Del Mar Media Arts

Learning voice requires good teachers who know the business. Del Mar (Bud and Bunny) came highly recommended, and you will see why. You get your moneys worth - great training and knowledge!! more

I wanted to learn Voice Over and discovered Del Mar Media Arts over two years ago. I'm typically suspicious and went into my introductory session expecting to be pressured into opening up my wallet. I also expected to be lured by the usual promises of success and riches. Instead the only promises made were to be taught a craft that would require effort on my part in order to grow and be successful. Yes the opportunities available in the industry were mentioned but I never felt like I was being sold some unrealistic dream. I promised myself that after taking the first class, if I felt like I'd come to the right place, I would pursue the entire program. Well, I finished the first class and felt like I'd made significant progress and really wanted to continue. But instead of being told in my exit interview that I was amazing and making great progress (just to make a sale on the follow up class), I was told I might want to reconsider VO as a profession. I happened to be very nervous and it came through in my performances. And here I thought I was doing so well! But, Bud also told me ""I can tell you really love doing this and if you decide you want to continue...if you work with me, I'll work with you"". I decided to continue, and Bud kept his word. He did work with me. So did Bunny and Alison and Pamela. I recently completed an acting gig at the Costa Mesa Playhouse portraying Rev. Samuel Parris in The Crucible...one of the primary roles, on Stage! Me!!! On Stage...in a play...Okay? This bundle of nerves got his very first acting gig after my very first audition! Del Mar Media Arts is the only place I've ever studied VO or Improv Acting. I feel I have much still to learn but going on stage to act in front of an audience was not even in the cards two years ago. I had advanced to the point where I felt confident enough to not only audition for something like this, but win one of the primary roles. Am I rich and famous now? No. I am not. But if I can get up in front of an audience and portray a character onstage with confidence (Bud also taught me how an actor can use his nerves to his or her advantage)...VO is simple in comparison. So anyone who feels the need to post anonymous and disparaging remarks about DMMA, please have the same amount of courage to look within yourself and see where it is you might fall short. None of us is perfect, not even you. I know A LOT of people who love Del Mar Media Arts and the instructors...Bud, Bunny, Joe, Alison & Pamela and would take great exception to such comments being made publicly about any one of them without being given the opportunity to respond. more

What a wonderful place to learn...I studied Commercial Acting there 20 years ago, and then went back recently for VoiceOver...what a great place to study and do workshops. Bud and Bunny are great and the school ROCKS. more

If you're looking for a place to start, Del Mar Media Arts is the place! There are so so so many places looking to take your money and read to you from the same book you can buy at Barnes & Nobel or amazon. DMMA and their Staff use their decades worth of experiences to teach you not only the fundamentals, but what you need to take yourself to the next level. I began taking classes there two years ago, and couldn't be happier! Bud & Bunny have given me all of the necessary tools to really hone my craft and make it my own. Voice Classes, On Camera Classes, Improv Classes, its all there, ready for you to take hold of and make your own! They have been around for over 20+ years, and they do care about turning out a quality product, namely, their students. I have witnessed this first hand. DMMA does not guarantee you anything, they simply EMPOWER you! It is up to each of us to do the work required to make it in this industry. Some make it faster than others true, but we all are given the basic tools from the Staff at DMMA. They create a solid foundation, and it is up to you, to build upon that. Since my involvement with Del Mar Media Arts, I am now constantly auditioning for and, more importantly, BOOKING work left and right. On Camera, On Stage and behind the Mic. All of which is due to the lessons learned and the contacts gained by working these awesome instructors. Now, some others have made negative comments based upon the fact that there were others more talented than they in their own class, and subsequently, blamed DMMA for this. To that I say: We are our own tools for success, we make our way down the path. No one else can do this for us. Believe, Dream, and you will Receive! more

Del Mar Media Arts is a FANTASTIC school to improve and hone your acting skills. Their voice over and improvisational acting programs are top notch, I've received far better training from Bud, Bunny and Pamela, than I did from the university I earned my degree from. Their VO 1 and Commercial classes are a great jumping off point if you're looking to improve your public speaking skills or test the waters to see if its really for you, and from there they'll discuss with you where you see yourself going and where they see your progress. They truly care about their students and want to see them grow. As with any workshop, don't expect to become a working actor overnight! They will do their part to guide you, it's your job to use the skills they teach you and put in the work to become a better performer. The previous reviewers sound like they expected the work to be done for them... You wouldn't take lessons to learn a musical instrument and only practice in class expecting to become a musician, you'd practice at home as well. In voice over, your voice is your instrument, therefore you must practice that as well. I've been studying there for well over a year now, and not only have seen mine and my classmates greatly improve, I've had past actors I've worked with see performances and tell me themselves what improvement they've seen. Put in the time and the effort, and learn from what Bud and Bunny teach you, and you will improve. Definitely the school for the serious performer. more

never again. go elsewhere. I would give 0 stars if possible. more

With any acting school or voice over school, the facts are going to be in their favor. Not many people become professional actors and if they do, it usually takes years. The teachings and advice at Del Mar are standard and you can save yourself some money by finding the same exact information in any voice over book. The reason for the single star, is that there was a good level of competition in my class. But, if the people in your class do poorly, then that won't happen. Del Mar does not do a good job of developing your ""home"" vocal skills....instead, they decide to focus on dialects. If you can't act in your normal voice, how the hell can you do it with an accent? I doubt they could survive in LA. The teachings are not very complete, they don't know much about the present VO scene(including the major players of the game) and their students make terrible demo tapes. Search a big voice over talent site, such as ""voice123"". Then type in ""Del Mar"" under the search tab. Many people will be available.....but all their demos are bad. And you can tell Del Mar did most of them....same audio tracks in the background. Also their bull sh** about getting you noticed by agents...that does happen. But only after you've taken more classes. Hope you have $3,000-$5,000 laying around. You'll meet an agent during the first class, she'll tell you that you're talented, but that's about it. This is my personal advice for anyone who wants to break into VO: 1, Do your research. Web and library. On both the industry and vocal exercises. 2. Practice everyday 3. Take GOOD workshops/classes From there, make a demo and go at it! But please don't include Del Mar in your succes. more

This school is top notch the instructors rock and the students are incredibly talented! If you are looking for voice over classes Del Mar Media Arts is the place to be!!!! Tons of information for one wanting to break into Voice over business!!! Bud and Bunny You Rock!!!! Pros: Top notch instruction Cons: No Cons more