Laura Schreiber

Why Voiceover Professionals Need to Improv

October 3, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

Laura Schreiber Female Voice Over Talent Fredfrees — My coach – Fred Frees

“We’re Looking for Someone Who Can Put Their Own Spin On It”

“You Really Need an Improv Class”

Years ago, when coaching with my beloved mentor Fred Frees, every session was different and exciting. If I could have worked with him every day I would have. The characters that he helped me develop we exciting and fun and the hours that we spent via skype were some of the most thrilling of my life. Fred is a creative genius and one day when I was learning to scream as if being dragged by an alien pulling my away and never to return, Fred said I had to take improv. Despite months pf training and progress, he said that without an improv class he would not even consider setting a date for my character demo.

So, I overcame my fear of performing on stage and signed uo for the Advanced Acting and Improv class at Papermill Playhouse, our local theater. The class was taught by esteemed Broadway actress Elyssa Van Duyne and it challenged me in every way possible. From scripts like “Augusts of Osage County” that forced me to tap into anger, an emotion I do not enjoy, to exercises where we had to throw and catch a balloon while reciting our lines in different ways and somehow manage not to crash into each other. Every class brought out different weaknesses and struggles and revealed how much I had to learn, yet week after week I returned hungry to learn more. As professional actors, even as voiceover actors, if we do not continually work on our craft, we do not improve. This unique opportunity to leave my padded foam booth gave me a perspective I previously lacked as working with others on a stage is quite different than working alone in a very solitary space.

How did this effect my training with Fred? He heard a difference from the very first class on. One of the drills Fred would do was to ahve me run through my roster of characters that I created and read the script as different characters. Before the class I was reading them with the same pace and intonation, not varying the rhythm enough. This changed immediately. There was a freshness to my reads and I was able to connect with the copy in a very different way. While I would not have gone if Fred had not insisted, I am so thankful that he did! I believe that all professional voiceover actors benefit from improv training because we need to provide our clients, in all formats and genres, with alternate reads and options.

Daily Use of Improv

When I first did my training with Fred, I correctly assumed that the improv would help me in my character work. From toy demos to video game characters, the improv training that I have had has helped me bring fresh reads and passion to each character. I actually think the improv and fast response becomes a part of a voiceover actor’s innate response after years of doing it.

More and more often I am seeing commercial auditions posted that ask for talents who can adlib. Often during a guided session, clients will ask for something that is off script, and suddenly I find myself putting my improv skills to use. Sometimes even when staying on script completely, I find that my improv drives my commercial reads in that it enables me to give a totally unique second or third take. Again, in my experience improv is an asset to professional voiceover actors.

When I started doing work in radio imaging, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is a space for improv there too. Whether it is with witty outtakes or sharp remarks, even imaging producers very much appreciate a voiceover actor for sweepers and liners who can ad lib on the spot. The challenge with imaging is understanding what is appropriate from format to format. A sarcastic quip that would draw a laugh on a Top 40 station would not be appropriate on an upbeat classic hits station.

Even in eLearning, the improv training comes in handy. Sometimes as a character in a training module, the instructional designer is looking for something different. They want their characters to be really believable. The risk taking and the ability to connect with the copy that comes with improv training will help with this even when sticking with the script.

Keeping that Edge

The more improv is requested, the more it needs to be practiced. It does get better the more you do it! There are local improv groups. There are also improv sessions and master classes at voiceover conferences. If you are thinking that you might need one, the answer is a resounding YESSSS!!!!

Yes, That’s Me in that Ad!

September 26, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

Come On, Just One Line

I was walking my dog and ran into one of my friendly neighbors working on her flowers. She asked me how my “whole voiceover thing” was going. Then she did what commonly happens. Krista said, “Can you just do one of your lines from a recent job?” This actually happens all the time, at dinner parties, doctor’s appointments, temple- folks ask to hear my work. They want it live, unscripted, in the moment. This is funny for several reasons. While I have been trained in improv, that is not typically part of what I do, especially in most of my commercial work. A very small percentage of both my auditions and my actual bookings ask for a voiceover actor who can improv. Next, all of my work is done with a script. I seldom memorize the script. There are often in-session script changes that require me to mark the script with the new lines as I go. So these impromptu performances? Well, they do not represent my actual work. But, it does get at the heart of what is really being asked: that folks I run into understand that I have found my passion in an exciting industry and I have the fortune of booking a lot of commercial work as a full-time, professional voiceover actor. I have found such joy in the 15, 30, and 60 second commercial spots full of emotional twists and plot turns and voiceover for commercial are my thang.

On the radio, ohhh on the radio

Since I started in voiceover, I have booked a lot of voiceover commercials. Perhaps this is because I am super expressive and radio is so different than tv. Without the visual for the listener to understand, as the commercial voiceover actor, all of the story is in the voice. The change for discontent to the solution to one’s problem, the shift from happy to vulnerable, it all has to be audible, and I eat those scripts up. From Am to FM to satellite to Pandora to Spotify, I enjoy all sort of commercial spots. Even the tags are fulfilling to me! I particularly love those fast-paced disclaimers that come at the end of ads. Whether it is a 15 second spot or a 60 second spot, I very much enjoy working on the script and figuring out what I am saying and why I am saying it. I get so much out of these commercial reads.

My Uncle Heard Me…..

Whether it is a one off or a campaign, local, regional, or national, I still get so excited to book television commercials at all levels! I have had the fortune to book a few campaigns in Florida where my Aunt Jody and Uncle Mark live, and they have seen the spots run which is extremely fulfilling to me. Often friends and family will comment that I don’t sound like myslef, or that they did not recognize me when I am on tv. I’m not sure if that is a compliment or not, but I am super happy and bubbly in my daily life, and not all scripts are written that way, so as a voiceover actor it is my job to play the role that I am playing in each commercial. I typically have a warm, conversational tone and I try to make each spot sound believable and sincere. As a professional voiceover actor in commercials, it is my job to bring the client their vision for the script and offer different options for the read. There are typically so many right ways to do it each time. I am so happy to be cast in each commercial, as long as the client is happy in the end that is all that matters.

Hello Again:)

In both radio and tv commercials, my greatest joy as a voiceover actor is the opportunity to work with clients again. Whether it is a producer or casting director, I love working with the same folks again and again. This does not mean I assume what they want or need on a project. But, I am always delighted that they are pleased enough with my work to use my voice for another commercial. Whether these clients needed guided sessions via ipDTL, Source Connect, or ISDN; or, they had me record and submit the work independently, their repeat use of me means they were happy and I more than met their needs. I am going for over joyed every single time I deliver the audio.

Staying in the Game

So, in this ever changing industry, with so many great talents going after the same gigs every day, how do I keep up? I believe the answer lies with on-going professional development. Just as doctors and lawyers must, so do professional voiceover actors. I work with private coaches and I go to conferences. Often some of the rosters that I am on also bring in coaches who are top in our field to train us. I take advantage of all of these opportunities so that I have the confidence to know that every day I am bringing the best I can into my commercial reads.

Packing My Bags and Conference Bound

September 19, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

Time to Pack the Roll-y Bag

After three days in Atlanta I was on the airport shuttle back to the airport. In truth I had never gone very far. I spent the entire time at an airport hotel, for VO Atlanta, one of the biggest voiceover conferences of the year. First, it should be noted that I get terribly car sick and was dreading this shuttle ride. On the shuttle I immediately noticed a gal that looked really familiar but I had not actually gotten to spend time with at the conference. It was the one and only Shelley Avellino. We spent the entire time on the shuttle chatting away. They after clearing security we had lunch before I flew back to NYC and Shelley was off to Vegas. You see, that’s how voiceover is, we treat each other like family. Shelley and I now have weekly chats and I don’t know what I ‘d do without her. That is the magic of these conferences.

One of the biggest reasons that I was confident enough to pursue voiceover years ago was that I did not want to leave my children, Emma and Jack, and commute to New York. I wanted to work from home. So, it seems quite ironic that last year I went away six times to various conferences. Six. S-I-X. I packed my black Tumi bag, and off I went. In truth I feel terrible when my car picks me up for the airport, as if I am leaving my right arm behind. So why do I do it, and so often? Sometimes it’s necessary to leave the foam booth both to meet clients and for professional development opportunities.

ELearning Conferences

As a professional eLearning narrator, I have made some wonderful connections and ultimately gotten great clients from attending conferences including ATD and eLearning Guild conferences. I have had an opportunity to narrate training modules for some of the best known brands, including Ace Hardware, PSE&G, and Walmart to name a few, all based on connections made at conferences. I have met independent instructional designers and large content providers, but I think leaving the comfort of my padded foam booth and making a face to face connection makes all the difference. Whether I am in Orlando or San Diego, the location is irrelevant. I show up at these conferences to listen to what potential clients’ needs are, so that I can better understand what they are looking for in a professional narrator. I also come so that I can introduce myself in person and let them know why I am different than my peers and how my broadcast ready studio sets me apart. The next conference I will attend is Dev Learn in Las Vegas in October, 2018. If you’ll be there let me know!

