A new direction

I started an evening class yesterday - "Vocal Talent Techniques". It's an 8 week course run by J. Douglas Geist, the owner of the Santa Fe Studios in Albuquerque. According to his blurb, he heads a 'grammy award winning production team' and has won many awards for his audio expertise. He certainly seemed knowledgeable.

We are a rag-bag group of nine on the course. I have absolutely no experience; some others have a little acting experience, and one is well-known locally as a news/weather man. We didn't get to talk to each other much, since the instructor started straight in with THREE HOURS of instruction, no breaks! He covered a huge amount of material about sound in general, studio setup, microphones, sound shaping, and assisting in production when you are the talent.

The course is set to cover a laundry list of items:

• How to begin


• The basic process


• Refining performance


• Other voices


• Animation


• Tags and Doubles


• Creating a demo CD


• Working with agents


• Promoting yourself


• Audition techniques


• Your first job

Frankly, I don't have any great expectations as 'voice talent'. If I get a job or two, that would be fun. But I don't see it as much of an income supplement, much less a full-time job opportunity.

If future sessions continue as last night, I think it will be a very enjoyable and informative course. I'm not looking forward to the homework though - there is a lot; reading, preparing copy, and vocal exercises. I wonder if I'll find enough time...