Yesterday was my second voice coaching session. Basically, it went like this:
Coach: "Make it sound conversational and easy."
Jackie reads.
Coach: "Good, but you read too well. Sound more casual."
Jackie reads like a Milwaukeean.
Coach: "Great read! I love the 'ya know' you thew in. Just perfect."
All those years of practicing public speaking, honing my diction, and for what? To find out that the world wants to hear me talk like a Sout' Sider...wonderful.
Showing posts with label Big House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big House. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
It's Official!
It's official! After a long chat with Colleen, one of Big House's very patient producers, I'm ready to plunge into the world of voiceovers! I am officially a "talent."
I am fairly type-A, organized, and prone to long-term planning. While these traits serve me quite well as an editor and project manager, they can be something of a hurdle when trying to dissect something completely large and foreign. I had it in my head that I needed an entire home studio in place at the onset of this process, necessitating a large amount of money and technology. Thankfully, Colleen is also type-A and understood my need for order and a regimented plan. In our own little uptight language, we connected and I understood that this is a long-term process that no amount of planning will be able to rush. Over-planning, in this case, could have cost me money, contrary to how planning usually works. I could have ended up with the wrong technology for my needs, or eating interest on a small business loan. Instead, I'll pay in chunks, as the production process is a long one, anyway.
So, there. I'm launching a small business and satiating a desire to pursue a place in an industry that I've always wanted to, in one fell swoop.
I am fairly type-A, organized, and prone to long-term planning. While these traits serve me quite well as an editor and project manager, they can be something of a hurdle when trying to dissect something completely large and foreign. I had it in my head that I needed an entire home studio in place at the onset of this process, necessitating a large amount of money and technology. Thankfully, Colleen is also type-A and understood my need for order and a regimented plan. In our own little uptight language, we connected and I understood that this is a long-term process that no amount of planning will be able to rush. Over-planning, in this case, could have cost me money, contrary to how planning usually works. I could have ended up with the wrong technology for my needs, or eating interest on a small business loan. Instead, I'll pay in chunks, as the production process is a long one, anyway.
So, there. I'm launching a small business and satiating a desire to pursue a place in an industry that I've always wanted to, in one fell swoop.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
First Trip to the Studio
Yesterday, I made my first trip to Big House Casting for a fun-filled day of voiceover instruction. I'm still tired (including my voice). In all, a good day. Big House offered to produce my voiceover demos for narrative and commercial work, which is pretty intense because they cast national-level accounts. I need to spend some time working to break some of my radio habits, like losing the "announcer voice."
The only downfall is the price of getting going: the estimated total cost of producing two high-quality demos, building and hosting my website, marketing, graphic design, promotional items (CDs for agents, mailing postcards to agents, etc.), and enough in-home studio equpiment to get started ($150 for an acceptable mic and $30ish for a boom-style stand) is between $7,000 and $8,000.
My gut feeling is to wait a few months, during which time I take out a small business loan so I can pay everything in full (and not lose my momentum by having to stop voice coaching until I can get enough money to pay for it, etc.) and establish the actual business itself (set up a workspace in my home, create invoices, set up a business checking account and credit card, make sure my remote connection works, etc.). I'm working with my financial adviser/tax dude to look at the practical logistics now. My goal is to set myself up to be as successful as possible, and to do things right from the very beginning
Regardless of the money, I had a great time reading copy and honing my technique in the studio. I was comfortable, happy, and felt a tremendous surge of creativity only felt when you're in the place in which you're supposed to be.
Also, I DROVE to Chicago for the very first time in my life. (Driving THROUGH the Windy City to other destinations does not count.) I'm proud. Spent the evening with some good Platteville people, becoming better friends through wine, Nerf guns, and Conan's last "Tonight Show" appearance.
The only downfall is the price of getting going: the estimated total cost of producing two high-quality demos, building and hosting my website, marketing, graphic design, promotional items (CDs for agents, mailing postcards to agents, etc.), and enough in-home studio equpiment to get started ($150 for an acceptable mic and $30ish for a boom-style stand) is between $7,000 and $8,000.
My gut feeling is to wait a few months, during which time I take out a small business loan so I can pay everything in full (and not lose my momentum by having to stop voice coaching until I can get enough money to pay for it, etc.) and establish the actual business itself (set up a workspace in my home, create invoices, set up a business checking account and credit card, make sure my remote connection works, etc.). I'm working with my financial adviser/tax dude to look at the practical logistics now. My goal is to set myself up to be as successful as possible, and to do things right from the very beginning
Regardless of the money, I had a great time reading copy and honing my technique in the studio. I was comfortable, happy, and felt a tremendous surge of creativity only felt when you're in the place in which you're supposed to be.
Also, I DROVE to Chicago for the very first time in my life. (Driving THROUGH the Windy City to other destinations does not count.) I'm proud. Spent the evening with some good Platteville people, becoming better friends through wine, Nerf guns, and Conan's last "Tonight Show" appearance.
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