#certifiedvoiceartistprogram

[lunettevo]

A lot of notes to take

[Week 4 CVAP Experience]

The number of papers needed for notes kept increasing. One paper for week 1, one paper for week 2, two papers for week 3, and FOUR PAPERS FOR WEEK 4.

As to be expected, this week 4 session is all about the legalities, resumés, and how-to-not-kill-your-voice-acting-career-before-it-even-starts. Moreover, Trainer Lyn Gonzales AKA Kween of The Voice was there to guide us about how to navigate the voice acting industry so we were in good hands.

The first thing I learned was how to create demo reels, basically a short video or audio showing the kinds of voices we can offer the client. It seems simple but there's certain things you shouldn't do to ensure you have a good chance of being picked. This means no impressions of characters, not including the current year, and avoiding using music in your reel.

The second thing I learned about was how to create a proper resumé. I thought this sort of stuff wasn't that hard until Ms. Gonzales mentioned that it was hard to find a proper voice acting resumé. I locked in and noted almost everything down from vocal attributes to areas of expertise to training experience and so much more.

It was not done there yet. There were services agreements, price quotes, rate cards, NDAs, buy-outs. My brain nor my hands could keep up. To be fully honest, it was hard to keep on listening sometimes because I wondered if I would ever need these types of things so early in my career or if I could just pay a lawyer in the future to do this for me. I still paid attention, nevertheless.

It was also taught what red flags or yellow flags to notice in a client, such as super restrictive NDAs, holding the voice actor personally liable for issues with the project, no payment unless work is used. These seemed really clear red flags to me but there were also some restrictions that I never considered of being red/yellow flags, like using Western Union or Moneygram as payment methods, the voice actor being required to promote the project on their social media, and agreeing to reprise a role in the future at the same rate.

In the end, my hands were dead by lunchtime. However, this means I've learned a lot of important information and even if it was tiring to even intake all of that advice, I knew it was necessary because such mistakes could cost me money, time, or my whole dream as a voice actor. If anything, this blog post is a sign to always be attentive and always clarify if you're unsure. Stay safe and stay alert!

[lunettevo]

Out of breath

[Week 3 CVAP Experience]

Ten lyrical, spherical,  diabolical deni- ha.. of the deep who all stall- hah... around the corner of... hindi ako makapagsalita, kailangan ko muna huminga!!!

The third week session for CVAP was very informative and actually focuses on how to properly use your voice first and take care of it. I learned from Trainer Onie Zamora-Villamor about the proper breathing when using your voice, what food to eat to prevent inflammation, and so much more.

I love the fact that we were told to practice diaphragmatic breathing AKA belly breathing because as a free diver, I've been taught that when you breathe from your stomach, it becomes much easier to hold your breath and the air in it is more powerful. 

When you do this type of breathing, your shoulders shouldn't be moving but your stomach should be. This is actually the type of breathing that happens when you're lying down! Of course, singers and voice actors know this method to be able to bring out their voice with more power and to prevent straining their vocal folds so I'm glad everyone was able to learn about that. 

Another thing that I was happy to know about was the "Announcer's Test." It's a script that helps you practice your breathing  by saying that script in a few breaths or in one breath. It may not seem like much but I was so intrigued to learn about this and I even practiced this multiple times after the session. (The first paragraph is a reference to the last line in the announcer's test!)

It was also recommended as a practice to voice out scripts and tongue twisters with different emotions and at different speeds. That was something I never thought about before.

As a thank you for reading this blog, I would like to leave you some more voice tips I learned from this CVAP session to help you protect your own voice! 

Make sure to eat your green veggies, fruits, and protein rich food as they're healthy for you, wear a mask when you go out to avoid pollutants and exposure to dust or pollen, and also warm up your voice through relaxation, breathing, or vocalization, even if you're not a voice actor because these tips can even help with regular everyday speech!

[lunettevo]

Can a voice actor really make it without money?

[Week 2 CVAP Experience]

Microphone… Headset.. Foam… Voice box too?! My wallet can't handle that!

