December » 2008 » The Voiceover Boblog

Voices That Motivate, Edition #3

Posted December 15, 2008 by Bob

The Voices That Motivate blog carnival edition 3 is now live. Thanks to Doc Philips for organizing and hosting this fine collection of articles that should be of interest to anyone who wishes to dig into voiceover work further.

Category: General | Comments (0)
Focus on the valuable

Posted by Bob

Tom Asacker’s latest blog post highlights real value in the context of marketing communications. The application of what he has to say applies to pretty much ever business category and every size organization, but there is much of value for us small business types.

I especially like this point.

People are rapidly adopting technologies, routines and mindsets that remove commercial messages from their visual and cognitive views.

Just “getting your name out there” has become essentially meaningless. Read the whole piece for some thoughts about how to move forward in this new world.

Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)
Rodney Saulsberry’s new album

Posted December 14, 2008 by Bob

Rodney has posted a YouTube video with a bit of a preview of his new music recording.

The album is called Better Than Before.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
A trip to Boston, next morning

Posted by Bob

As I mentioned yesterday, we had a great time with whole group of 9 of us who meet up Saturday afternoon. But there were a few folks who wanted to be there and couldn’t because of schedule conflicts or other circumstances. Two of those guys were able to join me for breakfast this morning, Steve Anthony and Jeff Berlin.

This has been just a wonderful visit to New England, my first since 1992. I look forward to a return trip, maybe bringing my family with me next time. My thanks again to everyone who went out of their way to join our get-togethers and for those who were not there, for coming along on the trip virtually.

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A Trip to Boston

Posted December 13, 2008 by Bob

Any time I get to visit with some of my voiceover friends is a good time. And I must say today was an exceptionally fine example of what I mean. I needed one more flight this year to make sure I kept my preferred status on US Airways and I was able to find an amazingly inexpensive ticket to and from Boston for this weekend. So I put the word out among my friends on the VO-BB that I would be coming up that direction. People came from far and wide across New England for our meet-up at the S&S Deli in Cambridge today.

From left to right, Don Goonan, Greg Littlefield, Mandy Nelson, CC Petersen, DB Cooper, me, Chris Fadala, Chris’ daughter Delana and Lee Gordon on December 13, 2008.

Greg wins the prize for the longest journey, traveling over 4 hours each way to make our little visit. (While it’s true that I came from North Carolina, I flew which took almost no effort on my part so that doesn’t really count. Besides this is my blog, I get to pick the winners here.)

In truth we were all winners because we all had a great time. As you might imagine in a group of this size, there were times when we all spoke in little clusters and other times where we had one big conversation around the whole table.

I wasn’t the only one with a camera.

DB Cooper brought her exceptionally nice camera. And Mandy Nelson had her Nikon at the ready as well.

Before we left I snapped this quick shot of DB Cooper and me.

It was a great joy to meet a number of voiceover friends in person for the first time, and to see DB again. It was truly a great delight to get to spend some time with each one who was there today.

(update: edited to fix typos)

Category: General | Comments (6)
And that has made all the difference

Posted December 12, 2008 by Bob

Tom Asacker posts a YouTube video that I found quite interesting. I hope you will too.

One immediate application for the voiceover world? Sometimes the best way to read a script isn’t the obvious choice. What are your thoughts? Comments are, as always, open.

Category: General | Comments (4)
A Google group for Voice Actors

Posted by Bob

Speaking of my friend Dave Courvoisier, he’s started a Google Group for voice actors.

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A newsman interviews

Posted December 11, 2008 by Bob

Dave Courvoisier is not only a very talented voice actor, he’s also a television news anchor in Las Vegas, NV. On his voiceover blog he has an extensive interview with voice actor, coach and soon-to-be operator of an on-line casting service … Michael Minetree.

(Update: My thanks to my friend Brian Haymond for posting the link to this article.)

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Peace and the home studio

Posted by Bob

My friend Anthony Mendez blogs about his voiceover journey and especially some of the changes he’s had to make now that he has his studio at home. Good stuff, Anthony. Thanks for taking us along on your journey.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
The home of a voice actor

Posted December 10, 2008 by Bob

My friend and mentor Philip Banks has posted something on YouTube that, if you can get past the cheesy music, provides a view of the home of his voiceover career.

