VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bailey · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Name dropping... Networking

While working the Boat Show this weekend; I met Paul Hastie of San Diego Digital Productions. During our brief chat I gave him my business card. He said a few things and mentioned the MCA-I. I then mentioned Connie Terwilliger's name. The response was of a positive nature.

My question about this situation?
When opportunities arrive to network with those in the industry... is name-dropping frowned upon?
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject:

I'm sure I'll get slapped around for saying this...

Play it by ear. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not so much.

I have a bad habit of using social engineering practices when dealing with folks I don't initially know. It helps me to figure out how they're "wired" and what appeals to them. We do this stuff every day, but most don't pay attention to the practice.

Long story short, I figure out what they're looking for and if I can tell that they want to know who I know, or whom I've trained with... I drop the names of folks whom I know would have no problem giving me a reference.

Sometimes, potential clients just want to know what I have in my studio (they want to separate the "serious" VO from the wannabe... I understand this mentality, but it's not the gear that makes a good VO good), in that case I mention some of the stuff I use in my day-to-day work in my personal studio.

Best way to put it is this... know your audience. Figure it out and you'll know what you need to do to make a positive, and memorable impression.

/bribery also works Wink

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louzucaro · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

I agree...depends on the situation AND also greatly depends on HOW you do it.

People feel more comfortable when they have a connection to soembody, so long as it's legitimate.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I mean I keep mentioning Lou's name at the bar and I keep getting free drinks.

Mostly it's out of sympathy, but still... free drinks!

/just kidding Lou... you know I'd never do that. I mention Frank instead Bitchin

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Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

louzucaro · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

It's no problem...any way I can help fuel your alcohol consumption is fine by me. So long as it doesn't cost me anything.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

Well - you name dropper you...most of the time dropping my name won't hurt you - well, most of the time. I behave myself most of the time.
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COURVO · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

Which reminds me....Connie and Bailey.... my apologies for not notifying sooner, but I'm in SD this weekend... well... through Sunday morning anyway.

Daughter #2 is in some big soccer tournament at UCSD. If they win, we'll be here longer, but Sunday 10am for sure. See you there? Field #3

From Interstate 5, Exit Genesee Ave.

* Head west on Genesee
* Turn left on Torrey Pines Rd.
* Turn left at the next signal (Northpoint Drive - UCSD North Campus Entrance)
* Turn right on Scholars Drive
* Park in lots 355, 356 and 357.
* RIMAC Arena is to the east, atop the ridge. RIMAC Field, the softball stadium, and Triton Soccer Stadium are directly north of RIMAC Arena.

Boy, that's a pathetic, belated invite...but maybe you live close... Greg Best, hobble on over!

CourVO
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Bailey · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

Thanks Dave... but I'm wiped out with 5 days of Boat Show at Del Mar. I'm working there tonight from 4:00pm to midnight.
I hope you guys had a great... although wet... Sunday in San Diego.
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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

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AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

If you drop a name, just remember to pick it up so that nobody trips over it.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

Now there's advice to remember.

Thanks Lance!
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Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I think name-dropping is fine, as long as it is handled somewhat "naturally" and doesn't come across as being too pre-planned or orchestrated...

Jeff McNeal · Guest

Dropping a name in a social setting is one thing. But dropping a name as a clumsy means to gain favor with someone that the name "dropee" is associated with is a very bad idea. Unless the person you're dropping the third parties name to is in the same peer group as you are, maybe. Otherwise, doing so may only increase the risk of alienating you from both parties.

Let me give you an example: Say you know of someone who does VO in Los Angeles. You've even interacted with them once or twice on a message board, not unlike this one, asking them in a PM for a critique of your read or something. I wouldn't recommend calling their agent, dropping their name as if you actually know them and then in the next breath seek representation from their agent.

You're probably thinking to yourself "Well, DUH!", right? Sounds like something nobody on this board would ever do, right?

Right?

Yoda117 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

*backs away slowly*

LOL! just kidding. The concept of a "formal introduction" is still clear in my head from a previous life. I stick by that rule and never deviate. For those who are familiar with it, it's a good rule to follow.

This brings up a great question though. How many folks have found someone using their name as a reference when you didn't know them...?

/had someone tell an agent in my hometown that I helped setup their equipment chain
//didn't know who they were, wouldn't have used that gear, and there were plenty of better folks than I to do the job.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

Bailey · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:44 am Post subject: Re: Name dropping... Networking

Just to clarify the situation...

When I gave Paul my card, he read that I "did" voiceovers. Then he asked if I had ever heard of the MCA-I. I told him that I had heard of it and that I knew that Connie Terwilliger was a past president. I probably would never have dropped Connie's name, but when I heard "MCA-I", it just felt natural to pin Connie's name on it.

In some ways name dropping works like a game of ping pong. The game gets more interesting the longer it lasts.
I served "voicovers"... he replied with MCA-I... I rebounded with Connie. If I didn't have any comeback for MCA-I... game over.
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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

.gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

Lizden · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:07 am Post subject:

I think that's totally appropriate!
I was at an audiobook workshop this weekend in NYC given by a great guy/VO, Alan Sklar. He also mentioned MCA-I and the NY & CT chapters.
At the break, I mentioned that I was a member of the North Jersey Chapter, & did he know a certain fellow VO, one of my mentors/greatest cheeleadres....he did, and apparently they are great friends!

It was a way to connect!

Liz
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