Mastering Home-Based Voice Over: Lesson 5
The Mindset Of Voice Over
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Leave a comment, and ask any question about voice over you have below.
Complete list of lessons in the course
Lesson 1:
Introduction | The Art Of Voice Over (available 8/25)
Lesson 2:
The Commerce Of Voice Over (available 8/27)
Lesson 3:
The Science Of Voice Over (Part I) (available 8/29)
Lesson 4:
The Science Of Voice Over (Part II) (available 8/31)
Lesson 5:
The Mindset Of Voice Over (available 9/2)
Video 6:
Next Steps (available 9/4)
After you’ve watched the video, please ask questions!
What has always been a challenge for you when it comes to your mindset?
How do you feel working alone? How do you feel when you don’t hear back after you audition for a role?
What makes you really frustrated when it comes to being a VO talent?
I’ll read them all, and respond to as many as I can.
I always learn so much from you, David.
Thank you!
You’re so welcome!
David,
As a 40 year veteran of radio, and VO, I just wanted to thank you for the course, I’ve not been pushing my VO career much in the past few years, but I am going to start pushing the ACX auditions, I’ve got about 56db noise floor, so I have to use Noise reduction, I’m in a basement, but my computer (Windows) has fan noise, with Noise reduction I get it down to -78db as verified by ACX check. I know it’s not ideal, I know I must rip my desk apart and re-run wires at some point to get the computer away from my Voice Area. Again, thanks for the inspiration!
Glad to be of help! And thanks for all the kind words.
I was not able to start watching the series until today will I still have access to the previous videos?
I’ll leave them up for another week or so. Thanks for asking!
David — this 5-lesson series was just tremendous. I feel like you’ve given me a solid, actionable roadmap to succeeding in home-based voice over — every mile rooted in the wealth of your personal experience and conveyed with a spirit of infectious positivity. THANK YOU!
I love that – that was my goal! You’re welcome!
Thank you so much! I love that you include mindset. I was a casting director for years in Hollywood and I would see the look of defeat, not good enough and why not me on so many faces. Mindset is so huge. I look forward to working with you in the near future. Kat sings your praises and recommended you to me. Right now I am working on 2 big projects and have to focus on those then I will be in touch.
We love Kat Negrete! Please say hi the next time you talk to her!
The lessons vary in length from a few minutes to close to 45, depending upon what each subject I’m covering needs. And yes, the stairstep method is the centerpiece of the audiobook lessons and courses.
Thanks for talking about my comment on the Business aspects and of course thanks for the info on the Sock… love that its a DIY solution.
You bet – anything to save time and money, without impacting quality!
Hey David,
I know this is late in the game, but I hope you get to read this message. I greatly appreciate that you took the opportunity to grant us with these great pieces of info, wisdom, and insight. Not only was some of this new information to me, but other parts of this helped re-establish an already set foundation of knowledge. Watching your masterclass the past couple of weeks not only supplied me and everyone else with good data, but you also help re-invigorate and re-inspire me to go above and beyond and remind us not to worry so much and to set our own pace and expectations. Thanks to your videos and Caroline’s DYI home studio manual, I revamped my home studio, and guess what? My already acceptably low noise floor is now even lower! Way lower! Thanks to both of you! Guess what else? It only cost me a trip to to store and a few bucks for a tension curtain rod. I even got supplemental and set up a monitor in there. It’s real sweet! Anyways, thanks again! I’ll be sure to keep my promise not only to you but to me to employ this knowledge and skill and do my best. 🙂
P.S. Elise Baughman sent me your way. I’m real glad! Have a great rest of your day, hero!
Reading that made MY day – thank you and I’m glad you got great value from the course!
Thank you for asking!
1) They are recorded, like these lessons were.
2) Stamina is hardly required for audiobooks. But I hear what you’re saying. I just invite you to question and test your assumptions.
3) Yes we do. If you watch the video on the registration page, I let you know that.
4) I do. And I charge $350 per hour, unless you’re one of my Pros, and then it’s $175.
5) I charge $1299 for demos, unless you’re one of my Pros, and then it’s $999 each. Animation/video game demos are slightly higher (the average cost of a demo here in LA is $2350). You can create demos in any order you want.
Hope that all helps!
THANKS again- all of this incredibly helpful in taking STEPS FORWARD and keeping INERTIA!
THANKFUL
FROM TX HILL COUNTRY
Inertia! Yes! You’re welcome, Katsy.
You’re a wonderful teacher, David. You’ve inspired me to consider doing voice-over work again. Years ago I did radio and TV commercial voice-overs, business film narration, training tapes, etc. I may start by narrating my own books first and offering the audiobook version for sale as well. Maybe that will bring invitations to narrate audiobooks for authors whose books I edit. Thank you for these videos.
YOU ARE AWESOME! ENJOYED ALL 5 LESSONS! PRICELESS INFORMATION. THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU!
Refinement isn’t about taking more courses (although that can help) – it’s about analyzing your systems and seeing what’s working for you and what isn’t – and continuing the path on the things that are working, and refining and improving on the things that aren’t. You’re off to a great start, and it’s only going to get better from here. Don’t think that more classes is the only answer.
David,
Thank you much for sharing both your knowledge and your time. I am learning so much and may replace my Blue Yeti Pro with the AT 2020 USB Pro.
I am interested in your video presentation sound is quite good. What is your set up? I am interested in using video for both my voiceover and wellness businesses.
Thanks again!