Radio Summits

Radio Imaging is another big piece of my professional voiceover business. I have a passion for it and am the female voice of multiple Top 40/AC, Classic Hits/CHR, and Christian Top 40 (REL) stations. From sweepers to station promos, this is a genre that I love from format to format. When my mentor Randy Thomas suggested that I fly out to Los Angles last May for the World Wide Radio Summit at the W Hotel in Hollywood, I was one of about 50 voiceover actors who was there. Not only did I meet top radio industry professionals and talent agents, I learned so much about the inner workings of radio both from attending the sessions and from talking to other attendees. I was actually amazed by both how many people I met and how much I learned in just a few days. As a professional voiceover actor who does a lot of radio imaging, this conference was well worth the cross country flight.

Professional Voiceover Conferences

I have had the opportunity to attend multiple voiceover conferences. Not only have I learned so much that has helped me stay current in my industry, but I have had the opportunity to connect with folks from around the world that I otherwise only know online. I am going to go point by point about what I love on this, but I could right multiple blogs about each conference below, so this is just a very brief summary:

WoVo Con: Located in Las Vegas, I attended as a professional talent, but now non pros can attend as well. I loved the seminars that were offered! I did not attend any master classes but the practical skills that I learned I use every day. I also liked the size of the sessions and felt that it was comfortable enough that I could absorb everything.
VO Revolution: In Kankakee, IL. One piece of advice- fly into Midway!! I loved the small intimate setting. I learned so much about marketing and was very inspired. It was a great setting to share ideas and ask questions. This is a great conference for folks starting out or for folks who need a business jumpstart.
VO Mastery: In Studio City, CA. This workshops stands out because of the amazing amount of master classes with top industry professionals and the level of access talents have to interact with them throughout the conference. The panels were also outstanding.
VO Atlanta: In Atlanta, GA. Last, but certainly not least, VO Atlanta is the biggest VO conference of the year. Voiceover professionals come from around the world to attend this conference. I think I enjoy this so much because it is a great opportunity to connect with other talents. So many themes in voiceover are covered that you could focus on what ever topic you are trying to improve on and attend panels and master classes in that field. From voiceover technique to business tools, everything is covered at this conference.

The Other Perks….

So, I love meeting clients in person. I also love meeting other voiceover professionals. But the truth us, I have also gotten to go to some beautiful and fun places when going to these conferences. Last year I was in San Diego for an eLearning conference. If you have never been to San Diego, it is really beautiful. I was also in Las Vegas and had a special evening out with friends from Europe and from the West Coast. We ate at a truly decadent restaurant with an incredible view atop the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

In April I attended another conference in Orlando. I had lunch with other voiceover talents and stayed at an amazing hotel with a lazy river! While I am highly motivated to grow and maintain client relationships, and stay on the forefront of the voiceover industry, I confess the travel perks ain’t half bad either!

A Girl’s Best Friend: Blessings of the Voiceover Studio Dog

September 12, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

My Fur Baby

Years ago, when I was early in my pregnancy with my twins, I remember my aunt pulling me aside and saying that as much as I loved my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Barclay, I would love my children so much more. Well, once they were born I realized that I loved my precious Barclay the same way that I loved Emma and Jack. Barclay, and now Violet, have brought such joy and love to my life and they are part of the family. When the twins were little and in their stroller, Barclay was extremely protective and would go off like an alarm to keep strangers away from them. When we lived in our Upper West Side apartment, if the twins went anywhere near the kitchen, Barclay always barked to let me know. As they got older, his protective instincts continued to sharpen and from snuggling when they were upset to loving and training our precious Violet, living with dogs is one of my greatest joys. Over the years, I have watched my elderly grandparents smile with joy as they held my dogs. I have savored every second watching Violet and Barclay gently kiss and play with my nieces and nephews, always careful not to be too rough. My own twins have such a special bond with their “doggy brother and sister.” There is a reason why so many folks, from producers to professional voiceover actors have animals in our studios: our furry friends enhance the quality of our day and because we, as artists are happy, these animals ultimately ensure a quality finished product.

