– Combine a home computer/Ipad or handheld digital device
– Internet
– Google
– Youtube
– Websites you’re not positive about
Combining these ingredients would seem like a great recipe, but be warned, these ingredients are not always authentic. With the proliferation of Youtube, Google, Facebook, blogs, and the like, it is easier today than ever to find information about voice over. And while that is great, it also opens up another dark side of the industry – how do you know that the information that you are getting is good and credible and from a reliable source? The person on youtube might look like a professional – but how do you really know they have a record of success and are steering you in the right direction? You know what they say about good intentions – even more so the person might have your best interest in mind but their advice might just be plain misinformed.
Remember, advice is like a shoe – they are not one size fits all but in this article I will tell you some great ways to find reliable information and some things that might want to make you think twice before following advice you aren’t sure about!
When it comes to things like equipment purchases, this is where it can get really daunting. Everyone has a different opinion and what works for one person won’t work for another. I have an equipment starter package that I recommend, but believe me there are many options around it. Software programs are each different so I highly recommend you download the trial versions and test them out for yourself. This is where you can do some tutorials on line to help you quickly understand the program. These are pretty safe to learn from. When it comes to the mic however, I can’t tell you how many students have had to re-purchase a microphone, because they trusted the wrong source. When it comes to the mixer, budget and reputation are important here. Is it a reliable company? Look for reviews…ask coaches/experts etc.
When it comes to talent training, you can learn from EVERY SINGLE teaching resource out there and still not be able to apply it to your skillset. It’s so important you use a reputable coach for at least the first while, so that you can know how to apply all that you are learning from other sources. It will help you decipher between what is credible and what isn’t. There are tons of great teaching resources out there that are free, or very affordable, that allow you to work on your own, much like my training site www.VoiceActorTraining.com. Videos, articles, blogs and more that will help you save a considerable amount of money, but again these kinds of tools are just not enough. You need to have your skills challenged by someone who knows what they are doing. You need to be able to record and listen back so you can hear the improvements etc.
Some of the training that I am personally leary of are anyone who promises a demo after so many sessions, or put you into expensive coaching packages that make promises they can’t keep, or coaching programs that don’t allow you to be in control. You are not the expert, but you are paying for a service and have a right to control how it all comes about. Be careful here though as you have to also trust in your coaches to guide you in the right direction, but when it comes to the demo, you should be allowed control to change/adapt it if you’re not happy, to own the material individually as well as the final demo sample as the individual clips will benefit you later on as well.
Also be leery of trusting in other talents experiences. They are great to note, but its never the same for anyone. Also other talent are competition, so their interest isn’t always in seeing you succeed. This isn’t always the case, but something to be aware of. Always research your potential training tools/coaches. Make sure they have a reputation. In fact I strongly encourage you to ask for references and contact them to make sure. Look online for what others say about them, but look for a majority consensus, because some talent are just not happy no matter who they work with.
The bottom line is there is tons of great information out there, but make sure you check the source. Don’t trust in everything you hear. Hire at least one mentor to make sure you’re on the right track.
If you need any help finding the right training tools, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to do some research on me first of course!
Until Next Time
All my best
VO Chef Deb (aka Deb Munro)
www.VoiceActorTraining.com
www.DebsVoice.com
Deb@DebsVoice.com
