It used to be, back in the old days (like 5 years ago), that all voiceover work was done in a professional recording studio.  The client, producer, engineer and voice talent would all drive to a local recording studio and produce audio. 

 Nowadays a very high percentage of voiceover work is produced in home studios.  In my case a good 80% of all the voice work I do is done in my home studio.  Clients love voiceover talents that have home studios as it as it saves them money and time.  And with today's advanced audio editting software a professional sound is easy to achieve.  Not only that, but it creates opportunities for you as a voiceover talent to do work for not only local clients, but for clients spanning the globe.

While putting together a home recording studio sounds like an expensive proposition, in reality it is surprisingly affordable.  

This Thursday night, January 8th, we are holding a 3-hour workshop titled:  "Building Your Home Recording Studio and Intro to Audio Production".  In this class you'll get to try out a variety of different mics to help you decide which one is right for you,  plus you'll learn how to soundproof a room or closet in your home to convert into your recording studio.  Jim will also go over the various audio editting software available and give you hands-on instruction on how to use it.

This is a "must-take" workshop for anyone serious about building a career in voiceovers!

Make your reservation by calling our office at 916-446-2004.  Cost of the workshop is $75.00 and includes all materials.

It's this Thursday, January 8th from 6 to 8 PM at our studio at 2110 K Street, Suite 17, in the beautiful Sacramento Art Complex.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy holiday schedules to stop by our studio last Saturday for our Holiday Open House. We had an impressive turnout of more than 80 people! We even had a couple people drive up from Oakland to join in the festivities. It was a fun group!

Jim and I were happy to take the time to spend a few hours of the holiday season with all the great people we've met and worked with this past year including students, clients and fellow voiceover artists.

We also gave away prizes including 3 workshops in a drawing and the lucky winners are:

Mike McDade

Monika Lopez

Sandy Klagge

Congratulations to our winners!

The food was a big hit and a big thank you goes out to
Dana B.'s Delectables of Livermore for providing a lavish spread of unbelievably delicious food. It was a huge hit! One of the favorites was a savory cheesecake that you cut in wedges and spread on crackers. Dana has graciously shared the recipe:

Artichoke Cheesecake________________________________________

Ingredients

2 ½ cups chopped bagels (about 2 bagels)

2 Tbls. olive oil

3 tsp. dried or fresh chives

2-8 oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1-15 oz tub ricotta cheese

1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup

2 eggs

1 Tbls. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. garlic salt

1-8.5 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1-15 oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped

1 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine bagels, oil and 1 tsp. chives in a medium sized mixing bowl and mix well. Spray 9 X 2 ½ inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Press bagel mixture firmly into bottom of pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool.

With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, ricotta, soup, eggs, herbs, garlic salt and remaining 2 tsp. chives. Mix until well blended. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the bagel crust. Top with artichokes, ½ of the red peppers and ½ of the basil. Top with remaining cheese filling and smooth flat. Place remaining red peppers evenly over top layer. Bake for 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes; until completely set. Cool completely, then refrigerate 6 hours to overnight. Run knife around edge of torte and release from spring form pan. (It is easiest to serve with pan bottom in place.) Top torte with remaining half of fresh basil just prior to serving. Serve with crackers.

Enjoy and Have a Wonderful Holiday Season!

The year was 1991 and I had just started dating a very nice guy about six weeks before Christmas. I knew that this relationship had real potential but neither one of us had articulated that fact OUTLOUD just yet.

I had been married for seven years prior and was a bit gun shy about getting into another relationship. Dating after my divorce wasn't much fun. One man who asked me out had been married six times. Another man admitted that he had a foot fetish and consequently requested that I wear open-toe sandles to dinner......in January.

It was easy to turn down these dates and I quickly decided that I was going to stay single forever. That lasted for 3 years and then I met Jeff. I knew from day one that he was "the one".

On our first Christmas Eve Jeff came over with two live lobsters, a bottle of champagne and a beautifully wrapped rake. Yes, a rake. A rake that rakes leaves.

I was even more suprised at my response......I LOVED it!

That rake told me so much about who Jeff really was. It said he was comfortable in his own skin and didn't feel that he had to impress me with lavish gifts. It told me that he listened to me when I'd complain about all my yard work. And, then he took my new rake and actually did all the work for me.

Shortly after what I like to call " The Rake Christmas" we broke down and confessed our feelings and like they say "the rest is history".

The rake lived for 12 years until one day the handle snapped in two. I wanted to put what remained in a shadow box and hang it in my office but Jeff thought that was a silly idea.

In the years since I have receieved lots of practical gifts from Jeff (last year I got a battery-operated lint remover) and also some very lavish ones (you should see my new diamond ring!) but the best gift ever will always be that rake.

Thank you, Jeff, for being who you are....the best husband ever.

With the holiday shopping season upon us I must admit that I am powerless over a sale. Send me a sales catalog and I'll find all kinds of things to buy that I didn't even know that I had to have....until I saw how low the prices were.

I was raised with practical, midwestern parents. They grew up during the depression and we were regularly reminded of that fact. Because they grew up during lean times we had criteria to follow before we purchased anything. The question we had to answer was: Do I need this?

Most of the time the answer to that question was no, I didn't need it, but I wanted it.

We quickly learned that our family did not buy wants. For goodness sake, do you think we were made out of money?, was regularly asked us by both my mom and dad. And, if we needed something we had to explain to these people who weren't made out of money why we needed whatever it was that we seemingly could not live without.

For example, a typical conversation would go like this. ...

Me: "Dad, I need a new pair of jeans because everyone is wearing this cool new style"

Dad: "That sounds like a want to me".

Me: "No, I really need new jeans because my old ones have a hole in the seat".

Dad: "Well, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Go ahead and get those jeans. We don't need for everyone to see your rear end!"

Once I figured out how to work the system I got everything I needed....and wanted. Still, old habits die hard and even today around the first of December I get calls from my family asking: "what do I need for Christmas?" Heaven forbid we buy something that someone wants but doesn't need!

Which brings me to the long check-out line at Macy's in downtown Sacramento the other day. There I was, loaded down with my needs (sheets and 2 bed pillows) and one want: a panini press at 50% off.

I've never eaten a panini before but at 50% off, surely it is worth buying one, right? A grilled panini sandwich sounds exotic and really, how can I go wrong at 50% off?

The lady in line behind me asked me how much the panini press was. When I told her it was 50% off she confirmed that it was a good price. We struck up a conversation and I admitted that I didn't even really know what a panini was.

She told me that a panini is a grilled cheese sandwich.

Then it hit me. I was going to spend $45.00 on a gadget that made something that I already can make with a frying pan that I already own. And to add insult to injury I would have to find a place to store my new high-priced, new fangled grilled cheese maker. I didn't need it and I certainly didn't want it anymore. Heck, we rarely eat grilled cheese as it is.

I bought my sheets and pillows and left the panini in Macys, where it belongs.

My dad would be proud!

At our last voiceover workshop I brought a batch of these whoopie pies to share with the class and they were a huge hit. If you're looking for a spicy, ooey- gooey treat, these spicy pumpkin pies will make you say "whoopie" at first bite.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Makes two dozen

FOR THE CAKES:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking power

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups light brown sugar

1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin puree

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FILLING:

2 egg whites

1/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 pound confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups solid vegetable shortening.

Preheat the oven to 350. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.

Make the cakes: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and ginger.

Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on high speed until ight and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pumpkin, eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well blended, scraping down the sides as needed. On low speed, add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated.

Place heaping tablespoons of the batter 2 inches apart on the sheet pans. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the opts spring back when touched. Transfer to a cake rck to cool completely.

Make the filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy. On medium speed, add the milk, vanilla and 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar and beat until blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the shortening and remaining 2 cups confectioners' shugar and continue beating until creamy and smooth.

Spread a heaping tablespoon of filling on the flat side of half the cakes and top with the remaining halves.

A year ago last July I went to Honolulu with my college friend Sheri. This was a special trip for us as we were celebrating the 30th anniversary of first meeting as college freshman at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

The years have really zoomed by since then and this was an opportunity for us to reminisce about the past and plan for our futures. Of course, any good trip involves shopping.

One day, as a lark, I said that we should go in the Louis Vuitton store. I see people carrying expensive Louis Vuitton purses all the time and I was just curious to see how expensive they were.

I was surprised at the prices. How on earth do people afford such expensive purses????

One thing led to another and before I knew what was happening I fell in love with a Louis Vuitton bag named Beverly. Quicker than I could say "let's get the heck out of here" the clerk was packing it up and handing me a chic Louis Vuitton shopping bag containing my newly purchased purse.

At first I felt a little giddy and excited. By day 3 I was sweating bullets. What on earth was I thinking? This new purse named Beverly cost more than our sofa in the family room!

When I returned home I showed it to my husband Jeff. He asked me how much it cost and I wisely told him "too much" . I think he knew better than to prod for more details.

I must admit it has been difficult to enjoy this purse as I've been plagued with guilt over spending so much money. That is, until I walked into the new Louis Vuitton store near our home. I was curious to see if they were still offering Beverly.

Sure enough....there she was in all her Louis Vuitton glory. And, it was priced $230.00 higher than what I paid just one year ago.

Wow, the guilt over owning the purse is now gone. This wasn't a frivilous purchase after all! My Louis Vuitton purse is a financial investment.

In one year's time my purse has appreciated 23%. That's an impressive return by anyone's standards and makes me think that instead of putting my money in the bank maybe, just possibly, I should be buying more purses.........

New for 2009......FREE voiceover labs! This is a great opportunity to increase your level of skill behind the mic. Check the schedule for dates. We are also offering NEW advanced workshops in 2009. There's something for everyone and every skill level. Please note that class descriptions are directly below the January and February schedule.

Reservations are required for all workshops including the voiceover labs. Call our office at 916 446-2004 to reserve your seat as class size is limited to six participants!

January 2009

Tuesday, January 6th: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab. 6 to 9 PM Free for those who have completed the Introductory Module! Must reserve your seat by phone at 446-2004.....limited to 8 participants. All skill levels! ONLY 2 SEATS LEFT!

Thursday, January 8th: Building Your Home Recording Studio and Beginning Audio Production 6 to 9 PM $75.00 All skill levels!

Tuesday, January 13th: Tightening The Nuts and Bolts in Your Delivery 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Advanced level skills

Thursday, January 15th: Discover Your Money Voice 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Intermediate level skills

Saturday, January 17th: Step Up To The Mic* 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

Saturday, January 24th: Acting in Voiceovers* 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

Sunday, January 25th: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 1 to 4 PM Free for those who have completed the Introductory Module! Must reserve your seat by phone at 446-2004. Limited to 8 participants. All skill levels!

Saturday, January 31st: The Business of Voiceovers* 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

* Please note that the entry level skills workshops are taught in collaboration with Studio 24, specializing in creative talent management . Studio 24 is considered Sacramento's "Gateway to Hollywood". Cody Dorkin, owner of Studio 24 has more than 15 years of acting and voiceover experience in Hollywood and is now sharing his expertise with aspiring Sacramento talent!

February 2009

Tuesday, February 3rd: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 6 to 9 PM Free to those who have completed the Introductory Module! Must call to reserve your seat. All skill levels!

Saturday, February 7th: Nailing the Read 1 to 4 PM $75.00 Intermediate level skills

Tuesday, February 10th: Step Up To The Mic* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00. Entry level skills

Tuesday, February 17th: Acting in Voiceovers* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00. Entry level skills

Sunday, February 22nd: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 1 to 4 PM Free to those who have completed the Introductory Module. All skill levels!

Tuesday, February 24th: The Business of Voiceovers* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills.

Thursday, February 26th: Taking Direction II 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Advanced level skills

Reservations are required for all workshops and your seat can be reserved with a credit card, check or cash payment. Please call our office at (916) 446-2004 to make reservations. If we're not in, please leave your number and the best time for us to call back.

No refunds will be issued for missed workshops but we will be happy to reschedule you at the next available workshop of your choice.

If you're brand new to the voiceover business we recommend you start with our Introductory Module, which includes 3 workshops for a total of 9 hours of instruction and microphone time for $250.00. Workshops may also be purchased individually at $95.00 each:

INTRODUCTORY SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

1. Step Up To The Mic! Learn everything you need to know about the recording studio and studio etiquette, the various mics you'll use in voiceovers and the importance of proper breath control. You'll also get time behind the mic to try out the microphones and record a couple pieces of copy. And, you'll be able to download what you record during the workshop off the internet to listen to at home.

2. Acting in Voiceovers: Developing your acting skills is imperative to your success as a voiceover artist. Plus, it is a lot of FUN! You'll learn how to "get out of your box" and lose your inhibitions to be able to adapt your delivery to a variety of vocal styles. We'll team you up with other voiceover artists to "voice act" in 4 dialogue commercials. And later you'll be able to download your recordings off the internet to play for your family and friends!

3. The Business of Voicevers: This workshop is designed to give you a look into the real working world of a voiceover professional. What does it take to make it? How do you find the work? How much money can you make? These questions and more will be answered in this 3-hour workshop which also give you time to read copy behind the mic along with professional analysis of your growing skills

INTERMEDIATE SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Discover Your Money Voice: In today's voiceover world there are so many different styles and types of voice work. Narrations. Long Form Technical Narrations. Radio and TV commercials. Radio and TV Image Liners and Promos. Movie Trailers. Audio Books. Video Games. Telephone IVR. The possibilites of voiceover jobs is endless! So, what are your vocal strengths? In this workshop you'll have the opportunity to record a variety of different scripts in order to analyze what your strengths are and to ultimately discover your money voice! $75.00

Develop Your Internal Time Clock: Time is money and that is especially true in voiceovers. Getting the timing correct while still adding personality and energy to your delivery is a skill that must be mastered. We'll bring out the stopwatch for this workshop as you develop your sense of time reading a variety of tags, donuts and commercials. $75.00

Nailing the Read: Taking direction is one of the most important skills a voiceover artist must develop and in this workshop you'll fine tune your voiceover skills by learning how to interpret what the director wants....and most importantly, learn how to deliver it!
$75.00

The IVR and MOH Phone Voice Industry: There are many voiceover artists that specialize just in phone recordings. Why? Because there is a LOT of work available in phone messaging including IVR (Interactive Voice Response), phone prompts, messages on-hold and recorded automated attendant are just a few of the ways in which your voice can be used on the phone. Learn the skills you need, practice recording some phone scripts and get the inside scoop on how to find the work in this lucrative voiceover niche. $75.00

How to Build Your Own Home Recording Studio including Basic Audio Editing: Today voiceover jobs can easily be found on the Internet and because of it it's feasible to develop a worldwide clientele without ever leaving the comfort of your own home! The professional recording studio of today is easy to put together and extremely affordable, too. Our audio engineer extraordinaire, Jim Naylor, will lead this informative workshop and show you how to build a quality home studio on a budget so you can start making money doing voiceovers from home. $75.00

Marketing Your Voiceover Career: It takes more than a great voice and a stellar voice demo to get work in this highly competitive business. Marketing is integral to your success as a voiceover artist and in this 3-hour workshop we'll show you how to write your marketing plan, give you tips on how to find the work and show you ways to stand out in the crowd. Be sure to take this workshop before you produce your voice demo! $75.00

ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Preparing For Your First Voice Demo: When you feel you're ready to take the next step towards having your very own voice demo produced this workshop will help you prepare by pinpointing your strengths, highlighting areas to work on and pushing you to be your very best. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! Tightening the Nuts and Bolts in Your Vocal Delivery: It's the subtle nuances in your voice that brings copy to life and makes your delivery unique. In this workshop we'll concentrate on phrasing, emphasis, energy levels, pitch, tempo and volume variances. You'll be impressed on how your vocal performance will dramatically improve when you incorporate these proven techniques into your delivery. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!! Taking Direction II: Becoming a Versatile Voiceover Artist: The in-demand voiceover artists are the ones who are versatile and flexible in their vocal skills. They are the ones who can make minor changes to their delivery to please even the pickiest directors. The ones who can make boring copy sound fascinating. The ones who can read one sentence 5 different ways....and be able to do it RIGHT NOW. The ones who can read a piece of copy to appeal to a 30 year old and then read it totally different to appeal to a 50 year old. This workshop is for those of you who are ready to really challenge yourself and to be pushed out of your comfort zone. If you have at least 5 workshops under your belt.....this one is for you! $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! The Wonderful World of Narrations: We've briefly touched on narrations in other workshops but since there is so much voiceover work in narrations we feel it's important to really dig deeper. In this workshop you'll read 2 and 3 minute narrations, whereas in other workshops we'd read 30 to 40 second narrations. We'll offer a variety of scripts for you to work with from easy-going documentaries to long-form technical narrations. Also, we limit the size of the class to 4 participants to make sure everyone has time to read at least 3 long-form pieces of work. $100.00

ALL SKILL LEVELS:

It was Jim's birthday on Saturday. Yes, we both had birthdays this past week. Two Scorpios in one office. Seems like that would be a recipe for disaster but it's worked out great!

Of course we needed to celebrate and so I baked cupcakes that we shared with our voiceover class. The only thing missing was a nice cold glass of milk!

Try these when you are craving something rich and chocolately. Topped with thick cream cheese frosting, it doesn't get any better!

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa

1 cup low-fat milk, warmed to 110 degrees

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup corn oil

2 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoons salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large bowl, use mixer on low to beat cocoa and warm milk. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat 45 seconds.

Measure flour, baking soda and salt into sifter (I skip the sifting myself). Sift (or dump like I do) into chocolate mixture. Beat 1 minute on medium. Batter will be very thin. Pour into 24 cupcake liners and bake for 15-17 minutes or until tops pop back when pressed.

Cool and then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat an 8 ounce block of cream cheese (use cold, straight from fridge) with 5 tablespoons of softened butter (I softened the butter in the micro on defrost) and 2 teaspoons vanilla until combined. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar that has been sifted after measuring. (Again, I skip the sifting step...too much work for me). Continue to add more sifted powdered sugar until you reach a consistency and sweetness that fits your taste.

Frost the cupcakes and be sure to use sprinkles on top. For Jim's party I used a variety but found that the brown, black and white cow sprinkles were the favorites. If you can't find cow sprinkles in your local market you can find them at Spun Sugar in Berkeley, California.

Here it is! The line-up of workshops for 2009. We've added NEW workshops and NEW voiceover labs, all designed to help you achieve your voiceover career ambitions.

If you're brand new to the voiceover business we recommend you start with our Introductory Module, which includes 3 workshops for a total of 9 hours of instruction and microphone time for $250.00. Workshops may also be purchased individually at $95.00 each:

INTRODUCTORY SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

1. Step Up To The Mic! Learn everything you need to know about the recording studio and studio etiquette, the various mics you'll use in voiceovers and the importance of proper breath control. You'll also get time behind the mic to try out the microphones and record a couple pieces of copy. And, you'll be able to download what you record during the workshop off the internet to listen to at home.

2. Acting in Voiceovers: Developing your acting skills is imperative to your success as a voiceover artist. Plus, it is a lot of FUN! You'll learn how to "get out of your box" and lose your inhibitions to be able to adapt your delivery to a variety of vocal styles. We'll team you up with other voiceover artists to "voice act" in 4 dialogue commercials. And later you'll be able to download your recordings off the internet to play for your family and friends!

