VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:15 am Post subject:

Intimate knowledge of the Iranian Double Pause is ESSENTIAL ... Porky Pig knows NOTHING! Wink

The above has nothing to do with him refusing to pay up the 87cents to learn the above mentioned invalueless technique.

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

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

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Man, that's a lot of information to digest. You guys are at risk of destroying my, as I recall Philip put it, valuable naiveté. At this point, I just know that one of my favorite activities is blabbering into a microphone... sometimes I can even manage to do so at least partially coherently. But at least I've got one thing going for me; I have the perfect face for VO.

Before even approaching concepts like acting and what not, I have some core things that I feel need to be addressed. One thing I've noticed as I've been kind of assessing my voice is that my articulation needs work. Certain combinations of sounds are...sloppy. Not sure if this is something that can be corrected through exercises and training or not. That's why I'd really like to do an evaluation with someone, but my fear is that someone will not be completely honest with me in hopes of getting me to sign up for additional training.

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

Steve, without hearing you there's no way of knowing how bad your speech is, or how much it would get in the way. Personally, I've seen people over train speech to the point they take themselves out of the equation. Unless you sound like Bette Davis after her stroke, perhaps this is just your brand/personality and you are being overly sensitive??? Perhaps not. But I really think the acting training trumps worrying about how you speak at this point.

I have a very dear friend who struggled for years to break into vo because she was SO trained in speech and classical theater, a deodorant commercial sounded like Othello. Once she was able to just be herself, relax her vo performance to who she was day to day, combined with her acting skills she now has a killer vo career.

Again, I will keep going back to the acting. Look at Wally Shawn. The man has a very obvious speech impediment. He has made it his signature. It's who he is. And, he's a brilliant actor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc77-hsx5yE

Now again, I cannot evaluate you without hearing you. But keep in mind no one needs another voice. They have all the voices they will ever need, and most are out of work. What they don't have, and what they do need is YOU. Your heart, your brain, your cadence, your sense of humor, etc. The you that makes you you. Wink

OK-quick edit! I went back to the beginning of the thread and saw you posted a link to some imaging liners. Your speech is fine! Your voice and approach to this imaging brand is fine as well. It's one note for this particular imaging/station. But you do it fine. Did it curl my toes and make me want to call my agent to take notice. No. But it also didn't repel me or drive me to tell you to go into mime. I can hear that lack of confidence. No problem!!! You just aren't "there" yet. But your starting point is a good one. Don't be so concerned about the voice. Honestly, dive in and get those acting skills honed.

You remind me of Bill Ratner:
/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/1601/cabinet/publicaudio/Radio%20Imaging/ratner%2C%20bill%20%20%20radio%20imaging%20%20%2003152014.mp3&title=" target="_blank">http://www.voicebank.net/a Hobo Tounge

/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/1601/cabinet/publicaudio/Radio%20Imaging/ratner%2C%20bill%20%20%20radio%20imaging%20%20%2003152014.mp3&title=

/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/3705/cabinet/publicaudio/Narration%20/ratner%2C%20bill%20documentary%20%2003152014.mp3&title=" target="_blank">http://www.voicebank.net/a Hobo Tounge

/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/3705/cabinet/publicaudio/Narration%20/ratner%2C%20bill%20documentary%20%2003152014.mp3&title=

/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/3705/cabinet/publicaudio/Commercial/Men/ratner%2C%20bill%20commercial%20%20%2003152014.mp3&title=" target="_blank">http://www.voicebank.net/a Hobo Tounge

/audio.jsp?url=http://video.voicebank.net/vb2pub/3705/cabinet/publicaudio/Commercial/Men/ratner%2C%20bill%20commercial%20%20%2003152014.mp3&title=

Both of your sounds are announcer/similar. Bill is just a very well trained actor and knows how to inject his personality and style into the various genres of VO. THIS TOOK HIM YEARS TO HONE!!!! Jussayin.

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Here's something I have handy that will at least let you guys hear my voice. I'm not doing a read, just hosting my show, but this is as close to the "real me" that I have. I'm about $20,000 in the hole on this show over the course of 3 years, so I can assure you it's just me being me because I love doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBKaifSDdpU

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject:

My best friend spent a lot of time in the car travelling from home to New York City and a great deal of money to work with one of the great audio book directors. I spent a great deal of time wandering up and down the beach in Portgordon, post lesson, talking this person off the proverbial bridge.

He wanted to direct and produce HIS sound, my dear friend needed to tell a story. Neither person was wrong but my friend gets hired by audio book companies, corporate video producers and commercial producers for being simply amazing at capturing hearts, souls, minds and imaginations.

"next lesson" I told my friend "during a take, see me and tell me. As you read, look up every once in a while and see me looking at you and hanging on your every word"

If you can do that then the world is yours.

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

OH!!!!! My bad!!

OK, took a look at your YouTube. Got through "thought I'd bring you guys along." Relax, my friend! I never, ever would categorize you as having any speech issues. Ever!

You are terrific! Love the beginning when you are just being you. Flat Tire and all! You have a great personality! Puleeeze take the pressure off yourself at this stage in your vo career! You've got way too much going for you already. Dive into those acting and improv classes, and never lose that ability to infuse that "Flat Tire" sense of humor that makes you you!!!

Steve Gillson · Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 15

Thanks Bob, that means a lot!

I'm probably being overly-critical of myself (as I tend to be), but since we're talking about an extremely competitive field here, I think it's good to be honest with myself and address things that I know to be issues, even if they're subtle.

I do notice that sometimes sounds get a bit jumbled coming out. It's nothing overt, for sure, but I find my "Ch" and "Ecks" sounds have a lack of articulation and/or clarity... those sounds in particular tend to even feel sloppy when I'm pronouncing them.

The beginning of the video was just through the mic on the camera, so lots of room noise and such, but I switch over to the broadcast chain at around 1:18 for better quality.

Perhaps I'll look around for some acting classes and/or clubs. That's certainly not something I would've thought to do, but it's sounding more valuable than specific VO training at this point.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:34 am Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:44 am Post subject:

As one who has no accent, impediment and who has perfected his craft over decades I often wonder how mere untrained mortals cope.

This is one of the greatest promos in TV history

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pd0SIRs9mc

Yes, it was I who did the voiceoverism for the above and I have oft reflected upon it. Maximised minimalism at its best.

When I review my performances I take on board all of the positives and learn from the negatives in a positive way so they in turn become positives from an eliminating the negatives point of view, I posinegativise, a valuable skill.

As break bumpers go (sponsor credit), less is always more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pd0SIRs9mc

Yes, less of me is better to get more of something else.

Two examples of how pointless this post will prove to be in years to come.

For an end, this is me being QUITE brilliant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qBnmEBrEh0

And this what I am able to do when I have far too much time on my hands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifBjsojXw9I

I HOPE you've all learned something from someone who few would argue is the most talented Voiceoverist in Morayshire.

That'll be $12.95