Greetings from Voiceovers International!

 

We are happy to announce that we will be offering our Intro to Voiceover Workshop in September: 

 

Voiceover 101 

 

 Saturday, September 18th from 8:30 to 5:30 PM. 

 

Voiceover 101 is designed to give you an in-depth overview of the voiceover business, how to get started in this highly competitive business, tips and techniques on how to deliver a stellar voiceover plus plenty of practice time behind the microphone delivering a variety of voiceover scripts along with professional voiceover direction.

 

The schedule for the day:

 

8:30 AM  Continental breakfast and social time

 

9 AM  Vocal Warm-Up

 

Always warm up your vocal chords and your body before you get behind the mic is rule number one in voiceovers.  We'll show you some fun ways to limber up and show you how to relax your mind, your breathing and your body before you start recording. 

 

9:30 AM  All About Microphones

 

As a voiceover talent your most important piece of equipment (besides your voice) is the microphone.  We'll show you the proper way to use a mic, explain the differences between various mics and let you try out a few different styles of mics to hear the subtle----and not so subtle-----differences between them.

 

11:15- 12 noon Mic Practice

 

We'll pass out a variety of scripts and give you an opportunity to record a commercial along with professional direction.  Learn how to apply techniques that will make your vocal delivery shine!

 

12 noon to 1 PM  Lunch

 

1 PM to 3 PM  Developing Your Acting Skills

 

The ability to act as someone other than yourself is a must-learn skill for anyone aspiring to be successful in voiceovers.  Besides, it's lots of fun.  Learn how to develop believable characters that grab attention in your voiceover work.  We'll work in groups of 2 and 3 and record a variety of scripts.  Get ready to let your hair down, have fun and laugh a lot in this session.

 

3:15 to 5 PM:  Auditioning techniques behind the mic!

 

In this session you'll get to practice the techniques you've learned during the day and record 2 to 3 more commercials behind the mic.  Afterwards, we'll play everything back and hear how much you've grown as a voiceover artist in one day.

 

5 to 5:30 PM:  Question and Answer Time 

 

Voiceover 101 includes all materials, audio download of all recorded material during the workshop,  continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. 

 

Total price of the workshop package is $250.00, until September 1^st.  We recommend reserving your space EARLY as price increases to $300.00 on September 1^st. $100.00 deposit holds your seat with balance of $150.00 due on day of workshop  Enrollment closes on September 10^th and is limited to 15 participants.   We accept checks and cash payments only at this time.  Please call Cammie Winston to reserve your seat at:  916-956-2466.

 

Voiceover 101 Workshop will be held at: KDEE Radio at 2951 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 175, just off 50 in Rancho Cordova.  KDEE is a low power community radio station at 97.7 FM with state-of-the-art recording equipment and a lovely facility.  We thank our great friends at the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation for generously offering their facilities for this workshop.

 

 

Cancellation Policy:  Full refunds will be issued if you call or email your cancellation 10 days in advance to workshop date. 

 

 

About the workshop instructors........

Cammie Winston has been a professional voice artist for 30 years.  She is one of the National telephone voices of Verizon Wireless and the official voice of Sacramento Transit System.  She has voiced thousands of commercials and audio projects that have aired locally, nationally and internationally.  She also spent two decades in the radio industry, including a long stint as midday host on Mix 96 in Sacramento.

Jim Naylor is an award winning audio producer.  He has worked in radio both producing and on air for nearly 20 years.  Jim has produced thousands of radio commercials and imaging pieces, over two thousand for Talk 650 KSTE alone.  Jim is a producer and on-air talent for Newstalk 1530 KFBK.  His business, Naylor Audio Productions, produces messages on hold, radio commercials as well as national and

international audio projects.

 

 

 

Voiceovers International is on Facebook.  Join our group and start building your own voiceover network!

 

We are happy to announce that we will be offering our Intro Voiceover Workshop this fall: 

 

Voiceover 101 

 

 Saturday, September 18th from 8:30 to 5:30 PM. 

 

Voiceover 101 is designed to give you an indepth overview of the voiceover business, tips and techniques on how to deliver a stellar voiceover plus plenty of practice time behind the microphone delivering a variety of voiceover scripts along with professional voiceover direction.

 

The schedule for the day:

 

8:30 AM  Continental breakfast and social time

 

9 AM  Vocal Warm-Up

 

Always warm up your vocal chords and your body before you get behind the mic is rule number one in voiceovers.  We'll show you some fun ways to limber up and show you how to relax your mind, your breathing and your body before you start recording. 

 

9:30 AM  All About Microphones

 

As a voiceover talent your most important piece of equipment (besides your voice) is the microphone.  We'll show you the proper way to use a mic, explain the differences between various mics and let you try out a few different styles of mics to hear the subtle----and not so subtle-----differences between them.

 

11:15- 12 noon Mic Practice

 

We'll pass out copy and give you an opportunity to record a commercial along with professional direction.  You'll learn how to apply a couple techniques that will make your vocal delivery shine!

