i hear voices!!!

Transcription

i hear voices!!!

THE
This document is protected by U.S. copyright laws. All rights reserved.
2011 Edition
Check out our new websites: voicetraxsf.com & voice-casting.net
DIVA DESPERATION!
Being Un-Glamorous for a Living
Voicetrax
Students
Kick Butt!
I HEAR
You CAN
teach an
Old Dog
NEW
TRICKS
SARA BARRACK: CEO
VOICES!!!
SAMANTHA PARIS —
Voice-Over MENSCH!
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SAMANTHA PARIS —
Voicetrax Founder & Voice-Over Mensch
and has achieved a nationwide reputation amongst voiceover industry pros as the “go-to” source for locating
undiscovered, distinctive, well-trained talent. Voicetrax
Casting has two main goals — to meet the needs of
broadcast, film and multimedia producers and generate
opportunities for local Union and non-Union talent.
Samantha and her team of voice casting professionals work
with clients from across the country to find the best voice
talent for their projects. The variety of voice-over jobs cast
through Voicetrax Casting is wide-ranging and includes
TV, radio, on-line ads, sales presentations, video games,
podcasts, audio tours, audiobooks and toys. Her credits and honors are many and include:
• Over 1,000 national and regional commercials
• Major roles in nearly 200 half-hour, animated television
cartoon shows
• Three Clio Awards
• National Gabriel Award for Public Service
Announcements
• “Bay Area Best Business Practices Award” in recognition
of her devotion to customer service
Voicetrax was founded in 1988 as a voice-over training
program, the only one of its kind in the country. Since
then, its curriculum has evolved into the most elite and
comprehensive course of instruction available in the craft
of voice acting. As always, Samantha remains dedicated to
developing and mentoring the many talented individuals
who come through Voicetrax’s doors.
Through a combination of group workshops, small labs
and private lessons, Voicetrax customizes an individualized
course of study for each student to help them accomplish
their unique goals. After honing their skills through a
rigorous program of study and practice, these students go on
to become the next crop of sought-after professional voice
actors. And the demand for well-trained voice actors just
keeps growing as new technologies — podcasting, satellite
radio, mobile TV — evolve and new ones are introduced.
Another of Samantha’s passions is Voicetrax Casting. The
casting arm of her business was founded in 1990
Voicetrax Casting takes great pride in its successes. It has
found voices for advertisers such as the Milk Advisory Board,
Chevron, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, The United States
Postal Service, Cisco, VISA, Macy’s, Mervyn’s, Toyota, FisherPrice, AT&T, Starbucks, Sony, The California State Lottery,
Hewlett Packard, Autodesk and eBay. The long roster of
casting clients includes many of the nation’s top advertising
agencies including Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, BBOO
West, BBD&O Chicago, JWT San Francisco, Foote, Cone &
Belding, Y&R and TBWA-Chiat-Day, as well as producers and
studios such as Industrial Light & Magic, Vivendi-Universal
and Macy’s Broadcast West.
Voicetrax Casting has also located voice talent for wellknown video game companies such as Flagship Studios
and Blizzard Entertainment as well as countless industrial
projects, including instructional videos, infomercials,
voicemail systems and websites.
To meet the growing demand for on-line access to highlyskilled, versatile, reliable voice talent, Voicetrax Casting
launched www.voice-casting.net, an innovative web-based
casting service. It provides producers with a convenient,
inexpensive way to find the right actors for their non-Union
projects. Its meticulously screened talent roster includes
many of the top non-Union voice-over professionals in the
country.
For more information about Voicetrax’s acclaimed training
program, please call (415) 331-8800. For more information
regarding Voicetrax Casting services and rates, call
(415) 331-7267. Or you can visit Voicetrax’s websites,
www.voicetraxsf.com and www.voice-casting.net.
I HEAR VOICES!!! Do you?
Guess who’s coming to Voicetrax?!?
Eat your heart out James Lipton! Voicetrax’s Inside the Voice
Actor’s Studio (see details on page 12) will proudly present
the voice of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Pepe Le Pew, Ren and
Stimpy and several of the lead characters in Futurama, voice
artist extraordinaire, Billy West. We recently had a chance
to sit down with Billy and you’re in for an incredible night!
Voicetrax: Billy, you’ve achieved so much in your career,
voicing some of the most legendary characters in animation.
What keeps you so enthusiastic about voice-over?
Billy West: It’s the amazing group of artists I get to work
with on a daily basis. The collaboration, improvising and
exploration that ultimately produces a performance where
you say to yourself, that was special. I am so lucky to get
to work with such talented artisans like Jess Harnell and
Maurice LaMarche. And I never take my success for granted.
Every night is opening night to me.
VT: On Futurama, not only do you voice several of the
lead characters including Phillip J. Fry, Professor Hubert
Farnsworth and Dr. Ziodberg, but you’ve also voiced several
dozen incidental characters. How do you approach those
one-line or two-line characters?
BW: I’ve worked really hard at individualizing them because
I know darn well there will come a day when you look back
and go what was I thinking? As a human being, you change
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all the time. Each time I audition, I might be in
a whole different place or mindset than I was when I
auditioned for something just a week before. I’m trying to
be like a divining rod and hear every sound on the planet.
I am hyper vigilant about observing people and have been
since I was a child.
VT: As a studied musician, is there a connection between
music and voice-over for you?
BW: Absolutely. They are very similar to me. I have a
room full of guitars and I’ll play until 3:00 in the morning.
When you’re jamming, there is no right or wrong. It’s like
hobnobbing with the gods. You’re improvising, bouncing
around this little universe, trying this and that, moving at
your own speed then moving at supersonic speed. There’s no
(continued on page 3)
BILLY WEST (continued)
freer feeling than expression like that. For me, that applies
to voice-over, too.
VT: What are you hoping the students take away from
hearing you speak in January?
BW: Media has a voracious appetite and is never going to
go away, whether it’s on the Internet, doing industrials,
narration, etc. You don’t always get the edgy, glamorous
projects. Hopefully you’re in it for the long haul, like a
carpenter. If you’re going to build a set of stairs, you need
to bring every tool you need to build that set of stairs. You
want to be able to put your name on it and feel glad about
what you did. Shoot for that and everything else falls into
place. Bring your passion. The more you try and finesse
something, the more you disrupt the natural flow of the
universe, in my opinion. In this industry you have to go in
undaunted by the competition. When I started there was no
guidebook. You had to figure it out on your own. These days
there are people and places that can point the way and give
you the skills and the inspiration to go do great things.
And guess what Billy thinks about celebrities invading the
world of voice-over? You’ll have to come to see Billy live
to hear the answer. It’s definitely a must-see/hear event!
Hey, Dr. Phil!
What’s a life lesson?
Most students at Voicetrax want to become successful voice
actors. Right? To learn a skill or craft, you go to school. But
real success is not just about booking a job. It’s really about
personal growth, acceptance and fulfillment.
Your Authentic Self
Everyone has a inner sense of who they think they are.
So, how do you know if your perception is accurate? Let’s
consider it from a voice-over perspective. If you were the
character in a script, what would the specs say? Ask someone
else what the specs would say. Student, Vicki Baum, relates
the story about a private she had with Sam early in her
training. Sam asked her, “What are the specs on Vicki?”
Vicki answered, “Authoritative, commanding, strong,
articulate, intelligent and powerful.” Typical Sam reply:
“What the @#&% are you talking about? Those attributes
may apply to you, but my specs on you are a funny, happy,
laughing jokester.” Vicki realized she was defining herself
based on her job and letting it dictate her sense of self.
Since that time, Vicki has shifted her self-image and selfworth from what she does to who she really is, enjoying a
new level of serenity.
As student, Jeff Perry, sees it, “They’re not just telling you
to be yourself; they are holding your hand through the
process of figuring out who that is”. Voicetrax wants you to
be your best self. We purposefully work to build trust so the
creative process can flourish. “They want you to embrace
who you are. Where else do you get to go where they want
you to honor your own intrinsic self? They don’t want you
to change who you are; they want you to be who you are”,
says student, Maureen O’Donoghue.
Perfection Not Required
There are a lot of overachievers in the acting industry
and Voicetrax has its fair share of overachievers and
perfectionists, too. Many students come from the corporate
world where perfection is mandatory. Sound familiar?
Understandably, that is the point of One-Take Masters (or
is it FIVE-Take Masters?) — to be as perfect as you can be
when you begin auditioning. But as you’re learning, you
must allow yourself to be a beginner, to take risks and
realize that perfection is not always the goal. The bumps
in the road are often where the most important lessons are
learned. Maureen ponders her Voicetrax journey, “This has
been a process and parts have been very uncomfortable. But
it’s that discomfort that brought about the most profound
change and the most amazing gifts.”
Criticism, Comma, Constructive
One thing you learn very quickly at Voicetrax is that you
must be able to accept constructive criticism — to develop
a thick skin (it’s an industry requirement!) But it’s easier
said, than done. The criticism experienced in class is not
personal. By being objective and not taking it to heart,
you may grasp something valuable which benefits you and
helps you progress. The inability to take criticism clouds the
opportunity to learn something. Feelings... Whoa, Whoa, Whoa Feelings...
When students first arrive at Voicetrax, they are told to
reconnect with their inner child. Vicki contemplates her
upbringing, “When I was young, I was taught by example
not to show emotion. My belief system told me that
showing emotion made you weak. So when I would go into
the booth, the director was always saying ‘give me more,
go farther’. In the booth, I’ve learned to throw caution to
the wind and jump off the cliff, emotionally speaking. I
now give myself permission to feel my emotions; to be mad,
happy or sad.” For me, my addiction to food and my weight
problems were a manifestation of a lifetime spent stuffing
my feelings down. Today, I am much more comfortable
expressing my emotions and it has allowed me to experience
a physical transformation.”
In the case of Voicetrax instructor, and former student,
Al Bedrosian, putting up emotional walls was a matter of
survival. First, as an Army infantry officer in Vietnam and
then a police officer, Al was conditioned to conceal emotions
and be strong in the face of danger. “I lived in a world of
broad discretion, secrecy, a general mistrust of others and
an “us vs. them” mentality. This background impacted my
ability to relate to other people. Attending and teaching
classes at Voicetrax have helped me to see that there are
people I can trust and care about. Voicetrax is family to me.”
One class in particular, made a lasting impact on Al. “Years
ago, I took an advanced visualization class from Thom Pinto.
We were asked to bring a piece of music evocative of a story
that we were to relate to the class while the music played
through our headphones. I visualized myself talking to
some of the men I served with in Vietnam, several of whom
never made it home. I felt extremely uncomfortable and
vulnerable. The point Thom made was simple. Once you
allowed the music to move you, you began to get out of
your head and speak from the heart. This exercise changed
me, chipping away at the walls I had built up.”
This crazy ride we are all taking together really boils down
to self-exploration. You may start out studying voice-over to
“be discovered”, yet the beauty is, if you’re lucky, you end
up discovering yourself.
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CASTING NEWS
Voicetrax Students Kicking Serious Butt! Literally!!!
It seems as though Voicetrax students have launched a full scale attack on the San
Francisco video game industry. Not only are they booking video games, but students
are booking them in bunches.
Lea Gulino made her way down to WaveGroup a couple of times this month voicing
Abyss for Bakugan, the videogame based on the anime series, along with Sarah Tancer
who played the role of Mira and Gavin Hammon who voiced four different characters.
Mark Middleton booked several game gigs including a character in the Assassins
Creed game. He channeled his inner sports god in the 2K Sports production of NBA
2K11. Mark was cast as a geeky computer guy for a SomaTone project called Vault
Cracker. Mark also participated in two more SomaTone productions playing Sgt. Starks
in Modern Combat: Sandstorm 2 and four different smarmy, scandalous characters in Gangstar 2.
Brad Madsen did some voice work for an online flash video game for riverbedgame.
com. It was shown at a conference in New York called Games for Change.
Vilija Marshall booked the role of a tough, female pilot for a space marine, futuristic,
military, alien, prison planet thingy, as yet untitled.
You ALWAYS Remember Your First Time….
Wendy Levy, our reigning co-winner of SF Idol (along with Rob Sandusky) got her
very first paid VO gig for Rambus...David Johansson booked his first job through his
agency as a line judge for the Top Spin Tennis video game, working with Lea Gulino...
Roni Gallimore narrated an instructional video for Central Minnesota Federal Credit
Union...Kyle Morton worked for a technology company named Saba on a corporate
marketing video, playing the role of a CEO. Kyle also recorded another video for Marine Mammal Day that was telecast at AT&T Park during a SF Giants game and
booked a job as a result of his own hustle for Flixlab as the voice of the company
throughout their newly launched website...Rob Sandusky headed into Pyramid Studios
to sound like a dying prisoner (lots of coughing and hacking and such)...Gene Gore
got her first paid booking working with a non-profit, GreatSchools...Phillip Vasquez
booked his first job through his agency for a video game. The character specs on the
audition for the part he booked were “Jack Black on speed.”
We Now Pronounce You...a Working Voice Actor
The newly married Patty Allen-Stott recorded a gig for Integrity Interactive Company.
This is a reoccurring client for Patty who has done a bunch of VO for their video series.
Patty continues to record a series of promotional and lecture videos called Boots on the
Roof for Unitek College.
And from our other newly married student with a snazzy new hyphenated last name, Cissy Jones-Lin booked a TV commercial with the North Canyon Medical Center in
Idaho. She also booked a web-character spot for GreatSchools.org (along with Patty
Allen-Stott). In A Blood-Dimmed Tide, an audiobook production from New Fiction,
Cissy plays the role of Amber, along with Megan Goldsmith, who portrayed the role
of Joanie.
NOT JUST BEHIND THE MIC,
BUT IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, TOO!
Polly Stone shot a principal role in a national TV ad for Liberty Mutual. The location
was the Rafael Theatre Cinema...Rich Mattiello did two 3-minute training videos
on how to run Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Rich also completed a series of
videos at Photon Creative Studios for a client that does customized corporate training
videos...Elinor Bell did a short voice-over “testimonial” for WebEx from her home
studio. However, these days it’s mostly film and stage work for Elinor. She completed
three days filming on Maria Breaux’s “Mother Country” working with Cindy Pickett
and Thea Gill in Southern California. She worked on a film called “A Fractured Life”
which filmed this past summer and appeared on stage as Claire in “Harvey and Claire”
by director Bill Levesque.
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Kanichi-ahhh... Once upon a time...
...there was an audiobook voiced nearly completely by Voicetrax students...
The Sawako and Yukio audiobook is a Japanese interactive teaching tool for toddlers
(say that ten times fast) that included the talents of Patty Allen-Stott, Annalisa
Bastiani, Jessica Blue, Aly Casas, Dan Greenblatt and Chuck Kourouklis.
Alumni Still Rocking the Voicetrax Lessons…..
Voicetrax alum, Freddi Rogers, recently did a job with The Taco Bell Foundation and
Mark Walberg that included three TV spots and two radio spots. Prior to that, Freddi
did an IHOP radio spot and booked nine TV spots for Playboy Fragrances and a TV spot
for Doritos. Lastly, Freddi’s movie Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is out. Freddi
continues to be amazed by the life she’s living. She exclaims, “It’s rad and amazing and
I seriously cannot believe it!!”
Micha “The Mouth” Berman booked a national campaign for Support.com, including
multiple radio and TV voice-overs. Micha also landed the voice of the California
Employment Development Department for their California commercials on
unemployment compensation. He continues to work regularly for Pacific Media as the
voice of Cisco for their many industrial videos, in addition to voice-overs for Verigy,
Montecito Bank, and SomaTone.
IN OTHER CASTING NEWS...
Jessica Blue, our latest LA Idol winner, has several more radio spots with Clear Channel
including two spots for Macy’s, a few different ads for Charmed Bakery in Long Beach,
announcer on a few ads for Community Health Centers and eight different spots for
the Florida Tourism Board. Additionally, Jessica recorded the woman in a Monterey
Bay Aquarium radio spot which aired locally this summer in which she talks about
relationships with penguins! Jessica was cast as a character in a feature length stop
motion animation horror film called Desecration Room, along with Mark Middleton.
And speaking of LA Idol winners, Chris Abell recorded his first job through his agency
for Charter Communications. He played the husband and was lucky enough to be
“married” to Lea Gulino with Gavin Hammon as the announcer in the spot.
Vilija Marshall recorded a video for the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) for
their legislation on reforming the toxic substances act. Vilija also recorded four radio
spots for Financial Engines, independent investment advisors.
Aileen Casas, booked a group dialogue for Crystal Geyser’s new California teas. Aileen,
along with Gavin Hammon, play characters in two spots, one was recorded with Tony
Azzolino and the other was with David Collins.
Annalisa Bastiani is up and running, booking her first gig through her agency for a
rehab clinic called the Reliance Method Center. Her second job was for an internal
training tool for Wells Fargo and was told it would be ongoing!
Mary Beth Rockwell recorded a session for the marketing campaign for the game
Death Space 2 which appeared on EA’s website and Facebook, as well as corporate
industrials for Tigo Energy, Kikkoman and Kinaxis.
Sarah Tancer put her acting chops to work on a Lottery Radio spot, three characters in
Monopoly at Electronic Arts, an announcer for an Alberto Torrico Political campaign TV
spot and a Zip Realty radio spot.
Gavin Hammon recorded eight more radio ads for BevMo and recorded a couple of
regional radio spots for Crane Lake Winery. You can also hear him narrating a Shrek
Forever After iPhone storybook app. Wendy Levy has booked sessions for Trendnet, Marooned 2 and had her first session
with writing genius, Sam Pond, at Trinity Studios for PressReader. At SomaTone, she
recorded efforts and power moves for a Marvel Comics game, an inn keeper and five
characters for Avenue Flo!
Jim Edgar nabbed a gig as narrator for Three Hoots Winery’s web video. Jim got to
uncork a fun character for an online app entitled “Don’t Get Burned Online” in which
he was the lead surfer dude for an interactive web game which teaches about using
protection when surfing online. Jim also narrated a promotional video to entice new
tenants for 10 West at Westmoor in Denver.
Lea Gulino is hitting the airwaves in a radio spot for Joint Juice playing a field reporter
interviewing Dean Karnazes’ knee. Lea voiced five characters for a Spanish instructional
pre-school videogame produced by Playtime Interactive. Lea also voiced five or six
characters for Governor of Poker at SomaTone. Lea continues to have various pickup
sessions for Cisco sessions that come up out of the blue.
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HOW DOES SARA BARRACK DO IT? With gentle persistence!
W
ith clients all over the world and an amazing 66 jobs booked between January 1 st and
June 30 th, 2010, we were extremely proud to reveal SARA BARRACK as the winner of our
very first Project Bridgeway self-marketing contest. We think the question we are all asking
is “What’s her secret?” When we asked Sara, she generously shared her philosophy and
approach to building her voice-over career. It’s clear that it isn’t merely her marketing
methods that were the key, but also her focus, determination, and professionalism.
Sara insists that you have to treat your voice-over career
like a job. From the start, she never viewed voice-over as a
hobby. Sara muses, “I paint, hike and take Yoga and Pilates
classes. Those are my hobbies. From the get-go, voice-over
was never a hobby in my mind. I am always aiming high.
I know even if I land slightly below the aim, that’s still
pretty high.”
Sara employs the CEO approach by running her marketing,
auditioning and recording sessions like she’s running
a Fortune 500 Company. Each and every day she has a
routine just as if she were reporting to an “office job”. She
strategizes and researches the trends of our industry. Sara
treats every client, no matter the size of the project, as if
they are her most important client because in her mind, they
are. Her verbal and written correspondence always errs on
the side of professionalism. Even her invoices are generated
from business software, adding to the professional
perception her clients have of her. Sara explains, “With each
and every one of my clients, I consider myself a member of
their team for that brief period of time that I’m working
with them on the voice-over project. I consider myself one
of their employees. And I behave that way in regards to
rapport, protocol and taking on their company culture. So
you really have to be aware of what that culture is and not
just be on your own automatic pilot.”
In fact, Sara credits her former corporate life, working
with and for Fortune 500 companies, and the skill set she
developed there as a major contributory factor to her voiceover marketing success. Skills, including building rapport,
meeting deadlines and defining the scope of work have
transferred seamlessly and served her admirably in running
her voice-over business. And what is the result of all this
meticulous professionalism and attention to detail? Well
over 50% of her clients come back to her with more work!
Throughout her former corporate career Sara fine-tuned
her ability to collaborate. Sara tells us, “I love collaborating.
Being an entrepreneur and an independent contractor is
a really cool thing. When you work in the corporate world
you have a distinct hierarchy. But when you are hired as a
voice actor, you’re on common ground with the director,
producer and writer, working together to get the job done.
In my experience, on a level playing field, with everyone
putting in equal time and being honored equally for their
contribution, this is the juicy type of working style where
creativity can blossom.” Sara elaborates, “With each and every one of my clients,
I consider myself a member of their team for that brief
period of time that I’m working with them on the voiceover project. I consider myself one of their employees. I am
sensitive to the rapport, protocol and company culture.”
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When Sara has a good rapport with a client and it is
appropriate to do so, she asks questions beyond the script,
sometimes expanding the job she was hired to do. Here are
the kinds of thoughtful questions that might lead to more
work:
n
What is this recording going to be used for?
n
Is the script going to be repurposed for a different
audience?
n
Are there other marketing avenues which may enhance
the project?
One particularly successful technique Sara uses is when
returning client phonecalls. She calls after hours to
leave a message and to listen to the company voice mail
(usually recorded by Mary in accounting.) Needless to
say, it’s not very good. So, Sara leaves her message and
then nonchalantly mentions the voice mail and wouldn’t
it be great, consistent branding and marketing to have a
“signature voice” for the company? Presto! Sara has just
expanded the scope of the original job.
Sara feels there are no hard and fast rules. Each client is
different and, as the voice talent, it’s your job to be nimble
and quick and use your improv skills during the business
transaction. Stay sharp and be thinking about the bigger
picture. Did they mention a trade show, website video, TV
or radio commercial? Anything they mention beyond the
project at hand is another opportunity and fair game.
Sara also utilizes a proactive, yet unobtrusive marketing
strategy that she likes to call “gentle persistence”. Each
month she produces a voice letter (instead of a newsletter)
that is never more than 60 seconds long, featuring a recent
project or a particularly great recording from class. She
sends it to all of her current and former clients and client
prospects. Not only has she booked jobs as a result of this
monthly voice letter, but her clients love the free marketing
if their name happens to be featured. Anyone can sign up
on her website to receive the voice letter. Sara likes the
balance between the consistent reminder of her services and
skills with the unobtrusive way an email is usually perceived.
We encourage you to visit Sara’s website at www.
sarabarrack.com. It’s an excellent example for all voiceover professionals. It highlights Sara’s talent in a very
user-friendly format for directors, producers and casting
professionals. Remarkably, even though Sara is represented
by both a San Francisco and New York agent, over 70% of
her bookings come from her own marketing efforts.
To learn more marketing strategies and some “off the grid”
secrets, keep an eye out for a class taught by Sara in Fall
2011 at Voicetrax!
Living the UN-Glamorous Life
Admit it. You’ve thought about it…being the next Disney princess or Zeus in God of War IV. Maybe a juicy part
in Family Guy? At Voicetrax, we want you to dream big, aim high and shoot for the stars — and it’s our job to
provide the training that will help you get there. But, we wouldn’t be doing our job unless we give you a healthy
dose of reality. And the reality is there are only so many Disney princesses to go around. But there is a thriving,
robust market right here in our own back yard if you’re willing to take on what might be considered
the “unglamorous” gigs.
And what qualifies as an unglamorous gig? They range from voice recognition systems to product kiosks in the
mall to educational games and everything in between. Technology has spurred many new opportunities including
the rapidly growing genre of medical narration. Each new drug released to the market has an instructional video
aimed at doctors and scientists. And who is that voice talking to you when you’re pumping your gas? Ever take the
train in San Francisco? “Approaching, Outbound, 2 Car, L L….followed by 2 car, N N in three minutes.” Not very
thrilling copy, but you can bet your last dollar that the voice actress that booked that gig was over the moon
about it.
There is the unique challenge of taking on these practical jobs and creating artistry. Don’t let the label fool you.
“Industrial” jobs aren’t as cold and impersonal as they sound and they CAN bring you fulfillment as a performer.
It’s your responsibility as the actor to discover the creativity and originality in every recording session, no matter
if you’re starring on Nickelodeon or telling someone to push zero for their voice mail. A top San Francisco agent
conveys, “Any booking can be great for an actor’s confidence.”
And what about repeat and referral business? According to the same San Francisco agent, booking a smaller job
can lead to bigger things. “Sometimes a client who has an unglamorous project can be the same client who comes
back with a juicy project, even years later. Clients have a remarkable knack for remembering good talent.”
By taking smaller, non-sexy jobs, you’re not only building your resume, but meeting producers, directors and
casting professionals — making connections and becoming a known
quantity. And with these jobs, you make money for your agency, which
is the best way to keep their attention. Another veteran agent we
spoke to said, “Nearly 75% of our agency’s bookings fall into this
unglamorous category and non-union gigs usually start at $250/hr.
with a two-hour minimum. If someone were to tell me ‘you’re
going to work for fifteen minutes and make $500 dollars’, I’d say,
sign me up!”
Perhaps it’s time to change your definition of glamorous. One
of the agents said, “I don’t consider these jobs to be
unglamorous. You’re earning a living as an actor. That
sounds pretty glamorous to me. The bottom line is,
bookings lead to bookings. In any profession, in any
industry, there are more and less desirable versions
of every kind of work. But you don’t see electricians
or bartenders not working on houses or making
drinks they don’t consider fun or glamorous.
It’s called voice-over work after all.”
BART SIMPSON’S
GOT A SWEET TOOTH
“Voicetrax
is like a
candy shop
for voice-over.”
Nancy Cartwright,
the voice of “Bart Simpson”
Voicetrax accused
of elitism...
“Voice-over is
acting for the ear.”
“It’s the
Harvard of
voice-over training.”
Managing Partner/
Senior Agent from one of
LA’s premier voice talent agency
Chopper Bernet,
Voice Actor, MSNBC/NBC Promo Announcer
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YOUR GUEST DIRECTORS
The workshops and seminars presented by Voicetrax are unique in the industry. Why? Because the Voicetrax
Guest Directors™ are hand-picked from the best voice actors, producers, writers, creative directors, agents,
casting directors and acting coaches in New York, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. These accomplished individuals
have years of industry experience and countless awards to their credit. They are eager to share their knowledge,
proven methods and techniques with voice actors or anyone else wanting a creative outlet or to enhance their
speaking skills or embark upon a unique journey. Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself…
SAMANTHA PARIS
SUSAN BLU
For details on Samantha’s professional background, see “SAMANTHA
PARIS – Voicetrax Founder & Voice-Over Mensch” on page 2.
Current Jobs – Emmy® award nominated director, casting director,
voice actress
Credits – Susan has directed over a thousand episodes of animated
projects that include television series, theatrical releases, direct-tovideo releases and video games that have earned her nine Emmy
nominations. Her animated television projects include such high
profile, critically acclaimed and successful shows as The Land Before
Time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Curious George, The Magic
School Bus, Transformers, Spiderman as well as the Star Wars series. In
the feature realm, her credits include Stuart Little III, Brer Rabbit and
Clifford The Big Red Dog, Land Before Time VI-XI as well as the directto-video release of Superman: Strange Allies. Highlights of her video
game credits include Surf’s Up and Open Season. As a voice actress,
Susan was a series regular on a variety of animated shows including
such classics as The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Gem, The Transformers and
Ghostbusters. She lent her voice to the role of The Pillsbury Dough
Girl amongst hundreds of voice-over commercials. On stage her credits
include theater tours with starring roles in The Unsinkable Molly
Brown, The Desert Song and The Boyfriend as well as many night club
appearances with her one woman show in New York and Los Angeles.
In front of the camera she’s appeared as a guest star in episodes of
Three’s Company, The Bob Newhart Show and Knight Rider.
CHARLIE ADLER
Current Jobs – Emmy® award-winning director and two-time Annie
Award nominee; casting director; voice actor
Previous Jobs – remedial reading coach, church caretaker/janitor,
house renovator/painter, baker for a house of ill repute, graphic artist,
nude model
Credits – A partial list of directing credits include animated TV series—
over 500 hours of animated shows including Shark Hunters with
Dustin Hoffman, nine seasons of the Emmy®-award winning Rugrats,
Rugrats: All Grown Up, Spawn, The Replacements, and the Emperor’s
New School; Full-length feature films include Jimmy Neutron, all
the Wild Thornberrys and Rugrats films, and the direct-to-video The
Nutty Professor featuring actors such as Bruce Willis, Lynn Redgrave,
Patrick Stewart, Jerry Lewis, Martin Short, Susan Sarandon, John
Lithgow and Whoopi Goldberg, and the national tour of Rugrats Live,
Johnny Bravo in Bollywood and Firebreather for a Cartoon Network
90-minute feature. As a voice actor, Charlie has appeared as a regular
in over ninety animated series, and played many memorable characters
including Buster Bunny from Tiny-Toon Adventures; Cow, Chicken
and The Red Guy from Cow & Chicken; GI Joe Hasbro Network as
Cobra Commander, Silverbolt from the original Transformers series
and Starscream in the recent films; currently, the nefarious Dr. Doom
on Marvel’s The Super Hero Squad Show. On Broadway, he succeeded
Harvey Fierstein in Torch Song Trilogy, and later toured in the national
company. His critically acclaimed one-main show, There Used To Be
Fireflies, won him a Dramalogue Award For Best Actor.
LISA BANEY
Current Jobs – Audiobook producer, director, sound editor, teacher,
jazz musician
Previous Jobs – Audio post-production engineer, audiobook casting
director, sweatshop seamstress, seafood restaurant waitress
Training and Education – BA degrees in English and music,
undergraduate degrees in radio and television production and
operations
Credits – Recent audiobook titles include Lee Child’s, Worth Dying For
(read by Dick Hill), Madeleine L’Engle’s, And Both were Young (read by
Anne Marie Lee), Jonathan Stroud’s Heroes of the Valley (read by David
Thorn), amongst many others.
JOHN BARON
Current Jobs – Senior teacher of the Alexander technique and specialist
in vocal tension release, Co-director Alexander Educational Center in
Berkeley, a teacher-training facility for The Alexander Technique
Previous Jobs – Alexander teacher in Europe and US, actor
Training and Education – Studied for several years with some of
Europe’s finest voice and movement teachers including National
Theatre voice coach, Kate Fleming, and Florence Norburg (whose past
pupils included Rex Harrison, Vanessa Redgrave and Kiri Te Kanawa). Credits – John was a professional actor in his native England for
10 years playing leading roles in TV plays, BBC series and film, and
performing with many regional, touring and national theater
companies, including England’s National Theatre and Citizens Theatre.
An Alexander teacher specializing in work with performing artists,
John has taught extensively in Europe and in the U.S., and has
developed special workshops, and training programs for such diverse
organizations as Google, San Francisco Ballet, and the Sundance and
Esalen Institutes. Website: www.johnabaron.com
AL BEDROSIAN
Current Jobs – Voice actor, on-camera actor
Previous Job – Supervising Special Agent, California Department
of Justice
Training and Education – BA, MA Political Science/Criminology,
Teaching Credential – San Jose State University, Voicetrax SF,
Improvworks, ComedySportz, Full Circle Productions, Barbershop
Harmony Society
Credits – Voice and on-camera credits include SF Giants 50th Year
Comcast Anniversary Special, Tropicana Orange Juice, Mechanics Bank,
SEGA Games, Yahoo Hot Jobs, Biltmore Estate audio tour, Tri-Counties
Bank, Round Table Pizza, Pacific Gas & Electric, Fremont Automall
(two year campaign), 24-Hour Fitness, MVP.com, Omnisky.com, San
Francisco Ballet, Kodak (IMAX) Stone Mountain Georgia, ProAim Golf TV Infomercial, Sunsweet Prunes, HIV/AIDS Media Campaign, Charles
Schwab, Hewlett Packard, Safeway Stores, Seagate Technology, Credit
Suisse First Boston Bank, American Pharmaceutical, Novellus Systems,
Meta-TV, EDS Financial Services, Mobile 365 Systems, Symantec, 3-PAR
Storage Systems, Advanced Micro Devices, Robert Mondavi Wines,
Rockwell Collins, McKesson Corp., Medtronics, CEMEX, Delicato Wines,
Proposition 86, Virtual Cop 3, Robot Geldoblame, Batman: Rise of
Sin Tzu and numerous medical & industrial narration projects.
Website: www.albedrosian.com
8
JESSICA BLUE
Current Jobs – PG&E Paralegal Manager, voice actress
Previous Jobs – Paralegal Manager at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison,
Operational Project Manager and Sr. Paralegal at Fibreboard
Corporation
Training and Education – Voicetrax SF, acting on camera with
Les Abbott, acting with Jim Kirkwood, singing and voice classes
with Jerry Smith Credits – Commercial credits include Charter Cable TV, Charmed
Bakery, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Florida Tourism Board, Community
Health Centers, Macy’s, Naked Café, LookForACollege.com, John Muir
Health, First Republic Bank and Catholic Healthcare West. Narration
credits include Peer Pressure iPhone App, Cisco, Wells Fargo, Salon
Cartier, St. Helena Hospital, Palm and Placer Valley Tourism. Character
credits include Sawako’s & Yukio’s Day, Murder Island, Avenue Flo
2, Desecration Room, GreatSchools.org, Funky Bee Video Game and
Cinergi Films. Website: www.jessicablue.com
AILEEN CASAS
Current Jobs – Voice actress, Quality Assurance – Genentech, mystery
evaluator for upscale restaurant, spas and hotels
Previous Jobs – Various Biotech industry jobs ranging from process
science and development to manufacturing management
Training and Education – BS, Integrative Biology, University of
California, Berkeley; Voicetrax SF; Blupka, Inc. Credits – TV commercials for Foodmaxx and Sales Genie, IVR for AT&T
and Virgin Mobile Music ID, Video Games for Sega – Too Spicy and
Dinosaur Kings, Edios – Escape from Bug Island and Sierra – Pet Vet II,
Radio spots for Foodmaxx, Kelly Moore, First Republic, Nature’s Cure
and in-store ads for Mervyn’s.
FRANK COPPOLA
Current Jobs – Director; on-camera and voice actor; teacher; coach
Previous Jobs – Director; actor; teacher
Training and Education – Kent State University and John Carroll
University, Ohio; Acting & Directing training in New York and
Los Angeles with David Le Grant, Paul Richards, Viola Spolin and
Stella Adler
Credits – Frank’s credits are many and diverse. Producing and directing
credits include The Power of a Promise: Ninety Years of Girl Scouting
at ARCO Arena, Sacramento, over 50 theater productions around
the country in venues such as the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey,
Theatre Under the Stars in Houston, 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle,
The San Jose Stage Company, The Magic Theatre, 42nd Street Moon,
Lamplighters and Theatre Artists of Marin in the Bay Area and staff
director at WCTV-Los Angeles. As an actor, Frank has appeared in
the motion picture The Buddy System and performed on numerous
TV shows including the NBC series Trauma, Nash Bridges, America’s
Most Wanted, The Newhart Show, Soap, The Judge and Jake and the
Fatman. Appeared in Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre
productions such as Fiddler on the Roof, No Place To Be Somebody,
Wanted, A Look At The Fifties and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Frank is an
in-demand acting and speaking coach with on-air news anchors,
corporate executives and professional actors counted amongst his
many clients.
PETER DUNNE
JEFF HOWELL
Current Jobs – Independent audio producer/sound designer. Clients
include Antenna Audio (Discovery Communications), Acoustiguide,
Arts and Exhibitions International, Earprint, et al., voice director for
independent films, promotional spots, podcasts, music composer and
producer for film, art installations and multimedia
Current Job – Vice-President of Production at World Wide Wadio
Previous Jobs – Lead sound designer at Antenna Audio (part of
Discovery Communications), Permanent Exhibits Project Manager,
California Academy of Sciences, rock star
Training and Education – San Francisco State University, Friedman
Technical Institute, UC Extension
Credits – Ten years with Antenna Audio, casting and directing voice
talent for audio and multimedia tours. Peter has produced audio
for all major American museums and attractions, including the
Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern
Art, Graceland, Ellis Island and the Biltmore House. He has also won
multiple AAM (American Association of Museums) and NAI (National
Association for Interpretation) awards for various productions including
the California Academy of Sciences multimedia tour, the Kara Walker
exhibit at the Whitney Museum, the Ansel Adams exhibition at the
Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and High Societies at the San Diego
Museum of Art. Peter’s independent film credits include The Cockettes,
Alaska Far Away, Ambient Medium, A Refugee, Stop the Spinning
World and 1984. As a guitarist and singer, Peter can be heard on
Pearl Harbor and the Explosions (Warner Brothers), Modern Rocketry
(Megatone) and Debora Iyall/Romeo Void (415/Columbia).
JEANNIE ELIAS
Current Jobs – Voice and on-camera actor, theater and voice
director, coach
Training and Education – Member of Second City and Spolin Players
improv companies
Credits – Jeannie has starred in numerous TV cartoon series including
The Oblongs, The Misadventures of Maya and Miguel, As Told By
Ginger, Jackie Chan, The Addams Family, Quack Pack, Dennis the
Menace, My Little Pony, Zorro, Jumanji, Richie Rich, The Pink Panther,
Super Mario Brothers and NASCAR Racers. Anime credits include
Bleach, Naruto and Blood+. She has also provided voice-overs for
animated films including Over the Hedge, The Wild and Beverly
Hills Chihuahua, not to mention hundreds of television and radio
commercials, tutorials, and video games such as EverQuest, X-Men,
Dead To Rights, James Bond, Mass Effect I and II and Jak X. Her
on-camera credits include feature films such as Mr. Saturday Night and
Blind Date and television shows St. Elsewhere, Seinfeld, Touched By An
Angel and Empty Nest. Additionally, Jeanie has directed animation and
theater and coached voice-over and theatrical actors for years. CRISPIN FREEMAN
Current Jobs – voice actor, director, script adaptor Previous Jobs – Young theatrical actor, working as a supernumerary
at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Training and Education – B.A. in Theatre from Williams College and
M.F.A. in Theater from Columbia University
Credits – In the world of anime, credits include Hellsing, Naruto,
Ghost in the Shell, The Big O, Final Fantasy: Advent Children, Wolf’s
Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, Chobits, Blood+, Last Exile, Revolutionary
Girl Utena, Slayers, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, The Melancholy
of Haruhi Suzumiya & Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle”. Video
game credits include Superman, Iron Man, Dr. Manhattan, Legolas, as
well as Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean. Animation credits
include the Spectacular Spider-man series where he played Electro
and Wolverine and the X-men where he played Multiple Man. Crispin
has presented voice acting workshops at anime and comic book
conventions around the country including San Diego Comic-Con. He’s
taught internationally in Germany, Australia and New Zealand. In
April of 2009, Crispin partnered up with the Japanese Visualmedia
Translation Academy (JVTA) to offer an entire range of classes.
Website: www.crispinfreeman.com
KATHLEEN GARRETT
Current Jobs – Voice-over artist, on-camera, stage, television and
film actress
Training – In addition to years of training as an actress, Kathleen took
her first voice-over class from Thom Pinto nearly twenty years ago
(evidently he taught her well…)
Credits – Kathleen, who lives and works in both New York City and Los
Angeles, narrated the hit crime/forensic series Solved on The Discovery
network’s Investigation Discovery and TLC; and is the promo voice for
Turner Classic Movies, Essentials, hosted by Alec Baldwin and Robert
Osbourne. She is the voice of Jason’s Mother and narrates the trailer
for the film Friday the 13th. Kathleen’s past voice-over credits include
narration for E! Entertainment’s Celebrity Profiles: Sarah Ferguson and
Discovery Channel’s Solving the Perfect Murder, I’d Kill For A Baby, The
First Test-Tube Baby, Final Days of an Icon: Gianni Versace and Final
Days of an Icon: Sharon Tate. Promo and narration credits include
Oxygen Channel’s Oxygen Sports, ad campaigns for Royal Caribbean
Cruises and Inamed Aesthetics amongst other numerous radio spots.
Website: www.kathleengarrett.com
Previous Jobs – Casting director – Bert Berdis & Company, talent agent
– Abrams-Rubaloff & Lawrence
Training and Education – BS, Broadcasting and Film – Boston University,
Directing Actors for TV and Film – UCLA
Credits – Jeff has been involved in the casting, direction and/or
production of thousands of radio commercials and promos, including
numerous award-winning spots. He’s produced audiobooks for Leonard
Nimoy and John de Lancie’s Sci-fi company, including The Invisible Man,
Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Time Machine and The Lost
World. Previously was the Extras casting director for Moonlighting,
Cagney and Lacey, The Wonder Years, Matlock, Robo-Cop and The
Running Man.
Website: www.Wadio.com
CHUCK KOUROUKLIS
Current Jobs – Voice actor, instructor, Voicetrax utility player
Previous Jobs – Morning show producer and sidekick, afternoon disc
jockey, Production Manager, Creative Services Director
Training and Education – Chemistry BA, University of Virginia, Voicetrax
Credits – Most recent credits include TV ads for Northern California
Honda Dealers, Ubisoft Battle of Giants: Dragons, San Francisco
Chronicle and Enzyte Male Enhancement (nope, not for “Ubisoft”).
Radio ads for Northern California Honda, Alert SCC, IdentityGuard
(produced by Pond Radio), T-Mobile and F’Real Milkshakes. Narration
for The Alamo audio tour (Antenna Audio), Servus, Gizmo6, Cisco, and
Pulco Citronnade. Numerous interactive projects including Leapfrog’s
Green Eggs and Ham, Sega’s Sands of Destruction, Telltale Games’ Tales
of Monkey Island and Sam & Max; Order of War, Assassin’s Creed, Tesla,
Shattered Horizons, Emerald City, Majesty 2, and Valerie Porter all for
SomaTone.
SIRENETTA LEONI
Current Jobs – Voice and on-camera actor, voice director, casting
director, producer and acting coach, marketing consultant
Previous Jobs – Financial consultant, department head Training and Education – Voicetrax, Cliff Osmond’s Actors’ Studio, Full
Circle Productions, CSU, East Bay, BA, Political Science, Università di
Firenze (Florence) Law School
Credits – Voice and on-camera credits include LucasArts/Telltale Games’
The Tales of Monkey Island, EA Games’ The Godfather, San Francisco
Chronicle, Valley Medical Center, TeleNav, Sun Micro, Intel, Wal-Mart,
Clorox, Union Bank, CNET, Lexmark, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, audio tours
and educational games.
ANNA MATHIAS
Current Jobs – Actress, singer, acting coach
Previous Jobs – Acting coach in LA for The Voice-over Connection,
Loyola Marymount University, Center Theatre Group L.A
Training and Education – BA in Dramatic Arts from UC Berkeley.
Studied with Del Close and Viola Spolin, two improv legends.
Credits – Film and TV voices including Backup Plan, The Hangover,
Funny People, 2012, Evan Almighty, 21, Talladega Nights, Beerfest,
Borat, Gossip Girl and 24. Video game credits include Guild Wars 2
and Free Realms. Commercial credits include McDonalds, Delta,
Farmer’s Insurance, Associated Bank, and Dish Antenna. Performed as
Alice Mitchell on the All-New Dennis the Menace. Currently performs
improv with the Spolin Players, and the likes of Dan Castellaneta and
Ryan Styles at the Second City Alumni Jam. Member of the Antaeus
Classical Theater Company. On-camera roles include Irene in Domestic
Import, Saint Anne in Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Sister Stephanie in
Mother Teresa.
THOM PINTO
Current and Previous Jobs – Voice actor, voice-over coach
Training and Education – UCLA, BA in Psychology. Thom credits
Bill Bell, Kiva Lawrence and Sonny Mathias for the rest of his training. Credits – Promos: CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, MLB Network,
CW Network, and numerous television stations across the country
including KRON-TV, since 1995. Commercial campaigns include Sierra
Mist, Wii Games, Norton 360 AntiVirus, Staples & AM/PM Minimarts.
Documentaries: Travel Channel, Smithsonian Channel and National
Geographic Network. Fun Stuff: Rogue Videographer/Narrator as
Uncle Guido for NoTimetoCook.com.
