Name: Be a Voice Actor: Making a Living with Your Voice
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Created byLaci Morgan

Last updated 8/2024

English

What you'll learn

Discover your "money voice"
Learn how to market and brand yourself
Identify the type of equipment you need to build your studio
Learn good recording skills and studio ettiquette
Learn basic audio editing techniques for a clean sound
Create a practice demo that showcases your skills
Learn where and how to book your first jobs
Develop a bag full of characters that you can perform as

Course content

9 sections • 63 lectures • 2h 55m total length

Meet Laci3:41
Opportunities in VO0:32
Introductory video about the many opportunities you can find in the world of Voiceover. We'll expand on each of these in the following lessons.
Commercials1:31
Learn the types of commercials you can find voiceover jobs in.
Promos1:44
What is a promo? Learn here!
Animation2:12
All about animation voiceover jobs.
Video Games2:18
What kind of work can you find in video games?
E-Learning and Education1:37
Educational and informational voiceovers
Corporate/Healthcare/Public Services1:59
VO work in the business world
IVR1:54
Press 1 to learn about phone voiceovers...
Audiobooks3:43
All about audiobooks
Section 1 Quiz

Let's Get Real Here...2:27
Can you get by in voiceovers with just a "great voice?" I'll discuss a little bit about what you REALLY need here.
Don't Be Boring ... Use Intonation!1:30
Don't let your reads sound like one note...varying your inflection can make a big difference to the way a listener hears it, and may give you an edge in auditions when you submit more than one take!
HW: Don't Be Boring ... Use Intonation!0:49
Practice varying your pitch and intonation with this homework assignment.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
The "Real Person" Read1:56
Learn how to make your ad reads sound more believeable...the "real person" trend
HW: Real Person Read0:50
Let's practice the "real person" read with some ad copy!

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Tone and Placement2:17
Learn how to manipulate your vocal cords to create different sounds.
HW: Tone and Placement0:36
Let's practice using the new tricks you just learned about vocal placement to create unique character voices for these scripts.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Creating Characters7:52
How to find the characters hiding in your voice!
HW: Creating Characters0:13
Now that you've found some characters, develop them further with your homework assignment.
*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Wouldn't it Be Loverly to Learn an Accent?1:45
What about doing voiceovers that aren't in your regular accent?
Impersonations and ADR0:50
Learn all about what to do with your best celebrity impersonations
Section 2 Quiz

Time to Mic Up!7:38
Learn all about which microphone might fit your voice best, where to find them, and how to score a great deal.
The Tech Stuff1:51
Choosing hardware and software to support your voiceover business
HW: The Tech Stuff0:24
Research time!!! Which is the best DAW for you? What computer setup will work best?

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
It's All About Accessorizing!3:04
What else do you need in your studio, besides a microphone?
HW: It's All About Accessorizing!0:22
Figure out which materials you need to buy, and which you have already
*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Do I Need a Sound Booth?6:31
Welcome to My Studio!4:10
A video tour of Laci's home studio setup
Section 3 Quiz

Mic Placement2:51
Learn about the best ways to avoid trouble during recording, like plosives, sibilance, and too-loud audio.
HW: Mic Placement0:24
Try out what you've learned about mic placement.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Warming Up1:52
Helpful tips for stretching out those voiceover muscles before a recording session
HW: Warming Up - Tongue Twisters0:27
Try out some tricky tongue twisters to add to your warmup routine. (You'll probably get some great diaphragmatic exercise from all the laughing!)

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Avoiding Mouth Sounds2:49
How to avoid clicks, pops, and unwanted "mouth noise"
Pressing the Red Button3:02
Ready to record!!! Now what? Learn a few studio etiquette tips.
Section 4 Quiz

Intro to Audio Editing2:21
A basic intro to editing your audio
Noise Removal6:11
A quick look at Adobe Audition’s interface, and demonstration of spectral view. I’ll also demonstrate how to remove background noise from your files.
Editing out mistakes3:33
What do you do if you made a mistake during the recording?
Removing clicks, pops, and plosives9:37
Filters and other fun stuff7:44
A look at tools like EQ, DeEssing, and Compression
Saving and sending files1:55
Best practices for saving and sending your files to clients
Section 5 Quiz

Hearing Vs. Listening1:18
There's a difference between hearing and listening...have you been listening to voiceovers?
HW: Hearing Vs. Listening0:08
Now you're going to put your "hearing" to the test.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Finding Your Sweet Spot2:10
How to figure out what your most successful sound is
HW: Finding Your Sweet Spot0:38
Now we're going to evaluate what your most marketable tone might be.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
What Goes on My Demo?2:40
Learn how to determine what should be going on your demo
Writing the Ads3:45
How to write your very own custom scripts
HW: Writing the Ads0:08
Now we're going to make some actual scripts that you can practice your acting, recording, and audio editing skills with, to make your first practice demo! (Important Note, which we'll discuss more in the next lesson: Make sure to get input from your trusted coaches and audio people to make sure it's showcasing you well first, if you plan on putting this demo out to the public or using it to submit to agents. For the purpose of this course, I just want to you to sharpen your skills and DO it, because listening to your recordings is the best way to learn how to improve! With agents, a first impression is sometimes the only chance you'll get, so you probably want a professionally-made demo from a well-vetted producer, when you're ready for that)

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Putting it All Together3:25
A bit controversial look at making a demo
HW: Putting it All Together1:00
Now we're going to get some feedback on your demo!

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Section 6 Quiz

Creating a Brand1:46
Figure out what your brand should look like, and what to do once you've decided on it
HW: Creating a Brand0:26
We're going to take everything you've learned about your unique voice, as well as the feedback from others, to help you start to figure out who you are as a voice actor, and how you want to present yourself. Time for a brainstorm session!

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Logo or Headshot?4:27
Is it better to use a logo or a headshot to represent your voiceovers?
Websites and Profiles3:51
We'll talk a little bit about how to set up free profiles and websites to showcase your work
Pricing2:21
What should you charge clients for your work?
Business Practices3:01
Learn how to develop good organizational skills and where to go to find software that will help. And...how to not get fired.
HW: Business Practices0:26
Let's put our goals for business down on paper so we can remember.

*Download the attached pdf version if the homework is not displaying correctly.
Section 7 Quiz

Requirements

None to take the course, but some kind of microphone and recording software will be helpful for practicing homework
A good imagination and the ability to read a script
Willingness to look and sound a little silly. :)

Description

Ever been told "you've got a great voice...you should be in cartoons!" Or listened to radio ads and thought, "I could SO do that?" Or maybe you even have a business that you'd like to create GOOD marketing videos for, and you want to learn how to narrate them?

Well, the reality is that it takes more than just a dream and some vocal cords that can imitate funny cartoon characters. But luckily, I'm here to walk you through the steps of getting started on the right foot!

I'll share my favorite tips and techniques for taking your first steps into the world of voice acting, tell you about my experiences working in the entertainment industry with giants like Universal Studios and Disney, show you the tools you'll need to get a professional sound, help you build your first practice demos, and give you all the "dirt" for finding work that I've learned the hard way on my own journey to voiceover success.

I'll also use my many years of experience in marketing and branding to help you put your best foot forward when you're ready to take the plunge into starting your voiceover business.

Who this course is for:

People looking for a fun job working from home
Anyone interested in learning about voiceovers
Actors who want to expand their opportunities
People who enjoy reading aloud
Business owners who want to narrate their marketing ads and videos

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

All About VO10 lectures • 21min

Finding Your Voice11 lectures • 21min

Setting Up Your Studio (Say THAT 5 times fast!)7 lectures • 24min

Ready, Set, Record!6 lectures • 11min

Basic Audio Editing for Voiceovers6 lectures • 31min

Making A Demo9 lectures • 15min

Marketing Yourself7 lectures • 16min

Finding Work5 lectures • 23min

Closing2 lectures • 12min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: