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Performance Coaching
from James Alburger & Penny Abshire 

The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop is where you can learn the performing skills to help make you a better performer, voice-artist, director, or producer. If you’ve read my book, you already know that it’s really about voice acting, not voiceover. And just like in theater or the movies, the most effective performance is actually one in which the performer doesn’t sound like he or she is acting. In other words, the “performance” projects a sense of truth, honesty, and reality.

The concepts and techniques we teach in The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop are exactly the same techniques we use on a daily basis at our production company, The Commercial Clinic. My business partner and co-teacher of the workshop is Penny Abshire. She’s been performing in one form or another since childhood as an actress, professional speaker and classical pianist.

Penny is an award-winning copy writer, voice actor, performance coach, and an excellent director as well as being the creative force behind The Commercial Clinic. As a director she focuses on helping the performer find the emotion, attitude and character in the copy while my coaching style is more toward the technical aspects of the performance craft. Together, the two of us give you a workshop unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Most of our students have taken
other VO workshops . . .
Here’s what they say about ours!

This is a weekend chock-full of information you can use immediately!

Here’s just some of what you’ll learn In the
VoiceActing Academy Weekend Workshop:

• What the voiceover business is all about
• Performing skills you need to have to make money as a full or part-time voiceover artist
• Performing techniques to "get off the page" when working with any script
• How to create believable characters and the voices to go with them
• The differences between all the various types of voiceover work
• How to market your talent to producers and agents
• What performers need from a director to deliver a great performance
• How voice-acting techniques can make you a more effective communicator in any business

Each section covers a specific area of voiceover:

We begin the workshop with an introduction to voice acting techniques, warm-ups, breathing, breaking down performance barriers, and lots of fun stuff! Next, we’ll take you on a 2-day interactive journey through every aspect of the craft and business of voiceover. Our workshop isn’t just a series of lectures—you’ll be actively involved in exercises and personalized coaching that will allow you to accelerate your learning. You’ll experience first-hand how to use the tools we give you for creating characters, discovering attitude, expressing emotion, and delivering a totally believable, and compelling performance. We wrap it all up with an open forum Q&A session featuring local voiceover professionals.

Workshop sessions are held on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 5:30pm with a break for lunch. In some cities we start on Friday morning, or Friday evening, and when possible, we’ll provide for optional private coaching on the Monday following the workshop. It’s an intensive weekend designed to immerse you in the craft and business of voiceover with the result of developing performing and business skills necessary to be a successful voice actor.

I probably learned more about voice acting in 2 days than most people would learn in a lifetime!
Jon Paleologos, Horsham, PA

I really want to take this workshop!
Take me to the registration page for the next
VoiceActing Academy Freshman Workshop
in Los Angeles, June 27 & 28, 2009

Here’s how the weekend breaks down:

Friday - In selected cities, we begin the workshop on Friday morning for an all-day session, or Friday evening as a pre-workshop orientation.

Saturday - 9:00am-5:30pm):
(doors open at 8:30am for check-in and we start promptly at 9:00)

• Orientation & Introduction to voice acting — You’ll learn how to develop a professional mindset, warm-up exercises, breath control, and more.
• Principles of voice acting — We’ll cover basic acting techniques, the differences between voiceover and all other types of performing, working in a studio, and more.
• Voice acting techniques and exercises — Interactive exercises will give you first-hand experience at how to achieve a believable and compelling performance.
• Finding emotion and drama in a script — You’ll learn specific techniques for creating a compelling delivery.

If you really want to take a script “off-the-page”
you won’t want to miss this.

• Creating characters and their voices — Ever wonder how to sound like 6 different people? Most of the afternoon you’ll be working on techniques for developing characters and voices that will increase your versatility as a voice-actor.

Sunday (9:00am-5:00pm):

• More work with characters and their voices — You’ll start the day by documenting your voices and introducing some of them to the class.
• Working on-mic with single-voice copy — Use the techniques you’ve learned to create compelling performances.
• Working on-mic with dialog and multi-voice scripts — You’ll learn the keys to comedic timing and delivering honest and believable dialog.
• Finding the story in complex technical scripts and long-form narration — In this section, you’ll learn how to make “Greek” your second language.
• The business of voiceover — Unions, agents, setting fees, contracts, marketing, following up . . . we’ll tell you what you need to know to be successful in the business of voiceover.
• Producing your demo and marketing package — When will you be ready for your demo? How long should it be? How do you market yourself? You’ll get the answers to these questions and more in this section.
• Demo evaluations (optional section if time permits) — Here’s your opportunity to have your demo and marketing package evaluated by James & Penny. Find out what you’re doing right . . . and how you can make it better.
• Special open forum Q&A with local voice-acting professionals — Our afternoon with the pros in selected cities is always a highlight of the workshop! Local professionals will reveal their secrets and “tricks-of-the-trade” and be available to answer your questions. (Not available at all workshops).
• Evaluations and goodbye — We’ll wrap it all up with some parting thoughts and a few surprises.

I only have space here to give you the highlights of the workshop. What I can tell you, is that even if you’ve been working as a professional voiceover artist for years, you’ll learn a completely new way to approach your work after taking The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop.

I really want to take this workshop!
Take me to the registration page for the next
VoiceActing Academy Freshman Workshop
in Los Angeles, June 27 & 28, 2009

You’ll get the best training
in Voice Acting you will find anywhere.

Whether you want to learn what it takes to break into the business of voiceover as talent . . .  you’re  a seasoned pro ready to go to the next level . . . or you are a producer/director who needs to bring out the best from your actors (either voiceover or on-camera,) The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop is just what you’re looking for.

The performing techniques and processes we teach in The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop can be applied to virtually any business or personal communication. We’ve had some amazing results from television news reporters, clergy, radio personalities, sales teams, and professional speakers.

”Other voiceover workshops
simply don’t teach the skills you’ll learn here . . .”

That’s just one of the things our students have to say about this workshop!

We schedule one Weekend Workshop in San Diego each year and travel to a different city once or twice a year. If you’d like to help coordinate bringing us to your city, we’ll be glad to tell you what you need to do, and the perks we offer for your help.

For the lowest workshop tuition available, click on the link below to register.

I don’t care what it costs . . .
whatever it is, I know it will be a bargain!
Take me to the list of workshop cities.
I want to register for
The Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop

Here’s what Phil Merrifield of Portland, Oregon had to say:

Really, you blew me away with your critique. You were extremely thorough, and I really liked the extra touch of having Penny join you in the oral critique. One thing I have to say:  The way you do business feels extremely "personal". (In my opinion, most businesses lack this key ingredient in the way they treat their clients/customers.) I certainly don't feel that I was treated like "just another voice among countless others". You (and Penny) really made it obvious that you were talking to ME. I felt like you and Penny really cared about ME and my voice-over pursuits. I received MORE than my money's worth... trust me on that.  I truly thank you for your valuable perspective and insight. 

If you’ve read this far... and you want to learn how to break-in and create a successful career as a voice actor...

what are you waiting for?

Register for an Art of Voice Acting Weekend Workshop
RIGHT NOW!

You won’t regret it!

Click here for workshop policies and other information that you really should read.