Long-distance coaching

[PJHawke]

The most common tip/advice I hear from VOs is "get training/teaching/coaching etc."... I live in St. Louis, where the only voice coaches are singers and there are no classes or seminars held for VO.

I've been looking around for VOs who train/coach via commentary of submitted home studio recordings. So far the only one who's described this service in so many words is Pat Fraley; he provides copy, you record it and email it to him, he critiques it and you re-do it and he reviews it again until time's up. I'd love to have him as a source of education, but I'd like to try some of the others too.

Are there any other coaches who offer this? Or at least give skype sessions? Travelling to each demo held in Chicago would be insanely cost-prohibitive.

[greatBIGlittlevoice]

I just posted this somewhere else. I'm confused where to put it. But just in case you don't see the other one...

Mark McIntyre (http://mmvoiceover.com)
Mark McIntyre Voice Over - VoiceOver Demos & Private Coaching (http://www.mmvoiceover.com)

He's the bomb!

[greatBIGlittlevoice]

Oh, and we did our sessions over the phone. I'd record the conversations and relisten later!

[Michael Murphy]

What did you use to record the phone conversations?

[greatBIGlittlevoice]

Protools. :), but you could use audacity (free) and your speaker phone. Of course, for the actual demo recording session, I went to a local studio and they had isdn. I have a home studio, but Mark requested a specific mic I did not have. And it was nice to focus only on my performance.

[bransom]

PJ,

I'm in St. Louis also but am working with Nancy Wolfson out of LA via phone. You can find Nancy here: www.braintracksaudio.com (http://www.braintracksaudio.com/)

Search the forum and you should find lots of info on Nancy. She's been great so far.

Bob

[Jon Morss]

I have heard nothing but positive things with regards to Nancy Wolfson. She is certainly well respected.

For Commercial and for Promo/Trailers I have to recommend Rodney Saulsberry. He holds Tele Classes a couple of times a year and he is great to work with.
A1 Voice Artist - Biography (http://www.rodneysaulsberry.com/)

Harlan Hogan would be a great one to work with as well.
Harlan Hogan Teaches You How To Turn Your Voiceover Sideline Into a Voiceover Career (http://thevoiceoverclass.com/)

And, I have to give a big thumbs up for Deb Munro. If you can attend her live workshop you will not be disappointed.
MicandMe (http://www.debsvoice.com/MicandMe.html)

[PJHawke]

After looking about, I've also found that Michael Minetree (http://www.thevoiceovercoach.com/) of Minewurx has an excellent Skype-based coaching program. You have a regular time slot of weekly 1-1/2 hour calls. They send you some cold copy, you do the read and record while they listen, then you send them the MP3 and they go over your recording with you and give the coaching and critique and you do it over again. When you get that copy done satisfactorily, they send you another cold copy; lather, rinse, repeat. This one sounds better than some of the others I've heard described because the coaching is more 1-on-1 real time instead of email back and forth. And it's cool because he can also evaluate your recording work... technical and voice coaching in one! And the price can't be beat either. I may be going his route.

I also believe Phyllis K. Day does coaching that way too. Or she at least does her initial evaluation that way. I may want to do an evaluation and session or two with her, too... I want to find out where my "X" is :smiley:

[andyboyns]

This is great as I'm in Istanbul, Turkey!

I'm British, so should I look for a British VO coach, or would I be just as / more successful with those you've mentioned?

[Phyllis K. Day]

I also believe Phyllis K. Day does coaching that way too. Or she at least does her initial evaluation that way. I may want to do an evaluation and session or two with her, too... I want to find out where my "X" is :smiley:

You are correct sir, I do all my coaching over the phone, which is good for my guy in New Zealand, for example. My initial evaluation is done from current work, and what I call the "MP3 Chat." This is a one way conversation you have with me (recorded in your studio) all about you. Once I find your "X," you get appropriate homework to record and send to me. Then we schedule an hour session to go over the homework. Basically, that's it.

I look forward to finding your X, when you're ready.

Phyllis K.

[juliette]

Hi saw your post - might be too late. I live in LA o we have a lot of classes here. But did recently consider studying with Marla Kirban in NYC. She came highly recommended to me from someone who considers her his mentor. I took one class with her and it was excellent but for now I am using people who I can look in the eye. If you don't have that possibility then I would definitely recommend you call her or e-mail her studio. She is a former agent at ICM and I think that she could be an excellent contact if you are talented. If I find myself in NYC I will definitely take a private lesson with her.

Good luck.

Juliette Gray
Best British Voices - Juliette Gray / VO services from Female British Voice Over specialist (http://www.bestbritishvoices.com)

[morganmcneel]

Thanks for the reco. Will look her up.