Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Preface xi
Introduction xiii
Where Are Professional Voice-Overs Used? xiv
Voice-Over Challenges xiv
Communication Is a Powerful Tool xv
Four Levels of Learning xv
Learning Guidance xvi
Part 1 Building a Foundation 1
Chapter 1 Getting Started 3
Your Voice 3
Who Gets the Work? 4
Beginning Your Career 5
Networking and Socializing 5
Non-union vs. Union 6
Acting and Improv Classes 7
Practicing at Home 8
Home Recording 9
Studio Options 11
Recording Software 14
What Do the Pros Use at Home and Away? 14
Tech Talk 22
Chapter 2 Voice-Over Aerobics, Care, and Health 23
Body Warm-Ups 23
Facial Warm-Ups 24
Vocal Warm-Ups 25
Breathing 31
Professional Understanding of the Voice 32
Chapter 3 Copy Basics 39
Identify the Product 40
Slogans 40
Copy Points 40
The Message 43
Comparisons 44
Numbers, Dollars, and Percentages 45
Patterns and Lists 46
Script Construction: Setup, Body, Resolve 52
Coloring the Adjectives 55
The Audience 56
Chapter 4 Hiding "the Sell" 58
Creating a Dialogue with the Listener 58
Time to Practice 60
Building a Character 62
Chapter 5 Making It M.I.N.E.™ 72
What Does Making It M.I.N.E™ Mean? 73
Motivation 74
Intentions 76
Need 78
Emotions 80
Putting It All Together 82
Summary and Self-Evaluation 84
Chapter 6 Melody and Tempo 85
Musicality 86
Modulation 87
Melody 88
Rhythm 89
Tempo 90
Undercutting 91
Hook 92
Pop-Up Words 92
Arrow Up and Down 93
Transitions and Beats 94
Use of Breath to Create Reality 94
Word Emphasis Chart 94
Time to Practice 97
Chapter 7 Copywriter's Intention: Directing Talent and Yourself 98
The Writer's Job 100
Time to Practice 101
Chapter 8 Layering Techniques 103
Tips for Lifting the Words off the Page 104
The Pyramid Scheme 107
Chapter 9 Believing What You Say 109
Final Thoughts 111
Part 2 Putting it to Practice 113
Chapter 10 Tags, Donuts, Promos, Trailers, and Imaging 115
Time to Practice 120
Chapter 11 Announcer 131
Time to Practice 133
Chapter 12 Spokesperson 147
Time to Practice 148
Chapter 13 Real Person 161
Time to Practice 162
Chapter 14 Commercial Characters 175
Time to Practice 176
Chapter 15 Multiples 188
Guidelines for Multiples 188
Time to Practice 189
Chapter 16 Corporate Narration and Documentaries 201
Union Categories 202
Non-union Rates 203
Recording Issues 204
Tips for Directing Talent 206
Time to Practice 206
Chapter 17 Audiobooks 228
The Business 228
Inside the Audiobook Industry 229
Time to Practice 234
Chapter 18 Animation, Video Games, and Toys 240
Some History 240
Inside Today's World of Animation 242
Acting in Video Games 250
Time to Practice: Age Range 256
Time to Practice: Character and Performance Styles 257
Part 3 Getting the Work 269
Chapter 19 The Demo 271
Types of Demos 271
What Do You Put on a Demo? 272
Should You Produce It Yourself? 276
Branding Your Sound: Finding Your Niche 276
What Do You Do with a Demo? 277
Updating Demos 277
Chapter 20 Getting an Agent Locally and Beyond 279
Where Are They? 279
Requesting Representation 280
Signing with an Agent 280
Auditions 281
Understanding Agents 281
Chapter 21 Marketing Your Talent 289
Social Networks 289
Branding 290
Awareness Campaign 298
Marketing Perspectives from Working Pros 301
Websites: Yours and Others 306
Building a Client List 307
Chapter 22 Staying on Top of the Business 309
The Booking 309
Moving Forward 311
Follow Up 312
The Business 312
Epilogue: The Pep Talk 317
Summary Tips 317
Glossary 319
Index 327
