Voice Talents Peter K. O’Connell and Connie Terwilliger

On February 2, 2005 my voiceover career veered in an entirely new direction, solely by signing into a fairly new web community.

I made a professional, online connection with a fellow voice-talent named Connie Terwilliger on a short-lived, voiceover-centric website that was closing down.

Voice Talents Mary McKitrick, DB Cooper and Peter K. O’Connell

Connie (who is an amazing female voice as well as stage actress) clued me into something call the *Voiceover Bulletin Board*, or VO-BB.com , started by another great voice actress, D.B. Cooper.

Voice Talents Bruce Miles and Peter K. O’Connell at FaffCon 8

Bruce Miles now manages the website daily.

Sidebar: I just realized that those three people – who are all part of my VO-BB experience, and now my voiceover life – are sincerely 3 of my most favorite voices in the industry

The ways the members of that community have helped my career and befriended me over 18 years cannot be counted. But I am grateful for all of it.

Should you not see a topic you have a question about, it’s easy to post a question. Members are there to help members…most all of whom are seasoned voiceover professionals.

As just one example, it was on and because of VO-BB that FaffCon – the Unconference – was conceived, born and flourished.

If you are in voiceover or if you think you might want to be in voiceover, join VO-BB.com….it’s FREE board and search any possible voiceover topic you have a question about (performance, business, technology….you’ll find many interesting discussions and helpful ideas.

Enjoy the ride.

Tags: commentary, faffcon, VO-BB, voiceover advice, voiceover meet-ups by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Back in April of 2014,  I was in Kansas City and I grabbed dinner with fellow voiceover friends Dan Hurst, Andy Barnett, and Matt Wiewel at a great BBQ joint (well Kansas City is full of them).

As we chatted a lot and ate even more. the conversation turned to voiceover agents in the KC area and I was told about a new agency that had recently opened called Moxie Talent Agency.

The next day, I drove over to see the folks at Moxie Talent — well actually, because it was so new, I only remember meeting Stacey Siegert, Moxie’s owner.

We had a very nice chat about my voiceover business.

At first she was afraid I was looking to become a male on-camera model…I said “never” and she said “thank god!” (I made that last part up).

Stacey and I set up a voiceover representation agreement within a few days that is still going strong today.

It’s really not my place to say I’m proud of Stacey and her (now much bigger) team but it IS an amazing accomplishment for anyone in the performing arts or operating a supporting business for the performing arts (like a talent agency) to remain around for 10+ years. Even thought Stacey and Moxie may make it look so, longevity is NOT easy in the performing arts.

I’m grateful for Moxie Talent Agency’s support and am glad to be a part of her agency’s voiceover roster for all these years.

Tags: agents, commentary, voiceover, voiceover advice, voiceover blog by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Back in the day, the folks at LinkedIn used to let users post a little video about themselves that you could see in the profile picture.

I was always delaying doing it – mostly because I don’t like being on camera and because the world is absolutely FINE with me not being on camera.

However, this week, I was inspired! I decided I would make a quick :30 second video welcoming the masses to my LinkedIn profile page.

I wrote a little script and practiced it.

I set up my unfancy ring light that has a holder for my phone.

Then I hit record.

I hit record again.

I hit record about 75 times before I read the script (that I rehearsed with) with vocal clarity and the motions of my mouth, head and hands did NOT look like I was having a seizure.

Did I mention how I don’t like being on camera?

Anyway…I edited the video and went on the LinkedIn app to upload it.

Except it wouldn’t upload.

That’s because it couldn’t upload.

A quick search showed LinkedIn stopped adding profile videos this past June.

They must have heard I was coming.

Anyway…now you have to watch it…do not avert your eyes!!! If I had to record it you have to watch it! 🙂

Tags: commentary, linkedin, social media, social networking, social networks and links, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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If you ask most actors, unless the part is really wonky, they are glad to accept the voiceover work they’re offered.

To be an actor, you’ve gotta be acting. We love the big parts (as they often bring bigger money and exposure) but the smaller part also pay the bills and can be a lot of fun to perform (and can get you noticed – you’d be surprised).

I bring this up because I get that “big part/small part) question asked a lot from my students at the VO Workshop. Ego rules some actors to the point where they may turn down work that they feel is beneath them (even in voiceover).

If there was a moral or ethical question within the project…that I understand and I’ve turned down a few jobs (most pro folks have) with those issues.

But small parts…especially character work…have been a nice portion of what I have voiced over the past four decades as a professional voice actor.

A recent case in point is a corporate voice project I was signed to do for Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. With over 2,100 store locations, countless divisions within the chain and over 300,000 employees, I’m sure educating them all is a huge task. Hence their on-going training activities including the project I worked on.

LISTEN TO PETER’S LOWE’S PROJECT….

2 lines.

In the Lowe’s project, I had a grand total of two lines…but they were comedic and payoff lines for the narrator so the producer needed someone who could pull that off convincingly, effectively and comedically for what he had in mind.

And who he had in mind was me. No auditions – ‘I want Peter’.

Remember when I said you’d be surprised how small (and big) parts can get you noticed?

These producers had worked with me before, knew my versatility and knew I could be trusted with getting the right character and versions for their script. If need be, I am very directable but this director let me go and I got him what he wanted.

Bang. Zoom. Done.

My point is, for voice actors, I’ll take jobs like this all day long and gladly cash the checks they bring because there are lots of small parts. Yes, I get lead spots too and I love ’em!

But be humble and professionally enough to graciously take all of it.

Be the person a producer can rely on to always get the job done for them…no matter the size of the role. Size is nice but quantity is great too. Aim for both in your voice acting career. Hope that helps.

Tags: commentary, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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It’s not like the Buffalo Bills need my help in supporting football in Buffalo.

But they are my team…I have purchased more jerseys, hats, t-shirts and other stuff than is thoughtfully proper or fiscally responsible. I guarantee you, however, that my family pales in comparison to such purchases by many Bills Mafia members.

I had a fun idea though, which I think is both helpful, respectful of the rules while allowing me to show my support of my football team.

I created my first Buffalo Football Team schedule for the 2023 season. I’m being respectful not to use any trademarks to symbol marks of the team….just sharing out the Buffalo football team’s home and away schedule, times and broadcast outlets (all always subject to change).

It’s free and you can download it HERE.

The one date I did NOT include on the schedule was February 11, 2024….but I feel sure Buffalo will be on the field! #letsgobuffalo

Tags: blogs, buffalo, commentary by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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The voiceover paparazzi have indeed found me again. 😉

Granted these V.O. paps are much smaller, less aggressive and so stealth as to be almost non-existent, but they exist.

They write newspaper articles, blogs, vlogs, podcasts and more all about voiceover talents. Evidently, I was next up in the latest news cycle and I was glad to oblige.

My friend and fellow voice talent Christi Bowen kindly shared my name after she had been interviewed by a company called Canvas Rebel Magazine, a publication that writes articles and profiles on small business owners, artists and creatives in our communities who Canvas Rebel believes are brilliant and deserve more coverage, more platforms and more opportunities to share their stories and insights.

Working with their writing and production team, they created a very nice profile that helped give people a little more insight into my industry and my professional journey.

I hope you’ll take a moment to read the post and the many other posts from Canvas Rebel HERE.

Tags: commentary by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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