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The Voice Over Audition: History + Pursuing Excellence

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Many of our younger thespians are unaware of what transpired prior to their entering the commercial voice over world. Others are in search of the most beneficial way of continuing their pursuits of excellence as a talent. When I’m asked what it was like a few years ago, almost all are surprised at my history…

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So, What’s New?

ByHarvey Kalmenson

“So, what’s new?” Are you inquiring as to the welfare of my family, or are you asking me, da harv, the casting director, the freelance director, the guy running a school, an office, a recording studio, or just plain Harvey Kalmenson, a man who finds himself, constantly running, like many of his colleagues, trying to…

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What influenced me to get into this business?

ByHarvey Kalmenson

If you hang out long enough, and enjoy even a modicum of success, someone is bound to ask you how you got into this business. “How’d you get your start?” is the usual way the question is posed. Others are perhaps more specific; they’ll ask, “How did you get into voice over?” If it happens…

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Agents

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Agents. (Necessary, but not necessarily evil.) * The “commercial talent agent;” you will by necessity have to be in a working relationship with them.* Without an agent, the voice over artist has little chance of success (in Los Angeles). It may be of interest if we begin by understanding what an agent actually is, and…

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Now What Do I Do?

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Taking a page from “Mission Impossible,” your goal, if you choose to accept it, is to make your heart sing. Sing with the joy of knowing you are attempting to succeed, with no thoughts of odds, or predictions.— hk It’s your bed, my friend. Stop calling it a business. It isn’t a business. It’s a…

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The Actors’ Daily

ByHarvey Kalmenson

“Each alone must seek out another Then the two join hands as friendsProviding the rhythms of a new parade And on it will go, and grow For only friendship will ease the vacancy, Experienced by those of us Within our selected art form” HK I grew up hearing my father’s words and deeds. His doctrine…

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Then And Now, In The Little Theatre

ByHarvey Kalmenson

During the winters of my junior and high school years, when I spent fewer hours competing in school sports, I often devoted industrious days and weeks working in many of the tiny legit theatres, which dotted a narrow stretch of Santa Monica Blvd. Today, “Equity Waiver” productions are usually presented in these houses with less…

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Pet Peeves

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Many of the subjects I write about are generated from the literally thousands of questions I’ve had to deal with in our world of the commercial voice over. While commercial voice over is definitely an acting craft, there is a certain amount of difference between how the actors relate during the commercial VO audition and…

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Self-Direction – Part 2

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Self-direct as opposed to self-destruct. As always, the basic rules are so simple sounding. The problem for many actors is the lack of detail and observance of the basic rules. 1. Before studying your audition script, read and understand the directions. If the producer took the trouble to put their directions in writing, it behooves…

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Self Direction – Part 1

ByHarvey Kalmenson

Home recording studios no longer represent the rich man’s toy. Nor are they just products of the Los Angeles marketplace. The home recording studio has arrived, and continues to grow. Shrinking hardware and software prices have made the home studio economically within reach of the journeyman voice over talent. Today, more and more voice over…