The Snuggles Help

As a solopreneur, full-time professional voiceover actor, I can get lost in my work. Having such a precious, happy, calm girl by my side is a blessing as Violet, a now five year-old Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is always with me in my studio. There has been a lot of scientific research about the calming effect of canines. A great article in Frontiers in Psychology in 2014 they explain“Dogs are known to have stress and anxiety reducing effects. Several studies have shown that dogs are able to calm people during cognitive and performance stressors.” For me, by having Violet by my side in my recording booth, I can leave my every day stress outside my booth, and concentrate on the script in front of me. Whether I am working on a new audition or a booking, it is a benefit to be calm and composed so that I can be present in the moment. The only time that I do not have Violet in the booth is when I have a live session via ipDTL, Source Connect, or ISDN. It would be terrible to have the audio ruined because she yawns or shakes her collar!

I Work In a Padded Foam Booth…

I LOVE my work, but spending hours a day working in a padded foam booth may not be as fun as it sounds, so having a precious furry friend inside is really nice. I have made my booth as pleasant and comfortable as a gal can make a booth, but it is so nice to have Violet with me. She has a double layer cozy bed and a fe quiet toys. She occasionally kisses my leg at random. She also sporadically gets up and rearranges all of her belongings. It is very precious. I always record standing up because it is really important for the sound quality. I regularly have very long eLearning sessions. Every now in then, if I am editing a lengthy eLearning project, I sit on the stool in my booth. The very second I sit down, Violet wants to sit on my lap. She is, after all, a lap dog.

Violet is Part of My Healthy Life Plan

As a working voiceover actor, leading a healthy lifestyle is extremely important to my success. My voice is my instrument, so fitness and food choices very much effect my voice. In addition to pilates, I love taking walks with Violet. In fact, Violet is a great wellness companion, she does it all with me. Apparently this is extremely common. In Science Direct, in an article called “ Understanding dog–human companionship”, “pet owners, particularly dog owners, are more physically active than non-pet owners.” I also want to do as much as I can for Violet so that she lives a long and happy life, so that is incentive for me as well.

The Benefits

My dog, my precious Violet, keeps me happy and calm. Having this special girl to share my days with is not a gift that goes unappreciated. Her gestures, her adorable sounds, her sweet snuggles- all are noticed and loved and adored. They also all feed my soul as both Violet and Barclay are a childhood dream come true. Vi, in turn, fuels the success of my voiceover career, another dream, and I know that so much of the success is because of the happiness that she brings. As the great Elizabeth Taylor said: “Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.”

How a Lifetime of Preparing Family Dinners Trained Me to Be a Momtrepreneur

September 5, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

The More the Merrier

Several years ago we moved from a lovely 1950s split level to a 1923 Georgian Colonial. To call this home a fixer upper is being kind, money pit seems more accurate. But we fell in love with this house because we knew we would have the space for the big family meals that we so enjoy. We have a really close knit family and on weekends and holidays we are all together, and this house, even with its leaks and floods, gives us the space to be surrounded by the people we love most. This house also had the space for my dream voiceover studio. For many years I had the luxury of taking a break from my teaching job and staying home with my twins as a full time mom. My years at home as a full time stay at home mom provided valuable, real like skills that I use every day in my voiceover business.

Managing Expectations

As a full-time, professional voiceover actress, nothing could have prepared me better for working with international clients with different customs and expectations than having 35 people in my dining room, an array of food allergies, and some pretty active kids, AKA the Schreiber family! I am a typical Pennsylvania girl who grew up eating meat and potatoes dinners and married a slick New York guy, with a super health conscious family! So for starters, every time I have the entire family over, I have to prepare a blend of food that both sides expect. My side would be shocked to have a meal without green bean casserole, my husband’s side would be shocked not to have simply roasted veggies in nothing but olive oil.

After years of happily meeting the varied expectations of a growing family that was pretty large to begin with, I happily meet the varied demands of voiceover clients. It begins with my voiceover proposals. Some clients love to begin with a friendly phone conversation. Other voiceover clients prefer a proposal with multiple options in an email form. Whether they are a video production company, a casting agent, and advertising agency, or one of the myriad of other possible voiceover clients, I am happy to discuss the terms however they are most comfortable, as being flexible is quite natural to me! From providing invoicing in different formats, to providing delivery of files as they like, to offering all differing kinds of guided sessions including Source Connect, ipDTL, ISDN, and even Skype for those who insist on it, I always try to do what the clients prefer and what is easiest for them. I have learned to accommodate by planning and being organized, skills that serve me well in voiceover and as a working mom!

Ready, Set, GO! Prepping for the RUSH!!

