Finding the Smile in Commercial Copy
Some days, when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed or maybe eaten one too many tacos or pieces of cake the night before, we don’t feel full of rainbow-colored smiles. Then we make a cup of …
Understanding Character Objectives and Actions
You may not fancy yourself as much of an “actor.” Maybe friends, family, or even people you work with have just told you “you’ve got a great voice! You should do something with that voice, or at least take some …
Meisner at the Microphone
On more than one occasion I have been asked, “Hey Brock, when are you going to get back into real acting, like theatre?” After I manage to stifle a groan and a grimace, I typically gently reply, “Voice-over acting is …
Working Wednesday: Stage Acting to Voice Acting
Every time I approach a script, I tend to go back to my stage acting roots. On-stage there is a set, a costume, and an audience (and perhaps the kind of applause that would make us addicted to acting in …
Create Consistent Characters
Audiobook narration is a huge genre for any voice-over artist. It’s interesting and fun and I, personally, love getting to read longer narrations – getting paid to tell stories? DREAM. COME. TRUE. I mean, I read for fun on my …
Five Ways to Set Your Audition Apart
Alright, so you’ve been auditioning for a while, but you feel like you’re just not getting any bites. Or maybe you’re new to the world of voice-over, and you want to make sure your work really resonates from the get-go. …
Acting Techniques: How They Apply to Voice-Over
There’s much more involved in voice-over than having a great voice. Of course, a voice that an audience will relate to and want to hear can certainly help, but it’s called voice acting for a reason. There are a plethora …
The Art of Voice-Over Cadences
“Your cadence is your music.” – William Shatner We’ve all heard those voices around us that seem to resonate with us right away. Whether it’s a voice-over on radio or television, a motivational speaker, or someone in your …
Three Beeps: Timing in an Animation VO Session
An animation recording session is slightly different from other voice-over genres such as commercial or narration. Aside from the fact that you are using many different vocal resonators and varying pitch(depending on the character and voice you are bringing …
What to Expect During an In-Studio Voice-Over Session
Over the course of your voice-over career, you may be asked to go into a professional studio for a recording session. If it’s your first time, congratulations! Here’s what to expect, as well as some tips, for when you go …
Working Wednesday: Second City Improvisation Training
For years, we have booked voice-over jobs together. So much of that is because we possess a genuine chemistry. However, it’s also our ability to commit to our characters and have the moxie to jump off the page, to do …
How to Gain Confidence for Your Voice-Over Audition
Be Cool. Be Calm. Be Creative. Your confidence is the most important element you can bring to a voice-over audition. Because those involved in casting are counting on you for an excellent delivery, they need to feel that they can trust …