Living in Milwaukee can't keep you from doing voiceovers!
No matter what city you live in, there's always somewhere nearby that has a voice over coach.
Hi Marc,
I work at a department store and do the overhead announcements. Everyone tells me I should be doing that professionally. It could be because I'm a teacher and I'm used to reading aloud to the kids and getting into character.
I'm very interested in getting into voiceovers, but all of your advice says to take a workshop before
cutting a demo, and I haven't been able to find a workshop in the Milwaukee area, nor have I been able to find an agent for voiceovers.
Do you know of anyone out here, or do you have any advice for me?
Kim
Kim,
Thanks for writing in. You're very smart to take voice acting classes if you want to break into the business. A good series of courses will give you the solid foundation you need to compete with the professionals already established in this field.
A little bit of research showed me that, as you said, there are no voice acting classes in the Milwaukee area, at least none that I can find.
However, Chicago, which is about 90 minutes away, has a talented instructor named Sherri Berger. You can Google her and find out all about her classes.
Good luck, and break a lip!
Marc
If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.
MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.
Cashman Commercials © 2007
Comments
Marc,
Good article about breaking in to the Voice-Over biz..
First of all, don't even think of finding an agent until your 2nd or 3rd year!
You have a LOT of work, classes, and tons of practice ahead.....and that's before cutting your first demo!
Your demo has to SPARKLE, THEN start submitting the demo to advertising agencies and production houses, you'll have to hustle out there, LOT'S of mailings, phone calls, keeping in touch, etc...
You are now working in Sales and Marketing...the product is YOU!
After the first year, you should be getting into a groove.
By the end of the 2nd or 3rd year, start sending to talent agencies!
Posted by: Bob Worthington | January 15, 2007 8:47 PM
Hey there...There's nothing wrong with Milwaukee. I was born and raised there, and spent almost half my life there before the weather, and this industry, drove me drove me to Southern California. While in Milwaukee, I had my first brush with voice work as a radio personality....and the constant work does help to develop your "chops". So does a flair for acting, and desire for success. At the time, there were no local v/o coaches in Beertown, yet I signed with the agents there, and had plenty of ad agency and production company work through Milwaukee and Chicago. One time, Jennifer's Talent brought in voiceover Pro, Lou Hunt, who continues to work a lot today. Of course I signed up for a private session, and was fully inspired. There are many more ways to get v/o classes and coaching today than there were 20 years ago. The web is a tremendous resource. Attend the free "webinars and teleseminars" too whenever they are offered by Voices.com and other voice community sites. There are even telecourses at voiceacting.com. Best of luck and success with your aspiring career. Bobbin Beam
Posted by: Bobbin Beam | February 24, 2007 4:10 PM
Ok, so he has someone he can actually go to. But what about people that don't? I live in Maine, and I can barely find anything. What resources should those that aren't within driving distance of an agent use?
Posted by: Scott Forand | August 23, 2007 7:46 PM