1. Spotlight on Amy

    Posted June 30, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Amy Snively does a lovely job with the narration for this HP video.

    You can find a bit more information about Amy’s narration work for this video on her blog.

    Category: General, People | Comments (2)

  2. Weaknesses and strengths

    Posted June 29, 2010 by Bob

    There are lots of folks who think that voiceover work is all about the voice. Sure, there’s an element of truth in that idea. When we audition, many times the final choice the client makes is based on whose voice most closely matches what they’re looking for; but be careful how far you carry this idea.

    To think that a specific kind of voice is the “perfect” voice for our work is just silly. People with all sorts of voices are doing well. Small voices. Big voices. Deep voices. High voices. Smooth voices. Squeaky voices. Voices that rasp. Voices that sparkle. When I meet someone new, someone who isn’t involved in voiceover work, he or she will often say “you have a perfect voice for that kind of work.” Which is really nice, but not really true. In fact, with the kinds of things I see on many auditions these days, mine is exactly the opposite of the kind of voice they’re looking for.

    It happened just the other day when I went to the first audition I’d done outside my home studio in 9 years. The director at the audition session said “Nice voice, but you sound kind of announcer-ish. Can you be more conversational?” I did my best, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t exactly what they were looking for, especially since I didn’t book the job.

    However, as with most things, there’s good news with the bad. Sure, lots of people aren’t looking for my voice, but some people are. Enough people are. (And really, I couldn’t do all the voiceover work in the entire world. I don’t know all the languages. And again even if I did, I’d never get any sleep.)

    I love working with every one of my clients. I love telling their stories. Some are short. Some are long. Some pay lots of money. Some pay less. But every one is fulfilling and interesting and I can hardly believe I get to do this work for people. It’s so much better than working for a living. If you are one of my clients, please know that I’m not kidding when I say I love working for you. And I love hearing from you, including the times (as just happened the other day) when you have to tell me your clients went with someone else. That’s all right. We’ll work on something else, soon enough.

    And if you’re a voiceover talent reading this, then know that even though you’re not right for every job, you will be right for some of them. Enough of them. If you need more training to be right for enough to make a living, then get more training. If you just need to practice more to get to that level, then practice more. Keep pushing forward, one little bit at a time, every day. You’ll get there.

    And remember, it’s not about your voice, it’s about the story your client needs you to tell. Keep your focus on the story, on what your client needs. The rest will take care of itself.

    Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (11)

  3. Do you love voiceover work?

    Posted June 28, 2010 by Bob

    Mahmoud Taji asks the question “Why Do You Love Voiceover?” on his blog today.

    Category: General | Comments (2)

  4. A clear-eyed look at self-promotion

    Posted June 27, 2010 by Bob

    Ben Hopkin, who I just met via Twitter, gives a solid and clear-eyed look at marketing and self-promotion on his blog. Good stuff, Ben.

    Category: General | Comments (3)

  5. Doors and windows and …

    Posted by Bob

    When I wrote the other day about Anxiety and progress, I had no idea it would resonate with so many people. I was just writing out of my own experience and about some of the things I can see now, looking back with the benefit of clarity that hindsight almost always brings.

    The other thing I didn’t anticipate was my own reaction to that walk down memory lane. You see, I’m tempted to think back with regret about those missed doors of opportunity; but in fact the more I think about it, the more I realize that all of my life’s experiences have led me to the place I am today and that not one moment of that time has been wasted by God has he has shaped my life and guided my path.

    So, I don’t feel regret as I look back. I feel grateful. So many friends, and even a few strangers, have been kind and gracious to me that I can’t begin to count them all. And each one of those moments of graciousness and generosity has helped me, shaped me, moved me forward.

    There are even a few examples where someone thought they weren’t doing me any kindness, yet, that’s how it turned out. Being fired one Friday afternoon in December 1979 led indirectly to my start in voiceover. A summer lunch a couple of years later that I missed out on because I was on the air led directly to my start in voiceover. Being replaced as the host of a national Christian music countdown show in February of 1996 turned out to be one of the keys that led eventually to my working full-time exclusively in voiceover. Another step on that path took place when I was passed over for a promotion in 2003.

    You see, kindness is sometimes not in the specific thing that was done or not done, it’s in what you make of the thing. I look at each of those moments I’ve just mentioned and I see how valuable that specific experience turned out to be. In each case, I didn’t feel good about the situation as it was happening, but at the same time I also never lost faith that I was making progress.

    The explicit kindnesses far outnumber of hidden kindnesses, but intended or not, each one was important for its own reason. I imagine you can see the same kinds of things in your life. I’d love to hear about your journey. Comments are open.

    Category: General, History | Comments (9)

  6. One man’s answer …

    Posted June 26, 2010 by Bob

    Or, how my friend Rowell Gormon draws inspiration from silver screen legend Sydney Greenstreet. At least that’s how I would characterize Rowell’s latest blog post, an insightful trip through some of his own journey in the world of voiceover. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

    Category: General, People | Comments (0)

  7. If you’re thinking about, do it

    Posted June 24, 2010 by Bob

    The Actor’s Library, a wonderful resource born from the creative genius of Kristine Oller, is now open for business. It’s a fabulous resource for anyone in the entertainment business, including us in voiceover. And Kristine is giving a substantial discount to those who join these first several days that the virtual doors are open. So, if you’re thinking about joining The Actor’s Library, be sure you do it before Midnight (Eastern) tomorrow (Friday, 25th of June, 2010).

    By the way, I get no commissions or any other kind of compensation for sending you Kristine’s way; just the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve helped you make a giant leap forward in your own progress. How do I know that? Because I’ve been in Kristine’s orbit since 2006. I know what hanging around her will do to help you.

    Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)

  8. Something new from Marice

    Posted June 23, 2010 by Bob

    Marice Tobias, with whom I have been studying for the last 3 years, has just launched her new website. Stunning and spot on. And very exciting to me, she has a blog, too!

    Category: General, People | Comments (3)

  9. Anxiety and progress

    Posted by Bob

    Fear can be a good thing. It can help you avoid situations that are truly harmful, keeping you away from the edge of the cliff. But anxiety, groundless fears about what “might” happen, is never good.

    Is it always right to jump at an opportunity with both feet? Obviously not. Sometimes the risks really aren’t worth the potential rewards. The way the economy has been the last couple of years has frightened a lot of people. Some of my very good friends have been kicked to the curb by companies for which they productively worked for years. But, this can be a great time to start something new, especially if you have nothing left to lose.

    Looking back at the 26 years it took me to go from my first professional voiceover job to full-time voiceover talent, I can clearly see there were 4 wide-open doors of opportunity that I didn’t take. There’s no way for me to wind back the clock and take the other path, so I can’t know for certain how things would have turned out if I’d gone the other way. But I can, with 20-20 hindsight, see those doors even though at the time they weren’t always clear.

    The first was in 1988. I had actually been working solo as a voiceover for a year at that point while caring for my first wife, Kathy, as she was losing her battle with cancer. But when I was offered a job a few months after her death I took it rather than continuing to just do the voiceover thing. I had a daughter to raise and provide for and my mindset at the time was that I needed something more stable and predictable.

    The second was right at the end of 1993. This was one of the doors that I didn’t see at the time. The network for which I was working had just been sold to a new corporate owner. This new corporation was about to offer me a very nice option to freelance for them, continuing to host 2 weekly music programs. Within 2 months I would have replaced virtually all of my full-time network income. And there were many opportunities on the horizon that would have allowed me to grow my business. One of my very best friends, Charlie Glaize, strongly encouraged me to take the voiceover path. Even with all that I didn’t see the door of opportunity for what it was and instead took the first job offer that came my way.

    However, here’s where it gets a little complicated because having taken that job offer (in Pittsburgh) I ended up meeting some of my very best friends, working with The Talent Group, and working for the best boss I ever had. (Update: Second best, now that I’m working for myself.) Had I taken the voiceover path back then, I would have missed all of those wonderful relationships.

    The third was in 1999. Things had really taken off with my voiceover business and I was making quite a bit more doing voiceovers than I was from the radio station where I was working. This time, I could see the door clearly. But, as I noted above, I had a great boss. He and I talked at length about things. He suggested caution. “Take another year,” he said, “and see how things go. If they continue to grow, you can always make this move then. If they don’t, you’ll be glad you stayed with something more stable.” It was prudent advice as it turned out because the strike of 2000 put a big dent in my voiceover business.

