VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

banjo · Guest

I been asked by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association to conduct a series of half-day workshops for their member stations. Workshop topics will cover, but will not be limited to: air-personality success. programming- marketing-promotions, and VO career advancement.

Because a lot VO-BB Forum members are in the radio/broadcast industry or has had experience there I would like to get some feedback. And if you're a VO guy or gal who hasn't had any broadcast on-air expoerience jump in as well! I want your comments as well.

Please take a few moments to gather your thoughts and be so kind as to reply regarding the following:

"...As an on-air personality, PD, Ops Mgr or VO talent attending a half-day
programming/career workshop, what 3 topics would you want covered most that could help you now and for future advancement?...

All responses will be kept confidential...unless you wish otherwise.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.....

I'm legit, go ahead and "Google" me.

mikecarta@knology.net
mike@supersweepers.com

www.mikecarta.com
www.supersweepers.com

COURVO · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject:

Mike,

#1 -- How to stay humble (i.e. always willing to learn) in an industry that breeds insufferable egos. You can always grow.

#2 -- How to best use online resources in the gathering of material (including verifying, vetting, validating, and confirming facts before passing it along).

#3 -- How content and talent (voice and image) will translate into the next big thing(s) such as podcasting, niche narrowcasting, video streaming online, etc.

I could give more, but you said 3.

Call me if you want.

Dave C.
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CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
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"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

Frank F · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:15 am Post subject:

(Copy of email sent to Mike prior to posting)

Hi Mike,

In answer to your request, here goes nothing…

1) What are clients looking for in a VO Talent?
2) How does a VO Talent market his/her services in a way which really gets to those who are looking for such services?
3) What skills are required to make it to the “top”, and how does one obtain those skills?

O.K., you said three and I guess I went over the top with adding a fourth, but it really is part of the third topic….

Frank Frederick
“The Voice” tm

Deirdre · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

The question I'm always asked when I teach is

WHERE'S THE WORK?
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:37 am Post subject:

For radio jocks who want to get into big time VO, the number one thing many of them have to learn, is how to stop being a radio jock behind the microphone. Key lesson points:

- Back off from the darn microphone. You do not have to eat it to be heard. That low pitched drumming noise that comes from being a millimeter away from the screen and shaking the daylights out of the diaphragm, destroys any illusion that you might be a real person.

- I'm sure there's a much more polite way to put this, but eliminating the "puke" factor is critical for real success in the VO biz. This from a true smiley puker (in my first few gigs). Related point: you do not have to always use the lowest register of your voice. There are a lot of good sounds in the middle and upper register like real people use.

- Put nothing "radio" in any of your demos seeking serious VO business. Some producers will run away, certain that you'll slip into puke mode.

Bruce (Hey There!)

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

Frank F · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:43 am Post subject:

Just a follow-up for AnthonyVO, et al...

When asking "what does the client want", you learn what will get the gig at auditions (Heaven forbid doing a "cattle-call" again). Being yourself is good experience, but doesn't assure you the gig.

Good luck to all.

Frank F

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

i see what you mean now.
but really nothing assures you the gig - even "learning what they want."

Edit:

Oh, and I'm referring to bringing yourself to the copy in terms of approach to acting - that's not the same as being yourself. Maybe I worded it wrong.

Bailey · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject:

Marketing... What works, where does it works, and how much should you spend.

Pro Bono... Do some VO freebies once in awhile. You may get some future returns, in the form of paying clients, on the initial investment.

Rejection...Never associate rejection with failure.

...and never let your head get bigger than your mouth.
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