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billelder
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 Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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In 2000 I also left radio after 30 years. I began in 1970 and it was the best. Living in Macon we had the Allman Brothers (Wet Willie, Marshall Tucker and more) recording here. So much great music and free Sunday afternoon concerts at Central City Park made for a great time.
We made it up as we went along. And then we grew up and started buying stations like real estate property. It was a great ride while it lasted, but I'm glad that I left the party early. |
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dhouston67
VO-BB Intarwebz Glossary Administrator
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: Right next door to Sandra Bullock. No, really.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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I wasn't in radio for as long as most here, but I loved it at the time. I'd do it again, even with the low pay, if the environment was the same...but it'll never be that way again.
Example: As a jock in a contract negotiation, you at least had the trump card of saying "I'll go to work for the station across town if you don't give in on this". Nowdays, the 'station across town' is likely owned by the same folks holding your contract in the first place.
I miss it, but I doubt any station could pay enough to get me back in it now...
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Great Voice. Great Choice. For Voice Talking and stuff.
http://davidhoustonvoice.com
Do That Voice! - The DHV Blog
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VO-Guy
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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| dhouston67 wrote: | | I doubt any station could pay enough to get me back in it now... |
That's what I'm talking about. Had a station last month contact me about being the production director and overseeing 4 stations production departments. The pay was less than half what I'm doing now. No thanks, got three kids to feed! |
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Christopher French
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 283
Location: The Mitten, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | the best way to get out of radio was not to get into it in the first place.
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So I guess that I should consider myself lucky that I'm 30 and have never had radio experience before I start with VO?! 
Chris
PS, I have to agree with you Banksey, but then again, I have no idea what the difference is anyway. 
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Christopher G. French
"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump |
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11075
Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Doing radio and making a success out of being a voice over are very different. Lots of on-air presenters/announcers/djs believe they are able to easily cross the divide and then find it extremely difficult to do so.
I was once asked for to give few exercises to a lady with 25 years experience in radio who wanted to get into voice over work. On giving her exercise 1 she responded that it was too basic for someone with her experience. I asked her to bear with me. Three days later she admitted that what I had asked her to do she couldn't do. Is it possible to drop a 25 year old habit in 3 days? No.
In posting the above thoughts I mean no disrespect to my friends here who have radio experience by the bucket full; they probably know better than I that radio and voice over work is comparing apples and oranges. |
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Hart
Assistant Asylum Chief
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 2107
Location: Foley, AL
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Banksey wrote: | | that radio and voice over work is comparing apples and oranges. |
I certainly took no offense as this is very true.
One big thing with us old DJ types is ego. The logic goes "Well my personality (and lowered voice, or shout or whatever vocal crutch we each choose to use) were perfect on the radio so it must be great for voice acting too!
As I'm learning, there's a very big difference between acting and announcing. |
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VO-Guy
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Banksey wrote: |
In posting the above thoughts I mean no disrespect to my friends here who have radio experience by the bucket full; they probably know better than I that radio and voice over work is comparing apples and oranges. |
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And none taken. You are correct, it takes a long time to get rid of the "Announcer" in us. But it too has a place in voiceover. Voiceovers consist of a wide field. Just like every other industry, it takes all types. Just depends on what kind of voiceovers your looking to do. Commercial reads and narrations are different than radio station imaging and screaming car dealer spots. If your able to do both, it's the best of both worlds and more $$$ in the bank. |
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Doc
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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I'm quite fortunate to have had some excellent professional training before I struck out on my own into the abyss called "radio". It was an intensive 2-year course on all aspects of the business taught by (at that time) some of the nation's best broadcasters. As a result of this training, I NEVER relished being called an "announcer"... mostly because I never was one. I don't mind "disc jockey", "jock", "air personality", "radio guy", etc. In fact, when asked upon meeting new acquaintances, "You're a radio announcer, right?", I quickly admonish and correct. My radio style is natural and somewhat laid-back - always has been. I do realize, however, that many who do radio never received this type of training, in fact nowadays, they require no training at all. This, too, has IMHO destroyed what should still be the greatest medium of all.
(New Air Talent): "Sure, I'll work for $6.00/hour!"
This is also the reason some of our more neophyte "talent" will do V.O.'s for next to nothing. Because few (and, I do mean few) of these are actually pretty good, it creates difficulty for the real talent in the world vying (nee, scrambling) to spend 14 hours/day (production and auditions only) to make $150!
Those of us who truly are professionals need to remain united. Our day will return.
Whew! Okay - I feel better now. |
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11075
Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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Take heart those who worry about being under-cut by the no or marginal talents, the flight to quality has already started and is increasing in pace. If you haven't seen the fruits of this trend, be patient it's on its way to you.
The voice of a major youth TV channel in the UK and of the number one rated teen saturday morning TV programme is the same man. Not heard much from him in the last few years but suddenly he is THE voice, he's a man in his 70's. |
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VO-Guy
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Doc wrote: |
This is also the reason some of our more neophyte "talent" will do V.O.'s for next to nothing. Because few (and, I do mean few) of these are actually pretty good, it creates difficulty for the real talent in the world vying (nee, scrambling) to spend 14 hours/day (production and auditions only) to make $150! |
I see clients falling into two categories...
A). Those who don't wanna pay more than $50 a holler. Yes they're out their I get calls from them everyday and no I don't do it for that.
B ). Those who know that experienced talent is going to cost more and don't mind paying the rate. These are the guys and gals you want to do business with. Is it harder to come by, yes.
I can see someone without alot of experience doing vo's for client A and more power to them, that's how they learn and get started. As their talent develops they can hold out for client B. Client A's not gonna pay for the experienced VO person anyway. It's when the talent reaches the ability to offer something to Client B and they don't adjust there rate that it start's to hurt everyone else. Just my opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions |
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Hart
Assistant Asylum Chief
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 2107
Location: Foley, AL
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| VO-Guy wrote: | | Commercial reads and narrations are different than radio station imaging and screaming car dealer spots. |
I was thinking about this on my way home from the office tonight. Back when I used to be a program director, every single voice I chose for our imaging was someone with a background in radio. It certainly wasn't intentional on my part, just happened to be the person who I thought best represented each station at that time. Interesting. The guy we use on our sports stations now has a radio background too.
On the whole "announcer" thing, I never much liked being called that either. I've had a different style for every station I've worked at, from the shouting Oldies guy (Hey, I was young and needed the money) to the "hip" Alternative guy. My favorite though was the AAA station. I got to be myself. That was the best. Perhaps not surprisingly, it was my most successful in terms of popularity and ratings too.
Now, I'm the "deep voiced radio guy". No, really, that's what they call me on air when I have to fill in for the news guy or whatever. It sucks. |
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dhouston67
VO-BB Intarwebz Glossary Administrator
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: Right next door to Sandra Bullock. No, really.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Hart wrote: | | As I'm learning, there's a very big difference between acting and announcing. |
Bingo. I'm trying to rely more on my theatre & film background than my radio experience. I recently took another acting class for the first time in ages; even though it was geared toward film work, it was invaluable --- and lots of fun.
Although, I say to my fellow broadcasters former and present, there are advantages to having an on-air background, if you can step back from it far enough to ferret out the drawbacks vs. the benefits.
_________________
Great Voice. Great Choice. For Voice Talking and stuff.
http://davidhoustonvoice.com
Do That Voice! - The DHV Blog
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13023
Location: Camp Cooper
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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Mic Technique is one thing stage acting DOESN'T teach you.
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DBCooperVO.com
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dhouston67
VO-BB Intarwebz Glossary Administrator
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: Right next door to Sandra Bullock. No, really.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Deirdre wrote: | | Mic Technique is one thing stage acting DOESN'T teach you. |
True. That's where radio has come in handy, as in many things technical about our profession. Acting helps with...well, acting.
_________________
Great Voice. Great Choice. For Voice Talking and stuff.
http://davidhoustonvoice.com
Do That Voice! - The DHV Blog
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Christopher French
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 283
Location: The Mitten, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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Is it the same when speaking into the mic as it is when singing? When I was in college, I had vocal lessons and I was taught mic usage for singing. I was told that I had to use the power of my diaphram to push my voice through the mic. I was supposed to "move the mic with my voice", as my instructor put it. What's the deal with that?
Chris
_________________
Christopher G. French
"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump |
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