The Actor's Library

[swdstmkr]

Some of you know that Kristine Oller launched The Actor's Library just yesterday, so this may be a bit too early to ask about it yet. She is offering lifetime membership for $127 until Friday, June 25th at 11:59:59 PM (I don't know which time zone-Pacific?). After that, the price goes up to $197. There seems quite a bit located on the site that she talks about on her introductory video. So, I am wondering if any of you have taken the plunge yet and could give a short review of the site. The launch price is below what she quotes in her introduction for one hour of in-person consultation time.

To be frank, I am still in the early stages of working toward being ready to call myself a voice actor; so every dollar counts. Tonight we walked on a pier for a bit, and I saw lots of people using different kinds of bait as they would cast out, but it didn't seem that anyone had landed much of anything. I use carpentry analogies sometimes since that is what I'm most familiar with. I can tell you that it is possible to drive a nail with a screwdriver, but a hammer works a lot more efficiently; so do you feel this product hits the nail on the head (cheesey, i know)? If you have experience with either this product or with Ms. Oller's services in general, could you give me a little feedback here (preferably before Friday night).

Thank you for your time,

Scott

[jsgilbert]

I watched the video and I'm somewhat nauseous. It does look like she has bushels and bushels of crap she is selling.

Alternatively, you could simply use Google to get the wealth of free misinformation about our industry that abounds.

[Scott Pollak]

Pretty cheesy video. Looks like she put a camcorder on a tripod then stood against a wall. I was definitely underwhelmed by what I saw.

[Mike Sommer]

She's trying to hard.

One can learn more from YouTube vids like this
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jjhGq8pMM&playnext_from=TL&videos=5S6WBr NBo8k[/media]

[swdstmkr]

Yeah, Mr. Sommer, I'm with you there. I'm going through The Right to Speak now and am finding it very helpful. Scott, I know what you mean about video quality, and it does make me wonder about what the inside of the site looks like. Okay then, I'm going to go search on Google for some of that misinformation, haha. Thank you all for your opinions.

[Mike Sommer]

There is a little book out there called "True And False" by David Mamet.

For the Newbie Actor, Mamet may lose you, but he comes from a very pragmatic point of view, that will keep the actor from getting bogged down in the gooey minutia of acting.

[John Bigl]

please, make it stop!!!

is this a normal feature of voiceover? buy this, buy that? the secret to this is buying that? the seminar you need for VO success?
has this always been a VO sideline?

there are some 'workshops' i consider attending, but then i hear that the soon to expire introductory price will not in any way effect the price of the advanced course, the 2nd advanced course, and the 'this is the last advanced course...really...we mean it this time'

it's very frustrating......

[JoeActor]

Agreed. The video needs some serious help, as does the site.

Can't tell if the product is worth anything because the way it is presented is so poor.
If I'm going to buy something that is supposed to give me insight on marketing, business, etc... it better at least look professional.

I'm also going to move this thread to the reviews area so others can find it and add their comments.

Measure Twice, Cut Once,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor

[JBarrett]

I guess I'm one of the few who is eager to see what she has to offer. Yes, the video production is pathetic, but looking past the production, I feel that her passion for her product is far more genuine than a lot of others out there who are hawking their wares to the acting/VO community. Her message spoke to me very strongly, and that was before I saw the endorsements of her previous products from numerous people who I respect in the VO community, and before she revealed the (what I believe to be quite reasonable) price of admission. Of all the sales pitches I've seen about programs and systems and seminars and breakthroughs, hers was the first one in ages that got me genuinely excited to hear more. Unless I hear reports from subscribers that it's a huge rip-off, I'll likely join. Am I gullible? Perhaps, but for the place that I'm at in my career and the help that I know I need, this feels like a worthwhile investment.

[JoeActor]

Hey Justin,

It may well be that this is a wealth of information and a great value.
But the presentation doesn't lead one to believe that.

Let's say you were going to see a new Doctor.
You step into the office.
It's filthy. Roaches on the floor. Stains on the walls. Hasn't been painted since the depression (the last one).
Then the Doctor comes out.
He's smoking, coughing, looks pale, overweight, and unwashed.

Does it matter how much he knows?
Would you be swayed by a tonne (metric) of patient testimonials?

Point: when you're selling something that's supposed to help actors with their business, it's probably a good idea to look at least professional... like your business is running well and is in order.

2 more cents from Uncle Joe