Vox Daily

Investigate the World of Voiceover LIVE with David Goldberg of Edge Studio

2013-05-09T14:31:05Z

Have you been thinking about a career in voice-over? Perhaps you've started down the road but feel a lack of direction?

Voice-over coach David Goldberg of Edge Studio will be hitting the road this summer to help your discover if voice-over is right for you!

Goldberg will offer up some practical ways to determine how marketable your voice is and provide educated advice on how to increase the momentum of your career.

Voices.com is proudly sponsoring David Goldberg as he tours the four corners of the US offering his expertise to students making the leap into the world of voice-overs.

Becoming a voice-over artist can be a process of trial and error but with guidance right out of the gate this process can be much smoother. The key, David says, is to "determine not just if you fit, but also where you fit."

Topics of Discussion

Gaining a general comprehension of the industry
Learning about the opportunities the industry presents
Gaining a sense of direction and an understanding of VO as a business
Hearing common mistakes that keep many aspiring voice actors from reaching their full potential
Becoming able to make an informed decision as to how much effort you'd need to put into training & marketing... and how much money you could make as a voice over talent
How a demo fits into your overall plan

"When I teach this class, I draw from my own experience," says David. "After working with thousands of clients, agents, agencies, and directors during the casting process, I've seen many, MANY common denominators, and I like to share them in this class!"

Each stop includes a Friday night (6pm-9pm) class for beginners, and a full-day Saturday class (9am-5pm) for budding voice actors.

Mark Your Calendars

Washington, DC: May 10-11
Atlanta, GA: June 7-8
Orlando, FL: June 28-29
Chicago, IL: July 12-13

More details about the event, locations and dates are available at: www.rsvpbook.com/event

Voices.com is pleased to offer special pricing on the Premium Annual membership to those who have attended one of the events. Just give our toll-free number a call and mention the "DG Live Tour" to receive $50 Off the regular annual membership fee.

Will you be going? Let us know. Comment below.

Best wishes,

Lin

Caveat Emptor
Voices.com offer is for new members, one-time only, not valid with any other offers.

3 Skills Every Voice Actor Working Today Needs To Have

2013-05-02T18:38:01Z

Do you ever wonder if your audition will really appeal to a client?

Choices you make, whether technical or artistic, can make or break your auditions.

The role of Voice Actor has evolved and requires you to use your gift as an artist, audio engineer and businessperson in order to succeed in today's marketplace...and as many voice artists are finding out, there are more hats to wear than you might think including agent and director!

In today's VOX Daily, I'll be sharing a little bit from my VoiceWorld Toronto presentation that speaks to three critical skills every voice actor working from home needs to have to confidently submit their best audition.

Are You Equipped To Audition From Home?

Working from home, although awesome, can be isolating. Each and every audition brings with it the opportunity to give it your all, but do you ever wonder if what you're giving is really everything you've got?

There are 3 skills that all voice actors, particularly those working from home, need to have in order to confidently audition and increase your booking to audition ratio.

Those 3 skills are:

Thinking like an agent
Approaching a script like a detective
Being able to direct yourself

Thinking Like an Agent

One concept that is becoming more and more important for voice actors is to think like an agent. That means being more selective with opportunities and only auditioning for what you think best suits your voice or abilities. This also goes for meeting technical requirements or scheduling needs. Being more selective saves you time, produces good first impressions with clients and also better positions you to be awarded jobs. Talent who adopt an agent mindset usually see an increase in their audition to booking ratio. Voices.com has developed a means for you to quickly see how close of a technical match you are for a given job. The feature I am referring to is called VoiceMatch. The higher someone's VoiceMatch score, the better their odds of booking the job or being considered as a strong contender.

Approaching a Script Like a Detective

Something else you can do is approach each script you read as a detective would. When artistic direction is lacking, this is a particularly awesome skill to possess. You glean details about the role that you may not find otherwise by using critical thinking and connecting the dots. When reading through a script or developing a character, draw upon all of the information presented to you. Depending on how much you have to work with, you could do some research to further inform your read or infer details from clues in the script.

Being Able To Direct Yourself

Lastly, self-direction is an absolute must. You'll need to know how to apply all of your detective findings! There are many different techniques and strategies for self-direction. Some talent use visual aids such as photographs to inspire their read or have another set of ears listen to their first crack at a voice to see if they are on the right track. Sometimes a producer will want to direct you via Skype. This is also a great way to work with a client if you are unsure of what they want.

Your Thoughts?

I'd love to hear your thoughts about thinking like an agent, investigating the script and directing yourself. Be sure to comment to join the conversation!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/Stuart Howarth

3 Ways To Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

2013-04-26T12:52:00Z

What do you do when your mind needs respite?

All of us can get into a funk.

Oftentimes, it's through artistic expression that we rejuvenate and break through the mental logjams of life to let loose an overflow of awesomeness into our creative process.

Need some inspiration?

You're not the only one!

Break free from synaptic stagnation with 3 great tips in today's VOX Daily.

Ditching the Doldrums

Every now and then we hit a brick wall, get writer's block or need to recharge our batteries. All artists, regardless of medium, need a muse.

Three ways to spark inspiration when you need it most include:

Feasting on Phrases
Walking in Beauty
Reading Aloud

Feasting on Phrases

As someone who works with the written and spoken word, I find that reading passages replete with scrumptious, delectable words satisfies my intellectual hunger for beauty and leaves me with a greater appreciation and appetite for language in general. Reading a string of strategically placed words describing an idyllic setting is one way I engage my mind and start those synapses firing.

If you're a wordy sort, you'll probably enjoy flowery or witty prose, alliteration, rhymes and tongue twisters as part of your linguistic gymnastics routine to stimulate your mind and awaken your senses.

Walking in Beauty

When is the last time you went outside and really looked at the natural beauty around you? Even if you're encircled by skyscrapers, you can still hear birdsong, see flowers in bloom and marvel at the immensity and utter perfection of creation. Should there be a park nearby, go for a stroll. Allow yourself to take notice of nature's simplicity and admire its complexity.

Wander about and stand in wonder of what you see. Connecting with nature feeds your soul and offers fresh inspiration from your surroundings, whether they be animal, vegetable or mineral.

Reading Aloud

Reading aloud has the pleasant side effect of keeping you awake while also challenging you to improvise and perform. When you think of how you could interpret a script and consider the various ways the text may be expressed using your voice, you can't help but be invigorated. As a result, you'll be looking for new ways to do things, become a voracious reader of copy and an exquisite artisan of voices.

Poetry, screenplays, and books serve as excellent sources of copy to read with feeling. If you sing, singing can also help you to brighten your day, increase your oxygen supply and open the floodgates of creativity.

How Do You Get Inspired?

There's something to be said for momentum. If you have any tips you'd like to share, I invite you to join the conversation and add a comment to this post.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/ZambeziShark

VoiceWorld Toronto Thrilled To Announce OIART as Gold Sponsor

2013-04-25T18:20:20Z

The science of sound and the art of voice acting will soon collide at VoiceWorld Toronto.

We're happy to announce that the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART) is our VoiceWorld Toronto Gold Sponsor!

Robert Breen, Career Development and Industry Relations at OIART, has written a special note to share why the school is coming alongside Voices.com and the VoiceWorld Toronto Conference.

OIART's involvement is music to our ears!

Will you be coming?

All students of sound with ears to hear, get yourselves to Toronto!

A World of Opportunities

A Note from Robert Breen, Career Development and Industry Relations:

The theme of VoiceWorld is "A World of Opportunities," which certainly resonates with us at OIART.

While many dream of a career in the field of the creative arts, far fewer are aware that increasingly there are more and more legitimately lucrative and personally rewarding jobs in the creative industries. Talent is everywhere, but how does one turn that talent into a career?

At OIART, we have discovered the process is often quite different from anything you may have encountered before, but it starts to make a lot more sense once the business is demystified for you.

