Feature Article Everything You Need to Ace Your Pro Studio Session
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Greetings!
Welcome to the third issue of The Creative Business Advisor's Voice-over Special Edition!
 | | Max waiting for the client to arrive for a recording session for Braun, P&G. (Crosspoint Studios, Lakewood, CO) |
First, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all my new subscribers! I'm so pleased that you're here and are a part of my growing community.
And I love the great questions you send me so keep 'em coming! I'll be including a "Q&A" segment in future issues of the Voice-over Special Edition, as well as in regular issues of The Creative Business Advisor.
This week, let's talk about "the pro studio experience." Although I have a professional Whisperroom and a home recording studio, I also work regularly in professional recording studios. Getting out of the house and working with clients in a pro studio is most certainly one of the joys of being a voice actor, but I realize many of you who are perhaps just starting out haven't had that experience yet. The experience of being booked in a big, fabulous studio! And going to a studio to work is quite a different feeling than going to a studio to record your demo. Your client will be there and there's a whole different energy.
In case you haven't been booked to work in a pro studio yet and are a bit nervous about the process, I thought it would be a great help to give you an overview of what to expect - from before the job to after the job. And even working pros can get some helpful tips here too!
Wishing you blessings and success,
Maxine
P.S. A little about me: Although I am a voice-over artist, on-camera spokesperson, and model by trade, during my 25-plus years in the business I've also become a very savvy solopreneur. I know what it takes to start and grow a business, maintain an imaginative and creative mind-set, create lasting client relationships and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoy the whole process.
If you'd like to learn about how I got started in voice-over and read my extended bio, please visit the "Meet Maxine" page on my website by clicking here.
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Everything You Need to Ace Your Pro Studio Session
by Maxine Dunn
One of the biggest milestones in your early voice-over career will be working in a professional recording studio. And having a session in a pro studio reveals one very important fact:
You're going about your business in the right way!
You've been working with a coach, you've created a voice-over demo and, most importantly, you've succeeded in getting it into the hands of someone who wants to use your voice for their project. Congratulations! You're on your way.
Although every recording session has its own unique personality and no experience will be identical to another, there are certain procedures and experiences that will be very similar in every session. Being aware of what to expect, having guidelines of how to behave, and remaining flexible and cooperative will help your experiences in pro studios go much more smoothly.
So take a deep breath and let me walk you through a typical recording session. I'll give you some tips along the way to help you get your bearings.
The Day Before:
Your preparation for your session will begin a day or two before you set foot in the studio. Avoid foods and beverages that will "clog the pipes" and make your body produce more mucous for at least 24 hours before your session. These include: dairy foods, fatty and spicy foods, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
The Night Before:
One of the best ways to assure that your voice is clear and strong is to get a good night's sleep the night before you record.
The Morning Of:
A few things to avoid when dressing/preparing for your session:
- Perfume, cologne, or scented lotions, deodorants or oils.
- "Noisy" jewelry like long earrings or bracelets.
- Clothing that is stiff or synthetic or makes "noise" when brushed against itself. Studio microphones are ultra sensitive.
- Also, be sure to have fresh breath!
How to Dress:
I prefer to dress professionally or fashionably for voice-over sessions as that's what I feel most comfortable in. However, the basic guideline for attire is business casual.
What to Take:
I recommend taking the following items to your recording session:
- Room-temperature bottled water.
- A pen, pencil, and highlighter.
- Lip balm if your lips tend to get dry.
- Reading glasses if you need them.
- Business cards.
- Your voice-over demo CD (some clients will appreciate having a hard copy).
Getting There:
On the day of your session, arrive at the studio 10-15 minutes early. (And that means being INSIDE the studio 10-15 minutes before your session time, not driving around the parking lot looking for a parking space!) Make sure you have good directions and have the studio's telephone number with you, in case you need to call for any reason.
Making Your Entry:
When you first arrive you'll be greeted by the receptionist and may have to wait in the lobby if the client has not arrived yet. If you didn't receive the script the day before, you'll most likely be given one now. Take advantage of being there early and review the script. Breathe.
Client Arrival:
When the client arrives you'll be walked back to the control room and typically there will be a few minutes of consultation with the client and engineer about what your client wants. This is a great time to ask questions or get clarification on the script: terms used, pronunciation of
acronyms, what delivery and tone they want, etc. If this is the first time you've seen the script (and especially if it's a long one) be sure to request a few minutes to look it over so you're not "cold reading" it. No client will object if you say, "Since this is the first time I've seen the script, I'd like to take a few minutes to look it over."
If you're feeling nervous at this point, remember to breathe! Just relax your belly and take slow deep breaths through your nose. If you focus very clearly on your client and their needs you'll find you have less attention to focus on how you're feeling.
Into the Booth:
Next, the engineer will take you into the booth and get you situated in front of the microphone. The booth might be a tiny closet-sized room or a cavernous suite with grand pianos and musical instruments in it. Don't worry, your only concern is the area directly in front of the microphone. Don't be intimidated by whatever surroundings you find yourself in. Bring your attention back to what you are going to create for your client, relax, and feel confident. You're there for a reason!
*Be sure to let the engineer know whether you'd like to sit or stand - it's up to you so don't be shy about stating your preference.*
I prefer to stand as I feel it allows me more room to move my arms and gesture, as well as allowing me to have better breath control. You'll also be given a set of headphones so you can hear direction and communicate with the client during the session.
Recording Session Part One:
Once you're properly situated in front of the mic, you'll be asked to read some of the script for "a level check." This will allow the engineer to set the appropriate recording levels for the session. When reading to set the levels,
read the script at exactly the volume you'll be using when recording the session.
Note: Don't touch the microphone. If you need something adjusted in the booth, ask the engineer to come and do it for you.
Recording Session Part Two:
Before you start to record, the client will most probably give you some last minute direction: "Be warm and conversational." "Remember to really hit the words FOREVER and TOMORROW!" Or, "Give it a sultry, sensual edge." Then, the engineer will let you know he's recording - Take one. Take two. Sometimes take 30! Don't be alarmed if you have to read a script many times in many different ways. That's perfectly normal.
*The director's instructions are not criticism so don't take their words personally, just stay relaxed, creative, and cooperative and keep your energy up.*
Some sessions will be a breeze and you'll be finished in 20 minutes. Others will take much longer and require stamina and a great attitude. Stay positive and keep your focus on what you're creating for your client.
Two Common Recording Session Situations:
- You may be required to wait for extended periods in the booth while the client and engineer confer and work with the audio and video. I've sometimes waited in the booth for over 30 minutes, with no communication from the control room. Just keep breathing deeply, move your body (while making sure you know your mic position) and be patient. I've even done leg lifts, jumping jacks, or yoga stretches to keep my blood moving around! They'll let you know when they need your attention again.
- Your client may also do script changes on-the-fly. This is common when recording commercial copy, as many times there is too much copy for a :30 or :60 second commercial. Be prepared to change your script (with a pencil as they may also change it back) and be flexible with your read if the copy changes.
*Remember, you're an integral part of a creative process and a recording session is a fluid, changeable medium. Nothing is carved in stone. Stay loose.*
Wrapping Up:
Once the client is happy with the finished recording, the engineer will let you know that you're finished and can come out of the booth. There's usually a congratulatory feeling all around and, for you, a great sense of relief and pride! You did it! I always ask my clients for their business card and always give them one of mine and thank them heartily for the opportunity to work with them. But don't stay and chat too long, they have work to do! If you're working through an agent and have a voucher or a contract to be signed, make sure you get the paper work completed before you leave, either with the client, studio manager, or receptionist.
Following Up:
Always, always, send a thank-you note to your client! And it should be sent within 1-3 days after the job. Just a brief, sincere note of appreciation for the opportunity to work with them (and I always include another business card) and thank them for their business. Then include them in your data base and be sure to keep in touch with them throughout the year.
And You're Done!
You've got your first pro studio job under your belt and there are many more before you. Congratulations!
Of course there are always many more variables in a recording session, but I hope this overview has been helpful and will have you feeling more prepared when you head to your first professional recording studio voice-over session.
* * * * *
© 2010 Maxine Dunn I always welcome your comments and suggestions. Please let me know how you like my e-zine by sending an email to CBAsuggestions@maxinedunn.com. |
 Maxine Dunn is a top voice-over artist and on-camera spokesperson who
has been seen and heard in hundreds of commercials, documentaries, corporate narrations, voice-mail systems and websites. She is a British native and her ability to also deliver a perfect American accent gives her business a tremendously wide range. She enjoys working with Fortune 100 companies, award-winning creative teams, and maintains an extensive clientele, locally, nationally, and internationally. Check out Maxine's website and listen to her voice-over demos at www.maxinedunn.com While Maxine is best known for her voice-over and spokesperson expertise, she is also an avid writer who enjoys bringing stimulating and motivating material to her readers. If you like today's issue of The Creative Business Advisor, click HERE to sign up for your own subscription. A subscription to Maxine's e-zine also includes her outstanding free audio mini-course, "7 Surprisingly Simple Strategies to Get You on the Road to Success, Right Now!" A 7-day series of mini (3-5 minute) audio lessons narrated by Maxine, showcasing her personal step-by-step strategies for business success. |
The greatest compliment you could give me if you like my e-zine is to pass on this issue to your friends and associates! Just keep the entire issue intact and unaltered please. Better yet use the link at the very bottom of the newsletter to send it on. Thanks! Maxine
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Copyright 2010 - Maxine Dunn - All rights reserved
No part of The Creative Business Advisor newsletter may be copied or excerpted without the expressed written consent of Maxine Dunn.
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| ISSN # 2150-8453
VO Special Edition #3 October 21, 2010
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