The Art of Voice Acting: the art and business of performing for voice over

BOOK: The Art of Voice Acting: the art and business of performing for voice over
13.38Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads
The Art of Voice Acting
The Art of Voice Acting

fourth edition

The Craft and Business of Performing for Voiceover

James R. Alburger

Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier
30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803, USA
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GB, UK

© 2011 James R. Alburger. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek permission, further information about the Publisher’s permissions policies and our arrangements with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency, can be found at our website:
www.elsevier.com/permissions
.

This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).

Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Alburger, James R., 1950-

The art of voice acting : the craft and business of performing for voice-over/ James R. Alburger. -- 4th ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–240–81211–3

   1. Television announcing--Vocational guidance. 2. Radio announcing--Vocational guidance. 3. Voice-overs. 4. Television advertising--Vocational guidance. 5. Radio advertising--Vocational guidance. I. Title.

PN1992.8.A6A42 2010
791.4502’8023––dc22

2010023399

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

For information on all Focal Press publications
visit our website at
www.elsevierdirect.com

12 13 5 4 3 2

Printed in the United States of America

This edition is dedicated…

To my business partner and the other half of The Voiceover Team, Penny Abshire. Thank you for your positive attitude; your expertise as a performance coach, director, and voice actor; and your dedication to maintaining the highest of standards in everything you do.

And…

To the many extremely talented voice actors, past and present, who have made their mark in the world of voiceover, and who freely share their knowledge and experience. Your support and encouragement of those students who have the passion for performing voiceover, and are serious, about mastering the skills of this challenging business is truly inspirational.

Voice acting is the performing craft of creating believable characters, in interesting relationships, telling compelling stories, using only the spoken word.

Mastering and applying the skills of voice acting will take your personal and professional communication to an entirely new level of effectiveness.
James R. Alburger
www.jamesalburger.com

Contents

Foreword by Beau Weaver

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

THE BUSINESS OF VOICEOVER: PART I

1
What Is Voice Acting?

The Many Roles of the Voice Actor

Types of Voiceover Work

The Difference between “Voiceover” and “Voice Acting”

Breaking into the Business of Voiceover

2
The Best-Kept Secret

The Realities of Voice Acting

Full-Time or Part-Time

7 Things You Must Know about Voiceover Work

3
Where to Start: Voiceover Basics

The Voiceover Performer as Actor and Salesperson

“Slip and Fall Accidents” (CD/11)

Getting the Skills You Need

4
The Business of Voiceover: Getting Paid to Play

It’s Show-biz, Folks!

Making Money Doing Voiceover Work

Talent Agencies, Casting Agencies, Personal Managers, and Advertising Agencies

ACTING FOR VOICEOVER

5
Using Your Instrument

Where Do You Sit in the Voiceover Orchestra?

All about Breathing

20 Facts About Your Voice (CD/2)

“Come in Today” Script for Breath Control (CD/3)

Be Easy on Yourself

Exercising Your Voice

Correcting Speech Problems and Habits

Voice and Body Exercises (CD/4, CD/5)

Tips for Maintaining Your Voice and Improving Performance

6
The Seven Core Elements of an Effective Performance (CD/6)

It Starts with Pretending

A
udience: Core Element #1

B
ack Story: Core Element #2

C
haracter: Core Element #3

D
esires: Core Element #4

E
nergy: Core Element #5

F
orget Who You Are and Focus: Core Element #6

G
amble: Core Element #7

7
Developing
Style & Technique

Style

The Road to Proficiency

Three Steps to Creating an Effective Performance

The Elements of a Voice Acting Performance (CD/7)

Shortcuts that Trick Your Brain (CD/8)

Advanced Techniques

Microphone Technique

Using Headphones

Your Signature Voice

8
Voice Acting 101

It’s Not about Your Voice

Commit to Your Choices… and Adjust

Physical Attitudes to Help Delivery

Your Clothes Make a Difference

The Magic of Your Mind: If You Believe It, They Will!

Trends

9
Woodshedding and Script Analysis

The Director in the Front Row of Your Mind

“Woodshed” Your Copy

Creating a Performance Road Map

Woodshed Your Script to Be More Believable

Tips for Woodshedding

10
The Character in the Copy

How Will You Play the Role?

Your Best Tool Is Your Own Personality

Socio-cultural Awareness and RISC 3-D

The RISC Ten Socio-cultural Cells & Your Character

Cell 1 — Enthusiasts

Cell 2F — Pathfinders

Cell 2S — Connoisseurs

Cell 3F — Surfers

Cell 3S — Daredevils

Cell 4F — Caretakers

Cell 4S — Guardians

Cell 5F — Jugglers

Cell 5S — Wannabes

Cell 6 — Contenteds

Theater of the Mind

An Exercise for Creating Real Characters (CD/9)

Making Your Characters Believable

Tips for Performing All Types of Copy

11
Single-Voice Copy

Tips for Performing Single-Voice Copy

Single-Voice Scripts

Public Awareness Campaign — “Expectations” (CD/12)

“My Open House” (CD/13)

“East Cambridge Savings Bank” (CD/14)

“Small Business Success” (CD/15)

12
Dialogue
Copy: Doubles and Multiples

Types of Dialogue Copy

Tips for Performing Comedic Dialogue Copy

Dialogue and Multiple -Voice Scripts

“Donate Life” (CD/16)

