VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 988

Nelson, you rock! And your thoughts reflect those in LA. Bravo, my friend!

jsgilbert · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:43 am Post subject:

I suggest that some of you who are still waving pom poms high have had little if any exposure to 12 step programs and/or the program of recovery or you might feel slightly different. As for saying what's in the hearts of people who may see this whole "Ted" experience as less than the wonderful parting of the seas it has been made out to be, I'd suggest that perhaps that it might be nice to give those people 1/10th the benefit of the doubt and consideration that Ted has been getting.

As for the reuniting of Ted with his family, one of his daughters had some choice words for him yesterday, to the point where Mr. Ted was once again in the inside of a police station. His mother refused to be reunitied with him until she was offered a nice fat paycheck and even still she looked less than thrilled to be with him.

And what of the people who's personal property was broken into and who were violated by Ted, as little as a few weeks beforethis all statrted? He shrigged it off as if to say that he never committed any "violent" crimes. There's also more than a couple of stories that lead us to believe that Ted was alos pimping a woman in a parking lot not that long ago.

Live and let live? I'd say that he is very lucky to have not been spending the past 17 years in jail. A friend of mine, back in high school was an A student and a great athlete and he wound up doing 14 years in jail for having a joint. CHanged him forever.

No, nothing is fair. But it seems that lots of folks want to rally around the flag pole and treat Ted like he's some sort of hero. I haven't seen SAG roll out the red carpet to anyone else.

Dan Gilbert, no relation to me, is the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and also CEO for Quicken Loans. The week that he took a homeless man off the street and offered him a job and a home, Quicken Loans took action against over 25 homeowners for foreclosure and eviction. What about those 25 homeless families. Maybe he or Kraft can turn around and offer them jobs. Or is it that we shouldn't care about them, since all they did was try to do the right thing and follow the rules?

And the fine folks at Kraft have gotten about 50 times the p.r. and marketing value off of Ted than if they had hired Renee Zelwiger for a dollar to bathe nude in a tub of Mac and Cheese on the 450 freeway.

He doesn't represent the homeless. He doesn't represent the hero. He's not even very good at doing v.o. and there's even some question as to how much time he spent homeless versus simply couch diving. His friends and family will only pose for pictures with hm after getting paid off.

Perhaps what's in my heart is that I know individuals who have woirked hard and tried to do the right thing. Some of them have had substance abuse, but would never wave it around on national tv to get sympathy. It seems that those who know him best don't ant to accept his ammends, which is a huge part of the 12 steps, but perfect strangers are rolling out the red carpet and in doing so sending a very strange message to anyone who clings tightly to a strong work ethic or moral code.
In the meantime, the fine folks from Quicken are out there throwing money at anyone and everyone who might come forward to shatter their dream.

In a way, it's as bad as companies dumping chemicals in a river, because the fines are cheaper than waste disposal.

It's about as scripted as you can get. Please, let me pick out 10 people talented actors at random who are living on the razor thin edge of existence, who aren't stealing and pimping, but instead working minimum wage jobs to stay off the streets, and let's get them some v.o. work.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:50 am Post subject:

DougVox · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:54 am Post subject:

Oy.

Ted Williams and Daughter Detained by LAPD
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:57 am Post subject:

The media giveth. The media taketh away.
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Bailey · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:03 am Post subject:

Sometimes it's hard to keep your balance on that pedestal.
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:13 am Post subject:

who's yer daddy?
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jsgilbert · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 11:24 am Post subject:

Okay, I do have to admit that the Leno bit with his mother was funny. I'm guessing there will be a new chair with her in it on the View any day now.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject:

The walls are beginning to tumble down.

It seems to never occur to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.
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jsgilbert · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject:

I've also been a bit disturbed by those who have referred to this as Ted's having won the lottery. Is that what we've reduced this all down to? Making a go at v.o. (the bigger numbers) is like winning the lottery?

If you watched the Kraft spot, the making of, which in and of itself is nothing more than Kraft making a viral Kraft spot, Ted was given line read after line read.

I'm guessing there's really no point in anyone taking classes of any kind. Hundreds of trained actors are out of work, many of whom sound a lot like Ted and yet, Ted gets hired and is given line reads.

All v.o. teachers, gurus and coaches please turn in your pop screens now.

To those of you who have recently lost a job and are on unemployment, it's just that easy. Please jump on in. In fact, training will probably just cut into the time you could be using to market yourself, so forget about it completely.
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cyclometh · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject:

* sigh *

http://truebloodifi.com/gossip/TED-WILLIAMS-KRAFT-COMMERCIAL-MAN-WITH-GOLDEN-VOICE-RECORDS-VIRAL-VIDEO-AD-WATCH-NOW-4509802.html
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Nelson Jewell · Guest

I'll stand behind my previous post and will continue to pray for Ted and his family. Coming from the hardships of poverty and battling my own demons as a young man, you might say I have a different perspective. There were those that had destined me for a life of back labor and failure. Fortunately there were those that believed in my potential and gave me chance to prove myself. I've had countless successes since then. I guess it is all about perspective. Too much energy and negative emotions are spent on something none of us have any control over. I'm ready to move on. I'm inspired to do something today that will give my VO biz a boost.

May the New Year bring a surprise blessing (like Ted's) that will kick your career to the next level.

Be well. Smile

Gregory Best · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject:

Yes Nelson!! My wife (with all she has been through) and I took in a homeless alcoholic in September 07. He lives in our motor home and does some yard work for us. He attends AA meetings regularly (our requirement) and really turned his life around. Sometimes all people need is a helping hand an an opportunity to change. Go Ted!!!

Some may be envious. Me, I am proud he haas chosen a path of sobriety and doors have opened. This could inspire others. Enough negativity.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 1:51 pm Post subject:

I don't think or suspect Greg was referring to me about being envious, and I'm not. I'm not jealous OR envious of Ted and his sudden-found success, any more than I'm envious of lottery winners. Some people get lucky in life, and some don't. Some folks handle the sudden, unexpected onslaught of fame and/or fortune well, others can't; or don't.

e.g.: http://www.lotterypost.com/news/161361

I don't wish Ted any ill will. If it all works out for him, then bravo! If he can truly turn his life around, that's great. I hope it happens.

I simply think there's a ton more to be examined in depth here than just Ted striking gold. And most of it has been looked at earlier in this intriguing thread.

Just some of the equally important aspects of this whole story:

- The fact that it was a slow news day and the story aired weeks after the cameraman interviewed Ted on the side of the road brings to question the real motive for even publicizing Ted. Was it truly a 'good Samaritan' event, or a "slow news day, so let's put this on the air" motive?

- Ted's checkered past. yes, we all have 'em. Mine is embarrassingly checkered. Question is: can Ted truly make a go of it? I'm betting we all hope so, but that doesn't dilute the fact that once one establishes a lifestyle pattern that always has negative consequences it's hard to change gears.

- How this whole thing affects the v/o industry. As JS has very aptly posted numerous times here, it now encourages even more folks to jump into the already overcrowded pool. The already terribly misinformed notion that people have of "how hard can it be??" is now perpetrated even more thanks to this. Interesting stats posted by the forum administrator over on the Voice123 forums:

Since this story went viral:

778 'profiles' created; not premium...just profiles.

2 of these resulted in people upgrading last week.

129 Live chats last week.

4,620 inquiries.

Most common comments:

1. How do I get started?
2. Can I pay on a monthly basis?

So I am simply asking that folks who see some of us raising eyebrows here not automatically assume we're jealous, envious, grinches, or curmudgeons. Perhaps we simply want to also look at MORE of this story beyond simply the 'feel good' icing on top of the viral cake.
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