Which Voiceover Conference is right for you?

Posted on June 12, 2019June 12, 2019 by Shana Pennington-Baird

Voiceover Conferences! So many to choose from. Which one, if any, a

re the right ones for you?

There are so many great voiceover conferences. I remember my reluctance at first to attend. I was convinced it would be table after table of bad demo producers. I thought everyone would be trying to sell me something that I had to have as a VO talent.

What I found was totally different! I made amazing connections — connections that have lasted. Now I can only speak to attending the WoVo Las Vegas Conference (part of the World-Voices organization, of which we are members), VO Atlanta, and That’s Voiceover. They are all completely different.

Here are my quick thoughts:

WoVo Con – Las Vegas October 2019.

I loved this conference. I will be attending every year. Not only was it small enough to feel manageable to leave work for three days, but I had meaningful conversations with the same people over multiple days. I met the people I needed to meet. With 120 attendees, it was just the right size.

As far as breakout sessions and classes, we had some of the best folks there. Bob Bergen (WB’s Porky Pig) gave the keynote, Mary Lynn Wissner taught a three-hour session the day before, and the breakout sessions were quality. Most importantly, I came away with 50+ new friends. It was amazing. Cost to attend is approximately $350 in advance if you are a member. A little more if you are not a member. I will be there this fall.

VO Atlanta March 2020

This is a big one. 750+ attendees. But I have to say, it was still terrific, if a little on the large side. I still made amazing networking contacts and new friends, but fewer than I did at WoVo. The breakout sessions where so numerous there was no way I could attend them all. But I liked all but one that I attended. And nowhere, including in the exhibition hall, did I find shady folks selling stuff I did not need. Everything and everyone there had been carefully screened by Gerald Griffith, the organizer, and they were legit. Now, there are voice talents that find this to be the BEST conference and they attend every year. It’s pricey. The room, travel and conference can run you $1500- and then you’ll want to do one or two (or more) x-sessions (completely worth it to experience some of the best VO trainers at one time). Those x-sessions run $190-$250 for each three-hour class. So, $$$. And you should attend at least once if you can.

That’s Voiceover and the SOVAS Awards

When I attended in LA in 2016, this one had an “entertainment” feel to it. Lots of great networking but no breakout sessions. You spend one day watching panels of VO superstars- which is fun but not as interactive or educational. However, there is a fantastic opportunity to audition into a “round robin” session where between 6-10 agents/talent/working pros get to hear your demo and give you direct feedback. I found that session to be outstanding and I made a number of great connections in that 30 minutes. The second day includes the SOVA Awards and Gala. I have not attended the Society of Voice Arts Awards ceremony, so I cannot speak to that part of the conference.

All in all, conferences help keep you in touch with what’s going on in the world of VO, will help you make outstanding contacts and they are a wonderful way to improve your craft.

Online Voice Education

Posted on February 3, 2019June 6, 2019 by Shana Pennington-Baird

This is NOT COACHING (it is not a replacement for great coaching from a qualified coach). We are a group of dedicated voiceover artists that come together to work out and support one another. The intent for the Workouts is for us to continue to hone our skills and “BOOK”... that is, to continue to be or become great “BOOKERS”.

From the experience of those of us who have worked out together this way for over 4 years, it is clear we have created a special community to rely on. We share information with one another coaching tips we have received, jobs, technical advice and recommendation, all of it. We are clear that while receiving is a great thing, the power and growth comes from the giving as well, and this is that opportunity.

http://www.voheavenworkouts.com

Here is Larry's full site-- he also teaches great Audacity classes.

http://www.larryhudsonvo.com

When the Glottis Attacks Part II

Posted on November 28, 2015December 1, 2015 by Shana Pennington-Baird

Here is our second video blog for 2015. When the Glottis Attacks, Part II….

Audio Support

Posted on July 30, 2015February 24, 2019 by Shana Pennington-Baird

Setting up a home studio, producing “broadcast quality files” and making sure you sound your best is not easy. But there is plenty of help available.

If you need help from your home studio:

ACX.com (Audiobook Creation Exchange — part of Amazon.com) will review your audiobook sample for free.

More details coming soon…

Edge Studio has a great “tech check” program.

New Program from Edge Studio— $97 (through Jan 2016) to send in three files and consult directly with George Whittam.

