June 20th, 2009 The FINAL Workshop:
Introduction to Voice-Over

John Wesley Downey will hold an Introduction to Voice-Over Workshop from 10 am to 4pm on Saturday, June 20th, 2009. It's for newcomers to voice-over and we cover basic technique, radio and TV commercials, industrial narration and broadcasting. Workshop includes LOTS of practice and constructive critiques in a supportive atmosphere. There is a brief lecture at the start, and then the rest of the day the students practice, perform and get critiqued. In this workshop, you work on your skills.

This is THE FINAL VOICE OVER WORKSHOP John is going to offer.

How much is it?   Only $ 99.00.

This workshop is strictly limited to TEN students to maintain a good teacher-student ratio.
Checks, cash and money orders accepted.

To enroll by mail, send payment, along with contact info including email to:

John Wesley Downey

Suite 300 East

4801 Woodway

Houston, TX 77056

CASTING NOTICE:

Writer-Director John Wesley Downey is making a low budget short film in the Hitchcock tradition called "Big Time Killer." Shooting in fall and winter, weekend shoots, 4 shooting days total,   Crew resumes may be emailed to goodkarmajohn@earthlink.net    Minimal to no pay. Mainly looking for volunteers who are passionate about film, have some experience, and want to add to their resume.

Actors should submit headshots and resumes to John Wesley Downey, Good Karma Productions, Suite 300 EAST, 4801 Woodway, Houston, TX. 77056. Please do not email headshots/resumes.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING THE HEADSHOTS AND RESUMES IS AUGUST 7TH.

LEAD ROLE:   Serial Killer, mid 20s, 6'2" or taller, in extremely good shape, no tattoos
LEAD ROLE:   Author, mid 20s to mid 30s, academic, studios, short and thin

PRISON GUARD:   Male, early 30s, average to fit build, good with guns, 4 scenes
PRISON PSYCHIATRIST:    Male, 50s, bureaucratic professional, 1 scene

VICTIM # 1    Male, schoolteacher, 40s, overweight   1 scene
VICTIM # 2    Male, bartender, 30s, Ryan Reynolds type, outgoing friendly personality   1 scene
VICTIM # 3    Male, college jock, very buff, cocky and competitive   1 scene
VICTIM # 4    Female, girlfriend, 20s, hottie in a bikini but must be able to handle DIALOGUE  1 scene
AUTHOR'S WIFE   Female, 20s, smokin' hot, compassionate   2 scenes
ATTORNEY    Female, 40s, very professional, razor sharp intellect and articulation.
SKATEBOADERS:   Two teen males, skilled on skateboards, would prefer either buzzcuts or long hair. Rebellious attitude.

This short film will be entered in numerous film festivals around the United States.
Feel free to copy and paste this casting notice and send it to friends and actors through
email or post it elsewhere.

John will offer some classes for film/television on-camera acting later in the summer, for both adults and teens.   If you're interested, email us.   The information on the classes will be posted in July.

VOICE OVER DEMOS

John Wesley Downey produces voice over demos for both actors and non-actors.   John writes the scripts for the commercials, coaches and advises you on your performance, and directs you during the recording session.  The whole process takes 4 to 6 weeks and is tailored specifically for your talent, abilities and range.   You can then use the demo to promote yourself and your voice over talent.

Completed, the average demo runs about 90 seconds to 2 minutes in length when finished.  And in fact, John recommends you take the workshop prior to beginning work on the demo, especially if you are relatively new to working as a talent.

The entire cost is $ 800 including studio time.    Half is due at the start, the balance is due after your demo is completed.

The demos are very professional and high quality and John takes his time working with you.   Nothing is rushed, it's done carefully.   For rates and additional information, email John at goodkarmajohn@earthlink.net

JOIN THE E-MAILING LIST FOR WORKSHOP AND CLASS UPDATES!!!

If you would like to be added to an email notification list whenever a new class or workshop is added to the schedule, send an email to John at

Jdgkm015@aol.com

and put the words MAILING LIST in the subject line. You will then receive regular email updates on classes and workshops.   Also, feel free to forward information about the classes to other actor's emails.

COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS ON WHAT IT'S LIKE IN JOHN'S CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:

(These comments are regarding John's weeknight on-camera acting classes.)

John went out of his way to design a program specifically tailored to each of the students' needs as an actor. This is the first acting class I've taken where the students acted more than the instructor lectured.
-Greg Mesler

First of all, John's class was the most constructive acting training I've ever had. I used to think that to be a good teacher that you had to be a drill sergeant type, but that's not true. Allowing people to get comfortable is better; it's also more conducive to the creative process.-Justin Alexander

John Wesley Downey really cares about the growth of his students. This is the first course that I have attended where the teacher asked "What would you like to work on?" John wrote scenes for each actor depending on their areas of weakness. He was concise and tactful in his critiques and constructive criticisms. I continued to feel myself grow throughout the weeks.-Nikki Donley

Here's feedback from some students in John's voice-over workshops:

The class was fun, interactive and I walked away gaining valuable experience. John is a great teacher with tons of knowledge and he made the class enjoyable - Carla Marsh

"I enjoyed the class, number 1 because it was a small class. It is difficult to go into something new and have a lot of people and not have an instructor who can give you personal attention, ESPECIALLY because it is so new to you. John was able to show attention and actually give feedback to you because the class was intimate.  My final vote: Two Thumbs Up!" - Jennifer Lawson

Do you believe in karma?
http://www.amazon.com/Redhanded-Spiritual-John-Wesley-Downey/dp/1420875582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209960145&sr=8-1

INSTRUCTOR BACKGROUND:

JOHN WESLEY DOWNEY HAS WORKED IN BROADCASTING, MEDIA, AND ENTERTAINMENT HIS ENTIRE ADULT LIFE. HE HAS WORKED ON AIR IN RADIO IN HOUSTON SINCE HE WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

HE REPRESENTED OVER 2,000 ACTORS, MODELS AND VOICE-OVER TALENT WITH HIS OWN STATE-LICENSED TALENT AGENCY, GOOD KARMA MANAGEMENT, FROM 1996-2003.   DURING THAT TIME HE WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH PRODUCERS, CASTING DIRECTORS, PRODUCTION COMPANIES, AD AGENCIES AND MOVIE STUDIOS.

JOHN'S BEEN TEACHING ACTING AND VOICE-OVER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS SINCE 2002.