What you'll learn

Learn simpler and less complicated ways to do voiceovers.
Discover how to move ahead faster as a voice actor.
Avoid pitfalls that trap a lot of potential voiceover artists before they even get started.
Learn what's important and what's not, when it comes to gear and software.
Clear up a lot of urban legends and discover there's way forward that's less costly and time-consuming.
Ways to think independently, and find your own way forward as a voice actor.

Course content

2 sections • 19 lectures • 1h 31m total length

Introduction0:50
Opening Credits and Intro

Putting Purists in their Place6:31
In this lessen, we talk about the impact "purists" have had on the voiceover profession, how their influence stymies independent ideas, when and how it happened, and how you can successfully plot your own course without regard to their influence.
Myth 1: Your Ears Aren't Good Enough4:34
In this lesson, I talk about "Stethoscope Syndrome" and how the excessive use of headphones can put voiceover people into an uncomfortable, "unreal world" that can do more harm than good.
Myth 2: You Need to Edit Out Breaths4:26
Do you need to edit out all the breaths from your voiceovers? Many have been convinced it's necessary. I explain why it's not, and how it can actually be counter-productive.
Myth 3: "Punch and Roll" is a Necessary Skill5:01
There's a simpler voiceover "punch" technique for making corrections to a recording, that can be done with or WITHOUT headphones.
Myth 4: You Need to Delivery Voiceovers "Processed"7:12
In this lesson, I describe how the use of makeup in the modeling world can teach us something important as voiceover artists, when it comes to audio processing. You'll find this one interesting!
Myth 5: You Need to Use a "DAW"3:48
Driving a thumbtack with a sledgehammer would certainly be overkill, yet the software the majority of voiceover people use to record and edit their voices is about that far beyond their actual needs, I talk about a much simpler approach I've used on tens of thousands of voiceovers.
Myth 6: Your Price is Your Price8:24
How flexible can we be, or should we be, when it comes to our pricing? How open should we be to charging different amounts based on usage, or on the platform where we offer our services? Some "freeing" information in this lesson.
Myth 7: Online Platforms are Evil2:58
There's a furor among a rather large number of purist voiceover people over the use of platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, to offer voice acting services. I address that head-on in this lesson.
Myth 8: You Should NEVER Make Your Own Demo9:16
A professionally produced demo is a wonderful thing, if you can afford it. But what if you can't? Are there alternatives?
Myth 9: You Need to Buy (Expensive) Acoustic Panels3:42
Is it necessary to build a booth and (or) use expensive acoustic panels, in order to have a good recording space? The answer might surprise you!
Myth 10: You Need to use a "Pop Filter" on Your Mic2:07
Pop filters come in all shapes and sizes, and the one used most of all is the most annoying of all. Do you really need one? Maybe not! Some facts about pop filters.
Myth 11: USB Mics are Useless for Voiceover5:19
In every voiceover forum out there, USB mics are "panned" as being no good for doing voiceovers. Suppose I were to tell you I did a $15,000 test that proves them wrong? You'll find this interesting!
Myth 12: You Should Never use a Mic Without a Shock Mount2:56
In this lesson, I show you my own setup, and explain why a shock mount is only needed...if it's needed. Why add the complication of it if it's not, right?
Myth 15: The Best Mic is the One Others Use9:35
It's easy to see why new people who aspire to do voiceovers might be tempted to use the same mics they see others using, but that's not the best way to choose the right mic for your particular voice. I give you some different ideas here, on choosing just the right mic for you.
Myth 14: Microphones Should be Mounted Vertically6:22
I've discovered something about the typical condenser microphone used by voiceover people which revolutionizes the approach taken to mic positioning, and makes life a lot more pleasant.
Myth 15: You Need a "Coach" to Succeed in Voiceovers7:40
Is a "coach" ALWAYS necessary, in order to make quick movement forward as a voice actor? When is it less necessary? When is it still a good idea? Here's my take.
Wrapup0:50
My challenge to you, to challenge the status quo. Think independently. Don't be afraid to try your own ways of doing things!
Close and Copyright0:16
Thank you for watching! If you have comments, or I can help answer any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Requirements

The only requirement for this course is a desire to do voiceovers, or to look into the possibility of doing them.

Description

I'm your host for the Mythbusters course, Dane Scott. I've been doing voiceovers for decades; tens of thousands of them. I recorded in the analog (tape) era, and also through all of the digital era. That long-throw experience has given me a perspective that has helped me identify some recent trends that are hindering, rather than helping, aspiring voice actors.

In this course, I identify 15 modern myths and urban legends that far too many voiceover people have accepted as established truths, and are following as gospel, but which tend to slow their workflow, cost them unnecessary money, impede their advancement in the field, and keep them from earning the best income they can for their efforts.

Imagine if, after driving safely and successfully for 20 years, or 40, someone told you that, from now on, you need to always wear driving gloves and special treads on your shoes, otherwise you're doing it wrong, and will probably have an accident at any moment. Would you look at them a little funny? Yet that's what has happened in the voiceover world. In a relatively short period of time, a sort of "group think," inspired by a number of purists with an intolerance for alternative viewpoints, has taken hold, and now pervades the information you find in discussion groups, on YouTube, and elsewhere.

In Voiceover Mythbusters, I demonstrate 15 ways you can break free of the herd mentality, and use techniques that allow you to work more quickly, inexpensively, comfortably, and independently.

Who this course is for:

Independent-minded people who like the idea of earning money doing voiceovers, but who like the idea of finding alternative ways forward, especially if they make life less difficult, more profitable, and more fun.

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 1min

15 Ways to Simplify Life as Voiceover Artists18 lectures • 1hr 31min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: