tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433932534870668302024-02-15T23:33:44.945-05:00Paid To Talk - A Journey Into Voice ActingMichael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-77431016586633974402013-02-04T15:56:00.002-05:002013-02-04T20:58:50.104-05:00Beginning Third Audiobook!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe_BkCHtJU2pjITNHG7NKmKEA1ebv2deqXL_bR3iDlud-79fuC0G8bqjdtc-2UkFJaO5DRXB3ZSad5NllSNIReVGizATQPYj7fotd-c4sFsFpIgjRO6VeAis1K5A1KK-1PaOZkxif70A/s1600/Speed+of+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe_BkCHtJU2pjITNHG7NKmKEA1ebv2deqXL_bR3iDlud-79fuC0G8bqjdtc-2UkFJaO5DRXB3ZSad5NllSNIReVGizATQPYj7fotd-c4sFsFpIgjRO6VeAis1K5A1KK-1PaOZkxif70A/s1600/Speed+of+Light.jpg" /></a><br />
Great news - I found out today that I was selected to narrated one of the audiobooks I auditioned for! It will be another science book - this one is about the speed of light. Interesting that science books are becoming a niche for me. I've auditioned for other genres, but keep getting selected for science books. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to narrate, so I'm definitely not complaining. <br />
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I also recently completed the second draft of an e-book that will be available on Kindle in the near future. Now, my editor Jason is in the process of taking a look at it and making any changes. I'll be sure to let you know when it's available for purchase. It's a book about my journey into the world of voice acting and some of the things I've learned as a result. My hope is that it will help aspiring voice actors in their journey as well. I promise it will be very reasonably priced!<br />
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Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-12816965810158624012013-01-17T22:06:00.003-05:002013-02-04T15:33:36.594-05:00Second Audiobook Completed!! I recently completed narrating my second audiobook last month. It went on sale on December 2nd on amazon, audible, and itunes. My publisher told me that the she expected this book to sell pretty well, and she was right! It surpassed the sales of my first book within a week and has been steadily climbing ever since. I was a little worried that after the holiday rush, the sales would slip, but they haven't, which is really good news.<br />
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If you want to check it out here's the link to it on audible.com.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A5vWtFzzmHKZZbImLhcY1JOYAZA7Ijzu6VlVsRBs3hVXtD74Man6YVHHyLbU5-vN3VenOE3pPLB9AO3URJMHX7-D0s7NResY44JZOgNZhF7GmWE3uWgzfpmp80tx4jFtn0KNXbeuCrk/s1600/First+Life+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9A5vWtFzzmHKZZbImLhcY1JOYAZA7Ijzu6VlVsRBs3hVXtD74Man6YVHHyLbU5-vN3VenOE3pPLB9AO3URJMHX7-D0s7NResY44JZOgNZhF7GmWE3uWgzfpmp80tx4jFtn0KNXbeuCrk/s1600/First+Life+picture.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00AG3ATBQ&qid=1358454440&sr=1-1">First Life Audiobook</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I've been auditioning for several other books recently, and am in the running for an animation project that will require over 100 separate voice-over narrations. That should be lots of fun! I'll keep you posted on how that goes. In the meantime, my editor and I have a development in the works that I'll be sure to fill everyone in on when we're ready to launch.<br />
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Also, since I'm talking about my audiobook narrations, here's a link to my first one -Green Intelligence - also on audible.com<br />
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B008CPJHEK&qid=1358478151&sr=1-1"><i><b>Green Intelligence: Creating Environments That Protect human Health </b></i></a><br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Mike<br />
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<a href="http://mikelenzvoice.com/">mikelenzvoice.com</a> <br />
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<br />Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-91697137966656841832012-08-27T22:31:00.000-04:002013-01-16T18:51:09.028-05:00Getting Paid To Narrate AudiobooksGetting paid to talk in general is a pretty amazing - in my opinion. I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to find work in a variety of voice over roles. The area that I've always had an interest in since I first thought about voice acting, however, has been audiobook narration. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm2mm1SMBiatJoPcdNp948ovbFjUTDNEel69yHRxT4LqPuMk1WUW_W9fTHe2OkH89KRNXtmOYU0QGGh-H1J6YIuUrPI-a4YiG7p245YsOYhHOaoQ5dghYR3ziWmi0LMYlHHXZcdXmsEI/s1600/audiobooks-headphones-colourful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm2mm1SMBiatJoPcdNp948ovbFjUTDNEel69yHRxT4LqPuMk1WUW_W9fTHe2OkH89KRNXtmOYU0QGGh-H1J6YIuUrPI-a4YiG7p245YsOYhHOaoQ5dghYR3ziWmi0LMYlHHXZcdXmsEI/s200/audiobooks-headphones-colourful.jpg" width="200" /></a>I really struggled with trying to figure how to break into this competitive field. After years of banging my head against the wall, I came across a great site called <a href="http://acx.com/">acx.com.</a><br />
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This site is a great resource for aspiring narrators. You simply create a profile (for free!) and start auditioning. It's really that simple. Publishers listen to your auditions and decide if they want to hire you. <br />
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Now, the one caveat is that you are responsible for fully producing a finished audiobook, so if you aren't adept at recording AND editing, be careful not to commit to something you can't complete. Editing is not my strong suit, but I'm fortunate to have a good friend and business partner, <a href="http://jasonnoxon.com/">Jason Noxon</a> who is not only a gifted voice actor, but also a terrific audio engineer. I couldn't have completed the two audiobooks we've recorded so far without his expertise. <br />
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If you need help producing the book, there are great resources on the site to link you up with studio professionals who can help you. Just be aware that there's more...much more... to the process than just auditioning. <br />
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So go check out the site and start auditioning. Let me know how you make out!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">UPDATE: <span style="color: black;">My second audiobook is now available on amazon.com, audible.com and itunes!! Here's the link to the audible.com site. Please check it out!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Life-Discovering-Connections-between/dp/B00AHAY8Y2/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1358379781&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/First-Life-Discovering-Connections-between/dp/B00AHAY8Y2/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1358379781&sr=8-1</a><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Keep Talking!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Mike </span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://mikelenzvoice.com/">mikelenzvoice.com </a><br />
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<br />Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-41443791866402360952012-08-01T21:32:00.000-04:002012-08-27T21:55:17.639-04:00Never Stop Learning and Sharing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoK1uNqRr8veir_QC1LzFzYI2Rb8MrHEjLX5BJqEAH0dSD1y7YeWsGn5FBO-Xm8xoXoaxsUJsNslGMN-FSQseEJOgeQhdaxKjG4Lirid9KcwsV83RqwF9VgPN9ri_VyUjZ_2s_zbvqz8/s1600/knitting+photo" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoK1uNqRr8veir_QC1LzFzYI2Rb8MrHEjLX5BJqEAH0dSD1y7YeWsGn5FBO-Xm8xoXoaxsUJsNslGMN-FSQseEJOgeQhdaxKjG4Lirid9KcwsV83RqwF9VgPN9ri_VyUjZ_2s_zbvqz8/s200/knitting+photo" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm always amazed how "subcultures" emerge revolving around such varied interests. My sister is an avid knitter, and she recently showed me a podcast and blog that she follows regularly. The woman who hosts is a living legend in the knitting subculture.<br />
