Question

I've been winging it for about a year now, sporadically, and am just now seriously taking up voice-over work pretty much full-time. Going mostly on intuition, and biased by my own hopes and personal perspectives, I'm wondering what weak points I may have. I'd really like to get some input from an impartial outside observer.

Answer 1

I see you were living in CA and now live in Alaska.  My initial search didn't find any coaches for you based in Alaska, but you should check with a local talent agent and see if there is anyone they'd recommend.  My second suggestion would be to contact the speech or communications department at your local college or university.  Often they offer courses that may help you.  You are becoming a voice actor, and so you need to study, speech, improv and acting.  A radio production or sound engineering course may also be available.  Another route is to work with a coach long distance via Skype.  Go to everythingvo.com and look at the Voice Over Resource Guide tab.  Under training, you'll find a number of great coaches.  You can contact them and see if they'll work with you via Skype.  Your current demos have way too much noise (a note left to you by your client).  You probably want to start with a decent mic, sound controlling your space a little and getting better with editing breaths and pops on a simple program like Garage Band or Audacity.  

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Hi--There's no shortage of entities willing to capitalize on your VO dreams. (How many databases evaluate your qualifications or your demo--or even require one?) There are experienced VOs who, faced with an overcrowded and rapidly evolving industry, are reinventing and marketing themselves as authors, coaches, or teacher/trainers. Not a bad thing--it's capitalism at work!!--but do your research and trust your instincts. An "impartial outside observer" will 1) give you an honest and detailed evaluation (you'll KNOW if they really listened to your demo), 2) tell you up front that they cannot guarantee you VO success, 3) tell you if they think you're wasting your time & money (even if it means lost income to them). Best of luck!