Posted May 31, 2007 by Bob
Voice123.com has posted two videos that are well worth some of your time, both focused on the updates they are currently creating and testing.
First is a 17 minute presentation at VOICE 2007 by Alex Torrenegra (President and co-founder of Voice123.com) introducing the updates Voice123.com Ver. 2.0. (NOTE: both of these videos are rather dark, but the audio is fairly clear.)
And second is the Q&A that followed the above presentation, which runs about 25 minutes.
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted by Bob
My friend Joe Rodriguez was given a very nice write-up at Lit Between The Ears a few days ago. Good for you, Joe. By the way, Joe blogs about voiceover, too.
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 30, 2007 by Bob
Since somewhere around my twelfth year (a long, long time ago, though not in a galaxy far, far away) I’ve been fond of science fiction and fantasy fiction. Some of my first audiobook projects were for a collection of short science fiction stories, which was great fun.
Now, I’m delighted to let you know that I’ve provided the voice for the promo introducing a new audio drama called “Estalvin’s Legacy.” You can hear the promo on this page, and starting on Friday, June 1, 2007, keep up to date with the audio drama itself on this page.
Category: General, History | Comments (2)
Posted by Bob
I’ve linked a couple of times previously to the very cool, build-it-yourself voiceover booth that my friend Bobbin Beam and her husband have been building. The latest progress report is on her blog, including photos. It’s looking great Bobbin.
Category: General, People, Tools | Comments (0)
Posted May 29, 2007 by Bob
My friend Elaine Singer has just learned first hand why I always give the same answer to everyone who asks me about how to get started recording audiobooks. That answer? Take Pat Fraley’s audiobook class. (If you don’t see an audiobook class listed at the link, send an email requesting to be added to his notification list.) You’ll learn everything you need to know. And if you make any kind of effort at pursuing audiobook work after you’ve completed the class, you’ll quickly make back what the class costs.
Category: Career Advice, General, People | Comments (2)
Posted by Bob
One of my favorite bloggers on the subject of branding is Tom Asacker. His “A Clear Eye” is a must read, so much so that I subscribe to his site via RSS. His latest post links to a new white paper he’s written on the current marketing buzz about authenticity.
Here are two of the ways Tom’s paper connects back to the world of voiceover work:
1. As talent, we must do everything we can through our performances to help deliver an “authentic” experience for our clients regardless of the quality of the writing.
2. As producers, the voice talents you select need to have the talent and ability to deliver a performance that moves your brand forward. Quality and availability are the defining characteristics, not price.
Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)
Posted by Bob
My friend Jeffrey Kafer has written a post for his blog that underscores something I’ve long believed: many times the best solutions are the simplest. In Jeffrey’s case, he was trying to figure out the best way to set up his home studio to do a phone patch. Our mutual friend Frank Frederick (yes, Jeffrey, he is a super nice guy) gave this exact advice about not picking an expensive and complicated solution when a simple one will do.
Good for you, Jeffrey. May there be many more.
Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 28, 2007 by Bob
With my thanks to my friend Peter O’Connell for his post about this wonderful WordPress plugin, I’ve added Social Bookmarks to my site.
Category: Blogging, General | Comments (6)
Posted by Bob
Check out the brilliant post at Other Men’s Flowers, subtitled, A dozen tactful phrases used to intimidate voice-over artistes: (here are a couple of my favorites)
Didn’t you used to be an actor?
We’ve still got point three of a second to play with, actually. You can spread it over the whole read if you like.
A hat tip to Tim McLaughlin for linking to this post.
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted by Bob
My friend Kara Edwards gives voice to Goten here in the USA. At an anime conference in Raleigh, NC this weekend, Kara and Takeshi Kusao (who voices Trunks in Japan) were captured in a special moment that’s on YouTube.
Kara provides some background on what’s happening in her post at the top of this thread on the VO-BB. And she speaks about how she got involved in Dragonball Z on this YouTube video from just a bit earlier at the same Raleigh, NC anime conference.
Update: Here’s another view, that includes the audience.
Category: General, People | Comments (3)
Posted May 27, 2007 by Bob
This has nothing to do with voiceover work, but I just had to tell you about this. Evidently, there is research that demonstrates we humans link certain facial characteristics with certain names. Among the names with the strongest linkages between face and name are Bob, Bill, Brian and Jason. So, if you’ve ever said about someone, “he just looks like a Bob,” now you know why. Oh, and yes, I do actually fit the common characteristics of a Bob, which is a good thing since I am one.
If you read the linked article, you’ll note that the researchers tested only male names and only Caucasian male faces because they were looking for how subtle differences influence our associations between names and faces. (A hat tip to Bob Mould for the link to this article.)
Category: General | Comments (0)
Posted by Bob
I mentioned previously that I was given the exceptional privilege of providing some volunteer voiceovers for a countdown of the Greatest Rock Songs of all time for this Memorial Day weekend 2007. Air Force Sgt Chris Eder, known to his radio audience as Kasbah, has posted some audio and photos on his blog.
(Update: You’ll find more audio and comments at my friend Peter O’Connell’s blog, here.)
What a delight and honor to be able to play a tiny role in this enterprise. Thanks for asking Chris. I’m hoping and praying that you and all of your brothers and sisters in arms there in Iraq come home safely and with the satisfaction of knowing your mission is complete.
(Further update: Chris has posted more pics to his blog as the Countdown continues.)
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 26, 2007 by Bob
My friend Mary McKitrick writes consistently thought-provoking posts on her blog. Today’s post is no exception. The central point is the point. What? When you read, you’ll understand.
There’s a potent conclusion to be drawn if you need to hire voiceover talent as well. Especially when the project you’re working on has a budget of some substance, with the higher level of importance that comes with such budgets. Finding voice talent with specific skills and experience relevant to your project will save you a great deal of both time and money. Because paying more for an experienced professional is going to save recording time, editing time and final production time. And you already know what time equals.
Category: Career Advice, General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 25, 2007 by Bob
This post is the eighth in the series of interviews I’m conducting with people I think you need to meet, people who have valuable and important comments about voiceover work; although in this case you probably already know my guest by his excellent work both on camera and behind the mic for many high profile clients.
We’re talking this time with Rodney Saulsberry. You don’t need me to tell you how talented Rodney is, but in case you need reminding, you can check out his demos on his web site, here.
My first question: Rodney, from listening to the first part of your presentation at VOICE 2007 and reading about you here and there, I get the impression that your first desire was to be an actor. That voiceover work grew out of that or became a part of that. So, where did your desire to act come from?
Rodney: You’re right. I started out as an actor and a singer. My desire to act came from my love of television as a kid growing up in the Midwest. Along the way, I kept hearing about this exciting end of the industry called voiceovers. I was often told that I had a great voice and that I should get into the voiceover field. I made a voiceover demo and it literally changed my life. You never know what your true calling in life is until it smacks you right in the face.
My second question: I’ve long believed that where we grow up has a powerful influence on our view of the world, so take us back to your childhood. Where was that and what was life like?
Rodney: I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, the home of the Motown Sound. My father was a professional singer, so music had a great influence on my childhood. I started performing around the house for anyone who would listen at a very young age. My parents always encouraged me and supported me. I give them total credit for the confidence instilled in me to do whatever I wanted to do in life. That is still my mantra today.
My third question: When you’re talking about performing and voiceover work and the like, you spend a lot of time on our attitude or approach to life; not just work. Why is that so important to you?
Rodney: Your attitude is everything. No matter how talented you are or how much energy you put into this industry, if the energy is negative, at the end of the day, you will not succeed. When you are positive you make others around you feel better. When you’re in between jobs for a long period of time, if you think positive and show patience, your luck will change.
Follow-up question: So, someone who is unhappy with having a “day job” because they haven’t yet made the transition to full-time voiceover work, could actually be working against what he or she hopes to accomplish?
Rodney: Absolutely. Think about being upset with someone in your life. The longer you hold on to the grudge, the longer you waddle in negativity. As soon as you forgive and release the negative tension in your mind and heart, you feel one hundred percent better. If you are unhappy in your current job, how could you ever happily pursue a full time voiceover career? It’s hard to achieve anything in a state of negativity. I do my best work when I’m happy.
My fourth question: Is there a role (or character type) you wish you could play, but haven’t yet been able to?
Rodney: No, there is no role that I wish I could play. The beauty of the business is the unknown. I feel that every role and character type will eventually cross my path. I will relish in the newness of it. I welcome the challenges.
My fifth question: How do you handle rejection?
Rodney: I handle it like most, I’m not happy about it. However, I concentrate on getting a lot of auditions so I’m not overly worried about any particular one of them.
My sixth question: What are some keys to doing well with auditions? Especially voiceover auditions, as distinct from an on-camera audition, for example.
Rodney: The key to doing well in a voiceover audition is the ability to be “free.” When you establish a condition of complete freedom in your mind, you open yourself up to the ability to do anything that is required. Now you are a piece of clay that the casting director can mold into whatever they need you to be.
My seventh question: After an audition, do you have any exercises you practice to ensure you don’t obsess over whether you were cast?
Rodney: There are some exercises that I do that are covered in my new book, Step Up to the Mic
My eighth question: At the bottom of our interview, I’m going to feature your post to YouTube of the tongue twisters. Do you actually use these pieces before a session? How did you get started with that?
Rodney: Yes, I do. I also use them in my teleclasses and workshops that I teach. I come from a singing background and I believe that reading a script and the voiceover industry in general is analogous to music. As a singer, I always vocalized before I sang. I believe that a voiceover artist should do the same, so I wrote these tongue twisters.
Follow-up question: I’m very interested to know more about how your musical background intersects with your voiceover work. For example, my major in college was music — vocal performance specifically (I wanted to become an opera singer back then) and I’ve found that so much of that training is valuable. Phrasing, tone placement, breath control, and so on. Can you expand on that?
Rodney: I started out as music major at the University of Michigan. I too had a dream of becoming an opera singer at one point in my college years. I’m so grateful for my time at the School of Music where I learned to breath, support my voice with my diaphragm and interpret a song. Every technique and concept without exception that I learned from my music teachers, apply when executing the performance of a voiceover script. I believe that reading a piece of copy is like singing a song. If I want the copy to be expressive, I add more melody to my read. In other words, I go up and down and back up again on different lines. I vary my inflections on certain words. If I want the copy to be flat with much less expression, I’m less colorful; my read is straight without much variance in each line. I call this action, mono-tone. You see, it always comes back to music.
My ninth and last question: You teach as well as act and I notice that you don’t charge nearly as much as you could for many of your classes. And certainly during VOICE 2007 in Las Vegas, you were very generous with your time. What’s the basis of your willingness to be so open and accessible?
Rodney: My desire to help others is as important to me as getting voiceover work for myself. I truly derive a lot of pleasure from watching other people grow and be successful. Especially those who have studied with me. Yes, my classes are less then some and more than others. I arrived at the cost of my classes by asking myself one question, what price point would be fair and affordable to the most people? I wake up every morning trying to figure out what I can give, who I can help. I am always trying to be the best servant that I can be. I believe that you’re not worthy of receiving anything until you give first!
My thanks to Rodney Saulsberry for taking time out of his very business schedule to provide such thoughtful answers to these questions. Remember that you have opportunities to study with Rodney not only in person, but over the telephone as well. I wish Rodney much continued success not only professionally but personally as well.
Now, here is that YouTube video I promised. If you can get your mind and your mouth around these exercises, you’re way ahead of me.
Category: Interviews | Comments (3)
Posted May 24, 2007 by Bob
Tim McLaughlin posts about an, ahem, amazing opportunity on his blog. I think you’ll get a laugh from it as I did.
Category: General | Comments (2)
Posted May 23, 2007 by Bob
My friend Karen Commins always gets my brain cells working with her blog posts. Her post How to lose friends and irritate people is a perfect example. While my experiences haven’t paralleled Karen’s exactly, I do see the dynamic of “keeping you the same” playing out in interesting ways. Thank you, Karen. And if you’ll take some time to read the whole thing, I think you’ll say “thank you” to Karen as well.
Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People | Comments (2)
Posted May 22, 2007 by Bob
According to my server logs, quite a number you dear readers, are located in Canada. Since I’d hate to leave you “out in the cold” as it were (ahem), here are some study opportunities coming to various cities across Canada. All of these are classes offered by the brilliant Debbie Munro.
MIC & ME Voice Workout – $375.00 (full weekend) or $225.00 one day only. All levels of experience.
Work for two intense days on mic. Be directed as you work on a variety of current scripts. Tips, tricks and amazing stories throughout.
Toronto – June 9/10, 2007 (NOTE: Check this post on the Vox Daily blog for more about this event.)
London UK – June 16/17, 2007 (see info sheet for prices)
Calgary – August 25/26, 2007
Regina – September 8/9, 2007
Saskatoon – October 6/7, 2007
MIC & ME Voice Biz – $375.00 (full weekend) or $225.00 one day only. All levels of experience.
Learn all about the business for day one, time on mic and basic editing day 2. Perform an actual audition as I direct you, then you edit it and submit it yourself.
Vancouver – Sept 22/23, 2007 10-5 p.m.
Calgary – TBD Fall 2007
Edmonton – TBD Fall 2007
As far as I know, the prices quoted are Canadian dollars. But, to be sure check Debbie Munro’s website for all the latest updates and details.
Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 20, 2007 by Bob
Stephanie Ciccarelli has been an invaluable resource of information that she gathered during the VOICE 2007 conference in Las Vegas. She’d posted a conversation she had with some folks who were there representing AFTRA.
UPDATE: Stephanie emailed today to me to let me know that AFTRA has requested that she remove the article from Vox Daily, which she has done.
Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)
Posted May 19, 2007 by Bob
My deepest thanks to Stephanie and the crew with VOX Talk, the voiceover podcast from Voices.com. They’ve highlighted our planned meet-up in Winston-Salem on their VOX Talk #29. And we hope you see you at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 23rd. Details are posted just a bit further into this blog. And if you know anyone else living and voiceovering in North Carolina, please pass the word.
Category: Blogging, General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 18, 2007 by Bob
If you live within driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA you should seriously think about attending a special Panel Discussion about Voiceover that’s taking place on Wednesday, May 23rd. Details are available on the VoiceChaser’s discussion board. My thanks to Kristy Sproul for posting this notice.
Among the folks who will be speaking are my agent, Stephen Black (The Talent Group in Pittsburgh) and my friend Rob Deaner, founder of Market Street Sound recording studio in Pittsburgh. 8 of the best years of my life were spent in Pittsburgh. I sure wish I could be there on Wednesday.
Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (4)
Posted May 17, 2007 by Bob
I’m always looking for other folks who blog about voiceover so I can add them to my blogroll. (In case you can’t tell my goal, at least for that part of my blogroll, is to have as complete and comprehensive a list of folks blogging about voiceover as humanly possible.)
Anyway, I ran across a voiceover blog written by Steve Matthews a short while ago. As I was digging through the archives there, I noted this wonderful post he titled “It’s Only Important to a Small Circle of Friends.” Take a couple of minutes to read the whole thing. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Category: General | Comments (4)
Posted by Bob
On Tara’s MySpace blog, she’s posted this YouTube video.
On her post about this video Tara says…
“At different times we are all of the girls! Cree and I are most of the solos. The opening is Crystal Scales and then she does chorus and speaking. The rest of the solos are divided between Cree and I sometimes mid-sentence!
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 16, 2007 by Bob
Short and sweet thoughts from the mind of Philip Banks, posted with his permission, from the VO-BB.com…
Never make a sacrifice but be prepared to invest in yourself.
Before you ask someone else what they think you should do see how long they take deciding “Soup or shrimps?”
Don’t ask if they like your demo, ask them to refer you to someone with work.
Ask your coach about their most recent VO job. If it’s more than a week ago make sure more than a week goes by before you get another coaching session from them.
Job offers should be assessed based on whether they make financial sense or not – Like or dislike has nothing to do with it.
Talk to the big hitters, the REAL big hitters – They’ll give you time.
Is what you’re seeking within your reach? Raise your game and learn to jump.
Wanting to be a Voice Over is not enough – You HAVE to be a Voice Over.
The only feedback worth believing reads as follows – “Payment of invoice No ….”
Is my set up good enough? When switched on does it give a clean feed from the client’s bank account to yours? If so, then it’s just fine.
I would offer only this alternative thought regarding one’s voiceover coach, “Ask your voiceover coach about the recent work of his or her students.” (i.e.: John Wooden was never close to the level of basketball player as were those whom he coached, but his record as to whether he was a great coach or not, isn’t subject to question. Being a great coach doesn’t always require being a great performer.)
Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (2)
Posted by Bob
For those just getting started, or for that matter anyone doing voiceover work who doesn’t want to spend money needlessly, Audacity is a remarkably powerful audio editor that is programmed under the Open Source model. Which means it’s free. Even better, there are versions that run under Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. So, no matter which major OS you’re using, this editor is available to you.
My friend Bill Mecca created a tutorial about using Audacity, which he has helpfully posted on YouTube.
Category: General, Tools | Comments (2)
Posted May 15, 2007 by Bob
Freedom Radio is a small network of stations broadcasting to the military stationed in that Middle Eastern country, officially a part of the AFRTS. It started almost 4 years ago (October 2003) through the efforts of Chris Eder and 4 of his buddies. The lugged all the equipment needed to run a radio and television station from Ramstein Airbase in Germany all the way to Iraq. Chris contacted me a few days ago to ask if I would help out with a few voiceover pieces he was using for a 36 hour special countdown of “The Greatest Rock Songs of All Time” for Memorial Day.
I said “yes” and recorded several scripts that he sent me right away. He got in touch with me originally through the recommendation of my friend Charlie Glaize, and so asked if I knew anyone else who might be willing to help. Needless to say, I posted his request on the VO-BB and as I expected, a bunch of my friends and colleagues there stepped up to the plate immediately. Now, we’re getting all of the pieces Chris needs recorded and delivered back to him so that he can assemble his special show in time to get it on the air by the end of the month.
If you’d like to know a bit more about Chris, I’ve added his blog to my blogroll on the left under Other Blogs. As you’ll see if you check out this post, Chris really knows how to find publicity. Good for you, Chris. I’m honored and grateful to have even a small part of what you’re doing. Thank you and God bless you.
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted May 14, 2007 by Bob
We’re having a get-together of all voiceover talent (all levels of experience are welcome) in Winston-Salem, NC on Saturday, June 23, 2007. We’ll gather at around 11:00 AM at the Village Tavern Restaurant for lunch (separate checks!) and then make our way a short drive down to the AMF lanes for a spot of bowling.
I sure hope you’re able to be there. But, and these are important details, we’re limiting the invitation to VO folks only. When we do this again, we’ll look at bringing along spouses and families, but this time it’s just us, please. Also, we need to let the restaurant and the bowling alley have some idea of how many are coming.
So, please, email my good friend Donovan Corneetz with a quick message indicating that you’re planning to join us. Don’t worry if at the last minute you can’t make it or if you’re reading this on June 22nd. We’ll have enough flexibility to deal with whatever comes up. So, what you may ask, is Donovan’s email address?
success [at] doncopro.com
I’m so much looking forward to either seeing you again, if we’ve already met; or meeting you in person for the first time. And if you’re a member of the VO-BB.com, you can read more about how all this came together, here.
Update: My deepest thanks to my friends Brian Haymond and Kara Edwards for joining me in the effort to get the word out to our fellow voiceover professionals in North Carolina.
Category: General | Comments (10)
Posted May 13, 2007 by Bob
Her name is Kathryn Beaumont, and if you don’t recognize her name, you probably do know her voice; especially if you have children. My thanks to my friend Mary McKitrick for posting a link to Kathryn’s site on the VO-BB.
And when you’re done checking out that site, if you have a few moments to spare for a bit of creative license, check out this audio file from Harlan Hogan’s site. With thanks to my friend Greg Littlefield for posting this link on the VO-BB.
Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Posted by Bob
My friend Bobbin Beam and her husband are replacing her small voiceover corner with a built it yourself booth. I’ve been remiss about posting updates here. Bobbin has some photos of the progress in this update post. And a bit about the cumulative costs in her second update post.
This looks like a really cost effective alternative to a pre-fab booth, especially for those who have at least some skill with hammer and saw. I look forward to more updates shortly, Bobbin.
By the way, you’ll find the plans for this do-it-yourself-booth, here.
Category: General, People, Tools | Comments (2)
Posted May 12, 2007 by Bob
There’s a roundup of suggestions on how to stay hydrated as you work in your voiceover studio at Vox Daily. Good stuff.
Category: Career Advice, General, Tools | Comments (0)
Posted May 11, 2007 by Bob
Another voiceover blog I frequent is written by Kara Edwards. Her post Three Tiny Steps is well worth your time.
Category: Career Advice, General, People | Comments (0)