Having been to Portgordon, Scotland to visit Mr. Banks, it was personally delightful to see this video; but I don’t know if anyone else is going to enjoy it or not.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Spotlight on Caryn Clark

Posted by Bob

You’ll find a very nice review of my friend Caryn Clark’s site and branding as well as an interview with her at the Minewurx Echos blog. In the interview portion in particular, there’s a gold mine of valuable insights about identifying, honing and implementing the core elements of her branding. Really good stuff and well worth a few minutes of your time.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
The maggot as hero?

Posted December 9, 2008 by Bob

Tom Asacker holds up the humble maggot for some praise in his latest blog post. But that’s not the specific reason you should read the post. You should read it because there’s a real risk you’re facing right now in your business, one that you may well not recognize. And it’s the connection between that risk and maggots that pushes me to link to Tom’s blog today.

Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)
A Break Into Voice Over sale

Posted by Bob

Nancy and Anna email today with news that they’ve put the entire Break Into Voice Over MP3 library on sale. Details are available at their site, but only through the holidays so pull the trigger before the end of the year.

Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (0)
Studying with Marice in Portland, day 2

Posted December 8, 2008 by Bob

It was another incandescent day of study with Marice Tobias on Sunday. We worked today on promo copy, which is always something of a challenge for me. I’m not sure why I find commercial, narration and trailer to somehow sit comfortably, but promo always pushes me to a new and often at least somewhat uncomfortable place. Of course, part of the point of taking a weekend of study like this is to push into uncomfortable territory because there’s so much of value to learn there.

I neglected to mention that this weekend was organized under the watchful eye of Stacey Stahl, owner of In Both Ears, whom I’m grateful to have as one of my agents. Stacey is as sharp and bright a lady as I’ve ever had opportunity to encounter and everything she organizes just works. I think the world of her and I am truly grateful to be on the roster of her agency.

As I mentioned yesterday, we’ve been at Sonic Media Studios in Portland. They’re in a lovely building in Northwest Portland.

This is the entrance to Sonic Media Studios in Portland was we walk in to the building after lunch on Sunday, Mark Barbolak is looking back at me while Aaron Thomas, John McCalmont and Diane Maggipinto walk in the door.

After our day of study and play wrapped up, Marice took at shot of the whole class standing in front of the laughing Buddha that is in the lobby of Sonic Media Studios.

I find it amazingly energizing and uplifting to hang out with such talented people for a weekend. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to connect and learn from each one.

And in this case, we weren’t done because 3 Portland area voice actors joined me for dinner Sunday evening.

Sam A. Mowry, me, Todd Tolces and Linda Bard as we wrapped up our dinner together on Sunday evening.

Category: General, People | Comments (2)
Studying with Marice in Portland

Posted December 7, 2008 by Bob

I’m in Portland, Oregon this weekend for another workshop with Marice Tobias. Like each of the previous weekends I’ve done with Marice, it’s an amazing experience. Each one has given me new insights, helping me raise my voiceover work to another level.

We’re working this time at Sonic Media Studios, a very nice facility in Portland.

One of my new friends is John McCalmont, a guy with a ton of talent.

Studying with tremendously talented people like John, Doug Medlock and Diane Maggipinto is part of what makes these weekends with Marice so remarkable. Everyone is there to encourage one another and everyone brings their A game. Speaking of Diane, she had a interesting idea about how we should stand for our photo.

It has been so nice to see Diane and meet her husband Brian this weekend. Seeing old friends and making new ones is very near the top of the reasons I enjoying making trips like this. I’ll post more tomorrow, after our second day of play is finished.

(edited to fix typos and add link)

Category: General, People | Comments (4)
Jeff is seriously cool

Posted December 6, 2008 by Bob

My friend Jeff McNeal has posted a truly wonderful video on Voiceover Universe.

Find more videos like this on voiceover universe presents…

Great stuff, Jeff.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
It is a small world

Posted December 5, 2008 by Bob

Check out the post on Vox Daily about what a small world we occupy in the voiceover community. Great fun and I especially loved Kara Edwards’ comment. What a great story. (You’ll have to click through to read it for yourself.)

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Behind the numbers

Posted by Bob

A few days ago John Florian published the results of a survey of voice actors on how their business is doing in the current economy. Today he publishes the comments behind those numbers in part 2 of his voiceover business survey. He’s calling this part 172 Ways Voice Actors are Coping With Today’s Economic Conditions. Lots of interesting thoughts and comments that reveal a wide variety of reactions. From determination to concern and back again. I think it’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

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One day workshops with Marc Cashman announced

Posted by Bob

Marc Cashman emails with details about a number of one-day voiceover workshops he’s planning for 2009.

———————————————-
In response to overwhelming demand, and in an on-going effort to “raise the bar” in V-O instruction, I’m scheduling a series of exciting, but rigorous one-day workshops in specialty areas of voice-over.

In the past, in addition to my practical, foundation-building course structure, I’ve brought in top voice talent as guest directors to give students challenging exercises that will prepare them for the real world of voice work. But starting in 2009, I’ll be inviting the top directors and producers in the U.S. in various fields of voiceover to participate in my workshops. These people will share their insight and expertise, and students who sign up for these workshops will be performing in front of decision-makers—people who are in a position to actually cast and hire talent.

My special guests will be owners/producers/directors of award-winning production companies in various specialty areas: videogames, audiobooks, animation production and commercials. I’ll also be inviting other top experts to share their advice, tips and techniques in areas outside of performance—areas like the business of voiceover: promotion, packaging and publicity, as well as the technical areas of home studio installation and recording.

Some of these workshops will be limited to advanced students and part-time and full-time professional voice talent (and only ten per event). Other workshops will be open to Beginning and Intermediate students. All workshops will provide breakfast, lunch and snacks, and run from 10AM to 6PM.

-Videogame Workshop – Jan. 17th, 2009

-V-O Demo Prep Workshop – Jan. 24th, 2009

-Audiobook Workshop – date to be announced

-The Business of V-O Workshop – date to be announced

-Home V-O Recording Workshop – date to be announced

-V-O Narration Workshop – date to be announced

-The Art of Dialogue Workshop: Timing, Comedy, Drama, Characters – date to be announced

-The Art of Retail Workshop: Proven Approaches to Effective Delivery – date to be announced

————————————————–

If you had a chance to see Marc at VOICE 2008 you all ready know he’s both very insightful and very funny. And while I have not studied with Marc personally, several of my friends have and they all sing his praises. You’ll find Marc’s contact information on his website.

Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People | Comments (0)
A day in the life

Posted by Bob

On the SAG website you’ll find an interesting video called Day in the Life of a Voice Actor. My thanks to my friend Dan Nachtrab for posting the link to this video on the VO-BB.

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A monkey’s uncle?

Posted December 4, 2008 by Bob

My friend Rowell Gormon has a couple of charming videos featured in his latest blog post. Enjoy!

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New SAG video

Posted by Bob

There’s a new video about the upcoming strike authorization vote by SAG membership on the SAG site. If you’re a member of SAG, you might to watch. For that matter, even if you’re not a member of SAG, it’s worth your time.

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Audio tutorial on EQ

Posted by Bob

Equalization is a vitally important audio tool, but one best applied with subtlety. AudioTuts has an excellent tutorial on EQ called 8 Easy Steps to Better EQ that’s well worth your time regardless of whether you do music or just a bit of production now and then.

Category: General, Tools | Comments (0)
If you’ve been thinking about getting one of Pat Fraley’s instructional CDs

Posted by Bob

Now is the time to visit Pat Fraley’s on-line store. He has a special holiday bundle of some of his best animation and cartoon voice tricks. And loads of other special deals as well. Check out the special holiday sale page on his site.

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Actor’s Tool Kit #21

Posted December 3, 2008 by Bob

WHAT ABOUT TALENT?

by Bob Fraser

I recently got a letter from a young actor in Kentucky. She told me that an agent in Atlanta had said that she was definitely cut out to be an actor. That she had “the look.”

But that she would need classes and pictures which the “agency” would provide – for a fee. Then, a friend of hers, who has been acting “for years” told her that she wasn’t very talented and that without talent she would waste a lot of time and money chasing after a dream. That talent was the main component of successful actors.

This young actor got two pieces of bad advice.

The first piece of advice was from a scammer (IMHO). The second was mean spirited, uninformed and just plain wrong.

Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary defines ‘talent’ thusly: 1. a gift committed to one’s trust to use and improve; from the parable of the talents, in St. Matthew; hence any natural faculty, ability or power. 2. a special, superior ability in an art, mechanics, learning, etc.

