Well, the picture above says it all. The Voice Over for Video Games Workshop on November 9 featuring special guest Aimee Smith is now completely booked out.

Don’t worry – You haven’t missed out!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to break into the world of Voice Over for Video games, Aimee’s workshop is also running on Sunday November 10 (1-5pm). This workshop has 2 places left so book your place now!

If you’d like to know more about the workshop, read this previous blog post or feel free to get in touch via the contact form, facebook page or even the phone number at the top right of this page.

The original voice of Siri, Susan Bennett is in Australia right now launching a cheeky online video campaign by HP, where she plays the voice of a Macbook who is attending couples therapy with her owner ‘Dave’. Take a look.

Andy managed to get on the phone with Susan earlier today to talk about her role in the videos, how she became Siri and to get her advice for anyone just entering the world of Voice Over. Listen below.

One of the most common questions we get asked is “When do I get an Agent”?
My answer: Not at the very start, because you need to build up your skills, get more experience and actually do some work first.

Agents are in the business of getting professional voice over artists work, but they have just as much responsibility to agencies and studios to ensure they deliver the best talent, so the expectation is that everyone on their books should be at the top of their game and able to meet client expectations.

So what does this mean for anyone just starting out? Well depending on the amount of time and energy you’re willing to put into becoming a voice over artist, perhaps getting signed up with an agent is a goal you can get for the future, but until then there’s plenty of work to be done.

As we say to anyone who comes to the Introduction to Voice Over workshop or individual coaching sessions, you need to be practising and exposing yourself to the industry as much as possible. Not only do you need to develop your skills as a voice over artists but you also need learn more about the industry, start making connections and do some work!

While the voice over industry is global, the way it works does differ depending on where you live. For example in the U.S.A even voice over artists who are represented by an agent may still be expected to audition for a job, where in Australia clients that book through a voice over agent are primarily booking talent in to jobs based on their demo reel, without any need to audition.

So now what about getting more experience at a good starting point. If you’ve done the Introduction to Voice Over Workshop or any 1 on 1 Coaching with Voices of Tomorrow then don’t forget the list of things you were given to help you out with getting more experience.

Getting yourself back in front of a microphone and doing more recording is part of this, so consider booking in for the group studio practise session at Bang Bang studios on Sunday November 17 (11am – 4pm). Here you’ll have an opportunity to be directed through recording new scripts and end up with 2 professionally produced pieces could be used to demonstrate your current abilities.

This session is open to 10 participants – BOOK HERE.

To hear more about getting a voice over agent from a U.S perspective, watch the video below.

If you’re interested in knowing how the Video Games industry goes about casting for video games – specifically independent games developers, then this workshop is for you.

You can read more about this great workshop presented by Aimee Smith HERE.

The workshop is running twice, on Saturday November 9 and again on Sunday November 10, however there is now JUST 1 PLACE available for the Saturday workshop.
If you’d like to book your place you can do it at https://www.voicesoftomorrow.com.au/course-dates/

We’ve just wrapped up our 7th Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop…and this time we’d like to hear what happened. Listen below.

That was the recorded outcome from the weekend after everyone tried out their voice on various types from scripts from Radio and TV commercials to corporate narration, multi-voice scripts and even video game characters!

Plus…here’s what the workshop looks like….

That was the final Introduction workshop for the year, however there are still plenty of other opportunities available if you are interested in Voice Overs.

In November Voices Of Tomorrow is hosting Aimee Smith with her workshop on Voice Over for Video Games.

This gives a great overview not only on how the games industry works with voice over artists but also how emerging talent can find work with independent video games developers. The workshop is running on November 9…and then again on November 9 from 1-5pm with limited places available. Book your place here.

If you’ve already had some coaching or experience with voice overs and simply want more time in front of the microphone sharpening up your skills then we’re holding a practise day on November 17 (Sunday). Limited to 10 places – bookings are now open.

We also hold private 1:1 voice over coaching sessions in a small studio setting. There’s no set date or time for these so simply book in and we’ll tailor the session to your needs, including the best time and date.

If you’ve come to the Introduction to Voice Over workshop or done some 1 on 1 voice over coaching with us then you’ll remember just how much we hammer home the message of practise, practise, practise!

If you’ve got your sights on a future as a voice over artist you need to be proactive. This means making the most of the guidance and tools you’ve been given so far and seeking out new opportunities to get yourself in front of scripts to read and if possible in a studio in front of a microphone to record them.

Some of the best experience you can get in this area, especially if you’re just starting out, is to record in a studio being recorded and directed by someone else. Yes, there may come a time in your Voice Over future where you may be self-directing & recording, however we suggest that the best outcome is often achieved when you have external input – that is, someone else is directing you.

To assist you with getting the experience needed to become more confident in the studio recording voice overs in a professional setting we’re holding a group practice day on November 17.

Limited to 10 participants for each session, these will focus on practical work in the studio recording commercial scripts (Radio & TV) and we’ll look at both single and multi-voice productions.

Everyone will receive a copy of their raw recordings from these sessions, plus 2 of your best recordings from the day will be produced into a finished production that you can share and use for demonstration purposes.

