Voice Spot WCS Invited to Otafest 2008

Voice Spot WCS is excited to announce that we will once again be attending Otafest 2008 at the University of Calgary. Otafest 2008 runs May 16-18, 2008 and is a wonderful opportunity for the animé enthusiast. Our first time attending was truly an eye opener of just how much is out there in animé!

Jonathan Love will field questions at this year's Otafest Panel appearance on May 17, 2008. For those of you unfamiliar with Jonathan's animé side this could be very interesting. Some of his voice credits are for; Dragon Ball Z, Flame of Recca, Mobile Fighter G Gundam to name just a few. Can you guess which of these characters Jonathan has a character doll to his credit?

If you attend Otafest 2008 be sure to drop by and say "HI". We'd love to see you. Voice Spot WCS will be there from 1:00-2:00pm in Room ST125.  We will have somebody there for the opening ceremonies on May 16th as well.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

WCS Voice Gyms in Full Swing

So far, the demand for the WCS Voice Gyms has been excellent. This indicates that talent are working on their craft and aspiring to be the best they can be. The studios take notice of the new talent coming through their studios and notice their achievements. Some of the talent, particularly those already getting work, are using the gyms to try out new material that they wouldn't typically be cast for.

No matter why you use the WCS Voice Gyms you will benefit by the practice that they promote. As with any craft, trade, profession, "practice does make perfect". Always strive to be the best you can be! If you don't, you know the next guy will.

One more Introductory workshop coming before summer

Due to popular demand there will be one more Weekend Voice-Over Introduction workshop held before summer.  Jonathan Love will again be facilitating this workshop for the next advent of fresh voice-over performers. Be sure to book your spot today, before they run out.

Did you know about the Audition Alerts we receive?

In the past few years Voice Spot WCS has received various requests from companies, individuals, and studios for voice-over talent for various projects. Some of these requests come from folks with a specific need but no knowledge of where to look for voice, others from folks who've heard a voice or two on the "ALUMNI" page, and some have specific needs and would like a handful of voices to audition from our voice pool.

Perhaps you're saying to yourself, "I didn't think Voice Spot WCS was a talent agent" to which we would reply that that is true. Voice Spot WCS is not a talent agent but they do want the voice talent that pass through our workshops to succeed and we will do our best to help them out. If that means sending the occasional audio sample of alumni or directing folks to the alumni page then we are happy to do so.

Sometimes, and this is the sad part, a voice is requested from the audio samples or ALUMNI page and the contact information Voice Spot WCS has is no longer valid. This makes both the talent and Voice Spot WCS appear to be unprofessional. It would be a daunting task for Voice Spot WCS to double check everybody's contact information so we request that you include Voice Spot WCS in your updated information notifications. A small task but one that could lead to a lucrative end.

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Listen to the latest audio

The final workshop of the 2007 year was the WCS Master's Class with Dan Willmott and we have the audio posted for you to listen to. Check out the recording sessions of that class...

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Group Rates Available

Did you know that Voice Spot WCS offers group rates for most of the workshops? If you know four or more talented folks interested in pursuing voice-over then be sure to take advantage of these rates!

More information...

Is Your Demo Out There?

For the voice-over talent actively pursuing work you have given your demo to the studios in town (hopefully!). When you gave your demo to the studio did you have personal contact with the voice casting person (usually the engineer in these parts)? Did you request a follow-up meeting to discuss the merits of your demo? Did you at least send a follow-up email to keep yourself front of mind at the studios?

There are so many people that are interested in pursuing a career in voice-over and even go so far as to get a demo produced but that is often the final step for many of these performers.

Some will go so far as to deliver their demo to the various studios in town and again that is sometimes the final step.

Then you get the more pro-active talent that will produce an excellent demo, deliver that demo in person (sometimes including something else that will help them stand out in the crowd) and if possible a follow-up meeting will occur to discuss the pros & cons of their demo. Always thank the studio for their feedback and DO NOT be offended if there is some negative feedback. They are only telling you how they see it from their experience and perspective. What might considered a weakness at one studio may actually be the shining light for another studio.

A follow-up meeting after delivering your demo should NOT be your final step. Sometimes it will take months for a spot to come up where your voice would be perfect and where the budget and time constraints lend themselves to try out new talent.

Be sure to call the studios every 2 or 3 weeks to let them know that you are still out there and available to work. When we say available to work we also mean prepared to work and all practiced up in performance for microphone. There is nothing more devastating to your future work prospects than showing up at a studio for a gig and not being prepared and confident at the microphone.

Remember the quote "out of sight out of mind" and that applies to voice-over talent for the studios. They have a group of talent that they regularly call upon because they know that those people are available and will be prepared to work. If that person is you be sure to keep yourself "front of mind" at the studio.

See TIPS for more information of interest...

If you found this information of interest please click to email and let us know...

  "On the Air" & Demos

Check out the following voice-over gigs performed by alumni.

Find the most recent spot...

CLICK to hear demos from Voice Spot WCS grads...

Each of these audio samples was produced at different recording studios in Calgary, Alberta (Canada).