Hey You…with the Voice! Yeah, You!

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So, you want to break into voiceovers? And why not? The opportunities today; what with the internet, commercials, promos, video games, audiobooks, etc…are seemingly endless. And after all, you’ve most likely been listening to/watching commercials for a majority of your life. You may be an actor or singer and have been complimented on your voice. Or you’re a ‘lay person’ (A.K.A a non-actor/singer) and have been told the same. Maybe you’d just like to learn more about becoming voiceover talent. But where to begin? Seems daunting…just like singing or songwriting. But in actuality, I can get you started. Here are five simple tips to set you on your way….

1) Take note. What do you hear on the radio or TV that makes you say, “Hey, that sounds like me! I can do that!”
2) Listen for trends. Are the voices apathetic? Anti-announcer? Jovial?
3) What makes you stand out? Can you do any accents or impressions?
4) Mimic. Practice sounding like what you hear.
5) Get an audience. Read the cereal box for your partner or your Mom.

I highly recommend working with a coach and professional Producer. And guess what? You’re in luck! I am a voiceover coach and have recently launched Fresh Gold Voiceover Demo Productions with the awesomely talented, meticulous Producer, Mike Leary (A.K.A Mike Fresh). We are already amassing satisfied clients and can help you get the reads you need on a fantastic demo and provide you with some resources as to where to send it. Contact me at: 212-875-7634 or gaby@gabygold.com for more information. Refer your friends and colleagues too! They’ll thank you for it!

Sing Out, Louis and Louise!

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I have noticed that many people’s views of their capacity for songwriting is similar to many people’s feelings about whether or not they can sing. Both areas can feel daunting and elusive. I truly believe it is all connected with an openness of heart.When one feels comfortable, safe and not judged, (like singing in the shower, for example) amazing creative avenues can open. I have witnessed this first hand in the writing class I have attended weekly for nearly three years, Cheryl King’s Write Your Heart Out class at Stage Left Studio.

It is a nurturing environment full of support and acceptance and I have seen non-lyricists come up with some wonderful lyrical work because they feel like no one is  going to scoff or laugh at them. Think about it, how can one sing properly or think up a lyrical line when they feel like they are being judged for even trying? Your throat would close up and your brain would shut down. Free yourself and see what happens!

One exercise I would recommend for allowing for creative flow, if you will, would be to try to write a few short limericks and then sing them for someone you can trust. They could be funny, serious, pensive…anything that speaks to you. Oh and I also have to let you know about one of my favorite resources I use when writing…Rhymezone.com! Check it out. And please, don’t censor yourself.

It’s Almost Spring!

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Hi Peoples! Well it’s almost Spring (sorta) and my creative juices are flowing. I am SO HAPPY to report that I performed two of my original musicals for young audiences, The GingerBronx Man and The Lonely Gray Square in two elementary school classrooms in the last two weeks Kindergarten and 2nd Grade). The awesome Ben Rauch was a wonderful addition as an actor (thanks Ben!) These students were my first young audiences and even if these shows never ‘go anywhere’, I am ecstatic and grateful to have had the chance to interact with such awesome kids. Yay! A quick V.O. update: I have been sooo lucky in that I continue to book McDonald’s Alaska spots. I think I have 4 running right now in Anchorage, Fairbanks, etc and I am recording two more next week. Thanks Chris Arbisi for being a great engineer to work with! All good! I am currently in rehearsals with Melodia Womens choir for our upcoming April/May concerts. Some really challenging and uplifting work. I am so blessed to being singing with such a superb choir. I’ll be performing quite a bit in the coming weeks! Yahoo! Here are the deets: Saturday, Feb. 11th@ 7:30pm: Selected Shorts – I’m performing 5 characters in 15 minutes! Stage Left Studio 214 West 30th Street 6th Fl (bet. 7th and 8th) . Tuesday, Feb. 14th @ 7:30pm: Blue Valentine Show – I’m singing an original song! Stage Left Studio 214 West 30th Street 6th Fl (bet. 7th and 8th). Saturday, Feb. 18th @ 8:00pm: Forbidden Kiss (also at Stage Left…you know the drill) And Tamar and I will most likely be at The Youth Hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam on Feb. 22nd at 8pm. Details still being worked out. Well, gotta run. Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

 

 