 

12 noon to 1 PM  Lunch (included)

 

1 PM to 3 PM Developing Your Acting Skills

 

The ability to act is a must-learn skill for anyone aspiring to be successful in voiceovers.  Besides, it's lots of fun.  Learn how to develop believeable characters that grab attention in your voiceover work.  We'll work in groups of 2 and 3 and record a variety of scripts.  Get ready to have fun and laugh a lot in this session.

 

3:15 to 5 PM:  More Microphone Practice!

 

In this session you'll get to practice the techinques you've learned and record 2 to 3 more commercials behind the mic.  Afterwards, we'll play everything back and hear how much you've grown as a voiceover artist in one day.

 

5 to 5:30 PM:  Question and Answer Time

 

Voiceover 101 includes all materials, audio download of all recorded material during the workshop,  continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks.  Price of the total workshop package is $250.00 until September 1st.  Price after September 1st goes up to $300.00.  We recommend reserving your space EARLY.  Enrollment closes on September 10th and is limited to 15 participants.  Your seat is reserved with your full payment of $250.00.  We accept checks and cash payments only at this time.  In the event that the workshop must be canceled your full payment will be returned promptly.   The workshop will be held in the Sacramento metropolitan area and final location will be determined within the next couple weeks.  Obviously, we'll let you know where it's going to be held.    To reserve your seat or if you have questions, please call Cammie at (916) 956-2466.

 

 

 

 

About the workshop instructors........

Cammie Winston has been a professional voice artist for 30 years.  She is one of the National telephone voice of Verizon Wireless and the official voice of Sacramento Transit System.  She has voiced thousands of commercials and audio projects that have aired locally, nationally and internationally.  She also spent two decades in the radio industry, including a long stint as midday host on Mix 96 in Sacramento.

Jim Naylor is an award winning audio producer.  He has worked in radio both producing and on air for nearly 20 years.  Jim has produced thousands of radio commercials and imaging pieces, over two thousand for Talk 650 KSTE alone.  Jim is a producer and on-air talent for Newstalk 1530 KFBK.  His business, Naylor Audio Productions, produces messages on hold, radio commercials as well as national and

international audio projects.

 

 

 

Voiceovers International is on Facebook.  Join us!

 

 Voiceovers International is moving!  Last week we learned that the Sacramento Art Complex (where we are located) is embarking on a major renovation, to start within the next six weeks.  Which means lots of noise, dust and a ton of mess.  Which doesn't work for an audio-based business like ours.  

So we must find a new office space.  Which, we've learned, is going to take some time in finding the right place.

In the meantime, we are putting our voiceover workshops on hiatus until this fall.  However, we will still be offering our voiceover demo packages and individual voiceover coaching sessions from our own home studios.

 There are several of you that have been working diligently on developing your voiceover skills and are getting close to starting your voiceover careers.  We are still here for you!  Business will still run as usual and we'll only be a phone call away.  

 Jim and I have enjoyed working with you and thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your journey into voiceovers.  

 ******************************************************************

At Voiceovers International our philosophy is to teach and equip you with the skills needed to compete and win paying voiceover jobs.  Jim and Cammie work full-time in the voiceover and audio production industry and know firsthand what it takes to get the job!

About the workshop instructors......

 

Cammie Winston has been a professional voiceover artist for 30 years.  She is one of the national telephone voices for Verizon Wireless and the official voice of the Sacramento Public Transit System.  She has voiced thousands of commercials and audio projects that have aired locally, nationally and internationally.  She also spent two decades in the radio industry, including a long stint as midday air talent on Mix 96 in Sacramento.

Jim Naylor is an award winning audio producer.  He has worked in radio both producing and on air for nearly 20 years.  Jim has produced thousands of radio commercials and imaging pieces, over two thousand for Talk 650 KSTE alone.  Jim is a producer and on-air talent for NewsTalk 1530 KFBK.  His business, Naylor Audio Productions, produces messages on-hold, radio commercials as well as national and international audio projects.

Join Voiceovers International on FACEBOOK.  We'd love to have you be part of our growing community of voiceover artists!

 

 

 

 

 

What do you do at Voiceovers International?

Audio!  And for almost any application.

Can you give me an example of your work?

Sure.  Jim is an audio producer/engineer and specializes in Messages on Hold for phone systems.  He also produces image liners for a Sacramento radio station plus he produces custom sound effects and speciality audio, too. 

My area of expertise is voiceovers and I voice commercials for radio, TV, telephone systems, websites, instructional training films,  public transportation systems, kiosks and much more, for clients around the world.   

Jim and I also teach voiceover workshops in our midtown Sacramento studio.

I've been told that I have a great voice.  How do I get started in the voiceover business?

  Surprisingly, in today's voiceover world it's not so much about having a "good voice" as much as having a trained and skilled voice.   I'd recommend taking a couple  voiceover workshops to learn as much as possible about the business....and to see if this is really something you want to do.

 Besides taking a couple voiceover workshops is there anything else I need to get started?

Yes, you will need a professional voiceover demo that showcases your vocal abilities.  It's the standard in the voiceover business and is difficult to secure paying jobs without one.

Do I need to join the union or get an agent to get jobs?

No, you don't need an agent to get voiceover jobs.   Down the road, as your level of skill increases, you may want to get an agent but in my own experience I've been able to build a nice voiceover business all on my own.  

Is it difficult breaking into the voiceover business?

No and yes.  It depends on YOU.  If you love being behind the mic and have a passion for the business and are willing to work hard......voiceovers can be the best thing you ever did!

On the other hand, if you are easily discouraged, if  practicing behind the mic feels like a chore and you get frustrated, then maybe this isn't the business for you. 

So, only you can answer that question.  And most times, you won't know the answer until you've taken a couple classes.

How do I know what classes to take?

We have 3 levels of classes:  introductory, intermediate and advanced.  Start at the beginning and work your way through the curriculum. The classes are fun, educational and are based on our real-life working experiences in voiceovers.  Our mission is to prepare you to compete with those that have been working in voiceovers for many years.  We're serious about our training program and make sure you get more than your money's worth.

How much do the classes cost?

A 3-hour class is only $75.00 and includes all materials, practice copy and downloads of the audio recorded during class.  Individual vocal coaching is also available at $100.00 per hour.

Where do I go when I'm ready to have my voice demo produced?

We offer professional voice demo packages, including custom copy with full production, including music, sound effects and sweetening.  You will sound like a star!

I've got more questions!

Give us a call at 916 446-2004 or email me at:  cammie@cammiewinston.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world of voiceovers is one of curiosity for many. Think about it. We hear voiceovers everywhere from radio commercials to movie trailers to telephone phone prompts but there is little info out there about the actual business.

Which means we get lots of calls from people asking lots of questions.

"What's it like to work in voiceovers?" How do I get started in the business?" "How much money can I make?"

Today I will tackle the question: What's it like to work in voicovers with "The Six Truths About Voiceovers". There are literally dozens more but I narrowed it down to these top six. The rest will be discussed in my voiceover book, to be published in 2010.

 

The Six Truths About Voiceovers:

1. The voiceover you record "in your head" always sounds better than the one you actually recorded.

2. The bigger the voiceover project and the bigger the paycheck, the better your chances are that you'll come down with a horrific head cold on the day you're to record.

3. There is no crying in voiceovers, however some directors (not naming names!) will give you plenty of reasons to shed some.

4. When a client requests a voiceover ASAP what they are really saying is they need it RFN.

5. The Federal Government is not offering bailout money to the voiceover industry

6. Voiceover artists don't need a BAILOUT because the voiceover business is going and growing strong in 2009!

Interested in learning more? Sign up for our Introductory classes held monthly at our midtown Sacramento studio. With more than 30 years of fulltime experience in the voiceover industry, we are able to teach you the practical, real-life voiceover skills needed to to be successful in the voiceover business.

 

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. In most cases, a quality-sounding studio can be put together for less than $300.00. Really!

This is a "must-take" workshop for anyone serious about building a career in voiceovers! Our next session of building your Home Recording Studio will be will be scheduled in May. This is also a great opportunity to "try it before you buy it"including a variety of microphones, mixing boards, etc.

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

 

Lately we've been getting calls at the office from aspiring voiceover artists asking us:

 

"Am I ready to get my voice demo produced?"

 

And though we know many of you very well and have been working with you in workshops and individual coaching for a while now, we cannot tell you when you are ready to take the big step of getting your first professional voice demo produced. Sorry.

What we do know is that you do need to feel ready. The confidence in yourself must be there. You'll know when you are ready. And you won't need someone to tell you.

Keep in mind that you must be ready to compete with other voiceover artists who have been doing this type of work for a long time. But, don't let that discourage you....fresh new, skilled talent is always in demand.

With that in mind, our new advanced skills workshop, "Tightening the Nuts and Bolts in Your Delivery I and II" prepares you to compete in the real working world of voiceovers and is an excellent way to fine tune your voiceover skills in:

energy

phrasing

pitch

dynamics

articulation

breath control

storytelling skills opposed to reading

your ability to understand and relate to various target audiences

developing your discernable ear and

your developing your critical technical ear!

Yes, a LOT goes into a GOOD VOICEOVER and the pros make it look EASY!

Our job is to teach you how to go from being someone with a good voice that can read well to being a great storyteller...no matter what the script may be. When you can do that you will be a voiceover artist.

 Nuts and Bolts I & II will be offered in the last half of April in April.

2009 is the year to go from being a good voiceover talent to a great voiceover artist!

Call our office at 916 446-2004 to reserve your seat today. $75.00, includes all materials. Bring a pencil with an ERASER! A couple seats are still available!

All workshops are held in the beautiful Sacramento Art Complex, of course!

2110 K Street, Suite 17 in Midtown.

 

 

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.

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 Part I : You'll learn the 12 Steps to Voiceover Success in this skills-intensive workshop. 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**!! Tightening the Nuts and Bolts in Your Vocal Delivery 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

!!!**NEW**!!! Advanced Acting in Voiceovers: By popular demand, this advanced acting workshop focuses on in-depth character development to create believable voice acting scenarios. A great opportunity to work with other voice actors and grow your level of skill.

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. Bring your own copy or download copy from our website 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 available every month): . Limited to 8 participants. FREE for all who have taken the Introductory Module of workshops!