During Week 2, I learned through Trainer Bryan Dave Perez's video (hopefully that's the correct trainer, excuse me for my short-term memory…) about the equipment that voice artists usually use, whether it would be in the studio or at home! There were a lot of types of equipment that I knew like the common microphone or pop filters but I had no idea at all on how to use them, set them up, or where to even buy them. I usually just rely on filters or audio-enhancing software to do the technical work for me since my past work involves mixing songs and those are already mastered audio so… best experience I have with a mic is from whenever I step on stage or just mess with the filters and settings on the microphone. Take it or leave it.

So learning all about the types of certain equipment and what features they have was really interesting. I know I sound dumb but I didn't know that monitoring headsets help you hear what you sound like. My alternative for that was just removing the left side of my headphones from my left ear and putting my hand beside my ear just to get a better idea if I sound weird or not. There's dynamic, polar, omni-directional, and other kinds of microphones. There's foam that you can install inside your home to filter sound outside of your room and you could basically turn your bedroom into your own professional studio (can't relate yet though, I share my bedroom).

I also got a small but very useful tip that I've used for recording ever since this session. "Don't stay too close to the mic, just keep a small distance." There have been times that my recording sounds quite loud or muffled and it is usually because I lean nearer to my laptop when I'm too focused so the sound ends up louder and I end up lowering the sound of each recording just for it to not be super loud. This process takes up a lottttt of time and is tedious to do after each recording. I realized even an added small of amount of distance helps to make those recordings just the right volume and gets rid of that process. It's going to be a bit hard to fight the urge to want to lean forward but for the sake of time and maybe my own mental health because my mind gets tired from doing tedious things, I will follow this piece of advice as much as possible. I want to share this tip I learned from the session cause it really helped a lot!

End of story, money is also a challenge for aspiring voice actors… but we'll get there!

[lunettevo]

New everything

[Week 1 CVAP Experience]

New journey, new people, new knowledge, new everything… is what I experienced in my first session in CVAP.

By new people I don't mean just my peers and my voicemates in my batch (love you guys!) but also the people who helping me along the way in my journey. By that, I mean also my trainers like Ms. Dine Fabilinia, who helped us (me and my other voicemates) understand what really goes on in the production of the things we want to voice for AKA a lesson in multimedia production.

There's a lot of things that I was not aware of regarding multimedia production such as the many roles involved in a work or even the names of these types of productions so I definitely learned a lot. I got to know the process from planning, pre-production, production, distribution, and all the way to even the feedback and evaluation for the project, which we got to apply in our group work! (take a peek in the photos or on my channel where I say my line for the group work!)

Just a bonus pero kung ako ay nasa isang multimedia production, siguro ako ay magiging isang technical director o sound engineer para sa mga films, music production, o audio drama. Mahilig akong manggulo sa audio software o gumawa ng sarili kong song mixes hihii…

Learning about all of this in CVAP (shoutout to Trainer Dine Fabilinia again!) made me realize that there's a lot of work poured in by us humans for so many different things and skills involved even with just one project. It's also comforting to know that each of us can fulfill a role or do something for the things we love and goes to show how art is cherished deeply in our society, even if we don't directly say it.

I hope that we learn to protect and support our artists, technicians, designers, writers, whoever they are. That also includes me, as I'm training to become a skilled and talented voice artist. So why don't you support me too? Follow me to not just gain insights on voice artistry but also to follow my constant improvement in my journey to become a voice actor. C you!

[mcvoices]

Episode 4: Into the World of Voice Acting

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Hey, it's MC...Voices!

Great day, voicemates! It's my 4th week here in Certified Voice Artist Program - Batch 26. And as I kept on saying, it's been really really productive ever since I joined here. We had a lot of topics covered throughout the week, a lot of practical activities and... assignments too. During the 4th week session, they offered a comprehensive look into the business side of voice acting, covering essential tools and practices for advancing in the industry.

