Character Voice Training Materials

alexrain · 07-15-2008, 04:45 PM

Hi Bob!
I've always done 'voices'..ever since I was a kid playing around with an old cassette recorder and making up stories...got into theater...wound up in radio (where I am now) and have just over the last few months decided to make a serious go at a freelance (hopefully,one day, full time) voiceover career. I love voices and can conjure up one when a script comes my way that needs one, but have ran into problems sustaining the characterization or coming back to the same voice at a later date and hoping back in the drivers seat. I also sometime cross the line between character and characterization (a voice without a character)

I live on the border of Texas and Arkansas, so I'm about 3 hours from Dallas... I know there are some good coaches there but money is an issue at the moment. I was on Dan O'Day's website danoday.com and saw where he offered a 2 CD set of Pat Fraley on creating and sustaining characters... wanted to know if you had any similar materials, if Pat's would be a good place to start, or might have any suggestions for training materials that would allow me to explore technique in my spare time.

Thank you for making yourself available to this forum and I would sincerely appreciate any advice.

Best,
Alex
Rain Voiceovers at Alex Rain Dot Com

Bob Bergen · 07-16-2008, 02:31 AM

Hey Alex!!

You can't go wrong with Pat Fraley! Be it books, workshops, etc., he rocks!!!!

If you're interested, I'm teaching my weekend animation VO workshop in Dallas in October. I think it's the 11th & 12th. You can contact my workshop producer, Marian Massaro at marian@marianmassaro.com to book a spot. And let me know if you have any questions!!

Bob

Bob Bergen · 07-16-2008, 02:33 AM

Hey Alex!!

You can't go wrong with Pat Fraley! Be it books, workshops, etc., he rocks!!!!

If you're interested, I'm teaching my weekend animation VO workshop in Dallas in October. I think it's the 11th & 12th. You can contact my workshop producer, Marian Massaro at marian@marianmassaro.com to book a spot. And let me know if you have any questions!!

Bob

alexrain · 07-16-2008, 08:22 PM

Thanks, Bob... I'd love to attend one of your workshops. As far as practicing development of voices, what kind of reading material should I use for practice? Childrens books? Fantasy novels? Or is there a place for animation scripts?
Thanks!
Alex

Bob Bergen · 07-17-2008, 04:17 PM

Hey bud!

Comic books are a great resource when working on characters. It's like working with a storyboard. You get great dialogue along with corresponding scenes.

BUT-what you really need is technique. With solid technique you'll have the tools to not only create original characters, but also sustain them, remember them, and voice multiple characters without blending.

;-)

07-15-2008, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
alexrain Rainman Join Date: May 2008 Location: NE Texas, USA Posts: 77	Character Voice Training Materials Hi Bob! I've always done 'voices'..ever since I was a kid playing around with an old cassette recorder and making up stories...got into theater...wound up in radio (where I am now) and have just over the last few months decided to make a serious go at a freelance (hopefully,one day, full time) voiceover career. I love voices and can conjure up one when a script comes my way that needs one, but have ran into problems sustaining the characterization or coming back to the same voice at a later date and hoping back in the drivers seat. I also sometime cross the line between character and characterization (a voice without a character) I live on the border of Texas and Arkansas, so I'm about 3 hours from Dallas... I know there are some good coaches there but money is an issue at the moment. I was on Dan O'Day's website danoday.com and saw where he offered a 2 CD set of Pat Fraley on creating and sustaining characters... wanted to know if you had any similar materials, if Pat's would be a good place to start, or might have any suggestions for training materials that would allow me to explore technique in my spare time. Thank you for making yourself available to this forum and I would sincerely appreciate any advice. Best, Alex Rain Voiceovers at Alex Rain Dot Com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-16-2008, 02:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 151	Hey Alex!! You can't go wrong with Pat Fraley! Be it books, workshops, etc., he rocks!!!! If you're interested, I'm teaching my weekend animation VO workshop in Dallas in October. I think it's the 11th & 12th. You can contact my workshop producer, Marian Massaro at marian@marianmassaro.com to book a spot. And let me know if you have any questions!! Bob

07-16-2008, 02:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 151	Hey Alex!! You can't go wrong with Pat Fraley! Be it books, workshops, etc., he rocks!!!! If you're interested, I'm teaching my weekend animation VO workshop in Dallas in October. I think it's the 11th & 12th. You can contact my workshop producer, Marian Massaro at marian@marianmassaro.com to book a spot. And let me know if you have any questions!! Bob

07-16-2008, 08:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
alexrain Rainman Join Date: May 2008 Location: NE Texas, USA Posts: 77	Thanks, Bob... I'd love to attend one of your workshops. As far as practicing development of voices, what kind of reading material should I use for practice? Childrens books? Fantasy novels? Or is there a place for animation scripts? Thanks! Alex

07-17-2008, 04:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 151	Hey bud! Comic books are a great resource when working on characters. It's like working with a storyboard. You get great dialogue along with corresponding scenes. BUT-what you really need is technique. With solid technique you'll have the tools to not only create original characters, but also sustain them, remember them, and voice multiple characters without blending. ;-)