Voice-Over Classes, Workshops, Training, Coaching and Instruction Overview
About STAGE (Society for Theatrical Artists Guidance and Enhancement)
STAGE Voice-Over Classes Overview
Syllabus for Voice-Overs, Level One
Syllabus for Voice-Overs, Level Two
Private Voice-Over Instruction
Before you write or contact me about your interest in voice-overs, please read this

Voice-Over Classes, Workshops, Training, Coaching and Instruction Overview

Bob Michaels has been involved in voice-over training since 1992. He offers classroom instruction through STAGE in Dallas, Texas (see information below), teaches private lessons in his personal studio, guest lectures at area schools and colleges, and holds custom workshops on voice-overs and voice communication skills for companies and corporations.

Bob's curriculum is designed for beginning and intermediate level understanding. In his own words:

"There are some great voice-over workshops and seminars available, but many of them assume a fairly high degree of prior knowledge on the part of the performer about voice-over styles, terms, techniques, practices, copy performance, etc., and tend to focus only on copy reading and critique.   My training is designed for people who may have little or no exposure to the voice-over world...people who want to learn more about the basics of voice-over performance, and what it really takes to do this job. Information is a key aspect of my instruction, because acquiring useful information is tremendously important if you wish to succeed."

"You should also know that there are three basic steps to getting started as a voice-over performer.  These three steps are only the beginning, but having an understanding of these steps should help you better chart your entry into a possible voice-over career."

Step One is education.  You obviously need to learn everything you can about this subject and build your knowledge so that you can be prepared for the realities of the job.  Education takes on many forms for beginners, such as books/tapes, classes, workshops, seminars, and private instruction.  As with any subject, it is best to learn from and seek the opinions of those with experience in the field.  If you disregard the education and training part, the rest will be more difficult than you could possibly imagine.

Step Two is development.  Voice-Over is an artform, and as with any other artform it requires concentrated practice and development to reach a professional level of performance.  Most people do not spend enough time on this step, and try to enter the market before developing sufficiently as performers.  I often compare becoming a voice-over performer to becoming a professional musician.  In music, you can take classes to learn to read music, play your chosen instrument, understand music theory, learn various styles, etc., but you cannot be taught artistry.  That must be developed on your own through practice and experience.  The exact same thing holds true in voice-over performance.

Step Three is the development and production of your voice-over demo.   Without a demo, you will not be able to seek the representation of an agent, or market your skills to prospective employers.  The production of a demo is time consuming and specialized work, and should be done in a professional recording studio, hopefully with the help of an experienced demo producer.  You will learn all about this tool in the education step, above.

If you would like more information about private instruction or custom seminars, you may contact Bob at 972-243-6086. E-mail bob_michaels@sbcglobal.net

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About STAGE (Society for Theatrical Artists Guidance and Enhancement) S.T.A.G.E. (Society for Theatrical Artists Guidance and Enhancement) is Dallas/Fort Worth's premier performing artists organization. A non-profit membership organization, S.T.A.G.E. promotes the theatrical, broadcast, and film industries, serves as an information clearinghouse, and provides training and education in many facets of the entertainment industry in the North Central Texas Region.

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STAGE Voice-Over Classes Overview

Bob Michaels, a full-time voice-over professional, has been teaching STAGE's Voice-Over Classes since 1993. Both the Level One (beginning) and Level Two (intermediate) classes are designed to provide a basis of relevant 'real-world' background information about voice-overs, and give students directed practice in the performance of copy and scripts. There are minimal outside assignments for these classes, and no tests are given. All students must bring a C-30 or longer audio cassette tape to class. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings at STAGE, which is in Dallas, Texas near I-35/Inwood. Please contact STAGE (above) for class dates and registration.

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Syllabus for Voice-Overs, Level One Level One - Tuesdays, 6-8pm, 5 weeks, $240. **This beginning level class may accommodate up to 12 students, and is a broad introduction to the world of voice-overs. Half of the class period is lecture, and the other half is spent performing copy. Week 1 - Introductions, what is a voice-over (VO), the VO job market, famous people who perform VO's, getting your mind in the right place for this type of performance, what makes the world of VO unique, and copy practice. Week 2 - Sound and meaning, sound relationships in A/V, voice "parameters", styles of VO, and copy practice. Week 3 - All about copy and scripts, the parts of copy, copy analysis, marking copy, and copy practice. Week 4 - The improvement process, what happens in the recording studio, studio procedure, the ways VO's are recorded, and copy practice. Week 5 - The business of VO; demo tapes, agents, auditions, marketing, rates, and much more.

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Syllabus for Voice-Overs, Level Two Level Two - Tuesdays, 8-10pm, 5 weeks, $240. **This intermediate level class may accommodate up to 6 students, and is intended to focus primarily on the performance of copy and scripts. Only a small portion of each class period is spent in lecture, the remainder is spent performing copy. This class may cover slightly different subject matter than described here, because each session is individualized for the group's particular interests and needs. Week 1 - Microphones, microphone technique, copy practice. Week 2 - Techniques of emphasis and inflection, copy practice. Week 3 - Industrial and longform copy, copy practice. Week 4 - The study of dialects and character voices, copy practice. Week 5 - Mock audition, copy practice.

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Private Voice-Over Instruction ***** Private lessons are given only after a successful evaluation session ***** Bob's goal in private instruction is to give the focused attention that the student needs in whatever area the student requests help. Sessions are intended to be an hour long, but often run slightly overtime with no additional charge for any overage applied. The sessions are conducted in Bob's personal studio in Dallas. Private instruction takes many forms. Sometimes students need advice on preparing for the production of a demo CD (these advice sessions are called "consultation sessions"). Others are seeking help with a particular performance style, such as narration. Still others are looking to simply practice voice-over copy, be coached and critiqued, and explore a variety of voice styles (this is called a "copy workout"). Each session is individualized with that student's particular goals in mind. NEW for 2008! With modern high-speed internet connections coupled with webcams, computer microphones and programs such as Skype and Yahoo Messenger, it is now possible to offer Remote private instruction and consultation sessions to those who don't live in the Dallas area.  The individual must still pass an evaluation session, but if equipped with the aforementioned equipment and software, it is possible to participate in live VO training and consultation no matter where you are.   Thank you very much for visiting, and good luck in your voice-over endeavors.

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Before you write or contact me about your interest in voice-overs, please read this

I receive a dozen or more letters a week from people interested in becoming voice-over performers. Most of them begin the same way:

"People have always told me that I have a great voice and that I should pursue a voice-over career..."
"I have a interesting voice and people continally comment on it..."
"I heard a commercial on TV last night, and I could have done the voice better than the person that did it..."
"Through the years, many of my friends, associates, and even strangers have let me know how much my voice sounds like a professional broadcaster's voice..."

There is something very basic about the voice-over world that you need to know right now. Simply having a "great voice" is not enough. I'm not denying the fact that it's necessary..it certainly helps...but your voice, by itself, is only one facet of your ability to succeed as a voice performer.

Along with that voice, you're going to need many other skills and tools. Among the countless things required of you as a voice-over performer, you'll need sharp reading skills, the ability to communicate, the ability to take direction, acting ability, voice control/vocal versatility, a creative imagination, excellent auditioning skills, marketing savvy, business acumen, an excellent demo CD, solid representation, and many, many other things. Oh, and there's one more very important thing you need to know.

The voice-over industry is among the most highly competitive of the entertainment fields. It is a well known fact that only high-fashion modeling is more difficult than voice-over in terms of level of competition. No kidding.

The best place to begin an exploration of this field is by learning as much as you can. One great way you can begin learning, no matter where you live, is by reading one or more of the great books available on the subject. I recommend that you go to a book site like www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com and type the keyword 'voice-over' or 'voiceover' into the search block. You'll be taken to a list of books...and there are several to choose from. I personally recommend the books by authors Alburger, Cronauer, Blu & Mullin, Clark, and Douthitt. Some of these books also come with audio tape/disc companions...be sure you get what you pay for. I also recommend that every performer read a book called Audition by Shurtleff. I do not profit from these recommendations in any way, I just believe they are all excellent and worthy of your attention.

Also, here are two worthwhile compilations of voice-over information available on the web:
http://www.voiceoverresourceguide.com/la/11vorgspeak.html
http://www.dmoz.org/Arts/Animation/Voice_Actors/Professional_Resources/Advice/
(I do not maintain these sites, so please do not report problems on them to me.)

The next step is to find some group or individual training. This one is hard, because voice-over education is not available in every city. In Dallas, Texas, we usually have 4-6 different classes ranging from beginner to advanced. Famous voice-over gurus also travel to other cities around the country to give seminars, but you'll have to do some exploring to find out the particulars. One place to start is to call a few of the talent agencies in a large market near you. They often know of classes or seminars in the area. Please do not write me asking about voice-over classes around the country for I do not maintain a database of classes.

Good luck in your quest for voice-over knowledge.

For more information about voice demo production in Dallas/Ft Worth, visit Gordon Nichol's voice demo web site at: http://scotchproductions.com/voicedemo.html