For the morning session, our trainor was Miss Lyn Gonzales, she welcomed us and proceeded to talk about what we need to do after CVAP. This includes the preparations in doing voice artist demo reel, she provided us valuable tips on creating a compelling reel that will capture the attention of potential clients and employers in the future.

We also delved into making our own voice acting resume, highlighting the importance of showcasing relevant experience, skills, and training. Also the significance of a service agreement in formalizing contracts with clients. Having discussed clients, we were also provided by insights into setting rates based on factors, creating accurate and professional price quotes that reflect the value of services.

Miss Lyn also highlighted the warning signs or recognizing potential red flags in voice over work, we learned to identify them and be prepared for unrealistic deadlines, unclear project details. This will help me in making informed decisions in the future.

With that being said, we were also introduced by finding right opportunities in building a successful career. Networking within such communities can lead to valuable connections and opportunities. I was really glad that if ever I will be in the situation, I will be prepared and know what things should I be aware of because of what we have discussed in this session.

In the afternoon session, we listened to the live feedback of trainors for those voicemates who submitted their outputs. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to submit my work due to some circumstances. But then, I took down some notes and some things that Trainor Papa Lem and Sir Navi said that I really think would help me improve. Their words and advices to help us improve, encouraged me to do a whole lot more.

I believe that this session was a guide in navigating me into the professional landscape of voice acting. From building my portfolio to understanding industry standards and opportunities, the insights, motivations, and words of improvement and encouragement were gained in this whole session.

And I know that even after this training, this program, I would still do a lot more. I am capable of doing things, once I set my heart into it, I know I can and I will do it.

So, this will not be the end since this will be the start of something that my talent and skills opened up for me and my character that will keep me here.

from me to you,

MC

[mcvoices]

Episode 3: Echoes of Artistry

Embrace your uniqueness and stop comparing yourself to others.

Hey, it's MCVoices!

Great day, voicemates! It's been 3 weeks since I joined the Certified Voice Artist Program - Batch 26. I am actually proud and I feel confident right now on what I already accomplished into becoming a voice artist. Week 3 opened another topics and things that I should really remember and take note of into continuing this path.

Our session began with an in-depth discussion on various acting techniques. Our trainer, Miss Janeane Santos, shared valuable insights on how to use facial expressions and gesture movements. These are often overlooked, but then it is crucial in bringing authenticity and emotion to our voice performances. I really think that we can better convey the emotions and intentions behind the characters we voice.

We also explored the concept of orchestrating vocal expression, that involves pitch, tone, and volume, to create a dynamic and engaging performance. Miss Janeane also presented some examples for us to exercise during the session and she emphasize the importance of varying our vocal delivery to keep the audience captivated and execute the voice that we want to convey. We were encouraged to do tongue twisters to improve our delivery and articulation, it was really fun and effective way to practice our skills.

One of the highlighted part of the session was the proper voice care, that is very essential to a voice artist. Techniques for maintaining vocal health, such as staying hydrated, warming up before sessions, avoiding strain, were discussed. I really loved the discussions and all the learnings that we had with Miss Janeane.

For the afternoon session, our guest speaker for it was Miss Donnah Abuyuan and she discussed about the dubbing process in pre-production, production, and as well as post-production and also from doing Character Breakdown, Character Guide, Scene Breakdown, and Actual Script and up until in remembering the things to do when doing script translation.

This can be quite challenging, as I may have an experience in doing this since I was an intern in CreatiVoices but then I really feel that this is one of the most important things to remember in my journey on becoming a voice artist.

We also did a dubbing challenge wherein we had to choose from one of the characters in Digital Circus - Filipino dubbed and asked to impersonate the character. I did Zooble since I really think that it fits really with my voice and how she talks, and her character resonates well with me.

Overall, this session was incredibly informative and it provided us with deeper understanding of the technical and creative aspects of voice acting and dubbing.

Oh! Before I almost forgot, we actually did our Zoomarte. Together with my BRmates, we were the first one to perform and I had fun. My character was the Princess and another Godmother called Kumpas, it was my first time to do two character voices and it is live. If you're a little bit curious, here's the link of our performance - https://youtu.be/BI0MNEHDUiY?si=ngufbRny3-feE6Po

This will not be the last, so stay tuned for more!

from me to you,

MC

[mcvoices]

Episode 2: Journey to Niche!

Take risks. It's not about winning or losing. It's about trying.

Hey, it's MC...Voices!

Great day, voicemates! Another week, another blog! It's been like 2 weeks since I joined the Certified Voice Artist Program - Batch 26. It's becoming a lot more productive and as I progress through the program, Week 2 became a whirlwind of knowledge and insightful discussions.

I actually woke up early and joined the Zoom meeting before it started, 'cause I was really excited for what they have prepared for us. For this week, we delved into discussions about essential equipment/s needed for professional voiceovers, voiceover-specific vocabulary, basics of audio editing, and finding our own niche. In the afternoon session, we focused on developing our voices, marketing our talents, voice variety, creating character voices- wherein we actually tried doing it by some hands-on practices with scripts, and using social media as a marketing tool. So this is like a recap on what we actually did and discussed throughout the whole session.

Morning Session: Building the Foundation

So for the morning session, CVAP prepared some recorded videos that talks about basic equipment required for doing voiceover professionally. And our trainer for this was Mr. Bryan Dave Perez which where he gave us advices and some recommendations too on what equipment should we use such as microphones, cables, and other things that a voice artist needs. I actually listed them down, just for future purposes and if I already had the means of buying it then, I would. I was also happy to see that the video that was shown is at CreatiVoices Studios at Makati City. We were taught about voiceover vocabulary related and basic audio editing also that I greatly appreciate. I really think that these are some things that we need to know and learn, like for starters.

And lastly, about finding my own, unique niche. I think it's really important to actually know what you want. What particular skill that you need to focus to, or like what you need to establish, what voice you have, what can you do - type of projects, character voices, voiceovers that you enjoy doing and you still want to study.

This made me think that identifying a niche is crucial for standing out in the voiceover industry. It's really important that I must align my niche with my strengths and passion, but could still experiment, explore, and like discover where my voice fits best.

Afternoon Session: Refining Skills and Marketing

"Do something today that your future self will thank you for."

This is how our afternoon session started, our trainer, Mr. Harlem Jude Ferolino aka Papa Lem, introduced to us on how we develop our voice and market our talent. Building a strong online presence and networking with industry professionals were the key points of the discussion. We were also taught about the 3 Elements - Pitch, Volume, and Tempo which leads into the formula in Creating Character Voices - Pitch, Pitch Character, Tempo, Rhythm, Placement, and Mouthwork. In this part of the discussion, I was getting entertained by how we did some hands-on exercise by doing lines, voiceovers, script for advertisement etc. Even though I didn't actually volunteer, I tried them a lot by myself, muted and did a lot of samples by saying the same as what the other voicemates did.

I also loved that fact that the session ended with some "Voice Pappy Thoughts" that made me feel like I could do a lot. By the phrase "DO what you LOVE. LOVE what you DO" and that is somewhat interconnected on finding my NICHE that highlighted the whole session.

After the Q&A session with Papa Lem, I was called for a Zoomustahan and for me to answer questions on what we talked about for the whole discussion for Week 2. I shared things about that most unforgettable part of the session and that is finding my niche and do what i love as I love what I do. I really felt like I've gained a deeper appreciation for voice artistry as well as myself. For taking greater steps, finding my purpose, and for doing what I really love.

Week 2 has been incredibly enriching. From the morning session up until the afternoon, this has been a lot but it further equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and even confidence that I really need in order to continue the path that I'm taking in this dynamic industry.

Oh! Before I forgot, I was also tasked by Hosts Janna and Ron H to choose a number that contained lyrics from BINI's songs. I chose number 4 and lyrics from Na Na Na - BINI showed up and from the wheel of character voices - Tiyanak appeared. I was really laughing and tossing around, I felt a lot of emotions while I sang (?) or like I just did it embarrassingly. Can you imagine? Tiyanak that could sing! HAHAHAHAHAHAA (sorry, this is so funny to me). But well, I really did enjoy doing that kind of impression. Batch 26 voicemates, hosts, and even our trainers, I believed they were having fun as well. They said they love it. I'm so glad. I'm happy I did that. It was so fun, I think it is the highlight part of the session for me.

