Creative Voice Artist Program (CVAP) Day 2

Recap

Last week is the kickstart of Creative Voice Artist Program Batch 10. It feels like we are really in the class but dedicated for voice artistry and we called our classmates as "voicemates". Of course in a regular classroom set-up there will be a self introduction and getting to know more with breakout rooms. There are 8 BR or Breakout room groups in this batch. I reflected on the reason why I joined the program, how to create a brand and it's importance with AiVoice - Ms. Pau Castillo, The vision, culture and mission of CVAP and was inspired by the words of sir Pocholo Gonzales "the Pochology" with his humble beginnings. The training took a whole day, it's tiring and challenging but it's worth it. There could be no learning without a challenge and there is no perseverance if its not tiring.

Another Day of New Learning

It's a brand new day for a another set of new learnings from the most credible Voice Artistry program in the country. This time I am much more expectant of what its gonna be like for today because even though its just the second day of the program I knew that there are so many things to accumulate from the teachings of the speakers.

1st Speaker

We are graced by the presence of Sir Mac who is also working at the moment when he gave us his precious time to speak to us and share his life, talent and inspirations to each voicemates. He is called as the magic mic because he is a magician. He was so amazing because he is an achiever and did a lot of achievements in life. Also he is very optimistic in his perspective in life which is needed of every one who attended the program. He also shares some tips and encouragement to us aspirants.

2nd Speaker

Not so long because Sir Mac had to go back on his daily job, little did we know the second speaker is already in the room and it was sir Richard "Rich" Abalos (The Rich Voice). He discussed the Things We Need To Know As A Voice Artist. I learned that being a voice artist clarity and consistency is necessary because we deliver voice or words and our words should be understood and consistency in practice is needed to be a better Voice Over Artist. As what sir Pocholo says

"It's not about what you read but how you read it."

"It's not what you say but how you say it."

being able to read is one thing but how you will deliver it is another thing. Tonality is important. An aspirant voice artist should take a lesson of voice artistry and not criminology. Continue to learn, always have the hunger for learning because the moment you stop learning you also stop growing, nurture yourself as you move along in this life. Make yourself available to learn and be consistent. In that way you will be able to get better and better each day. Take a step at a time. Every opportunity that opens for you get it but wisely. Because not all opportunity that open will benefit you. In this industry building relationship is also vital. There is a huge amount of opportunity once a relationship is established between you and the client. Whether the project is big or small, pro-bono or with huge pay treat them equally and passionately because if the clients sees that good character of yours they will come back to you again and again and again. Lots of projects will pour out from the up high that one day you are the one who will going to refuse accepting them and of course the hornet strategy and the culture of Giving, Loving, Sharing and Caring.

I also learned about the requirements for Voice Acting, Voice developing, Pitch, Volume, Tempo, Formula in Creating Character Voices and there are 6 elements in creating character voices. There is Pitch, Pitch Character, Tempo, Rhythm, Placement and Mouth Work.

All of these are illustrated well by sir Rich.

3rd Speaker

One of our speaker for today is one of the hosts which is non other than sir Jeff "One Voice Perey". He is assigned to share with us about The Proper Voice Care. It made sense of course we as voice artist should take care of our voices because it is our bread and butter. He shared to us 10 Tips on how to properly take care of our voices. He also elaborate what are the do's and don'ts before, while and after recording.

Then later on in the second half of the training...Yes! 3 Speakers already but we are just getting to the Second half of the training day.

In our breakout session there is an individual activity of sharing 1 minute avp of our life using 3-5 voices. While in the breakout rooms we'll share each brand's name and why? We have fun and at the same time challenged in sharing our 1 minute avp of our life. I used old man, old lady and high pitch voice, normal voice and deep raspy voice in my presentation.

Lesson 4

The last lesson for today is shared by sir Rich and sir Jeff. Another thing that we should know as a voice artist is be able to find our niche or target market. Si Rich discusses the available market in the industry which are Voice Over, Radio and TV Commercials, AVP, Educational Material, Telephony, Interactive Gadgets, Character Voices, Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), Radio Drama, Animation.

I learned that as voice artist venturing out in the industry on different genre will help you to find your niche and also gives yourself a wide range of experience. The key is to keep on auditioning which makes you noticed by the producers, clients and directors.

Knowing the niche will help you to focus on the target market and as a voice artist you'll be able to hone your voice on the chosen niche. This will established your brand in the industry too.

As for sir Rich's final note:

The Voice Acting industry is huge. That is why you need to focus in a niche, instead of being "everything to everyone". Otherwise, you will just end up like everybody else.

Sir Jeff continued the other half of the lesson which is:

Things need to consider on finding our niches

To find the niche in the industry there are questions to answer and identify specific type of project, quality of voice, skillset and interest.

THE BOTTOMLINE

Just focus on one part of the industry where you see yourself becoming successful. I am not saying that you stay stuck in just one niche forever. The point is just start in one niche and then, after gaining enough experience and exposure then explore. you are not a department store.

As for sir Rich's critique on our individual presentation we should all take note of our pronunciation and enunciation. And avoid vocal fry because it might cause harm to the voice.

Assignments

As usual at the of the training sir. Rich and sir Jeff left us with assignments.

That's all for my blog today. See you around.