Formerly NOLA Voice Talent & National Voice Talent
A division of Stephen James Media Productions, LLC
ABOUT STEPHEN JAMES
Stephen James is a voice-actor in every sense of the word: from voicing commercials and video narration, to performing both fiction and non-fiction audio-book narrations, to performing live radio drama on stage - Stephen has performed in just about every genre of voice acting.
He even dedicated his professional expertise as a non-paid CEO of The National Voice Talent Foundation for over 12 years to provide affordable education and opportunities to performers and to support the community.
Born in 1955, Stephen James (full name Stephen James Smith) was involved with his first-ever voice-over in 1976 for an industrial video and has since developed as a versatile and prolific voice-over actor, award-winning coach, actor, director, and agent.
Stephen originates from Birmingham, England, emigrated to the USA in 1997, and is now based in Ocala FL, where his purpose-built professional studio and office are located. Stephen continues to provide voice-over coaching and demo production to students from LA and MS, where he was previously located, and throughout the North American continent as well as overseas.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Stephen ran his own PR firm for over ten years as the culmination of a career in Public Relations and Marketing Communicatons. Having been involved with occasional voice-over since the mid-70s, he decided to concentrate on his performing career in 1999, when he became a leading light in The Talent Pool in Las Vegas, as well as being an active member of the board of Media Guilds International.
With over 45 years' experience of training professionals and working in voice-over acting and production, Stephen has become an award-winning coach, benefiting voice actors and actors alike, as well as corporate presenters. He also produces demos as well as directing and producing voice and other productions, including movies. He has also coached American actors in voice and, as a writer, he provides occasional consultancy to authors and movie producers, in particular, and by providing advice and guidance on "British-English" usage.
Stephen has also worked on a number of voice productions, including the annual fundraiser/benefit for New Orleans and region - a radio-play on stage of the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life for which he was producer, director, and voice actor (as Clarence and as Henry Potter) since its inception in 2009, and which raised thousands of dollars for non-profits.
Stephen was also the innovator, producer, and presenter of the Annual NVT Hollywood South Awards®, hosted by the then NOLA Voice Talent Foundation to recognize individual talent and commitment to the movie, theater, broadcasting, and voice-over industries in Hollywood South and region.
In 2010, Stephen founded NOVA:The New Orleans Voice Agency, believed to be the only specialist voice talent agency in New Orleans, and representing talent specifically not only from Mississippi and Louisiana, the region known as Hollywood South, but also throughout the USA. In 2012, Stephen launched what is now Stephen James Media Productions producing audio-books and voice-over demos as well as directing and producing radio-plays, stage performances, and movies.
Stephen has also been selected as a judge every year since 2018 for the annual Voice Arts Awards, organized by SoVAS (Society of Voice Arts and Sciences).
Discover more about Stephen James' career and listen to examples of his work at Stephen James' voiceover website "Master of the King's Speech" by clicking here (broken link)
Below: Stephen James on stage as Clarence in a live radio-play production of "It's a Wonderful Life" presented by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation as an annual charity fundraiser in support of the community.
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WORKSHOPS
Stephen James' affordable workshops and seminars have been enthusiastically received by both novice and established performers alike for over 12 years - mainly through National/NOLA Voice Talent as well as in his own right.
Participants have included not only voice-over actors but also screen- and stage actors, as well as corporate executives seeking to improve their presentation skills.
Workshops are currently held online via Zoom and are broadcast for participants worldwide.
PRIVATE COACHING
Stephen James has built a firm reputation as one of the country's leading voice-over coaches. A survey of Stephen's peers in Louisiana by USA national publication Backstage earned him the publication's accolade of "Louisiana's favorite voice coach".
Stephen has coached hundreds of individuals as well as youth groups, and has recently been appointed as voice and dialect coach for a major feature film.
Stephen has also coached students with autism, cerebral palsy and other challenges, and with great sucess.
DEMO PRODUCTION
A natural extension of Stephen's coaching is in producing voice-over demos.
Clients, whether current students or otherwise, have traveled from as far afield as the East and West coasts to his studio.
In addition, the studio is equipped with Sessionwire® which enables remote recording for your demo directly from your recording set-up wherever you are in the world - and with a direct connection via your web-browser and no setting up fees!
Demos are recorded over a full day, with
script selection and analysis, rehearsal and direction all included. The resultant demo is then edited and produced to industry standards and including licensed music bed and SFX where appropriate.
WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE
Sessions limited to only 12 participants to ensure everyone gets to take part,
so reserve your slots now to avoid disappointment...!
FIND YOUR BEST VOICE®
Whether you are an established or aspiring performer on-stage, on-screen, on-camera, or behind-the-mic, you will enjoy the fun, professional-yet-informal, and informative workshops atmosphere where you will improve your voice and gain valuable information that will help you to enhance your career.
Work with scripts and discuss elements of the voice-over business in a group environment via Zoom, supported and coached by Stephen James - an experienced and prolific professional voice actor and award-winning voice and dialect coach.
THURSDAY JANUARY 11th, 2024
AFFORDABLE VOICE-OVER WORKSHOP WITH STEPHEN JAMES
7pm-9pm USA Eastern Time
(6pm-8pm Central Time)
Location: Zoom - open to all, worldwide
Session Fee: Only $15 for Members of Central Florida & Beyond Voice-over Group (CFV)*
General Admission $25
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15th, 2024
AFFORDABLE VOICE-OVER WORKSHOP WITH STEPHEN JAMES
7pm-9pm USA Eastern Time
(6pm-8pm Central Time)
Location: Zoom - open to all, worldwide
Session Fee: Only $15 for Members of Central Florida & Beyond Voice-over Group (CFV)*
General Admission $25
WEDNESDAY MARCH 13th, 2024
AFTERNOON VOICE-OVER WORKSHOP WITH STEPHEN JAMES
2pm-4pm USA Eastern Time
(1pm-3pm Central Time)
Location: Zoom - open to all, worldwide
Session Fee: Only $15 for Members of Central Florida & Beyond Voice-over Group (CFV)*
General Admission $25
ADVANCED
PRIVATE COACHING
You attend voice-over workshops, you have had private coaching, you even have a dynamic demo
to promote your ability as a voice-over talent.
So what next..?
Take your voice-over career seriously by advancing to the next level.
Stephen James provides continuous advance training which includes a range of voice-over related information you will need to get on course towards establishing and developing a successful voice-over career.
This includes:
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setting up your recording equipment
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promoting yourself to agencies and direct clients
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sound editing
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successful auditioning
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advanced voice-over techniques
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ongoing refreshers to keep your talent above par
Whether you have been working as a voice talent for years, or going forward as a relative newcomer to the industry,
you will want to continue to take your career seriously and will benefit greatly from Stephen James'
advanced private coaching and mentoring sessions, held worldwide via Zoom or in person,
from Stephen James' broadcast-quality studio in central Florida.