VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

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

No, not a favor or a "can you do me a solid?" or anything like that. It was a client I've done work for before, but always via phone patch at another studio. We were between scripts when I heard...

client: "Hey Don...um..do you mind if I ask how old you are?"
me: (controlled laughter) "Why don't you tell me what you think?"
client: "Well, you have a wisened, smooth, authoritative sound..." (or some such BS)
me: "yeah...go ahead......."
client: "I'd guess....maybe....50-ish?"
me: "Close enough."
engineer: "He's really only 25." (God bless her)

I do love the anonymity of this business. Smile

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject:

Heh.

My clients think I'm blonde.
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Frank F · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

My clients just ask me to do it a bit younger and with a little bit more hair. (Think about it!)

Toodles

F2
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

About 40% of my sessions end with that question.

I answer honestly because I like the shock value Smile

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louzucaro · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject:

When we went shopping for a new car for Amy last summer, the guy at the dealership asked what kind of car my daughter was interested in.

Frown

I mean, I know she looks young, but I didn't think I look THAT old. Sigh.
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bobsouer · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

Lou,

Don't worry. You don't.
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Gp · Guest

Lou,
Was this a used car salesman by any chance? Bad toupee, wears lot's of gold jewelry, and maybe even white loafers?
Had a name tag that read CONrad MANheim?

Chrissy · Guest

I recently worked with a young producer who is approx. 27. The first character I did was about 50 yrs. old. When we were about to work on the second character the producer said he wanted a grandmotherly voice of about 60 yrs. old. I had quickly read over the script which was handed to me right before the recording. I knew he really wanted a character about 75-80. I said to him "How about this", and did my 75 yr. old at which point he said "Great that's exactly what I'm looking for".

What's that saying? The producer is always right.

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:39 pm Post subject:

I get telephone survey people - when after answering truthfully at the end of the survey to the question about my age - reply with the old "you don't sound 'that old'. Well, they don't say exactly that, but that's what they mean, Not only don't I sound "that" old, I don't feel or think "that" old.
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louzucaro · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

COURVO · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

I always get the: "...you're taller than you look on TV".

Me: "Uh, that's 'cause you always see me sitting down."

I hate it when the studio people use all sorts of props, pillows, and platforms to make the on-air people look all the same height. Like...people don't come in different sizes.

CourVO

/sorry for the threadjack
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CarynClark · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:39 am Post subject:

I won't quote Kara's entire post, but ditto for me!!! Love to shock 'em.

I actually had a client tell me last week, "You're perfect... you don't sound too young, but you don't sound too old... you just kinda sound like you have no age.... you speak to all ages 18-early 30s."
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Diane Havens · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:00 am Post subject:

A real pet peeve of mine. I wonder if they know how insulting it is to the AARP crowd when they want a one-foot-in-the-grave voice for a "60ish OLD lady." You never know when they give direction whether they are going for is that Tweety-bird granny or what most women in that category really sound like.
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CarynClark · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:30 am Post subject:

Ok, sorry for double posting, but I just read Lou's post. Lou, you certainly don't look "that" old!!!! Smile

If I may indulge...

A couple of years ago, a repairman came to the front door. He asked if my father was home.
Rolls Eyes

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Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:37 am Post subject:

I've written this before but it's worth repeating. E4 is a youth oriented TV channel based here in the UK and the on-air promotions voice was Patrick Allen. His last session took place 2 weeks before he died at the age of 79. Patrick's successor is Peter Dickson who is in his early 50's.

How old is Philip Banks? In "Patrick Allen professional years" I have 31 years of work to left in me. Why retire when voice over work gives you the free time you need and the income to enjoy it?