Thank you, Deidre Ann! I love how it sounds and looks as well. I use the ATR-6550 shotgun mic for my sound. The rest of my video setup and gear is listed on the free and open “Complete equipment recommendation list and links” lesson on my other course, Teach Your Course Online. Here’s a link: https://classroom.teachyourcourseonline.com/lessons/complete-equipment-recommendation-list-and-links/
David, Hi. Thanks for the wonderful free course I’ve been enjoying. Thank you for the rich content and your warm presentation. Looking forward to your video on Sunday.
Women in the VO field
R there jobs available?
I love sharing with people that although there is a gender disparity favoring men, in some categories, women have more opportunity and take it. Just ask yourself if you’ve ever heard a commercial, a documentary, an audiobook or an IVR/phone prompt tree that was voiced by a woman. So, YES, there R!! 🙂
Hi David Your lessons are amazing thank you so much you seem like the coolest guy ever too. But my question is if your a actor can you put your voice over demo reels on the same website of your acting page or is it best that it stays separate?
Same site/page is fine – just have a section for them separate from your on-camera reels. It’s all acting, so why not have them in a convenient location? Here’s an example (my site): https://davidhlawrencexvii.com/ – and thank you for your kind words!
Hi, David!
Just enjoyed the 5th and final session and want to add my thanks, again, to the many, many other folks you’ve delighted and inspired with this course. Bravo! (Thanks, also, for personally answering my question in one of the middle sessions. That was awesome.)
My question is this: While I LOVE the notion of signing up for your upcoming wonderful and massive course, I’m a bit concerned that I won’t get the best value for my situation. The “give-aways” that you’ve already mentioned being part of the course offering are FABULOUS…and I wish I had them when I started setting up my studio.
Problem is, I ALREADY have a nice mic, computer, software, AND I’d even designed myself a cool little solution for an inexpensive sound booth (similar to Carolyn’s but required no holes/hooks). Might there be a “scaled-down/no frills” version of your course for someone who just needs your knowledge, coaching, and inspiration?
If not, please let me know how I can most cost-effectively work with you. There is MUCH I’d love to learn from you.
Thank you David for this enlightening series–so much to absorb–and especially the episode on Mindset!! Wow!! Really helped to watch that & will probably watch it again!
I look forward to your announcement on Sunday morning (9/4).
Hey David, love your content and the way you teach… thankyou : )
tell me, do you know of an alternative to ACX that we can use here in Australia?? sadly, at last look, I don’t think it’s available to us….
Fabulous, thanks! Questions:
I currently have: Microphone: MXL 770 Condenser Mic
Computer & Software: PC / ProTools LE 8
Delivery Method: Email Wav File / MP3
Is the VOHeroesPro course compatible with ProTools? Especially for organizing files and initial editing/mastering/ pick-ups lessons etc.
I’ve been on a HUGE learning curve with ProTools 8 – chose ProTools because was told it’s the industry standard. I purposefully didn’t connect my recording computer to internet so it wouldn’t update to ProTools 10 and I’d have to adjust BUT NOW I realize I need the internet to have ability for Source connect for customers. Sooo I’m wondering – if I’m going to upgrade to ProTools 10 should I just change horses to Audacity and other equipment you recommend? Will Audacity be difficult to learn or should I stick with ProTools and deepen my understanding of it, is most recording software for the purpose of VO similar? I was lucky enough to do about 10 or so paid jobs for KCBY TV, a local channel, through a connection, but I still have much to learn and after watching these classes I’m wondering about the best and easiest path forward on the software front and what is compatible with your VO Heroes courses? I just jumped in boots and all, did the few gigs I got, learned ProTools to the best of my ability, created and mastered the Demos on my website (sans music I’m afraid) – I’ve probably made HUGE mistakes, and gone where giants fear to tread but I thought ‘what the hell just DO IT’ – however I do know I have a lot to learn to feel more knowledgeable, confident, and to operate at a competitive professional level.
Thanks for your classes and for advising and answering my questions.
HI David, Thanks very much for this inspiring and awesomely informative comprehensive course into the world of home based voice over. You are an amazing and highly inspirational teacher and your explanations were very clear and easy to follow even of the technical aspects of the business. I greatly appreciated this. Although I onw realize that I have some serious catching up on certain skll sets vitally important to V.O. I’m committed to living into and honoring my promise not only to you at the course’s start but also to myself. MY 2nd full itme job in the field was as a copywriter, grip, p.a. with ad ad agency, whose owners also had a film/video production house. when budgets were either very low or non-existent, as openings came up I jumped at chance to do on-camera acting, VO’s, and narration. Interested in further study as funds allow. As a copywriter due to economic conditions very little work currently.
Just finished Lesson 5…THANK YOU for discussing the mindset…SO important!! Ready to go from KNOWING to DOING!!
I just really want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to give us this free intro in to voice over. I have created my page on acx and got the microphone that you mentioned. I didn’t realize I needed an interface so I will get that soon. Your class was packed full of useful information. I think when I start to get some traction I will have to sign up for your class because I still feel like this process can be daunting, but you’ve help me get over the biggest hump. STARTING! THANK YOU AGAIN
To be clear, the microphone we recommend does NOT require an interface. We recommend it for that very reason. We are very specific about the model so that you get the right one, and call out the fact that it’s a family of mics with similar names and to be absolutely sure to get the right version. The AT-2020 USB Plus does NOT require an interface, so you must have gotten the AT-2020 base studio model, which does.
I appreciate your kind words!!