The Voice-Over Roadmap Podcast

On Episode 15, we discuss current read style trends in the VO industry, The Pros and Cons of Normalization, and how to know when you are ready to approach VO Agencies.

This is the last episode of 2017 before we take a break, thank you so much for listening to the show during this first run of episodes, and a special thanks to everyone who submitted questions and all of my guests! If you haven't listened to all of the episodes, I'd strongly encourage you to go back and listen as there were some great interviews, tips, and advice to help you in your VO career. Enjoy the episode!

00:58 - Performance Question:

What's the Current Read Style Trend?

03:25 - Audio Question:

What are the Pros and Cons of Normalizing an Audio File?

07:15 - Business Question:

How do I know when I'm Ready to Start Approaching Agents?

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On Episode 014, Guest Co-Host Bill DeWees joins the show to discuss Marketing, Conversational Read Styles, having silence between phrases in a read, and developing a consistent plan for marketing your business. Bill is a professional VO Talent who has voiced projects for clients including Chevrolet, Dell, Best Buy, Exxon Mobil, and many more. Bill is also a VO Coach and Demo Producer and offers great free resources for VO Talent in addition to premium offerings.

On Episode 013, Guest Co-Host John Florian Joins the show. John is the creator of VoiceOverXtra, a leading online publication for the Voice-Over Community, featuring articles, blogs, podcasts, webinars and more great content and resources for VO Talent. John and I discuss ongoing education as a talent, networking, versatility, how to select a mic, steps to take to go full-time and more.

00:51 - Interview with John Florian

19:54 - Performance Question: 

How many different read styles or types of voice-over should a professional talent be able to perform? Is it ok to just have one or two strengths or do you need a broader skillset to make a full-time career?

 23:37 - Audio Question: 

With so many different microphone options and advice on gear out there, what’s a good process for a talent to use when selecting a Mic?

 27:20 - Business Question:

If I wish to go full-time what are the key steps to take?

VoiceOverXtra: https://www.voiceoverxtra.com/

Voice-Over Legal Book: https://www.voiceoverxtra.com/ebook.htm

Dan Lenard: http://www.homevoiceoverstudio.com/

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On Episode 012, Guest Co-Host Marc Scott joins the show to discuss Marketing, Getting into Character, Home Studio Audio Quality, and ways to stay on the radar of clients and prospects. Marc is a professional VO Talent who has voiced projects for clients including PetSmart, Sprint, Verizon and many more. Marc is also a VO Coach and offers many courses and free resources for VO Talent.

01:04 - Interview with Marc Scott

31:36 - Performance Question: 

What are some good ways to “Get into character” before a read, so that I avoid just being slightly different versions of the same person in every audition and job I record?

 36:06 - Audio Question: 

Who can I contact or how can I ensure that the audio quality from my home studio is up to a competitive level?

 40:48 - Business Question:

What’s a good system for keeping on the radar of prospects and leads, without getting annoying and becoming bothersome? It feels awkward to just reach out every few months with nothing to really say other than “hey just a reminder you can hire me!”

Website: http://marcscottvoiceover.com/

Marc Scott Coaching: https://www.marcscottcoaching.com/

Email: [email protected]

Antland Productions: http://www.antlandproductions.com/

George Whittam: http://www.georgethe.tech/

Dan Lenard: http://www.homevoiceoverstudio.com/

Dan Friedman: https://sound4vo.com/

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In Episode 011, We'll discuss the reasons why clients like Live Directed Sessions and how to offer them, What a Noise Floor is, what yours should be, and how to improve yours, as well as Bookkeeping and what data and information to track for your business.

01:10 - Performance Question:

Why, specifially, do clients want directed (phone patch) sessions? Is the major reason to get the timing right so there is less audio engineer time to pay for? Is it to get it done quicker? Is it to eleminate retakes? Is it to try the read with the music? All of the above? What is the USUAL reason? How does recording it themselves (Source Connect) provide an advantage?

06:25 - Audio Question:

What do you recommend for a floor noise setting?" I try to only do my auditions during quieter outside times, but it is a challenge and I still have a terrible time getting rid of the noise.

11:25 - Business Question:

What book keeping software is most appropriate for running a voice business?

