VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

And don't put images of you in your skivvies in my mind -- I mean to the NON-HOME STUDIO, when you need to actually venture out into the world.

I probably still do over 50% of my work in an actual local studio, and while I don't dress like a slob, I do dress comfy -- usually a yoga pants/cami/hoodie/top combo of some sort. Now, this is when I know the client won't be there. When the client WILL be there, I step it up a notch -- boots/pants/sweater, or a casual skirt/top.

So, of course, today, I thought the client would be patched in... and he's there. And I'm there, in my yoga-pantsed glory. Shocked

I'm trying to tell myself I looked fine. I'd showered. I'm rationalizing that the engineer was in a sports jersey and jeans, so casual is fine...

But I still feel annoyed that I didn't look a little more professional.

So what say the VO-BBers? Should I beat myself up a little more? How do you dress for the studio? And Corey Snow, I already know your answer, you Sharp-Dressed-Man, you... Wink

_________________
Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

my website

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject:

if i'm venturing out i'll usually wear a dress shirt & khakis - if it's cold i'll wear a sports jacket or blazer. you never know who is going to be around - plus i feel bad (sometimes) that i never wear that closet full of suits i used to HAVE to wear every day.

but i keep my spiderman jammies on underneath ... they give me my "powers".
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Frank F · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:03 pm Post subject:

I do a lot of work with several studios, both local and some out state; my attire is always professional.

I do not mean a tie and coat, but NOT "casual Friday" clothing articles. I am careful to not don jingly jangly accessories or clothing that audibly rustles when I move.

Why you might ask? A long time ago, in a land far far away ,I worked another job and arrived at a studio in that uniform - and was embarassed. My Father reminded me that I am going to work, not to play. (I still keep a set of "studio attire" in my car for those occasions when I need to jump and run to a studio at a moments notice.

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Bish · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:27 pm Post subject:

I actually welcome the chance to wear something a little more... well, a little less like PJs and Bunny Slippers. I usually go with business casual, partly (as has been said here already) to make use of the old wardrobe while some of it still fits me! If I'm doing a Skype session and they may want video as well, I usually wear a polo shirt rather than the 1980's Ozzy Tour T-shirt. I like dressing up sometimes ...as anyone at the NY mixer will attest to Smile

_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject:

You are a voice ARTIST. Clients should expect you march to your own drummer, dress eccentrically, and do a bang-up job on their material. As long as you don't make them remove all the brown M&Ms from the studio candy dish, you should be fine. Wink

_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject:

Blue jeans (neat ones, no tears or rips), polo shirt or button-down shirt.
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:52 pm Post subject:

Blue jeans (neat ones, no tears or rips), polo shirt or button-down shirt.

As a side note, something I just never got was 10 or so years ago when I worked as creative services manager at a Contemporary Christian radio station, we were required to wear ties into the office (something I just abhor), even though no one other than the rest of the staff saw each other in the office/studios, and yet when we went out to do live remotes, where we actually MET the public, our official station garb was casual polo-shirt station shirts.
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:54 pm Post subject:

I'm in the polo and jeans or khakis club. I usually wear hats, so I also have to do something with my mop when I venture away from home. Have you ever tried getting lost in a script and having your hat hit the mic? Not the greatest experience.

Donna · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:07 pm Post subject:

Well, yeah, guys always know what to wear. Their choices are soo much simpler.

Do they even make men's yoga pants?

Kristen, when I get to go outside to play voice actor with an actual engineer, client in the room or not, I love to have the opportunity to wear something less utilitarian than sweats and a hoodie. That said, it still has to be quiet, so the taffeta number stays in the closet. So does the tiara, just in case headphones are required.

I generally decide based on what I know about the client's corporate culture. If I know they work in jeans n torn tshirts, then it's dealer's choice. If it's a new client though, it's biz casual. If only women had an equivalent to 'khakis and a blue shirt'.
_________________
Dangerous.

Donna Postel
donnapostel.com
donna@donnapostel.com

Monk · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject:

Spring, Summer, Fall: Kilt and a quiet fabric shirt. Usually a button down Oxford with button down collar.

Winter, Carhart workpants, and again, Oxford shirt, button down collar.

I've made the mistake of wearing a shirt that is of heavier material and every move I made sounded like a karate film foley track. That shirt is banished from the studio.

I also make a point to leave the cell phone in the car or switch it to airport mode in the studio. It can interfere. (especially an ATT phone) I also leave jangly keys and other noisemakers in the car. I always have a couple of business cards in my wallet as well.

Brushed hair, clean teeth and showered, no cologne. Doing that two person read in a 4x3 booth... no parfume!
_________________
Company, villainous company, hath been the spoil of me...

www.monksvoice.com

Michael Schoen · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject:

I always dress nicely -- no coat and tie but nice shirt and nice pants.
I have come to believe there are no expectations these days -- so just about anything within reason and taste works.
The test is you don't want the person at the door to be shocked that you, in that getup, are the VO.
_________________
http://MichaelSchoen.com

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject:

Bolton Wanderers away strip, Hunter Wellies and a Royal Navy Commander's cap worn at a jaunty angle.

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:32 pm Post subject:

Funny story about the cell phone - or other device that makes noise.

Was doing an ISDN session this AM and had trouble with the word advocacy - after saying it correctly about a dozen times already, I must have met my yearly allocation of advocacy. Anyway, I heard my tablet (which I was using to read the script) do its little notification blurp and the engineer/producer said "I heard that!" At the same time he said it, I noticed that it was a Facebook alert from a post he had just made on my Timeline - pointing the advocacy fail. Smarty pants - and you know who you are...

As for my attire, I wear a lot of black leggings and tunic tops with boots or sandals, depending on the season. Today, I had a muffler and a coat on in my booth because it was down under 50 degrees this morning is San Diego and no heat on during sessions.
_________________
Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

Bish · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

Philip, that could so easily have been a sartorial disaster. The careful selection of the away strip and the fact you opted for genuine Hunters is the mark of a true professional. The Commander's cap really needs no comment. Classy.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858