VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

DenaliDave · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 4:48 am Post subject: Hello from Alaska!

Wow, what an awesome forum!

My name's Dave Baker and I'm from Anchorage, Alaska. Despite loving to talk, I'm kind of at a loss at what to say about myself!

Well, I'm new to the voice over industry and am eager to sponge up as much knowledge from anyone willing to share. I haven't been able to find any jobs yet, but I'm dedicated and determined!

I mainly got into voice over/vocal talent to do audio books. I love listening to audio books and I thought to myself, "Why not give it a try? Go big or go home!"

I've done a few auditions for audio books, but I haven't heard anything yet. In between those, I've been recording demo/sample radio commercial spots. I try to at least get an hour of reading out loud a day into my schedule for practice, regardless if I'm behind my mic or not.

My entire life I've been told I should be on the radio -- but I know a few local radio people and either they're hiding how awesome their jobs are...or they've doing a good job at scaring me away LOL.

Anyway, I do have some material I can share with you all -- I'm 100% open to all criticism. I've been winging it on my own for a while now, and I'd really like to see how close to the mark I'm getting just stumbling through this on my own without help.

I do have a full time job that isn't entertainment/voice over related...so all of this is being done on my weekends/evenings. I honestly would be happy just doing a few things here and there as I'm a gear nut and I love talking. If someone every now and then wants to hire me to talk -- that would be really awesome! And who knows, if it does take off, well that would be OK with me!

So..that's about all I have right now. If you guys have any questions, fire away! It looks like you all have head shots for avatars, I'll have to dig around and see if I can find a decent one!

todd ellis · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:11 am Post subject:

hi dave --- others will explain the most important rules --- but if you're willing to take the hit on criticism - you'll get the good the bad & the ugly from a pretty darn great group of folks here.

welcome to the hoopla!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

DenaliDave · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 2:59 pm Post subject:

Excellent! I can take brutal honesty, because especially on the internet you have to realize its nothing personal -- criticism that's honest isn't intended to be purposefully hurtful!

I do a lot of writing, and have gotten used to seeing a lot of red ink Smile

It's funny how we might grumble about critiques sometimes, then much later look back and shake our heads, realizing how right those people are. I've certainly been there -- so I try really hard to not take anything personal, and realize I won't improve if I just keep to myself.

There's a lot of competition out there, but i tell myself that there's a voice for every situation.

I've read the rules and it seems very straight forward, fair and uncomplicated. I'm on the staff a pretty heavily trafficked forum, so I know how important the rules are. When in doubt, I'll be sure to message someone before I post something!
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"The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve." - Buddha
www.alaskamic.com

kkuhlken · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 6:05 pm Post subject:

Welcome Dave, this is a tremendous group of individuals you have stumbled upon here… I can attest to that. Just realized, as the new guy on the boards, you are on coffee duty for a week. Also, the watercress goes to the llamas And the chocolate goes to the veterans on the board. Don't ever get the two mixed up!

Or is it the other way around? I keep forgetting.
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My full name is Karl Kuhlken (think Macauly Culkin...it rhymes)

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bobsouer · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the VO-BB!
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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AlanTaylor · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 2:48 pm Post subject:

Welcome, Dave! I view the posts here more than I actually contribute, but there's a lot to be learned from this group. Audiobooks are a great way to get started, but they are vastly different from other forms of voiceover. Good luck to you. Hope you land that first book soon!

DenaliDave · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 3:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks Alan!

I've head it said that audio books are the "marathon" of voice acting/VO -- I figure that audio books have a few things going for them, being long-format:

1. teach pacing

2. teach stamina

3. teach accents/voices

4. teach consistancy with my recording equipment setup

I see it as putting on a heavy suit of plate armor from the middle ages and learning to run around. If I then were to put on a fencing outfit, I'd feel light and nimble by comparison.

I'm actually doing a bit of both at the same time. In between waiting to hear back from some ACX auditions, I made a few 30 second spots for some companies owned by friends of mine. Why not? It's practice and it puts a bug in their ear that I could do VO work for them if they ever wanted it.

It was actually kind of fun, as I wrote the scripts myself and tailored them to my friend's unique personalities/companies. I have them on my drop box, is that a good way to share them here? I had one friend of mine that does broadcast work listen and he had a few suggestions, but a wider array of professional opinions would be stellar.

And chocolate...do you guys like dark, medium or milk? I also love to cook by the way...do we have any home chefs on here? Laugh

_________________
"The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve." - Buddha
www.alaskamic.com

todd ellis · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject:

audio books taught me:

1. i hate doing audio books

(easy - i KNOW you like doing audio books - that's ok! i'm just sayin')
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

DenaliDave · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 6:14 pm Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:50 am Post subject:

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

(said in my best Hal 2000 voice) Hello, Dave!

Welcome to DB's world! It's a nice group! And if you have a year or 10, surf past threads and you will find a cornucopia of info and ideas!

I'm with Todd and Philip in that audio books do not float my boat. I'd rather watch grapefruit grow.

But it's not because I don't love audio books. I love listening! I don't like the idea of performing em and especially editing em. Sadly, actors bought into the techno trend to be their own editors for no pay. Had they used that powerful word "no" when told they would only be paid for the finished edited hour rather than the time it took to self produce, there would be a different business model. But they set a precedent which is now the norm. Too many willing to do it. It's not my passion. But it obviously is yours. That's the important thing. Do what you love, period! I have friends who live for anime. They'd rather voice anime than any other genre of vo. The money in anime sucks. But they love the work.

Do what you love!

My friend and weekend workshop producer Marian Massaro lives for live announcing. This is hard work that comes with a lot of pressure because, well, it's live. Many cannot stomach the thought of it Marian loves it.

I use Marian as an example in my workshops when discussing the kind of dedication, passion, and strategic planning it takes to pursue vo. When she first took my animation vo workshop almost 10 years ago, she mentioned in passing what she really wants to do is live award show announcing. I asked her what she's doing about it, and she didn't have a clue.

My first bit of advice was that she join The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, or NATAS since both she and the organization are in NYC. I then told her to get involved with the organization and meet anyone and everyone. She needed to rub elbows and eventually meet the players involved with The Emmys. In the meantime, I told her to get her chops honed and make a killer live announce demo, which she did.

It took a few years. But eventually through this well orchestrated strategy she was able to establish relationships with the powers that be who produce The NY Emmys. After submitting her demo they hired her to live announce those awards, which she's been voicing now for the past 3 years and will voice again for a 4th time this year. That lead to voicing The Critics Choice Awards and on January 30 she will be announcing The SAG Awards.

This business is all about relationships, but also being ready when opportunity knocks!

NONE of this happened by chance! Now, it all starts out with talent. But from there you need a roadmap that is strategic and specific. If your goals are audio books, create your roadmap.

paulstefano · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 10:39 am Post subject:

Welcome Dave.

I was You 4 months ago. I'm still really new to the business, but I'm no longer the new guy on VOBB. Thanks!

Anyway, I'm not qualified to offer VO career advice yet, I'll only offer advice on using this board. LISTEN (Well, read, but you get the idea). There are incredibly generous people here. They also happen to be some of the most respected and important people in the business. Google them, go ahead, I'll wait...

Mind blown? So, again listen to everything people tell you on VOBB. It may be harsh...especially if you ask for honest opinions, but it's because the pros here know what they are talking about.

Good luck!
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DenaliDave · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject:

Wow Bob! That's an amazing story!

If I may, I have a question about doing a demo CD...

If I go and book some time at a studio here in town (this is Alaska, keep that in mind) -- I'll probably be put in front of a U87, run through an Avalon or 1073 and have a sound engineer tweak everything to make me sound good.

Shouldn't my demo be recorded on the equipment I would be using for a client? I don't want to misrepresent myself...?
_________________
"The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve." - Buddha
www.alaskamic.com

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:21 pm Post subject:

Dave, first, welcome to our little corner of the interwebs. I'll leave it to the others to outline expectations regarding watercress, dark chocolate, and looking after the llamas. However, if I may make an observation, based upon reading some of your other posts, you strike me as being somewhat disproportionately focused on equipment versus performing skills. That may just be the result of what you have chosen to comment or ask about, but I think most here will agree that for demo or audition purposes, or otherwise, a solid performance recorded on a Blue Yeti Snowball will be more beneficial than a half-assed performance recorded on a U-87.

Of course, it is necessary to have a clean audio chain, but (leaving marketing out of the discussion for the moment), in my opinion, among the important things needed to work in voiceover are, in this order:

1. VO/acting skills
2. Recording environment
3. Voice
4. Equipment
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Voice President of the United States
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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

Hey Dave! You sure you are demo ready??? The demo tells the world you are as good or better than those already working. It's the final step after training, not before or during.

You want a brilliant demo producer who knows what the agents and the buyers demand from talent. Check out the demos from this producer:

http://www.demosthatrock.com/portfolio.html

Also surf Voicebank.net and surf the demos from top talent agents: SBV, Atlas, CESD, DPN, WME, AVO.

Just know you get one shot per listener. A bad demo closes more doors than a great demo opens.