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I'm going to tell you something you may not want to hear but it's going to save you thousands of dollars and an endless amount of time. But first, here's the good news-- voiceover, for time spent, is undoubtedly the highest paid profession in the world. That said, search your heart and ask "do I really want this-- do I have the guts to persist, to handle the rejection, to stay the course?" You are thinking of entering the world of the actor and make no mistake about it, voiceover is acting without the makeup. It takes as much dedication as brain surgery. More good news-- it's a lot cheaper to learn, but understand that dedication and persistence are primary. You've been told you have a great voice. That's how most of us got into it. But it's not just the voice; it's what you do with it. More good news-- kooky voices have just as big a chance-- again; it's what you do with it. Seems like so much good news, there has got to be some bad news. There is --some of you will not have the heart, the guts or the ability to handle rejection and stay the course. The ones who do, will make it.
Before you call me, I suggest you check out at least three other teachers of voiceover and talk to them. Find out if they do voiceover themselves, what voiceovers they have done, who is their agent or manager? Farther on my web site, I give you other questions to ask them or me. Can they really expose you to major agents in Los Angeles or New York? By the way, for those of you only interested in working locally, I mean like Arkansas, I can address that too.
First of all, I train one-on-one only. The sessions are "no BS" hours where everything is recorded from the moment we start to the moment we finish. That means you'll have a vocal transcript of all your time on the microphone which I hope you will review endlessly to reinforce what I have taught you. These tapes become an archive of self-instruction. It is the basis by which I taught myself nearly 60 years ago when we recorded on wire spools which looked like a room full of slinkies gone mad when they backlashed. You will have many questions to ask about "the business"; ask them while you're on the mic. I started in television in 1948, so I can pretty much answer your queries. Buy yourself some long playing audio cassettes because we fill them up pretty fast.
Since you'll pay each session in advance, I'll know you're serious and I don't want to deal with people who are not serious about this business. I've had the dabblers and I don't want their money. I give more than 100% to the dedicated. I don't ask for huge amounts of money up front and you can always walk away without leaving money on the table. I am sympathetic to a missed session if told far enough in advance or in the rare case of a true emergency. I charge by the hour, but I give more than an hour. The first lesson is $500. People learn much faster one-on-one and they tell me it feels like an immersion into the world of voiceover. For additional hourly sessions, I reduce the rate to $350. You would find that an intensive hour with me would be more than equal to dozens upon dozens of hours of class.
Contact me in Connecticut at 203-748-0378
or in Hollywood at 323-876-5645.
And remember: you can now study with me right in your own home! HOME VOICEOVER TRAINING
All the best,
Don Morrow
PS: See map for West Coast directions. Call for date and time and once again-- if you have any hope of really mastering voiceover, be sure to thoroughly check out the credentials of anyone claiming a background in the profession. Ask them to identify and play voiceovers they have done...
... Remember, as Tarzan said to Jane, "It's a jungle out there!"
Facts:One thirty second national commercial can pay over $50,000 per year.
A one hour promo session can pay over $20,000.
Great News!
You can now study with Don Morrow right in your own home! Check out his
HOME
VOICEOVER TRAININGto find out how.
More great News...
...if you want to ask Don a question on his new blog
1. Have you worked in the industry providing voiceover for commercial use? For how long?
2. What kind of voiceover work have you done? Commercials? Motion picture trailers? Documentaries? Other?
3. Can you provide samples of your work for me to listen to?
4. Can you provide present or former students as references who have gone on to professional voiceover work?
5. What is the process to find voiceover work?
6. Do I need an agent or manager? What is the difference between one and the other? How do I obtain one?
7. How long can I expect to study before engaging voiceover work?
Potential students should be wary if they suspect an unwillingness on the part of a potential instructor to answer any of these questions or if the answer is delivered with vague or otherwise unsatisfactory responses. There are a lot of imitators out there but very few real pros with the credentials to back 'em up.
After a lifetime career of performing and teaching professional voiceover, I welcome these questions and more from potential students. I encourage you to learn as much as you can about this exciting profession before committing your energy, time and hard earned dollars. Give me a call. Who knows, it may well be your first, most important voice audition!
ESPECIALLY THE WAY YOU LEAVE YOUR NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER!