ACTOR'S BAG OF TRICKS

Director: SF Agent
Length: 12-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Announcing; Character Development;
Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Self-Direction

For Bay Area voice actors, versatility is essential. On any given day you may be asked to audition for very diverse roles – from action-adventure game villain to smooth announcer to comedic neighbor to automated phone voice! Join one of SF’s best known voiceover agents for this instructive seminar. He’ll share his proven method for developing your own one-person repertory company that you’ll be able to use over and over again at auditions.



ADVANCED AUDITION TECHNIQUES

Director: Thom Pinto
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Announcing; Choice-Making; Mic Technique;
Storytelling; Retail; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Taking Direction

Your technique, skills, versatility and range will be thoroughly tested in this simulated “audition” workshop. Be prepared to read for anything – from long-form TV documentary narration to “hard-sell” retail copy to taglines to comedic group reads. Thom will help you pinpoint your areas of weakness, and suggest corrective strategies. Enrollment is limited to ten participants to ensure plenty of mic-time and personalized instruction for everyone.



ADVANCED CHARACTER MASTER CLASS

Directors: Sirenetta Leoni, Samantha Paris
Length: 21-hour six-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development;
Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

The challenge will be to see how well you are able to bring your animation, game and commercial characters to life by making them multi-dimensional and believable...and oh by the way...did we mention that we expect you to be able to do this in one or two takes? During this workshop, Samantha will work with you on commercial and animation characters for four weeks, and Sirenetta will spend two weeks with you on games. They'll test your ability to consistently find not just the obvious, but the subtle acting beats within the copy, and whether you’re willing to commit to your acting choices not by just 70or 80, but by 110%! You’ll learn how to adjust your characters for different media, because some characters that are just right for animation may need to be tranquilized before they can be unleashed in a video game or commercial. If you’re tired of the competition drinking your milkshake and want to push through to next level of character acting, you won’t want to miss this class!



ADVANCED NARRATION LAB

Director: Bob Symons
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Believability; Self-Direction; Choice-Making; Script Analysis; Storytelling

This is an intensive, script-oriented workshop, designed to push your narration skills into the stratosphere. Come prepared to record a variety of complex documentary, industrial and audio-tour scripts (some of which may be very lengthy), as your voice acting abilities are stretched to the limit. Enrollment is limited to eight participants. Prerequisites: Narration Boot Camp or prior approval from Voicetrax.

ADVANCED SCENE STUDY

Director: Cynthia Songé
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Choice-Making; Script Analysis; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

Too often actors take the easy way out...they substitute wacky voices and glib attitudes for genuine feelings and emotions. This scene study class uses scenes from actual plays and movies, to help strengthen your acting abilities, explore your feelings and experiences, and create more complex and genuine interpretations. Scenes will be distributed a few weeks in advance, and students will be expected to have their roles memorized by the beginning of class. Please note that this is strictly an acting class...your performances will not be recorded.

ANIMATION 102 WITH BOB BERGEN

Director: Bob Bergen
Length/Location: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Character Development; Choice-Making;
Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

Never recorded an actual cartoon or been to a recording session? Come join Warner Brothers animation star, Bob Bergen, for this jam-packed workshop that will take you through the actual process – from auditioning to casting to recording an episode of an actual cartoon. Experience what it’s like to audition, book and work on an animated series with someone who eh-tuh-teh-eh-talks the tuh-talk, and eh-wuh-weh-eh-walks the wuh-walk every day.



AUDITION ANGEL

Directors: LA Booth Director, Sirenetta Leoni, Thom Pinto
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Self-Direction;
Taking Direction

You’ll gain a wealth of wisdom and confidence from this role-playing workshop as you learn to deal with adversity, uncertainty, insecurity and a host of other confidence assassins that can undermine an actor’s ability to give his or her best audition performance. By the end of this seminar you’ll feel more in control and better prepared to handle the art of self-direction – even under the most challenging circumstances.



BEST DAMNED DEMO PERIOD!

Directors: SF Agent, Sirenetta Leoni, Samantha Paris
Length: 19-hour six-week workshop
Skills Focus: Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Script Analysis;
Self-Direction; Self-Marketing

During this information-packed workshop, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the whole demo production process from start to finish – copy selection, recording, branding, cover and website design, CD duplication, marketing strategy, costs. You’ll also get unvarnished advice on how to make your demo stand out, as well as common mistakes to avoid. Be prepared to produce, perform, direct and “package” your own mock demo by the last week of this class.



COMMERCIALS VS. CARTOONS
VS. VIDEO GAMES II

Directors: LA Agent, LA Booth Director
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Character Development; Choice-Making;
Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

Now that you know the differences and similarities between commercial, video game and cartoon characters – when to be broad and when to be subtle and real – it’s time to step up to the mic and prove it! Do you have enough confidence in your character skills to put them on display and get evaluated by the pros? As they challenge your abilities, these two character connoisseurs will help you refine and hone the characters in your repertoire. Participants will be expected to select their best character in each category – commercial, video game and cartoon; bring three scripts to class (one for each category); and perform their scripts during class.

COPY CATS

Directors: Sirenetta Leoni
(with a little help from her friends)
Length: 12-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-
Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Mic Technique;
Self-Direction; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

If you’ve ever left an audition, class or private thinking, “I wish I knew what that script was supposed to sound like,” have we got a class for you... Using a variety of scripts – narration, commercial, character, dialogue, promo – you’ll participate in a series of audition drills where you’ll be challenged to dig deep and put your best script analysis, acting and self-directing skills on the line. Then – and here’s the really fun part – at the end of each “audition,” after the class playbacks, you’ll also get to hear the same script performed by a Voicetrax guest director or well-known voice actor, and find out if your performance “sounds right” when
compared to that of a pro.

DIRECT YOURSELF: HOME EDITION

Director: Sirenetta Leoni, SF Booth Director
Length: 15-hour five-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Self-Direction; Script Analysis; Spontaneity

More and more, agents expect actors to be able to audition from home, so the ability to direct oneself effectively is more important than ever! Each week, you’ll receive two scripts in advance to record at home and bring to class. During class, your performances and choices will be reviewed, and you’ll be given a chance to re-record. Common home recording mistakes will be explored, plus you’ll also get a chance to sharpen your critical listening skills by directing others. Prerequisites: Students must have capability to record from home and either bring (on memory stick or CD) or email an MP3 recording of their work each week.



FRESH 101

Directors: LA Booth Director, Thom Pinto
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Announcing; Believability; Choice-Making;
Critical Listening; Self-Direction; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

When the breakdown says “25-35, conversational” and directs you to “throw it away,” “pull it back,” or “give it some attitude,” what do they really want? Our guest director from LA, a long-time proponent of “less is more,” teams up with Mr. “Old School” Pinto, to find the right balance needed for today’s fresher performances. This seminar is geared exclusively towards those who sound like Gen X- and Y-er’s, so if you remember when Richard Nixon was president (or sound like it), you’ll probably want to sit this one out...



INVITATIONAL ADVANCED WORKSHOP WITH THOM PINTO

Directors: Thom Pinto
Length: 12-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Announcing; Believability; Choice-Making;
Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Taking Responsibility

Tough love dished out on a weekly basis... Thom will select copy specifically suited to each participant’s strengths, and, as always, the focus will be on keeping your audition chops razor sharp! This weeknight workout is especially geared toward working actors who may be unable to attend Thom’s advanced-level weekend seminars. By invitation only



INVITATIONAL ADVANCED AUDIOBOOK INTENSIVE

Director: Lisa Baney
Length: 14-hour four week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-
Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Script Analysis;
Self-Direction; Setting the Scene; Storytelling; Taking Direction;
Taking Responsibility

This course is designed specifically for students who are seriously
committed to becoming professional audiobook readers. Producer Lisa Baney, will guide you through exercises designed to help you increase your performance skills and confidence. You’ll learn to deal with difficult challenges such as switching between multiple characters; handling different genres (both fiction and non-); and creating believable dialects. Prerequisites: Participants must have capability to record from home and provide a CD or MP3 recording of their work. Students will also be expected to complete outside assignments such as practicing and recording lengthy audiobook scripts, and have listened to a variety of fiction and non-fiction audiobooks in advance of attending this workshop. By invitation only.

INVITATIONAL CHARACTER REALITY CHECK

Director: Cynthia Songé
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-Making; Critical Listening; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene;
Spontaneity; Taking Direction; Taking Responsibility

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to have your very best character “stuff” professionally critiqued by LA-based animation Casting Director, Cynthia Songé. A few weeks before the class, you’ll be asked to submit recorded samples of your best character performances, so that Cynthia can review your work in advance, and provide honest feedback about how well you stack up against working animation “pros.” During the seminar, Cynthia will help you zero in on your most marketable strengths, and develop a plan of action to correct any weaknesses. By invitation only.



INVITATIONAL COLORS REVISITED

Director: Thom Pinto
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Announcing; Choice-Making; Mic Technique; Self-Direction;
Spontaneity

This entire workshop will be devoted exclusively to exploring the “colors” of your voice. You will gain valuable insights and practical ideas on how to add more variety, intensity and life to your interpretations as you try out an expanded color palette, experiment with different brush strokes and participate in a series of illuminating exercises. By invitation only.



INVITATIONAL INSIDE AND OUT

Director: Sirenetta Leoni
Length: 12-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-
Making; Confidence-Building; Spontaneity; Self-Direction

You’ve heard about those workshops where we ask participants to come as a different character each week and remain in character during the entire class – while walking, talking, sitting and performing? In this invitational class, we’ll take this concept a step further, so be prepared to face additional challenges such as... directing... copywriting... playing another character... all while in character. This is a class for students who are seriously committed to pursuing animation or video game work, and want to advance their character skills beyond just adopting a “quirky” voice. By invitation only.



INVITATIONAL MEN ONLY

Director: Samantha Paris
Length: 14-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening: Self-Direction

Find out how you compare to men that you may actually be competing against in the real world. In this class, you’ll participate in mock auditions using a wide variety of copy—from tags to comedic dialogues to animation to narration. Afterwards, participants will review and discuss the performances, then select the “winning” auditions from the class. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a clearer picture of just how competitive your auditions are, and a better understanding of how to stand out in an audition. By invitation only.

INVITATIONAL ONE TAKE MASTERS

Director: Samantha Paris
Length: 21-hour six-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Self-Direction; Spontaneity

To succeed as a voice talent, you must be able to hit your mark straight out of the gate, because when you audition at a talent agency or for a casting director, you rarely get more than one or two chances. Through a combination of creative exercises and mock auditions, with a strong emphasis on learning to trust your instincts, the focus of this workshop will be on delivering a competitive read within the first two takes – no matter how challenging the copy! By invitation only. Class may be repeated.



INVITATIONAL SAM'S SECRET WEAPON

Director: Samantha Paris
Length: 21-hour six-week workshop
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity; Taking Direction; Taking Responsibility

If you’re ready to make a serious commitment to becoming an even better voice actor, Sam is ready to let you in on another one of her patented secret voiceover techniques. If you want to get in on Sam’s latest revelation, sign up for this “Master-level” class and test it out for yourself. But be forewarned... this is not a class for people who like to play it safe and stay within their narrow comfort zone. Only those who are eager to take on a real challenge need apply. By invitation only. Class may be repeated.

INVITATIONAL VOICETRAX IDOL: LA EDITION

Directors: LABooth Director, Sirenetta Leoni, Samantha Paris
Judges: LA Talent Agents, LA Booth Director
Length: All Participants: 5-hour weekend day session
Twelve Finalists Only: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Script Analysis; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

The supreme test of your real world auditioning skills...a talent competition where the eventual winner gets a chance to audition for a full week at one of the top voiceover talent agencies in Los Angeles...alongside celebrities and some of the most successful voice talent on the planet!

During the first round, you’ll be directed on various pieces of dialogue copy by one of the agency’s veteran booth directors. The following week, your auditions will be reviewed in LA by the judging panel, who will narrow the field down to twelve. The following month, if you’re among the twelve finalists, you’ll return for the final round of competition. To get you prepped, primed, and “ready for your close-up,” Sirenetta will take you through a “test run” the evening before the actual contest. The next morning, you’ll appear before a three-member panel of judges made up of the booth director, the animation agent and the President of the agency and asked to perform a character script—which you’ll get to select beforehand —plus a commercial monologue that will be provided for you. Later on, you’ll return for an afternoon session with Samantha to swap stories, decompress and workout. The final winner will be announced the following week. By invitation only.

This offer should not be construed as a guarantee of representation by the talent agency. Meals, lodging and/or transportation to LA are NOT included.

INVITATIONAL VOICETRAX IDOL SAN FRANCISCO

Director: SF Booth Director
Judges: SF Talent Agents, Voice Yenta Review Panel
Length: Please see registration form for dates and times
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Script Analysis; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

The ultimate test of your real world auditioning skills – a talent competition where the eventual winner is guaranteed six months of representation at one of the largest voiceover talent agencies. And from which past winners have gone on to become working voice actors. During each round of the contest, participants will be directed by a top SF Talent Agency booth director and given an opportunity to audition two pieces of copy. A panel of judges will review the auditions and the highest scoring participants from each round will progress to the next round. After the third and final round the talent agency will select an overall winner.By invitation only.

This offer should not be construed as a guarantee of representation by the talent agency beyond the initial six-month period. However, representation may be continued beyond six months by mutual agreement of the talent agency and the voice talent.

INVITATIONAL WOMEN ONLY

Director: Samantha Paris
Length: 14-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Critical Listening; Self-Direction

Find out how you compare to women that you may actually be competing against in the real world. In this class, you’ll participate in mock auditions using a wide variety of copy—from tags to comedic dialogues to animation to narration. Afterwards, participants will review and discuss the performances, then select the “winning” auditions from the class. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a clearer picture of just how competitive your auditions are, and a better understanding of how to stand out in an audition. By invitation only.

JAPANESE ANIMATION ESSENTIALS

Director: Ned Lott
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development;
Choice-Making; Mic Technique; Setting the Scene; Taking Direction

With the rising popularity of anime, have you ever wondered what it would take to become a voice talent for dubbed films and games? This class will provide you with a real hands-on learning experience, as you practice the same techniques used by successful anime voice actors to deliver their lines in a naturalistic, “non-dubby” way. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the casting process as you “audition” against other students for roles from well-known Japanese animated films, then reenact scenes from those films.

JEFF HOWELL’S MASTER CLASS

Director: Jeff Howell
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

Are you ready to take on LA’s top voice talent? Director/Producer Jeff Howell, will give you an opportunity to show off your versatility on a variety of scripts—real person, TV announcer, dialogues. Your improv abilities will be challenged, plus you’ll get a chance to let loose with your most creative commercial character inventions! Afterwards Jeff will play the actual auditions of the same spots featuring many of LA’s premier voice actors, and you’ll get to hear for yourself how well you compare to the best in the business.

LA AGENT’S MASTER CLASS

Directors: LA Agent
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Character Development; Choice-Making; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

Get a “behind the scenes” look into the animation casting and recording process with one of the most highly regarded animation agents in LA. In this class, the focus will be on refining your auditioning skills and techniques, and ultimately, on booking the job. You’ll learn to interpret copy on the fly; develop and enrich your characterizations; and take direction quickly as you participate in mock auditions, callbacks, and a simulated animation recording session.

LOOPING 101

Director: Ned Lott
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-
Making; Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Setting the Scene;
Spontaneity; Taking Direction

Producer-director-casting director, Ned Lott, has been involved in directing and/or casting ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement) groups for various joint Disney/Miyazaki film projects, including the Academy Award™-nominated “Howl’s Moving Castle.” So, if you’d like to know more about what looping is and how to do it, join Ned for this fast-paced seminar where you’ll learn the terminology, “rules,” and what happens during a looping session; then practice the essential skills directors look for when casting “loopers.” You’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the critical role sound plays in film, and never look at a TV show or movie the same way again.

MASTER CLASS WITH CYNTHIA SONGÉ

Director: Cynthia Songé
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development; Choice-
Making; Critical Listening; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity; Taking Direction

During this class, you’ll get a chance to showcase your strengths by pre-selecting, preparing and performing a variety of commercial and animation copy for which you’d be appropriately cast. But be forewarned – you may get asked if you have “another way” (or two). You’ll also participate in mock “auditions” where your performances will be compared to those of the actors who actually booked the jobs. In the process, you’ll gain not only a greater awareness of the competition out there, but a deeper appreciation for your own work, uniqueness and progress, as well.

NEW MEDIA NARRATION

Directors: Ted Griggs, Roger Vosburg
Length: 12-hour four-week workshop
Skills Focus: Announcing; Believability; Choice-Making; Mic Technique; Self-Direction; Storytelling; Script Analysis; Taking Direction

The explosion of technology provides ever-expanding opportunities
for narration – from podcasts to voice-activated response systems to TV programs produced exclusively for viewing over cell phones. As a result, voice actors need to be prepared to cover a wide range of styles and deliveries whenever they audition. In this class you’ll explore various applications, and work on maintaining consistency, goal and energy – whether you’re recording phone prompts or sports documentaries. You’ll learn essential tricks of the trade and how to handle common challenges through visualization, breath control and pacing.



P³ (PINTO + PROMOS + PRODUCER)

Director: Kevin Adler, Thom Pinto
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Announcing; Critical Listening; Mic Technique;
Script Analysis; Self-Marketing; Taking Direction

As a promo announcer, you can live pretty much anywhere if you have an ISDN box and a soundproofed space at home. But you also have to be versatile enough to handle the wide range of promo styles required – especially for smaller market stations where you’re most likely to get your start. Thom Pinto will guide you through the various facets of local promos. Plus, he’s also recruited a top Bay Area promo director for the last leg of the workshop to critique your work and discuss the marketing aspects of promos. May be repeated if space permits.



PLAY THE GAME
Directors: Will Beckman, Marci Galea, Jacquie Shriver
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Character Development; Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

Lucasarts... Sony... EA Games... three of the biggest names in the world of video games today. And if your goal is to become a big name in the video game world, too, don’t miss this opportunity to work with some of the top dialog and casting directors in the industry. These game pros look forward to hearing what you can deliver, and in return they’ll provide insight into how game companies work – who does what, where voiceover fits in and most importantly, how they arrive at their final casting decisions. You’ll also get a taste of what working on a game is really like as you’re put through the paces of a mock recording session.

THE VOICETRAX EDGE: GAME COMPANY VOICE/DIALOG DIRECTORS

Session 1: EA Games
Directors: Bill Cameron, Sirenetta Leoni, Andrea Plastas
Session 2: Lucasarts
Directors: Will Beckman, Sirenetta Leoni, Darragh O’Farrell
Session 3: Sony USA
Directors: Greg deBeer, Sirenetta Leoni, Jacquie Shriver
Length: Each session is offered as a separate 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Believability; Character Development;
Choice-Making; Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Self-Direction; Setting the Scene-Spontaneity; Taking Direction

If you’ve taken the “Play The Game” class, you’re already aware that each of the major video game companies headquartered here in the Bay Area has its own very specific philosophy, “rules” and styles with regards to casting and directing voice talent. So that got us to thinking...“Wouldn’t it be cool to do an in-depth, hands-on class with each company? And wouldn’t it be even cooler if we could get the voice directors who cast and hire most of the talent to teach and direct, so that students could gain a personal understanding of the inner workings and preferences of each company, and be better prepared when auditioning for them?” So that’s just what we did...

The format will be the same for each session—you’ll get to participate in simulated casting and recording sessions with each company. “Audition” scripts will be sent in advance, and Sirenetta will help you prepare your “auditions” during the first leg of the class. The next morning, the first director will review your “auditions” from the night before, provide feedback, and give you another chance to audition—but with the benefit of his or her direction this time. During the afternoon session, everyone will be “cast” and get a chance to be directed by a second dialog director in asimulated recording session. Afterwards, this director will review and critique your “recording session” performance and ability to take direction. At the end of each session, you’ll come away with a clearer picture of what the company expects from its voice talent and how to tailor your auditions accordingly.



ULTIMATE ROAD TEST

Director: LA Agent, LA Booth Director
Length: 10-hour weekend seminar
Skills Focus: Acting; Character Development; Choice-Making;
Confidence-Building; Mic Technique; Script Analysis; Setting the Scene; Spontaneity

So you think you’re ready to compete with the big boys and girls and want to test the LA waters? Here’s your chance to show off your stuff and receive candid feedback from one of the very top voiceover professionals in the business – a co-owner and top agent at one of the premier LA voiceover agencies who is coming to Voicetrax for the very first time. To get you ready for your close-up, you’ll be prepped beforehand by an experienced casting pro who has successfully guided both SF and LA voice actors through thousands of auditions. Participants will be expected to select in advance a 45-60 second commercial script that showcases their strengths, and perform it “brilliantly” in class (per Samantha’s orders).