Performance Mania

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Cheerio! I hope everyone is doing well! All good on this end! Chase is turning 1 (!) in two weeks and we are having so much fun with him! Here’s a quick writing/performance update: I am submitting three pieces for young audiences to the 2012 Fringe Jr. Festival, here in NYC, which is part of the Fringe. I had the amazing Dina Pruzhansky transcribe my musical ideas for one of the musicals and she rocked the house on the project. Stuart McMeans, who is fsbulous had already done the same for another of the plays so I had great help with my ideas!! I will keep you posted on whether any of the works get accepted! It would be wonderful to share my plays and musicals with kids, rather than just sitting in my laptop files! Still collaborating daily with the fun and talented Ben Rauch…lots of songs coming soon. I recorded two more spots (one TV, one radio) for Alaska Mc Donalds last week, which means I currently have 4 Micky D spots running there! Thanks Ronald Mc Donald! I sang in an unbelievable concert at Carnegie Hall with my choir, Melodia and another wonderful choir, The Stonewall Chorale. It was a benefit for the American Cancer Society hosted by Julie Andrews and Donald Trump (what a pair!). I got very choked up singing ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ with 70 voices on that stage for that cause. Magical. I performed my song, ‘I’ve Got a Sweet Tooth for my Dentist’ at Forbidden Kiss at Stage Left Studio last night. A video by Marisa Bramwell will be up shortly (maybe on my FB page). Tamar Vezirian and I will be debuting our yenta characters, Fanny and Phyllis, The Bar Mitzvah Critics at a youth hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam at 8pm this coming Wednesday, Jan. 25th. We will also be performing again (material TBD) at Identity Theft: Celebrity Edition this Thursday at the Luca Lounge at 7pm. It’s on 13th and B and is hosted by the hilarious Jenn Dodd. Ya know, I thought I’d slow down in January but if anything, I’m doing even more. I am so inspired by Chase and Steve and so lucky to have such special friends and family that my cup runneth over with inspiration! Yay!

Holiday Performing!

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Hello Mateys! Well, it’s been a while…which is a good thing. I’ve been having so much fun with Chase. He is becoming a quite the mimic and we crack each other up. He is also a dream baby who accompanies me to writing class, rehearsals, even an audition or two and is amazingly well ‘behaved’. Last week, he came to see/hear the choir I sing with, Melodia, and didn’t make a peep! Just listened and relaxed. Such a show baby! Steve rocking his stroller probably had something to do with it! My fabulous husband!! So…career update…I recorded VO for a TV spot for Springhouse Bridal (Garnerville, NY) last week with the amazing Adam Harley at his funky fresh studio in Larchmont called Future Hype Media  and was able to make my agency a small commission. It felt good because I brought them the job. I’m singing backup at The Bitter End (!) next week for the lovely and talented Caley Rose and I get to jam out with her band and the ever-cool Pete Romano. Next up, I’m performing at Stage Left Studio’s Forbidden Kiss again on Dec. 10 (an original song with my fledgling band and drummer Shane Kulman and a surprise lip sync jam with Bella De Balls! On the classical tip, I’m singing holiday music with the fierce Melodia Women’s Choir at The Barclay Hotel on Dec. 20th. On Dec. 22, Tamar Vezirian…who is a genius…and I will be doing 10 mins of our crazy characters, Valvita and Janinah at a show called Identity Theft at the Luca Lounge! Phew! And all of this just in time for CHRISTMAAAAAS! hope you all are flourishing and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Fall! Happiness! Peace!

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Hellooooooo! Happy Autumn. I hope this season is bringing you happiness and peace. I’m enjoying my family during this transitional time (moving into our new home in a couple of weeks!) and it is busier than ever for me. Chase is growing leaps and bounds! The light of my life!! Steve is beyond supportive and such an amazing and fun father and husband. On the career front, I’m writing music, sketch comedy and theatre with some wonderful collaborators; enjoying Cheryl King’s weekly writing workshop, “Write Your Heart Out” and singing in the women’s choir, Melodia. I’ve been lucky enough to have 2-3 auditions a week and the audiobook I narrated is selling well. Although I am excited for the progression of my career I am so grateful and thankful for the joy my husband and my little boy bring me in my life. That’s what REALLY matters.

 

More Micky D’s, Auditions, Second Alto

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I feel so fab about my progressing VO career. I wound up doing two more McD spots last week; another radio for Alaska and also TV for Florida. I’ve been going to some great auditions at the Casting Directors’ offices I used to dream about going to earlier in my career. I’m getting to know some of the other auditionees at the auditions and feel a little more part of the ‘club’. Additionally, I was just accepted as a Second Alto into a great Women’s Choir, Melodia, which will help keep my vocal chops up. Check us out at MelodiaWomensChoir.com ! National spots, movies, promos, etc…here I come!