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Quote for the day

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:20:29 +0000

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.

-Helen Keller

Ask Marc #5 – Slating – What’s The Best Way? Plus – Urban Imaging And Agents, by Marc Cashman

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:08:48 +0000

What's the best way(s) to slate your recording? Where to learn about urban imaging? When to seek agents? Marc Cashman answers in Ask Marc #5, a monthly column ...

Microphones: Hear How Polar Patterns Affect Sound In Multi-Pattern Mics, by Juan Carlos Bagnell

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:09:07 +0000

Multi-pattern microphones offer lots of flexibility in the sound of your voice - but only if you understand how polar patterns affect that sound. Really, it's not complicated, as audio engineer Juan Carlos Bagnall - aka Some Audio Guy - demonstrates in this home studio video ...

Humor: What’s The Strangest Voice Over Request You’ve Received? Here’s A Doozey, by Tom Dheere

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:43:25 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from an aspiring voice talent. He said he was new to the business and asked if I could pass along the names of some of my e-learning and e-book clients. Okaaaaay ...

Quote of the day

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:34:36 +0000

“You win not by chance, but by preparation.” – Roger Maris

Career: Balancing Your Career And Family – Define ‘Success’ And Consider ‘Cost,’ by Dave DeAndrea

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:43:26 +0000

What does "success" mean to you? Veteran voice talent Dave DeAndrea cautions us to consider the "cost" of achieving success on time away from family. A documentary on puppeteer Kevin Clash got Dave thinking ...

This isn’t about voiceover

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:31:00 +0000

It’s Mother’s Day so this is about my Mom Betty Souer, and my wife Cinda Souer. The two most amazing mom’s I know. And yes, this is a commercial, but one so well crafted that I don’t care. I’m sharing it here anyway.

Playing the game

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:24:20 +0000

My studies with Marice Tobias started in October of 2007. Her insights and counsel are legendary for a reason. Her ability to help you focus on the things you’re doing to trip yourself up is simply amazing. How, having said that as an introduction, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read Marice’s blog posts about celebrities and voiceover. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

One way to relax your voice

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:49:00 +0000

The wonderful Nancy Wolfson provides this free voiceover lesson on relaxing your voice.

Screenwriting 101: A Step by Step Guide to Achieving the Impossible, by Christopher Riley

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:31:14 +0000

A great article from one of Faculty and the former Act One Writing Program Director, Christopher Riley, best known as the author of The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style. Chris spent 14 years in the script department at Warner Bros. as well as writing for Paramount, Mandalay, and Touchstone Pictures. More recently he produced the thriller Red Line, directed by Robert Kirbyson and starring Nicole Gale Anderson and John Billingsley, and taught in Pepperdine University’s MFA program in Screen and Television Writing. Chris and his wife Kathy wrote the psychological thriller Crawlspace, currently in development at Yellow Line Studio with Amardeep Kaleeka to direct.

The good news is there is a process to finishing your screenplay The bad news: the process doesn’t make the shoe easier to chew…

Read the rest…

Spotlight on Rowell

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:05:00 +0000

My friend Rowell Gormon is the old geezer in this Taco Johns commercial.

Wonderful work, Rowell! By the way, if you’d like more of the background, check out Rowell’s blog post about this commercial.

Spotlight on Chuck

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:52:00 +0000

My friend Chuck Davis is the narrator of this lovely short film called Diana – A Short Film.

Mighty nice work, Chuck!

Voice Acting: Saying ‘Nah’ To Voice Over Challenges Shows You Don’t Believe In Yourself, by Terry Daniel

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:43:31 +0000

"Nah, I don't have a chance at getting that gig." Or, "Nah, not for me." Is it REALLY not for you? Or is there a wall up in your brain preventing you from believing that you are qualified? Take a shot. Believe in yourself more, urges voice talent / coach Terry Daniel ...

She

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:07:00 +0000

My friend and manage Stacey Stahl has been busy of late creating a fabulous site called She Is The Voice.

Voice Acting: Get Pronunciations Right! Research – Or Someone Else Will (Get The Job), by Deb Munro

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:08:37 +0000

In this new 7-minute podcast, Canadian voice talent and coach Deb Munro relates from experience the critical importance of researching pronunciations to be absolutely correct in your voice over jobs and auditions. Or, as she warns: "Someone else will care enough to get it right"...

I missed it again

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:05:00 +0000

Well, it’s been a few weeks since my last update here. I’ll get back to regular posting again shortly; but first I need to take just a moment to note that I’ve missed my blogiversary yet again. May 2, 2005 was the date of the first post on this blog so we’re officially 7 years old now. Thank you for reading. I’m truly honored and humbled with your attention and kindness.

