Voiceover lessons from Jazz and Philip

Things have been rather quiet on the blog for the last couple of days. I’ve been traveling internationally for the last several days and some of that time has been spent away from Internet connections. I’ll be back to my usual verbose self again in another 24 hours or so.

But, I can’t wait another day to pass along some of the voiceover lessons I learned while I was in Scotland for just over 24 hours earlier this week. I spent my time with my good friend Philip Banks. Philip, along with his wife Ann, were the most gracious of hosts and I had such a wonderfully time with them. Not all of our conversation centered around voiceover work, but since it’s a passion for both Philip and me, the subject did come up a few times.

Also, welcoming me to the home was Jazz.

Jazz is as full of life as any dog I’ve ever encountered, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. He boundless in his energy, but he’s also a wonderfully obedient and caring dog. Boundless enthusiasm for your pursuits is one important lesson I learned from Jazz; regardless of the specifics. If you find the prospect of tackling your next voiceover project is more drudgery than delight, turn to a different pursuit for a while.

Jazz has a favorite toy that he loves to play with. One of his favorite games is to bring the toy over and put in down right next to you. But, when you reach for it to give it a toss, he’s pounce on the toy with his paws or snatch it up with his mouth before you can get to it. I played this game with him for hours the afternoon I arrived. When I would try to ignore him, he’s push the toy even further in my direction so that I couldn’t ignore him. Single-minded pursuit of your objective is another of Jazz’s voiceover lessons. Stay on task. Don’t take “no” for an answer.

In the morning, Philip and Jazz took me to Spey Bay and to the wild and wonderful beauty of the place where the Spey River empties into the North Sea. While we were there, Jazz made a new friend, another dog who was also there for a walk along the riverbank. The two of them immediately feel into playing with one another with full-throated enthusiasm. Go full out, whether work or play, is the last of the voiceover lessons I’ll mention today from Jazz. Don’t hold back. Go for it.

Among the most beautiful of the places Philip took me was a stretch of the North Sea coast where you can see Bow Fiddle Rock. It was wonderfully windy and cold.

An incredible time at one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth. I can’t wait to go back there again.