Stephanie Ciccarelli celebrates her birthday today. In this she has something in common with my sister Barbara. On November 22, 1963, Barb was celebrating her 6th birthday. (For those of you not old enough to remember that day, it’s the date of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.)
In spite of the unhappy associations of this date, a very happy birthday to you, Stephanie. And many happy returns.
As I hope you can tell if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, this blog is about voiceover…both for those who do or hope to do voiceovers as well as for those looking for voices. But every once in a while, one of my friends writes something to which I think it’s worth linking, and today is one of those days.
So, no this isn’t a political post at all…it’s just a link to a cool story about some of our soldiers and their efforts to grow hair on their upper lips.
The connection to voiceover is tenuous at best. Chris Eder, the author of that linked post, is the guy in Iraq for whom I and a number of my friends provided voices for station imaging of some special programming earlier this year on Freedom Radio in Iraq.
(Addendum: Kudos to the Pittsburgh Airport Authority for providing free Wi-Fi in the airport so I could post this update while I’m waiting for my flight home.)
Oh yes! With thanks to my friend Peter O’Connell who posted a link to the VoiceChasers forum on his blog, check out the VoiceChasers news page and Kristy’s post that a rare 25 minute piece of audio is now available online featuring Mr. Blanc talking about the Past, Present and Future of Advertising.
EQ or equalization can be a powerful tool to help you make sure your voice recordings sound like they should. This is especially true if you do production as well as voiceovers, of course; but sometimes the only way to get a truly clean recording is to use a little EQ even on a dry voice track.
This site provides some really useful information about the effects of equalization at specific frequencies, and this site (with thanks to my friend Stevie D for posting the link on the VO-BB) provides an overview of equalization by the octave.
Those simple words, it’s not about me, are words to live by if you wish to have a truly successful career as a voiceover talent. My friend Peter O’Connell has written a potent post on his blog underscoring this important point. It’s not about me. Peter credits our mutual friend and one of my mentors, Philip Banks with reminding him of this phrase the other day on the VO-BB. So, my thanks to Philip and Peter for bringing this point freshly to mind.
Several days ago I noted a new unit coming out from MXL that will allow you to convert a standard studio condenser microphone into a USB microphone. There’s another unit that’s just coming on the market from CEntrance, Inc. It’s called the MicPort Pro, and it features 24-bit 96kHz performance (higher than the MXL unit’s 16-bit, 48kHz) and a headphone mini-jack as well as 48 volt phantom power.
With thanks to my friend Mary Serra for posting a link to this article on the VO-BB, read this article for some solid advice on how to make sure you collect the money you’ve earned in your voiceover work. The article is for small businesses in general, so the advice makes all kinds of good sense for folks involved in voiceover work and production.
Rowell Gormon might just one of the most talented people I know. The funny thing is, he’s the only person who doesn’t know just how brilliant he is at virtually everything to which he puts his hand. Exhibit A: A brilliant bit of writing on his blog about the parallels between Jazz music and voiceover demos. Even if you never click a link in one of my posts, take the time to click through on this one. You won’t be sorry.
(Update: The above link now points to Rowell’s resurrected blog post that was lost for months, but is now found and available again.)
Having just shipped off the master CDs and invoice for one major audiobook project (John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace by Jonathan Aitken, published by Crossway Books) I’ve just started what will, without a doubt, be the largest voiceover project of my life.
All the way back in January, an audition was posted on Voices.com for a narrator to record the entire Bible. I learned some weeks ago from Joel Smith at NorthStar Studios in Nashville, that Thomas Nelson Publishers had selected me to be the narrator for this project; which will eventually be released as a daily podcast (as I understand the plans) so you will be able listen through the entire Bible in a year.
Our session today had some interesting moments as we worked to nail down official pronunciations of place and people names, but all in all, it was a great experience. I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this massive and amazing project…though posting here may be somewhat less frequent for the next several weeks (or longer) while most of my available time is spent speaking Scripture into my microphone in my studio in Charlotte, while linked electronically to Nashville.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONFIDENT
by Bob Fraser
If you’ve spent ANY time waiting to audition, with dozens of other actors going in before you, you know what it is to feel the ebb and flow of that crucial feeling of confidence.
I’m sure you know that confidence is the actor’s special need. We all know, almost as if by osmosis, that confidence is the key to everything. Confident actors win auditions.
Confidence is coin of the realm in show business.
We know it.
Our problem is that no one is explaining how we can become confident. Sure, we’ve heard all the stories – Lincoln lost every election, Edison tried over a thousand times to invent the light bulb, Harrison Ford struggled for over a decade — yeah, yeah, we know. We get it.
Persistence.
