VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Christopher French

Greetings all,

It's been awhile since I've been around and a LOT has happened at the ol' French homestead. First off, Jen and I had a bouncing baby boy in October. We named him Alexander Martin Harris French. I think I probably already told everyone that, but that's just a reminder for those of you that haven't kept up. Smile

Secondly, I've been busy working my tail off for the slavedrivers that I work for (never enough hours left in the day, it seems). I'm still with that same company, but things are starting to finally look up.

Third, I MIGHT be taking over an audiobook project if I can ever convince the author that I can do a better job than the man who is doing it now (he's a friend of hers and has NO experience in VO, production, or the like). She has been complaining to me for better than a month that he's going too slow at it. She said that he has read 38 out of 125 pages and has been working on this since late April. She wants me to critique his work and maybe produce the thing. She talked to me tonight of her frustrations and how he's been having problems because he doesn't know how to convert a wav into an mp3, he's having problems with his microphone levels and his confidence levels. According to what she's told me, he's just doing the ol' rip n' read. Any thoughts from anyone?

The man lives in Washington State, and she (the author) only lives two miles from me. I told her I could even have her come to my studio here and record HER reading the book, but she wants someone else to read it. I tell ya. . .If she'd just give me the go ahead, I'd be a happy camper.

What do you guys think?

What a mess, eh?

Well, let me know and I'll talk to you all soon.

Your pal,

Chris
_________________
Christopher G. French

"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump

TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

Thirty eight pages in two months?
I know what would be said to me if I was working at that pace.
"You're fired!"

At that pace, it will be another 4 months before that person is done. I guarantee there is no continuity in that read. I suggest you offer to do the complete read in less time than it will take this person to finish the job.
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The Voice of Bob

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

Chris,

It's very nice to see you again. Congratulations to you and Jen on your baby. One wonders how your author contact decided to hire this person so far away? I wish you the very best in your efforts.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

christopher - nice to see you back. you don't mention anything about a rate - but - at 125 pages - seems like you could knock this out in a couple of days and say here ya go. she can then tell the other guy that the project has been completed and his services are no longer needed. you might even offer to recoup her costs (if any) on the 38 pages that mr. slo-reader has completed by reducing your rate by say 20% ... or not. then she can pay you full rate for her next five books. i mean - she's writing anyway, right?

good luck!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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Moe Egan · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:26 am Post subject:

I agree with Todd -What's up with this other guy? Holy moly, Bob read the whole Bible in less time!
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

I was just thinking that Moe.

I hate to pirate a gig from anyone, but maybe do a clip and pass it the author's way. Let them know you're here to help if she wants it and for from there(even though you do this for a living and normally charge $x, you know she's in a bind you'll charge her $y).

Personally though, this smells like a FUBAR. Other than consolation and personal support, I'd stay away from it.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

louzucaro · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:

Congrats on the baby!

The Daddy Club totally rocks!

Yeah, Steal This Gig...you're doing your friend a favor in doing so. Plus, the guy's HER friend, not yours Wink

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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

Christopher French · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:

Well, she just told me a bit ago that if she decides to use me, she's going to have me record this book, plus her cookbook, and she's getting a syndicated radio show, she mentioned the possibility of me doing the intros and liners. . .This could be something niiiiiice.
_________________
Christopher G. French

"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump