VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

MBVOXX · Last edited by MBVOXX on Thu Apr 11, 2024 2:16 am; edited 1 time in total

My normal work week sees 40-50 auditions and all those audition scripts always come with some degree of direction. As well, they often include references ranging from the writer's scratch track to celebrity "touchstones", to simple suggestions or requests. I've even received audition scripts that have referenced me as the voice to either match (literally), or try to capture the essence of. Oddly, sometimes I get those "me" jobs and sometimes I don't. lol.

Last week I received an audition script with an AI voice over of the entire script for reference. As I listened to the reference track I thought it sounded about as perfect for the project as possible. There was nothing artificial about it, and the tone, timbre, inflection, and all performance aspects were spot on. Apparently whomever created it had entered all the directional data and the computer executed it perfectly. And I mean perfectly.

I wondered ... (if it's a non union job) why doesn't the client just go with the AI voice and call it a day? Sadly, it's looking like this is where the future of general, day to day, in the trenches VO work is likely to end up. The AI voice guy shows up on time, doesn't make mistakes, doesn't slur words or have mouth noises, doesn't drink, doesn't complain about the poor copy writing, doesn't require a studio, linking software, or expensive gear, and charges a whole lot less. And kinda like drum software, renders the best sounding performance money can buy.

BruceG · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 8:32 am Post subject:

I hear you Michael. My work is the "non-glamorous" end of VO, largely E-learning. Thankfully I'm still getting a lot of work...but I've wondered lately how long this will last. As you've already said, AI is getting scary-good these days, though I've heard instances on YT where there is a "glitch" after about 8-10 min or so. I don't think it's completely there yet for long-form narration but it could be, sooner than we realize.
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"What was that? An exhibition? We need emotional content." - Bruce Lee, Enter The Dragon

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 965

Mike Paul · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2024 10:09 pm Post subject:

I can see a day not too far off where residuals from AI usage (imagine a global translation to many languages for a large campaign) usurp traditional residuals.
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Mike Paul
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todd ellis · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 6:39 am Post subject:

What I'm hearing from my eLearning clients about AI is not about quality, but about privacy. With drug development cost in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, the pharmaceutical word is especially touchy about their proprietary information leaking into the ether. At this point, they just don't trust the AI engines. That will likely change, but not on 4/12/2024.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 9:37 am Post subject:

Several years ago, I did a video game in which I played two characters, both of which were talking computers in the same manner as Majel Barrett's Star Trek computer or HAL from 2001. In fact, one was in the style of HAL. If AI had been at the level of advancement it has reached today, the game developer could probably have used it instead of me. I'm sure there are plenty of other humans who have performed similar roles over the years. I think the current state of AI is just the computers getting their revenge against us for taking their jobs.
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MBVOXX · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2024 5:07 am Post subject:

I remember back in the late 80's doing sessions for a cash register voice. Since sampling was in it's infancy and couldn't reproduce captured speech with accuracy and only in short segments, they had me speak very slowly, articulating and enunciating each vowel and syllable, so the computer could interpret it back as close to speech as was possible at that time.

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 577 Location: SoCal

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 5:52 am Post subject:

AI, are you ready?
The OOV girl has just spotted her ex with his new girlfriend. He is driving her favourite car, the one they always wanted to own when they were together. She is heart broken. As shots change to show how great the car is and the couple having a wonderful time she describes the features of the car as if she were describing her happiest memories of their relationship. Ok? I'm rolling.

No? What's needed is EI. Emotional Interaction. Code THAT!

AI is able to generate something very quickly but that is not the same as being spontaneous.

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Philip, Philip...you just don't know what you don't know.

This thing is a tidal wave capable of matching (and often exceeding) human capabilities on every level that relates to VO.

You'll see. You'll definitely see.

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 965

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:02 am Post subject:

I can't really ignore the double dose of patronising responses but out of courtesy I'll defer to acceptable "free speech".

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 6:14 am Post subject:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. At least I'll be dead soon.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

melissa eX · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 8:30 pm Post subject:

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 965