OIART is a proud sponsor of VoiceWorld, not only because we know that solid advice from the right sources can change lives, but also because we are so proud of the accomplishments of our graduates - including VoiceWorld speakers David Ciccarelli of Voices.com and award winning Producer Wayne Young - who are living proof that this is true!

Join Us at VoiceWorld

The Voices.com team can't wait to see our friends from OIART. David and I speak at OIART each academic year and can confirm that the calibre of talent coming out of that school is out of this world. That being said, the opportunities in voice over, audio production and sound design are beyond the scope of imagination.

Won't you join us?

We hope that you can join us at VoiceWorld Toronto on Saturday May 4th. This is not only a wonderful opportunity to learn but also to network and pick the brains of some of the industry's most insightful and creative minds.

Hope to see you soon,
Stephanie

VoiceWorld Toronto Pleased To Announce Platinum Sponsor Edge Studio

2013-04-24T17:38:39Z

Have you heard about the voice-over conference taking place in Toronto, Canada?

Voices.com is pleased to present VoiceWorld Toronto, the Canadian voice acting conference you won't want to miss. We're really looking forward to seeing everyone as is our friend and the conference's Platinum Sponsor, David Goldberg of Edge Studio.

Discover more about this unique event and learn more about how you can get involved in today's VOX Daily.

VoiceWorld Toronto is Coming!

VoiceWorld Toronto is the voice-over industry's premier conference being held in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday May 4th at the Toronto Hilton Hotel. Prepare to be educated, equipped and empowered at VoiceWorld Toronto!

VoiceWorld Toronto Platinum Sponsor, Edge Studio

We're pleased to announce that Edge Studio has partnered with us as VoiceWorld Toronto's Platinum Sponsor!

David Goldberg, Owner of Edge Studio, will be giving a talk at breakfast on Saturday May 4th, 2013. David will be presenting a unique framework for succeeding as a voice actor. Some of the benefits include making your work as a voice actor more enjoyable and speeding up the growth of your voice over business.

Goldberg relates, "Edge Studio and Voices.com have the same goal: To provide opportunity to voice actors. And we do it from different sides of the business. So it's logical to stand side-by-side at VoiceWorld and present those possibilities."

Auditioning Webinar

For those who can make it, David Goldberg will be featured on a Voices.com webinar, "Quick, Record a Unique Audition... To Give Your Client Choices" on Wednesday April 24th at 3 p.m. EST.

In this webinar, David Goldberg will teach you how to incorporate distinct characteristics into an interesting read, so more clients will take interest in you.

For those who are unable to attend the live recording (there are only 100 spots available!), there will be a recording of the webinar uploaded to the Voices.com YouTube channel.

Be sure to subscribe to our channel now so that you can watch the webinar later.

Hope To See You There!

With less than two weeks until VoiceWorld Toronto, we're excited to say the least. If you've been sitting on the fence about whether or not to come, know that there is an attractive promotion going on. From now until April 30th, you will receive a free month of service with Voices.com and $50 off your VoiceWorld Toronto ticket. You can sign up over the phone by calling us toll-free at 1-888-359-3472 or by emailing ashley@voices.com.

Conference details:

Date: Saturday May 4th, 2013
Location: Toronto Hilton Hotel, 145 Richmond Street West Toronto, ON
Time: 7:30 am - 5:00pm
Website: http://www.voiceworldtoronto.com/

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Got a Short Attention Span?

2013-04-19T15:24:20Z

Most of us can relate to being distracted.

There's so much competing for our attention these days, especially if we are connected to social media.

I wouldn't be surprised if you are distracted right now and are fighting the urge to check email, put the coffee on (again) or make a status update.

Short attention spans, it would seem, have become commonplace.

Is there an antidote?

Find out in today's VOX Daily.

Got a Minute?

Sound bites, video clips and teensy weensy tweets seem to dominate the day, feeding into the notion that we as a people have short attention spans and therefore need to be catered to as such.

Living like this is overwhelming and takes away from the things that truly matter.

I'm going to go out on a limb here. What if there really isn't such a thing as a short attention span?