“Towne Center Plaza” (CD/17)

“Holiday Magic” (CD/18)

13
Industrials: Long-Form and Narrative Copy

Tips for Performing Corporate and Narrative Copy

Corporate and Narrative Scripts

“The Art of Risk” (CD/19)

“The Power of Your Thoughts” (CD/20)

14
Character Copy

Vocalizing Characters

Pat Fraley’s Six Critical Elements of a Character Voice

Finding Your Voice

The Character Worksheet Voice

Documenting Your Characters (CD/10)

Tips for Character an d Animation Copy

Character and Anim ation Scripts

Character Voice Examples (CD/21)

“Game Pilots” (CD/22)

15
Imaging, Promo, and Trailer

Radio Imaging, Branding, Signature Voice

Gabrielle Nistico — Radio Imaging (CD/27)

Promo & Trailer

Tips for Imaging, Promo, and Trailer Copy

16
Other Types of Voi ceover Work

Audio Books

Hilary Huber — A Bit about Audio Books

Video Games

Zach Hanks — The Truth About Video Game VO

Telephony

Connie Terwilliger — Concatenation (CD/23)

ADR/Looping

James Phillips — Automatic Dialog Replacement

Anime

Debbie Munro — Inside Anime

THE BUSINESS OF VOICEOVER: PART 2

17
The Brave New World of New Media (Joe Klein)

A Revolution in Media Content & Delivery

Social Networking & New Media

The Present & Future of New Media

The Voice Actor’s Place in New Media

18
Your Voiceover Demo

Your Professional Calling Card

Demo Rule #1: Don’t Produce Your Demo Until You Are Ready

Demo Rule #2: Your Demo
Must Accurately Represent Your Abilities

Versatility Is Your Selling Tool

Demo Basics

Types of Voiceover Demos

Producing Your Demo

Your Demo Recording Session

Demo Tips, Tricks, Dos, & Don’ts

An Alphabetical Review of Voiceover Demo Categories

19
Your Demo Is Done, Now What?

Present Yourself as a Professional

Setting Up Shop

Print Materials

Getting Your Demo Out There: To Duplicate or Not to Duplicate

Your Website

20
How to Work in the Business of Voiceover

Promoting and Marketing Your Voiceover Talent

Finding and Working with an Agent

A Business Plan for Voice Actor You, Inc.

21
Setting Your Fees and Managing Your Business

Setting Your Talent Fee

Negotiating Your Fee

Getting Paid for Your Work

How to Guarantee You’ll Be Paid

Union Compensation

Documenting Your Session

Keeping Records

Banking and Your Business

22
Shedding Light on the Dark Side of Voiceover (Sciglimpaglia)

Legal and Business Issues in the Voiceover Industry

To Incorporate… or Not

Potential Liability Issues Specific to the Voiceover Industry

Contractual Issues and Considerations Relating to the Voiceover Industry

Intellectual Property Issues: Copyright and Trademarks

A Few Words on Business Insurance: Is it Really Necessary

Tax Tips and Considerations

Are You a Business? Or Just a Hobby?

Final Thoughts

23
Your Home Studio

A Million Dollar Studio in the Corner of a Room

The Challenge of Recording at Home

Home Studio Equipment

Understanding Room Acoustics

Advanced Home Studio Technology

Managing Your Computer

Wearing the Hat of the Audio Engineer

24
Auditions

The Audition Process

Auditioning from Your Home Studio

Preparing for Your Audition

What to Expect at a Live Audition

After the Audition

Agency Demos

The Voiceover Survival Kit

25
You’re Hired! The Session

A Journey through the Creative Process

Types of Sessions, Setups, and Script Formats

The Session: Step-by-Step

Common Direction Terms

Wrap It Up

26
Tips, Tricks, and Studio Stories

Beau Weaver — The Beginner’s Mind

Mike Harrison — It Ain’t Just Talking

Bill Ratner — Do It Like You Talk

Janet Ault — Leads From Biz Journals Work

Philip Banks — The 10 Top Traps Voice Overists Love to Put their Feet in… and the Real–world Truth You Need to Know

Sylvia Aimerito — What’s the Big Deal?

Bettye Zoller — It Used to Be So Easy: Wearing two Hats

Paul M. Diaz — Caring Makes a Difference!

Marc Cashman — Coloring Our Words

David Kersten — On Getting Paid

Jeffrey Kafer — Do Your Voiceover Clients Know What Kind of Salsa They Want?

Amy Taylor — The Announcer Vortex

Dan Hurst — SHUT UP, Already!!!

Michael Minetree — Timing Is Everything!

Maxine Dunn — The Importance of Marketing Materials

Connie Terwilliger — Auditioning in The 2000s

Beverly Bremers — Helping Hands

Penny Abshire — If You Think You Can… or You Can’t…You’re Right!

Index

BOOK: The Art of Voice Acting: the art and business of performing for voice over
13.38Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Pig City by Louis Sachar
Soup Night by Maggie Stuckey
Rise to Greatness by David Von Drehle
Intuition by Allegra Goodman
Threshold by Caitlin R Kiernan
Shah of Shahs by Ryzard Kapuscinski
America's Trust by McDonald, Murray