Ken Foster
Edge Studio Alumni 2015
I ended a 20+ year career as a traveling software & project guy, where I spanned the globe solving other people''s business problems. It sucks to be good at something you hate, and traveling was impacting my personal life and health, so I took time off to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up (at age 45). I''d loved working as a radio DJ after high school, and felt maybe voiceover was something to explore to feed my creative side (largely ignored since college). And maybe I might just be half-decent at it. But no clue where to go, or how to even try to start. Then someone introduced me to the Edge Studio website and training program. Today, even years later, I don''t think there is another such comprehensive, logical & accessible repository of voiceover related information FOR FREE anywhere on the Internet. Many of these resources, like the Script Timer, Rate Info & Script Library, I still use today.
I took the IVO (Investigate Voice Over) course at the very end of December 2013, and lucked out to have David Goldberg leading the class that day. David gave a rundown of basic info & technique, got us in the booth with scripts, and provided individualized comprehensive evaluation a few days after - like if, how, and where I might fit into the VO universe. I received an encouraging thumbs up with some advice, and an outline of Edge''s offerings. Edge Studio''s education program impressed me with its comprehensive approach, logical breakdown of topics, class offerings & talented instructors. And I was soon in webinars, training, & workouts with the help of the Edge-ucation team: Susanne Pinedo & Kendra Baker guiding me towards online classes about The "Biz", home studio gear & tech, practical techniques and information - from talented folks like Tom Dheere and Danielle Quisenberry. I took in as many webinars, classes and studio events as I could. I made home studio investments - much of that gear I still use today. I started to figure out my way and my brand. When the time arrived, I made my first VO demo - narration - at Edge Studio''s midtown location.
Things have only moved forward from there. I''m fortunate to have a supportive family life, allowing me to dive into this new career direction 100%. From years as a corporate professional, I''ve got a decent perspective on how to move towards success: invest in training, get better each day, practice/practice/practice, and network/network/network (which also means market/market/market). I attended Edge Studio events, and also looked for other VO events, online & in-person, geared towards newer talents. I went to as many voiceover conference events as financially & logistically feasible - like MAVO (Mid-Atlantic Voice Over) & VO Atlanta - and met with peer workout groups online. I made industry connections and friends. I tried out the online casting/P2P sites. I contacted studios, production companies, and sought out coaching/workout events with industry pros. I started booking real voiceover gigs (like, for money ). I made more demos, and explored more genres, and got agency representation. And I lived & breathed all things VO (still do). I maintain that hustle, that approach, that forward momentum every day, and it has evolved into a career in voiceover. I still spend a good amount of the time solving business problems, but now they are MY business problems, and I''m overjoyed to have them.
Recent Clients Include:
McDonalds, Penn State University, MedStar Health, Dennys, Novartis, Walmart, and Temple Health.
Listen to Ken on his website
Be sure to check him our on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
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