VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject: Office space and noise above

I'm merely in the 'dream' stage of getting off-site office space, since working at home is driving me batty.
Two questions:
a.) Do you work in an office other than your house? If so, what are your advantages and disadvantages?
b.) Whatever your answer to 'A', do you have a quick fix for noise from above (i.e. someone walking in the second floor office above yours), aside from getting a vocal booth?
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steveanthony · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

Diane,

I've worked at studios in an office environment. Noise that you have no control over is the biggest problem. A major source is heatng and ventilation. Next on the list are fluorescent lights. Then come computers.

The weird part about taming sound is that when you eliminate one source of noise, you start hearing something you never heard before (because it was getting drowned out). The more you eliminate, the more you hear. Before long, you can pick up a phone ringing two offices away, or a toilet flushing.

So you're back to getting a vocal booth. Or a dynamic mic. Or both.

Steve

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Steve, for your invaluable insight.
The anticipated response to my query is akin to posting a demo; I cringe at the feedback, regardless of what the words say!! Gasp

Anyone else have wisdom to share?
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

tackerman · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject:

C'mon Diane! Give us some audio!

Pertaining to your question... if it's human induced noise... I go ask them to be quiet until I'm done. Wink

Bruce · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:04 am Post subject:

As you've noted there are some serious plusses to not working at home such as the lack of interruptions and temptations: "Honey, have you got a sec?", spouses and others who forget what you do and suddenly talk loudly, trash trucks, neighbors, other phones in the house, a pile of dishes in the sink calling to you, taking a break and getting caught up in a TV show, dogs that bark at every stranger and cat that walks down the street, UPS drivers who set off the dogs, a full kitchen down the hall for your every snacking need.

And if you invite voice talent and producers over, keeping the space from the front door to your studio presentable can be a challenge (also having dogs that want to play with EVERYBODY!).

The biggest problem with not working at home is not being readily available for life's little needs and emergencies when you're used to that.

Years ago I had a home with a guest house in the back, and my ex-wife, a writer and a very organized Virgo, would be out there at 9 a.m. sharp and would not leave until 5 p.m. or so except for a short lunch and outside interviews. She never had a problem with writer's block and was never distracted by household business during work hours. Hey, she's always been a good writer and now she's the senior managing editor of a company that publishes 250 magazines.

A lack of distractions can be a big plus.

B
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Yoda117 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

Bruce,

I have found that a well placed, and semi-used tranq gun have afforded me the same effect. Wink

That said, the best of all worlds would be to set up shop in a guest house or to have a spouse who is also in a similar occupation (as they understand your needs better).

I still lean towards the tranq gun though... it's more satisfying in the long run Smile

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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

Bruce--I am so laughing at your spot-on (no pun intended) description of the "homework." The dogs are sleeping nicely at this moment!
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

CWToo · Guest

The tax advantages of a home office (and the great advice from my accountant) are what swayed me. Plus the decided advantage of doing business in my underwear.

The downside? Cleaning up (not to mention getting dressed) for clients and hoping the clients like intrusive dogs and cats.

As far as keeping focused on work, I find that leaning my mortgage payment book on the computer screen is usually enough inspiration.