VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Patricia Shanks · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: I'm SUCH a beggar.

OK. So, with much wonderful input from our friend, Frank, I managed to keep my 22 (I was thinking of the other class I teach of 18 students before.) students occupied for the last class. I am still tap dancing, while the school awaits delivery of the equipment, so that we can actually start recording and editing. (HOW I'll keep the rest of the class quiet - ever - EVER while someone is recording, I'll never know. Not to mention, the folklorico dancers having at it next door. All I can say is that everybody's work will have a folkloric rhythm to it. Yikes.)

I've been mimicking the wicked witch, lately, as she melts. "What a worrrrld! What a worrrrld."

My plan for tomorrow is to give the "mini-est" lecture on how to talk into the different kinds of mics. Mini. Mini-lecture. Then, I'm going to give them an equally mini overview of what goes into a :60 (I think ... because it will be hard for novices to get everything into a :30) commercial contains. I'll let them try to sell a gazorninplatz, or a thing-a-ma-jig, etc. I'll collect these and, at the NEXT class, we'll let "other than" the writer read the spots, individually, aloud. For the remains (the chards, peut-etre) of tomorrow, they'll individually read copy that's too long - avec stopwatch. I would think that normal kids would get a kick out of being cut-off too soon and/or trying to speed-read and run out of breath. Hmmmm. That's what I would think.

Which brings me to my "beg." I have a few pieces of almost unmanageable copy. But I'd like to have more variety. They'll get bored with the same couple of pieces of material.

Can anybody point me to where I might find some examples?

I blame Sesame Street for this. Really. Romper Room had it right. But the epileptic flashes of numbers and letters read by wild characters that DON'T EMINATE FROM A CHILD'S IMAGINATION!!!! are to blame. Forget MTV.

Was I yelling?

I'm meeellllllting.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

"The Witch" <-- That is NOT a tag line.
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Patricia Shanks

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Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Can you borrow a couple of mic's? Or, do you have the ability to playback audio in the classroom. If so, go to (I am sorry I cannot remember who's mic test page is online, but it is a good page) a mic test page with samples. Download a few different microphones of different styles and qualities. Play them back to the class and let them decide which is best and why. This should take up about 40 minutes real easy.

Then - introduce - the copy. Speak about the length, how many words the human mouth can speak in one minute - clearly. Why a VO should not rush through copy (give a couple of kids the chance to just read the copy as fast as they can - out loud - time them and let them see VO is harder than it sounds), IF, and I stress this, IF you have time; begin speaking of the ability to bring out the emotions of words and how this is accomplished. Mention the types of words you might stress, the verbs and the adjectives, mention how you might affect titles or names of companies - especially the sponsor of the spot. Ask the students if they think the address, phone number, or web page should be stressed and how it would be accomplished. Let several of them try, from their seats. Funny little thing happens here, the class should be over about that time, thankfully, mercifully.

Toodles

F2
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Patricia Shanks · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Frank. I wish I felt that I could keep them involved in any one activity for 40 minutes. Maybe I'm just sporting my limitations as a teacher, but they seem to lose interest in just about anything after 15 minutes.

No. I can't take it "all" personally. I've had classes pay attention for 2 hours and more. And to ONE THING, no less. I'm highly entertaining (she said, kissing her own hand).

I like the mic idea. Still not sure what our computer capabilities are in the classroom.

We've already read commercial copy -- at least a couple of classes. I've gone over marking it up, and inflection, and pace and blah-dee-blah. I just can't seem to get a fire started under 'em.
_________________
Patricia Shanks

(949) 723-4473
patricia@patriciashanks.com
patriciashanks.com
shanksfortalking.com

Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject:

Suggestion: Find a local producer who is going to cast for a commercial with young folk. Ask if he will come in and "hire" one or more of them - if they qualify. This should be a low-ball project, bye the way. If one of the students gets a gig, the others will perk up - very quickly. Their attentions span will increase because the students can see there is a chance to make some bucks.

Give them a reason to start being creative and attentive. Attack their normal high school mentality by attacking their greed.

Sorry to be so blunt.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com