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.
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