Overwhelmingly wonderful world of voiceover and how YOU can get involved

I tend not to blog about the voiceover work I do, mainly because there are plenty of more experienced colleagues writing the 'how to' guides and sharing other pearls of wisdom. I do however want to comment on is what an amazing group of people I seem to have met and keep on meeting. Voiceovers are an exceptional bunch. 

I'm not wanting to blow my own trumpet as I am part of this but I think it's important to highlight how important these people are. They are the voices that are all around you that you probably don't event think about. The TV and radio ads you hear and watch all the time, the voice telling what will happen later Eastenders, the person keeping you amused whilst on hold or directing you to the right person at your bank or mobile phone operator. It might be a training guide you're listening to at work. All voiced by people like me. 

This line of work is so varied it's brilliant. It can involve going into funky post houses in Soho and being waited on (plus my collection of pencils always grows after a vist). However more and more voice overs have home studios,  as I do, which can be quite a solitary existence. When you are building your voiceover business as with any business it can be daunting and often overwhelming. There's lots of questions to ask. I've used Jonathan Tilley and his VoiceoverGarden.com as a great resource plus Hugh Edwards High Score Productions course are invaluable. I even did a improvised character workshop on Skype with some hilarious American actors from LovethatImprove.com and am going to be doing JP's Showreel character course which comes highly recommended.  

Time and time again I've found that fellow artists are more than happy to offer their advice and that is why I'm writing this blog. 

My journey in starting my voiceover business started at Voxmas in 2012 with Ms Posy Brewer holding my hand as I was going there alone.. It became very clear I had nothing to worry about. Then VOX in April 2013 where I picked my lush Sontronics Orpheus mic. From that day on my fellow voiceovers welcomed me in with open arms. From showing you their home set ups  - Gina Mellotte to talking you through techy stuff Darren Altman, Mark Burford to giving you sound tips on profile sites -  Anna Parker Naples & Natalie Cooper. To talking rates Noni North and helping you out in a time of Adobe Audition meltdown - Oliver Dukcevic and then Rob Bee for fixing it for me! When it comes to marketing every one has their methods and Rachael Naylor holds the crown for her Voicever Network group, which held a wonderful soiree on the roof top of a soho post house, on Friday a fab chance to catch up with colleagues and network with industry folk. 

There are so many people I've met who surprise me with their generosity and support. I don't know it that makes me a cynic for being so taken with this bunch. 

Working as a freelance in the media as I do, especially in radio sometimes it can seem as people are quite guarded as to what people are doing with their careers or because of the hours we're all working you don't always get the time to meet up. 

This has changed somewhat since I have been involved in Sound Women. If you are planning on a career in voiceover along with building your contacts for work, build your contacts from a friendship point of view as it makes the glorious ride of talking for a living even more fun. 

If you're wondering if voiceover work is for you Sound Women are holding an event next month 

http://www.soundwomen.co.uk/event/is-voiceover-work-for-you/

FINALLY my very own voiceover booth!

I've done it! I've got myself a home studio finally. As far the career 'bucket list goes' a breakfast radio show was on there, as was a voiceover booth.

I've actually been doing voiceover work for about eight years, being represented by people. So the actual voicing of the work isn't new to me. But I've always wanted to be set up at home.

It's somewhat daunting when you finally make that thing happen that you've been working towards as now you HAVE to make it work.

I wanted my voiceover booth to be something special, that inspired me to use, so it wasn't like I was shutting myself in a cupboard which is in essence what I've created. Our initial idea was a Dr Who style tardis, but it would have been somewhat ironic as there wouldn't have been the space inside, so my brilliant carpenter friend Joe, came up with this and I loved it. When it came to kitting out the inside, i took ages, trying to work out what was best - not trusting my own judgement as I'm not a sound engineer and there's only SO many blogs and posts and you tube videos you can read about how to set up at home. Having started to get friendly with the voiceover community, I went to VOX (www.voxevents.co.uk) in in April and on talking to Posy one of the brilliant event organisers(@PosyB) she explained there would be a number of manufacturers at the event.