Is Consumerism Killing Our Creativity?

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:23:22 +0000

Great article from www.the99percent.com.

Have you ever fallen into a black hole of comparison shopping? You’re looking for a new digital camera, for instance. You head over to Cnet.com and read some reviews of various cameras, watch the video demos, identify the model you want. Then perhaps you employ Google’s shopping search to price out the options and find the best deal. All of the sudden, it’s four hours later. You’ve found the perfect camera, but your purchasing triumph is tainted by a creeping feeling of, well, disgust. Couldn’t that time have been used better?

Read more…

Voice Acting: Message To 14-Year Old Jake (And You): Imitation Is Dead End – Find Your Own Voice, by Paul Strikwerda

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 08:49:47 +0000

Have you seen the video of the 14-year old imitating VO master Don LaFontaine? It's creepy - and not the stuff upon which to build a successful career, notes pro Paul Strikwerda. Instead, find your own voice - the unique YOU that clients will want ...

Writing Commercials: Leaving Space ‘Between The Lines’ Is Good For Bottom Line, by Dan Friedman

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:23:08 +0000

A radio or television commercial is more than just words. The space between the lines helps to determine pace and establish mood, explains audio engineer, producer, voice talent Dan Friedman. But sometimes scripts get overwritten and ...

Seriously, What’s Your Vocal Health IQ? Maybe Surprise Yourself With This Quiz

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:23:15 +0000

When a friend or voice over colleague is not feeling well, we want to help. We pass along remedies we believe have helped us, or mention something we've been told or read about in a voice over forum. Trouble is, some of that advice might actually be harmful. Here's a quick Vocal Health IQ Quiz to help you get a sense of what's fact or myth ...

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:00:09 +0000

4/30/2012 – Audiobook Narrators: Prepare ‘Performance Dialogue’ To Schmooze With Publishers At APAC, by Paul Ruben

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:08:56 +0000

If you're an audiobook narrator hoping to schmooze with publishers - especially at APAC, the Audio Publishers Association Conference in NYC June 4 - prepare a 'Performance Dialogue," advises top director Paul Ruben ...

Career: What Else Can You Do Now To Supplement Your Voice Over Income? by Andy Bowyer

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:55:20 +0000

As time marches on, it becomes more and more important to have multiple skill sets in most any field, observes voice actor Andy Bowyer. And in voice overs, you probably can do more than you think to help supplement your income. Ask, "What am I good at, and how can I help others while helping myself?"

4/26/2012 – New Association ‘World-Voices’ Launches To Set Standards For Voice Over Quality And Skill

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:47:22 +0000

World-Voices, described as a voice over member-driven and member-controlled organization - has been formed to "set standards of professional quality and skill." Founded April 25, the group also aims to train voice artists on how to attain those standards, and promote certified members to potential voice seekers ...

Voice Overs – Talking Shop: Moe Egan, Mike ‘The Mic’ Jablon & Lau Lapides, by Stuart Grimes and AJ Cawley

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:42:37 +0000

Amid the hustle and bustle of studio work, voice actors sometimes chat about careers and experiences. These glimpses into the lives of voice actors Moe Egan, Mike 'The Mic' Jablon, and voice actor / coach Lau Lapides were captured recently at the lau lapides studio outside Boston ...

Marketing: Using A QR Code? Know 5 Essentials To Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly, by Jonathan Thaler

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:06:29 +0000

A QR code is that graphic box you're seeing more and more of on marketing materials. When a mobile phone camera clicks on that box, the user jumps to the marketer's website. Yet QR code expert Jonathan Thaler cautions that sending a prospect to your data-rich voice over website might be a BAD idea - if your site is not mobile-friendly ...

DEAD POETS SOCIETY’S TOM SCHULMAN ON THE ART OF SURVIVING HOLLYWOOD

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:28:03 +0000

This post is a little dated (2004), but still good. Here’s an excerpt:

Screenwriter Tom Schulman (WHAT ABOUT BOB?, WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT) had a confession to make at the latest edition of the Writers on Writing Series, sponsored by the Writer’s Guild Foundation. As far as the craft of screenwriting goes, “nothing came natural” to him. After all, he only “fell into writing because [he] wanted to direct,” and he felt he needed material to leverage the studios. So Schulman had to work long and hard on story, character and dialogue to become a “natural.” This from a guy who won an Academy Award for DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989), his first feature script! Schulman had many other bracing, no-holds-barred comments about the art of writing, and the equally important art of surviving Hollywood, during an interview and later Q & A at the Writer’s Guild of America in Los Angeles.

Read the rest here.

4/23/2012 – SaVoa Founder: Ex-Members ‘Tried To Hijack SaVoa Board And Failed,’ by John Florian

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:32:54 +0000

In the wake of a near total resignation of the SaVoa Executive Board last week, SaVoa founder Ed Gambill says the ex-members "tried to hijack the board and failed in their attempt. Their actions (are being taken) to malign SaVoa," he tells VOXtra. "They are mad at me because I stood up to it."

4/22/2012 – SaVoa President And Board Members Quit, Citing Frustrations; Will Form New Group, by John Florian

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:36:25 +0000

A former president and all but one member of the Executive Board of SaVoa - the Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists - have quit the not-for-profit group citing frustrations, including roadblocks to moving forward. And the Board members who resigned will create "a new accreditation group with much the same goals, but without certain obstructionist individuals" ...

4/20/2012 – Come To The ‘Voice Over Cafe’ – New Voice Over Show With Terry Daniel & Trish Basanyi

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:10:32 +0000

They're back! The fun-loving, wise-cracking team of veteran voice actors Terry Daniel and Trish Basanyi returns to VO podcast-land with the Voice Over Cafe, a new interview and variety show. Recorded in a laid-back but busy cafe (or so it seems), here's Episode #1 ...

Ask Marc #4 – Do I Ask New Client For Deposit? Is Quality Of My Studio Audio OK? by Marc Cashman

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:33:00 +0000

As a leading voice talent and trainer, Marc Cashman fields many questions. In #4 of his monthly series, Marc discusses options for billing new clients, and taps a friend for advice on evaluating the quality of studio audio ...

4/17/2012: Business – ‘Voice Over Legal’ e-Book Debuts: Essential Guide To Business And Legal Issues

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:02:53 +0000

Publication of "Voice Over Legal," a 120-page eBook guide for voice actors and performers to successfully manage their independent business and legal issues, was announced today by VoiceOverXtra, the voice over industry's online news, training and resource center ...

Your support network

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:43:29 +0000

Who do you have around you to help you stay on track when the journey turns out to be longer and more challenging that you expected? (And it will.) Or if you’ve been at this for a while, who do you have to help carry the load when the avalance falls on you and you’re buried so deep in work you don’t know when you’re going to see the light of day again? (This too will happen.)

In life, I have a small group of friends with whom I can and do share both joys and sorrows and I have my family, including two of my children who work for me; my daughter Karen and my son Eric.

Then there’s the VO-BB, a wonderful spot where I’ve connected with a signficant number of friends quite laterally all over the globe, many of whom I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting in person. And as a sort of bridge between the online and real worlds, there’s Faffcon. Many of the people who attend are friends from online and some of them are among my closest personal and professional friends.

Each of these represents a component of my support network. I in turn am part of the support network for many of them. So, what does your support network look like?

Marketing: Your Voice Over Website Stinks! But Here’s What To Do About It, by Paul Strikwerda

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:12 +0000

Are you happy with your voice over website? Does it represent who you are and what you do? Does it convert visitors into customers? How do you know? Voice actor Paul Strikwerda reveals 10 big mistakes and how to correct them ...

Being nice is for winners

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:42:00 +0000

As Seth Godin points out in a recent blog post called The end of the diva paradox there’s a big upside to being nice to people. As my friend Phliip Banks would say “Think on!”

Spotlight on DB

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:09:00 +0000

My friend DB Cooper is the narrator at the end of this fabulous video.

Wonderful work, Deirdre!

Career: Change Is Risky But Means Progress – So Embrace It, by Bobbin Beam

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:37:43 +0000

Are you comfortable with your voice over career? It's easy to be lulled into the comfort zone - but that's not a realistic place to be, warns veteran voice actor Bobbin Beam. Drawing on experience, she challenges us to progress by taking risks ...

There is no competition in voiceover

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:44:00 +0000

Really. None. It does depend on how you look at things, though. You see, if you look at voiceover from your point of view, you’ll see all kinds of competition. On the other hand, as Tom Asacker points out in his recent blog post Do you want to succeed? Then don’t compete, if you look at it from your client’s point of view the world looks completely different.

Christians in Hollywood: A Treatment by Ron Austin

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:50:23 +0000

A great article from Ron Austin, a former child actor, a screenwriter who worked on TV shows like Mission:Impossible, Charlie’s Angels, and Matlock, that deals with Christians at work in Hollywood. Printed in IMAGE Journal:

There has always been a Christian presence in Hollywood . In the so-called golden age, the thirties and forties, a Christian sensibility was clearly evident in the films of John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Frank Capra—to name only the most prominent examples. There were also stars whose professional personae reflected spiritual values, such as Irene Dunne and Loretta Young. I once had the pleasure of introducing my late friend, Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser, to an audience as “the best known Catholic priest in Hollywood since Bing Crosby.” Bud liked that. Crosby and others such as Pat O’Brien had that kind of positive image.

Read more…

One important word

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:58:00 +0000

My friend Jeff Tobin is a superb business coach who blogs about business and marketing. Now and then what he writes will really hit me between the eyes. His blog post yesterday is one example. It’s called One Word That Changes Everything. It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.

4/11/2012 See Nominees for Audiobook Of The Year & Distinguished Achievement In Production

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:27:28 +0000

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) today announced four finalists for the prestigious Audiobook of the Year Award and four finalists for the Distinguished Achievement in Production Award. Winners will be named and honored at the 17th Annual Audies® Gala and Awards Presentation on Tuesday, June 5 at The New-York Historical Society in New York City ...

4/10/2012 – Apply For New Voice Over Scholarship By May 1; Winner Will Receive Pass To VOICE 2012

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:55:14 +0000

VO Peeps, a Southern California voice over group, in association with Media Communication Association-International (MCA-I) has established a voice over Career Education Scholarship Fund, open to working pros and newcomers alike. The application deadline is May 1 for the prize of a VIP registration to the VOICE 2012 conference in Anaheim, CA June 13-16 ...

Ooh, Ooh!

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:08:04 +0000

I know that voice! A documentary coming soon.

My thanks to my friend Dan Nachtrab for emailing me the link to this trailer.

Home Studio: Punch ‘n Roll In Adobe Audition – For Quick Fix Of Your Recording Flubs, by Adam Verner

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:33:52 +0000

Can you punch and roll to correct your voice over flubs? It's a quick and handy method, especially for long-form narrations and audiobooks. Pro Tools users have that function. And now veteran narrator Adam Verner tells how a nifty tool lets you punch and roll in Adobe Audition ...

Quote for the day

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:33:00 +0000

From Trent Hamm’s Simple Dollar Blog:

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

– Thomas Edison

How To Schlep For Voice Over Work In A Slumping Economy, by Deb Munro

admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:39:34 +0000

How much effort and creativity are you applying to marketing your voice over skills? In today's challenging economic times it's crucial to take control and hunt for clients, advises leading Canadian voice talent and trainer Deb Munro. In this new podcast, chef Debbie serves up marketing recipes for long-lasting clients ...

Time and focus

admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 08:31:00 +0000

If you’re making a living or even a decent part-time income from voiceover, you all ready know that a great deal of the time you are doing something other than working in front of the microphone. Seth Godin offers some very cogent thoughts about how we spend our time and what might be a better way to spend our time. (Yes, he’s talking about photographers, but the point applies to all of us who make our living in a similar fashion.)

Why the “second nicest”?

admin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:23:10 +0000

One of the very best things to happen to me at Faffcon took place 10 minutes before the first Faffcon got underway in Portland, OR in September of 2010. Doug Turkel gave me an insight and some advice that struck a chord of resonance in my soul that continues to reverberate to this very day.

That insight and advice led to my position as the “second nicest guy in voiceover.” Since I first started using that line, the day I got home from that first Faffcon, I’ve been asked many, many times a question that is almost inevitable. It goes something like this: “So, who’s the first nicest if you’re only second?” And my answer to that question varies depending on whether I’m being asked the question in person, on the phone or via email.

The essential answer is to ask a question in turn: “Would the nicest guy in voiceover claim to be the nicest?”

But, here’s the truth behind that question: I’m a human being, just like you are. While I do try to be nice to everyone, sometimes I fail. I mess up. I make a mistake. In fact, (I make lots of mistakes. Just ask my daughter Karen or my son Eric. They do the lion’s share of the editing for me and have to deal with my mistakes all the time.) And sometimes, I’m not nice. I can even be a complete jerk from time to time. Again, ask my kids or my wife Cinda. They can tell you.

So, at it’s most essential, I can’t claim to be more than the “second nicest” guy in voiceover because that’s all I am on my best days.

The perils of success

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:38:11 +0000

Seth Godin’s blog is always worth reading, but today’s post is especially on point for anyone who has developed close relationships with their clients.

C.S. Lewis on Writing

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:09:50 +0000

From the website Letters of Note:

Considering he wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, one of the most popular collections of children’s literature of all time, it’s no real surprise that C. S. Lewis received thousands of letters from youngsters during his career. What’s admirable is that he attempted to reply to each and every one of those pieces of fan mail, and not just with a generic, impersonal line or two.

Read more…