Consider This

Regardless of age, I believe this speaks to us all:

"I no longer believe that a child has a short attention span. A child only has a short attention span when they're being forced to be engaged in something that doesn't have value to them." -Scottie May

When you ponder the statement above, you can see how this rings true.

Children, as well as grown adults, have the enormous capacity to focus when doing something they value and enjoy. When we perceive something to be relevant to our daily lives, it becomes valuable to us.

The Challenge

I believe we can reclaim our ability to focus for longer periods of time, even if some of our more prominent activities yield little enjoyment and delayed gratification.

One way to do this is through the objective prioritization of activities.

Try placing must do, urgent items at the top of your To Do list and then add less vital activities nearer the bottom. Doing so will help you strategically allocate your time and make it possible for you to prevail in your most important tasks. If you can find ways to make those important activities fun and highlight their relevancy, all the better!

In time, activities of lesser import will become less of a priority.

If those lesser priorities happen to be enjoyable, use them as a motivation to complete more important tasks and then reward yourself with fun, but lower priority activities like going on Facebook.

When we truly prioritize, we give the proper attention to the proper things at the proper time. No more multitasking! Insignificant things should not jeopardize what really matters.

How Do You Prioritize?

Do you want to accomplish more in your day?

If you have any tips you'd like to share on how you put first things first, I'd love to hear them.

Comment now with your thoughts!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/Svetlana Braun

How An Actor's Essence Shines Through Their Creation

2013-04-15T19:12:20Z

In previous posts we've discussed being true to yourself and being selective with the auditions you pursue and the work you take on.

Choosing your work wisely will serve you well and make your heart sing.

When you read a script, you're not just creating a character based upon the material presented.

In a subtle (or not so subtle) way, bits and pieces of you are blended into the piece you are voicing.

This can serve an actor's purpose for better or for worse depending on what you are reading!

Find out why in today's VOX Daily.

Between The Lines

You're sitting down to read a piece of copy. Before you start scrolling through the text, you pop your thinking cap on to consider the information presented, what tone of voice you'll use, where you will breathe, and how you might start shaping the character you'll become in the moment.

Just when you think you've got it all under control, as all actors most assuredly do, the unspoken words of a script, hiding in the white spaces, seep through an actor's delivery along with their artistic license to breathe out more than just the copy.

Even when you think you've become someone else, your essence will shine through in some way.

The Creator and the Creation

Earlier today, I happened to be listening to Tempo on CBC Radio 2. The show is hosted by Julie Nesrallah, a gifted opera singer who daily expresses her love for classical music across Canada and beyond. Today was Molto Monday featuring an entire show devoted to music composed for the cello.

A discussion of Haydn and Beethoven issued forth, highlighting how very different the teacher was from his pupil and how each of their temperaments shone through in the music they created. Beethoven, being stormy, passionate and tempestuously unpredictable contrasted greatly with the more gentle, civilized Haydn who was accustomed to composing cheery, lighthearted pieces heard regularly in the courts of European princes.

Julie said something that really struck a chord with me that frankly applies to all of us. She said, "The one thing you cannot separate is you from what you create."

Each composer, though gifted and most certainly capable of composing any number of things, could not help but infuse part of themselves into each stanza they inked. Beethoven's music is a great deal different from his teacher Haydn's with the common bond being a great investment of soul.

What Do You Think?

Can you see some of yourself in each role that you play?

Looking forward to your response!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/merrymoonmary

Common Storylines in Animated Films

2013-04-12T17:23:45Z

Have you noticed a trend in today's most popular animated films?

Other than using Hollywood celebrities to voice animated characters and even drawing them in their likenesses, the themes and narratives presented in each film, despite big budgets, are largely the same.

When analyzing some of the most successful animated films, clear similarities are apparent in terms of basic storyline and plot.

Do you know what Hollywood's blockbuster animated feature films have in common?

Hear more in today's VOX Daily.

Ties That Bind

When listening to the most recent episode of my favorite podcast, the hosts revisited the topic of how there are only so many stories filmmakers can tell that bind us together as people or a nation.

