Theatre / voice
Voiceover artist launches Bristol school for voice acting
Having worked with Amazon, Facebook, Google and Grand Theft Auto V, one voiceover artist has started a new academy to help others into the industry.
Melissa Thom, who lives in Bristol, has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and has started the Bristol Academy of Voice Acting (BRAVA) to offer personalised online training in the art and business of voiceover.
BRAVA is specifically aimed at individuals who want to add voice acting to their skillset, or performing arts organisations who wish to offer their students training in the commercial world of voiceovers.
is needed now More than ever
“Although I have coached voiceover privately for a while, it soon became clear there was a large appetite for training and now felt like the right time to bring together the very best experts I’ve worked with over my 25-year career, to create BRAVA,” says Melissa, who started her career in radio in the 1990s.
“We’re looking forward to helping students learn about the voiceover industry and supporting them to add this growing artform to their skillset.”
Melissa has taught voiceover, radio and presentation for a wide range of education providers, including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She also launched a podcasting platform, Radio in Schools, across 33 Heart stations in 2005.
A team of acting and voice experts from the UK and US are joining Melissa to help run BRAVA and specialist guest coaches will also work with the school.
All learning will take place online and can be delivered in a range of styles, including one-to-ones and group setting.
“Lockdown has been a difficult time for many, but the voiceover industry has adapted quickly and remains strong,” says Melissa.
“The explosive growth of online gaming during the pandemic and projected healthy recovery and growth of the UK ad market by the end of this year means there is an imminent demand for highly trained voice actors.”
Main photo: Melissa Thom
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