Voice Actor Allen Swift, photo copyright Neal Boenzi, The New York Times
Shame on me for missing the Cartoon Brew post last week and only now catching the New York Times obit on voice actor Allen Swift.
What’s sad for me in these situations is I learn of a performer’s work after their passing. Shame on me again.
With the switch to HD, networks and local stations are not only sprucing up their sets (and their talents – make up doesn’t work the way it used to), they are also updating their graphics package.
So Monday, CBS’ Early Show did just that…complete, I’m advised, with a new announcer.
I am open to correction but it sure sounds to me like the lovely and talented Mr. Beau Weaver scored himself another network gig. Sounds great to me.
Andre, Greg and John at Babble On Recording Studio in Minneapolis have published a fairly unique blog post that I think is worthy reading for producers, clients, engineers and voice talents.
I don’t know these fellas, I just subscribe to their blog – I’m also pretty sure they don’t know of me.
As engineers in a recording studio, and no doubt as producers themselves, they participate in a great many voice over sessions with clients or 3rd party producers. Some of these sessions don’t go well because the communication between the producers and voice talent doesn’t seem to click. If you’ve been in the VO business any length of time, you’ve likely been directly involved in one of “these” sessions – as the talent, it can resonate in your head for days.
What Babble On presents in this post are ideas on how to better communicate with voice talent based on ideas and insights from voice talents…what type of direction gives them the ability to offer a better performance.
I thought it was a really great read and terribly insightful. I hope you do too.
Thanks gentlemen.
That is just one quote from one of the many ‘can I be in voice overs too?’ emails I get each week. All of them sincere.
I’m honored that these folks think I’m somehow worthy of the note, thinking that I may be able hand over the magic keys to the voice over kingdom. I’ve not the heart to tell them that no one has yet told me where the bathroom is in this kingdom let alone handed me the kingdom’s keys.
What I always do is direct them to my free e-book “The Voice Over Entrance Exam” which discusses what I believe are the real keys to beginning a career in voice over. It is rarely a fast turnaround career and it is mostly not a highly lucrative business for the thousand who practice it in earnest…it takes time and patience and that erases most of the newer contestants early on.
If today, this is you…you think you’d like to try your hand at voice over…OK.
1. Read my e-book, read other people’s books (there’s a list of some in my book) then decide.
2. If you are serious (and please read and think about those words again) you have options. One of many options is this one.
3. If you’re not serious about being in voice overs, now is the perfect time to realize and admit that – you are obviously an honest and courageous person if you can.
If you are currently a voice talent, feel free to reference this book and share the link with those who inquire to you if you feel the book is worthwhile.
If you would like to become a fan of the book on Facebook, click here and thanks.
As always, I hope this helps.
I cannot remember if this is the third or fourth time I’ve attended the RAF’s Freelance Creative Expo but I am always glad I do it. While its only an hour away, my schedule is a too hectic to benefit from an RAF membership and it is my loss because they are clearly a membership filled with talented, nice people by whom I am always genuinely welcomed each year. Thanks to the committee members who put on this year’s event.
Why the Buffalo Ad Club can wrap themselves around such an annual event locally is a mystery to me. What an amazing friend raiser.
Which leads to a great surprise I enjoyed at last night’s show…through the throngs can this person with a name tag that said “voice over talent”…it was my on-line VO pal Leslie Diamond.
Male Voice Talent Peter K. O'Connell and Female Voice Talent Leslie Diamond
She had never been to the Expo before and decided to check it out, not knowing I’d be there. I invited her to hang out at my booth/table so she could meet and introduce herself to some of the folks I was meeting. Having lived in Rochester for a while, I think Leslie got pleasantly reacquainted with some great contacts.
Thanks Leslie and thanks RAF for making this year’s show terrific.
About 1,200 of closest friends…OK my prospect and client database…started receiving my most recent marketing effort this week…the postcard you see above.
My thanks to my friend and designer Ann Hackett from aHa! Designs for her help and patience with me during the design process.
If you didn’t get it just send me a quick email (peter at audioconnell dot com) with your address and I’ll send you one.
