Resources for Developing Speaking and Voice-Over Careers Dr. Howard's Audio Samples
Dr. Diane Howard Copyright © 2010
Dialect and Voice-Over Training is part of Dr. Diane Howard's Voice and Diction course at UMHB. Professor Howard's book with Lainie Frasier, Speak Skillfully and Successfully: A Guide to Developing Diction and Voice-Over Excellence, McGraw-Hill, is available online and at the UMHB Bookstore. Dr. Howard also provides private coaching, as her schedule allows. Fees depend on necessary remediation and degree/time required for needed training. She has coached actors and communicators on-site and at a distance. She has read lines in appropriate dialects in audio files sent in e-mails for actors in feature films and has coached them over the telephone. She has met with actors face-to-face for dialect coaching.
Dr. Howard has met with performers and communicators on-site for foreign accent reduction and Standard American English speaking. Further, actors who have needed accent reduction have sent her MP3 files by e-mail of their voices as they are performing lines from a script. From there she has evaluated their voices and determined a plan of vocal assistance. There is no cost to the client until a mutual plan of action is decided.
Dr. Howard's Voice Samples- Character Voices #1, Character Voice #2, Commercial Voice #1, Commercial Voice #2 Dr. Howard's Audio Introduction to Autobiographical Writing and Performing Dr. Howard's Dialect Impressions- Notes & Links to Dr. Howard's Dialect Samples Initial Tips for Good Vocal Delivery for Live or Pre-Recorded Audio: Use vocal variety. Use good diction. Use effective breath support. Keep your voice healthy.
Use vocal variety.
Use good diction.
Use effective breath support.
Keep your voice healthy.
(1) Drink plenty of water.(2) Use relaxation techniques.(3) Get adequate sleep.(4) Don't stress your voice by shouting, whispering, pushing it.
Initial Tips for Effective Voice Acting for Live or Pre-Recorded Audio: Raise the stakes in your imagination (think about how what you are delivering might be of vital importance to you/your audience). Place, focus, and sustain your voice in various parts of your head and body for character voices. Listen to the musical movement, lilting, and emotional expression of dialects and voices for which you want to deliver impressions. Read many practical tips and step-by-step guidelines for developing an effective voice career in Dr. Howard's and Lainie Frasier's Book- Speak Skillfully and Successfully: A Guide to Developing Diction and Voice-Over Excellence Voice and Diction, course syllabus Further Recommendations: Receive speech and voice-over training-such as with Dr. Howard at UMHB or with Lainie Frasier at Voiceworks, Austin, Voice-Over Studio/Classes. Produce a professional demo, such as with Peter Blackwell at Soundmine, Austin & L.A., Audio Services. Look for a licensed agent to represent you. Further Resources: If you need help to speak Standard American English, you can use audio helps, such as Accent Reduction and Sound of American English Audio Aids and Charts: Accent Reduction Made Easy by Jane Wellborn, M.A., Penton Overseas Inc. The Sound and Style of American English by David Alan Stern, Ph.D.
Raise the stakes in your imagination (think about how what you are delivering might be of vital importance to you/your audience).
Place, focus, and sustain your voice in various parts of your head and body for character voices. Listen to the musical movement, lilting, and emotional expression of dialects and voices for which you want to deliver impressions.
Accent Reduction Made Easy by Jane Wellborn, M.A., Penton Overseas Inc.
The Sound and Style of American English by David Alan Stern, Ph.D.
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