VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Foog · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:12 pm Post subject: Conversational reads

Why is it that whenever I see a call for auditions requesting a "conversational - no announcer voices please", it will invariably contain some or all of the following phrases?

If - who am I trying to kid - WHEN I next see any of these phrases in a so-called conversational read, I will scream. Conversationally.

Chuck Davis · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:55 pm Post subject:

I feel your pain. Several times a day....at least.
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:57 pm Post subject:

Ain't that the truth! Those kind of spots are second to none and of course void where prohibited. I love it when they want an impression of a famous person and write the spot like a hard sell car spot, using none of the catch phrases of the person.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:11 pm Post subject:

Same reason they want a 200 word script done in a nice, relaxed :30. They don't know what they're doing. They think that just asking for something will magically make it happen.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:10 pm Post subject:

They don't care that the script contains those "announcery" phrases. They just want it read in a conversational tone; like you are schmoozing one-on-one with your best pal, not projecting like an announcer might, not overly emphasizing syllables /words, or being overly cautious with perfect enunciation.
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Drew · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:03 pm Post subject:

Just did a 200 word read in 1:15. I told the client he needed to cut, then ran the piece through the the time compress in Adobe Audition just to show them what a POS it would sound like...and get this...THEY LOVED IT! Go figure!
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DougVox · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:20 pm Post subject:

Most of my clients hire me because they're looking for someone who's "not an announcer."

Still, most of my scripts contain phrases like the ones you mentioned, and when I'm directed, most clients also ask me to "hit' the words that announcers would hit.

My best guess is that they start out wanting a "conversational" read, but get really nervous when it doesn't sound "retail" enough.
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Foog · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject:

chrisvoco · Club 300 Joined: 14 Mar 2014 Posts: 380 Location: Local

Mr. Foog, not only do I share in your outbound sentiment and understand your introspection, what you wrote there is nearly precisely what I'd have written (except in my case I'd say "Guy Smiley" and I don't use much salt [ see instead Lowry's Seasoned Pepper ] ).
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:45 am Post subject:

I think they just don't want Ron Radio Puker Guy™ and think anything that isn't that is "conversational."
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
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roger · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:36 am Post subject:

I love the "conversational" word introducing.
It sounds so natural.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:55 am Post subject:

Post an example of a "can't be done" script and let's see if it IS possible.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Bruce · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:20 am Post subject:

Many moons ago I did a radio commercial with an old actor friend and we were to be two old friends who bump into each other after a few years apart. One explains to the other how his life is better since taking classes at the University of Phoenix. It had to be "conversational", which we did. They liked it... with one exception: every time we said "University of Phoenix" they wanted those words billboarded, as in extra clean and emphasized. We argued that's not how it's done in real life.

We lost. We did it. It sounded like unrealistic sh*te. They loved it.

B
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heyguido · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:36 am Post subject: