BIEBIE’S MONTH OF VALENTINE LOVE
Hello all my weblog fans and supporters. A quick Thank You to all who take the time and leave sound comments; I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!! Your comments are make my website/blog so much better.
Many of you would like to know if the information I provide on this site is true??? The answer is YES, EVERYTHING I write on here is 100% true, tried and tested resulting in guaranteed results from clients. I believe as teachers/tutors we should evolve with the times and stay on top of our craft so we can share our knowledge.
Another question I have received: how do I advertise www.biebie.co.za. I have recently finished a short course in Internet Marketing from UCT (University of Cape Town in South Africa) through Getsmarter: www.getsmarter.co.za; therefore, I have learnt various ways of marketing & advertising my website on the internet. I also make use of social media quite a bit and will put my website link on Facebook, Twitter, My Space, Google, LinkedIn just to name a few. Some of my website/blog followers/supporters have then gone on to add my link to their social media accounts, as well as, email their friends/colleagues (thank you). I use Wordpress which is fantastic, because I can update my website/blog whenever I want to. Wordpress also provides their own free templates, themes and designs. Next to Wordpress would be Yola, which provides the same tools as Wordpress.
On another note: I really don’t mind if you want to use some of the content I publish and post it to your websites/blogs and social media applications, as long as you reference me. I am learning how to add back-links, so when i have mastered that i will let you all know.
RIGHT BACK TO Biebie’s month…
Remember the 6 week Short Voice Course I developed for the Corporates, well it went so well i was asked to develop a Short Personal Development Course (30min a week for 4 weeks) so as to compliment the Voice Course. This went fabulous.
Here are the topics we covered:
· Week 1: Introduction: Summary of the voice + telephone tips (why we doing this)
Tense/Release exercise (negatives & positives)
Characterization: telephone skills
· Week 2: Self Awareness I: Positive affirmations based on your strengths & weaknesses
Understanding what is confidence
Coupling of characterization and negatives = voice reflection
· Week 3: Self Awareness II: Circle of attention
Communication II
· Week 4: Vocal Confidence: Assessment
Maintenance program
A student of mine; Paul Hampshire: www.paulhampshire.co.za, who has completed the Intermediate Film acting Course, has gotten so much work as a lead stunt double, bit part, walk on (just to name a few) in various movies. Currently he has just finished work on Judge Dredd and is now working on Strike Back 2 with Denzel Washington. Please view his site it is very impressive!!! I am very proud of all his accomplishes and i am positive he will be the next big STAR to hit Hollywood!!!!
The Elocution/Accent Neutralization/Voice Over Courses are still a huge hit. My students are all still currently in Sessions, but as soon as they are done i will let you know what they get up to.
P.S when learning how to speak correctly it is imperative that you establish a good breathing method. You can choose between using only your diaphragm, or ribs or both which is known as BARREL BREATHING. I personally utilize my diaphragm when I am teaching on a one-on-one basis. When I do voice overs I like to use barrel breathing and when I do presentations I prefer using my ribs. There are various exercises on the internet which are free of charge which you can download and practice. Let me know how this goes????
Well, I hope I was able to answer all your questions, if you have any questions relating to the above post and/or any requests on topics you want me to discuss please email me on: barbara@biebie.co.za otherwise please leave those awesome comments coming.
Have a Fantastic Month of March… and stay tuned for my post on Transgender Feminisation; where i will be discussing the course i have devised.
Regards
Barbara Barbieri
(Owner of Biebie)
Trinity Guildhall of London for Theatre
These are Internationally recognized Grade and Certificate examinations for Speech and Drama. There are various syllabi’s to consider, in which the best one for you will be explored.
Levels Include: Initial
Grade one
Grade two
Grade three
Grade four
Grade five
Grade six
Grade seven
Grade eight
Performers
A.T.C.L Performing
L.T.C.L Performing = 3 units
These are all practical examinations; however, the L.T.C.L is a three unit exam= written, practical and thesis.
N.B: ASSESSMENTS WILL BE DONE TO INDICATE WHICH EXAM IS BEST SUITED TO YOU.
Cost: Initial - grade 8 = R250 per month for a 30min slot per week
Performers - A.T.C.L = R380 per month for a 45min slot per week
L.T.C.L = R500 per month for an 1hr per week
Duration: Initial - A.T.C.L = can be done in 6 months, again this will be assessed!
L.T.C.L has to be done in a year.
Grooming Courses
I find that many artists don’t understand “how to go to a casting?”, and this lack of knowledge usually costs an artist from landing the job. This course explains the casting process, what to do and not to do as an artist, the do’s and don’ts of being on set, behavioral habits - how this can affect you landing the job, understanding what casting directors/directors are looking for, and the preparation for the call back/request casting, question and answer session.
Students learn:
Casting process
Building confidence
Requirements of an artist
Being on set
Behavioral habits
What casting directors/directors looking for
Preparation for call back/request casting
Improvisation
Performances:
Casting session
Meet and greet/poise
Improvisation
Cost:
R200
Duration:
3hrs
Includes:
Course material
Children’s Course
Many young children from the ages of 8 - 15 consider acting, some prefer film and others prefer theatre. This course was developed in order to showcase both genres of acting and to introduce this to the child; whereas, they can decide if this is indeed what they want to pursue as a career. This also helps children to gain confidence indeed they are already in the industry and want to be more educated as to the semantics of what acting is all about. This course does help children in understanding how to approach a casting and/or a chosen role.
Students Learn:
Warm ups
Casting process
Commercial casting
Difference between theatre/film acting
2 forms of improvisation
Modulation
Vocal levels for theatre/film
Tools needed to enhance acting
Duologue/monologue analysis
Characterization and its importance
Performances:
Commercial casting
Monologue
Duologue
Improvisations
Cost:
R600
Duration:
2 days at 4hrs per day
Includes:
Manual, certificate
American Accent Course
I developed this course, because I found that many students/artists find it difficult to understand how to produce an accent which sounds “natural” and not too “over the top”. This course focuses on establishing a neutral sounding voice.
Students Learn: Vowel sounds, Articulation of vowel sounds; Vowel pronunciation; Breaking down vowel sounds; Consonant pronunciation; Textual analysis; Performances: Speaking in accent for radio/television/film/theatre; Voice overs; Character voices.
Cost: R2700
Duration: 15 individual sessions at 1hr per week
Includes: Manual, certificate, demo (optional)
Voice Feminization
I devised this course, because I found that there is a need for transsexuals who want to improve their overall vocal quality, by eliminating any negative qualities of their previous voice. It will look at various aspects concerning the vocal apparatus in general; and then, how the techniques will be utilized in the feminization process to suit your unique voice and style of speaking.
Students Learn:
Posture, Relaxation - laryngeal tension
Breathing - difference between male and female
Resonance - restore its dynamics
Pitch - stretching the range and utilizing consistency
Tone - difference between male and female
Articulation - tongue positions
Enunciation - tongue positions
Speech faults
Verbal Dynamics
Performances:
Voice Feminization completely
Voice overs
Cost: R2700
Duration: 15 individual sessions at 1hr per week or 2hrs p/w for 7 wks
Includes: Manual, Maintenance Program and certificate
Elocution/Accent Neautralization Course
I developed this course because I found that lots of people who are suffering from various speech impediments will go for “therapy” but still not be “cured”. This I found was due to the fact that not enough understanding of the speech processes were being utilized as is in a dramatic context. I found that if you explained the how, why and what of speech production coupled with exercises in a dramatic context, results were founded. I have worked with many students correcting speech impediments and enhancing the quality of their speech whilst using drama exercises as my basis for utilizing the understanding of how to speak correctly. I work with Clients who need to reduce their heavy accent and speak more neutrally in a working environment. I have had great success with this course.
Students Learn:
Posture, relaxation (coupled with your working and private life)
Breathing
Resonance
Pitch
Tone (telephone Etiquette and communication)
Articulation (consonants)
Enunciation (vowels: monophthongs, diphthongs, triphthongs)
Speech faults
Verbal dynamics
Cost: R2700
Duration: 15 individual sessions at 1 hr per week or 2hrs p/w for 7wks
Includes: Manual, maintenance program, and certificate.
Master Film Acting Course
Intermediate Film Acting Course
This course was produced on the basis of teaching “new comers” the foundation skills (tools) pertaining to acting. It allows the student to learn about acting in a realistic context parallel to everyday life - since acting is about portraying a slice of life in a realistic and naturalistic manner. Once you have completed this course it would be in your best interest to consider doing an International Exam through Trinity Guildhall of London.
Students learn:
- use of voice
- how to go to a casting
- tools of acting
- character building
- monologues/duologues
- textual analysis
- Improvisation
- Stanislavski techniques
Performances:
Weekly performances on camera: monologues, duologues, improvisation, ect.
Tutor and group assessments on work presented = discussion.
Cost: R1500
Duration: 7 group sessions at 1 ½ hrs per week
Includes: Manual, certificate, DVD