Everyone who works as a voice actor knows that there is a vast difference in the way in which a commercial read is delivered when compared with a documentary narration. Voicing for animation and video games calls for a different approach than voicing in radio drama or audiobooks.
There are specialist coaches for many different areas of voice work. I am a specialist in audiobook narration — and that is what I offer coaching in. Many of the skills I teach are relevant to other kinds of acting and voice work, but the genre I concentrate on is audiobook narration.
I believe that if your aim is to dig deep and really hone your skill in any type of voice work, then it is well worth seeking a coach who is a specialist in that area.
My course is not for beginners. It is designed for narrators with some experience who want to raise their game – and for trained actors and voice actors who would like to extend their skills to include audiobook narration.
My course comprises six modules, each comprehensive and detailed written course notes, a selection of individual assignment texts and recording challenges, and written feedback on all assignment recordings. Each student also has an hour long one-to-one online director session on the completion of each module.
This is a traditional home study course – my written course notes are extensive and detailed and contain all the information a student needs to complete each recording assignment. Each student has a dedicated Dropbox folder assigned to them, where I share their course notes, assignment texts and written feedback, and where they upload their audio recordings and any research notes. When I review their audio, we book an hour long director session on Zoom.
There are lots of people offering voice coaching; there are even more offering VO coaching. The skills required in audiobook narration are very different from those demanded in gaming or commercials for example. Audiobook specific coaching is about getting inside the author’s head, discovering what lies beneath the first impression, finding subtext and subtlety and bringing the words believably to life.
My acting training and background are invaluable in both character creation and in storytelling: my experience in production helps me to understand what works aurally, how pacing, pause, emphasis and inflection add colour and texture, and thanks to my stint as a television producer and documentary narrator, I know how things ought to sound. Teaching and directing experience has further helped me to inspire and encourage narrators to really commit to every project they undertake.
When you’re auditioning, or submitting for a job, you have only one chance to make a good first impression – make it count! I can help you to do that.
I love telling stories and get enormous satisfaction from sitting in a padded isolation booth talking to myself! Narration combines so many of the skills I have gained over the past fifty years I feel that I have come home. Based in the East Midlands, I sing in two local choirs, I enjoy my garden, my crazy dog Freddy, good food, and the company of friends and family.
My audiobook narration course is designed for trained actors and voice actors wanting to extend their employment options into audiobook narration, and for experienced narrators with a body of work under their belt who want to improve their acting and narration skills and to further develop their ability to self produce and to work remotely.
Those expressing an interest will be invited to:
I evaluate every recording and give written feedback. Successful applicants are invited to a short Zoom session so we can get to know each other before either of us make a firm commitment to work together.
IMPORTANT: This course is not suitable for beginners.
Audiobook Narrator Coaching Course
The rate for the full Audiobook Narrator Coaching Course is £630.00 (or equivalent in your local currency based on exchange rates at the time of payment) which equates to £105 per module, with a minimum payment of three sessions in advance.
Payment includes a dedicated private Dropbox folder which is available to you for the duration of the course; comprehensive written coursework; a choice of assignment texts, each exploring different genres and aspects of narration; detailed review and written feedback on every assignment; an hour long online director session, a technical review of your raw audio and processed audio by Mike Kitson, an award winning audiobook editor, a half hour one-to-one voice and accent session with Anita Gilbert at Speakeasy Voice and Accent Coaching, a fortnightly group Zoom session, and one free hour of one to one direction after the course is completed.
One-to-one director sessions
One to one remote direction rates are £80 per hour; and can be split into to half hours for short reads. All slots must be reserved in advance with a minimum of 36 hours notice, with the narrator supplying a copy of the text/s they wish to work on, a brief outline of the story, a breakdown of the characters in the excerpt we’re working on, and any research notes.
Rates for full direction of an entire audiobook, or for sessions lasting longer than two hours are by negotiation and are based on a PFH rate.
Payment
Sterling payments are made by Bank Transfer. Payments in US Dollars or Euros by Bank Transfer Payment to Wise or by PayPal. Payments in any currency other than sterling is based on the exchange rate on the day that payment is made.
10% discount for booking and paying for the entire course in advance.
If this information has piqued your interest, please do get in touch using the contact form at the bottom of this section. On receipt of your details, I will send you more information and an application form.
Please note that to be considered for a place, you must have access to good quality recording facilities. In order to ensure that everyone gets the personal feedback and attention to detail that they deserve, the number of people I can coach is limited and there may be a waiting list.
