Corrections or additions?
This article by Caroline Calogero was published in U.S. 1
Newspaper on July 19, 2000. All rights reserved.
Finding Your Voice
E-mail: Caroline Calogeroprincetoninfo.com
It’s not just the crazies who hear voices. We’ve all
listened to that little talking Chihuahua push us to eat more tacos.
Such voice-overs are everywhere, says Dan Levine, a composer,
author, and producer (E-mail: danlevine@mindspring.com). Levine will
give a bird’s eye view of this industry and explain how to break into
the market in a seminar at the Learning Studio on Thursday, July 20,
at 6:30 p.m. The workshop repeats Thursday, August 17, at 2 p.m.,
and Tuesday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $49. Call 732-355-0600.
Levine explains that the voice-over market isn’t limited to
commercials.
When narrations are included, it’s huge. Corporate films and videos,
canned announcements inside stores, explicators of voice mail menu
choices, and of course, talking elevators all use voice-overs.
“There
is an enormous amount of work out there. So much more than people
realize,” he says.
Naturally, not every voice box has what it takes. “You’ve got
to have something special to work with,” he says. Your vocal
quality
should be interesting or commanding enough to spark comments.
Particularly
telling are compliments from those who have never met you in person
but have only heard you speak over the phone.
He describes the work as very close to acting. “A lot of people
have good voices but still don’t have the instincts.” Levine
believes
three qualities are necessary for success:
The ability to read a script yet not sound like you’rereading.An engaging or pleasing quality to your voice.A vocal style distinctive enough to create a niche market.Levine aims for a fun evening and encourages everyone to takea turn reading copy at the microphone. After class he offers discreetevaluations of whether your vocal chords are made of the right stuff.For those with promise, his production company stands ready to providecoaching and demo services, and apparently these Learning Studioclassesare one of his sources for new clients.Despite the multitude of opportunities, many voice-over wannabes havetrouble getting a piece of the action. Levine will give advice onhow to crack the market and which market segments are mostapproachable.”Most people go about it the wrong way. Most people go to NewYork and immediately try to compete with the big boys in town. That’snot the way to do it,” he says.Levine hints at sharing a unique approach to marketing a voice-overpersona. He boasts his plan has “proven to be successful withhundreds of people.”The son of a dentist and an English teacher, Levine majored in musictheory at the Manhattan School of Music, Class of 1972, and wasnominatedfor a 1993 Tony award for best original score for his musical”AnnaKarenina.” He has been producing commercials for nearly 30 years,has written a book “You’re on the Air,” and teaches his classin voice-overs at 150 schools up and down the east coast. He hasresidencesin Mahwah, New Jersey, and outside Burlington, Vermont, where he isbuilding a recording studio for his projects in composing music forthe theater.For those interested in pursuing voice-over jobs, Dan LevineProductionsoffers follow up programs. These sequels train people in voice-overtechniques, help them put together a demo, and assist in marketingthe demo. Levine calls the demo the “calling card of theindustry”and the equivalent of a vocal resume.To make demos, Levine works with producers in Philadelphia, New York,Washington, D.C., and Boston. He estimates costs range from $3,000to $5,000 in New York City and from $1,000 to $2,400 in other areas.Newcomers need two demos, one for commercials and one for narrations.Each demo runs 2 to 5 minutes in length.A demo should be looked at as an investment, says Levine, the meansto get the work. The money spent should be recouped in one or twojobs.Levine considers voice-overs the highest paying field in the world.Careers often begin as part time endeavors fit in during eveningsaround another job. The sums he quotes for potential earnings seemprincely; even beginners can make $50,000 to $100,000 per year, heclaims.Levine is constantly evaluating voices and hearing some he thinksshould give voice-overs a try. They include Amtrak conductors, hisdoctor, and anonymous souls in hotel lobbies. “My ear is mybusiness,”he says.The vocally gifted, like cream, will naturally rise to the top.”Goodtalent will not be overlooked. Good talent will be recognized andled by the hand to the forefront,” says Levine. Look out, JamesEarle Jones.— Caroline Calogero(www.learningstudio.com, but note this site can be “sticky” and hardto exit from).Next StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