3. The Business of Voicevers: This workshop is designed to give you a look into the real working world of a voiceover professional. What does it take to make it? How do you find the work? How much money can you make? These questions and more will be answered in this 3-hour workshop which also give you time to read copy behind the mic along with professional analysis of your growing skills

INTERMEDIATE SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Discover Your Money Voice: In today's voiceover world there are so many different styles and types of voice work. Narrations. Long Form Technical Narrations. Radio and TV commercials. Radio and TV Image Liners and Promos. Movie Trailers. Audio Books. Video Games. Telephone IVR. The possibilites of voiceover jobs is endless! So, what are your vocal strengths? In this workshop you'll have the opportunity to record a variety of different scripts in order to analyze what your strengths are and to ultimately discover your money voice! $75.00

Develop Your Internal Time Clock: Time is money and that is especially true in voiceovers. Getting the timing correct while still adding personality and energy to your delivery is a skill that must be mastered. We'll bring out the stopwatch for this workshop as you develop your sense of time reading a variety of tags, donuts and commercials. $75.00

Nailing the Read: Taking direction is one of the most important skills a voiceover artist must develop and in this workshop you'll fine tune your voiceover skills by learning how to interpret what the director wants....and most importantly, learn how to deliver it!
$75.00

The IVR and MOH Phone Voice Industry: There are many voiceover artists that specialize just in phone recordings. Why? Because there is a LOT of work available in phone messaging including IVR (Interactive Voice Response), phone prompts, messages on-hold and recorded automated attendant are just a few of the ways in which your voice can be used on the phone. Learn the skills you need, practice recording some phone scripts and get the inside scoop on how to find the work in this lucrative voiceover niche. $75.00

How to Build Your Own Home Recording Studio including Basic Audio Editing: Today voiceover jobs can easily be found on the Internet and because of it it's feasible to develop a worldwide clientele without ever leaving the comfort of your own home! The professional recording studio of today is easy to put together and extremely affordable, too. Our audio engineer extraordinaire, Jim Naylor, will lead this informative workshop and show you how to build a quality home studio on a budget so you can start making money doing voiceovers from home. $75.00

Marketing Your Voiceover Career: It takes more than a great voice and a stellar voice demo to get work in this highly competitive business. Marketing is integral to your success as a voiceover artist and in this 3-hour workshop we'll show you how to write your marketing plan, give you tips on how to find the work and show you ways to stand out in the crowd. Be sure to take this workshop before you produce your voice demo! $75.00

ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Preparing For Your First Voice Demo: When you feel you're ready to take the next step towards having your very own voice demo produced this workshop will help you prepare by pinpointing your strengths, highlighting areas to work on and pushing you to be your very best. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! Tightening the Nuts and Bolts in Your Vocal Delivery: It's the subtle nuances in your voice that brings copy to life and makes your delivery unique. In this workshop we'll concentrate on phrasing, emphasis, energy levels, pitch, tempo and volume variances. You'll be impressed on how your vocal performance will dramatically improve when you incorporate these proven techniques into your delivery. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!! Taking Direction II: Becoming a Versatile Voiceover Artist: The in-demand voiceover artists are the ones who are versatile and flexible in their vocal skills. They are the ones who can make minor changes to their delivery to please even the pickiest directors. The ones who can make boring copy sound fascinating. The ones who can read one sentence 5 different ways....and be able to do it RIGHT NOW. The ones who can read a piece of copy to appeal to a 30 year old and then read it totally different to appeal to a 50 year old. This workshop is for those of you who are ready to really challenge yourself and to be pushed out of your comfort zone. If you have at least 5 workshops under your belt.....this one is for you! $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! The Wonderful World of Narrations: We've briefly touched on narrations in other workshops but since there is so much voiceover work in narrations we feel it's important to really dig deeper. In this workshop you'll read 2 and 3 minute narrations, whereas in other workshops we'd read 30 to 40 second narrations. We'll offer a variety of scripts for you to work with from easy-going documentaries to long-form technical narrations. Also, we limit the size of the class to 4 participants to make sure everyone has time to read at least 3 long-form pieces of work. $100.00

ALL SKILL LEVELS:

!!!**NEW**!!! Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab: Our basic philosophy on voiceovers is that you must practice your voiceover skills.....BEHIND A MICROPHONE.......AND WITH ANALYSIS.......to grow your level of skill and to be able to compete for paying jobs. Thus, our NEW Microphone Mileage Voiceover Labs are all about YOU behing the mic recording. You'll get a hefty stack of copy and then you'll record, record, record.....as much as we can fit in 3 hours. Plus, you'll be able to download your recordings off the internet after class to listen to at your convenience.

Microphone Mileage Voiceover Labs will be offered monthly (with NEW copy for you every month): Offered the first Tuesday night of every other month starting in February from 6 to 9 PM and the last Sunday of every other month starting in January from 1 to 4 PM. Limited to 6 participants per workshop. FREE!!  FREE!!  FREE!!  Must call to reserve your seat!  446-2004

Here's the schedule of classes for January and February of 2009. Workshop descriptions are listed below the schedule. We are offering a wide selection of workshops for all skill levels on both weekends and weeknights, to fit your schedule. Now's the time plan ahead and reserve your seats!

January 2009

Tuesday, January 6th: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab. 6 to 9 PM Free! Must reserve your seat by phone at 446-2004.....limited to 6. All skill levels!

Thursday, January 8th: Building Your Home Recording Studio and Beginning Audio Production 6 to 9 PM $75.00 All skill levels!

Saturday, January 17th: Step Up To The Mic* 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

Tuesday, January 13th: Tightening The Nuts and Bolts in Your Delivery 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Advanced level skills

Thursday, January 15th: Discover Your Money Voice 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Intermediate level skills

Saturday, January 24th: Acting in Voiceovers* 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

Sunday, January 25th: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 1 to 4 PM Free! Must reserve your seat by phone at 446-2004. Limited to six participants. All skill levels!

Saturday, January 31st: The Business of Voiceovers 1 to 4 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills

* Please note that the entry level skills workshops are taught in collaboration with Studio 24, specializing in creative talent management . Studio 24 is considered Sacramento's "Gateway to Hollywood". Cody Dorkin, owner of Studio 24 has more than 15 years of acting and voiceover experience in Hollywood and is now sharing his expertise with aspiring Sacramento talent!

February 2009

Tuesday, February 3rd: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 6 to 9 PM Free! Must call to reserve your seat. All skill levels!

Saturday, February 7th: Nailing the Read 1 to 4 PM $75.00 Intermediate level skills

Tuesday, February 10th: Step Up To The Mic* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00. Entry level skills

Tuesday, February 17th: Acting in Voiceovers* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level skills workshops for $250.00. Entry level skills

Sunday, February 22nd: Microphone Mileage Voiceover Lab 1 to 4 PM Free.   All skill levels!

Tuesday, February 24th: The Business of Voiceovers* 6 to 9 PM $95.00 or purchase 3 entry level workshops for $250.00 Entry level skills.

Thursday, February 26th: Taking Direction II 6 to 9 PM $75.00 Advanced level skills

Reservations are required for all workshops and your seat can be reserved with a credit card, check or cash payment. Please call our office at (916) 446-2004 to make reservations. If we're not in, please leave your number and the best time for us to call back.

No refunds will be issued for missed workshops but we will be happy to reschedule you at the next available workshop of your choice.

If you're brand new to the voiceover business we recommend you start with our Introductory Module, which includes 3 workshops for a total of 9 hours of instruction and microphone time for $250.00. Workshops may also be purchased individually at $95.00 each:

INTRODUCTORY SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

1. Step Up To The Mic! Learn everything you need to know about the recording studio and studio etiquette, the various mics you'll use in voiceovers and the importance of proper breath control. You'll also get time behind the mic to try out the microphones and record a couple pieces of copy. And, you'll be able to download what you record during the workshop off the internet to listen to at home.

2. Acting in Voiceovers: Developing your acting skills is imperative to your success as a voiceover artist. Plus, it is a lot of FUN! You'll learn how to "get out of your box" and lose your inhibitions to be able to adapt your delivery to a variety of vocal styles. We'll team you up with other voiceover artists to "voice act" in 4 dialogue commercials. And later you'll be able to download your recordings off the internet to play for your family and friends!

3. The Business of Voicevers: This workshop is designed to give you a look into the real working world of a voiceover professional. What does it take to make it? How do you find the work? How much money can you make? These questions and more will be answered in this 3-hour workshop which also give you time to read copy behind the mic along with professional analysis of your growing skills

INTERMEDIATE SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Discover Your Money Voice: In today's voiceover world there are so many different styles and types of voice work. Narrations. Long Form Technical Narrations. Radio and TV commercials. Radio and TV Image Liners and Promos. Movie Trailers. Audio Books. Video Games. Telephone IVR. The possibilites of voiceover jobs is endless! So, what are your vocal strengths? In this workshop you'll have the opportunity to record a variety of different scripts in order to analyze what your strengths are and to ultimately discover your money voice! $75.00

Develop Your Internal Time Clock: Time is money and that is especially true in voiceovers. Getting the timing correct while still adding personality and energy to your delivery is a skill that must be mastered. We'll bring out the stopwatch for this workshop as you develop your sense of time reading a variety of tags, donuts and commercials. $75.00

Nailing the Read: Taking direction is one of the most important skills a voiceover artist must develop and in this workshop you'll fine tune your voiceover skills by learning how to interpret what the director wants....and most importantly, learn how to deliver it!
$75.00

The IVR and MOH Phone Voice Industry: There are many voiceover artists that specialize just in phone recordings. Why? Because there is a LOT of work available in phone messaging including IVR (Interactive Voice Response), phone prompts, messages on-hold and recorded automated attendant are just a few of the ways in which your voice can be used on the phone. Learn the skills you need, practice recording some phone scripts and get the inside scoop on how to find the work in this lucrative voiceover niche. $75.00

How to Build Your Own Home Recording Studio including Basic Audio Editing: Today voiceover jobs can easily be found on the Internet and because of it it's feasible to develop a worldwide clientele without ever leaving the comfort of your own home! The professional recording studio of today is easy to put together and extremely affordable, too. Our audio engineer extraordinaire, Jim Naylor, will lead this informative workshop and show you how to build a quality home studio on a budget so you can start making money doing voiceovers from home. $75.00

Marketing Your Voiceover Career: It takes more than a great voice and a stellar voice demo to get work in this highly competitive business. Marketing is integral to your success as a voiceover artist and in this 3-hour workshop we'll show you how to write your marketing plan, give you tips on how to find the work and show you ways to stand out in the crowd. Be sure to take this workshop before you produce your voice demo! $75.00

ADVANCED SKILL LEVEL WORKSHOPS:

Preparing For Your First Voice Demo: When you feel you're ready to take the next step towards having your very own voice demo produced this workshop will help you prepare by pinpointing your strengths, highlighting areas to work on and pushing you to be your very best. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! Tightening the Nuts and Bolts in Your Vocal Delivery: It's the subtle nuances in your voice that brings copy to life and makes your delivery unique. In this workshop we'll concentrate on phrasing, emphasis, energy levels, pitch, tempo and volume variances. You'll be impressed on how your vocal performance will dramatically improve when you incorporate these proven techniques into your delivery. $75.00

!!!**NEW**!! Taking Direction II: Becoming a Versatile Voiceover Artist: The in-demand voiceover artists are the ones who are versatile and flexible in their vocal skills. They are the ones who can make minor changes to their delivery to please even the pickiest directors. The ones who can make boring copy sound fascinating. The ones who can read one sentence 5 different ways....and be able to do it RIGHT NOW. The ones who can read a piece of copy to appeal to a 30 year old and then read it totally different to appeal to a 50 year old. This workshop is for those of you who are ready to really challenge yourself and to be pushed out of your comfort zone. If you have at least 5 workshops under your belt.....this one is for you! $75.00

!!!**NEW**!!! The Wonderful World of Narrations: We've briefly touched on narrations in other workshops but since there is so much voiceover work in narrations we feel it's important to really dig deeper. In this workshop you'll read 2 and 3 minute narrations, whereas in other workshops we'd read 30 to 40 second narrations. We'll offer a variety of scripts for you to work with from easy-going documentaries to long-form technical narrations. Also, we limit the size of the class to 4 participants to make sure everyone has time to read at least 3 long-form pieces of work. $100.00

ALL SKILL LEVELS: