VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: My bad habit

I have been working on this bad habit of mine for some time with limited success. It only rears it's ugly head on long form readings.

Speed.

I have a horrible time keeping my pace slowed down to a nice rate on long form readings. (of course I'm in the middle of one of these right now, 54,000 words) On short stuff I can focus on it and keep it moderated for the entire read, but when I get going I have a tendency to speed up a bit which leads to more mistakes, more edits, etc... I seem to want to "hurry up" and finish, like it's a race or something. It happens gradually so I don't pick up on it until I start to notice mistakes or when I'm reviewing the read. Anyone else have issues with this?
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:34 am Post subject:

I have this tendency with teen and child reads. It's easy (because of the language of the script) to start talking faster. I often have to read it a page or two at a time and take mini breaks in between. That way when I return I'll consciously slow down in the beginning. Even just backing away from the mic for a second every few minutes forces me to focus and slow down.
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

Bob,

I think Kara's suggestions are spot on. I've actually noticed this during my Bible podcast recording sessions. In some passages, I'll find myself racing through them. Every few verses the producer will pop into my headphones to say "bring the pace down just a little bit" or something like that.

The key, I think, is to concentrate on the story and not the words. Just tell the story. In any good story-telling, some parts are going to go a bit faster, some a bit slower. Let the content of the story guide your read, stay focused on that, and you'll make fewer mistakes and your pace will naturally flow with the script.
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Bruce · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:56 am Post subject:

Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:57 am Post subject:

Hey Bob!
I can totally relate. I've had to make a concerted effort to slow it down on long reads.
A lot of the long form narrations I do are for e-learning, so I really try & remeber that I'm explaining something to someone and I want them to understand it ("Tab A goes into Slot B, and then you take Part C...." keeping in mind that someone is going to actually have to follow along, and not just listen, naturally slows me down.

I laughed at:

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:19 am Post subject:

It's a Voice Over problem. You're not talking to anyone, trying to hold their attention, you don't care if they're with you so far. You are a Voice and you have a Over, who needs anything else?

Between phrases, sentences or key points, glance up from the script and see if the person with whom you are communication is following what you are saying.

imaginator · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:16 am Post subject:

it's a common enough problem...even worse with those of us who started in radio, having to put 90 seconds of copy into 30 seconds or having a program director with the "if you can't say it in 10 seconds, don't say it" mentality.

even non-radio people tend to speed-speak. at least that's what i hear. i sometimes wonder if it's a self-defense mechanism: the mind thinks it has to keep the flow of words going to make sure no one interrupts!!!
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glittlefield · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

What Rowell said. 100% You bet yer sweet bippy. My time spent reading the newspapers for the blind has helped me bring my pace down quite a bit.
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

and even moreso if they were deaf, eh?

oh cheap shot. sorry.
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paddyo · CM Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 975 Location: New York City

I've strained my vocal chords reading to the deaf.

Really cheap shot. Really sorry

Paddyo
www.radiotheatrenyc.com

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?
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paddyo · CM Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 975 Location: New York City

Where are we going?

I'll take hell for one hundred, Alex.

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scottnilsen · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

Very good, Paddyo...

The eternal punishment for this character in Greek mythology was to roll a large boulder up a hill, only to have it fall down when nearing the top.
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

OO, OO, OO...I KNOW this Mr. Kotter!!!!!!!!

L.
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:26 pm Post subject:

sisyphus

i mean ... who is sisyphus?
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