The cost to attend one of these sessions is $275 and each will run with a minimum of 5 participants and a maximum of 10. It’s on Sunday November 17.

Hope to see you in the studio then!

Andy

Over the past few months we’ve received so many requests for information on how to get started doing voice overs for video games. We answered that first by bringing U.K Voice Over artist / coach to Melbourne for a very special workshop focusing on this area, especially around working with audition scripts and bringing character voices to life.

We’re now announcing (yes, at very short notice) another Video Game focused workshop, this time presented by Aimee Smith.

Aimee is an Australian cartoon voice actor and voice actress who has voiced for almost 100 video game characters. She has voiced for characters with Australian, American and British dialects for projects across the world from her home studio.

In this 3 hour workshop being held on October 8 from 6.30pm (at Bang Bang Studios in Southbank), Aimee with focus on the Australian Video Games industry and how you can find audition opportunities with independent developers.

Additionally, the workshop includes recording an audition for a current public video game casting, so you’ll be throwing your hat in the ring to try and land a role in an independent video game. To set your expectations, if you happen to land a role in a small independent video game the budgets are low so the voice talent fee will reflect this, however it’s a great opportunity to get started.

This workshop is limited to 14 participants. You can book HERE.

Look at the time, it’s almost the end of September! That means it’s now just over 2 weeks until we run the next Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop at Bang Bang Studios in Southbank.

This popular workshop has now been running for over a year and is limited to just 10 participants. Right now there’s just 1 place available for this workshop.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines just thinking about doing a Voice Over Course or some coaching, this is a great opportunity to get started.

The October 12/13 Introduction to Voice Over workshop is suitable for ages 15+ and this will be the final Introduction workshop for 2019.

We hope to see you there!

Andy and Cecelia.

A Voice Over Demo compilation is the best way to showcase your abilities as a Voice Over Artist to the world…but at what stage should you create one?

Of course there’s actually nothing stopping you from recording your voice at any time and sharing it with others and it’s a great way to get feedback as you progress on your voice over journey, however, a well curated collection of your best voice over work is how you will ultimately land some work.

I know, I still haven’t answered the original question, but I’m working up to it as there are a few things to consider first.

Most importantly your Voice Over Demo needs to be a reflection of your abilities, not the ability of the producer/ sound engineer to make you sound amazing. It’s important that I say that as there are some studios that offer demo creation services where they will literally take someone with little or no experience and coach them through a handful of scripts, then with plenty of skilful editing and post production techniques make them sound simply amazing.

So what’s wrong with that? Well, it will quickly become apparent the first time someone hires you to do a voice over for them and you’re not able to perform as well as your demo suggests you can. This ‘short cut’ then actually finds you with a demo that’s not really much use as it doesn’t reflect your actual ability as a voice over artist. The studio that made it for you won’t care because, well frankly all they wanted was your money.

So…when?

Ok, I’ll finally answer the original question – but I’ll have to ask YOU more questions to get the answer.

Try this for a check list.

• Are you comfortable and confident in the studio with others watching?
• Do you have a good understanding of Microphone, breathing and script marking techniques?
• Can you read a short script (e.g 30 seconds) from start to finish without tripping over your words on every take?
• Are you able to take direction and adjust your read to deliver the required result?
• Do you already have some recordings of your voice over work?

If you’re answering YES to those questions I would suggest that YES, you’re ready to get a demo together.

So what exactly goes into a demo?
For experienced voice over artists that are booking regular jobs the demo is a well crafted compilation of recent great work performed.

For example here’s my (Andy) current compilation.

Some voice over artists have some great examples of their work, but perhaps not enough for a full demo that contains a variety of styles. In this case they would simply record some new material to help fill in the gaps.

That’s exactly what I did this week with Kat – a Perth-based voice over artist who came to Melbourne to attend the ‘Voice Over for Video Games’ workshop.

She wanted to freshen up her current demo with some new material so came in to see how I could help. After listening to her current demo I selected some scripts that I felt would help ad some variety to her body of work and we recorded and produced them. Here’s what Kat walked away with.

Ok, she didn’t actually walk out of the studio with demo in hand. Post production does take some time, so it was a few days later.

If you feel like you’re ready to make a demo, contact us to talk about it or book in a demo session HERE.

We’ll be running the last Introduction to Voice Over Weekend Workshop for 2019 on October 12&13 and limited places are available!

Who is this workshop for?

Anyone interested in discovering what’s possible with their voice and finding out more about the world of professional voice overs will really enjoy this workshop and no experience is required.

Many people who come to the Introduction to Voice Over workshop have never recorded their voice before or set foot inside a professional recording studio.

Others have done some acting or singing or work in completely unrelated industries and have been told they have a ‘great voice’.

No matter what your background or experience, you’ll gain new skills and meet a group of people with the same interest while being coached by experienced Voice Over artists.

Now we could spend all day telling you how great the workshop and coaching services are (and you’re also welcome to call us for a chat) but you may also like to read our reviews on Google.

Remember, places are limited to just 10 participants for this workshop, and it will be the final Introduction to Voice Over workshop for 2019. Currently there are 7 places available and we hope to see YOU there.

If you’d like to book your place you can do that HERE.

Andy & Cecelia.