VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Sometimes the toughest part is acting as though the copy is written in a way can can be delivered convincingly. Smile

Tougher yet when the "director" can't direct, except to say "I'm not sure, but I'll know it when I hear it."

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

If you want a clear example of voice talents who don't act and won't go very far in the business, take all of the disc jockeys who sound the same smiley, puking, stilted way, on the air and off, and in a spot for a burger joint or a lingerie shop. A definition of Johnny One Note.

In a different example, I had a gentleman come to me a few years ago to put together a demo. He had spent over 20 years doing news for Chicago's two biggest news/talk stations and had semi-retired early out here. He sounded wonderful. I would want him to read the news to me every day. But he couldn't read a spot to save his soul. Everything was like the latest headlines from WLS. He couldn't break out of the mold. We agreed he couldn't do a commercial demo until he got some acting lessons or experience under his belt.

There's a great poster out there by cartoonist Jim Borgman:

http://www.acclaimposters.com/_gallery/Humor_Posters_and_Prints/10002094.html

with a character showing 30 basic emotions. It's a wonderful guide for actors or voice talent. If you can easily and convincingly exhibit each of these emotions upon command, it is my belief that you will go far in the business.

Bruce

Bailey · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject:

I was taught that when approached to do a voiceover, I should consider the person that I am "speaking" for. I have to define who that person is... his age... his relationship to the product/idea...We were told that this was "woodshedding". We were given 60 seconds to read the script... develop the character... be that character... and speak a convincing part. Hence the term "Voice Acting". For me, to be able to speak "believably" is as much a part of doing a voice over as is speaking the words.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

.gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

SheSpeaksCopy · Guest

I can agree will every point made so far on this thread. The one thing no one has mentioned is sounding "real" for your listener. While every producer will need you to create a certain feel for the copy, sounding real to the listener is what makes the product/service sell for the client. This is particularly true if you are doing a VO that reads like a customer testimonial. Your listener needs to hear the enthusiasm in your voice without you sounding "commercial." I've heard these types of spots where the VO artist plugged the product hard. The commercial didn't have the appeal of those that sounded like the actual product user was recorded.

SheSpeaksCopy · Guest

Ok Bailey, you beat me to the draw on this one! Must be osmosis!

Deirdre · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:31 am Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:52 am Post subject:

"Stop Acting" is really an attention getting way of saying "don't be affected" which is not so punchy for a book title. The character, Joey in Friends was often sharing pearls of wisdom from his "Affecting Classes".

Sometimes we are able to put the wrong words to a situation in order to get the right sound.

Try this. Your partner has proposed to you and you can't wait to tell your best friend. You see them coming towards your front door and rush to tell them your news. The line should be "Terry asked me to marry him!!" The line is .....

"At D&M autos there's $500 off the price of all used Volkswagens"

CWToo · Guest

Drew · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:34 am Post subject:

Interesting point, Chris. I always appreciate copy that gives me breathing room so I can "act". So often, you gotta motor the read making performing a challenge. Did a sixty yesterday for a client. I got it in at :59.5. Everyone was happy except me. I thought how much better that would have been had they trimmed about five sec out of it so I could hammer that nail correctly.
_________________
www.voiceoverdrew.com
Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

Jeff McNeal · Guest

As an interesting aside, since this thread was started, I've had several auditions. A few days ago, I was asked to sound about 20 years older than I actually am and just a few moments ago, I was asked if I could sound about 20 years younger than my age in a different audition. Both wanted me to still sound like "me", only older and younger, respectively, based on the needs of each client.

jrodriguez315 · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

One of the things I've read in several books and would recommend is Improv training. It's a fun way to learn to "play make-believe" again. When we were kids, we easily became cops and robbers and indians and cowboys, but as we grow up, we lose touch with that part of ourselves or rather it is beaten out of us by society. Improv training can be a great way to get back in touch with that inate ability we all have. It also helps build a great sense of "timing" which can only be helpful when you're trying to deliver a clients message.

P.S. How's that for reviving an old thread!
_________________
Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:04 am Post subject:

Improv training ...How's that for an oxymoron?

Deirdre · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:38 am Post subject:

I know! How do you PRACTICE something you're supposed to MAKE UP?

All kidding aside, I must aver that I have been well-served by my "improv training." It's a less stressful frying pan for ideas. (less stressful than having an audience, I mean!) Getting together with a group of actors under the watchful eye of an experienced improv co-ordinator can be a stunningly excellent acting stretch.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com

Bruce · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

I like the "improv training is an oxymoron" thought, and I've known of some improv troupes that actually rehearse some of their bits. Hmmmm.

But the training comes into play in practicing opening your mind to fleeting thoughts and grabbing and using them, looking for puns and punch lines, listening to others so you can respond accurately or wittily, instantly being someone other than yourself in some place far away from the stage or studio you're in now.

Lots of folks never try this kind of monkey business in their daily lives and they need classes where they can practice all of this in private with like-minded people...so they can then go out and do it for real in public.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .