Sending Out Books to My Students!

It's GO TIME!
Got the first copies of 'Voice-Over, Voice Actor: What It's Like Behind The Mic' to send out to students of my Online Voice Over Class. It's a beautiful thing...

There's still time to sign up for one of the remaining spots. Last week!

SomeAudioGuy's Online Intermediate Voice Over Class

SomeAudioGuy's Hi-Tech Intermediate Voice Over Class

I’m excited to announce my new online Voice Over commercial class!

In LA, I’ve led workout groups, guest directed, and taught workshops. However, I know there are many people who’d like to get more hands-on with their VO education. The problem? I couldn’t go to them, and they couldn’t come to me.

Consumer video tools have advanced to the point where we can create an interactive educational experience, and I want to push these tools to their limits.

I will be offering a four-week commercial VO class online starting in April. Price for the class will be $400, and a $50 non-refundable deposit will secure you a spot, with the remaining balance due by the first day of class.

This will be an intermediate level class, and some experience in VO, Theater, or Radio would be preferred. If this becomes popular enough I will expand to beginner level classes.

Over the four weeks, we’ll be crushing a lot of copy while discussing script analysis, performance methodology, and voice actor branding. I’ll also be leading discussions on home recording and business concerns. I’m an extremely aggressive director, and I hope to share some of that energy with my students.

As an added bonus alongside course materials, everyone who sends in a deposit will also receive a copy of my favorite book on voice acting ‘Voice-Over Voice Actor: What It’s Like Behind The Mic’.

I really do believe that classes offer the best bang-for-buck learning environment, as you can learn a lot by watching what works and what doesn’t for other students. Now we can all share breakthroughs in the comfort of our own home offices. And yes, I will still be accepting students from California as well. Just think of all the gas you can save!

This isn’t a “seminar”. This isn’t a pitch. I want to create an experience. I want to help create opportunities. If you want to take your VO game to another level, I hope you’ll join me.

Click here for full class details, requirements, and to submit a deposit!

Crispin Freeman Announces 'Durarara!!' - A New Show on Adult Swim

Crispin Freeman is an incredible voice talent, and if you've watched an animated series, anime, or played a video game in the last ten years, then there's a really good chance you've heard some of his work.
In this video he has the honor of announcing a new show on Adult Swim, and I'm really looking forward to checking it out!
Enter 'DURARARA!!'



Also, Crispin is an impressively accomplished media scholar, and will be teaching a sci-fi and fantasy  mythology class at the Vidiots Annex  in Los Angeles starting June 22, 2011. For those of you who get into a little film study style analysis, it should be a fantastic course.

For more info on Crispin's class head over to the Vidiots Annex!
For more info on  'DURARARA!!', head over to the Durarara USA site!

SomeAudioGuy Mixing it Up With the Voice Over Work Out Lounge

Just a brief heads up that I'll be guest directing and speaking with the Voice Over Work Out Lounge folks in May!
The VOWOL is run by some great folks. They record at a fabulous studio (Soundelux in Hollywood), and participants get to leave with the audio they record.
I was flattered they asked me to join in, as their list of other guests has included some incredible performers, well known casting directors, and some solid talent agents.
I'll be discussing my experiences working as both a Talent Agency assistant, both director, casting director, and commercial producer, as well as talking about some of the technical challenges facing voice actors today.

If you're in LA and want a good VO work out you really should look them up!

Microphone Technique Workshop and Shootout Recap

Last Saturday was my second Microphone Technique Workshop and Shootout at The Voicecaster in Burbank.

I had a really good time with it. Five students spent four hours going over SEVENTEEN different mics, and along the way we spent time going over technique. Getting a chance to properly explain concepts like proximity, off axis recording, polar patterns, and frequency response was very satisfying.

It's not surprising how many bad habits are created by forcing actors to figure out how to record themselves on their own, so I hope providing a little context was helpful.

We had time to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of dynamic mics, large diaphragm condensers, shotguns, ribbons, plus even a few vintage and novelty mics like the AKG D202, SM56, and a couple over-head mics like the KM-184. Quite a bit of time was also spent discussing USB microphones... A LOT of misconceptions there...

It was great getting a lot of questions not only on home recording, but on booth etiquette, and audition technique (both at home and when auditions are out of house). Watching an actor light up at a practical concept that could help their career was one of the best things that could happen to me as a cynical, curmudgeonly engineer.

Actors wanted to learn. They didn't just want to hear "this knob makes it louder". They wanted to get better.    

Our next round will be the first Saturday of April from 2-6pm at The Voicecaster. You can contact them at 818-841-5300 or email them at [Casting AT VoiceCaster DOT com]. Cost of the workshop is $250, and your spot can be held with a $50 deposit. I only take a maximum of eight students so I can stay hands on, and two spots are already reserved. I'll bring the cough drops!

I hope you can make it, and hopefully we wont have snowfall in Burbank next time...