VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Ben Amos · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 9:52 am Post subject:

That's how I know that I still have a looooong way to go before I've "arrived," (if there really is such a thing, and if there is, I'm not sure that I want to get there, per se). The quest to grow and continue learning as a performer keeps you evergreen, in my book.

If I get in front of the mic and give something what is undoubtedly the result of my best judgement as a actor, and Bob Bergen looks at me and says, "Okay, that was good. But remember what your character is doing physically when we begin, and let that inform your delivery" and it turns out better - so much better that if you listen to the first and last takes, then it's night and day - then have miles to go before I sleep, because that last delivery isn't my first couple of takes.

With the lessons that I've learned through seeking to become a better actor, I'm constantly surprised by the performance that a solid director can pull out of me. Each time there's a "light bulb moment" at the mic, however, I remember that discovery. It becomes mine forever, so long as I commit to learning the lesson. Slightly better armed, I go to the mic the next time wiser. The aggregation of those light bulbs eventually contribute to the brightness of one's personal star. (Or so I choose to believe).

At some point, maybe those moments won't be as much of a revelation. My range will strengthen and improve, and the lessons learned from working with skillful directors and coaches will be internalized, so that it's first nature. Until then, however, you've gotta keep moving forward.

You're either green and growing or ripe and rotting.
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"Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." - Jean de la Fontaine

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 979

Ben Amos · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:52 am Post subject:

Yeah, see??? ^^^THAT^^^

If every word of the above is old hat to you (whomever you are), then you're likely not in the market for coaching. Otherwise, get thee to someone who knows more than you.
Wink

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"Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." - Jean de la Fontaine

melissa eX · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject:

That's a fantastic breakdown, Bob - it's a session in itself!

I think we all benefit from coaching, wherever we are in our careers. The right coach will help you to learn nuances later in your career that you weren't able to integrate - or even see or hear - early on.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:54 am Post subject:

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Nice posts Bob!
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk

Ben Amos · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:49 am Post subject:

I couldn't agree more, Lee. There are some that frequent these halls, however, who have been quite vocal on the VO Pro LinkedIn group about coaching in its entirety being a load of hooey. Though not verbatim, the impression that I got from their diatribe was that when they had to walk uphill both ways in the snow in their day to grace the hallowed microphone of "THE-uh BeeBeeSee-uh," that they got wherever they are by their own power - didn't need anybody's help, won't ever need anybody's help, and that anyone that does is a pablum-sucking infant.

Or so it seemed.

To have someone of Bob's acumen talk of the importance of continual improvement is a breath of fresh air.
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"Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." - Jean de la Fontaine

Bish · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:24 am Post subject:

There are two schools of though. These are usually applied to anything... not just VO. There are those who will tell us that "anyone can do anything they want". This has recently been reinforced by the positing that 10,000 hours of practice will make you an expert in whatever takes your fancy. This philosophy is usually put forward by those who stand to make a buck out of helping people on their way to their dreams (Voice-over for Dummies, anyone?). They also tend to talk of numbers far smaller than the suggested 10,000!

On the other hand (and this is where I fall), most will say that you need a foundation on which to build. Something apparent... or even buried that may need coaxing out. This (latent) natural ability needs to be honed if it's ever going to be considered as a professional asset. Some have an obviously good starting point on which to build... some find it buried. Either way, it needs to be treated with care and nurtured.

Sorry, but we're not all snowflakes full of endless possibilities. We can't all be anything we want (despite what the inspirational posters and self-help books say). For example... I am totally useless at sports. My hand-eye co-ordination is total crap. However much I may have wanted to (I didn't), there is no way I could have been a competent sportsman... or brain surgeon come to that.

As with all extreme positions ("anyone can do it", or "I'm a natural and I don't need help")... the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
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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.

Ben Amos · Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:28 am Post subject:

Well stated as the voice of moderation, Bish. I imagine that the vast majority of us fall in the happy medium category.
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"Man is so made that whenever anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." - Jean de la Fontaine

Mike Harrison · Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:05 am Post subject: