Chicago

VO Lab programs and sessions are open to all SAG-AFTRA members and VO Lab-eligible performers that meet the requirements, regardless of your location or the VO Lab program's city of origin. 

Once you have completed the required Voiceover Lab Application (online), you must complete the Voiceover Lab Orientation (VOLO) in order to begin using the Lab. This 2-hour VOLO covers Lab policies, aspects of sound, file formats, sample rates/bit depths, audio interfaces, microphones, voiceover recording and editing demonstration using Twisted Wave software.

REQUIREMENTS

• Participation in VO Lab programs is open to union members in good standing, regardless of your geographical location or a program's city of origin.
• Join details are generally emailed to participants approx. 1-2 Hours before the start time of the program.
• Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to receive VO Lab eligibility. If you have a schedule conflict, please attend orientation at another time. 2-hour program begins at Noon PT / 3 p.m. ET
• Ability to log into the program with a camera equipped computer or other mobile/portable device with a camera. Program will take place using Zoom.  

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Come learn quick and simple techniques for altering your speech, including oral posture, painting with vowels and consonants, and Laban efforts (e.g. thinking more like a dancer with your mouth). Good for dialect work or simply distinguishing different character voices, these tools will help you design your speech to suit the speaker and take direction on the fly.

BIO

Amanda Quaid teaches speech, dialects, voice, and breathwork to actors and others from all walks of life. She offers group classes and private coaching. More into at talkshopnyc.com, or find her on Instagram at @talkshop_nyc.

REQUIREMENTS

This is a one hour class beginning at Noon PT / 3 p.m. ET. Please arrive on zoom 15 minutes early to allow time for proper check-in. Late comers will not be admitted.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

If you are about to narrate your first audiobook or already have a few completed audiobooks to your name, this workout provides you an opportunity to work with your fellow performers in a supportive space. Share your creative ideas with the group and get some instant feedback on your work.  It is important that you read through your material before you arrive at the workout, though.  So, do some preparation of your material before arrivng for the workout.

Class begins at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET

REQUIREMENTS

• Two (2) FICTION (no children's books, self-help books, instruction manuals; etc.) book excerpts (that you are familiar with), each no less than 2 minutes in length (time yourself when practicing before the workout).  We would appreciate a digital file (PDF, Google Doc, Hi-Resolution Photo; etc.) of your excerpts, if possible, so we can all follow along.
• If you are completely new to audiobook narration (have never done audiobook narration) try our Beginner Bundle: Intro to Audiobook Workouts class before registering for this offering.  
• The Lab will not provide reading materials for this workout.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Practice reading commercial copy and get helpful adjustments from our Vo Lab engineer/booth director and your VO Lab peers.  Be ready to offer constructive feedback and support the learning process. VO Lab workout groups are a great way to fine tune your craft and have some fun hearing different perspectives on your takes..  

Duration of program: 2 - 4:30 p.m. PT / 5-7:30 p.m. ET

REQUIREMENTS

If you are completely new to voiceover, you must complete the VO Lab's Beginner Bundle: Introduction to Commercial VO Workouts class before attending The VO Lab's Commercial Workout.  Beginner Bundle classes are posted at different times during the month just like our other classes,  so check the Program Calendar regularly.  

This workout is for commercial copy only. Bring two (2) pieces of commercial copy to the workout, as the Lab's copy/iPads will not be available.  Copy/material sources: audition copy, transcribe magazine/newspaper ads, radio, TV and internet commercials.

Be rehearsed and prepared. 

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

New to self-recording? Overwhelmed by terms and jargon? Then this entry level class is for you. This class will go over common recording terms, how to use industry standard features like punch and roll and much more. The class will include a lecture, a demonstration and plenty of time for questions. Please note, no editing or mastering will be demonstrated in this class.

Class is 2 hours and 30 minutes and begins at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET

REQUIREMENTS

• Participants must stay for duration of class. This is an entry level class.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

NOTE: This is a THREE HOUR class that meets online. The class begins at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

This 3-hour class picks up where  Intro to Photoshop Elements 2021 Part 1 left off. In this class, you'll spend more time touching up headshots with various methods of removing blemishes, adding eye light, adjusting skin tone, lighting contrast, adding background and text, among others. 

Please note that you must have previously taken the Part 1 class and you must also have the software, Photoshop Elements 2021, in order to participate. You're welcome to use prior versions of the software, but we will not be able to address discrepancies during the class. Also, using the regular version of Photoshop is not recommended. 

Please Note: This class is not an introduction on how to use a computer, so basic computer skills are REQUIRED.  No exceptions.

Requirements:

• Working knowledge of a Mac or PC
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

This is a great time to get things done and you might have a question or two keeping you from taking the next step. Perhaps you're picking up where you left off in one of the Computer Lab's classes or trying to finish up your project or just trying to get a little confidence going, this is your chance to get help during this online forum where members will submit questions so that they can be addressed as efficiently as possible while at the same time helping the largest number possible. We welcome all questions from all levels of experience.

Once you have signed up, you will be sent a link to submit your question(s).

NOTE: This is a THREE HOUR class beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

Click here for details and to RSVP

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Come and learn how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021.

NOTE: This is a THREE HOUR class that meets online. The class begins at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

This three hour class is for SAG-AFTRA members interested in learning how to edit images using Photoshop Elements 2021. Specific lessons include importing and exporting files, resizing images, correcting exposure, color correction, removing blemishes, and the use of layers within Photoshop. 

Please Note: This class is not an introduction on how to use a computer, so basic computer skills are needed.  No exceptions.

Requirements:

• Working knowledge of a Mac or PC
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Even when their talents are being used to “sell soap,” actors must always understand the story they are telling. In this class industry veteran Hugh Klitzke will teach you to clearly recognize the storytelling devices commonly written into commercial copy. Understanding these devices will lead to  commercial reads that sound genuine, not-announcery and conversational. For anyone looking to improve their commercial reads this class is not to be missed!

REQUIREMENTS

Copy will be distributed the day of the event. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the copy before class. This session will be part lecture and the instructor will work with a few volunteers. Not every attendee will read. Students are expected to stay for the duration of the session. Program begins at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET.

BIO

Hugh P. Klitzke is a voiceover coach, director and producer in New York City.  He teaches the conversational read, self-direction, the commercial read, and directs auditions.  For nearly fifteen years Hugh was the Voiceover Studio Manager at Buchwald, New York. To date, Hugh has directed over 125,000 auditions and counting.  Along with private coaching and teaching classes he is writing two books. One compiles the ideas he explored in his blog, the other is on the conversational read. His latest interview was on the podcast Voice Acting with Veronica Barrera. And when he finally finishes his new website, you will find him online at hughpklitzke.com. But until then, you can email him at hughpklitzke@gmail.com.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

For a while now, home recording has been important to voiceover performers. These days, however, it is essential and a priority. In this class we want to share concepts and approaches to help performers increase their understanding of the home recording studio. This comprehensive discussion will touch on studio considerations, cable types, microphones, pre-amps, interfaces, headphones, DAWS (recording software), remote recording solutions and more.

REQUIREMENTS

Attendees are expected to stay for the entire program, which is 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Pacific) / 2:30 - 5 p.m. (Eastern)

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.