VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Simon Fellows]

I was in a session recently where the client asked me whether there were things I would refuse to voice. I answered diplomatically that there wasn't anything I had had to refuse up to that point - which was true. But it is something that has been in the back of my mind for a while now.

In this somewhat insecure business of ours, I'm just wondering where any of you draw the line.
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Simon Fellows
http://www.simonfellows.com

[Deirdre]

I have read political ads that were for candidates I absolutely do not support.

There are some politically-charged subjects I wouldn't lend my voice to-- for either side; I don't think I need to enumerate what they are. I also won't voice anything even slightly evangelistic, for any religion.
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DBCooperVO.com

[Frank F]

My values lead me into all sorts of trouble with this subject.

I won't voice negative religious spots, I won't voice things for some political candidates (either or any party - if they do not match my values - then why do it?), I will not voice things dealing with feminine products - (did that once - won't do it again), I won't voice anything which is illegeal, immoral, or - - well, maybe fattening , I won't do a competitor's spot if I am under contract with a company,... etc., etc, etc.

It's a values judgement... what are your values and do you adhere to them - even if they offer you great money?

My integrity counts, it's about all I have, so I try to use it wisely.

Frank F

[Hart]

Candidates: I can't think of any problems I would have except for maybe David Duke or somebody like that. We are supposed to be actors right?

Issues stuff. It would depend on what/who it was. I can think of several outfits I would and several I wouldn't on all sides of the politcal spectrum. It wouldn't really have to do with my beliefs versus theirs, but it would have to do with how they conduct themselves and me not wanting to be associated with such behavior.

What else though? Porn. Would you voice a commercial or narrative or whatever for porn? I might. If they need a new trailer voice for a re-release of "Behind The Green Door" I'm there. A Girls Gone Wild infomercial... sure, why not. Overdub of the pool boy in a "straight to video release", very doubtful.

That's the only stuff I've come up with that might bother me. Politics and porn. Not suprising that they are lumped in together.

Frank, for the record, if Tampex or Monistat calls me and says we want you, I'm there. No worries here. My wife's got me trained well, I'll go buy it for her.

EDIT: I just thought of one that bothers me. Working at two sports stations, we get a lot of ads for sports betting and online casinos. I do them, but I don't like it. Makes me feel dirty for some reason. Maybe it's the way they are written to skirt the law.
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Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions

[billelder]

I won't do local political candidates in my home area. My voice is too recognisable here. Other places? Absolutely.

[Spacegypsy]

Yes! I recently had an experience with a large audio book company.

I had been chosen as the voice for daily podcasts for a UK newspaper, through the audiobook company, and had been doing this project for a couple of months, recording prototype podcasts and it was all supposedly done and dusted. I was being introduced at the audiobook company to other departments as the voice of the UK newspaper etc. ..I was delighted to have the project, and pleased that such an establishment newspaper was going with a more diverse voice than RP.

Then, the editor of the newspaper heard my podcasts. Vetoed using me. Wanted RP. A surprise to all of us. I wasn't even aware that level of approval hadn't happened yet.

So, in the same phone call as I was told the editor had rejected using me, I was asked. "Well, they don't want to use you, but will you do erotica?"

"How erotic?" was my reply.

"Well, some of it is downright filthy" was the reply.

I must admit, in my rejected state I did not say no at that point, in order to have time to think.

So, I asked around, my family, hubby, and the only person who really minded if I did it was me! (And probably a few regular clients who would drop me like...)

So, I emailed and let them know. Subsequently, I went for an audiobook audition with them anyway - after my original contact had emailed the casting person to let her know that I would not do erotica... and guess what was on my lectern as my first read when I got there? I politely turned it over and started the next read instead. I didn't get any work from them. They obviously had me pegged as an erotica reader.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not judging anyone who does that, or anyone who uses erotica either - it's a free world in that extent - and I personally choose not to put my energy there. That's all.

So, is it where I draw the line? For now, yes. Is it where I will always draw the line? Who can say.

I recently also got accepted to play the part of a New Age Hippy in a reality show. My understanding of the scenario was, I was to present myself to a harangued Hair Salon consultant who specialized in hair extensions, and wind her up. At the end, it would be revealed I was a plant and she would be relieved or whatever. That was what I was led to believe. On further examination about the company, it transpired that they had a 6-week series devoted to this posh hair salon in Manhattan in the works. So, how could this possibly be a one-off set-up situation? Fortunately, I found that out before I was called in for the briefing session the day before the shoot. At the briefing session, they sent over two interns... reasons obvious.... and it transpired I was not being paid, and would not get a credit, and it would never be revealed that I was ACTING. Therefore, the New Age weirdo I was portraying actually WAS ME. Then I looked at the contract... haha... there was even a clause that said "I promise not to sue..." Naturally, I walked. Politely, (and understandably, as one blushing intern put it.)

[Deirdre]

Gah!

Never play the part of an asshole for free.
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DBCooperVO.com

[Spacegypsy]

Well, I coulda got paid for it, and handsomely. according to the audiobook peeps

[Deirdre]

I was thinking of the salon-prank "reality show".


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DBCooperVO.com

[Frank F]

My trip into the world of feminine things... was for a bra company... and I had to say (and I quote - I still remember the words - darn it) ..."You can feel the fit".

I do not remember how many times it took to do it without laughing, but it was done... and it was my last foray into the world of female things... well. in voice overs that is...

I am trying to be nice about this without blushing... imagine that - me blushing... I know it doesn't draw a pretty picture does it?

Frank F

[Deirdre]

"You can feel the fit"

tee hee hee.
Only if she lets you.
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DBCooperVO.com

[allensco]

Haven't done any female undies vo's Frank...but I have done a radio spot for a local Merle Norman cosmetics shop recently.

As far as what I won't do....I will not do political spots for local candidates. I will, however, voice the disclaimer at the end, just not the copy itself. For candidates not in my area, no problem. I'll take their money.

Like Hart, I don't believe I would have any qualms about doing a vo for feminine products. I've had to buy them at the store anyway.

[Bailey]

When it comes down to "drawing the line"... those lines would have to be parallel to my moral standards.
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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
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AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[COURVO]

my 2-cents.....

Just about every day of delivering broadcast news for 25 years I've had to read something I really disliked: abused kids, rotten politicians, & senseless deaths. 'Course it's a contracted arrangement, and it hides under the banner of "news", so I don't have much choice -- but you DO develop some pretty thick emotional callouses in the process.

If I HAD the choice, I wouldn't EVER lend my voice to something that didn't agree with my ethics, beliefs, or morals. Think about it. If you're against it, one of the best ways to stymie "it" is to make it that much harder to allow "them" to get the word out.

Sure, someone else will end up doing it, but I'm with Frank....at the end of the day I have to look at myself in the mirror, and if I feel smarmy about the product and my association with it, an hour-long shower won't make me feel any cleaner, and neither will the money.

OK, that was 3-cents

DC
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Dave Courvoisier - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.CourVO.com
CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

[Frank F]

Thanks DB!

et al: unfortunately I have bought the "unmentionables" for my Lady, but I still don't have to tell the whole world about it, and with my voice, who would believe it anyway????

Would you believe, "I am really a romantic at heart"???

Guess I am just getting too old for some things...

Frank F