Beginning Audiobooks

Discovering Audiobook Narration & Production
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Hosted by

Chris Boucher

Course Overview

Make Audiobooks a Career

THIS COURSE RECOMMENDED PRIOR TO 'ADVANCED AUDIOBOOKS'

If you've ever wondered about narrating and/or producing audiobooks, this is the class to discover whether or not it's right for you!

In this introductory course, we will cover:

* Ethical and Philosophical choices (accents, adult material & more) 

* Technical aspects (DAW, microphones, space treatment, & more)

* Unique performance challenges (vocal, reading comprehension)

* Auditions (choosing, performing, and... yes... more)

* Performance (reading and critiquing your own and others')

Voice acting is a unique style of performance, and audiobook voice acting is an even more particular skill set. Come learn what it's all about!

Course Outcomes

  • Key Objectives:
    • Understanding the decision to narrate an audiobook

    • Experience the vocal demands of recording long form narration

    • Choose appropriate auditions

    • Develop the language to critique your own work, and to communicate with potential clients

    • Understand the basic technical realities of audiobook production

Hosted By

  • Chris Boucher

    Founder, Actors Everywhere
    Chris is the founder of Actors Everywhere, an audiobook production company - and he personally has narrated hundreds of audiobooks across multiple genres. He is a US Air Force veteran with degrees in computer science and dramatic arts.

Course Outline

01

Philosophy

Before anything else, realize the nature of the class. That when I ask a question, it is for you to consider singularly. Don't think of yourself as "one of a class", think of yourself as one person who is listening to a lecture, but every question is your opportunity for one-on-one time. When a classmate answers or talks, listen and think of it as valuable additional content, but don't feel the need to compete or to compare.

Survey: Why y'all here?

Why? Money, Time, Flexibility, fame (go away), Artistry, Resume building (expanding acting experience)

What does it take? -literally go read in a corner for an hour or two and see if you like it-
— HW IS HERE - GO READ A BOOK OUT LOUD FOR AN HOUR

Realize you won't be able to just do books you want, you'll do books you aren't thrilled with

Ethical decisions: voices of different ethnicities, adult content, morally objectionable content (make these decisions BEFORE an offer comes to you - much like figuring out profit sharing before there is work/money involved)

02

Technical

TECH TECHNICAL
• Acoustics (treating a room, equipment, building a booth, closets, etc - diff between sound reflection vs sound dampening)

• Listen to your own sound when recording (headphones)

• Basic software (audacity all day) how to use de-clickers, de-essers, pauses, etc.
— Download audacity, mess around with it!

• Hardware like pop filters, microphones, etc  

BODY TECHNICAL
• Breaking reading into chunks

• ROI for time - more mistakes suddenly? take a break

• Breath control (touch briefly, address more advanced versions in other class)

• Hydrate, mouth moisture levels (wet smacking OR drymouth)

03

Theatrical (1 of 2)

• Auditions - how to (need to nail the intro, do NOT have a character reel, look up unfamiliar words, etc)

• Acting - character voices (vocal rubric), different styles for different genres

• Websites/places - where to go; follow their rules (be careful about their ability to use your voice for AI, unlicensed, etc)

• Language to critique / receive critique (glows and grows)

• Voices appropriate to the genre (high pitched squeaky voice would be good for childrens books, not for historical drama)

• For HW, people will submit a file, should be no more than 1 minute (choose the correct 1 min - dialogue, shows your range, etc) - 4 days to do it then cut off

04

Theatrical (2 of 2)

Links will be provided to example texts, Chris will choose people to read aloud and will critique using adjectives that are specific, and than add on anything that's missing. 


After class exit survey & chat.

Course Schedule

2-4 hours per week

  • Thursdays

    7PM-8:30PM EST

    Our live sessions happen every Thursday.

  • Homework

    About 1-2 hours per week

    It will take about 1 to 2 hours each week for homework. Please plan accordingly

Course Benefits

  • Live interactive classes

    You will get personalized feedback and sessions will be just like a classroom setting

  • Video Recordings & Downloadable Content

    If you need to review a class or want to learn more, the content will be ready for you

  • Learn from a Working Professional

    The instructor works prolifically in the subject they are teaching

Frequency Asked Questions

What happens if I miss a class?
We will record the live session for you to review.
What is your refund policy?
No refunds. Please be sure you want to take the course before you purchase it.
Do I have to turn on my video during sessions?
If you are uncomfortable showing your face on video, you don’t have to. It is helpful for instructors to watch your gestures and your movements in order to properly assess you as a student, but it’s not required.

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