They discussed how there have never been fewer ways to connect people using a shared medium, experience or ideal. Much of this has to do with life-altering technological advancements and the reality that not everyone adheres to the same set of values, perceptions or belief system.

Gone is the era of an entire country sitting around the television set to watch the same national nightly news broadcast. What we're seeing now is the proliferation of content and fragmentation of how it is presented. People get information in a variety of ways from a diverse range of sources, presenting hurdles for content producers who launch new endeavors with the desire to reach the broadest possible audience.

The Challenge

This is the challenge that writers and producers face today: How to craft a story that resonates with everyone.

Some Remaining Shared Experiences

One shared experience that unites people is going to the movies. Another is growing up, discovering one's identity and navigating what it means to be an individual separate from one's parents yet still be part of the family.

Most of these plots include overprotective parents, a child that wants to break free, the child seeking their own path and finally a parent-child reunion wherein the two have a stronger, yet different bond and genuine appreciation for each other.

Popular Plot Pattern

The plot pattern, thematically, looks a little something like this:

Struggle
Conflict
Exploration
Discovery
Realization
Redemption

Three Animated Films That Fit This Bill

The Croods
Finding Nemo
The Little Mermaid

True to Stephen Sondheim's Broadway tune, "Comedy Tonight," we've got old situations with new complications.

Unifying, uplifting narratives with spectacular animation keep audiences returning to the box office to enjoy the latest retelling of a story we've seen time and time again. Old situations, new complications. It's a win-win.

What Do You Think?

If one or two (or more!) examples of animated films that follow this pattern popped into your mind while reading, I'd love to hear what they were! Alternatively, if you can think of films that buck this trend, you're encouraged to join the conversation, too.

Either way, be sure to comment and let me know!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/Stephanie Phillips

Pronunciation Guides for Audiobook Narrators

2013-04-11T00:15:53Z

What do you do when you don't know how to pronounce the name of a person, place or thing?

Voice actors routinely run into words that they may not be familiar with.

This is why it is important for you to have immediate access to tools that are designed to help with pronunciation.

Do you need to speak with confidence on topics outside of your expertise?

This article has links to a few resources you may find helpful in your quest.

Audiobook Narration: People, Places and Things

Audio Eloquence provides pronunciation, dialect, and speech resources for audiobook narrators. The Audio Eloquence site is maintained by Judith West and Heather Henderson for their colleagues in audiobook production.

Audio Eloquence has a cool reference key to let you know if there are audio samples (including some video) available and phonetic rendering. Something that was really neat about this site is that it touches on a variety of industries and disciplines, providing links to outside resources that teach you how to pronounce words in their particular areas of expertise.

The site, updated on April 3, 2013, now has 30+ new pronunciation sites, annotations, and a new section, "Dialects and Accents," with sites that may help narrators with character and dialect work.

Medical Terminology

If you're ever in a spot where you don't know how to say something in a medical narration project, the pronunciations section of The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook for patients and caregivers is a great resource. Similarly, you can use this site to learn how to say words found in the medical lexicon.

You can find a pronunciation for nearly every medical term from A to Z. There are also anatomical drawings in a separate section of the site to help you understand what you are talking about. The website itself is a great place to explore when preparing to voice a medical narration.

Merck is committed to bringing out the best in medicine. As part of that effort, Merck provides all of The Merck Manuals as a service to the community.

Enter Keywords To Hear Pronunciations

HowJSay.com is a free online Talking Dictionary of English Pronunciation. You can type in the word you want to hear pronounced and a voice will read that word aloud for you. I had success typing in names as well as words.

Many voice actors use this resource because you can quickly type in the word you are seeking without having to go through a list or searching through categories.

A Resource For English Dialects

Not sure how to pronounce something in a dialect different from your own? You'll want to explore the International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA for short), a site that features audio samples of dialects for theatre and film artists.

IDEA's founder, director, and principal contributor is Professor Paul Meier. He established the archive in 1997 to enable actors to hear real-life models for their characters' accents and dialects. But IDEA has since proved invaluable in many other research fields too. For example, it has become a principal tool of international business, enabling customer-service personnel to become familiar with the many accents and dialects of English spoken by their customers.

Recently, IDEA went through a number of renovations. The new site is now fully searchable, not just by country, state, and province, but also by characteristics of each speaker, such as ethnicity, age, and occupation. Even single phrases from transcriptions and phonetics can be searched online. The text and audio files for each sample have been standardized and combined on a single page, allowing users to easily listen to the streaming audio while they read the accompanying transcription and commentary.

Where Do You Source Pronunciations?

If you use a site that isn't listed here to help you pronounce uncommon words, names of people and or places, please add the site's name and URL in the comments.

Looking forward to your reply!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

©iStockphoto.com/Ivan Solis

Do You TOOBALOO? A Tool Designed For Reading and Speech.

2013-04-07T17:41:20Z

Can listening to yourself read make a difference in how you deliver copy?

The TOOBALOO, a tool designed to help children and adults listen more clearly to their reading rate, phrasing and expression, could also be an inexpensive way for voice actors to get instant auditory feedback when reading copy.

Using a TOOBALOO will give you the inside track on your vocal sound, duration, pitch and stress.

Do you TOOBALOO?

Learn more about TOOBALOO and how it works in today's VOX Daily.

An Amp From Your Voice To Your Ear

When I was at an educational toy store earlier today to pick up a couple gifts, I came across the most marvelous, unassuming tool called the TOOBALOO. For less than what it costs to have a modest lunch, I scooped up this gem that for some people, serves as a priceless part of their life.

The TOOBALOO is a phone-like device that allows people to hear themselves clearly while speaking softly into it. The design of the TOOBALOO magnifies their voice allowing them to hear their sounds and words distinctly.

Who uses the TOOBALOO?

3 years old to adults
Classroom teachers
Reading teachers
Speech Pathologists
Special Education teachers
Music teachers
Foreign Language teachers
Parents

Speech

Many of the people who use these tools are children, however, a large number of adults also use the TOOBALOO for auditory feedback concerning their speech. See how the TOOBALOO can be used by speech pathologists below:

Used by speech pathologists to help clients with fluency disorders, monitor and regulate their speech
Provide auditory feedback to help the clients detect their errors (articulation, phonological)
Help to regulate vocal intensity and self monitor their fluency
Motivates students to use correct productions and good vocal qualities
Lightweight and portable, which can be sent home for practice to promote carryover

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3!

I gave the TOOBALOO a test drive with some small children and they enjoyed hearing their voices through the device. The quieter they spoke, the clearer their voices were coming through the TOOBALOO. I found that the TOOBALOO is a wonderful way to really hear what you are reading (diction, phrasing, where to breathe, cadences, and so on) without focusing on the color or tone of your voice. This is a great technical tool for actors who need to rehearse a script quietly or people who want to improve their fluency in a discreet manner while reading aloud.

How Do You Get Auditory Feedback?

Looking forward to hearing about how you listen to your voice! Be sure to comment on the blog to join the conversation.

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Photo via Learning-Loft.com, home of the original TOOBALOO

Voices.com Talent Narrates Vatican II: Inside the Council

2013-03-28T16:26:38Z

Do you follow the news?

With the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI and the recent papal election of Pope Francis I, all things Catholic are being discussed as the world has once more turned its eyes toward Rome.

In light of these happenings, news reached me that voice talent Debbie Irwin narrated a televised documentary on the Second Vatican Council, known as Vatican II, prior to the news that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI would resign from his post.

Journey back in time to the pontificate of John XXIII and learn more about the historic and pivotal event that was Vatican II in today's VOX Daily.

Vatican ll: Inside the Council

Have you ever recorded a documentary?

Debbie Irwin recently had the pleasure of narrating a 10 episode series on the Second Vatican Council which began earlier this year called, Vatican II: Inside the Council. The episodes are shown on Cable around New York, can be streamed online at the NET Channel and are also available on YouTube. The job was booked and completed at Voices.com.