Years ago I realized that I married into a family of folks who plan last minute! My family likes to make reservations and plan meals well in advance, but my husbands rather large family is pretty relaxed. So, I might think it will just be the 4 of us for dinner and suddenly we are going from 4 to 17 with less than an hours notice. This has been great prep for VO rush jobs! Just as I want my family to feel that the door is always open and I always have a seat from them at my table, I want my clients to know that my booth is always open. I understand that they have a client waiting for them on the other side who has a deadline. A client would never ask me for a rush job if they did not actually need the work right away. Just like I would never have my family over and not serve a regular meal, I would not provide rush service and offer any less than I do on a typical job. The terms regarding performance errors, pickups, and delivery would all be the same. I just simply understand that they have a rush job.

Momtrepreneurs Just Get It

I was lucky to learn so much from my Mom and my Mommom (Philly speak for Grandma). Is my house always perfect? No. Do I have dishes in the sink? Some times. Do I iron? Never, or not well! But I have a happy house where we all help each other. We all have chores. We all support each other. We all help take out the recycling and we all take care of the dog. When I have a recording session late in the day and I can’t cook dinner, either someone else cooks or we get take out. But the warmth in my home, the joy that trickles into my booth for every single job, and the spirit with which I have raised my family, I pour that same spirit into my voiceover career. It’s the only way I know.

Acting Like I Don’t Have a Migraine: Having to Push Through the pain to Follow My Dream

August 29, 2018 by Laura Schreiber

Amy’s Mom

When I was growing up, I had a good friend Amy. I was over at her house all the time. Her mom was really sweet and she kept chocolate chips in the freezer because she new I liked them. Amy’s mom had migraines. I did not know anything about them and I did not have anyone in my family who suffered from them. Her mom was often in bed in the dark when we came home from school. She could not get up to make dinner. It was really sad. When I was little, I did not understand the problem and I just thought there must be something really wrong. I’m Jewish and my mom is what we describe as a ballabusta, she did everything in our house for all of us every day and was amazing! And by everything I mean our house was always perfect and she made the most incredible food constantly and nothing, nothing was out of place. In contrast, Amy’s house, which still was full of love, was a mess, and her mom was suffering so that she could not handle the most basic of tasks.

Well, since I have had my twins, I too have been afflicted with migraines. According to https://migraine.com/migraine-statistics/, I am one of 38 million people who suffer from migraines and “Some migraine studies estimate that 13 percent of adults in the U.S. population have migraines, and 2-3 million migraine sufferers are chronic.” Unfortunately, I am not my mother, and I think those clean and cooking genes might have skipped me. Thankfully I have been able to get medical treatment and function better than Amy’s mom. Even on days that it is hard to pick my head up or it would not be safe to drive, I have to go into the booth and sound like an upbeat, cheerful, and conversational functioning person.

Short Commute

Thankfully I don’t have to drive to work, my recording booth is in my house. As a full time, professional voiceover actor, I am one of many in a growing trend of solo-preneurs who work from home. According to the New York Times, in an article by Niraj Chokshi from February 2017, “Last year, 43 percent of employed Americans said they spent at least some time working remotely, according to the survey of more than 15,000 adults.” My recording booth, filled with broadcast ready equipment including a Neumann TLM 103 microphone and an Avalon M5 preamp, is in my house. When I decided to work from home, it was based on my desire to be available to my children. I did not want to miss out on school events like science fairs and art shows that I never would have made it to if I were commuting to New York City. I now realize that with chronic migraines, working from home is the best choice for me. I often do not feel safe driving when I take migraine medicine prescribed by my physician. I also do not have to exacerbate my migraine suffering with the stress of the commute. Working from home has so many benefits!

Pursuing Wellness

The healthy lifestyle that is essential for success in voiceover is also necessary if I hope to prevent migraines. According to the American Migration Foundation, they advise “Eat a carbohydrate with a protein or a good fat to stay full longer. Don’t eat or drink anything that you KNOW triggers your migraine. Some common food ‘triggers’ are alcohol, aged cheeses, caffeine, and chocolate. Drink water through the day instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice.” I typically avoid gluten, dairy, and eggs. I maintain a low sugar diet. I do Pilates and walk a lot. Sometimes I go two or three weeks without a headache and sometimes I have one or more a week. If I new what the magic recipe was, I would do it consistently forever! All I can do is try my best and stay calm when the headaches come.

Pushing Through- The Headache Doesn’t Win!

I did not choose to get migraines. They stink. But, I love my family and I love my job. I would be devastated it I had to turn down work or change my bookings because of a headache. As a voiceover professional with years of experience, I have persevered through live commercial sessions and long eLearning jobs while I have a migraine. I have completed rush jobs for clients and edited large narrations. I try to take it one job at a time and not think about the discomfort. I am thankful for the work that I have and I will not give in to these darn head aches. At the end of the day, the head ache does not get to win!