Course Description

Hi there. I’m Marinda Botha

Thank you for considering taking this course.

If you regularly need to speak or teach in front of others, or you need to record videos where you yourself are on-camera, then this course is for you.

These series of exercises are geared towards warming up your body for performance, be it a public speaking event you need to do, a voice over gig, or performance on screen or stage.

I’m a trained actor and voice over artist. I’ve been in the industry for 16 years, having worked and trained in Europe and South Africa.

I am trained in stage and screen performance, voice overs, physical theatre, clowning and overall physical awareness of body alignment.

I am primarily a voice over artist and trainer, with clients from across the globe. I have a deep love for movement, understanding your body as a performer, looking after your health and utilizing this tool of yours, to the best of your ability.

We will look at Body alignment, Breath control, Articulation, Warming up the resonators and many more!

Requirements

  • 10 -15 minutes of free time per day, to watch the lessons and then copy them.
  • No prior physical ability is required. These exercises work well for all ages and body types. They are extremely safe (and effective!).
  • A willingness to learn and improve. You only have one body. You need to take care of it.
  • A room where you can practice. Perhaps a mirror to watch yourself in as you do the exercises (though not essential).
  • Soft soled shoes, or as I prefer, go barefoot!
  • Students interested in public speaking or those wishing to improve their overall articulation or inability to speak clearly in front of others, are welcome to take this course.

What am I going to get??

  • 17 video lectures demonstrating step-by-step the physical and vocal exercises discussed
  • 35 min of “talking-head” video content
  • Resources at the end of the course to many more warm up ideas
  • Tutoring from an artist who have made these exercises part of her life for 16 years!
  • A healthy body, mind and voice, ready to take on any performance!

What is the target audience?

  • This 17 part course can be taken by complete beginners to advanced students.

Marinda Botha

I am a bilingual native speaker of Afrikaans and have a very neutral English accent. I am also experienced in the British voice over industry, as I spent 8 years living and working in London before moving back to South Africa. I am now based in Centurion, Gauteng, working from my home recording studio. In total I have 17 years experience in the Voice Over Industry. My voice has been described as warm, earthy, sensual, clear and authoritative. It lends itself well to corporate scripts like IVR, medical narration, e-learning, telephony and videos for web. I hold a Performing Arts Degree and love stretching my acting muscles in the booth. I also trained at The Actor’s centre and did an Advanced Acting for Radio course in London. I have also been teaching at a tertiary education institute in South Africa for 6 years.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • The introduction to a better you
  • 2

    Let's get warmed-up!

    • Become aware of your feet

    • Breath Control Progression

    • Breath Control

    • General Warm Up

    • Hum into Sound

    • The Cork Exercise

    • The Diaphragm

    • The Face Stretch

    • The Flop

    • The Flop

    • The Hug

    • The Hum

    • The Shake Out

    • The Spine

    • The Tongue Stretch

    • The Yawn-Sigh

    • Tonal Sweeping

    • Tongue Twisters

    • Final thoughts

    • Resources