Vatican II: Inside the Council is a new series focusing on the history of Vatican II, which seeks to educate, enlighten and entertain viewers with a joyful, inspiring, and faithful perspective of the Catholic Church. By examining the events leading up to this milestone, the Council itself, and how it has shaped the faith of people today, this fast-paced program includes commentary from experts around the world. The show focuses on the changes that Vatican II brought about, while clarifying its teachings and shedding light on the intentions of the council fathers. With unique, compelling insight and images of beautiful Rome - Inside the Council will transport its audience into the living history of the Church.

Debbie Irwin shared that she has been getting great feedback from lots of people including her client, colleagues, friends, and so on. Take a listen now and hear for yourself if you like. The first episode is an overview of Vatican II and how it came to pass.

Vatican II: Inside the Council on YouTube

Episode 1: History and Genesis of Vatican II
Episode 2: Opening of Vatican II & Liturgy/Sacrosanctum Concilium
Episode 3: Lumen Gentium & The Church
Episode 4: Dei Verbum
Episode 5: Universal Call To Holiness / Gaudium Et Spes

How To Watch

Watch all of the episodes on YouTube
Live streams on the NET Channel
Watch on NET, Cablevision Channel 30, Time Warner Channel 97 in NYC

Have You Seen This Series?

If you've been able to take the programming in, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Is Your Voice-Over Diet Balanced?

2013-03-25T18:55:04Z

Are you getting all that you can out of the resources available to you both online and offline?

Voice artist, Tom Dheere, took some time to share his story of entering the industry after finishing college and how the business has changed in recent years.

Tom also details his thoughts on how Voices.com can become part of your plan, rounding out a balanced breakfast for voice actors working in the industry today.

Although you're an artist in the booth, remember that you're a business before you walk into the booth.

Hear more about what Tom has to say in today's VOX Daily!

Voices.com Is Part Of A Balanced Breakfast

How does Voices.com fit into your day? Many talent consider the online marketplace to be part of a balanced breakfast. Tom Dheere agrees. We hope you find this interview both insightful and entertaining!

About Tom Dheere

Tom Dheere (the "H" is silent) is a sixteen-year veteran of the voiceover industry. He has voiced just about every kind of project you can think of from audio books by bestselling authors to big ticket videogames and everything in between. Tom has narrated over 1000 projects, specializing in Explainer Videos. When he isn't voicing, Tom writes and produces animated short films and comic books.

What Makes Up Your Marketing Mix?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Pat Fraley's Keynote at VoiceWorld Toronto

2013-03-22T22:50:46Z

Are you planning on going to VoiceWorld Toronto?

In today's VOX Daily, you'll be treated to a short six-minute lesson from performer, voice acting teacher and VoiceWorld Toronto keynote speaker, Pat Fraley.

This lesson is a taste of Pat's keynote at VoiceWorld on May 4th, 2013 at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto.

Grab a pen and paper and prepare to click play for an audio adventure that's more than worth the investment of your time.

Will You Be Coming to VoiceWorld? Check This Out!

In his VoiceWorld Toronto Keynote Presentation, Patrick Fraley will lecture, demonstrate and drag volunteers up on the stage to address voice over skills techniques, methods, mindsets, agendas, procedures, concepts and down-right dirty tricks, which advance the performer's desire into a world of voice over opportunities. Like getting hired. And making money.

Confused? You Were Probably Paying Attention!»

About Patrick Fraley

Patrick Fraley is one of the best and known and respected voice-over people in North America. 2013 marks his 40th year performing and teaching. As a performer, he has created voices for over 4,000 characters, placing him in the top ten of all time to be cast in animated TV shows. As a teacher, Pat has guided more performers into meaningful voice-over careers than anyone in the history of VO Instruction. He lives and works out of Hollywood Heights, California.

Are You Coming to VoiceWorld Toronto?

Comment and let me know!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Customer Service Tips

2013-03-08T19:29:08Z

Do you think that customer service is only for big companies?

