As I mentioned in the previous post The 10 Keys To Voiceover Success, one of the best – and fortunately cheapest – things you can do for your voiceover career is to get in a voiceover workout group. I recommend this to all my students, anytime I speak at a class, and to anyone who contacts me seeking advice.

A workout group (sometimes called a “peer workout group”) is simply a group of people, usually around 6-12 or so, that get together on a regular basis to practice. Many groups, particularly those made up of professionals, rent time in a professional recording studio, usually after hours, and typically on weekdays except Friday (most folk have plans on the weekends). Others get together at a member’s home. In this case, they might use a home studio if available, or just set up in a room or living room, using whatever recording equipment they may have available.

Some workout groups are led by professional directors - typically talent, casting directors or agents – who will usually do all of the directing. These are more like low-cost classes than peer groups, but can be a good and inexpensive way of getting in front of an agent or a casting director. In peer groups, there is generally a group leader who acts as coordinator and financially responsible party if there are fees involved.

Recording studios will always charge a fee, of course, but a few home-based groups may charge fees as well. The studios typically want one person to act as contact and pay the entire fee, rather than collect from each member individually. Prices will depend on the studio and number of group members, nowadays $15 – $25 a night is typical for a 2-3 hour workout session.

During the group session, members take turns reading copy and taking direction from other members. Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not get to hear playback following your reads, but most groups allow for the recording of your mic work, either on cassette, DAT, or direct to hard drive. If the latter, you can usually get a copy on CD, or possibly have them delivered to you electronically via the internet.

Groups typically have a roster of regular members and a list of alternates who can sub if a regular is unavailable. Regular members may have to pay the leader for a month ahead of time as part of their responsibilities; subs will usually pay the individual member as needed. Subs who fill in regularly and are trouble-free about paying are usually the first ones to be asked to fill in a vacated regular slot.

There are many benefits to the voiceover workout group. First, of course, is regular practice in a professional or at least semi-professional setting. Having to perform in front of and take direction from others forces you out of your comfort zone, puts an objective ear on your work and prepares you for real recording sessions down the line.

Early on, when you don’t have any auditions or jobs, it’s very easy to get lazy about working on your career if you’re not currently in class – getting together and practicing regularly keeps you in the game. It’s a support group that provides motivation, socializing, and valuable connections. I’ve gotten both representation and work from fellow members and studio staff that I met through my groups. I was in one workout group or another almost continuously for the first 10 years or so of my career, and it was one of the most productive efforts I made to further my career.

So where do you find these groups? If you’re starting out, one of the best ways is to form a group with your classmates, as some of the professional-oriented groups won’t allow beginners in. Your teacher may know of a group; you can ask around the acting community, or just call recording studios in your area – if they have an active group they can put you in touch with the leader. It’s not always easy to find or get in a group, but it’s well worth the effort!

Good luck!

JM

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