And I just feel like I could do a lot more.

I suppose there will be a whole lot more so stay tuned as I continue to share my journey and the insights I gather along the way!

from me to you,

MC

[mcvoices]

Episode 1: Here I go, CVAP!

Hey, it's MC....Voices!

Uhmmm... this is new to me. I've written a lot of essays, poems, stories, even songs, a lot of narratives that I could think of. But this, this is the first time that I would actually write a blog. So yeah, hoping whoever reads this will stick up with me until the every end.

Great day! This is how I would start my day or like a week now, including what I would say in this blog. I'm MCVoices, you could call me by that name or could be MC. I'm an aspiring voice artist, currently exploring more of my interests here and there. This blog, would absolutely talk about those interests while I joined the Certified Voice Artist Program here in the Philippines - currently in Batch 26 this 2024.

Joining CVAP is a really great opportunity for me. I really think that this program is the best place to hone my skills and turn my passion into profession and to think that it could be really one of my hobbies as well because I am really into using my voice. I really wanted to know, to learn how to use my voice well. Whether it's for voicing characters, doing voice overs, dubbing, and a whole lot more. So, here's a look into my journey throughout the program and the incredible experiences, my thoughts, reactions on what we did during the sessions that came with it.

As I dive into Week 1 of the Certified Voice Artist Program, I find myself intrigued and full of excitement with how I gained knowledge, practical exercises, and invaluable insights from industry experts.

Understanding the Role of a Voice Artist

The first step was all about understanding the basics. We were introduced about what it means to be a voice artist. Sir Navi Garcia, provided us with his inspiring story on how he became a voice artist, how he started from scratch up until being a trainer as he is now. He shared his personal experiences and strategies for staying on his ground, improving skills, and maintaining a good mindset. One of the most inspiring message that I got throughout the session was with the Pochology "Someone out there need to here your voice."

Every voice has the potential to reach someone, could be to touch a hearts, to provide comfort, to inspire change. It's kind of heart warming and this phrase resonates deeply with me, especially as I embark my journey to become a voice artist. And in order to be successful in doing this, I need the confidence. The confidence to step up, to speak up, to voice it out. Confidence is built through practice, perseverance, and embracing feedback. I really think that the field of voice acting is ever-evolving, and continuous learning is essential.

After the morning session, I realized that I am always inspired by people, but then, I really should be inspired by myself the most. I should be. Since that session, I realized that my voice is not just a tool for personal expression but it has means to reach, connect, and impact others.

During the afternoon session, we did a practical activity wherein we have to introduce ourselves within my BR group. My group that includes - Ton, Gracy, Cath, Marco, Keysie, Seb, Karissa, and Flamm alongside with our Guardian Mentor Mr. A, Mentor Jon, Mentor Mark, and Sir Ron as our Watcher. We introduced one by one during the breakout session, and then we decided to create like a party list introduction during an election. I really enjoyed doing it, it was really fun to actually be with them and create memories with the rest of the group. We presented it first and ended up laughing with our jokes and how we perform, we actually did a great job. I was having fun, really.

In conclusion, Week 1 really left a big impression to me. I've gained a lot, learned lot, had fun with the rest of the group, voicemates, with the hosts and people in charge during the session. As I continue this journey, I am really excited to apply these lessons, grow my skills in this dynamic and creative field, take this opportunity to lead me for greater purposes. We all have something with us, a reason, a purpose, and a voice and that there is always someone out there who needs to hear it. So, I will embrace it and share them with the world- because you never know who might need it and how much they might need to see and hear exactly what I do.

For now, stay tuned for more blogs about my CVAP journey! More updates as I progress through the program and share more insights and experiences from my journey to becoming a Certified Voice Artist!

from me to you,

MC