2023 Master Classes

1) Sonic-Con Pass Holders will begin to sign up for master class sessions October 18. A digital sign up sheet will be emailed.

2) Master class titles and descriptions are subject to change.

Paul McCusker - Adapting & Writing Biographical Audio Dramas

Learn best practices on how to adapt true stories for audio and important considerations when developing plots.

John Fornof - Art of the Start: Time to launch your story

This class will help you blast through that wall known as writer’s block and get your story on the page.

JARED DEPASQUALE - The Director/Composer Relationship

Examine the answers to questions such as: What does it look like for a director to work with a composer? Does the director have to be a musician? What is the language they use to communicate? How do they build trust?

Phil Lollar - A DIRECTOR'S TAKE ON VOICE ACTING

In order to get the part, you have to please the director. What does a voice director listen and look for in a voice actor? Phil Lollar has been on both sides of the glass - voice director and actor - in hundreds of audio dramas and animation episodes, from Adventures in Odyssey to Tom & Jerry. In this Master Class, get his take on what directors are looking for in a voice actor, and on what actors need to bring to the audition to get the part - and to the studio once they have it. 

Kera O’Bryon - FINDING YOUR VOICE

Someone's told you you should "Do Voices"...now, let's help you find that sweet spot!

Darby Kern - Next Level Script Writing

This seminar is part scriptwriting training, part encouragement and part intervention. Using examples from classic (and some not classic) movies, audio dramas or plays, combining them with over twenty-five years of scriptwriting experience and ten years as an improv comic, you will learn what you need to take your scripts to the next level. For beginners and experienced writers!

Todd Busteed - The SHinebone’s connected to the shoulder bone!

During his 40 years of producing drama, Todd has been blessed with the opportunity to direct, write, act, produce, and even dabble in the musical world.  His premise for this dynamic, example filled class, is that if you want to be better at X, develop an understanding of Y.    Good writers know post, good actors know about recording tech, good sound designers know how the human ear works, and good directors know about…. all of it!  It’s all connected!

All creatives looking to better understand the bigger picture are invited.

Paul McCusker - Fundamentals of Dialogue

Create a strong script with memorable and dynamic dialogue using tried and true fundamentals.

John Fornof - how to write an audio drama

Learn the Seven Do’s and Don’ts of writing Audio Drama, Discover the fun of Formatting (really!) and we’ll Reveal Your Opportunities to Write Audio Dramas.

Phil Lollar - MASTERING THE SCENE

The scene is the core element of story construction, whether in a book, screenplay, audio drama, or verbal presentation. One really great scene can save an otherwise mediocre production, and make the difference between a successful story and a complete flop. In this master class, we'll take a look at one or two really great scenes from recent series and do a deep dive on them, deconstructing and analyzing them to discover what makes them great, and how we can apply what we discover to our own work.

Kera O’Bryon - The Business of Voice Over Acting

How does a voice over actor navigate the industry, from auditioning to performing the gig?

Jared DePasquale - Composing for Audio Drama

Calling all composers and aspiring composers - talk through music themes, writing cues, deciding hit points, etc.

John Fornof - The Power of Your Story to Change the World

Steve Jobs, one of the most powerful men in the world, pointed to someone more powerful than he was: “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” This class will show you how to use your newfound power to do good in the world.

Sue Zizza & David Shinn - Audio Drama Production: Soup to Nuts

Audio drama blends voice, music, sound effects, and silence into a unique storytelling experience. This session will review the main points to producing a program:  

- The Script. Can you ‘hear’ It? Things to think about to when selecting an audio drama script — whether an adaptation or original project.

- Budgets. What are some of the costs to consider: Producer? Director? Responsibilities & fees? Cast size? Union vs Non-union? How and where to post auditions? Sound design costs. Music licensing or original music. Recording and post costs.

- Funding. Where can you find money to produce your production? Kickstarter? Grants? Joint productions?

- Production Schedule. How much time should you anticipate to record and finish your production.

Sue Zizza & David Shinn - The Director / Actor / Engineer Relationship In Audio Drama Collaboration

Communication between directors and actors and the engineers who record, edit, and do post production, helps to bring more collaboration to the production. This session will showcase good positive communication tools for working together on a production.

JD Sutter - Distributing Your Audio Drama: Broadcasting Via Podcast, Radio, and More

So you've made an audio drama. What now? How do you get it out to listeners? We'll cover numerous means of show distribution in this session with an emphasis on podcasting. We'll talk about choosing content delivery methods, how to get started with each, and the revenue models that work with each distribution option.