But, the thing those stories don’t tell us is… HOW?
How did Lincoln, Edison and Ford face all that failure and remain confident? Did Lincoln stand in front of a mirror chanting that he was worthy while people told him to go
back to his log cabin.
Did Edison wear a t-shirt that said, “What I really want to do is invent?”
Did Ford recite life-affirming haikus every morning of the ten years he worked as a carpenter — and watched lesser actors rise to stardom?
We already know they DID it … we just don’t know HOW they did it.
HOW TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT
How people become confident is left out of these darn stories. We actors already know that we should be confident people. But would someone please show us HOW to do that?
Well, as it happens someone has written a book that is a seminal work in this area. Her name is Rosabeth Moss Kanter, she’s a professor at Harvard Business School, and her book is called (cleverly enough) “Confidence
Professor Kanter has taken the time to investigate the “how” and written it down in a clear, straight-forward way.
She started by interviewing lots of athletes and business leaders and in the resulting study she has managed to organize and illustrate the behaviors, habits, attitudes, skills and core beliefs of highly confident people. (That highly confident people are highly successful is a given … again, we know it.)
The good news? Anyone can become confident. The bad news? It takes a lot of work.
Pick me up platitudes are fine, but the real work involved, in order to become confident, is what sets the pro apart from the ‘wannabe.’ Ms. Kanter’s premise has it that confidence is not simply a frame of mind or attitude but a collection of habits, characteristics and behaviors that set events in motion in one of two directions: winning and losing.
Winners act and react to their world in one way and losers in another. Most importantly she points out that there are concrete, identifiable, signposts along the way — signposts which determine what path you are on.
For instance:
Confidence that isn’t supported by hard work and realistic expectations is nothing but wishful thinking. Success comes with its own problems of sustaining and improving results. Confidence is complicated and cannot be taken for granted.
There are different kinds of confidence for different kinds of attainments.
And those are just a few of the important insights that are illustrated by real-world examples in this study.
In order to help as much as I can, in a short article, here’s a short list of habits I’ve paraphrased from the book. Habits that you will always see in confident (and therefore successful) — oh, let’s say ACTORS, for instance:
1. Confident pros are open to criticism or suggestions.
2. Confident pros are honest about their own abilities and limitations.
3. Confident pros seek the advice and input of others.
4. Confident pros learn from their mistakes.
5. Confident pros set realistic goals, and have realistic expectations.
6. Confident pros are willing to work hard to achieve their goals, and DO.
7. Confident pros take personal responsibility for their fate.
8. Confident pros embrace new challenges and take reasonable risks.
9. Confident pros replace bad habits with good habits
10. Confident pros EXPECT good things to happen.
OR …
The opposite side of the theatrical coin is the perennial wannabe. These are almost precisely wrong habits and behaviors:
1. Wannabe’s react defensively to criticism
2. Wannabe’s are not honest about their abilities or limitations.
3. Wannabe’s shun the advice or input of others.
4. Wannabe’s tend not to learn much from their mistakes.
5. Wannabe’s set unrealistic goals and have unrealistic expectations.
6. Wannabe’s use problems (it’s hard) as an excuse not to try.
7. Wannabe’s blame others for things that go wrong.
8. Wannabe’s avoid new challenges and want to play it safe.
9. Wannabe’s repeat self defeating habits over and over again.
10. Wannabe’s expect the worst and often get it.
If you are interested in learning about the “how” of confidence I recommend Ms. Kanter’s book unreservedly. This is a book every actor should read who wants good instruction on having confidence and keeping it.
One caveat: what might look easy to do, on the surface, is often the hardest thing to actually attain.
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For my friends on the UK side of the pond, and for that matter anyone who enjoys hearing superb voice work, check out the article in The Independent on the people behind many of Great Britain’s most familiar voices.
My thanks to my friend Dan Nachtrab for posting this link on the VO-BB.
(Update: I should point out that my friends Philip Banks and David Monteath offer some additional perspective on this newspaper story in their VO-BB posts, which comments are linked to their names should you wish to read them.)
With thanks to my friend Joe Rodriguez for posting the link on the VO-BB, here is a place on the AudioFile site called Narrator’s Corner. If you want to narrate audiobooks, you’ll find a ton of valuable information.
One of the things I love about my friend Kara Edwards is her ability to take different sorts of life situations, from worm poop to bee stings, and as she tells these stories on her blog, draw some valuable lessons for both life and business from them.
In some private correspondence with Kara, of which I’ve been able to take part, she’d discussed some challenges she and her husband were facing with one of their cats. Without recapping all of the various details (Kara can do that on her blog if she wants to tell you about it. Update: And she has!), the cat was acting out of control and Kara was at her wits end what to do about it.
She took the cat to a holistic vet to whom she’d been recommended and at that office received some interesting information that has made a profound difference in the situation. The answer, it seems, was in the litterboxes. Adding one more, on the other floor of the house, removing the covers from them and changing to a different kind of litter and no longer using liner sheets in the boxes. As Kara was describing all of this to us in a recent update as part of our private correspondence, she closed with this comment…
Who knew litterboxes were so important??
As I looked at that question, a thought popped into my head that I just had to send. Here’s what I wrote…
Kara,
The first thing that popped into my pea-sized brain in answer to this question is: think about what sort of impression it makes on you when you’re visiting someone and they don’t have a clean, tidy bathroom for you to use? I mean, I know cats aren’t human (I’m sure they’re convinced they are the superior species!); but it seems reasonable that this kind of situation would be important to every creature.
I suppose the larger application is that when we do things for our own convenience, we’re seldom serving the needs of (clients? family? friends?) others.
I guess reading Kara’s blog has influenced my way of looking at the world.
And being nice…In a few weeks, I have a business trip scheduled to the Columbus, OH area. While I’m there, I’m very much looking forward to seeing my friends Dan Nachtrab and Ben Wilson again. If you’ve been reading this blog for about a year or so, you know that I spend a simply wonderful 4 hours with those two guys over lunch last year.
And I’m delighted to know that joining us is another truly nice guy, Joe Szymanski. Thanks for the very kind comment on your blog, Joe. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting everyone mentioned in your post except Brian Lee. I’m honored to be such great company as the aforementioned Ben Wilson, Frank Frederick, Liz de Nesnera and Joe Cipriano.
My friend and mentor Roy Williams has posted a thought-provoking article about the often overlooked truth that there’s really no such thing as thinking “outside the box,” the best we can do is find a different box in which to think. He then makes a very powerful point about one of the boxes we in the business world tend to occupy without giving thought to the implications. Here’s the key thought…
In the male-dominated world of business we tend to use battlefield metaphors and sports analogies, not because these metaphors are particularly accurate, but because we are hairy males. The Wall Street Journal is filled with reports of “hostile takeovers†and best-selling business books include Marketing Warfare, Corporate Combat, and Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun. But by choosing to do business from within the box marked “battle,†we adopt not only the outcomes but the value judgments of those who have occupied the box before us. In doing so, we unconsciously create a business environment that is hostile and defensive and find ourselves using words like “strategy,†“tactics,†“targeting,†and “dominating the competition,†never once considering that injury, sacrifice, destruction and loss are also part of that package.
I wonder what sort of difference it might make if we were to adopt a cooperation metaphor rather than a battle metaphor for our work?
The Voices.com Simpsons Sound Alike Contest finalists have been announced. Not that I’m trying to tell you for whom to vote or anything, but two of my very good friends are listed in this august company. Kara Edwards is a finalist for Lisa and Greg Littlefield is a finalist for Krusty. Congratulations to all the finalists, including (of course) Kara and Greg. Go. Vote.
One way to answer that question, of course, is to point out that there is no such thing as a typical week. However, for a quick look behind the curtain, as it were, check out Bobbin Beam’s blog entry called A Week In The Life. Like all of us working as voiceover talents, Bobbin has some up days and some of the other kinds…but I love the way she approaches each day.
…I ran across the newest comments posted by my friend Mary McKitrick on her blog. Kara and Mary are two very talented ladies, both of whom offer thought-provoking and interesting things pretty much every time they post on their blogs. So, take a few minutes to a journey with Mary. You’ll be glad you make the trip.
Join me in reading Kara Edward’s blog post about perfection. Kara is a fabulously gifted story-teller. You’ll be glad you took a few minutes to read what she’s written.
Update: I’m delighted to note that Tim McLaughlin has read Kara’s thoughts. I agree Tim. Time for at least a short break to Stop and Smell the Roses.
James Alburger and Penny Abshire have been teaching voiceover workshops for years. They are two of the three very nice people who presented the VOICE conference (the third being Frank Frederick) in Las Vegas and will be presenting the VOICE 2008 conference in Los Angeles.
So, now that you know something about James and Penny (follow the links to learn a whole lot more), here is most of the contents of an email I received from them a few minutes ago. If you’ve wished you could find a way to participate in an interactive, group, voiceover training for under $100 a class, this is going to come as very good news indeed.
We’ve spent a great deal of time working on a Voice Acting Telecourse that will give you the essential information you need in order to master the craft and business of performing for voiceover – whether you’re just starting out . . . or a seasoned pro. You’ve probably noticed that there aren’t very many voiceover classes offered as a Telecourse – and those that are available are quite expensive – often more than $100 per class!