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She has thousands of followers, and knitters worldwide anxiously await her next post or podcast. I've never heard of her because knitting isn't one of my interests, but I'm certain that in the knitting community, there are many blogs, forums, pod-casts, blog radio shows, and more, that are shared with knitters everywhere.<br />
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If you are a voice actor, it is just as important to find and develop your own online community network, and always be on the lookout for great suggestions. Being part of the voice over "subculture" not only involves gathering information, but also being willing to share as well. The reason I started this blog is to do just that. My recent post on the benefits of <a href="http://voicejourney.blogspot.com/2012/07/potato-chips-required-who-would-have.html">potato chips</a> for improving vocal quality was the direct result of reading that suggestion on a voice over forum that I participate in.<br />
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In keeping with this theme, I recently came upon a great post on Voice Over Audition Tips from the Voice Over Club. <br />
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<a href="http://www.voiceoverclub.com/voice-acting-training/voice-over-audition-tips/">http://www.voiceoverclub.com/voice-acting-training/voice-over-audition-tips/</a><br />
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Their blog and forum both have tons of great advice for aspiring and veteran voice over artists. This is just one example of sites you can find to help you along in your career, no matter where you are in your journey.<br />
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Always be on the lookout for resources, and be sure to get involved and participate in sharing information. Remember, the more you give, the more you get.<br />
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<b>UPDATE:
My first audiobook narration is now available on Amazon.com,
Audible.com, and itunes! Here's the link to the audible.com site. The
book is available this week for only $5.95 so please check it out.</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B008CPJHEK&qid=1346118547&sr=1-1">http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B008CPJHEK&qid=1346118547&sr=1-1</a>
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Keep Talking!<br />
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Mike<br />
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<a href="http://mikelenzvoice.com/">mikelenzvoice.com </a><br />
<br />Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-22313969770562653822012-07-07T15:10:00.000-04:002013-01-16T18:49:19.733-05:00Potato Chips Required - Who Would Have Thought!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWA1_-X0E0ASxzorGzdHFxi-BtjO3nq36ZR_bKty-oVWrVUaO2Gqd49gqP2gHzSZx51wAIn8PNM-sD6Bkvj7xDhyON-vl6wWt0ozAGRH1sgw-PxEBDqCRUad2EDcyc2gScUmMX-77nNrE/s1600/potato-chips-fd-md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWA1_-X0E0ASxzorGzdHFxi-BtjO3nq36ZR_bKty-oVWrVUaO2Gqd49gqP2gHzSZx51wAIn8PNM-sD6Bkvj7xDhyON-vl6wWt0ozAGRH1sgw-PxEBDqCRUad2EDcyc2gScUmMX-77nNrE/s200/potato-chips-fd-md.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I came upon a great recommendation for keeping your vocal chords soothed and lubricated during recording sessions - potato chips! I'm always on the lookout for suggestions on how to improve vocal quality. Since I've started recording audio books, I'm talking for really long stretches of time and it's tough to keep my voice sounding good.
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While scouring some voice-over forums, I came upon an unusual suggestion. A fellow voice actor had eaten some potato chips before a recording session because he was hungry and had nothing else to eat. He was amazed how good his voice felt and sounded. As it turns out, this "secret" is used by musicians and opera singers all the time.</div>
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I decided to give it a try and - amazingly - it really works. The oils from the chips coat your vocal chords and the salt helps to remove excess moisture from your mouth. The result is a beautiful read! I now keep a bag of potato chips in my recording studio and eat a few whenever I need to soothe my throat. </div>
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The best part is I get to eat potato chips as a requirement for my job - how cool is that!</div>
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Any other suggestions for vocal health, please let me know.</div>
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<b>UPDATE: My second audiobook narration is now available on Amazon.com, Audible.com, and itunes! Here's the link to the audible.com site. </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Life-Discovering-Connections-between/dp/B00AHAY8Y2/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1358379781&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/First-Life-Discovering-Connections-between/dp/B00AHAY8Y2/ref=tmm_aud_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1358379781&sr=8-1</a>
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Mike</div>
Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-35405461877683155762012-06-28T16:04:00.001-04:002012-07-02T15:32:50.177-04:00Audiobook Recording - Preparation Makes A Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having been through the audiobook recording process now for the first time, I want to share some of the insights I've gained along the way. In particular, I want to talk about the importance of preparing for the actual recording.<br />
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Woody Allen once said about screenwriting, that the writing was the easy part. He felt that all the hard work was done in the preparation - developing your characters, understanding the arc of your story, creating the back stories that bring depth to the heroes and villains. After he had all that stuff worked out, putting the story on paper was a piece of cake.<br />
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Voice acting isn't screenwriting, but I know now from first-hand experience that the more you've worked over the copy - marking it up where you need to add inflection and where you need to take a breath, making sure you have all of the pronunciations correct, developing the proper character voices - the better your read will be. If you've done your homework, the actual recording will go so much more smoothly and efficiently.<br />
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So get your pencil and eraser out and get to work. The better you understand the story and the style of the author, the better you'll be able to convey that meaning to the listener.<br />
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Here is the link to the audiobook I just completed: <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Intelligence-Creating-Environments-Protect/dp/B008CYX1JS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1341256066&sr=8-2&keywords=green+intelligence+audio+book">Green Intelligence Audiobook</a><br />
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It's a great listen for anyone interested in how to protect yourself and your loved ones from environmental dangers. I really enjoyed narrating it, and I hope you enjoy listening!<br />
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Keep talking.<br />
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Mike
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a><b></b>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-71314199489336888252012-06-03T20:59:00.002-04:002012-06-03T21:32:10.951-04:00It Looks So Easy...But It's Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ICBYDAmBpNju6h4dCkRBRHkDWWljR118bjkmMp3hQ4GhpH7WMAHQ3fu3RWRvwbIpbfkPY9L4BMTS6D8Lr0DJ7CkDfE7KZbj5XuSnlmohyphenhypheneksxuU0ScFf3PrSQvPO5VzLj1DEkj7xkU/s1600/ZacBrownBandLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5ICBYDAmBpNju6h4dCkRBRHkDWWljR118bjkmMp3hQ4GhpH7WMAHQ3fu3RWRvwbIpbfkPY9L4BMTS6D8Lr0DJ7CkDfE7KZbj5XuSnlmohyphenhypheneksxuU0ScFf3PrSQvPO5VzLj1DEkj7xkU/s200/ZacBrownBandLogo.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
I'd like to digress from voice-overs for one minute if I could, and talk about what it takes to make it look easy.<br />