While I agree in theory with Webster – there is a common misconception among some ‘helpful’ agents, teachers, and talent managers that somehow there exists a “natural” actor gene – or in Webster’s definition “a special superior ability.”

Since most human beings act — behaving, emoting, reacting, listening and slipping in and out of attitudes every day (all skills of a professional actor) — why is it that these “special superior abilities” are rarely quantified nor explained?

The idea that some people should just forget it because they aren’t talented or that others should go ahead because they have “the look” — needs to be dispelled by those of us who know the truth about what it takes to have a professional career.

I never address the question of whether someone is cut out for the business of acting because I have learned through long hard experience that I don’t know who is and who isn’t going to succeed. I don’t really believe that anyone can say. There are just too many variables.

As William Goldman put it, “Nobody knows.”

This much I do know, I have seen actors who were clearly ‘talented’ end up teaching second grade and people with little or no discernible ability, go right to the top.

Telling a young (or even not so young) actor that it’s all about “talent” or “looks” is not only not correct, it’s not very kind.

When I first decided I wanted to be an actor, I couldn’t act a lick.And I’m far from a babe magnet. But I’ve made millions in this business.

My point is simply this: Any “reason” to go ahead or give up should be questioned thoroughly – from all angles.

Common sense tells us that if acting were all “natural” ability there would be no need of acting teachers, coaches or “acting tracks” at colleges.

Of course, acting is not an easy business. It is more difficult than most professions because it sometimes takes years to establish a career. But the gap between ‘talented’ and ‘not talented’ is so slim as to be indiscernible — that’s a fact.

As everyone knows, who reads my stuff, I try to make it very plain that this is really hard work. Few achieve stardom. More actors can achieve a career, but it is still a small percentage of those who think they’d like to act. Not all of the successful actors on screen and stage are “natural talents” or good looking. Some are just better at the business part or they manage to stay at it longer than others.

As I point out in my book, there are specific steps you must take to have any hope of success. And the first step is to rid yourself of all the “walls” you build up — or allow others to build – that keep you away from your dreams.

As with all dreams (whether it be sports, music, architecture, medicine, poetry, dance or having the biggest ball of string in the world) it won’t become real without action on your part. If you believe that there are “reasons” you will or won’t succeed, you won’t do what needs to be done.

That’s why — You Must Act!

Don’t accept “reasons” to pursue or give up your dream without a complete “investigation” into whether those “reasons” are real or someone else’s illusion of reality.

The truth is: REALITY IS NOT OPTIONAL.

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“Reprinted from ACTOR’S TOOL KIT, the email course just for subscribers of Show Biz How-To — The Free Actor’s Monthly. Get your own free subscription by going to: showbizhowto.com
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Scott Brick’s A Christmas Carol on CD

Posted by Bob

Scott Brick’s audiobook version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” is now available from his on-line store on CD. If you’d rather download it as an MP3 file, you can do that too.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Positioning and voiceover

Posted by Bob

My friend Michael Minetree has published a superb article on his blog about positioning oneself for success. The article is called Positioning for Voice Over Success – Are you ready when opportunity knocks? I think you’ll find it well worth a few minutes of your time.

Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (0)
All that stuff

Posted December 2, 2008 by Bob

My friend Kristine Oller is amazingly gifted at organization. (Need proof? Check out this article in her newsletter archives.) While you’re looking through her newsletter archives, don’t miss this superb article about all the stuff in your life and how to become a steward of your stuff rather than your stuff owning you. You’ll also find valuable suggestions for organizging your career and work on Kristine’s blog.

Category: General, People | Comments (0)
Stressed?

Posted by Bob

Tom Asacker is a very bright man with insights into lots of aspects of life, not just marketing. On his blog he features a re-post of one of his best from the last few years, some superb insights into how to truly deal with the stress we all encounter.

Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)
How is business?

Posted by Bob

John Florian has published the results of the VoiceOverXtra survey of your peers regarding volume of work and income. This survey was conducted online in October of 2008 and is based on responses from 204 voice actors, with no correlation kept between the answers and the respondents.

A couple of things I thought were interesting. Just about exactly half of the voice actors responding have been at their craft for 10 years or more, more than half work at voice acting full-time and 60% are non-union with another 8% who are dues-paying non-members (Financial Core).

Category: General | Comments (2)

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