And Seattle has wonderful local sound engineers. If you are interested in working directly with a local sound engineer, please email us at contact@seattlevoiceinstitute and we’ll put you in touch with someone who can help with your exact needs. Often, they can do this remotely.

Local Studios:

This is where we do the bulk of our recording. The staff at Jack Straw Cultural Center are wonderful, professional and their non-profit mission is outstanding. If you need to do a quick audition, this is a great place to do it.

These guys are pros. This is where Nintendo records. Fantastic studio.

And… have you ever wanted to learn more about sound…. check out this article….

Professional Development

Posted on July 1, 2015May 7, 2017 by Shana Pennington-Baird

Acting and Improv Resources

Unexpected Productions – Improv training

Freehold Theatre – acting classes

Mighty Tripod Productions – acting coaching and film coaching

National Networking Opportunities:

VO Atlanta – Voice-over annual conference– Spring

APA– Audiobook Publishers Association – New York – annually – May

That’s Voiceover – New York – November (hosts Voice Arts Awards)

Northwest Networking Opportunities:

VO Meetup Group in Seattle

Huge kudos and thank you to Magpie McLaurin for setting up this group. We are 76 members and growing. We meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Non-profit Group dedicated to Voice-Over:

World-Voices.org

This is a new non-profit that is helping fight the battle for ethical behavior in the voice-over world. Check them out and JOIN!!!

Legal Assistance:

BWR Consulting

We highly recommend getting your contracts looked over by a Washington attorney. Brent Williams-Ruth is local to Seattle and knows our state’s laws. Protect yourself. We recommend this for any voice-over work you do on your own without an agent. Don’t work on a handshake deal.

Mind and Body

Posted on July 1, 2015July 2, 2015 by Shana Pennington-Baird

No matter how you use your voice– singing, voice-over, public speaking– you need to take care of your voice. And your voice is part of a larger system– the human body. So, it’s great to take care of it so that it takes care of you. Here are some thoughts on how to do just that.

Massage

There are lots of great massage therapists in Seattle. We recommend Llysa and Andrew because they are also performers who understand what you need as vocal performers. They are located near lower Queen Anne in Seattle.

Hands On Location Massage in Seattle

Artist Way

The Seattle Artist’s Way classes are based on The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron which takes students through a 12 week course to explore their inner creativity. For some that inner creativity could be getting in touch with their artistic dramatic side, while for others it might look like being more creative in their personal or work life. A number of our students have found our classes particularly helpful during job transitions while others noted that the material helped them to uncover new ways to tap into their creative side as well as ways to nurture themselves. The tools of the program are practical, straightforward, inspiring and easy to implement. We offer both group 12 week Artist’s Way classes as well as individual one-to-one creativity coaching.

http://www.seattleartistswaycenter.com

Fitzmaurice Voicework®

Fitzmaurice Voicework® is a comprehensive, holistic approach to voice training. Originally developed for actors, it is now also used to help people with a wide variety of interests and needs. Find out more.

To find certified Fitzmaurice voice teachers near you for private voice lessons or for inquiries, visit our teachers section.

You can search for certified Fitzmaurice teachers with the following specialties:
Clinicians (Doctors or Speech Language Pathologists)
Knight-Thompson Speechwork Teachers

You can also search for certified teachers in the following ways:
Geographic Locations (find teachers by their location)
Institutions (find teachers by the institutions in which they teach)
MFA Programs (find teachers who teach in graduate programs)
Non-English Language Speakers (find teachers who are fluent in languages other than English, as well as English)

http://www.fitzmauricevoice.com

Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a way to feel better, and move in a more relaxed and comfortable way… the way nature intended. An Alexander Technique teacher helps you to identify and lose the harmful habits you have built up over a lifetime of stress and learn to move more freely. The Alexander Technique is for you if you are ready to feel more comfortable in your own body.

The Alexander Technique can also help you if:

You suffer from repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome.
You have a backache or stiff neck and shoulders.
You become uncomfortable when sitting at your computer for long periods of time.
You are a singer, musician, actor, dancer or athlete and feel you are not performing at your full potential.