Website: www.thompinto.com
JACQUIE SHRIVER
Current Job – Senior Dialog Coordinator, Sony Computer Entertainment
(SCEA), Santa Monica Previous Jobs – Dialog Coordinator at SCEA, VO Coordinator at Salami
Studios & Soundelux DMG
Training and Education – BA, Electronic Media, University of Cincinnati,
College Conservatory of Music
Credits – God of War: Ghost of Sparta, God of War III, SOCOM: Tactical
Strike, SOCOM: Combined Assault, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2, God of
War: Chains of Olympus, Lair, Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, Dead Rising,
Onimusha, Resident Evil 4, Marc Ecko’s Getting Up and Forgotten
Realms: Demon Stone. 9
BRIAN SOMMER
NICK THOMAS
Current Job – Voice actor
Training and Education – Voicetrax SF
Credits – Brian’s credits include TV ads for Best Buy, Pine Sol, SF Opera,
and AFLAC; radio spots for Comcast, Yahoo, Subway, First Republic
Bank; and narration for H-P, Visa, Sun Micro, Sprint, EBay, and the LA
Angels of Anaheim, but character roles remain his passion. He’s been
cast in scores of video games, and more often than not, is featured as
the bad guy (which is ironic given that Brian was once a Bay Area cop)
in such games as Sega’s Phantasy Star Universe and Rambo, Backbone’s
Death Jr. 2, Flagship’s Hellgate London, Blizzard’s Diablo III, Autumn
Moon’s A Vampyre Story, Microsoft’s Rise of Nations, City Interactive’s
Chronicles of Mystery, Big Fish’s Return to Ravenhearst, Ubisoft’s
Assassin’s Creed, Telltale Game’s Sam and Max and LucasArts/TellTale
Game’s Tales of Monkey Island. An avid Disney fan, Brian can be heard
as the voicemail greeting at the Disney Gallery and Disneyanna shop,
as well as on numerous Disneyland Fan Podcasts. Because Brian is a
Voicetrax alum, he always likes to remind students who aspire to work
professionally. “It can be done, I am living proof.”
Website: www.briansommer.com
Current Job – Partner at SomaTone Interactive Audio, an audio
production company specializing in interactive media including games
and online marketing
Previous Job – Music engineer and musician with Sony Music. Nick
engineered and mixed records for Celine Dion, Carlos Santana,
Destiny’s Child, Ricky Martin and Jessica Simpson. Nick left the pop
music scene to follow his long held dream of opening an audio
production company.
Credits – As Partner and Producer at SomaTone, Nick has worked
with all the heavy hitters in the industry including Electronic Arts,
Ubisoft, DreamWorks, Sony, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon, Microsoft,
Nike, Disney and hundreds more worldwide. SomaTone’s gaming
credits are too numerous to list in totality, but include League of
Legends, Gods and Heroes, Pirates of the Caribbean, Warcraft 3,
World of Warcraft, Charlotte’s Web, Assassins Creed, Iron Man 2,
Call of Duty, Spongebob SquarePants, Superman and Transformers.
Pop into SomaTone any day of the week and it’s likely you’ll see a
Voicetrax student recording a session.
Website: www.somatone.com
BOB SYMONS
MARY LYNN WISSNER
Current Jobs – Voice casting director and owner of Voices Voicecasting
in Los Angeles for 20 years, voice actress, voice-over coach
Previous Jobs – Casting associate at VoiceCaster in LA, voice talent
agent, producer
Credits – Mary Lynn has cast thousands of voices for TV, radio,
animation, film, games, ADR and audiobooks. Her recent casting clients
include History Chanel, NBC, Reese’s Candy, Sprint, Chevron, Motrin,
Barilla, Seven-Eleven, Coke, Jeep, Chiquita, Kodak, H-P, PBS, Stouffer’s,
Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, Mattel, Sony Playstation, Kraft,
Kleenex, Brita, Prevacid, Tecate, Microsoft, One Touch. As a mentor
and coach to voice actors for the last 20 years, she has also nurtured
and guided hundreds of voice actors, from across the country, into the
world of voice-overs.
Current Jobs – Retired voice actor, quasi-retired attorney,
part-time golfer
Previous Job – 25 years as high-tech corporate legal counsel, including
17 years as VP and General Counsel at DIALOG Information Services,
Palo Alto and Mountain View
Training and Education – JD, Loyola University School of Law, BS,
Communications from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale),
Voicetrax SF, Full Circle Productions – San Francisco
Credits – Voice-over credits include narration for Mariah Vineyards
and UCSF Children’s Hospital; audio tours for the Stratosphere Hotel
in Las Vegas, the American Beauty Museum, the Southeast Asian
Art Museum, and 400 Years of Tsarist Russia, The True Believers TV
documentary, commercials for Concannon Chardonnay, MTV Music
Awards Live Like a Rock Star, NPI, eGain, Novitra Cream, Levis, Oak Tree
Mazda, Frontier Infiniti, Adidas, Heald Business College and Match.
com, interactive books including The Human Body and Day in the City
for Leapfrog and various computer games.
Lectures... Workshops... Seminars
This Is What It’s ALL About!
All lectures, workshops, and seminars are held at Voicetrax’s studios in Sausalito unless otherwise noted. With a multitude
of classes to choose from, we realize it may be a bit daunting to know what curriculum strategy would work best for your
specific situation. We encourage you to contact our registrar for guidance at (415) 331-8800. We can help you identify the
courses that are most appropriate for your needs at each particular stage of your training. For actual dates and prices of
classes, please see registration form.
Voicetrax Guest Director™ biographies begin on page 8 of this catalogue. Please note that legal restrictions prohibit us from
listing the actual names of individual talent agents and booth directors.
FOR BEGINNERS
FINDING YOUR VOICE
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
3-hour overview
None
Join Voicetrax founder, Samantha Paris, for an enlightening introductory overview. You’ll be introduced to the various genres of voice-overs
including radio and TV ads, animation, narration, promos and video games. Get a chance to hear examples of “superior” and “not so great”
performances. Samantha will offer a straightforward outlook regarding the financial realities of the business, the commitment and training
required to become a successful, working voice actor and how you’ll know when you’re really ready for a demo.
BEGINNING SEMINAR
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Al Bedrosian
10-hour weekend seminar
Recommended option to Beginning Workshop for novices or students
with previous professional voice acting, acting or broadcast experience.
This accelerated weekend seminar covers much of the same ground as Beginning Workshop and is designed for people who are schedule
challenged and don’t mind being thrown straight into the fire. Get ready, because this is a weekend packed full of information. You’ll explore
voice acting fundamentals including script interpretation, microphone technique, acting choices, and dialogues. You’ll leave this seminar with
a better understanding of the voice acting craft, and an awareness of the particular skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed in the current
marketplace.
BEGINNING WORKSHOP
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Aileen Casas, Samantha Paris,
Chuck Kourouklis
21-hour, 6-week workshop
None
You’ll explore basic voice acting fundamentals including script interpretation, microphone technique, acting choices and dialogues. You will even
get a chance to create character voices. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a solid understanding of the voice acting craft, and an awareness
of the particular skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed in the current marketplace.
10
CREATING CHARACTERS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris, Chuck Kourouklis
None
These practiced pros will share several of their insights, tricks, and techniques during this entertaining seminar. Even those of you who might
find the idea of character work a bit intimidating will discover voices and performances inside of you that you never knew existed. You’ll gain
an enhanced understanding of the character creation process and an increased confidence in your ability to invent colorful and memorable yet
realistic characters.
GOING FORWARD – BEGINNING LAB
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
3-hour lab
Priority given those who’ve completed Beginning Seminar but have not
worked with Samantha. Those who’ve completed other beginning level
classes with Samantha may enroll. Space is limited.
If you’re getting ready to move up to the next level, but want to know more about what to expect and what will be expected of you once you get
there, this class is tailor-made for you. Part work-out, part Intermediate-level orientation, you’ll be introduced to dialogue and audition exercises
in typical Samantha fashion. After this session, you will possess a better understanding of the skills that you’ll need to focus on going forward and
why mastering them is fundamental to your development as a voice actor.
INTRODUCTION TO NARRATION
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Chuck Kourouklis
Prerequisites: Beginning Workshop or Beginning Seminar.
During this workshop you’ll explore various narration styles and techniques as you work with a wide variety of copy including the growing field of
industrial narration. You’ll acquire a clearer perspective on how to engage the listener and weave a story that takes your audience along for the
ride. Gain a true appreciation for the storytelling skills required to deliver strong, connected documentary narration performances.
SIMPLY ACTING
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Frank Coppola
None
Frank teaches the fundamental acting techniques he’s learned and used successfully over the years, both as an actor and director. Through
participation in theater games and improv exercises you’ll increase your comfort level, gain confidence in your performance ability and
learn to make bold choices. You’ll also spend time behind the microphone learning how to apply these basic acting concepts to performing
commercial copy. FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS
ACCESS: BREAKING INTO THE BUSINESS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Agent
None
Gone are the days of getting discovered while sitting in a malt shop sipping a milkshake. So what is an aspiring voice actor to do? Join a top San
Francisco talent agent for this “Tour de Bay Area Voice-over” and get this informed insider’s perspective on the preparation required to compete
in the San Francisco market. You’ll find out about the right and wrong way to find an agent, proper demo submission procedures and etiquette,
what agents look for in a demo, expanding your range and audition do’s and don’ts. You’ll also get a chance to work on a variety of commercial,
narration and character copy and you’ll be offered individualized feedback on how you can raise the quality of your auditions. CHARACTER MAGIC
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jeannie Elias
None
Come prepared to be up on your feet and working for most of this seminar as you use proven acting techniques to expand your range and
bring fully realized characters to life organically and truthfully. This is not a class on how to mark up your script or make funny voices. Instead,
as you explore characters from animation and video games, you’ll learn to use instinct, imagination and emotional authenticity to explore and
understand the layers of each one. You’ll discover that once you are genuinely engaged and in the moment... Abracadabra! The “voice” of the
character will spring naturally from the work.
COLORS OF YOUR VOICE
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Chuck Kourouklis
This introductory course is a prerequisite for enrollment in any class
taught by Thom Pinto.
What color is luxury…trust…excitement? The Colors method, originally developed by Thom Pinto, has helped thousands of actors construct a
richer, more vibrant voice-over foundation including your instructor, Chuck Kourouklis, who has successfully used this technique to land roles
in commercials for advertisers such as Honda, Comcast and Sega. As Chuck leads you through an exploration of your full vocal and emotional
spectrum, you’ll uncover a multitude of interpretations that you’ve never before considered or realized you were capable of delivering.
FOUNDER’S SEMINAR
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
None
If you’re an Intermediate level student who believes that you are ready to move up to the next level, you’ll get a chance to prove it during
this demanding seminar where the phrase “That was good…for a beginner” no longer exists and the words “competitive read” become your
benchmark every time you step into the booth. Come prepared to be held to a higher Intermediate/Advanced standard of performance as you’re
challenged to take all the tools and techniques you’ve acquired from your previous classes and apply these skills to a wide range of copy including
radio, TV and animation.
INTERMEDIATE STYLIZED VOICE ACTOR
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto
None
Advertising agencies spend millions of dollars each year to achieve a specific look and feel for their TV commercials. A precise approach is required
to complement the carefully crafted visual mood, rhythm and energy of these spots. This workshop, packed with specific style categories and
detailed definitions with examples, is designed to help you unravel the mysteries of script interpretation and style selection for TV voice-overs so
that you’ll be prepared to meet the challenges presented when auditioning for these highly lucrative ads.
11
FOR EVERYONE
EXPLORING THE INSTRUMENT
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
John Baron
Participants expected to complete two hours of outside work/exercises
each week. Comfortable clothing advised for group exercises.
In this workshop you’ll learn how to rid yourself of “blocks”, vocal patterns that interfere with your ability to speak naturally and with ease.
You’ll explore how your own breath, articulation, clarity of sound, mind/body connection, range, tone, placement, vocal tension and performance
anxiety can each affect the way you communicate and ultimately your performance. But it’s not all hard work and vocal diagnostics. John keeps
the proceedings entertaining, fast-paced and light-hearted. HOME RECORDING STUDIO TUTORIAL
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Booth Director
Limited to ten participants.
