VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

DaveChristi

My fellow VO-BBers. Between Donovan’s demo and Kara & Moe’s CNN article, it seems emotions and opinions are running high today. Everyone on this board is a highly passionate person, with wonderful beliefs, talents and skills. I appreciate you all.

I am in a different place today and I’d like to share it with you. Yesterday my wife and I drove our pickup to Portland loaded with the possessions of my eldest daughter. She is so small and that city is SO big. She has a great apartment and good roommates and a good job. I am full of hope and fear for her. (SIGH)

On the trip home, I missed my turn off to head south. I could have turned around, but asked Judy if she’d like to try the “long way” through Hood River and down “35” around Mt. Hood. She said, “Why not” and off we went.

We spent the next couple hours soaking in some of the most beautiful scenery that nature has to offer. We drove along the Columbia River Gorge and over Mt Hood… it was breathtaking.

We left the radio off and talked and sometimes just sat silently and enjoyed the view. Occasionally one of us just uttered “wow”. I stopped one time to pick a small bunch of wild daisies for my girlfriend of many years. It was a grand ride.

I often try to draw parallels of my everyday experiences and the larger parts of my life. I realized yesterday that I have been SO obsessed lately with trying to find the shortest and quickest route to a full-time VO career that I’ve missed the scenery of the journey. I haven’t stopped to enjoy the little things that make this career path great!

I used to hop in front of a mic for no reason except to goof off a bit. I used to find fun things to voice (like a funny e-mail from a friend) and just go in and record it 6 or 7 times in different voices or styles. I haven’t taken the time to play with new styles and deliveries and voices just for the SAKE of doing it.

I’m in a highly unique career. One that, I hope, will someday be very lucrative for me. Until then… I have to remember to enjoy the ride.
_________________
Dave "Christi" Felton
The Character Voice Actor

KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:34 am Post subject:

Aww! Well said Dave...there is simply nothing greater than getting lost in the journey...
_________________
Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

Amen, Dave.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Moe Egan · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

Great post Dave! I totally agree with you....which is why i do voice work up heya in NH. My personal life philosophy is summed up best by Robert Frost (who also called NH home for a bit):

I shall be telling this ages and ages hence with a sigh.
Two roads divirged in a wood and I-
I took the one less traveled by
and that has made all the difference.

Let's hear it for the road less traveled by....the path can some times be a challenge, but the views are totally worth it.

Smile

_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

louzucaro · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

Sometimes when I'm stressed out, I do things to remind myself that whatever I'm worried about, ultimately, isn't really that big of a deal. Yes, we each have times when we deal with things that can seem insurmountable, but take a moment, park on the side of a busy street, and watch people walking by.

And remember that the world will keep spinning and life will keep going regardless of the outcome of this particular situation.

If that doesn't work, break out the big guns...

It's a little geeky, I know, but take a look at this image (an actual photo composite) and remind yourself that in this very tiny view of space from our little blue rock, each of these is a galaxy with possibly trillions of stars, each of which could have planets each of which could have life and get that all swirling around in your head for a while.

There is beauty all around us, all the time...we just have to remember to look.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

DaveChristi · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:

Vance Elderkin · Contributor IV Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 133

Slightly less geeky...we could all be on the Earth that's in the last scene of Men In Black...

Chrissy · Guest

Thanks for your words of wisdom. It is said that life is all about the journey. I've mentioned on this site about my getting hit by a car, four surgeries, and 6 months in rehab. Since that experience I've spent a lot of time reflecting. We only have today so even if life is presenting challenges I feel we need to find a way to laugh, and find joy in today. Each evening I meditate on my day, and I give thanks for the people and experiences in my life, past and present which did and do bring me happiness.

Chrissy

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject:

Some free-form verse:

How important to stop and pause.
Turn the noise off in the mind.
Listen to the wind
And find yourself renewed with a new cause.

Cancer free now 4 years.
Each day -embrace the gift of time.
Each day a joy,ous mystery, a miracle-
Light breaking from behind the clouds...

This ain't no dress rehearsal.

Thank you Dave for sharing your reflections with us.
_________________
Bobbin Beam
www.bobbinbeam.com
blog.bobbinbeam.com

JimRon · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

i think we all feel the same way, or have at some point in our lives and careers.

thanks for the words. makes me, for one, stop and smell the roses (sorry for the cliche), and be reminded that there's more to the path than what's at the end.

jimron
_________________
Jim Feldman
www.jimfeldman.us
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimfeldman
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Lizden · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

Yep.......

L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:33 am Post subject:

Agreed. Thanks for the reality check Dave. Nose has been getting pretty worn from being held to the grindstone lately. Better to give it a break to smell the roses I guess,
_________________
Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:50 am Post subject:

Chuck,

I'm pretty sure they smell a lot better than grindstones do. Smile

_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

True Dat Bob.
_________________
Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com

Moe Egan · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:54 am Post subject:

Well Bob....that depends upon what you are currently grinding, yes?
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~