For most classroom voiceover training, you must deal with local traffic or travel to a different city. We still plan on teaching our San Diego and Roadshow workshops – and we’d love to see you there – however, we know hard it can be to learn the subtleties of performing for voiceover . . . especially if you live in a city far from the nearest VO coach, or if you’re not in a position financially or timewise to attend a classroom voiceover workshop. We’ve solved your problem!
We’ve studied just about every other VO course out there and we’ve come up with a Telecourse that will give you the basic skills and essential information you need – and more important – our 8-week Telecourse is very affordable!
No traffic.
No traveling.
No hotels.
No high tuition.
No hassles.
No kidding!
All it takes is a phone call! Actually two phone calls – one to register, and another to attend the Telecourse each week.
Here’s your official invitation (ed: and FAQ):
What?: The Art of Voice Acting 8-week Telecourse – a teleseminar focusing on the craft and business of voiceover.
When?: Every Wednesday evening beginning September 5th, 2007
Where?: Your telephone
What time?: 5pm Pacific Time (8pm ET)
How long?: This course runs for 8-weeks. Each class is approximately 90 minutes in length.
What’s the content?: The Art of Voice Acting 8-week Telecourse will include most of the primary lecture material we cover in our AOVA 8-week and Weekend workshops, plus a few surprises. Complete information is at www.voiceacting.com/training/teleseminars.How many in the class?: The AOVA Level 1 basic 8-week Telecourse is limited to 25. There will be assignments each week, and some submitted files may be played during a Telecourse session. There will also be on-mic coaching each week. Our Personalized on-mic coaching is reserved for our Level 2 class, which is limited to only 8 people per call. You must be a graduate of the basic 8-week Telecourse or one of our other 8-week or Weekend workshops to participate in our Level 2 personalized coaching Telecourse.
How will it work?: As soon as you register, you’ll receive an email that includes all the details for the first Telecourse call, PLUS a link to your Telecourse Yahoo Group for messaging, downloads, and uploads. Your first download will be an MP3 file that will give you an overview of voiceover and prepare you for the Telecourse. Each week you’ll receive a special phone number to call along with a password for each class. To attend, you simply make a phone call from the comfort of your home . . . or wherever you are.
Who teaches the Telecourse?: Each call is hosted by James Alburger and Penny Abshire, two of the top voiceover coaches in the US. You can learn more about Jim & Penny at www.VoiceActing.com and you can read what their students think of their workshops at www.voiceacting.com/testimonials.
How much?: A ridiculously low $47 per session -which includes access to on-line workshop notes and other materials. Of course, the cost of a long-distance call will also apply. (For most, that’s well under $5.00 for a 1-hour call).
Note: If you were an attendee at VOICE 2007, we have a very special price for you for this Telecourse. Please call Penny at 858.484.0220 for details.
What else?: As a Telecourse graduate, you’ll be entitled to our AOVA Graduate “Serious Discount” for future AOVA Weekend Workshops. That means you’ll be able to attend ANY of our live Weekend Workshop in the future at a “serious discount”!
Anything more?: Each class will be recorded and will be available on-line for about a week after each class. Download the MP3 file to your computer, put it on your IPOD, or burn it to a CD for future reference.
Why are you doing this?: Our goal is to provide you with the best information and training possible to help you learn the critical skills for working as a voice talent. The Art of Voice Acting book
How do I register?: Call us at 858.484.0220 to register. Sorry, but due to the nature of this Telecourse, we can’t take on-line registrations.
As a registered student of our Art of Voice Acting 8-week Telecourse, you’ll receive critical information, performing techniques, tricks of the trade, and insider business secrets that will get you started on the road to being a successful voice talent.
For all the details, visit www.voiceacting.com/training/teleseminars right now, while you’re thinking about it!
Or call us at 858.484.0220 to be among the first to register. Please call only between 9am and 5pm Pacific time M-F.
Stay in Character!
James R. Alburger & Penny Abshire
VoiceActing.com ~ We make you sound great!
13639 Freeport Rd.
San Diego, CA 92129
voice: 858.484.0220
fax: 858.484.7493
e-mail: info@voiceacting.com
visit our website:www.voiceacting.com – Training and Resources in The Art of Voice Acting
Email submissions become the property of VoiceActing.com. We reserve the right to re-print any questions and our reply in any media. If you prefer to remain anonymous,
please let us know. Please include the original correspondence in your reply.
Get your personally autographed copy of James Alburger’s book, (The Art of Voice Acting, 3rd edition) and Penny Abshire’s book, (Demo & Marketing Magic for Voice Actors), on-line at www.voiceacting.com.
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