Many voice artists pride themselves in going the extra mile for their clients and show up to their office (and mic!) each day, eager to make a difference.

Hear more about how you can provide the best customer service possible to your clients in today's VOX Daily!

Providing Good Customer Service

Whenever you do business or are engaged by a client, you are building a rapport with that person and are in effect providing customer service.

There are many different ways that you can provide a good customer experience, some of which include:

Listening carefully
Being responsive
Delivering on your promise
Completing projects on time

What Real Voice Actors Say

I send an invite to my Facebook friends to share their tips for providing good customer service. Take a look at the following ideas for how you can take your business and customer service offering to the next level.

Listening To What Isn't Being Said

"One key to being a good customer service agent is listening. Not just to what the person on the other end of the phone is saying but also what they are not saying, Things you hear in the background, things you hear in their voice too. e.g. Thanks for telling me. I understand what you have told me but I get a feeling there is something else you might not be telling me. Is there something else we need to take a look at for you? I used to always ask this question whether there was any audible clues or not. I ask this question for a couple of reasons because I want to make sure the customer knows that I understand their reason for calling. It also makes it seem like I am going the extra mile to please them. Eight out of ten times asking that question I would get a 'Well now that you mention it,' response."
- Greg Phelps, USA

Offering Patience

"Patience with customers is most important. Many times they don't know what they want and you have to help them find the right voice, sound or script to make the project successful."
- Herb Merriweather, USA

"Not everyone is easy to do business with. Even when you're really tired and something isn't working out, take time to listen to your customer."
- Fady Nagy, Egypt

Treating Customers Like Family

"To put it as simple as I can, and I've been full time since 1985, I approach customer service like I was dealing with one of my sons and all that goes with it. You have to now think on all that implies! I have clients that have been with me for 25 years."
- Bob Marini, USA

Extending Courtesy

"I used to voice commercials as an aside for a radio station I once worked for. We used to get people who would call in for their ads to be produced by me, and often, because I was very courteous over the phone, they would request that I voice their commercial. Treat your customers and clients right, the work will keep pouring in!"
- Curtis Prebble, Canada

Being Responsive

"Simple things like returning a phone call or email will put you ahead of the game. I know that sounds ridiculously easy, but I've had clients tell me they awarded me the job not only because they liked my voice or audition, but because I was responsive to their inquiry. If a client's request waits for 24 - 48 hours or longer before getting a response, it sends a message to them that they're not very important. And when they have a job to produce, why would they award it to someone who doesn't care? So simple, and yet overlooked by some who wonder why they're not booking more work."
- Debbie Grattan, USA

Communicating Issues

"Keep your client updated at all times. If you suddenly develop a cold or your mic is being temperamental, the client needs to know. Most will give you some breathing space with the deadline."
- Gary Terzza, UK

Practicing Honesty

"This may seem simplistic but honesty at all times and admitting a goof up and making up for it. Genuine smiles are priceless."
- Richard DeJonge, Canada

Delivering On Your Promise

"Just giving them what they ask for and being easy to work with goes a long way."
- Laura Bednarski, USA

Parting Words

Those are some great tips, aren't they?

To follow up on what was said, I see customer care as striving to serve each customer in such a way that you are being both gracious and truthful. Most people naturally swing toward one of these extremes and neglect the other which creates an imbalance. Purposing to serve with equal measures of grace and truth will result in customer service experiences being effective and memorable for all the right reasons.

There's nothing better than an experience with a company that leaves you feeling like you were heard, assurance that they care about you and that a practical solution was presented. When someone approaches a customer in a loving way, identifies an issue and works hard to resolve it, that's service!

What Do You Think?

What does good customer service look like to you?

Looking forward to your reply!

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Vox Daily

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Customer Service Tips

Providing Good Customer Service

What Real Voice Actors Say

Listening To What Isn't Being Said

Offering Patience

Treating Customers Like Family

Extending Courtesy

Being Responsive

Communicating Issues

Practicing Honesty