Are you thinking about a career in voice overs? It is strongly advised that training is sought out and taken on with interest and vigor.
While there are many different avenues that education can be consumed there is one definite way above all others that rises to the top as not only the preferred method but also the most effective: receiving personal instruction from a voice over coach.
Many voice over coaches have worked in the voice over industry as voice actors themselves and have reached a point in their career where they have much to share and pass on to other people who perform voice overs for a living. Just as a voice actor may specialize in a particular niche of voice over, some teachers are renowned for specific areas of expertise.
Some examples are coaches that focus on commercial voice over, coaches that are expert narrators, others who create character voices, and those who tend to have musical or theatrical backgrounds that add to their voice acting instruction in general.
There are many different ways you can study with a voice over coach or instructor:
1. Private instruction in person
2. Private instruction over the phone
3. Group instruction in person
4. Group instruction over the phone (teleseminars)
5. Group instruction over the Internet (webinars and podcasts)
Private Instruction In Person Private
Instruction in person is most effective when pursued on a regular basis. It is through consistent live instruction that a voice actor will be able to track their efforts and further develop their skills one on one. The teacher is able to observe the student and demonstrate the lessons physically with more ease than attempting to provide instructions over the phone.
Private Instruction by Phone
Private instruction by phone is one of the more convenient ways to learn about voice acting as you don’t have to be in the same city as the voice over coach. Students who live outside major voice over hotbeds find this option works best for them so that they can study with a world renowned coach without ever leaving the comfort of their own homes.
Group Instruction in Person
Group instruction through workshops and seminars are conducted in person and give the attendees a different kind of education, similar to a classroom where the teacher is responsible for reaching a variety of different people as they present their material. Offering workshops are a popular choice allowing teachers to do tours all across the nation. Many students will fly in for a workshop to a central location to study with a specific teacher, honing a particular skill, or simply for the sheer enjoyment of community that these educational opportunities provide.
Group Instruction by Phone
Group instruction over the phone is known as teleseminars. They feature an instructor presenting a specific topic with callers on the line who are generally muted. The instructor will usually open up the lines so that questions can be asked or clarifications made near the end of the call. Feedback from the callers is usually appreciated and the end of the call is a great time to let the coach know how the session was helpful and gives them the opportunity to thank the instructor for their efforts.
Group Instruction over the Internet
Online training is a great way to compliment other forms of training a voice actor is already receiving. Webinars and podcasts are excellent ways to join in on a lecture or discussion.
Webinars are usually free to attend but may require that a long-distance phone charge be incurred in exchange for listening in. Questions can be asked in real time of the instructor and a Q&A period opened up toward the end of the webinar.
Podcasts are nearly always free unless stated otherwise. While they are not as interactive (you can’t ask a question and get a response in real time from a recording), they are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be listened to from anywhere. Follow up questions can be sent to the instructor, usually by email from their website. A podcast is more a less a “taste” of what you could learn from the coach if you decide to study with them.
Just as a voice actor uses their voice over demo as a free sample or calling card, voice over coaches are able to promote their services via podcast or writing articles for blogs and online publications. Another way for teachers of voice acting and voice over to promote their services is through writing books or producing training CDs. Many instructors are also authors. You can get a really good feel for how a teacher will be in person from reading their books.
Through their publications and podcasts, you’ll learn more about what they can do for you, but one of the best ways to measure how qualified a teacher is to teach you is by reviewing student testimonials and reviews.
You can determine whether or not the voice over coach is reputable by the success of their own career and the achievements of their former students.
Studying with a credible teacher is very important. Request references and research any biographical information related to their education, experience, and teaching credits. Referrals are often the best way to connect with a teacher and students who love their teachers are very good ambassadors for them.
Some teachers even help students create or reinvent their voice over demos. The price for this kind of service ranges depending on the overhead and any other services that may be included with the production of the demo. Prices generally start from about $800 and can go up to a couple thousand depending on where you record your demo and with whom.
A sign of a great teacher is that they care about you as a person as well as a student. Teachers who invest this level of interest in their students are more likely to help them succeed throughout their career and connect those individuals with opportunities for advancement in the field of voice acting.
