Who is attracted to VO?

Have you ever noticed that airline pilots and air traffic controllers, among others who are constantly talking in front of groups, on a microphone or in front of an audience (like lawyers, teachers, stock brokers, doctors etc.) are veering to voiceover as a retirement occupation or second career? Over the past decade I've had dozens in these categories as students and they all had one thing in common - each had been told constantly he or she had a great voice. Secondarily, they all had the "chutzpah" to stand up in front of a microphone, but which do you think has the best shot at VO? Ask me and I'll tell ya.

Why haven't I booked anything or anything lately?

Do you ever ask yourself that? Remember how you got into this thing called voiceover? Wasn't it because people kept telling you what a great voice you have? That said, is it possible you are depending more on your voice to get the job, rather than really analyzing the copy? Something to think about!

FAQ Part 3

Coming out of your 1st session, will I have a demo to upload, or is this not included?

Whatever you think of your abilities, you are not likely to do a demo even though I have the ability to make you sound like a star on the first day. The point being that unless you have the biggest ego in the whole wide world and are an absolute egomaniac, you wouldn't be able to live up to that demo in a reality situation. What kind of confidence do you have in yourself? You can learn to fly on a computer but do you think you could really go rent a plane and fly it? Not likely. You gotta crawl before you walk, you gotta walk before you can run. Everybody pays their dues. Voiceover, if you're really successful, pays a helluva lot more than brain surgery. How long do you figure you have to study brain surgery before they let you operate?

Next question: If you were hell bent on an early demo, check out my Seminar including demo for $899. My one-on-one demo is $2500 and it has been that price for years but that's after one-on-one sessions with me. In that category it is explained on the website as you know by now.

Most frequently asked questions Part 2

1. Does it take more than one, 1 1/2 hour session with you to understand, and get going, in the voice over business?

Your questions are valid but not easy to answer because everything you want to know varies from person to person. I coached one guy for 2 sessions and he landed a long term contract with NBC at about $175,000 a year and that was several years ago and still goes on. He was already a working Pro in CA. Then there is the case of another guy who had never been in the business. He got a job at my current agent's office in LA doing the engineering for the auditions. My former and late protege, Don LaFontaine took a liking to him and introduced him to everyone he knew around town. He makes in the 7 figures today. These are freak instances but they happen. Could it happen to you? Who knows....These guys have perseverance, tenaciousness and a great love of the business. Do you have that? If you are that kind of person you can make it. If not, don't waste your time and money. Be honest with yourself. You have been told for years you have a great voice, right? The big question is, do you have the guts to do something about it? Read my 2 websites a couple of times over before you spend any money with anybody, including me. Do what it says on my website about asking the tough questions.

I'll say it again.....

....It's not the voice, it's what you do with it. If a person had the greatest voice in the world, it wouldn't get them a job if they couldn't interpret the copy- Capice? - In other words, if their read sucks!

Most frequently asked questions Part 1

Q: Can I get jobs by using some of the VoiceOver Internet Sites or is it more successful to get an agent?

My A: There are a lot of VO Internet Sites out there and you have to pay an annual fee to become a member of their site and receive auditions. Do you realize that you will have to invest in a home studio in order to participate? You can't compete without it, unless you have access to one literally for free. You are a long way away from getting a union franchised agent as a beginner...impossible? No, but not likely.

Questions about Voiceover

If you want to ask serious questions about Voiceover from a guy who's been doing it for over 60 years, call me at 203.748.0378 any day between 6am and 6 pm EST but, please, no personal or money problems talk - everybody's got those - and I'm not a Shrink or a money manager. If I'm out or tied up, leave your name and telephone number, twice, very clearly and slowly you'd be surprised how many people don't. That's your first Voice Over Lesson for free.

Project I'm working on....

I want to throw something out here and see if it sticks anywhere. I have written a biography of a WWII pal who will be 105 this year. He is not only the oldest living survivor of the Bataan Death March, he is the oldest living American veteran of WWII.
He has an amazing history besides the above. I'm looking for a patriot who is a top literary agent – any interest? (You know where to find me.)

P.S. I can't reveal what major motion picture company is interested...seriously, so don't ask!

New Year - New Career Don Morrow's VO Seminar plus Demo June 5th, 2010

The next Don Morrow Seminar (Max 7 people) will be June 5th, 2010. The VO Seminar will be held in the relaxed country, lakeside setting of Don Morrow's private studio and tree farm in the rolling hills of Danbury, CT. The farm is located some 60 miles north of NYC and there are 5 major airports servicing the area-two less than an hour away: Newburgh, NY and Westchester County (White Plains), N.Y., JFK and LaGuardia are an hour and a half and Newark, N.J. two hours away. Rental cars available at all. Once you have registered we'll give specific directions. Also, you'll receive 40 scripts in the mail. You will choose 7 or 8 scripts from these to create your approx. 90 sec. demo. You'll also get a CD of Don's full reads and patterns to practice with ahead of time so you don't get in any bad habits. Following the recording session, the Seminar continues with a Question and Answer session accompanied by sandwiches and drinks. You will receive in the mail, the entire recorded Seminar including the Cocktail Party plus your new, AGENT ACCEPTABLE Demo.

The last airbender

So you want to be a Voiceover Star?

I am re-reading the most fascinating and important work about success in any given field that I have ever come across. It is "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell published by Little, Brown & Co. Not once are the words "Voice Over" ever mentioned, nor I'm sure did the term ever enter Mr. Gladwell's mind. But in re-reading the book, I realized no greater pitch for my homestudy course could possibly be written by the greatest writer in the world because of the heart of his book. Without getting in too deeply, because you must get this book, you need to put in 10,000 hours of preparation in your chosen field to attain star status. WOW! 10,000 hours...who could possibly afford to pay for 10,000 hours worth of lessons?- Bill Gates maybe (He's in the book) Let's see now, my home study course sells for $649 divided by 10,000 hours - you do the math - Thank you Malcolm Gladwell.

Feedback Home Study Course

"Not only the BEST but the ONLY Voice Over Home Study Course." Tom Wahl, Pensacola, FL

Feedback on Demo Production July 18th

Don: Bless your heart -I personally loved your finished product and will use the other audio to play with when need be. I remain your fan and supporter, be well. Paula Orange, CT

July 18th Seminar, 2009

Question and Answer Session after the recording w/ Cocktails and Sandwiches.

Walter Cronkite and Me

Look what I dug up! Walter Cronkite & and me in the fifties looking happily at our sponsor's bottle -Pepto Bismol

Feedback from July 18th Seminar

Don, I thank you so very much for your kindness, hospitality, the coaching and wonderful chat. I learned so much during our time together that I could write a book. You made my dream come true. It was an honor and privilege to sit and converse with the man I've admired and held as a vo role model for so many years. I would love to study/work one on one with you in the future. You are the pro that I need to develop and polish whatever abilities I have. I want to do it again. Regards, Tom Wahl Sarasota, FL

Hi Top Productions in Stamford, Ct presents

LEGENDARY VOICE OVER Artist DON MORROW And Pro Tools Technician Supreme STEVE HANSEN in a “one of a kind Seminar of Seminars” VO Workshop plus Demo plus Pro Tools Instruction. Learn how to create your own Demos with two of the leading professionals in the Industry. A full day of intensive training for $1299 where you will voice and then edit and mix your very own professional demo. Date: Saturday September 26th, 2009 9 am to 3pm 7 people max To sign up please send a check in the amount of $1299 to: Hi Top Productions, Attn: Steve Hansen, 1 Bank Street LL2, Stamford, CT 06901 Why Don Morrow? A network voice for over half a century and a teacher of the craft as well, Morrow’s credits include motion picture trailers and campaigns for such as Clint Eastwoods’ “A fistful of dollars”, James Cameron’s “Titanic” M. Night Shyamalan “The last Airbender” and thousands inbetween. He hosted hundreds of network television shows and has been the spokesman VO and on camera for hundreds of the “Fortune 500” including Ford Motor, IBM, Proctor & Gamble and Shell Oil. His documentary credits are legion. For more info go to www.donmorrowvoiceovers.com Why Steve Hansen? Steve Hansen has 14 years experience engineering and mixing for: Paul Newman's "Hole In the Wall Camps", ESPN's "E:60", ABC's "Extreme Makeover", PBS's "All Things Considered", MTV's "The Reality Show", Rosetta Stone, MLB2 Video Game, Nickelo-deon's "Avatar", Lifetime's "Denise Austin - Fitness", and many more... For more info go to: www.hi-top.com The Seminar: 8:45 am Registration, Meet and Greet 9:00 am Don will demonstrate microphone techniques, voice projection and intensity levels 10:00 am Break 10:15 am Don will personally direct you recording an actual demo 12:30 am Lunch: Question and Answer Session about the Voice Over Business and how to get started 1pm Introduction to Pro Tools by Hi Top Production Owner Steve Hansen: Learn how to edit your voice track, create an MP3, Wav or AIFF file, add music and special effects to your voice 3pm Close

Don's June 13th VO/Voice Acting Seminar

Don, It was a pleasure and thrill meeting and learning from a voice over master and legend during Saturday’s seminar. You and your associates were extremely hospitable and generous in sharing experiences and knowledge. I learned a lot and I know what I need to shoot for. I’m hoping that with practice and persistence, some semblance of talent will follow. Now that I’ve dusted off and old dream and ambition, I plan to maintain the momentum. I just ordered your home study program, and I intend to immerse myself in that until I feel I’ve made satisfactory progress. At that point, I’m hoping to arrange for a one-on-one session with you to begin fine tuning. Regards, Mario

Secrets to Voice Over Sucess

L.A. VoiceOver Casting Director Reveals Booking Secrets! COMING TO NYC, AUGUST 1, 2009 9am-5pm Edge Studio 307 7th Avenue #1007 New York, NY 10001 Learn the business from someone who works in it EVERYDAY! For more info call (818) 716-8865 or log onto: www.voiceovercasting.com After years of directing seminars across the country, Voices Voicecasting Casting Director, Mary Lynn Wissner, brings the world of voice-overs to you! The one day seminar offers talent a look into the world of voice-overs from one of LA's busiest voice casting directors. Being bi-coastal has never been easier...learn what they're looking for in LA, auditions, demos, marketing, what to do and not do!