Local instructor: Lynn Compton

http://alexandertechnique.com

Testimonials

Posted on March 22, 2015March 23, 2015 by Shana Pennington-Baird

“… the cast was crazy about you and I am VERY happy with the results. You are obviously incredibly talented.” -– Jane Jones Founding Co-Artistic Director, Book-It Repertory Theatre

“Thanks also for being such a wonderful teacher and mentor. I teach for a living, so I know that it isn’t nearly as effortless as you made it seem. I can see why you are so successful in the real biz!” — Diane Lacker

“You rock so hard!! Thank you so much for your help, training, encouragement and support!!! You are the best! I am becoming a bit more confident now and I cannot begin to tell you how appreciative I am for the detailed expertise that you provide. Tremendous you are !!! Invaluable! How can I do another show without you!!!!!” — Geoffery Simmons (actor)

“You have given me practical techniques that produce results, I can see that your students receive 110% from you and I’m sure feel very lucky to have you.” — John Milton

“You are an excellent teacher! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It really has meant the world to me and I feel like I am becoming unlocked again. Thank you for showing me the door once again…I am lucky to have worked with you. Thank you!” — Elizabeth Allen, Actress

“Thanks a million for helping me prep for the video shoot. Words cannot express my gratitude for your generosity. Thank you thank you!” — Dr. Melody Ivory

“I am also so thankful for having found you as my voice coach – you are honestly terrific.” — Dr. Tanya Faude-Koivisto

”You have been an amazing teacher and guide throughout this whole process. You are the best.” — Andy Peters, Comedian and Voice-Over Talent

“I wanted to thank you again for the great class, so many valuable things to learn and incorporate and use.” — Cynthia Campbell

“I want to thank you for the excellent workshop you guys did on Romeo and Juliet. It made a huge difference in their ability to speak and understand what they said. I could not believe the difference in the cast the next day. They ALL gave the workshop high marks. Our show was a success in part due to the contribution you made to these kids. I am very grateful.” — James McLain

“…you seriously made me feel way more confident and taught me many valuable lessons! You are amazing and awesome…” — Erin F

“Thank you for your guidance Gin. I’ll tell you again how lovely it is to work with someone who is gentle and generous.” — Jen Taylor (actor/writer)

“I want to thank you one more time for all of your help. The audition was great!” — Stanko Milov

“Thank you so much for all of your help, notes and encouragement! You have been great, and I just wanted to say thanks.” — Hilary Pickles (actor)

“when I tried the voice lowering exercise I immediately experienced an improvement in tonal quality and resonance.” — John Milton

“Thank you so much for helping me to improve my ‘actor’ voice. It has made a world of difference.” — Phillip Mitchell

“Thanks for an interesting and enlightening class. This was my first exposure to any Freehold (or other acting-based) classes, and I thought it was quite well done. Your patience and encouragement were very much appreciated!” — Kate Navarro

“Tomorrow we have to do 2 monologues for the artistic director to be placed in classes and because of you I actually feel prepared for this!! Thank you so much for everything you did for me over the summer… you seriously made me feel way more confident and taught me many valuable lessons! You are amazing and awesome and beautiful and I miss you!!” — Erin F., AMDA Student

“I wish to say thanks a million for your training, which has put me many bars beyond where I had been. You are indeed a godsend. Nothing in this universe happens out of mistake, and I do count my blessings for having met you. I am so much more confident now in speaking publicly, and I know that the best is yet to come. Again, much thanks to you.” -– Nandell Palmer

VOICE-OVER WORKSHOPS

“I want to thank you and share this with you: I had a v-o audition about a week and a half ago at or so Clatter and Din and I just walked in, did it, no script no anything …they handed me the script right then and there and we had like 20 mintues I was like, What did Gin teach me, ok “operative words”, ok “personalize,” ok “good thing bad thing” and that’s all I did, I just remembered everything that you told me, and I just got called by [my agent] that they want me to do it! It’s a really nice, multi-day project… $700 per day. What you taught us, works… I just want to celebrate!” — EG

“And thanks again, Gin for guidance and extending the time, and for really great direction – I think we’re all going to be a little spoiled now when we go to work with other people.” — Chris K

“Just want to say that tonight was just fantastic — I’m still smiling! Great work was done by everyone and special thanks go to Gin for teaching us all so well!” — Chris D

“Thank you so much for such a wonderful class! We had a blast. Time flew by!!! You gave us a great overview in the time we had allotted. It was comprehensive, specific, and fun. We’re all into more classes.” — Annette L

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