Who Should Get Coaching?
Whether you are a newbie to acting, established actor or an author there is something to learn in either pivoting skills or the whole kit and kaboodle of deep, honest performance. It takes a lot more than a love of books, passion and a good voice to run this gauntlet, just like it takes more than a pair of great shoes and being relatively in shape to run a marathon.
Audiobook narration really is a marathon! This is a type of acting work that doesn’t exist in any other medium. It is a one person show for 6-12 hrs playing all the parts (fiction). Or an incredible, heartfelt, funny or engaging lecture about something an author deeply needs to share, has researched and lived (non-fiction).
It is also an art and a profession, both of which take time (and yes money) to honor. We hold another artist’s work in our hands (authors I love you!). I believe we have a responsibility to those years of time/money/effort. Performers, aspiring narrators or even the authors themselves, need to do the work of learning, getting feedback, practicing, training and listening.
Let’s start at a place you can be proud of and an author or listener will feel honored or better yet captivated by!
Newbies
If you are completely new to acting but just looooove books and have been wanting to see if this is a path for you, then I can help. Having worked with people at life transitions, diving into audiobooks for the first time, I give realistic and gentle guiding education as you explore. The first session is usually a lot of “what to expect” as a newbie.
In this art form we are taking another person’s hard, labored over, work in our hands. Therefore, it is even more important to take the time to learn, listen and practice! So good for you for taking the plunge!! I have plenty of life preservers from my over 15 years in the biz!
We will go over:
– the overall ins and outs of starting in this business (setting expectations about time & money of learning a new skill and the business)
– Honest evaluation. Where are you starting from? What is our expected time frame to get you to the level of auditions! What/ how does this fit into your life.
Non Fiction
– The different types: Historical, business, self help, memoire etc
– How to think from the perspective of the author
– How to be engaged and truthful but also let the listener come to you.
Fiction
– The different POV’s, 1st, 3rd person limited, 3rd person omniscient
– How to truly live in the moment with truth and vulnerability
– Character voices
– How to figure out and make choices that support “Why are they even in this story”
– How to create sustaining choices
– How to create multiple characters of the opposite sex that you identify as
– How to create variety both broad and subtle
– How to find your homerun zone
– work eventually on demos
… and more
Established Actors
It is all about the pivot. Your skills apply but it is a fundamentally different medium.
Film, TV, Stage and VO acting skills absolutely applies to Audiobook narration. Aaaaaand just as a film or VO person may find it hard to pivot to stage work or vsv, getting even a wee bit of coaching can make all the difference to an easeful and PROFESSIONAL first go around.
Generally, established actors need a little less performance coaching overall. We will work on:
- performance for audiobooks (how is it different, tricks of the trade, pivot skills)
- the process top to bottom once you get the gig!
- learning to understand the genre, POV, non fic
- learning the “business of audiobooks”.
We will up your skills in characterization, subtext and conversational truth within this new-to-you medium. This can you give you step-up you need, if you are a newer narrator, and the step-in your need for an actor diversifying your work portfolio.
I also coach/direct/evaluate Demos and Auditions for when you are ready to get out there or are out there already!
GROUPS: I am always happy to teach groups online as well. So, gather a few of your actor friends and we can create a class for you!!!!
Authors
Are you an author wanting to narrate your book?!
Erin will work with you and give you honest feedback about whether this is the right road for your book. She is sensitive and caring while being honest. She will work with you before you get in the booth to make sure that what you hope to give the world is coming across in the best possible light for the audio medium. Listeners really do love hearing authors read their own work (mostly the case for Memoire and Non Fiction!). Sometimes that feels like reading instead of sharing and that is something we can work on together!
Freebies
Because we all need a boost sometimes here are a few freebies to get you thinking about your path as an audiobooks narrator!
Content coming soon...I am working on it..... no truly I am!!!
About Erin as a coach and teacher
Erin has taught audiobook narration workshops and been a panelist/workshop leader/speaker for Universities, VO conferences, Webinars, Audible.com, Recorded Books and Libraries internationally (for more see " Panelist" ) for over 10years.
She has coached everyone from complete newbies to acting and authors to established actors pivoting into the audiobook’s world.
Due to Erin's unique insight on both sides of the glass, for over 15 years, as a director, career actor and in post production, she is a very knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful private coach on line and in person.
She teaches groups online as well. So, gather a few of your actor friends and she will create a class for you!!!
Erin developed the entire curriculum for both the full time and part time Audiobook Narration classes and is on Faculty as the lead teacher at On The Mic Training in Vancouver Canada. She is happy to talk to your VO program/ University etc about options for workshops/ training and intensives.
Erin was adjunct faculty in the movement department teaching Neutral mask to well over 200 students at the renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) for 2 years before leaving New York City where she lived and performed for 13 years.
She is also a coach for theatre and film auditions.
Contact Erin
