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
Mark McIntyre Voice Over - VoiceOver Demos & Private Coaching

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

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

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

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

[PJHawke]

After looking about, I've also found that Michael Minetree 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

[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]

Originally Posted by PJHawke

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

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.