With more and more auditions happening from home these days, having a simple home recording set-up is a critical part in making yourself
immediately accessible to agents and clients all over the world. It also allows you to sign up for the growing list of Voicetrax classes that require
a home recording set-up for participation. The ability to record and listen to yourself provides you with an opportunity to self-diagnose vocal
problems and fine tune your performances. Learn how to inexpensively put together your own home studio from the ground up including
selection, purchase and use of audio equipment, wiring basics, setup and configuration, a personalized home studio plan, software installation and
basic editing and file conversion with Audacity software.
HOME RECORDING STUDIO TUTORIAL II
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Booth Director
Limited to ten participants. You must bring a laptop to class during Week 2. Prerequisites: Level I or prior approval from Voicetrax. If you
complete both courses, you’ll be eligible for a follow-up private lesson
with the instructor and receive a personal “eq” profile of your voice for
future reference and “sweetening”.
Once you’ve completed the Level I class you’ll know how to record and send clean, audition-quality mp3’s. Take the next step and learn how to
get your home recordings as close to studio quality as possible with additional training and equipment. Ascertain the functions and use of other
studio equipment such as mixers, equalizers, and ISDN and even get a chance to try out some high-end microphones. Discuss the pros and cons of
various recording software programs and find out through a guided “hands on” tutorial how to use editing techniques to correct common audio
problems and “sweeten” your recordings.
IMPROV FOR VOICE ACTORS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Anna Mathias
None
Ever wonder what a bowling butterfly would be like? How about a rhino with low self esteem? Well get ready to find out and open your mind
to all the endless possibilities! In this energetic and fun workout, Anna will jolt you out of your predictable everyday choices, freeing you to take
chances and find new and unusual characters, voices and approaches to copy that even you didn’t know you had. Using a variety of tried and true
theater games and improv techniques, you’ll gain confidence as you learn to relax in front of the mic. INSIDE THE VOICE ACTOR’S STUDIO
u New Guest!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Billy West, Chuck Kourouklis
(Moderator)
3-hour lecture
Off-site
Voicetrax is proud to continue our ongoing lecture series with the top talent in the voice-over business. This semester we’re more than delighted,
we’re giddy to welcome voice artist extraordinaire, Billy West. As the voice of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Pepe LePew, Ren & Stimpy and half the
characters on Futurama, Billy’s experience is beyond compare. Join us and hear as Billy recounts his rise to the very top of the voice-over world and
what he’s learned along the way about acting and life. If there is anybody in our business who’s “been there and done that”, it’s Billy West. An
entertaining night you unquestionably do not want to miss!
TAMING OF THE MIC
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Chuck Kourouklis
None
If you’ve ever puzzled over how to show greater range and imagination in your voice acting, this class presents specific microphone techniques
that can help you breathe life and variety into your performances. Chuck will reveal the many tricks of the trade that he’s developed during his 20
plus years in the broadcast and voice-over industries, from minimizing “p”-pops and over-modulation, to creatively establishing a sense of scene
and defining your characters.
FOR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED STUDENTS
¡ANIMANIA!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
LA Agent
None
Bolster your confidence, test your creativity, sharpen your technical abilities and strengthen your auditioning techniques by working on cartoon and
game scripts with one of the best known animation agents in the business. With her trademark straightforward style, this authority in the animation
field will provide succinct feedback and direction, while still maintaining the fun and inventiveness that character work is supposed to have.
AUDIOBOOK INTENSIVE
u Back by Popular Demand!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Lisa Baney
Seminar consists of two consecutive live sessions, homework assignments
and two weekly one-on-one cyber sessions. Students must e-mail
recorded audio content and familiarize themselves with the work of
a variety of audiobook readers outside of class.
The marathon runners of the voice-over industry, audiobook narrators must posses a unique skill set necessary to sustain an interesting story for
hundreds of pages. In this combination live and cyber seminar you’ll learn how to bring an audiobook to life and recognize the different acting
chops required for fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. Explore and develop your skills using exercises specifically tailored to identify and
strengthen your unique voice. Acquire a solid understanding of the stamina it takes to narrate audiobooks with confidence and skill.
12
AUDITION ANGEL
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto, Chuck Kourouklis,
LA Booth Director
None
Gain a wealth of wisdom and confidence from this role-playing workshop as you learn to deal with adversity, uncertainty, insecurity and a host
of other confidence assassins that can undermine an actor’s ability to give his or her best audition performance. Feel more in control and better
prepared to handle the art of self-direction even under the most challenging and demanding audition circumstances.
BEATING THE BLUES
u NEW!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jessica Blue
6-hour, 2-week seminar
Students will be sent a pre-class assignment two weeks before class
begins. Homework for week 2 will be assigned during first class.
Stuck in a rut? Lost your mojo, swagger, and/or self-confidence? Not sure how to move past it and get back in the game? You are not alone.
Everyone goes through it and those that want “it” bad enough figure out a way to get past it. This 6-hour class over two nights will give you back
your swing. Discuss the voice-over journey from struggling student to working actor and how each step of the way is a valid and a true goal and
triumph, why you are further along than you may think and what you need to work on to continue. This class will consist of part lecture with class
participation and some improv games. It will encourage students’ self-awareness of their specific skills and how to adapt them accordingly to reach
their goals.
CHARACTER UNIVERSITY
u NEW! Teacher Back by Popular Demand!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Susan Blu
None
Do you hear the bell? School is in session and we want to know, will you make the grade? We’re not joking when we say, “Susan wrote the book
on voice acting”. She’s the co-author of the best-selling voice-over book of all time, “Word of Mouth, A Guide to Voice-Over Excellence”. She’s also
directed more than a thousand episodes of animated television and as a top voice talent created numerous unforgettable cartoon and commercial
characters. It’s safe to say that Susan has earned her Ph.D. in Voice-over Arts. At this institution of higher learning – Voicetrax style, Professor Blu
will educate you on her unique philosophy of animation character development. Learn many of the strategies, styles and techniques that she’s
used successfully as a director and actor so that you can create, enhance and sustain memorable characters of your own. Now get to class!
COMEDY CENTRAL
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jeff Howell
None
It has been said that comedy is a serious business. So it’s back to basics to focus on the “rules” of comedy with award-winning comedy producer
and casting director, Jeff Howell. Work with Jeff to strengthen your basic comedy skills. As you tackle one funny commercial script after another,
Jeff will provide helpful, corrective feedback on your script analysis, character, improvisation, scene setting and.…timing.…abilities. By the end of
the seminar, you’ll know where to look for the “funny” in each script, but even more important you’ll know how to deliver the “funny.”
COMMERCIALS VS. CARTOONS VS. VIDEO GAMES
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
LA Agent & Booth Director
None
Join these two voice-over veterans for a side-by-side-by-side look at the contrasting styles between commercials, animation and video games.
They’ll help you find the appropriate lively tone and energy for your Saturday morning characters, then teach you how to “dial it down” while
sustaining the reality and intensity required for video game characters. You’ll work on developing the funny yet conversational and believable
characters that commercial copy demands. By the end of class, you’ll have a clearer understanding of when to go BIG, BROAD AND CARTOONY
and when to tone it down and deliver a more realistic read.
DIRECT THYSELF
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
12-hour, 4-week workshop OR
This course includes homework assignments.
You unlock the sound booth door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension, a dimension of sound, sight and mind. You’ve
just crossed over to “The Self Direction Zone” (insert spooky music here). Imagine if you will, you’re in a sound booth hired by an inexperienced
“director” who has a vague notion of the kind of performance he wants but no clue on how to get it out of you. Your phone rings. It’s your agent
and he asks you to record an audition and email it back within the hour. Voice actors run into these alarming scenarios all the time. By always
being prepared to self direct, you can escape with a competitive audition no matter the circumstance. Having to articulate a clear analysis of a
script as a “director” for your classmate, you will gain confidence in your ability to break it down for yourself when you have to. You’ll spend time
in the director’s chair channeling your “inner Samantha”. GAMEROLOGY
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jacquie Shriver
None
The burgeoning and robust video game industry is alive and well in our own backyard. Most San Francisco voice actors will eventually get an
opportunity to audition for a video game. Increase your chances to be cast in games by understanding the basics including the different genres,
how they work, who plays them, gamer language, where sound design fits into the big picture and where dialog fits into that. Who better to get
you up to speed than one of Sony Entertainment’s top dialogue directors? During this fast-paced seminar you’ll learn how casting decisions are
made and what game directors listen for in auditions and demos. Get a chance to polish your auditioning, performance and dialogue skills. Jacquie
will help you hone your “efforts,” which, if you aspire to work in games, you’ll need to be able to perform confidently, quickly and with conviction.
If you’re not quite sure what “efforts” are then huff, puff, and run, don’t walk to sign up for this class.
INSIDE & OUT: DIALECTS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Sirenetta Leoni
Students will be sent a pre-class assignment a few weeks before class
begins and will be assigned homework each week.
Widen your range by exploring the dialects that voice actors encounter most frequently including British, Southern, Mid Atlantic and
“Brooklynese” amongst others in fun, unusual, creative ways. Each week you’ll be asked to take on a different dialect and sustain it throughout
the session. After four weeks, you’ll have a greater level of comfort with dialects, a solid understanding of what it takes to perform dialects
believably and consistently and know where to go for reliable dialect resource materials on the web.
13
NARRATION 360°
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Al Bedrosian
None
Building on the skills you learned in “Introduction to Narration,” this class takes you to the next level. By further honing your visualization
techniques, script analysis and acting choices, you’ll learn to deliver the more authentic and conversational reads that enable you to better connect
with today’s tech savvy listener. Special focus will be given to the more challenging medical and industrial scripts that are in such high demand in
today’s narration market. RETAIL BEAST
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto
None
How many times have you read direction that says “real and conversational” but all you see are copy points, copy points…and more copy points?
The reality is that many scripts still require being able to deliver a strong dose of hard sell. Thom will share a variety of practical techniques he
has developed to handle challenges typically encountered when auditioning for retail copy including over-written scripts, awkward phrasing,
disclaimer tags and way too many exclamation points!!!!!
SAM’S SECRET WEAPON
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
Class may be repeated.
If you’re keen to make a serious commitment to becoming an even better voice actor, Sam is willing to let you in on another one of her patented
secret voice-over techniques. If you want to get in on Sam’s latest revelation, sign up for this workshop and see for yourself. Disclaimer: This is not
a class for the faint-hearted who like to play it safe and stay within their narrow comfort zone. Only the brave who are eager to take on a real
challenge need apply. Beware all who enter here...
SCENE STUDY
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Frank Coppola
None
With Frank’s guidance, you’ll expand on the basic skills you developed in Simply Acting, and work on achieving more believable and engaging
performances through detailed scene study work. Using monologues and two-person scenes selected from actual theatre and film scripts, the focus
in this course will be on analysis, preparation and making stronger, specific, honest choices by exploring a variety of techniques and other proven
acting methods, including improvisation and emotional recall.
SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
Simply put, if you don’t get the script, you don’t get the gig! Samantha will help you unravel the mysteries of script interpretation as you analyze a
variety of TV and radio commercials and animation scripts while discovering how to dissect copy intelligently. You’ll learn to look for hidden clues –
aka “bunnies” – and not just the ones buried in the body of the copy, but the ones you can glean from the sound effects, visuals, directions, music,
length, even the agency name.
SHIFTING GEARS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Agent
None
To engage your audience and win auditions your interpretations must have facets, hues, shades, peaks and valleys. Your instructor, a veteran talent
agent, will help you develop intuitive, interesting and unique reads and break you of any “one note” tendencies your performances may have.
He’ll work with you to bring out an authentic and unpredictable quality that will grab your listeners and hold their attention. TAKING ON THE PROTOTYPES
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto & Sirenetta Leoni
Producers frequently cast voices or write character specs using “prototypes” as a frame of reference. Whether they’re looking for someone
who sounds like the hot “celebrity du jour” or a veteran voice actor who is highly regarded within the industry but not a household name, this
workshop will give you a chance to immerse yourself in a wide variety of styles while listening, duplicating, and broadening your own vocal range
by “borrowing” from the most sought-after spokespeople and character actors. By mimicking another actor’s syncopation, tone or attitude it will
not only widen your interpretation possibilities, but it can open the door, inspire creativity and be the foundation of a whole new character for
you to develop.
VOICE-OVER APPRENTICE
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
None
Before you become a “Master,” you must first be an “Apprentice.” Like The Donald (but with way better hair), Samantha will dare you to raise
your game and impress her with your hard work, dedication and willingness to take on whatever comes your way. Ratchet up your skills to get
ready for the next level of artistry where you’ll find yourself training alongside and competing against working pros. With an emphasis on selfdirection, script analysis, acting and scene-setting, you’ll work on an assortment of commercial and character scripts with one goal in mind, to
produce a competitive read in one or two takes with minimal direction. Will you be fired…or fired up?
WHAT A CHARACTER
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Brian Sommer
Explore the cornucopia of characters lurking inside of you. What might your dastardly villain sound like selling insurance? What would that same
individual sound like on a first date? Find out as you perform an ambiguous script and examine how a character would act in different situations
and surroundings. You’ll gain practical experience sustaining characters, a required skill when it comes to working in video games and animation.
14
FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS & WORKING PROFESSIONALS
:60 COUNTDOWN
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Sirenetta Leoni, LA Agent &
Booth Director
Bring a flash drive (memory stick); playbacks during class will be limited.
How many times have you heard, “In LA, you often get only a minute to look at the script before you audition?” (If you’ve taken classes from
Samantha about a million-zillion, right?) This entire seminar is devoted to prepping you to thrive in a fast paced environment. The ability to
read cold is not only a critical element if you aspire to audition in LA, but a necessary skill you need to master to work in games, animation or
narration where you often don’t get a chance to preview the scripts in advance. With timers in hand, our canny casting pros will push you to get
out of your comfort zone to reveal how working on the fly, taking risks, making quick, bold choices and relying on your instincts can actually help
you deliver a more competitive performance. As you work through a wide variety of commercial and character copy, and maybe a narration script
or two tossed into the mix, you’ll gain confidence and be better equipped to face any demanding audition or recording situation. ACTOR’S BAG OF TRICKS II
u NEW!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Agent
Prerequisite: Actor’s Bag of Tricks I or prior approval from Voicetrax.
For Bay Area voice actors, versatility is a necessary fact of life. On any given day you may be asked to audition for very diverse roles from a game
villain to a smooth announcer to a comedic neighbor to an automated response system voice. One of San Francisco’s best-known voice-over agents
takes you to the “level of bookability” with a more focused and advanced version of Actor’s Bag of Tricks I. You’ll start with a self-assessment of
your strengths and weaknesses, experiment with deliveries in which you show potential and perfect the characters and attitudes you consistently
knock out of the park. He’ll share his proven method for developing your own one-person repertory company that you’ll be able to use over and
over again.
ANIME BOOT CAMP
u NEW!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Crispin Freeman
None
How do anime and improv intersect? Find out in this new class to Voicetrax taught by the superbly successful Crispin Freeman. He will share the
conceptual framework he uses when approaching one of the most technically difficult types of voice acting in existence. Learn how to balance
the technical demands of ADR with the emotional requirements of delivering a believable performance in the most rigorous of circumstances.
Class begins with improvisational exercises in order to warm up your “emotional actor”. Next, it’s time to bring the “technical actor” into the mix.
Supplied with dozens of show scripts to choose from, you will work on a character that suits you and record to video from an actual show in real
time. Discover what it’s like to have to bring a character to life, one line at a time, while matching “lip flap” on the screen. During playback, Crispin
will mix your vocal track in with the final recorded dub so you can see exactly how your performance fits in the overall scheme of the production
and evaluate your progress towards being skilled enough to be hired by a studio.
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AN LA BOOTH DIRECTOR?
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
LA Booth Directors
None
If you’d like to experience what auditioning at the top voice-over agency in the country is really like, especially before you go there, have we got
a class for you! We’re bringing in not one, but two LA booth directors to recreate the actual LA-auditioning experience for you. You’ll spend an
entire day ping-ponging between their two booths, reading commercial, character, narration, promo or whatever other scripts they decide to
throw at you. With very little time for preparation in between, you’ll be expected to bring your A+++ game and be ready for anything as you get
more turns behind the mic than you’ve ever gotten in any previous 3-hour class session. To get you revved up the evening before, one of the booth
directors will put you through a super-intensive, non-stop workout where you’ll tackle one dialogue after another until you’re all dialogued out.
CHARACTER ARCHETYPES
u NEW!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Crispin Freemen
Students will receive MP3s of their auditions along with directorial
comments.
Are you the evil professor or the king of all you survey? Are you the wicked witch or the doe-eyed heroine who gets the guy in the end? In
a competitive marketplace, you must know what characters you can believably portray. Even talented actors, who can deliver compelling
performances, sometimes struggle to get hired until they understand what archetypes they are best at playing. This seminar allows you to refine
your self-casting radar by auditioning for character after character until you hone in on your voice acting strong suit. Supplied with a number of
audition scripts with hundreds of characters to choose from, you will pick three characters you think match you best and “audition” them one at a
time. Don’t be surprised if you go into class a villain and come out the hero that saves the day. GAMES PEOPLE PLAY MASTER CLASS
u World Premiere!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
SF Agent, Nick Thomas
None
Ever wonder how a producer or client chooses who books the job, or why you didn’t get the job? Nah… you’ve never thought about it, right?
For those of you who have pondered it, this intensive seminar will take you through the process of what it’s like to audition for several roles on
interactive projects while receiving direction from a veteran SF talent agent. On the second day you will be taken through the selection process
from the client’s perspective with Nick Thomas, Partner and Producer at SomaTone. Find out who booked the project, for which roles and most
importantly, why they booked it.
INSIDE VIEW: AUDIO TOUR NARRATION I
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Peter Dunne
None
Peter Dunne has cast, directed and produced audio tours for many of the world’s best known museums and most prestigious exhibits. To expand
your audio tour auditioning skills you’ll read a wide range of copy from scholarly and intellectually-demanding narratives to funny, Sesame Streetlike scripts for kids. Peter will bring examples of ear-catching demos and coach you on getting through the challenges all voice actors, even A-List
celebrities like Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman and Dakota Fanning, face during long sessions including reading cold, taking direction on the fly,
handling difficult words and sustaining connection to the copy, energy, characters, dialects and concentration.
15
INSIDE VIEW: AUDIO TOUR NARRATION II
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Peter Dunne
Participants must have access to home recording capabilities and the
ability to email their mp3 file. Prerequisites: “Inside View: Audio Tour
Narration (Level I)” or prior approval from Voicetrax.
Peter Dunne, who produces audio for the two largest audio tour companies in the world (Discovery/Antenna Audio and Acoustiguide), is uniquely
qualified to guide you through the most challenging aspects of this specialized niche of the voice-over industry. In the Level II class, you’ll tackle
“real world” audio tour recording issues like working under severe time pressure or dealing with complex scripts that require you to be able to
understand and communicate abstract concepts like “synthesia” and “Dadaism.” (Look ‘em up!) You’ll also learn how to handle character scripts
which are frequently used in both adult and family tours and require you to sustain a specific dialect or vocal placement for hours at a time. And
because so much auditioning is done from home, Peter will assess your self-direction skills on a script that you’ll be asked to record at home.
INSIDE VIEW: AUDITIONING IN THE LA MARKET
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Mary Lynn Wissner
None
Learn what the busiest voice actors in LA do to stand out amongst the competition. Casting director and agency owner, Mary Lynn Wissner will
provide the insights, techniques and tools necessary to get your voice heard and booked in any market! She’ll work with you to perfect your
auditioning skills and get you “LA-ready” as she divulges the auditioning secrets of today’s top voice-over talent. You’ll also get the inside scoop on
the LA market landscape, who’s who and what they’re looking for so you can perform like you’ve been there before. Mary Lynn will also cover the
challenges of auditioning in different environments including your agent’s booth, a casting director’s studio or your own home studio. Learn to use
each of these scenarios to your advantage.
INSIDE VIEW: RADIO PROMOS & BEYOND
u NEW!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jeff Howell
None
Do you know why networks and cable channels spend millions of dollars on promotions every year? Because THEY WORK! Jeff Howell has cast and
produced literally thousands of radio spots and promos in every style imaginable and works regularly with the best promo talent in the business.
Jeff will share his views on what makes top radio promo announcers so valuable that media companies are willing to shell out the big bucks
to hire them. He’ll also coach you on essential skills that every aspiring promo artist needs to master: analyzing and reading scripts quickly and
competently, while stretching your versatility to handle a wide variety of styles. If you’d like to have some of those millions spent on promos come
your way someday, join Jeff to learn the skills and secrets of radio promos.
INVITATIONAL ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUES
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto
By invitation only. Enrollment is limited to ten participants.
Your technique, skills, versatility and range will be thoroughly tested in this simulated audition seminar. You’ll read anything from long-form TV
documentary narration to “hard-sell” retail copy to taglines to comedic group reads and everything in between. Thom will pinpoint your areas of
weakness and provide useful, practical corrective strategies.
INVITATIONAL DIRECT THYSELF: BLACK BELT EDITION
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
By invitation only. Participants must have access to home recording
capabilities, and the ability to email or bring mp3 recordings to class on
a flash drive or CD. Previous participants in “Invitational Direct Thyself”
classes will be given priority.
Lights! Camera! Action! With all new scripts and a never-before-tried format for all of you “Direct Thyself” junkies, Sam will be offering an eightweek series of classes for the same fee as a six week class. Structured into eight self-contained workouts, you’ll get the benefit of two bonus
workouts if you attend all eight weeks. If you’re only able to attend six or seven sessions you won’t fall behind. Similar to previous “Direct Thyself”
classes, your self-direction skills will be stretched, tested and evaluated. As always, the prime objective is to achieve a competitive audition for
yourself by being on the other side of the glass and learning to direct others. You’ll be assigned scripts to record at home which will be reviewed
and evaluated in class. Challenge yourself to unearth a brilliant performance from your classmates through your succinct and specific direction.
INVITATIONAL DON’T CALL US + LAB
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Sirenetta Leoni, LA & SF Agents
3-hour weeknight class &
By invitation only. Students must have home recording capabilities and
bring mp3’s to class on a flash drive or CD. While we are prohibited from
disclosing their identities, the vast majority of current Voicetrax students
have never worked with these SF and LA agents, therefore those who
have taken “Don’t Call Us…” in the past may repeat this class.
These industry experts are accustomed to working with the most talented voice actors around so here’s your chance to find out how you compare.
On the Monday evening before the weekend seminar you’ll meet with Sirenetta who will evaluate your script choices, help you prepare for your
live performances and suggest alternate scripts, if necessary. You’ll return on the weekend and work with each agent. You’ll perform one of your
self-selected scripts with the agent directing you, after which they will offer their “agent point of view” of your performance. The agent will also
listen to the script you recorded at home, provide feedback and give you another chance to record with the benefit of his or her guidance. You’ll
also get straight talk about the current Bay Area voice-over market outlook, your chances of breaking into the promo/movie trailer announcer’s
inner circle and how receptive LA agents really are to working with voice actors who live outside of LA.
INVITATIONAL INTENSIVELY INTENSIVE CHARACTER SEMINAR
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Charlie Adler
By invitation only.
Charlie Adler is a force of nature, a tsunami of talent with a Category 5-force wit who is all at once amazingly entertaining and deeply
knowledgeable. If you’re looking for a frank, savvy and colorful take on how to interpret characters, break down copy and be brilliantly creative
on demand, Charlie is THE MAN. We asked Charlie what he plans to teach in this class, “To get the f#@k out of your own way!” While not
recommended for the faint of heart, the rest of you won’t want to miss this opportunity to experience coaching and direction from Dr. Doom!
INVITATIONAL INTENSIVELY INTENSIVE CHARACTER SEMINAR II
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Charlie Adler
By invitation only.
Why is that student twitching and rocking back and forth in the corner? For those of you who have braved the Class 6 rapids and survived the
torrent of talent that is Maestro Charlie Adler, we bear welcome and somewhat bone-chilling news...he’s baaa-ack! And this time, since he’s gotten
to know you a bit, he won’t be as shy, guarded and reserved with his comments and critiques as he was in Level I. Get geared up to be pushed
harder, risk greater and fly higher without a net than you ever have before!
16
INVITATIONAL ONE TAKE MASTERS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
By invitation only. To succeed as a voice talent our industry demands that you must be able to hit your mark right out of the gate. When auditioning at a talent
agency or for a casting director you seldom get more than one or two passes at the copy. Time is money! And even if you are auditioning from
home, allowing yourself more than 2 or 3 takes risks working the copy to death. Through a combination of imaginative exercises and simulated
auditions, with a heavy emphasis on trusting your gut instinct, the focus of this workshop will be on delivering a competitive read within the first
two takes…or else!
INVITATIONAL VOICETRAX IDOL: NEW YORK EDITION
u New & Improved!
Directors/Judge:
Length:
Class Notes:
Directors: Sirenetta Leoni,
Samantha Paris, NY Talent Agent
Judge: NY Talent Agent
All Participants:
5-hour weekend day session
Finalists Only:
By invitation only. This offer should not be construed as a guarantee of
representation by the talent agency.
During the preliminary round, you’ll get a total of four chances to perform, two recorded at home the week before and two in the studio, directed
by Sirenetta. From those four recordings, we’ll be sending your two top performances to the NY agent who will choose the finalists.
If you’re among those chosen, you’ll return for the “prep” night, the evening before the final round, where Sirenetta will take you through a “test
run” and help you fine-tune your performances. The next morning, you’ll appear before the NY agent for the final round of competition. She will
review three performances before making a final decision, including:
• The script you received in advance and pre-recorded on your own at home
• The script of your own choosing and pre-recorded during the “prep” night
• The script that the NY Agent will provide you on the day of the final round which you’ll perform live with her direction
For the afternoon, Samantha will take you through some decompression exercises, and then announce the winner – WHO WILL RECEIVE:
• One month of MP3 recording with the NY talent agency
• An open invitation to visit NY and audition in their studios
We have structured the format of this NY Idol to match the wide variety of genres represented by the NY talent agency. The eventual winner of
this competition will have to be the consummate voice-over performer.
INVITATIONAL VOICETRAX IDOL: SAN FRANCISCO EDITION
Directors/Judges:
Length:
Class Notes:
Directors: Sirenetta Leoni,
Samantha Paris, SF Talent Agents
Judges: SF Talent Agents
All Participants:
5-hour weekend day session
Finalists Only:
By invitation only. This offer should not be construed as a guarantee of
representation by the talent agency beyond the initial six-month period.
However, representation may be continued beyond six months by mutual
agreement of the talent agency and the voice talent.
Participate in an unmatched and incomparable test of your real world auditioning skills, an ultimate talent competition where the eventual winner
is guaranteed six months of representation at one the largest talent agencies in San Francisco. Past winners have gone on to become consistently
working voice actors!
During the first fast-moving round you’ll get numerous chances to showcase your talent as you perform dialogue and group copy with several
of your fellow students. The following week your auditions will be reviewed and scored by the judging panel after which the finalists will be
announced. If you’re among them, you’ll return the following month for the final round of competition.
The evening before the final round, Sirenetta will take you through a “test run” and help you fine-tune your performances. The next morning,
you’ll appear before a panel of judges [comprising the head of the agency’s talent division, a senior talent agent, and the agency owners] to
perform either a character or narration script, which you’ll select beforehand, plus a commercial monologue that will be provided for you. Later
on, you’ll return for an afternoon session with Samantha to swap stories, decompress, work out and find out who won.
LA AGENT’S MASTER CLASS
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
LA Agent
None
Get a “behind the scenes” look into the animation casting and recording process with one of the most highly regarded animation agents in LA
without having to take a road trip down the I-5. Focus on refining your skills and techniques and ultimately on booking the job. You’ll be pushed
to interpret copy on the fly, develop and enrich your characterizations and take direction quickly as you participate in mock auditions, callbacks
and a simulated animation recording session.
NARRATION BOOT CAMP
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Bob Symons
None
You’ll learn the elements and techniques that go into telling, and selling, a great story whether you’re talking about 32-nanometer chip
manufacturing processes or the appearance of dinosaurs during the Triassic Era. If your goal is to excel in the narration field, this workshop will
help you compete more ably for the broad spectrum of “bread and butter” narration opportunities out there.
RAISING THE RETAIL BAR
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Thom Pinto
None
As much as we love the artsy, well-conceived ads that play more like a movie than a commercial, the world of retail is nevertheless begging for
talent that can sound contemporary and real, yet still light a fire under the listener’s wallet without them even knowing it. Focus on mastering the
skills needed to book local as well as national retail spots. Increase your caffeine intake, up your urgency (because it’s on sale and you just have to
have it!) and give your inner Sir Lawrence Olivier the weekend off.
SCENE STUDY WITH SUSAN BLU
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Susan Blu
None
Too often the truth of the character like heart, soul, circumstance and relationships to other characters is overlooked in voice work. That approach
inevitably leads to a one dimensional performance; so many actors take the easy way out by substituting wacky voices or resorting to stereotypes
instead of tapping into their real feelings and emotions. Susan has designed this scene study and acting class to help students develop strong
acting abilities using real situations, both dramatic and comedic. You’ll learn to explore feelings and life experiences that will help you broaden
your horizons. Get into the inner workings of your characters and create them from the ground up or as we say in the biz, from the voice down.
And it goes without saying (but we’re saying it anyway) that working with legendary director and voice actress Susan Blu is an opportunity that
you cannot afford to miss!
17
SOLVED: NARRATION FOR CRIME & FORENSIC TV
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Kathleen Garrett
Materials used are DVD’s and scripts from actual shows produced and
aired on the Discovery Channel’s Investigation Discovery, ID. During this eye-opening seminar, you’ll find out how narration for reality crime/forensic shows is different from other types of narration and
different from other types of voice-overs in general. Kathleen will detail the specific techniques she uses when narrating the crime and forensic
shows that she’s best known for, and you’ll get a chance to put her field-tested vocal techniques into practice as you try your hand at narrating
actual show segments. Learn the techniques to break down a script, explore the vocal range and how to sustain the drama with your voice. Explore
the differences in reading the opening tease, the story telling in each act of the script, and continuing the suspense for the break tags. Since more
and more crime/forensic shows are starting to cast on the west coast, missing out on this class would be a crime. THREE SCRIPT MONTE
u World Premiere!
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Samantha Paris
None
A shell game of another flavor, this class will ask you to keep your eye on “The Lady”, namely a true-blue audition script. To play, your “dealer”,
the lovely Samantha Paris, will offer three scripts each night, one of which is an actual live audition script. The twist? You will not know which of
the three scripts the real audition is. Sam will send the class recordings to the booth directors at LA’s leading talent agency. If they like what they
hear, your recording will be submitted to the client along with the other auditions. Learn to focus in on a brilliant performance when it’s truly all
on the line.
VIDEO GAME REALITY CHECK
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
Jacquie Shriver
If you don’t have a produced character minute or demo yet, send four
to six short samples (no longer than 20 seconds each) of game characters
that you’ve recorded in class or at home that are representative of your
strengths and range. Prerequisite: Gamerology or prior approval from
Voicetrax.
Want know if you’re ready to take on the video game voice-over world? Sony’s Jacquie Shriver who works with the world’s most awesome game
actors is going to tell you. A few weeks before the class, you’ll be asked to record and send in your strongest game performance and Jacquie will
tell you how you measure up. In class you’ll get to work on a totally badass character that she has picked out in advance just for you and some
super-nasty, mega-challenging copy. You’ll also focus on getting better at some of the important lessons you learned in “Gamerology”. Spend time
behind the mic upping your mad acting and auditioning skills so that you don’t get punked by better talent.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Director:
Length:
Class Notes:
LA Booth Director
Participants should have home recording capabilities and the ability
to email and bring mp3 recordings to class on a flash drive or CD. Be
prepared to complete home recording assignments both before and
between classes.
A sign of the times, “wilding” (aka “wild lining”) has become an inescapable part of every voice actor’s daily life. Not only is it mandatory for you
to become proficient at this skill, you need to approach it with an exuberant attitude. In this fast-moving seminar you’ll learn to use skills you’ve
already sharpened including self-direction, script analysis, choice-making, artistry and imagination to help you balance one-sided dialogues and
create shape, shading and variety to bring them to life. You’ll get a chance to test your abilities on a range of copy including dialogue, announcer,
character and single-line, as well as how skillfully you wild line from home. Your director will share valuable “insider information” from some of
the busiest voice actors in the business on how they make the most of their wilding opportunities.
A WORD ABOUT WAITING... PLUS PRIVATE LESSONS, DEMOS, MINUTES, AND MORE
Voicetrax is committed to limiting the number of students in each class to allow the best training opportunity for
everyone. So, you may not always be able to get into your desired workshop or seminar…We maintain a waiting
list policy that ensures that you will be able to take the appropriate class as soon as possible.
If you find your training calendar is empty one month, or you’re simply looking for a more intensive workout,
consider signing up for private lessons or a small group lab. Depending on your particular training needs, you
can take private lessons and/or small group lessons from one of the following individuals (these sessions start
at $125/hour): Frank Coppola
Chuck Kourouklis
Sirenetta Leoni
Samantha Paris*
Thom Pinto*
Brian Sommer
Voicetrax also offers “Cyberprivates,” via the Internet with the asterisked (*) instructors above. For details and
instructions, contact Voicetrax at (415) 331-8800.
Please note that all Voicetrax instructors are also working actors and directors, and as such, their schedules are
subject to last-minute changes on occasion. In the event that your private lesson date is changed, you’ll have the
option of rescheduling to the soonest open date that is convenient for you.
Voicetrax also produces demos and “house minutes” for Voicetrax-trained students who are competitive and
ready to enter the auditioning arena, and professional voice actors who have trained or worked with Voicetrax
previously. For details, call the Voicetrax office at (415) 331-8800.
VOICETRAX SAN FRANCISCO, INC. · 1207 D Bridgeway · Sausalito, CA 94965
www.voicetraxsf.com · www.voice-casting.net
18

i hear voices!!!

Transcription

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