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In Episode 010, we'll discuss making the leap from a part-time talent to a full time talent and the benefits of doing so, as well as artifacts left over from sloppy audio edits, and how to deal with follow ups in regards to cold calling and email marketing.

Performance Question: 01:20

What are the benefits of switching from voice acting part-time to doing so full-time? Obviously it frees you send more auditions per day and meet stricter deadlines as VO gets faster and faster, but does it tend to have any noticeable effect on your performance skills or have any less obvious advantages?

Audio Question: 06:00

Sometimes when an edit is made, there is an audible click that is left over at the edit point, what is this and how can it be removed or avoided?

Business Question: 09:00

If I call a video production company, and they give me the info email address to email my demos to for the first time, and then I send it off, how do you suggest following up in a couple of weeks to see if they have received your demos. Do I call or do I email that info address again because they never officially gave me the name of a person.

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On Episode 009, we are joined by guest co-host Joe Zieja. Joe is an established voice-over talent based in LA, who has lent his voice to commercials, promos, animation, and gaming projects. He is also a top booking talent on Online Casting (P2P) Sites. Joe's credits include VO work for clients such as Nintendo, McDonald's, Starbucks, Marvel, and many more. He is also an established author with Parts 1 and 2 of his "Epic Failure" Trilogy released, and Part 3 on the way.

00:53 - Interview with Joe Zieja

31:32 - Performance Question: 

What are some ways and some things I can do on my own, without a coach, to improve my performance abilities and skills as a talent?

 34:23 - Audio Question: 

Once I set up a proper home studio and have a good sound, is it necessary to continue to review and update it? If so, how often should I be doing so and what things do I look or listen for?

 38:17 - Business Question:

I have recently read many disheartening things about some online casting sites. I was hoping to one day join one of these sites but I’m now beginning to think a membership is practically useless. What's your take? Have I heard wrong?

Website: https://joezieja.com/home/

"Mechanical Failure" Book: http://amzn.to/2yB5FX6

"Communication Failure" Book: http://amzn.to/2g5lYDR

The 4 Hour Work Week:  http://amzn.to/2hZv8m7

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In Episode 008, We discuss some tips for dealing with Mouth Noise, Studio Noise Floors, and Submitting Multiple Takes for an Audition. We'll also do a home studio review of one of our listener's audio.

Performance Question: 00:35

How can I reduce or eliminate Mouth Sounds from my recordings?

Audio Question: 04:53

What's the best way to remove noise that's contributing to a noise floor? Should I do it in Post-Production?

Business Question: 08:57

How many different reads is it acceptable to submit when auditioning?

Audio Review: 11:28

Tom Hatting

Additional Resources:

IzoTope RX 6

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On Episode 007, we are joined by guest co-host John Melley. John is the Production Director for Boston's award winning* Mix 104.1 (WBMX) as well as an established voice-over talent. John is known throughout the Boston area and nationally for the great character voices he uses in commercials, promotions and announcements. Writing the copy for many of his clients allows him to be creative, using straight or character voices, music and sound effects. John is also the host of The Voice Over Marketing Podcast.

01:18 - Interview with John Melley

35:57 - Performance Question: 

Is the “conversational” read style a trend or here to stay?

39:30 - Audio Question: 

What are some good tips or things to keep in mind for mixing music and sound effects with my voice-overs, in case a client asks for these services

48:09 - Business Question:

What are some good tools and software to check out for running a VO business? For things like Bookkeeping, invoicing, job tracking, etc…

Website: http://www.johnmelley.com/index.html

John's Production Services: http://www.johnmelley.com/services.html

The Voice Over Marketing Podcast: http://www.voiceovermarketingpodcast.com/

The Voice Over Athlete: http://voiceoverathlete.com/

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In Episode 006, We'll answer questions about how to keep consistency in your reads for long projects, live directed session options, and standards for reimbursement for expenses during a project. We'll also do a home studio review of one of our listener's audio.

Performance Question: 00:44

What are some ways to keep consistency in long form projects, like audiobooks or long E-Learning narrations?

Audio Question: 04:05

What are the differences between the different options for live directed sessions and which should I be using or making available to clients?

Business Question: 07:55

How do I ask for parking or travel reimbursement from an agent or client? Is there a standard for this?

Audio Review: 10:55

Emily Wylie

Additional Resources:

Live Directed Session Blog Post

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