great advice.

Joe ... I loved Kalmenson but they are still using Tape players ...... TAPE PLAYERS!!!!!!! Last time I took a class there I searched for 2 hours for a darn tape!!!! I don't even have a tape player anymore!!!!! I hope they change their policy soon and allow digital. They have the capability but simply don't allow it.

I want to try Cashman. I look forward to your review of Voicecasters

[Overzeetop]

I'm also in the position of considering a voice over training program, in the same range of price. It would be remote - I don't live near any coaches I know of. I don't have any particular experience in voice acting, and no formal training, but have done a small amount of stage acting and sing regularly.

The particular program (names may be taboo, I know at least one member of the team posts here) looks like some online material (probably good), three hours of one-on-one, a couple hours in a studio for what looks like orientation and practice, and production of two demos. There's some online fluffery and already-free stuff thrown in. Now, I'm a professional (engineer) and run my own shop - I don't bill chump change. If I spend 2-3 hours reviewing a commercial building, then go back to my office and write up a condition report I'm going to charge you $800-$1000, so I'm no stranger to billing time in the $100-200/hr range.

The question I have - similar to the original poster - is whether 3k is a reasonable/usual fee for such services. I suppose more importantly, can online study and 5 hours of one-on-one get you to the point where a fairly quick study can produce a worthwhile demo to seek out local work? It seems slim for the breadth of knowledge required. On the other hand, since I know so little about the industry, the feedback from a working pro could really make a difference in helping me target the "right" clients for my voice.

FWIW, I'm looking at this as a serious hobby and possible retirement income supplement. The business and marketing side doesn't scare me - I started my current business 6 years ago from scratch and have grown revenues 60-80% every year since. The technical side is also cake, once I get the VO standards down - I've done multitrack barbershop tags of myself using a computer and rudimentary equipment, and know just about every computer audio format in use today. What I don't have is any specific knowledge of the industry, how to tune up my speaking voice, and how/where my vocal talents might be best marketable. (Okay, honestly I don't know if my voice is marketable either, but I' willing to go on faith right now)

Any replies are greatly appreciated. I'd hate to burn three grand for a mostly useless, if nicely produced, demo. (oh, and sorry for the long post)

[Mike Sommer]

Stephen .... What Joe and everyone else said ....... great advice.

Joe ... I loved Kalmenson but they are still using Tape players ...... TAPE PLAYERS!!!!!!! Last time I took a class there I searched for 2 hours for a darn tape!!!! I don't even have a tape player anymore!!!!! I hope they change their policy soon and allow digital. They have the capability but simply don't allow it.

I want to try Cashman. I look forward to your review of Voicecasters

You'll love Cashman. Marc will straighten you out and have you flying right in no time.

I just got a notice from Marc that he has 1 opening each in his beginner and intermediate classes. Tell em Big Mike sent ya!:afro:

[JoeActor]

You'll love Cashman. Marc will straighten you out and have you flying right in no time.

I just got a notice from Marc that he has 1 opening each in his beginner and intermediate classes. Tell em Big Mike sent ya!:afro:

Thanks Mike...

I sat in on Marc's session at Voice 2008 - he's really good.
I get his e-mails... just waiting for the right time/money window ;-)

[JoeActor]

The question I have - similar to the original poster - is whether 3k is a reasonable/usual fee for such services. I suppose more importantly, can online study and 5 hours of one-on-one get you to the point where a fairly quick study can produce a worthwhile demo to seek out local work? It seems slim for the breadth of knowledge required. On the other hand, since I know so little about the industry, the feedback from a working pro could really make a difference in helping me target the "right" clients for my voice.
...
Any replies are greatly appreciated. I'd hate to burn three grand for a mostly useless, if nicely produced, demo. (oh, and sorry for the long post)

My advice: save your money.

If you're a beginner, 5 hours will not be enough to even learn the basics, much less produce a demo. $3,000 is on the high side for a demo, especially a first one. Depending on the details of the demo producer, they can range from $300 into the thousands. I paid about $1,000 apeice for my two demos about 4 years ago, and that came with multiple sessions and a lot of good guidance, coaching and info. Much more than 5 hours worth.

Start slow. Read some books (check out our Review area for suggestions). Maybe take a beginner class or two, then find a coach that you trust. They can tell you when you're ready for a demo.

Take a look around the forum. There's plenty of good info.

Hope to hear more from you,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[The Voice Chap]

The question of when to record a demo depends on each individual. I have seen experienced and trained stage actors take one 10 week voice-over class (three hours a week) and then produce a decent demo. I've also seen people study for 3 years, take two or three dozen classes (investing thousands of dollars) and still they do a crappy job on their demo. There really is no correct answer to the question of when you're ready for a demo. Chances are very good that one or two classes will not be enough ... but one never knows

[Overzeetop]

Thanks for the info. Right now I don't know what I don't know; I'll look into the resources a bit more. I do hire, so I know how much a resume can matter - I presume a demo carries much the same weight for VO work. In a smaller regional market like mine (fewer clients), I can't really afford to send out either a poorly produced or a poorly voiced demo without potentially turning off future clients.

Looks like its time to go find "just" a coach to begin with who isn't banking on selling me what seems to amount to an expensive demo as quickly as possible.