    The fourth and final missed opportunity was in 2003. I had gone to work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 2001 in part because my wife Cinda and I had been looking for years for an opportunity to live close to family and pretty much everyone in my family still lived in Minnesota where the Association was headquartered. But then, 2 weeks after I started, they announced they would be relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina. The time for the move to North Carolina came in 2003. I had an option to take a severance package and stay in Minnesota or move to North Carolina and continue to work for the Association. Here again, I could see the opportunity clearly but I was also very cautious. My time in Minnesota hadn’t yielded any new voiceover clients there. And my business was still recovering from the double hits of the strike in 2000 and the move to a new city the following year. Here again, there were a number of wonderful learning and relationship opportunities I would have missed if I hadn’t taken the path I did.

    I started this long screed talking about fear and anxiety. Looking back, I can see clearly that more than once I allowed my anxieties about what might happen to overwhelm me and push me along a path away from my dreams. Of course, sometimes my caution turned out to be well founded. And in every case, there were significant benefits to taking the path I did.

    No doubt, your journey is unfolding with a few bumps and turns you didn’t anticipate; but it’s your journey. Each path is unique. Mine certainly was. If your dream isn’t worth pursuing, change direction. Find one that is. Once you find the dream that is worth it, keep moving toward it. You’ll get there. It might take you 26 years like mine did, but I hope it’s a lot less.

    Category: General, History | Comments (14)

  10. The Actor’s Library is now open

    Posted June 22, 2010 by Bob

    My friend and mentor Kristine Oller has created The Actor’s Library for people like us, folks who are who are working toward the goal or are actively living their dreams as a performer. The doors officially opened just a couple of minutes ago. Stop over and Kristine will take you on a tour of the place.

    Category: Career Advice, General | Comments (0)

  11. Spotlight on Trish and Tom

    Posted June 21, 2010 by Bob

    My friends Trish Basanyi and Tom Dheere are the featured voices in this spot about dealing with Cyber Bullying.

    Nice work, Trish and Tom.

    Category: General, People | Comments (1)

  12. Happy Father’s Day

    Posted June 20, 2010 by Bob

    I like all kinds of music from classical to country. In this case, the song is in the latter category; but the reason I’m posting it today should be obvious.

    I love being a Dad. I’m not perfect, not by a long shot; but along with my wife Cinda, my four children are among the greatest blessings God has given me.

    Happy Father’s Day!

    Category: General | Comments (2)

  13. Don’t minor on the Majors

    Posted June 19, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Pam Tierney offers some thoughts about growth as a performer on her blog today. Whether you like sport analogies or not, she makes some very salient points.

    Category: General | Comments (0)

  14. Clues and cues

    Posted June 18, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Rowell Gormon observes someone being observant. A good read!

    Category: General | Comments (0)

  15. Spotlight on Tom

    Posted by Bob

    Tom Kane is featured in an extended interview that’s filled with lots of wonderful insights.

    My thanks to my friend Dan Nachtrab for emailing me the link to this wonderful video.

    Category: General, People | Comments (8)

  16. Advice from Philip Banks

    Posted June 17, 2010 by Bob

    My friend and mentor Philip Banks doesn’t post on his blog very often, but there’s a bit of advice for every voiceover talent freshly posted there today.

    Category: General | Comments (3)

  17. Quote of the week

    Posted June 16, 2010 by Bob

    Sunday is Father’s Day, at least it is here in North America. Growing up in Minnesota as I did, one of my favorite players with the Twins baseball team was Harmon Killebrew. Here’s a quote from him that fits this weekend to a “t.”

    My father used to play with my brother and me the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You’re tearing up the grass.” “We’re not raising grass,” Dad would reply. “We’re raising boys.”

    – Harmon Killebrew

    Category: General | Comments (5)

  18. Making room

    Posted June 15, 2010 by Bob

    My friend and mentor Kristine Oller has been mentioned a number of times here. Every time it’s because she’s written or done something well worth your time. Today she republished an article that is going to take you several minutes to read, but truly is worth every one of those minutes. Especially if you are serious about pursuing your dream of working in voiceover.

    Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (2)

  19. Salmon, meet bear

    Posted June 14, 2010 by Bob

    If you were at VOICE2010, I hope you didn’t miss the first General Session with Pat Fraley and Brad Garrett called “How to Throw a Salmon to The Bear.” It was a brilliant demonstration of comedy and voiceover. If you didn’t make it to VOICE, you might want to think seriously about visiting Pat’s web site to get a copy of his new Audio CD and Companion Workbook. By the way, I’m not getting a commission if you buy one of these from Pat. I just think you should know about it.

    Category: General | Comments (0)

  20. There is no map

    Posted June 13, 2010 by Bob

    Or perhaps more to the point, there is no single map everyone can follow to get to a successful voiceover business. You could do everything I’ve done for the last 27 years and you might be wildly more successful than me, or you might bomb completely. But since you can’t transport yourself back 27 years into the past, you can’t follow my exact path. The same is true for every other success you know in voiceover.

    There are foundational things. Like getting the training you need to operate at a professional level. Making sure your demos are first class. Always being on time. Always performing at your highest level. But, there’s no map.

    Now, you can take this news one of two ways, and here’s part of what I promised when I said I was going to write more about anxiety and fear. You see, I allowed my own anxieties and “what if” fears to keep me from moving forward full speed many times during those last 27 years. If you’re inclined in that same direction, that not having a map is bad news. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could just take a class, or a series of classes, learn everything you need to know to be successful in voiceover and then just become successful because you do what you learned?

    Actually, I don’t think that would be wonderful at all. That would be like working at a drudge job in a factory. One step, followed by another step. And another. And another. On and on. You see, not having a map means you get to make your own road. You get to draw your own map. I think that’s really good news. I hope you do too.

    Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover | Comments (11)

  21. The Actor’s Library

    Posted June 12, 2010 by Bob

    One of the people I most respect is Kristine Oller. Not only is she brilliantly talented at both physical and business organization, but she’s also a super nice lady. What’s more, she’s always working on something that provides real value to performers, including voiceover people like you and me; which leads me to The Actor’s Library. I’ve signed up. I hope you will, too. I think you’ll be very glad you did.

    Category: Career Advice, General, People | Comments (4)

  22. Quote for the day

    Posted by Bob

    Posted on Facebook by my friend Maxine Dunn:

    “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.”

    –Amelia Earhart, Aviator

    Category: General | Comments (0)

  23. Spotlight on me, for a change

    Posted June 11, 2010 by Bob

    Now and then I find a video posted that I narrated.

    Category: General | Comments (14)

  24. Spotlight on Debbe

    Posted June 10, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Debbe Hirata does such a lovely job with the voiceover on this commercial for The Polyclinic.

    Category: General, People | Comments (0)

  25. A tour of the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab

    Posted June 9, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Peter O’Connell tours the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the SAG Foundation.

    Very cool, Peter. Thank you for taking us along.

    Category: General, People | Comments (1)

  26. I’m sorry for the silence

    Posted by Bob

    It’s been a couple of days and I haven’t posted anything. I know. I could offer all kinds of excuses (VOICE2010 was so overwhelming to me this year I couldn’t get my mind around it, I came home to a mountain of work, etc.) all of which would be true; but none of which mean anything.

    I’m processing what I learned in LA at VOICE, and all the people I met. I will be writing and linking and posting again. I promise. Thank you for being patient.

    I’ll leave you with one additional nugget. I’ve been thinking a lot of late about fear or more exactly about anxiety. About how destructive and unproductive it is. Not just in my life, but in yours too, I would guess.

    More later.

    Category: General | Comments (8)

  27. Added to the blogroll

    Posted June 5, 2010 by Bob

    At VOICE2010, my friends Dave Courvoisier and Terry Daniel presented a ton of excellent material about social media and voiceover. I missed a large chunk of it because I was doing a voiceover session; but what I saw was superb. One thing I was there for was the announcement of a new website called Social Media VO. I’ve just added that site to my blogroll. I hope you’ll visit often.

    Category: Career Advice, General, Getting started in Voiceover, People | Comments (1)

  28. Quote for the day

    Posted June 4, 2010 by Bob

    From my manager and friend Stacey Stahl this morning:

    “The best way out is through.”

    — Robert Frost

    Category: General | Comments (0)

  29. Spotlight on Kara

    Posted June 3, 2010 by Bob

    My friend Kara Edwards supplies the voiceover for this television commercial for the Miami Herald. Note: the upload to YouTube includes the slate tones at the beginning.

    And this one.

    Very nice work, Kara!

    Category: General | Comments (2)

  30. Motivation

    Posted by Bob

    Have you seen Dan Pink’s TED talk about motivation?

    Category: General | Comments (0)

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