VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[surroundhound]

I was noticing that some folks do this for radio and VO, and was wondering how common it is. I'm starting to think about how I want to build my brand -- so I Googled both my maiden name and my married name with "voice" to see what came up. Apparently there's a chick who shares my name who is seriously into Christian folk singing. Which is fine, but made me think about cases where you'd want to be careful you're not mistaken for someone else. I also know a fellow who works as an exec in a marketing firm by day, but sings in a band as a side venture. He uses a different name for each, to keep these "lives" separate.

For those who use a name other than their own, why do you? Privacy? To have something that sounds a little snappier in a morning show promo? To create a separate "brand" for your VO career that's separate from another career or interest?

[Deirdre]

DB Cooper is a "radio name" that made the leap into a stage name and beyond.

You want to be memorable.
An easily-recognizable name is good but being awesome at what you do is best.
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[surroundhound]

I like your "handle" (and your avatar, too). I used my own name back when I was in radio and then TV -- in my pre-married life. I guess it's snappy enough, my husband thought it was made-up when he met me. lol Unfortunately, there are a ton of folks on the internet now with that name. Though maybe it doesn't matter, as long as there isn't more than one of us doing VO.

[CC Heim]

My full name is Connor Carson Heim. Yeah, the girl with three last names. or... the girl with a boy's name. Carson is my maiden name.

For years, friends have called me CC. When I decided to pursue VO, I decided to adopt it "officially" for a couple of reasons:

1) Slating. Connor Carson Heim is just hard to say. It sounds like gobbeldy-gook, and right from the get-go, the person listening to the audition says "huh???" That's not how I want to make a first impression.

2) To remove any belief that I'm male. I can just see clients/CDs sitting 'round the 'puter, reviewing auditions and saying, "dammit, why is this GUY Connor submitting an audition? We specifically said we want a female for this part!" Then they hit delete. Without hearing my lovely and fluid vocalizations.

So there you have it. I'm CC Heim, and damn proud of it.

oh, and the weird think is that there are several female VO talents named CC....

[Eddie Eagle]

I just got lucky and was born with my name.

[Mike Sommer]

I was having a chat with some folks about this the other night. It seems this one particular lady has a catchy gimmick with her last name, Buhler, but everyone spells it Bueller- as it is spelled in the movie. I suggested that she change it to the popular spelling, because if they can't spell it they could have hard time finding her. She resisted, but I'm sure she'll figure it out-- she's a smart lass.

In marketing it's all about instant identity and name recognition. Whatever you do, make it simple and memorable. And hyphenated names are kiss of death ladies, because no one know what to call you.

There are a few actors I know, that have changed their sir names mostly to remove there ethnic or religious connections. But mostly it to make is simple for people to identify, and most importantly, to remember you.

My radio name was Michael Dair, and I've often though of keeping it since I run across so many people that still call me by that name.

[anthonyVO]

Easy names may have been important for ol' school marketing in the ol' school days. But now, it's all about relationships and, since so much communication is done in text, any name will do. Your job is not to market a simple name, but rather make friends and be yourself with whatever name you use.

Your friends will never forget your name. Your friends trust you. And therefore, if they can, will work with you.

-Anthony

[jsgilbert]

I was thinking of dropping the whole J.S. Gilbert thing and going with "Buck".

Whaddayall think?

If not that, how bout "Murray"?
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www.jsgilbert.com

"today is the first day of the rest of the week"

[melissa eX]

Buck sounds more ... manly. I'd go with Buck

Anthony is right

Anthony's also on a horse. He doesn't need to go with Buck.

Oh, and my name is anything but simple - and in radio I used a simplifed version at times (did you think I just pulled Ex out of a hat?) But I discovered people remember my real name - long as it is. So I use it.

[Lee Gordon]

[Philip Banks]

In the legal professional I am M'learned friend, country singing Bobby-Phil Banks, Jazz Phil the flugel, LA acting P. Philip A Banks, radio DJ Andy Philips (switch first and second names around also works as a sung jingle), to my mother Dear one (saves having to remember names), as a human being and voice over Philip Banks, as brand...........I am not and never will be A BRAND.

[Darren Altman]

He shoots...... he scores!!! My name is Darren Altman and that's my name!! I'm Darren Altman as a voiceover artist and Darren Altman as a professional, freelance drummer. I have never contemplated a pseudonym or a "brand". People are obsessed with brands these days. Brand this, brand that.

Phillip doesn't get the great v/o gigs he gets because he's "pipes" Banks or because of his marketing or his brand. He gets them because he's a fantastic v/artist, a nice bloke, professional and gives the client the read they require. Simple. What is his brand? He doesn't have one.

I don't have a brand and get asked to do all sorts of reads, from corporate E-learning, to impressions, characters for computer games, hip, trendy reads and whatever. Surely having a "brand" limits a person? It tells clients that this is all a person is capable of?

Just out of interest, while we're talking about pseudonyms, what does SurroundHound mean? What does it say about you? What does it tell a client about your abilities, other than 5:1 stereo barking?!

Oh.... and Philip, you forgot Phil "the greased-up slider" Banks, for when you do your pole-dancing gigs.
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[anthonyVO]

That should be a t-shirt:

http://flic.kr/p/8EYEfX

-Anthony

[Philip Banks]

[Darren Altman]

Awesome Ant... tweeted!!