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Comment by Chris Dixon on August 29, 2010 at 5:23am

Hey Lani! I've been and checked out your big scary Spider Queen! Very nice indeed, I'd love to get into some video games, it looks like so much fun... if you ever happen to be casting for a nice sounding male British voice, then look me up!

Comment by Lani Minella on August 21, 2010 at 4:11pm

Hello and happy summer to all. I am not soliciting anything here, but have been asked to coach again. Since my time is so limited, I'm considering or possibly private coaching, but I tend to give away tons more time than I charge for and I teach techniques that are instantly capable of getting you in different accents, textures, pitches, etc that are actually in demand. So let me know, anyone if you're interested and maybe we can do a group thing or individual.
On another note as far as mouth noise...sometimes you actually have to crane your neck, tilt your head, push your cheek in closer to your teeth or close your mouth more like a ventriloquist to get those clicks and other annoying noises to disappear. The biggest mistake people do is guzzle down whatever they're drinking thinking that this helps. Remember you only need to swish syrupy liquid around in your mouth and coat your teeth, tongue and cheeks. Your throat or esophagus is not what's producing the noise.
Best of luck to all and keep the pipes flowing!

Comment by James Eastman on July 24, 2010 at 10:19am

Thank you, Alexis! ---- How did I get cgi/animated movie gigs? I "put myself in harm's way" as though it were. I got out there and met those who were doing it utilizing personal contact and the web. Everybody was very supportive and welcoming. I was offered a part and took it. I was noticed and I've been doing it ever since. Thanks! ~ James

Comment by Alexis Serrano on July 24, 2010 at 2:04am

Mr. Eastman,

Can you tell us how you got the cgi/animated movies gigs. My brother got one from Craigs List, any other suggestions

Alexis

Comment by James Eastman on July 23, 2010 at 8:39am

Video games are one of the hottest industries as thousands of copies are sold on average to teens and adults at $50 to $60 a pop! That's a chunk of change! For the last 7 years I've voiced independently produced cgi/animated movies and would one day love to have the opportunity to do a successful video game. How cool would that be! Definitely on my 'bucket-list'. ~ James

Comment by Daniel Wallace on April 22, 2010 at 8:12am

Hi ya Lani. Was thinking about you and decided to stop by and say hi. Hope to see you at Voice. I'll be in one of the blue t-shirts. :)

Comment by Mike Coon on March 17, 2010 at 3:36pm

Happy St. Patrick's Day all....just joined this group and read a couple of pages of recent comments. Regarding the "dry mouth" problem...I've used "Entertainer's Secret" spray to get me through dry times during recording sessions. It's commercially available, has an apple taste and really does the trick! I just uploaded a video clip of a promo that's now running on cable in San Jose for the local reperatory theater. (If you get really bored, please check it out....I'd appreciate any feed back!) This was a gig I landed by not giving up on networking activity. My $0.02...always follow up with potential clients you meet if you don't hear from them every 3 months or so!
I look forward to learning more from y'all! Mike

Comment by Nicole Cabell on March 8, 2010 at 6:57pm

Hi everyone, I am new to the group as well. I am enjoying VU immensely.

Comment by Adam Marcus on February 26, 2010 at 11:00am

Hello everyone! I'm new to the group. My goal this year is to continue studying craft and take acting/improve classes because its SO important in voice action. Acting is more than just a voice! I love all the advice and suggestions on here lets keep them coming!

Best,
Adam

Comment by Sean Crisden on February 23, 2010 at 3:23pm

Lani, I see you subscribe to what I call the "Phil Collins" school of performance. I read an interview with him once where he said that he rarely if ever does any vocal warm ups before a show. I applaud that ability! I still stick with a 10 minute routine of facial stretching, vocalizing and general tomfoolery that I used in my 10 years of being the lead singer of the rock band Divided Sky. Perhaps out of habit, perhaps out of my need to make what appears to the casual observer to be my best facial imitation of a gorilla in heat.

I am going to have to check out your Diet Coke vs. mouth noise match up. I also find that water doesn't always do the job well enough, no matter how much I've downed that day. I have had some success with warm Throat Coat tea on longer audiobook sessions, but still can fall prey to the occasional snap, crackle and pop. Its typically the middle of my tongue in contact with the roof of my mouth that makes for a nice "ok, lets get that last line again".

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