VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

Hi,

I've been visiting the messages boards for a little while now but want to come out of "lurk" mode to say hello. Like many folks here, I'm an ex-radio guy though I've been away from the business for nearly 20 years now <gulp>.

For the first ten years after radio, I didn't go anywhere near a microphone. Somewhere around year 11, I stumbled into a voice over gig via my employer at the time, an agency/production house. That gig turned into another, and another. It certainly wasn't regular, and no way could I possibly live on what I was making, but I was getting my feet wet. I was also producing the occasional session for projects I was working on, and generally learning a bit along the way.

Unfortunately, I really thought I sucked. Whatever I was able to do in radio really didn't translate well to voice acting. BTW, these projects I was doing were mostly long narrations for (originally) CD-ROM and then web-based e-learning, and the occasional corporate video.

While the clients were happy with what I was doing, I wasn't, and I usually tried to get out of doing the sessions. Finally, a few months ago, another 80-page script landed on my desk with a client request that I do the voice work. I should have been thrilled but instead I cringed.

Driving home from that meeting, it dawned on me: Idiot! Don't turn down work! Learn to get better at it! (It seems really obvious as I write it all out now but I can be kind of slow sometimes.) So I decided to get some training and actually put a little effort into it. I may never make a living at this but if I can learn to be better at it, I'll be a lot happier with what I'm delivering.

So anyway, I stumbled onto this board while doing research into coaches and have been lurking ever since. I start with Nancy Wolfson next month (by phone). And someday I'll pull together a demo but I'm in no rush.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know you guys.

Bob

Edo · Guest

Welcome to the board Bob!!

rodneystoner · Guest

Welcome Bob...
Hope things go great for you....Nice to meet you.

Rodney

imaginator · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

welcome...and congratulations in the extreme on your sensible approach to things. so many people who get into this, especially from what's left of radio (and i count myself in this number) can get so hung up on how damn good we sound...or used to...and can't figure out why the voice-talking gig just isn't clicking.

you apparently not only have a good ear...you have a good and realistic plan.

and for training...yeah. you won't find anyone who understands the shift from "radio announcer" to "communicator" better than nancy w.

i'd hazzard a guess you've already shaved five years off your transition time.
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

melissa eX · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Welcome!

I also lurked - for more than a year - before I came out of my cave.

I'm really glad I did. Come out of my cave that is...

lurk too...

louzucaro · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject:

Welcome, Bob!

Like you, I can be kind of slow sometimes Smile

_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

Chrissy · Guest

Welcome Bob. I understand that Nancy W. is fantastic. Keep us updated.

Lizden · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject:

Hey Bransom...can I call you Bransom?...There are already several Bob's here...and well...I'm so easily confused.... Wink

Anyway...WELCOME!

Good for you on your approach, and CONGRATS on your 80 page narration!...I'm working on a 3000 word one right now....just delivered the fist 10 files...yes it's Midnight...yes I love my job...yes I'm addicted to this place...OK...time to go to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Did I say welcome? Shocked

Liz
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

bobsouer · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:16 pm Post subject:

Bob,

Welcome! We can never have too many Bobs.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

dhouston67 · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:26 am Post subject: Re: Introduction

ccpetersen · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:41 am Post subject:

Welcome! Like you I sort of took my time getting into this; having spent time watching others do it and admiring their easy grace behind the mic.

Hang in there, and welcome to our den of iniquity and cake frolicking.

Smile

_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

Moe Egan · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

Welcome New Bob. Thanks for the intro. (*sniff*) Check it out, he still has that New Bob smell! Rolls Eyes

I was also a long time radio person. But I got better. Shots and therapy helped (now I wash my hands a lot so i dont' get that radio bug again, it's a killer to get rid of). Very sensible approach to things voice over you have (why am I writing like Yoda? Obviously I need more java).

Welcome. Much to learn here - egos are for the most part checked at the door. This is the dolphin pool, as apposed to the shark tanks you'll find in the real world. Did you bring us more fish? Wink

_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

KaraEdwards · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:15 am Post subject:

Hi Bob!

I agree with Rowell! We always hear from people who think they sound so good and don't need any training (not on this board- just in e-mails we all get). It's so refreshing to hear from someone who obviously IS good (you keep getting hired- a sure sign) but wants to get BETTER! Ahhh...I'm going to marinate in that for a while.

I have a similar story- radio for 11 years, but always did voice acting on the side. Still, when I decided to go full-time as a voice actor I went back and started learning the basics again- just to shake the radio thing. Nancy is fantastic!! Good luck- and welcome!
_________________
Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

Bailey · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:29 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard Bob.

Actually there are:
6 Bob's
1 Bobbi
1 Bobbin
5 Rob's
3 Robert's

There may be a few more Bob's in the mix, but they haven't come out of hiding yet.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

.gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja