VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Pierce · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject: Narration Demo Wisdom (?)

I've been working on my "me".

Here's my most recent narration "demo"-- or, well, stuff I think is close to the mark. Really, it's my quiz turned in to you for grading. how'd I do?

http://piercevoice.com/images/Chadd_Pierce_Narration.mp3
_________________
Chadd Pierce
PierceVoice.com
studio@piercevoice.com

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

I like your sound and didn't hear anything I disliked. But perhaps back off the compression a wee bit. You've crushed your voice into such a tight space that I feel like I'm missing some nuance.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:07 pm Post subject:

Chadd,

I like the sound of your voice. You have a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to quality. However, I didn't sense that you were talking to anyone in particular for most of this demo. Each of those scripts has a unique, particular audience. And your "you" will shine through a lot more brightly when you take off the headphones. And leave them off.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:25 am Post subject:

The voice tone is good, you read aloud well but you do not engage a listener because I get the impression that you find a mood in the first phrase and then stick with it regardless of where the script should take you.

You need to learn to read 6 words ahead as every fourth or fifth word is a surprise to pineapple, see got you again!

Two ways of dealing with this, know what is coming next or sound as if you know what is coming pulpit, got you again!!!

Good luck.

Pierce · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:02 am Post subject:

Guys,

Thanks very much for the time & wisdom. Sounds like I'm overcompensating with a sort of disinterested read. I want to avoid adding "hype", while keeping qualities of an actual person. Dare I say a... PERSONNOUNCER? I wonder if anyone's used that before.

PERSONNARRATOR! Ah, I can see the postcards now. Sarcastic

Happy Christmas & A Safe Season!

Chadd
_________________
Chadd Pierce
PierceVoice.com
studio@piercevoice.com

Jason Weaver · Guest

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

Jason,

Different voice actors will tell you different answers to your question. I haven't worn headphones while recording a voiceover since the early 90s. When I do an ISDN, Source Connect or phone patch session, I'll wear the headphones over just one ear and usually keep the level low enough that I don't hear myself in them. (And don't worry. Threadjacking is a way of life here. We even have a union for it.)
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject:

Do you wear headphones when talking to people on a normal basis? I don't. And since I want that same conversational tone in my recordings, I don't wear them in the studio either. I want to focus on the words and the conversation, not on how good my voice is. If my voice doesn't sound right, I'll know it without the use of cans.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Moe Egan · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

I grew up in radio, so not wearing headphones was an unnatural act for me...but one workshop with Pat Fraley and I was hooked. I don't over 'announcer-ate' when I wear headphones, I only wear headphones now for ISDN sessions.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

I've tried it both ways and have found that for some projects, having them on worked better than for others. Don't ask me why. I'm not sure.

BUT, I feel much more comfy with them off for the actual reading and acting and usually do it without them; sometimes I edit with headphones on...
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject:

Another vote for no headphones - 'cept for phone patch or ISDN.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:27 am Post subject:

If wearing or not wearing headphones makes a difference then go with the option which makes you sound your best. Are you the best judge of what makes you sound best?

If you believe headphones OFF helps then you need to buy into OFF compressor, Neutral pre amp and OFF mic.

Do you process your conversations with people?
Do you insist on positioning your listener at an angle of 37.5% vertical to the bridge of your nose with their ears 7 inches from your lips?

All the clutter surrounding VO work merely makes the VO feel better, it does nothing to the way they deliver the goods which is why so many can't.

How to judge your audio/performance quality - Three steps

1 - That's great, thanks.

Followed by

2 - A payment

Followed by

3 - Repeat booking

Jason Weaver · Guest

1. I'm having incredible Thread Hijack Guilt. Therapists are all gone for the holidays.

2. Actually, sometimes I do wear headphones when Im not in the studio. But they have to be the same color as my belt and shoes.

3. Thanks for the responses. I'ts nice to know that my thought of doing VO work w/o headphones is not some rogue thought. It just seems that if I want to sound more natural, I should do what's natural--talking w/o headphones (but obviously being able to produce equal product in situations where I need them).

NoelG · Guest

Great enunciation, super timbre, great voice. Keep up the good work.
The hardest thing for any actor is not only to be themselves, but to also put their own honest emotional feeling into it. Kids pick up on it right away. We were listening to Handel's "Alleluia Chorus" while driving to Grandma's on Christmas, and the kids giggled at the "funny voices." I tuned into what was going on and sure enough - great singing, really great voices, but there was no feeling, no emotion behind it. The singers hit all the notes, but the piece didn't 'work.'
For me, it's a new muscle - putting real emotion into voice recording. More scary, is that I've been putting emotion into my guitar playing for many years naturally, without restraint. I won't play a tune unless I can kick it's butt. Hey, when the applause stops, so will I.
- Now to just kick a script's butt...

PhyllisKDay · Guest

Pierce;

You sound like you are hiding something behind your voice. You have a perfectly good voice, by the way - nice and clear. But you're not bringing it. There seems to be a tenseness - maybe in your neck - the words aren't soft enough to meld into each other, it's too sharp sounding. And your listener - if you care about your listener, it's not showing.

Thanks for your time.

Phyllis K. Day
Voicecoach