The Business of Commercial Voice-Over
Class discussion about the current voice-over climate, union versus non-union, commercial exclusivities and the importance of the demo.  We’ll also look at the advent of home studios and what kind of equipment is necessary for a competitive audition set-up.

How to Secure Representation
Networking, networking, networking!  Getting seen by agents and casting directors alike is important, but there’s a time and a place.  We’ll also look at ways to increase the likelihood of getting a response to your unsolicited email submission.  Then we’ll discuss the ever-delicate matter of the follow-up as well as how to prepare for your meeting, should an agent express interest.

Commercial Technique
We’ll go over the basics, beginning with proper commercial pacing.   We'll then talk about deciphering specs and avoiding the common pitfalls of over and under-written copy.  Learn the importance of the conversational delivery, what it even means, and how to capture that spontaneity in the voice.

The Mock Audition
Auditions book jobs!  Students will have the opportunity to read commercial copy in pairs, then go up to the mic one at a time.  Feedback will be provided and multiple takes recorded. Each student will receive a downloadable link to their unedited recordings, so they can hear the evolution of their read.

Jason Sasportas initially trained as an actor and screenwriter at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts before making the shift to the business side of entertainment.  He landed his first agency job at The William Morris Agency as an assistant, working for several theatrical agents, before joining their commercial department as booth director.  It was there that Jason fell in love with voice-over, able to draw upon his acting and writing experience to effectively direct talent, interpret copy and make informed creative choices. When Jason learned that Stewart Talent, a boutique agency in NY, was looking for an agent to start up their voice-over department, he jumped at the opportunity.  He got the job, built the department from scratch and for over a decade now has been successfully developing and nurturing the careers of his clients.  While commercials are his main focus, Jason covers all areas of voiceover, including audio books, promos, documentaries, industrials, animated series and video games.