VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

DuffmasterFresh · Joined: 23 Sep 2012 Posts: 10

Hello everyone, I could not find a "new member" introduction section so I might as well do it here. Admins, feel free to move this if there is in fact such a section and I merely missed it.

So, hello! Smile

I am in college right now and once I finish my degree I plan on pursuing V/O just a little bit. I did the voice for my works phone system and my teachers always ask me to read to the class in my "voice" as they call it. I know the VO field is almost impossible to make a living out of, or get involved in, so that's why the degree comes first.

Here is a sample of my work, this should give you an idea as to what I prefer to do and my style. I have not shown many people this video, so please feel free to throw me some good feedback, I haven't found anyone to really critique my work that actually knows what they are doing.
http://youtu.be/gZ2syyZSWTY?hd=1

Thanks everyone, hopefully this forum stays active enough to keep my interest, none of the others do unfortunately.

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

Duffmasterfresh on the M - I - C
Here's a BIG UP from Scotland and a Hello from me!.... WORD!

Yes, I'm elderly and frail yet down wiv dah kids, patronising too!

Seriously, welcome and I hope you enjoy your visits.

Your voice on the video was a fine example of someone learning to play the Trumpet. Stage one is not to be able to play Bach it is simply to get a meaningful note out of the thing as opposed to what most people manage; the sound of a six year old after an extra portion of beans. You are producing meaningful notes all you now have to do learn is how to read the music and express the mood of the song. Hope that makes sense.

Bruce · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 5:58 am Post subject:

Welcome DMF, or whatever your 'rents call you at home.

You have much to absorb, young Jedi warrior, and this is a good place to do it. As for your video, you will learn as time goes on that often "less is more". Maybe another way to put it is instead of pushing your words, you caress your subject with them.

Anyway, have fun!

B
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I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Donna · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:36 am Post subject:

Welcome! You're starting off right if you found the vo-bb so early in your journey. You will learn much here.
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Donna Postel
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:10 am Post subject:

i agree with bruce, even though it sounds vaguely dirty ... or maybe because of it.
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DuffmasterFresh · Joined: 23 Sep 2012 Posts: 10

Wow I appreciate the warm welcome and the feedback. Any friend I show this video to goes, "omg that's amazing, the best ever!" but I know not to listen to "civilians" as they don't have trained ears to pick up what really counts. Thank you for the feedback, I am glad you guys realize that it is not a finished product and it is not "omg amazing!". I am 23 and I have a long way to go!

As for my name, when I was in 9th grade a girl in my spanish class wrote up a list of nicknames for me because she was bored. Turns out this nickname stuck and I have used it ever since, even though I am not a DJ, can't play a musical instrument, and am not "fresh".

Here is one more very short recording I did of this show called The Amazing World of Gumball. There was a trailer for it on TV and I decided to copy the first minute of it. Again, you should be able to tell that I have a lot of work to do, but that's ok with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGBoAvqe944&feature=share&list=UUruw9D6zZAZEBpL_oePDnTw

Philip and Bruce have a great point! My uncle said the same thing but with less beans. He said he could tell I was "forcing" my words and my voice, which is totally true. I force myself to go "low" to try and get that movie voice sound that I am so fascinated with. But, maybe I should realize that my voice perhaps was not meant for that.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:16 am Post subject:

Strive most to be that which you are, young Grasshpopper. And welcome....

Ninja

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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

BruceG · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:45 pm Post subject:

Hi DuffMasterFresh, and welcome aboard!

You are right in seeing the need to not "force" your voice as others have said and as you have astutely observed. You'll find, over time and with practice, what your natural voice is and how to be comfortable with it. At the same time, you'll want to practice with improving your range but that will come with time.

Also, as others pointed out, you'll find TONS of good stuff here to help you, especially in the archives. Dig deep, study and soak it in. And then put it into practice... Laugh

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"What was that? An exhibition? We need emotional content." - Bruce Lee, Enter The Dragon

DuffmasterFresh · Joined: 23 Sep 2012 Posts: 10

I wanted to extend a continued thank you for the responses and warm welcomes. Smile

I might as well list my weaknesses, and strengths, more so for myself so I don't keep walking around with delusions about my voice.

Weakness:
- Very limited range of voice capabilities. I seem to be stuck with the movie voice, narrator, announcer, and the guy telling you to keep your hands inside the ride at the theme park.
- I have no editing skills. I am using Audicity because it is free, meaning my college budget allows it but I don't know how to really bring out my voice.
- No equipment. I was borrowing a Blue Yeti USB mic and it seemed alright but did not compare to my schools $1500 Nuemann, for obvious reasons.
- No idea where to find copy to reproduce in hopes to expand my voice, at least not copy that I connect with.
- No idea how to warm my voice up properly. My voice fails rather quickly while I record.
- I am asthmatic, so recording puts me out of breath quickly and I have to reach for my inhaler within only a few minutes.
- I have no idea if i actually have vocal potential or not, I have not been able to find a professional to give me the time of day for a simply "yeah maybe." or "no, go away."
- I want to activate the gravel but I don't know how! I love that gravelly voice.
- Can't afford a voice coach or classes.

Strengths:
- I have friends who have access to my schools recording studio, which has a $1500 Nuemann mic and all the goodies, amps, and processors for it.
- I am great at saying words correctly, even long complicated ones I can usually nail the first time.
- All of my teachers have discovered my voice and force me to read our textbooks out loud to the class. This is great practice.
- I live outside of Los Angeles, so maybe there is job potential there in the future.
- I don't smoke or do drugs so I won't suffer from that... or will I?
- I am a great writer, but I usually write science fiction short stories, not commercials.
- I know what I want: I want to do voices for movie commercials, animated tv shows or movies... or at this point anything, I am no longer picky.

Phew, I could add to these lists forever but I won't torture anyone with my very pessimistic view of myself and talents. I hate the sound of my own voice more than anything else in the world, I would assume you guys do as well, or so I hear.

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject:

DMF,

Welcome to the VO-BB. The more you learn to tell stories with your own voice, the more likely you will be to actually make a living doing voiceovers. I wish you all the best as you move forward.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:41 am Post subject:

If you find a coach or an expert or a Guru you will probably find a world of nonsense.

If you find your low gravel movie trailer voice you will find yourself, like most male voices with exception of about 12, out of work.

If you find YOU, your personality, your character, your inner sparkle, that which sets you apart when you are not talking to people about your love of VO work then you will find your way to making a living from doing Voice Over work.

The majority of people who do well from VO work, have that certain something and it has little or nothing to do with their voices, honestly.

It takes a couple of years to "get over" being impressed by other VO people and the more time you spend with them the more you will realise that most have all the sparkle and personality of a minor grade civil servant from Belgium. Like their VO best foot forward, the dullness is all on the surface. Allow yourself to dig and you will find hidden diamonds in others, most will simply bury them again and return to counting paper clips fearing shattered dreams. One or two will have a eureka moment and find new freedom from wanting to be the next (insert VO idol name here) and discover the joy in being the first THEM. Being the YOU is step one on the road to success in anything and may be, just may be, paying the bills reading out loud into a microphone.

You can write, you can read. Write a story about your best day ever, a true story, then record that. Do not READ it, affect it or "VOICE OVER" it just tell it like it happened. Master that and the world will be your oyster.

Jen Gosnell · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:44 am Post subject:

Hear, hear Philip!

Welcome, Duffmaster F. Just keep reading around here and things will soak in over time. That's what I do, anyway. Smile

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Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:05 am Post subject:

Phillip, thanks for the great encouragement (even if it wasn't for me Smile

) You always seem to have some unique introspective insight into how to be effective in this business.

Moe Egan · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:06 am Post subject:

Welcome Duff- as you have already discovered- it is an amazing place here in the 'dolphin pool' (as opposed to the larger shark tank outside of the VO-B cool

. Can't add much to what the great and powerful Banksey and Bruce have said- but something you wrote really struck me. You need to research vocal warm ups and voice care. In this line of work- it's our only instrument - you need to take care of yer money maker. Dig through the archives- just be sure you dust off your feet before coming back in the house. And as no one else mentioned it, new guy has llama duty. And last one to bed turns the lights off .
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Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Bish · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:43 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard. You've already been given a whole bunch of good advice here... others have paid VO charlatans a small fortune to get what people like Philip and Bruce give away for free.

Since I've been here, my biggest take-away is that I shouldn't ever try to be anything other than the best "me" I can be. There is only one "me", and I'm unique. Shun the generic and find your own vocal signature and learn to love it... it will serve you well.

That's as deep and meaningful as I get before 11am.

Ummm... Girls... I haven't seen anyone give him the run-down on chocolate & cake supply and the other newb stuff yet (Moe did bring up llama duty)... don't let him off the hook just 'cos he's got a cute smile Wink

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