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I was sitting at an amazing concert a few nights ago, enjoying a late spring night out with my wife to see the <a href="http://zacbrownband.com/">Zac Brown Band</a> perform. I will admit that I'm a recently converted country music fan, and Zac Brown is the reason. A friend of mine hosts<a href="http://cmt.com/shows/dyn/top_twenty_countdown/series.jhtml"> CMT Top 20 Countdown,</a> and a few years ago when he first got the job, he told me to watch. Up to that point I was not a country fan at all. But being a good friend, I tuned in. Well, the first video I saw was Zac Brown - - and I was hooked!<br />
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Flash forward to this past Friday night, when I was thrilled to be able to cross off "see Zac Brown perform live" from my list of things I want to do before I die. Actually, I didn't cross it off, because I hope to see them again!<br />
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While I was watching and listening to the incredible vocals, the amazing guitar and drum performances, and the way that the members of the band seamlessly blended together to create such amazing music, it dawned on me how much practice, time, and effort it must have taken to get to this point.<br />
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Let's face it, the members of this band didn't wake up one day and suddenly find that they were able to perform at such a high level. Each of them had to practice for years to hone their individual skills, and then practice even more together to make their music and live performances sound and look so amazing.<br />
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When we decide to undertake anything in life, even if we're passionate about what we're doing, success will require hard work, dedication, and the realization that we will have to continually hone our skills if we want to get better.<br />
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If you're just starting out in the voice-over business, realize that this is a profession that will require life-long practice. Our job is to make the read seem effortless, to convince the listener that what we're saying is real - not just words on a piece of paper. Those at the top of our profession make it look (or sound) so easy, but they know - and you know - that it's not.<br />
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Watching that concert not only made me appreciate great artistry, it reinforced my belief that you should never stop trying to improve, always seek to learn, and practice every day. If you do, the producer on your next voice-over gig will say "...you made that look easy..." even though it's not!<br />
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Keep up the hard work, and keep talking!<br />
<br />
Mike <br />
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a><b></b>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-46377300282595659772012-05-24T10:59:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:04:12.211-04:00Audiobooks - The Reading Is Just The Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesFdOEq1yoiiHop1kkoZqwoMbqqa1HcKFoENSi0EPUKI1EgQmC3honA9YAWmncOf1-DoGXVhIF74APe9UWNJja2Fh56wTjCTs23VJpC8rnkd5jM1A0XekrVfsls9u6qs0OzEbP32Ln8k/s1600/Audiobooks+picture.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesFdOEq1yoiiHop1kkoZqwoMbqqa1HcKFoENSi0EPUKI1EgQmC3honA9YAWmncOf1-DoGXVhIF74APe9UWNJja2Fh56wTjCTs23VJpC8rnkd5jM1A0XekrVfsls9u6qs0OzEbP32Ln8k/s200/Audiobooks+picture.gif" width="154" /></a></div>
If you're a voice actor considering voicing audiobooks, and have never recorded one before, this is a post for you.<br />
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I recently began recording audiobooks. When I was selected for a recent job, I was thrilled. Audiobooks have long been an area of voice-overs that I've wanted to break into, and this particular book was an incredible opportunity.<br />
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Since this is a blog about my voice-over journey, I thought it might be
helpful to take you through the process to give you an idea of just what
goes into the recording of an audio book - and I came to find out that
it's about a lot more than talking!<br />
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After the initial excitement of being selected, I knew that I had to assemble a small team to help complete this project. Seasoned voice-over pros will often do all the recording and editing themselves. I have a basic knowledge of editing and can handle smaller jobs, but I knew a project of this size would require the help of an audio engineer.<br />
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I'm fortunate to have some good friends in the voice over industry. One in particular is a great audio engineer, who has himself just entered the world of voice acting. He agreed to come on board as my Editor, and we were off and running!<br />
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This will take more than one post, so I'll start with an overview: We had to record a total of 300 pages, plus a prologue and and epilogue - so we were up against a big project! We created a project plan, laying out the chapters and establishing when to do the recording sessions and how much time we estimated each chapter would take. We had to leave ourselves enough time to complete all the editing and mastering that would need to be done after the initial recording.<br />
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So the first thing I did was print off a copy of the manuscript for myself and my editor. I put the transcript in a binder, and it became my constant companion for quite a while. I like to read through the entire book to get a feel for the style of writing and the sense that the author is trying to convey. This particular book is scientifically based, so it has some dry parts with a lot of lists - but it's also a compelling account of some serious stuff, so my reading had to convey that (no funny character voices on this one).<br />
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Our first hurdle was making sure all noise was eliminated from the studio. We recorded what we thought was a good first 15 minute sample for the Publisher to review. She liked it, but pointed out a low grade hum in the background. We realized after listening again that the hard drive was creating the hum, so with some ingenuity and long cables, we were able to get the hard drive out of the recording area, and the hum was gone.<br />
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So, tip #1 is: Make sure your recording studio is completely quiet. Many of us don't have soundproof rooms to record in, so you have to listen intently and be a super sleuth to find the sound source and eliminate it. My recording studio is in a room in the basement of our home, so when I record, I literally have to shut the house down - turn off the dehumidifier, turn off the hot water heater, turn off the phones, and kindly ask our 4 children to go upstairs and be quiet - oh yeah, and no dishwasher or washer/dryer either - we're talking total shutdown!<br />
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With the studio perfectly quiet, we were ready to begin recording - but more on that in my next post. <br />
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Keep Talking!<br />
<br />
Mike <br />
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a><b>
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</b>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-16860592368367319882012-05-16T07:09:00.000-04:002012-05-16T07:09:15.241-04:00Keep Your Eyes On The PrizeI had an interesting experience on Linked In recently. I was working on my social media marketing, and finally concentrated on updating and maximizing my site. I've had a somewhat varied background professionally, and currently am a partner in a successful company (which I really enjoy) that is totally separate from my voice-over world.<br />
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I made a decision to make my Linked In site exclusively about my voice-over experience, to really drill down on that aspect of my professional life, and started to send out invites to connect.<br />
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I received a terrific response from someone who happens to know of the other things I've done in the past, and my current goings on. She was effusive in her praise of my decision to zero in on voice-overs exclusively on the site. It definitely reaffirmed my decision, and also made me think about the ways in which we present ourselves to those around us, both the people we know and friends we haven't yet met.<br />
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Many of us are complex individuals, with many interests. We all have varied experiences we bring to the table, and all of these experiences help define who we are. That being said, there are times when we need to laser beam our thoughts and actions for a specific goal.<br />
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My decision to focus exclusively on voice acting on one of my social media sites doesn't take away from all the other things I do - both professionally and personally - that make me...well...me! I do believe, however, that the power of compartmentalizing can bring powerful results.<br />
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Best of luck in your social media world. Let me know what's working for you!<br />
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Keep Talking<br />
<br />
Mike<br />
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>
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<br />Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-45464862006723690542012-05-10T10:03:00.000-04:002012-05-10T11:15:00.888-04:00Your Support Network - So Important!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqg89mibc0jBiXXAwUvMgWrTtvbd8e850afBEtmwoAMPzzAzSpNwnRDjcnaP1xXZvgj5RarXHNG64WsrDBt49x9Cn-tLuaf8BQvrLHf790c6tt0h0KMxWTihnkR0MSpqfLgFyjYV6w_0/s1600/Suuport+network.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqg89mibc0jBiXXAwUvMgWrTtvbd8e850afBEtmwoAMPzzAzSpNwnRDjcnaP1xXZvgj5RarXHNG64WsrDBt49x9Cn-tLuaf8BQvrLHf790c6tt0h0KMxWTihnkR0MSpqfLgFyjYV6w_0/s200/Suuport+network.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
If
you get a chance check out the recent post from a wonderful voice over artist, Bob Souer, about the importance of having a great support network.<br />
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Here's the link to Bob's blog post: <a href="http://bobsouer.com/blog/2012/04/15/your-support-network/">http://bobsouer.com/blog/2012/04/15/your-support-network/</a><br />
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I know that my support network is definitely my family. When Daddy is recording, our children are all very mindful of keeping as quiet as possible, and my wife has been my biggest cheerleader. I couldn't do any of this without their love and support.<br />
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I'm very grateful as well to have many good friends in the voice-over business. I'm always meeting new people who are interested in getting into voice-overs. One of my greatest enjoyments is helping others learn about and succeed in this awesome industry.<br />
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Let me know who your support network is!<br />
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Keep talking!<br />
<br />
Mike<br />
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-85244296085374443532012-05-07T23:05:00.001-04:002012-05-08T06:52:38.839-04:00Staying Hydrated When RecordingI don't know about you, but one of the biggest issues I face when recording is keeping my mouth properly hydrated. You've all experienced the different vocal issues when your mouth is too dry, or how about when you're producing too much saliva. Then there's always the issue of mucous slowly working it's way up into your throat and vocal chords, causing you to cough or have to clear your throat (usually at the worst possible moment).<br />
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When you start to analyze why your mouth and throat experience these various symptoms, you realize just how fine an instrument our vocal chords are, and how much effort it takes to keep this instrument properly tuned so as to function effectively. So many factors play a role in how well your voice sounds in the recording studio. What you eat, when you eat, what you drink, how often you drink, nerves, health, strain, and fatigue are just a few of the many daily influences that your voice is subjected to.<br />
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Through my recent experience of recording an audiobook, I came face to face with all of these issues and factors. Recording almost every day for about a month really put my voice to the test. I found a few treatments that seemed to help me. Hopefully they can help you as well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRffGxPBgUx2_SJosjoBbZqw1V-v3tn7jUmHydsfnq3t2ZOnKar6mrTiLeEj1O5cF6XUsjYnydGi0gOHurhrAuNSdHu6grptBOfIRQWf2q0op-WmN57tlx8rGfbew3i8cXwMy-T5wFoh4/s1600/MPj040001500001.jpg+water" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRffGxPBgUx2_SJosjoBbZqw1V-v3tn7jUmHydsfnq3t2ZOnKar6mrTiLeEj1O5cF6XUsjYnydGi0gOHurhrAuNSdHu6grptBOfIRQWf2q0op-WmN57tlx8rGfbew3i8cXwMy-T5wFoh4/s200/MPj040001500001.jpg+water" width="200" /></a>
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1. Drink water - lots and lots. I am a notorious non-water drinker. I can literally go almost an entire day without even thinking about drinking water. As a voice actor, I have to force myself to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. This is by far the best thing you can do for your voice.<br />
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2. Decaffeinated!! tea with lemon wedges and honey. This drink is very soothing to the throat while recording. There are some schools of thought that hot beverages can cause the vocal chords to inflame, but the tea cools pretty quickly, and I've found it quite helpful.<br />
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3. My personal quirky favorite is ginger chews. I use these as a lozenge in between takes. Ginger can be a bit spicy, but I absolutely love them for soothing my throat and generating saliva production.<br />
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Do you have any special things you do to keep your voice in top shape before, during, and after recording? If you do, please let me know - - I'm always on the lookout for new ideas!<br />
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Thanks.<br />
<br />
Keep Talking!<br />
<br />
Mike<br />
<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a><br />
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<br />Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-40416617373043009262012-05-04T11:35:00.000-04:002012-05-04T23:19:24.398-04:00Entering The Audiobook World<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIwywVsT6GOHpQe0qZRe2MaR1eMhKaIDzccwaljqhkhnmHpvowUdlYStcQC5waLs-zShwqGHzNlNtrsvzTXm-a3KAa71qhFYf0od9o6yKgE5KzASpJDauZhqj7uwEBFPr-oZPf-eYuAg/s1600/free-audiobooks+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIwywVsT6GOHpQe0qZRe2MaR1eMhKaIDzccwaljqhkhnmHpvowUdlYStcQC5waLs-zShwqGHzNlNtrsvzTXm-a3KAa71qhFYf0od9o6yKgE5KzASpJDauZhqj7uwEBFPr-oZPf-eYuAg/s200/free-audiobooks+photo.jpg" width="192" /></a>Let's talk audiobooks. If you're a voice actor, you've probably aspired to recording audiobooks. I don't know many people who would say that they don't want to voice audiobooks. That being said, the world of audiobook recording is very different than any other area of voice-overs. I've had the opportunity to record quick radio commercials where you arrive at the studio and an hour later you're done. I've also worked on longer projects that required me to do several sessions, each lasting a few hours. This is the typical scenario for most voice-over jobs. You zip in - get the job done - and move on to the next project.<br />
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Audiobooks, however, are a completely different animal. I would compare it to the difference between voicing the trailer to a movie and actually being a main character - if not the actual star - of the movie. In the first instance, you rehearse a few lines, and record the trailer - your work is done. In the second instance, you are on the set every day, prepared to deliver your lines and act your role, until the movie is a wrap. Recording audiobooks requires a great attention to detail and a desire to immerse yourself in the job for potentially a month or more of intensive recording. If this sounds like fun to you (like it does to me!) then audiobooks are definitely an area of voice-overs that you should work toward.<br />
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My current audiobook project should wrap up in about a month. It's been an amazing process to lay down the actual recording of over 300 pages! The preparation was intense, as I read through the entire manuscript and marked up the pages with notes for myself, to help when recording. The actual recording of each chapter took a lot of time and I drank a lot of tea with lemon and honey to make it through. Now, my editor will be working his magic, and we'll be reviewing every word to make sure it's ready to go<br />
It's been a truly rewarding, collaborative effort - and a whole lot of fun!<br />
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If audiobooks are your passion, then go for it. You'll work harder than you ever have, but in the end, it will be worth it. After all, even though we're getting paid to talk, it never really feels like work. That's the best job of all!<br />
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Keep Talking!<br />
<br />
Mike
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<a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/">http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-45746619230670237842012-03-26T15:03:00.014-04:002012-03-26T21:05:51.153-04:00The Longest Journey Begins With One Step....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgN9qKOHJTA0Xrt4VeMLqlLQ5epm64AngHf10bgcxJK3VYutdL_JTftwByykopknD7IWPWln8beXKO_22R7W4WCrQu1FKhzlL770QhnAd0FIPN3h3eV5LRE4CJOpKtAsRwsY2ngsNGys/s1600/elmo+picture.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgN9qKOHJTA0Xrt4VeMLqlLQ5epm64AngHf10bgcxJK3VYutdL_JTftwByykopknD7IWPWln8beXKO_22R7W4WCrQu1FKhzlL770QhnAd0FIPN3h3eV5LRE4CJOpKtAsRwsY2ngsNGys/s320/elmo+picture.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724375058348661570" /></a><br />"The longest journey begins with one step".... I love that line. In life we so often envision our dreams and immediately believe we'll attain them overnight. We see others living the "perfect" life, and imagine ourselves doing the same thing. I bet if you looked below the surface of any person you believe has reached a level of success that you aspire to, you'd find out that he or she has been working hard to achieve that "overnight" success for a long, long time.<br /><br />So...you're probably wondering why Elmo is staring at you. Well, I watched a great documentary the other night, called 'Being Elmo.' You can find out more at <a href="http://beingelmo.com/"> http://beingelmo.com/</a>. It's the story of Elmo's creator - Kevin Clash. Watching this inspirational documentary really brought into focus how important it is to determine what you love to do, and to take a step every day in the direction of that dream. If you get a chance to watch it, I'm sure you'll see what I mean. <br /><br />If voice acting is your passion, keep working at it every day and watch how you progress. Try this test: Every morning when you wake up, commit to doing three things that will move you along in your journey. Write them down - - and then do them. Do this for one month, keeping track of each day's goals and accomplishments. After the month, take a look at where you are and where you began. My bet is you'll have progressed much further than you thought. <br /><br />And remember.....<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Elmo Loves You! <span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span></span><br /><br />Good luck! Let me know how you did.<br /><br />Keep Talking<br /><br />Mike<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-50861708339206174792012-03-22T23:03:00.003-04:002012-03-22T23:18:18.187-04:00Stay Connected With Other Voice ActorsHad a great breakfast this morning with a talented young man who is just getting started in the voice-over world. Talking with him reminded me how important it is to stay connected with other voice actors. Hearing the experiences he is going through just starting out, made me re-evaluate my own efforts and really re-energized me. <br /> Social networking is great - Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. are useful tools for getting yourself noticed. Nothing, however, can replace the energy that occurs when you talk with a real live person face to face and share ideas and your passion for the world of voice-overs. <br /> So make sure you get out from behind your computer this week and get out there and actually talk with someone! It's invigorating and fun, and I guarantee you'll learn something you hadn't thought of. You'll also be nurturing or beginning a friendship, and that can never be a bad thing. <br /><br />Great quote for the week:<br /><br />"Don't ask the world what it needs; ask yourself what makes you feel alive. Go and do that. That's what the world needs." Whitman<br /><br />Awesome advice!<br /><br />Keep Talking<br /><br />Mike<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-40030231546573647712011-07-30T13:17:00.004-04:002011-07-30T14:09:29.216-04:00Auditions - The Good and The BadGoing through auditions and not getting selected, can be one of the toughest things to go through as an artist. But even the best in the business don't get picked for every job. But they're the ones who fight through the disappointment, shake it off, and move on to the next challenge. <br /> Recently I was asked by a producer who I've done quite a bit of work for, to audition for an on camera role that he thought I'd be perfect for. I stood in front of the teleprompter and read the script pretty convincingly. The producers were thrilled with it and complimented my delivery style. I left the audition feeling very confident that I would get the job. This would be my first on-camera job, and I knew that it would open up many more opportunities for me down the road.<br /> Needless to say I was stoked - - until I got the email several days later telling me that the client had chosen someone else for the project. Total bummer! I let the disappointment hang around for about a day, and then I thought about what the producers had said to me after the audition. They had been thrilled to know that I could do the whole teleprompter thing and had complimented me on my ability to take copy that I had only glanced at, and read it so convincingly, using the appropriate inflection, and placing the emphasis on the right words at the right time. They said they felt that was a real strength and one that they hadn't found in other actors they'd worked with before. They said that they would keep the audition tape on file, so they could show it to other potential clients.<br /> I am absolutely convinced that all things happen for a reason and that there are no accidents. I also know that I will get in front of the camera eventually. Not this time - - but eventually. I'll get more feedback when I talk with the producers again, and hopefully find out that the client thought I was great,but decided on a woman instead. That's what I'm going with - - don't burst my bubble!<br /> The best vo artists and actors have faced rejection. What distinguishes them is that they never stop moving forward to the next challenge. Keep going for it and, as always, keep talking!<br /><br />Mike<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-61148543401552732852010-10-23T07:13:00.005-04:002010-11-06T13:06:21.594-04:00Pay Attention To Your Social NetworkingI've been trying something new lately (at least for me). I dedicate about a half-hour each day to social networking. This isn't new to many of you, but for me it's been pretty amazing. I've been on Facebook and Twitter for a while, but recently I've been really paying attention to my posts and tweets and to the responses I get. These responses have led me to some great sites and suggestions. We all tend to spend most of our time telling everyone about ourselves. By spending more time following and listening, I've learned some great stuff. In the voice-over business, there are so many ways to find leads and jobs. The more we all listen, the more we'll all get to talk. So take some time each day to pay attention to your social networking and let the path it takes you on lead you to some interesting places - - and more work! Here's a neat site I found on Twitter - <a href="http://gamevoices.ning.com/"> http://gamevoices.ning.com/</a> It's a great site to join if you're interested in doing voice-overs for the gaming industry. Enjoy!<br /><br />Keep Talking.<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-57353394621139385482010-09-28T09:54:00.005-04:002010-09-30T10:48:55.708-04:00Three Years Later!Do you ever wonder when enough is enough? In the midst of our hectic lives, it's easy to just let some things slip. If doing voice-overs is not your full time career (at least not for now), it can be easy to lose your focus. At least I know I've suffered from this situation from time to time. It's perfectly ok to drift a bit, but it is critically important not to drift too far away and lose your focus.<br /><br />I was recently hired by the company that trained me, to do a voice-over job. It was the first job they hired me for - - and I was trained almost 3 years ago! I could have easily given up on them a long time ago, but I made a point of staying in touch and sending them my updated demo cds. I friended them on Facebook, and mentioned them in my blog and on Twitter. I even did some volunteer voice-over work in their studio. I'm friends with the President of the company and speak with him on the phone from time to time - - but I'd never been hired by them. <br /><br />About 4 months ago, I received a call from their Creative Director, letting me know that a client of theirs had chosen my voice for a project. She said she would call me in a week with the details. Our fourth child had just been born and things were a bit hectic (in a wonderful way), so I lost track of the fact that she never called me back. Four months went by without any contact until last week, when I finally got the call explaining that the client had delayed the project, but was now ready to move forward. <br /><br />While I was in the studio, I was asked if I wanted to be interviewed for the company's online radio show. Of course I agreed! When asked by the interviewer what advice I would give anyone starting out in the voice-over business, I instantly said to be persistant, consistent, and passionate. It's worked for me and it's the best advice I can give anyone. Never give up and never think it's too late.<br /><br />Keep Talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-67789987455070073182010-01-20T09:05:00.010-05:002010-01-20T09:34:25.009-05:00Take Your Shots!If you've been following my blog, you know that I've been talking about my particular journey through the world of voice acting. Each individual charts their own course in life, and in the world of voice overs, this assessment is even more relevant. If you talk to ten voice actors, they will have ten different paths and pieces of advice for you. This can be a very good thing, because we can all learn from one another, and there may be an idea that you hadn't thought of that could help you in your journey. I hope that my journey will inspire and help other voice actors along the way to success.<br /><br /> So---that being said, what have I been up to lately? Well, you all know I built my own recording studio, which was a big project, but one I'm glad I undertook. Having the ability to record at home is a great advantage in this business. Many jobs are posted online through companies such as voices.com, and being able to audition for them opens up a whole new world of opportunities. I joined <a href="http://voices.com">Voices.com</a> in October, and have been auditioning ever since. While I haven't gotten a job through them yet, each audition gives me an opportunity to hone my skills. I've had a few inquiries from producers, and I'm confident it's only a matter of time before one of them takes a shot with me. When that time comes, I plan on doing an outstanding job for them and building from there. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has a quote that I love, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take." Words to live by in the voice-over world!<br /><br /> I continue to enjoy and build my resume doing local voice-over jobs in my hometown region. I've been fortunate to have done radio, television, corporate, educational, medical, documentary, and character voice-overs. Each job, done well, has led to more work. I am determined to take every shot that comes available. I won't make them all, but I'll never make them if I don't take them.<br /><br /> Voice acting is incredibly rewarding and tons of fun. Wherever you are on your journey, enjoy the moment, don't get discouraged, and take your shots!<br /><br />Keep talking.<br /><br />Michael<br /> <br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-41731092284008377402009-12-10T08:50:00.004-05:002009-12-10T09:07:27.244-05:00Be Open To PossibilitiesIf you're like me, you enjoy acting. We've chosen to focus our acting energy on doing voice-overs, but let's face it - acting is acting - and acting can take many forms. <br /><br />As an actor, I try to remain open to any other possibilities that may arise. I try to force myself to take the extra step to try something different. If it's a little out of your comfort zone, it's probably worth doing, or at the very least trying. When we stretch ourselves artistically, we grow as actors.<br /><br />One of my voice-over contacts suggested I audition for a role in a locally directed independent film. The role was that of a radio show host, and much of the movie was being filmed in a radio studio - a place I'm pretty familiar with. Even though I'd never acted on camera before, I figured I'd give it a shot. Fortunately I got the role and had an incredible experience filming. I will admit that having to memorize lines and not being able to look at the script while filming was challenging. As a voice actor, I hadn't realized how different it was not having the copy right in front of me. That piece of paper is almost like a security blanket.<br /><br />I haven't quit my day job, and voice-overs are still my preferred method of acting, but I'm really glad that I took the chance and expanded my acting horizons. Now, if other on-camera roles come up, you better believe I'm going to take a shot at auditioning. One of my favorite quotes is "you never fail unless you fail to try." Words to live by for those of us in the acting profession.<br /><br />If you've had any experiences that have led you out of your acting comfort zone, let me know.<br /><br />Happy Holidays everyone - - and keep talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-31720730930568806512009-11-04T08:51:00.004-05:002009-11-05T17:22:19.489-05:00Key To A Successful VO Job - Be PreparedOver the past few years, I've been fortunate to have gotten work on a fairly consistent basis. People tend to ask me what it is that I do that leads me to get work. As we all know, the world of voice acting is pretty competitive, but there are a few things you can do that will hopefully set you apart from the pack.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> #1. BE PREPARED:</span> I can't emphasize enough that being prepared can make all the difference in the world. Recently I was hired to voice an audio project involving a business project for salons and spas. The job was booked for a full day - 9am to 5pm. When I received the copy, I did what I always do - I read through it completely to make sure I was prepared. As I read through it, I thought to myself "this shouldn't take eight hours."<br /><br /> When I arrived at the studio for the job, I was ready to go. I had my water, my pencil, a snack if I got hungry. I was wearing professional but comfortable clothes. I had the copy with me all organized by section. As we began the recording, things were going very well. The producer complimented me several times. At some point after we had been recording for a few hours, we took a break. The producer came in to the recording booth and told me that if we kept up this pace, we would be done by lunch!<br /><br /> Now remember that this job had been booked for a full day - and better yet, I was getting paid for the job - not by the hour. The result of the recording session was that we did get done before lunch. The total time in the recording booth was four hours. As the producer brought me into see the project manager (so I could give her my invoice) he told her that he wanted me put on the short list of voice talent for future projects.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">#2. BE PROFESSIONAL:</span> As we talked later, the producer told me that several years ago they had brought in an actual salon/spa owner to voice a similar project. This person had no VO experience and was not a trained voice actor. They thought he would be good because he "knew" the industry. He ended up recording all day with this person, and not being satisfied with the end result. I had made quite an impression and the producer was convinced of the value of using a proffesional. Think about it - for a producer, time is money. He now had half of a day to go back and complete the editing on the project. I'm sure he appreciated that, and will think of me the next time he has a big project that he knows has to be done quickly and done well. I made sure to give him my card and asked him to keep me in mind for future projects.<br /><br /> If I had not read through the script beforehand, I may have stumbled more and taken more time. If I had arrived without water, or a pencil, and had to ask for these things, it would have taken more time. If I had dressed sloppily, it would have given an impression that I was lazy. Remember, you are the talent. You are selling you. You need to look the part and you need to be able to deliver. Always be prepared and always be professional and word will spread quickly - and you will get more jobs!<br /><br />Keep Talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-9585126562162283342009-10-20T08:52:00.004-04:002009-10-20T09:15:14.381-04:00How I Built My Home Studio Cheaply (Inexpensively)In my last post I talked about the technical part of a home studio and what you will need to actually record. Today I'd like to discuss the physical layout of my studio and how I was able to create a space for very little money - which is good because the bulk of your money should be invested in the hardware and recording software.<br /><br /> First, it's important to find a space that is quiet - or as quiet as you can find in your home. This could be as simple as a closet in your bedroom. The main thing is to find and area that has minimum sound. Windows are a definite no-no. In my home, we have three children ranging in age from 11 to 5, so you can imagine my challenge in finding that special quiet place!<br /><br /> I chose a small area in my basement to build my humble studio. The space is at the bottom of the stairs and measures about 6 feet by 15 feet. No windows, and it was enclosed on three sides by sheet rocked walls. I framed out the fourth wall and put a door in, thereby enclosing the space and making it a room. The ceiling in our basement is low, which is a good thing for a recording studio. The less room there is to have sound bounce around the better. The ceiling was not sheet rocked which was another good thing because it allowed me to properly insulate for sound.<br /><br /> When shopping for insulation, I came upon a type that was not fiberglass and was actually considered soundproofing insulation. This was a great find because I didn't have to worry about inhaling fiberglass during installation and could literally use my bare hands to rip the insulation and shove into all the small spaces. <br /><br />After loading up the ceiling and the newly framed wall with insulation, I made another cost saving and labor saving decision. Instead of sheet rocking the ceiling (holding up heavy sheet rock over my head didn't appeal to me one bit), I bought drop ceiling panels - that's right, just the panels - and screwed them right into the beams of the ceiling. This provided another layer of sound absorbing material and saved on head room (remember, my ceiling was low to begin with).<br /><br /> The last step was to throw down an area rug on the cement floor and presto, my home studio was complete. A nicely sound minimizing room that is small and extremely functional. Don't get me wrong, I still have to tell the kids to be quiet when I'm recording, but the space is about as soundproof as I could have ever hoped for when I started out.<br /><br /> In my next post I'll talk about how I created an inexpensive surround for my microphone.<br /><br /> Until then, keep talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-69218204899927302132009-09-23T08:56:00.004-04:002009-09-24T09:07:35.199-04:00Getting The Right Equipment for RecordingAbout a month ago, I made the decision to build a small home recording studio. I had set aside the money from my various local voice-over jobs, and this seemed to be the next logical step in my journey.<br /> <br /> Making the decision was a critical first step - and probably the easiest step as it turns out. If you're not computer savvy (I'm not), it's important to reach out to experienced professionals to help you in selecting the proper equipment for your studio. It's true that you don't need a lot of gadgets to record your voice, but getting the right gadgets for what you want to do, will make all the difference in the world.<br /><br /> I worked with a company called Sweetwater, <a href="http://sweetwater.com/"> http://sweetwater.com/</a>, out of Fort Wayne Indiana. They are arguably the top company when it comes to recording equipment. They have a home recording package that provides everything you need to get started. It's not inexpensive, but it's also not terribly unreasonable. After all, this is a business you're starting, and most businesses have start up costs, right?<br /><br /> I can tell you that it's very important to make sure you select a computer that is compatible with the recording software you're using. I purchased a pc, only to find out that the software (Protools) is much more compatible with a Mac. I ended up purchasing a refurbished Macbook and the software runs perfectly.<br /><br /> The essential equipment you will need to get started is:<br /><br />1. A computer (make sure it's compatible with your software)<br />2. Recording software (I use Protools)<br />3. An external hard drive (Voice recordings can take up a lot of space)<br />4. A microphone (I use a Bluebird)<br />5. A device to connect your mic to your computer (I use an M-Box mini)<br /><br /> You can purchase all of the necessary equipment separately online. E-Bay or Craigs List are two places to check out. I have a producer friend who did this. He had his engineer check all the specs and make sure everything was compatible. He was able to save quite a bit of money by buying the equipment individually.<br /><br /> If you're like me though, using a company like Sweetwater will eliminate all the worry of making sure the various components work together properly. They've figured all that out for you ahead of time. All you have to do is take the equipment out of the boxes and plug them in, download the software, and you're ready to start recording!<br /><br /> In my next post, I'll talk more about the physical layout of the studio. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.<br /><br />Keep talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-78248577809485838952009-09-11T08:31:00.006-04:002009-09-11T09:22:42.861-04:00Creating A Home Recording StudioSo, at this point in my journey through the world of voice acting I figure it's a good time to recap. So far I have:<br /><br />1. Completed my training with one of the best voice training organizations in the country, Voice Coaches, <a href="http://voicecoaches.com/"> http://voicecoaches.com/ </a><br /><br />2. Created my demo CD's, with both commercial and narrative samples .<br /><br />3. Created business cards and letterhead.<br /><br />4. Sent out letters and demo's to all of the local producers and radio stations.<br /><br />5. Started booking local and regional voice-over jobs.<br /><br />6. Accumulated some money from the work I've done.<br /><br /> The logical next step was to create a small home recording studio. Why, you might ask would I do that? Well, the reason is that having the ability to record in your own studio opens up an entire other realm of possible voice-over work.<br /><br /> In today's fast-paced world, companies are looking to turn their projects around very quickly. In many cases, companies need the voice-over portion of the project done within a 24 to 48 hour time frame. Finding a producer, and a studio to record in, and scheduling time to have the voice talent come in and record can be very time consuming. This process also limits a company to only utilizing talent that is within a certain geographic proximity.<br /><br /> With the internet, companies can now go out and seek talent from anywhere in the world, and that is exactly what they do. Companies such as Voices.com, <a href="http://voices.com/"> http://voices.com/</a>, created by my friend Stephanie Ciccarelli and her husband David, have tapped into the power of the internet to bring companies seeking voice talent together with voice actors seeking work. Having a home recording studio enables voice actors to audition online for jobs they would otherwise never have an opportunity to try out for.<br /><br /> So, once you've established yourself in your local market (or before if you have the cash to invest in equipment), and started making some money, a great next step is to expand your market by creating for yourself the ability to record in your own studio. Once you've done that, the possibilities are literally endless.<br /><br /> In my next post, I'll talk more about the details of actually building my home recording studio, and point out some of the mistakes I made so you won't have to. Any of you out there who have built a studio, give me your thoughts as well.<br /><br /> In the meantime...keep talking!<br /><br />Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/</a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-47934226738855151142009-08-26T09:28:00.005-04:002009-08-26T09:56:50.351-04:00Social NetworkingThis may be not so amazing to many of you out there, but I've recently become aware of a great way to stay connected with others in the field of voice acting - social networking.<br /><br />Yeah, I know what you're saying - where have you been for the last few years? You have to realize that I tend to be a little behind the times, but since this blog is about <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">my</span> journey, I figure I have to be completely honest about the progress I'm making.<br /><br />For those of you who haven't yet discovered social networking, check out sites like Facebook and Twitter. At these sites you can create a personal profile and post information about yourself. It's a great way to stay in touch with friends you might not otherwise communicate with. It's also a fantastic way to let your network of friends know what you're up to.<br /><br />Just the other day, I posted a comment about my home recording studio that I just built. The day after I posted this comment on Facebook, I happened to get a friend request from someone who I hadn't seen in a while. I accepted her request and she was then able to go to my account and see what I was up to. That day she sent me a message telling me that she hadn't known I was a voice actor, had checked out my website (which was posted on my account) and said she might like to use my services for some ads she was going to be producing soon.<br /><br />And the best thing about social networking is that it's free! When your starting out in the voice acting business, free is a good thing. Geurilla marketing, and thinking outside of the box are essential to getting the word out about the services you provide.<br /><br /> One word of advice - keep your postings short and sweet. No one really wants to hear every detail about your life. If one of your friends wants more information about your post, they can send you a message. Don't take too much advantage of these sites or you'll annoy people. Just keep your freinds in the loop on what you're up to.<br /><br />I've really enjoyed using these social networking sites to stay in touch with old friends,and make a bunch of new friends who are passionate about the things that I'm passionate about. The world is truly getting smaller and smaller, and we all have so much to share.<br /><br />So get out there and make some new friends. You never know who may need your services or who may have a great idea for you on how to learn more about your passion.<br /><br />Keep Talking!<br /><br />-Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/ </a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43393253487066830.post-55198202726070234162009-08-20T17:43:00.009-04:002009-08-21T10:00:08.272-04:00What To Do If That First Job Hasn't Come YetGetting your first voice-over job is pretty exciting, and something to be proud of. It's a good feeling to have your hard work and financial investment pay off. If you haven't gotten a job yet, please don't get discouraged. Like anything in life worth achieving, you have to be willing to hang in there until you meet up with success.<br /><br />Oprah once said that <span style="font-weight: bold;">"luck is preparation meeting opportunity."</span> I strongly believe that. You can be prepared and never get an opportunity (bummer), and you can get an opportunity and not be prepared for it (real bummer). But when you work hard and prepare yourself AND that opportunity comes along, then you're ready to take advantage of that "luck" that came your way.<br /><br />As I said in an earlier post, my first professional voice-over job was the result of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"luck."</span> When I met the producer who had handled the media for my first Mayoral campaign, I was in a position to hand him by new business card and ask him to keep me in mind for future work. If I hadn't done the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"preparation"</span> part by getting trained, creating my demo, and printing business cards, I wouldn't have been in a position to take advantage of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"opportunity"</span> presented to me by talking with a person who hired voice-over artists. In this case, preparation met opportunity and I received a call a few weeks later from this producer, asking me to do the voice-over for a local car commercial.<br /><br />In the meantime, there are other things you can do to network and hone your skills while working toward your first job. Drum roll please.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Words of Wisdom #5:</span> Stay busy, even if it means volunteering your voice. Now I know there are some voice-over artists who don't agree with me. Your voice is valuable, and you shouldn't lessen its value by doing anything for free, they say. I respectfully disagree. Early in your voice-over career, you need to get your name out into the community, and a great way to do that, and to help out a good cause, is to volunteer.<br /><br />One of the things I did was to contact my local PBS station and volunteer for a wonderful program they offered for the blind a print disabled. Volunteers would go into a recording studio and read local newspapers and magazines live over the air. It was a great way to practice, and to participate in a very worthwhile program.<br /><br />Another thing I did was join a local film makers group. If there's one in your area, this is a great way to meet other artists and to make connections that could help in the future. I met a man who was producing a stellar documentary that will soon be seen across the country. He and his partners were still in the filming stages and looking for further funding. I helped out with some fund raising and volunteered my services to voice a short trailer they were using to promote the documentary (I even got a small on camera role!)<br /><br />One more example - a fellow voice over artist, Sharon Feingold <a href="http://www.voices.com/people/sharonfeingold">http://www.voices.com/people/sharonfeingold</a>, started a volunteer program in which voice actors go into hospitals and read stories to children. What a fantastic way to give back to your community and increase your network of friends in the voice-over business.<br /><br />So remember - stay busy, volunteer, expand your network, and always be prepared for that opportunity that's just around the corner.<br /><br />Keep Talking!<br /><br />- Michael<br /><br /><a href="http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/"> http://mlenzvoice.tripod.com/ </a>Michael Lenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187053179697368170noreply@blogger.com1