Writers love to give each other advice. (Hello.) Unfortunately, that advice too often sounds, especially on social media, like rules and edicts and restraints. And while there are “rules,” most advice falls into ...
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Journal
I’m a little late with my Journal contribution this month because I – along with Shun Lee Fong and Anthony Epling – have been focused on the formation of the Catalyst Writers Groups (and moving to Atlanta to begin ...
One of the things that distinguishes the voiceover world from on-camera or stage acting is that you create a world, a scene, a drama, cartoon, book or a commercial with only audio – and for the voiceover actor – ...
"We want real people, not actors."
It's something we hear almost every time we audition, particularly in the commercial world, but also across the board, from animation to video games. But we know that claim ...
One of the questions I’m often asked in voiceover is, “If I have to ‘yell’ or ‘scream’ or project loudly, do I step back from the mic?" Even though that might intuitively feel like what you should do, it actually ...
Every creative person has mentors who were instrumental in his or her creative career. People who laid the foundation for creativity, who shaped us in ways that made us who we are now. We've been thinking quite a ...
How to keep your voice healthy when you depend on it for a living.
Last month we talked about how to “yell” into the mic. While I addressed some basics on warming up your voice and general vocal care, I also ...
“That’s just your opinion.”
I shook my head. How would a student who got this angry over a bad grade ever cope with harsh criticism in the real world? I’d worked for editors who resembled Attila the Hun, but ...
Welcome to the Rejection Zone! It’s terrible to be in it, but congratulate yourself for having the talent to make it this far. Your presence means you’re actually competing with a lot of equally talented people for ...
Exercises for the Voiceover Actor
Last month, I talked about exercise, the importance of vocal warm-ups, and more. This month, let’s discuss specific breathing and vocal exercises.
Breath Control: I ...
“I write s••••• first drafts.”
I got this advice from my friend whose novels get reviewed in The New York Times. I urge you to incorporate his insight into following a writing process that both takes the sting ...
A friend of mine said the other day, “You know, maybe I should take one of your classes, because I had someone call me in for a voiceover, and I don’t think I’m very good at it.”
This was from an extremely ...
Looking for that next step up in your arts & entertainment career? Dr. Eileen Wirth shares how to write the perfect cover letter to get your foot in the door for that representation or creative industry job ...
Today at The Greenhouse, Marianne talks through the concept of The Hero's Journey for crafting compelling characters and stories!
You got a voiceover audition. Exciting! You’ve trained for this. Even if you work regularly, you may have an audition, sit down to look at the copy, and… wait, what’s this direction? Here are some specs and ...
Looking for that next step up in your arts & entertainment career? In this column, Dr. Eileen Wirth shares everything she has learned about being a creative professional.
If you’re a fiction writer, your ...