Attending my first "real" workshop

[Bret Brizzee]

I've made the move from Las Vegas to Boston, FINALLY. There's a lot of new information floating around in my head at the moment (Lewis structures, biomolecules, spectator ions, and induced-dipole attractions, anyone?), but I think with a little hard work, I'll make it. (PRAY FOR ME!)

Along with the move to this lovely, humid city, I looked up all the voice-over opportunities here. A class from C.P. Casting entitled Voice Over Techniques caught Google's attention, and it seemed legitimate, so I registered. The workshop was originally scheduled to start this Saturday, but it was recently pushed back to next Saturday (maybe good, because I've just developed a slight cold). The class is taught by Will Lebow.

I guess I'm just looking for some advise on attending these sorts of workshops. What does one do to prepare? What do I need to keep in mind?

By chance does anyone have knowledge of additional programs here in Boston?

Thanks,
Bret

[Lee Gordon]

Originally Posted by Bret Brizzee

The class is taught by Will Lebow.

I can't comment on his teaching ability, but Will is a superb voice actor with outstanding range. I'm sure you'll get a lot out of the class.

[Moe Egan]

I took that class with Will a few years ago. It's worth every cent. Take good notes, he knows what he's talking about!!

moe

[Julie Williams]

Be sure to post an evaluation of the workshop after you take it... you can do that in the review section of the forum. That way other talent will know if it's good.

[Bret Brizzee]

Lee - Thanks for the heads up! The best teachers are often great performers themselves, or so I've heard.

Moe - It's wonderful to hear such a positive review from a fellow community member. I'm extremely excited!

Julie - I'll definitely post my two cents during and after the workshop =)

[Bret Brizzee]

Alrighty! So we finished the first Saturday workshop at 12:30. Very fun! The class is relatively small (maybe 15?), and they all seem genuinely interested in VO.

Will is funny and knowledgeable. We kept things light and started with a few standard fundamentals, such as intention in delivering copy. Some topics are ones I'm familiar with, although using other terminology.

Assignment for this week is to get a blank cassette (I need to go buy one.... AND SOMETHING TO PLAY CASSETTES!) and grab three pieces of copy. They need to be roughly 30 second pieces, and each piece should focus on some important intentions (such as to excite, to help, to inspire, to seduce, to clarify, to calm). I think I'll sneak in a character (animation) clip in case the opportunity to work on characters arises. Anyone have a good copy-source? Or should I just steal something from a television ad? Or the Voices.com leads?

Much of VO, from what I've learned so far, begins with a mastery of normal voice. Maybe I can use that training as a launching point for my principal interest - characters.

I'll keep you updated! There will be a full review in about a month.

[Jon Morss]

Bret -- It sounds like a great class to start with. Pretty much in line with some of the first instructions that I was given. Classes are great and help you meet other folks that are interested in the same thing you are. I have one with Julie tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it.

As far as copy is concerned, do look at magazine ad for samples. Also transcribe television and radio commercials. These should get you started with examples for your readings.

One question though, in the year 2007 why on earth use a cassette player? You could probably find a portable digital recorder with USB connection for nearly the same price.

Oh, yeah. Character voices are an interest of mine as well. Voicing for animation is my ultimate goal.

Good luck on the rest of the class.

Jon

[Moe Egan]

Thanks for the follow up...glad to hear things got off to a good start! Will helped me a lot with getting rid of the "radio" sound I built up over the years....that 'always happy shine' over every read.

[connieterwilliger]

I'm sure the reason for it is that Will has a cassette recorder for recording during the class. I have the same problem in my VO class at City College.

If a student is using a cassette, then I can play back their assignment, do a critique, give direction and re-record all on the same cassetter.

However. a digital recorder should work for the homework. Ask the instructor if you can bring in your digital recorder for the playback, but buy a cassette for the class to record what you do.

Right now I have students who have regular size cassette recorders, mini-cassettes, digital recorders and some who hand me a CD. But in order to record everyone and keep it as spontaneous as possible in a non-studio environment, I need to stick to one recording format. I can play back on CD or full-sized cassette in the class, if the student uses another method of recording then have to bring in their recorder.

I am looking for alternatives for the Spring Semester. There are small studios where the students can record their homework and end up on a CD, but the bottom line is that I need one consistent method of recording that requires the least cost for the students.

So any suggestions would be welcome.

[Edit] Actually I have found that I can plug the mini plug from the mic cable into some of the smaller recorders the students use, so that might be an alternative as well. But for those who give me a CD, I need something to record their new stuff on during class.

[Bob Bergen]

Hey hey!

Glad you enjoyed the class!!!! And it's nice that others who have taken with the same instructor have good things to say! That's really the best way to research VO teachers. Ask around. Just keep in mind that just because someone raves about a teacher doesn't mean they are good for you. If you can audit the class first, that's a great (and free) way to know if you and the teacher click. I know in LA some VO instructors don't allow auditing. I'm not sure why. I myself would never take a class without checking it out first. Heck, ya test drive a car before purchasing it. I always allow folks to audit before taking my class. They can't participate, but they can observe.

A good teacher should challenge and push you in a nurturing way which allows you to keep trying. They should also be honest and available to you. You should never feel afraid to ask questions, even if the instructor already covered the topic. But they should never sugar coat. Agents and producers don't sugar coat. But again, their honest feedback should be done in a way that is encouraging and constructive.

This was sort of covered on another thread, but even if you get just 5% more from a class, it's 5% more than you came in with. I've been teaching my animation VO workshop for over 20 years. My curricular is basically bits and pieces of every VO instructor (and several animation directors) I worked with over the years.

Commercial VO is the day to day bread and butter of the business, no matter which market you are in. Animation, promo, imaging, etc., are other genres that, if you are interested, you can pursue as well. But commercial is the most important demo you will need once you look for an agent.

FYI-if you ever want to put together a weekend animation workshop in Boston let me know! I teach my weekend seminars all over the country!

BB --