“The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have dreams, who want to do things. Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.”
- Will Smith
I have been earning a living with a microphone for over two decades now. I worked for a number of years in my hometown of Dallas, Texas, then journeyed to New Orleans, San Diego and Los Angeles. It has been a rewarding creative journey. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on a wide array of projects with some truly creative people. Voice over is a craft that has enriched my life and allowed me to “create” every day…as well as have a lot of fun! Sharing this craft with students is something that I have enjoyed for over fifteen years.
Although I am primarily a talent, I carve out a handful of hours each week to provide opportunities for training with new and established talent. I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” or curriculum based approach to guiding talent. It’s more of a bespoke experience. Whether it’s one of my “Foundational Workshops” or a “Weekly VO Workout Session”, I keep the group offerings small so that I can more easily tailor my approach and information to best suit those students. I also work one-on-one with students that are looking to more quickly grow and enhance their unique skillset.
Most of my workshops and workout sessions take place at my studio. I also offer the opportunity for you to connect with me online via Zoom. So, no matter where you are located, you can connect for individual training, or participate in any of my group offerings.
Voice over is a craft. To be a successful and working voice over professional, you must understand the craft…what it is, and what it is not. It’s important to constantly be growing and developing as a talent. This is an industry that morphs with evolving trends, and your long-term success is tied to your ability to be flexible and adapt to these trends. Therefore, on-going training with a professional you trust is key. Bespoke training that taps into your unique skills, emotional perspective and signature sound is essential. It allows you to truly “own” what you have to offer, helps you to effectively self-direct and enter the sound booth with that essential Zen ingredient of all successful performers…confidence!
I truly believe that anyone can approach this industry and carve out some space. That being said, one of the primary factors that propels (or limits) talent is their attitude towards development. Of course, there are other variables that impact someone’s potential in this industry, but I’ve come to notice that a talent’s work ethic and willingness to adapt to the “real world” of voice over are key determining factors.
Whether you choose to work with me, or any other professional, please make sure to do your homework. There are a number of talented people out there who can teach and guide talent, Unfortunately, there are also a lot purveyors of bad information out there…people who talk a good game, but don’t have anything of true and actionable value to offer. You can read it HERE, or just click on the blog link on the left.
I look forward to discussing what I can do to help you reach your goals. If your specific goals sit outside the wheelhouse of what I offer, then I’m delighted to refer you to someone that might be a better fit. After over twenty years in the industry, I’ve been fortunate to have become friends with some exceptionally talented people whose work I admire. Helping new and established talent develop and achieve their goals is a truly rewarding experience! Please don’t hesitate to shoot me a note if I may be of service in helping you achieve creative success!
“I owe my success thus far as a voice talent to Marc Preston. He saw my ability and helped me to focus on the skills necessary to succeed in the industry. Marc cultivated my voiceover reel and has produced every voice over audition I have done to date. Whether you are starting out or a seasoned professional, as a voice over talent, working with Marc is a must. His ability to give direction and convey valuable industry information, in a relatable way, to help grow a career are invaluable.”