Join industry legend Johnny Heller for an audiobook workout like no other! This introductory class will begin with a brief lecture about the craft and business of audiobook narration. The lecture will be followed by an opportunity for each participant to work with Johnny on a section of self-selected text in our state of the art NYC recording studio. Johnny will answer all of your audiobook related questions throughout the class and all participants will receive an MP3 of their work via email the following day. If you are new to the world of audiobook narration, this opportunity to work with an award winning talent and game changing teacher is not to be missed!
NOTE: THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS IN OUR New York VO LAB LOCATED AT 1900 Broadway on the 5th floor.
REQUIREMENTS (PLEASE READ)
Participants must bring 1-3 pages of a book to work on during class. Text can be from any genre; fiction or non-fiction. Class will take place in-person at our New York VO lab located at 1900 Broadway on the 5th floor. Participants must show member card at front desk to access the studio. Participants must remain for the duration of the class which is 2.5 hours.
Instructor Bio
JOHNNY HELLER
Johnny was named a Golden Voice Lifetime Achievement Award Winner – one of the highest honors in the audiobook industry – in 2019. He’s a 2021 Odyssey Award winner for Kent State. He has recorded over 1000 audiobooks in every genre and is a 4-time Audie Award winner (with wins in 2005, 2009, 2019 and 2020) and a 16-time nominee. His Winnie the Pooh won the 2023 Communicator Award.
Johnny was named an Audiofile Best Voice 2009-2011, 2014 and 2015, a Publishers’ Weekly Listen Up Award Winner 2008-2018 and a multiple Booklist Editor’s Choice Winner. A winner of over 30 Earphone Awards and 3 SOVAS Awards, Johnny was named one of the top 50 Voices of the 20th Century by Audiofile Magazine.Heller has given voice to hundreds of commercial products and is a veteran in the worlds of stand-up comedy, television, improv and professional theatre. He is an internationally known audiobook and acting coach and his workshops are considered “game-changing.”
No admittance will be granted without your current physical or digital SAG-AFTRA membership card.
Guests are not allowed at this program unless stated in the program description.
RSVP = You are registered to attend, but seats are NOT guaranteed. Programs are sometimes overbooked to ensure optimal attendance..
If you RSVP for this offering and later cannot attend, please remove your name from the RSVP list by 11:59 PM prior to the day of the program. Failure to fulfill a RSVP reservation or arrival after check-in is completed will be recorded as a no-show. For the VO Lab program, three (3) no-shows within 60 days and you will not be able to attend VO Lab classes or reserve studio sessions for 90 days We refer to this as the 3/60/90 rule.
Waitlist = You are not registered to attend the program, but you are added to the Waitlist. If we receive a cancellation and/or you are moved to the RSVP list, you will be notified (typically the day before the program) with enough time to cancel, if you cannot attend. The VO Lab sometimes requires an email response to confirm if the member will be attending or will not be attending. If you have been moved to the RSVP list you can cancel by 11:59 PM the day before a scheduled program an d avoid being recorded as a no-show, if you do not attend.
You may also check your status at any time from your user account on our website. By signing up for the Waitlist you are telling us that you want to attend the program, so if that changes please cancel your Waitlist reservation. You WILL NOT be recorded as a no-show if you are on the Waitlist and do not attend or if you show up and do not get in.
Walk Ins will be denied entry.
When you register for a program you are expected to stay for the entirety of the offering.
Participants should be adults 18 and over. For parents/guardians of minors interested in attending offerings that are not specific to actors under 18 years of age, please contact the VO Lab before joining the RSVP or Waitlist.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation reserves the right to refuse admission or service to anyone.
This program may include explicit, sexual, disturbing or offensive content and is intended for mature audiences only.
For those who need disability accommodation, including Sign Language Interpretation, please email rsvp@sagaftra.foundation with a minimum of three business days' notice and you will be contacted.
The SAG AFTRA Foundation reserves the right to refuse entrance to any guests.
SAG-AFTRA members and guests invited to events will behave in a professional and courteous manner. Any violation of the rules or transgression of decorum will be subject to review by the programming team, which has sole authority to remove the member from present and future SAG-AFTRA Foundation programs for unprofessional, discourteous, threatening or similarly inappropriate behavior.
By booking this program I acknowledge I understand and will abide by these rules.
Accessibility:
For accessibility requirements, including sign language interpretation, please email rsvp@sagaftra.foundation with at least three (3) business days' notice.
Eligibility:
All SAG-AFTRA members who are active and fully paid up are eligible to use the Voiceover Lab and attend Voiceover Programs.
Most programs are restricted to members over the age of 18.Â
If our website shows that you are not in good standing, please contact SAG-AFTRA directly at (323) 549 6778. Keep in mind that updates may take up to 24 hours to reflect on the Foundation’s website.
Cancellation and No-Show Policy:
We understand that life happens, but last-minute cancellations can disrupt the program and impact other members. Here’s what you need to know:
Cancellation Deadline: Usually, the cancellation deadline is 11:59PM on the day before the program. Please refer to your class requirements email for specific cancellation deadlines, as this may change based on class format.
How to Cancel: Cancellations must be made through the website; we cannot accept them via email or phone.
Late Cancellations: If you cancel after the deadline outlined in your mail and on the website, you will be marked as a "no-show".
Check in opens 15 minutes before the program starts, please arrive on time. Â If you arrive late, you will be marked as a no-show. Late arrivals will not be admitted.
We do expect you to stay for the duration of the program as leaving early disrupts the session. Â Leaving early will be recorded as a no-show.
Our no-show policy is a two-strike system over the course of one year. The first instance of a no-show will be recorded in your member account. Â If a second no-show occurs, you will be restricted from attending Voiceover Programs and booth sessions for 90 days.
Waitlist Policy:
If the programs is full, joining the waitlist shows you're interested in attending if space becomes available:
If you are on the waitlist and are no longer able to attend, please remove yourself from the waitlist immediately to allow others the opportunity.
If a space opens up, you will receive an email confirming your place in the program you are expected to attend.
If you have received a confirmation email for your attendance and can no longer attend, please be sure to cancel your space before the cancellation deadline mentioned in the email. If you do not cancel, you will be marked as a no-show.
You may be added to the attendee list up to three hours before the program start time. If added after the cancellation deadline, please note that the no-show policy does not apply if you don’t attend.
We do not accept walk-ins, including from waitlisted individuals.
General Requirements and Rules:
SAG-AFTRA ID: You’ll need to show a valid SAG-AFTRA ID card or proof of payment to attend. No entry will be granted without current verification.
Most programs are for performers aged 18 and over. For parents/guardians of minors interested in attending offerings that are not specific to actors under 18 years of age, please email rsvp@sagaftra.foundation.Â
This program may include explicit, sexual, disturbing or offensive content and is intended for mature audiences only.
Recording of any kind (audio or video) is strictly prohibited.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone.
We ask all members to behave professionally and respectfully at all times. Aggressive behavior is not acceptable.
If you have a concern or issue, we encourage you to express it in the appropriate setting and work toward a resolution. Disruptive behavior during the program will not be tolerated.
