Career: Even Naturally Talented & Seasoned Voice Actors Need A Great Voice-Over Coach, by Natasha Marchewka
Reprinted with permission from the author’s original blog here.
By Natasha Marchewka
Voice Actor & Course Creator
Voice actors are wonderfully creative, naturally talented and
charismatic. Many are highly business minded, too.
charismatic. Many are highly business minded, too.
However, natural
talent will only take you so far. A worthy coach will lift someone to
the next level in any game.
talent will only take you so far. A worthy coach will lift someone to
the next level in any game.
It took me a long time to give myself the gift of top-notch, L.A.
based voice-over coaches. I’m really not sure what took me so long,
except that I was able to skate along with everything in my performance
toolkit for many years.
based voice-over coaches. I’m really not sure what took me so long,
except that I was able to skate along with everything in my performance
toolkit for many years.
My college education and singing performance experience took me a
great distance in my business. Yet, there is no doubt that I could have
used voice-over workshops, workouts, and coaching along the way.
great distance in my business. Yet, there is no doubt that I could have
used voice-over workshops, workouts, and coaching along the way.
WHY YOU NEED A COACH …
A
beginner always needs education. (Please don’t start a VO business without it.)
beginner always needs education. (Please don’t start a VO business without it.)
But even naturally talented people and seasoned professionals alike can benefit greatly from astute coaches.
Here’s my list of why voice talent always need a good coach:
- Strengthen weaknesses
- Realize strengths
- Get out of one’s head (all that subjective self-talk) and find some objectivity
- Build vocal range
- Find out where one stands creatively and professionally by receiving realistic feedback
- Practice great scripts offered by worthy coaches
- Learn new skills and add more tools to one’s creative toolbox
- Understand the marketplace, and potentially the competition, more deeply
- Learn about current industry trends in voice-over delivery
WHY I FINALLY INVESTED
My University degree in Radio & TV from Ryerson, life as a singer
in Toronto, Vancouver, and New York, and my brief time in radio all
contributed to my ability to pull off diverse voice-over scripts.
in Toronto, Vancouver, and New York, and my brief time in radio all
contributed to my ability to pull off diverse voice-over scripts.
However, the time I’ve taken over the past three years to train with
amazing coaches has been the best thing I’ve ever done for my business. (That, and buying a StudioBricks booth!)
amazing coaches has been the best thing I’ve ever done for my business. (That, and buying a StudioBricks booth!)
And, while my time in the L.A. area has been a treasure trove of
education, know that you can receive all that goodness in the comfort of
your own home. Almost every coach does sessions by Skype.
education, know that you can receive all that goodness in the comfort of
your own home. Almost every coach does sessions by Skype.
I can attest
to the fact that they are as good as any in-person session. The
connection created over the phone (lose the video) is extraordinary.
to the fact that they are as good as any in-person session. The
connection created over the phone (lose the video) is extraordinary.
VO pros and voice-over enthusiasts alike, do yourself a favor and
find a good coach; one that is honest and has integrity.
find a good coach; one that is honest and has integrity.
Ask other
talent who they recommend. Good luck and keep moving forward!
talent who they recommend. Good luck and keep moving forward!
————————-
ABOUT NATASHA
Broadcast
and non-broadcast, Natasha has recorded 10,000+ commercials and
voice-over projects over the past 13 years, including Adventures by
Disney, ZipRecruiter, and Electrolux. With a Bachelor’s degree in Radio
Television Arts, several years of singing jazz in New York City, and
many, MANY jobs paying her dues, she started her voice-over business as
an eager entrepreneur. She’s also a prolific list maker, which has helped her
move her business and family to three different countries. Her course
offerings from Master VO To-Do List helps working voice talent get
their business on track.
ABOUT NATASHA
Broadcast
and non-broadcast, Natasha has recorded 10,000+ commercials and
voice-over projects over the past 13 years, including Adventures by
Disney, ZipRecruiter, and Electrolux. With a Bachelor’s degree in Radio
Television Arts, several years of singing jazz in New York City, and
many, MANY jobs paying her dues, she started her voice-over business as
an eager entrepreneur. She’s also a prolific list maker, which has helped her
move her business and family to three different countries. Her course
offerings from Master VO To-Do List helps working voice talent get
their business on track.
Email: natasha@natashamarchewka.com
Voice-Over Web: http://natashamarchewka.com
Master VO To-Do List Web: http://votodolist.com