There were, and I got to try mics and chat about what I was doing.. and I made decisions. Firstly I bought myself a Sontronics Orpheus mic (www.sontronics.com) and Lisa was more than wonderful helping me sort everything I needed. Then I met Mark Burford from Lowfold Audio (www.lowfold.com) who doing a session on setting up at home. I explained what I was trying to build as I needed to get my head around the soundproofing as well as the kit - and Mark said to send him my spec. I did and we spoke on the fun and he helped me kit out the studio from foam tiles to my mixer. It didn't stop there, as once everything had been delivered, Mark, talked my through setting everything up via Skype. BRILLIANT.  

I also met Hugh Edwards who gave a fascinating insight into the world of voiceover acting for the Computer Games world and I've since done his day course, along with the legend that is Peter Dickson (www.high-score.co.uk)

So there's lots to be done, with the new booth, new characters to develop (you may have heard my Cheryl Cole impression on my radio show!) It's extremly exciting and if there's one thing you take from all this, is make your dreams come true. No-one else will do it for you. Set you mind to it, do your research, ask for help and you'll be well on your way..

Watch this space to hear what happens next as the #voiceover booth is OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

If you want to talk more about bespoke quotes for your business, email me natalieb@natalieb.co.uk and do LIKE my new NAT CHAT facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NATALIEBTALKSFORME

Pictures taken by the extraordinarily talented www.chelonewolfphotgraphy.co.uk if you'd like to speak to Joseph William about his carpentry skills his email is josephwilliam.enquiries@gmail.com

A Tune a Day - blowing my own trumpet!

After being inspired to read 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron one of my tasks I've sent myself is to play my trumpet! It suddenly dawned on me that I've actually now not played my trumpet for longer than I played it. So yesterday out came the classic books, The best of the Beatles, along with the soundtrack to Aladdin and I was off in my element! It really was a thrill. Not sure my new neighbours agreed, but they'll learn to live with it. Who doesn't love a Disney theme tune.

I was chatting to a school friend the other day, who is still musical, about how it's such a shame I didn't take my music lessons more seriously at school. I took my Grade 8 whilst doing my A Levels and failed it as I'd not put in the hours to remember the zillions of scales. Also I had a teacher who wasn't stern enough with me, and didn't bully me into learning them. I do wish I'd kept it going, as I remember my Mum always saying 'If you play an intrument you'll always have a way to meet people'. I joined a concert band for a few weeks at Uni, but the temptation of the party lifestyle and having my trumpet stolen meant it was  a short lived experience!

So I'm gonna see how long I can keep up my enthusiasm as I have found a group in Northampton called 'Boobs and Brass', who I'd love to join. I'd say to you if you played something when you were at school, why not try it again. I admit, the harmonica I got for my birthday a year or so again, didn't last long with my practise, but that is only because I felt I was cheating on my trumpet. Did you watch Sue Perkins playing Piano in that Sky Arts series 'First Love' she was another factor to convince me to try it again. I always have been full of hot air!!

Supermarket chic

What are you're views on supermarket clothes? Cause I LOVE them. I started years ago with George at Asda, I used to do a late night talk show on Heart in Nottingham, and finished at 1am. My best mate, who is in the Police, used to meet me after work if she was doing a night shift and we'd go shopping in the early hours, as it was 24 hours! Then I discovered Florence and Fred at Tesco and now Gok is in Sainsbury's, and I've got some brilliant bargains from him! Last summer I bought a gorgeous colourful 50's style dress from Gok's first range which I wore for my engagement party and everyone couldn't believe it was from Sainsbury's and only cost £40.

I like to call my slight obesssion 'Supermarket chic', the trick is to hold back from what I also call 'bargain tourrets'. This is when someone compliments an item I've bought for a cheap price, I can't help but tell them it was a supermarket purchase and how much it cost. Admit it you've done it.

So yesterday I needed to buy a few items on route to the gym and remembered the big Asda in Hatfield, and as i walked in I was met by a massive point of sale for Skyfall, it was like Daniel Craig was welcoming me into the George bit.. so I obliged and got these two for a total cost of £20.  

I always get compliments on the stuff I get, so in these difficult times, if you need a little something for your wardrobe don't overlook those clothing aisles.  N x