As casting directors, the Kalmenson's along with their staff, serve a wide variety of clients requiring voice over talent. As well as providing this service, their firm also offers classes in the VO profession. Their voice over workshops, led by several accomplished teachers, are held both in their Burbank studio and in Santa Monica.
If you have not yet seriously thought about the possibilities of work in the voice over field, perhaps you should. Harvey Kalmenson offers encouraging words. “Because of the ever-increasing venues requiring voice over, work for VO talent has never been more plentiful.” Cathy is equally positive. “Voice over is an added revenue stream for a well-rounded acting career. It can be potentially rewarding, both financially, and spiritually. VO is like any other branch of the acting profession. Cathy reports that “there are VO actors who make six and seven figure livings from their work,” and there are others who are not quite so successful, perhaps booking only a couple jobs a year.
Exploring the challenging world of VO acting begins with the development of skills such as what Cathy Kalmenson calls “finding your own ‘truth’ in voice over.” Creating your own VO brand or VO signature and developing strong voice-over acting skills are the preliminary requirements for making an effective VO demo which in turn will be used to attract a strong VO agent. Just don't make a VO demo prematurely. "A premature vo demo is the kiss of vo death" warns CathyWith your VO demo in hand, your agent will pitch you for auditions with casting directors, and for auditions posted online. Auditions for work being cast by Kalmenson & Kalmenson are held at their recording studios in Burbank, or an audition directed by the K&K director over the phone, can be recorded remotely In a home studio, or even simply on a smart phone. The advantage of this over an on-screen audition, says Harvey, is that there is, “no need for makeup or clothing preparations.” The beauty of a home studio these days is that VO actors can audition as well as do the final recording session without stepping outside. This means that for the VO actor, as Cathy observes, “There’s anonymity out there in the real world. A VO superstar can blend in and relax out in the big world. Not so with on-camera acting.”
Voice over acting is increasingly prominent as a profitable niche income stream in the profession. Cathy Kalmenson puts this in context. “It seems that every little kid grows up these days, knowing what voice-over is, especially since animated feature films market their movies with behind the scenes shots of celebrities in recording booths wearing headsets and creating the audio identity of characters via their voice, their acting/attitudes, bodies/gestures, facial expressions, posture, and breathing. Yes, voice over performance is all of that. It’s a genuine acting craft… voice acting!”
Starting with a signature demo and an agent who is pitching you, work in VO acting might start out as an add-on to the rest of your career. “As time goes on,” according to Cathy, “VO could become more and more important in an actor’s work mix.” She knows that “for thousands of VO actors, voice over is a frequently occurring revenue stream. For many, it becomes their life’s driving force.”
Responding to the question as to whether there are any natural voice qualities pre-requisite for VO acting, Cathy Kalmenson responds with an emphatic no. “Success in voice over is NOT about vocal quality.” She goes on to say that “vocal quality is an interesting layer, but it’s the secondary focus. The qualities that lead to success in voice over are genuineness and authenticity.” For her, acting and improvisational skills, focus, commitment, discipline, continual practice and determination are what it takes to succeed in the VO field. These plus a great VO agent. “Building relationships with VO casting directors certainly helps.”
Harvey is quick to point out that, “experienced professional and well-studied people seem to always do the best. Rarely, if ever, does a beginner succeed as a VO actor. Success requires many long hours of training and practice of the acting craft.”
Taking classes with Kalmenson & Kalmenson will prepare the VO actor to be responsive to any script by applying the Kalmenson Method for Voice Acting. Education and training will, the Kalmensons say, “come in handy with directed VO auditions, and is valuable for self-directed auditions when the VO actor has no director, and must direct and record him/herself and self-evaluate.” The curriculum for the Kalmensons’ VO classes, from foundations for the non-actor to voice over pro level, include lectures on method, work with written materials, “up at the mic, and in the booth workout applications, both in monologue and dialogue. This workout time hones VO acting skills and clarifies one’s strengths and weaknesses to help improve the actor’s brand or signature. Both are critical for the production of an effective VO demo. Finally, the Kalmenson program is “complemented by a straightforward discussion of trends and examining the business side of the industry, such as dealing with agents and marketing.”
Taking classes with Kalmenson & Kalmenson will prepare the VO actor to be responsive to any script by applying the Kalmenson Method for Voice Acting. Education and training will, the Kalmensons say, “come in handy with directed VO auditions, and is valuable for self-directed auditions when the VO actor has no director, and must direct and record him/herself and self-evaluate.” The curriculum for the Kalmensons’ VO classes, from foundations for the non-actor to voice over pro level, include lectures on method, work with written materials, “up at the mic, and in the booth workout applications, both in monologue and dialogue. This workout time hones VO acting skills and clarifies one’s strengths and weaknesses to help improve the actor’s brand or signature. Both are critical for the production of an effective VO demo. Finally, the Kalmenson program is “complemented by a straightforward discussion of trends and examining the business side of the industry, such as dealing with agents and marketing.”
Voice over acting is already a major component of the acting profession. And it is growing due to the expansion of digital markets. Cathy and Harvey Kalmenson are casting directors for a wide array of clients. “Beyond commercials, we’re casting voices for interactive games, and now virtual reality, as well as everyday things like the audio version of an automobile owner’s manual, audio tours, audio tutorials, voices at gas pumps, in-flight announcements, audio at retail points of purchase, and the list is ever growing.” Cathy concludes on a positive note with a reality check. “There is more opportunity for voice over work than ever before. But there are more people auditioning for these opportunities than ever before.”
Typically, Kalmenson & Kalmenson hold directed VO auditions with around 24 candidates considered for each position. A notable exception was the casting for a car campaign, where Cathy reports, they auditioned some 638 voices. There is obviously intense interest in VO acting so when experts like the Kalmensons say, “You need the edge of being prepared for when it’s your turn to join our world,” it’s important to listen.
The best way to assess the opportunities in VO acting is to have a look and, of course, a listen, to samples of voice overs cast by Kalmenson & Kalmenson posted on their website.
For actors looking for a promising genre to provide greater financial stability and diversity in their careers, Kalmenson & Kalmenson offers a unique professional, educational service. Being well trained and well represented by a voice over agent in the growing industry will greatly improve your chances of success.
To find out more about Kalmenson & Kalmenson, please visit kalmenson.com or call 818 377 3600.
Alan McNairn, a regular contributor to Casting Quarterly, interviewed Cathy and Harvey Kalmenson in November 2016.