VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Christopher French · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: Things are getting better!

Yes, folks, I'm still excited and enthusiastic and a few other words starting with "e". I've downloaded Audacity, set up a small mic, and have been reading aloud and recording every night. Except Wednesday night (tonight by now). I'm taking the night off to spend some quality time with Jen. She and I both need it, with our jobs and all(She's a teacher, I'm a Mental Health professional).

I am using James Alburger's book like a bible. It's my own personal "Mr. Know-it-all". I do have one question though. . .if I want to use any of the copy in that book, do I have to write for permission? If so, DB, may I use the copy that you voiced?

I know at times I probably seem like the little brother that won't go away. I get that, but hey, I want to hang around with the cool big kids. Smile

I wanna play too. Laugh

Everyone here on the board has been extremely helpful and very nice to me. I very much appreciate that. I just wanted to let everyone know that if there's anything I can do for them, let me know and I'll see what I can do. I AM trained in stress management techniques and I'm a pretty good listener (according to my clients and co-workers). I'm also trained in first aid and cpr, so if anyone's choking, I'll email you a heimlich maneuver. Ninja

Well, gang, it's nearing 12.30 am here in good ol' FREEZING Michigan. I just wanted to let everyone know that, from the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every last one of you for helping me, or slapping me, whichever the moment has called for. I know everyone here will continue to be of so much help and inspiration to me. I tip my microphone to each and every one of you!

Chris
_________________
Christopher G. French

"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump

Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:51 pm Post subject:

You may use any copy you like for practice and for demos unless it's proprietary information not for public consumption.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

mcm · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:01 am Post subject:

Christopher, down the road when you are recording demos to represent your abilities, it's best to use copy that has not "been around". This is not a copyright issue, but a marketing one. If the demo that you send out to producers/casting agents/other potential clients has stuff that's in a VO book, it screams "amateur". Look for copy every where - museum exhibits, books, magazine ads, brochures from the doctor's office, prescription inserts - but look for copy that not only showcases your voice and talent but that you have not heard over and over again. It will help to get the attention you want if your demo has fresh, interesting material.

Just my opinion.

Bailey · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:30 am Post subject: Re: Things are getting better!

Hart · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Things are getting better!

Chris,

I'm going to put this on the board instead of emailing so others can chime in if it's a bad idea:

I have dozens of scripts for spec spots that never aired on our stations. I could certainly send some to you for practice and maybe a demo. Although I think I would have to request that we change the phone numbers etc...and maybe even the clients names if you did want to disseminate any of it.

Christopher French · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:35 am Post subject:

Bailey, haven't had the chance yet to follow through. Money's tight and 5 dollars is lunch. I can't say thank you enough, though, for helping me out with this. If there's anything I can do for you, by all means, let me know.

Hart, you've been awesome, man, and you just keep getting more awesome! I would use whatever copy you had. If I can use it in my demo, bonus!

Chris
_________________
Christopher G. French

"The only limitations we truly have are the ones we place on ourselves." -Attributed to Donald Trump

Christopher French · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:38 am Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:55 am Post subject:

No-- most of the ad copy you'll get is copyrighted anyway. (That's why we can't keep a library of copy online. Putting something on a website consitiutes "publishing" and this breaks copyright law.)

"Not for public consumption" means info that is to be kept "in-house" only:
Non-disclosure stuff-- plans for ad campaigns, new project ideas, etc. . . .corporate presentations that are not to be released anywhere else.

We don't use that stuff for demos.
Magazine ads, like Mary said-- read 'em. It's often pretty good-- written by professional copywriters and all.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

Don't think about your demo just yet.
Practicing is one thing, but what exactly are you practicing? Is it diction? Intention? Interpretation? Pronounciation? Timing? Or just building confidence?

The reason I ask is that early on, you might be very eager to record a demo. But I would caution against it without formal training or experience. If you're practicing the wrong way, all you're doing is reinforcing bad habits and techniques. If that's the case, you're probably better off not practicing at all.

I bring this up as someone who had his first demo produced when I was just 5 months old (as a v/o artist that is). Good thing I didn't market it, because had I done that, I would've most definitely mad a bad and wrong first impression in terms of what I have to offer. Starting out, you might hear other v/o's and say, "I can do that" and then start imitating their read. But what you really want is something that can't really be imitated - it's so slight and intangible that you will only begin to hear it (actually "feel it") once you have had training and experience. It is something that only YOU can bring to the copy and when you experience something so ethereal in a piece of copy, you wil be almost happily exhausted at the end of your read.

Just be careful that's all. You can find guidance and tips from a book, but a book can't coach you when you make mistakes or use an incorrect approach to copy; it's also very hard to step outside of yourself when starting out, so a coach is critical at this point.

Also, in terms of finding copy for practice - I'd try to steer away from using magazine copy. That copy is written specifically to be read - and if you use it for voice-over you wil feel that there is "something" missing and somewhat fragmented in thought and storytelling. If you use it for practice in regards to trying to picture a visual in your mind, then fine, but I wouldn't use it for your demo.

You already have the drive, just make sure you're driving in the right direction that's all. Yes, you have to start somewhere, but don't start with a demo - that's definitely putting the horse before the carriage (I hate that saying).

-Anthony

Hart · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:32 am Post subject:

For that matter, either Voice 123 or Interactive Voices (can't remember which one) has some scripts you can use to practice with. Whoever it is, there's a thing about buying em, but don't waste your money on that. If you dig a little there are several easy to find and print out. Radio Scripts, Narration, and some other stuff I think.

I have to agree with Anthony, having made the same mistake. It's not anywhere near time to try to make a demo. Thinking about it, I wouldn't worry so much about what's going to be on it. When the time comes, you will most likely have several things you like that you can choose from. And on that note, I don't think you'd want to use any scripts I send you on a demo as they are mostly written by our GSM and not a professinal copywriter. Sure he hits a home run everynow and then (even I can write something decent once in a blue moon) but they pretty much have a very "local" feel to them.

"So for all your hotdog needs stop by (client name sanitized for their protection)... "

Yes, I really had to read that once, despite my objections.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:44 am Post subject:

"Hot dog needs"?

Judas priest.
That takes the cake.

Or bun, as it were.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

Hart · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

the bun...HA!

And that wasn't a spec. It's still on the air.

billelder · Guest

I feel your pain. I read this line on a television show the other week.

"...you'd better believe that Ken knows how to drive his Willys."

Bailey · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:23 pm Post subject:

JeffK · T-Shirt Joined: 22 Dec 2005 Posts: 276 Location: Oz

Christopher, as you can see I have only posted once since joining the group several months ago. I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and posts and after seeing several of your posts I thought I would chime in... First, your enthusiasm is great! I at times have been like a bottle of shook up Champagne and wish that the enthusiasm wouldn't wane with the ups and downs. Christopher, you need to listen well to what the others are saying. I wished I could have had the information that was in this forum a couple of years ago when I first started. Like most I have heard for years that I have a great voice but I never thought much about it. However, one day a sales rep whom I met for business lunch wouldn't stop talking to me about and trying to convince me to get in this VO biz. I told my wife that night and she said to go for it but I sort of blew it off. Next thing you know my wife sent me an email and had made an appointment at a recording studio. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Grabbed a couple of items from the web and went in and recorded the readings. The guys at the studio gave me some great feedback and compliments. Maybe I was just naïve, I mean I was paying them right? The recording sucked! I listened to it recently and was embarrassed that I even sent this to perspective clients. I did manage to get one job but it was painfully obvious that I needed a better demo. I found VoiceBank and listened for hours, downloaded several files, typed up the scripts and practiced. I then made an appointment with Scotch Productions. Gordon did a fabulous job and I still use this demo today. The day I received the finished product, I sent the demo to The Kim Dawson Agency and within hours of receiving they called me in and signed me on the spot. I couldn't believe it! I am embarrased to say that I sort of acted like Jethro on Beverly Hillbillys when he was a "movie star" (man that goes back a few years!) In hind site that worked against me though because like everyone else here has said....practice, practice, practice. Christopher, this is a huge tip. I did a decent job of emulating the others off of VoiceBank but (this is very important) what I was missing was interpreting copy. So here I was auditioning along with some very big names and established talent and fell short nearly everytime. I did manage to get a few jobs but nothing near the frequency that I was hoping for. I even told the folks at the agency that I was going to “retire” but they told me to keep at it. Knowing that I needed help I started training and have invested in several classes that I believe paid back huge dividends. I am seeing the frequency of opportunities increase and have made some traction but I know I have a ways to go. Perhaps, God willing, I will one day find myself immersed in VO full time...hopefully sooner rather than later...I think it was James Alburger that said overnight success can take 20 years. You need to hook up with some training, practice, training, practice and keep reading the post in this forum and most of all have patience. Best of luck!