VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:02 pm Post subject: "An Old Lady"

I just got an email from a producer I worked with a while back, looking for a VO for a client of his. Apparently the client is fairly young, which was obvious in the description for the part that the client sent to the producer:

"We need an older, mature sounding woman. She must project a feeling of warmth, experience, with a "been there, seen it" attitude, and a motherly aspect. Age range: 25-30."

Further deponent sayeth not.

(We had a good laugh over it...)
_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

Scolaidhe · Guest

Yeah, I'm guessing the client is... 18. Maybe 19.

When I was a freshman in college I had a crush on an RA in the dorm who was 20. At the time, it seemed like a huge difference. Plus, she was a nursing student.

So, yeah, young client.

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:16 pm Post subject:

I'm thinking early 20s and it's the person's first project for the client's client.
_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 12:08 am Post subject:

On the other hand, I recall seeing an audition that called for a "young adult male" and they provided a link to a YouTube video as an example of what they were looking for. The voice was that of Richard Dreyfuss, who is a couple of years older than me. (And that ain't young.)
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:09 am Post subject:

Yes indeed, "mature" voice has quite a wide range these days.
_________________
Elaine
The Youthful Mature Voice (Emeritus)
Senectitude is not for the faint of heart.

audiblyandrea · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:46 am Post subject:

HA!

ccpetersen · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:46 am Post subject:

Periodically I visit a couple of online casting sites for student and experimental works, and I can always tell that the producers are quite young when they define older women as "30s".

What is more irksome is that these "older" women's parts are always "motherly" and not very exciting, limited sometimes to lines like, "Oh,my dear, let me help you." and "Uhm-hmm".

Just once I'd like to see a part written for a powerful female who kicks butt and isn't described as "motherly" and "older" and age 25-30. It's as if the student producers can't fathom a woman in any other sort of situation than their moms, I would guess.

That being said, I've done a few student projects as a volunteer -- if they look like they're fun to do and aren't stereotypical. The students are usually pretty good about sending back copies of the final work.
_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

melissa eX · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:58 pm Post subject:

When I was in my teens we all knew to "Never trust anyone over 30".

TG there are producers out there to whom "mature" doesn't mean "motherly"

https://vimeo.com/63754258

The German version was a "non-motherly" female also.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 1:26 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:14 am Post subject:

Melissa, as a car and truck nut I really enjoyed that video. As a voiceover nut I really enjoyed your read too! Cool all around.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

melissa eX · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bruce, The production is fantastic. Daimler's other videos - many don't use VO - are just as awesome. I watched a stack of them on youtube when I go the link to this just because they're so good.

Lee, it was also attributed to Abby Hoffman and Jerry Rubin - who were actually into their 30s when I was a teen.