VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeff McNeal · Guest

I voiced some out of market political spots in the last June election cycle. A couple won, a couple lost. I hadn't heard of any of the candidates before, except for one, because his father was a Presidential candidate during the primaries. I was voicing a spot for his same-party opponent. I happened to like the candidate's father who had run in the primaries and I expressed some misgivings about the spots to a pal who subsequently bumped into the presidential candidate's son at church and told him that his buddy voiced the spots for his opponent. They both had a good laugh about it. I hope that makes sense. I was trying to be as vague as possible, yet still get the story across. Not always easy.

Today's exercice was little more than playtime. It was just an audition doing a celebrity impression, so even if it went, few would be able to identify it as my voice anyway, but man, the text of the spot really turned me off. Very partisan and nasty. I won't be disappointed if somebody else does the impression better than I can. I think I'd be relieved, actually.

Moe Egan · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:49 am Post subject:

I do politicals every season- for both major parties. I used to stick with one party (the one I tend to vote for) but now, outside of my home turf, I'll do spots for either side - with one exception - I won't do spots for one political hot button issue that I personally don't believe in.

What I do because I"m basically a toddler, is I have a map of the US, whichever party tags me first for a spot - that state gets colored in red or blue...any future political spots for that campaign season in that state have to be for the same party - other than my home state which remains constant. Since political work comes in from so many different sources, it's up to me to keep the consistancy. I'll sometimes have to google the candidate to find out which state they're running in.

And, my voice does get recognized in some nasty spots...the gals in my bookclub vote very differently than I do, and they always know which political spots I just did and tease me no end about it.....but it doesn' t bother me cause I"ve been a press secretary - I was the NH press secretary for a presidential candidate and worked on a gubernatorial campaign and some local issues questions as well....so I don't mind sticking my head (or voice) out of the fox hole to be a target- it's actually part of the fun of politics. Of course I grew up in NH, where politics is a very big thing....it's a blood sport here and most of us love it.

I disagree with Jeff, kind of

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

In the end, do what feels right to YOU. Just don't forget that you're an actor and not a spokesperson. At least that's my approach.

I just turned down a video game audition that had what felt like hundreds of roles that were made for me. It was an urban and violent game with extreme language... I would normally do it, but the only reason I didn't do it this time was because I was just at Sesame Place and I didn't feel like getting rid of that energy. Today, I'd do it. LOL
However, recently I did a political spot... And when that check comes in, I'm donating the money to the opposing party.

In the words of Russell Simmons, "Do YOU!"

PEACE.
-Anthony

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

Wow, thanks again everybody.

Moe's perspective is especially refreshing and helps me lighten up a bit!

I don't know if I am going to get the nod for this slew of spots (mostly outside of my market they tell me) but it looks about 80% a done deal at this point. And the party in question would be the one I have voted against for the last 20 years.

But I could end up voting for them this year. Yes, I'm one of those "swingers" the pollsters keep referring to.

Like a lot of you probably, I have friends and family on both sides of the aisle.

This could be an exciting and profitable opportunity, and at this point in my career turning it down doesn't really seem like a viable option.

Moe Egan · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:32 am Post subject:

Glad it helped Rob. I am here to serve Wink

Oh, I just thought of a great story that relates to this topic perfectly. About 5-8 years ago, I was hired here in NH to voice spots for a gubernatorial candidate. The party chairman and other operatives sat in on the VO session. I knew these guys from my time as a news reporter and press secretary (same party). After the session, during the thanks and handshakes, the party chairman looks at one of the other big wigs and says "I love it when Moe voices our spots, cause I know she really believes in what she's saying." Message here: They don't expect you to believe 100% in what you're reading....you just have to sound like you do....believing in the candidate/cause is a nice bonus.
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Moe Egan
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

It's the economy, MY economy, that drives me. Someone else will get it if I don't take it, so I'll take it.

Now I did decline to audition for a narration for a giant gun lobbying group (which shall remain nameless) a while back, and while I write and perform in 527 ads, the ones I do are all based on documented facts.

Now I will say this: I'll be glad to tell you that New CoolWhip Calorie Free Topping is deeeeliscious! while I would decline to overtly lie about a candidate or issue when I know the truth.

B
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I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

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

Great perspectives, Anthony and Moe...thank you! Smile

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Craig · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject: "To thine own self be true."

Ain't that from Hamlet?

See, unlike Bruce, I would turn down an audition for a narration for a giant anti-gun group. (Too many to mention.)

But, balance is a good thing I 'spose. So Bruce, how about I send ya mine if you send me yours...?

Craig
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Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

Craig ... with Browning in our own back yard, eh?

Not to speak for Bruce, but it appears he didn't specify whether it was anti or pro gun ...just a gun-centric lobbying force.

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Funny, I just got called to voice a political spot tomorrow. I did ask who the candidate was. He's a Democrat, which is okay with me. I'm an Independent who mostly votes Democrat - but the last election for Governor of Illinois, I voted for the Green Party candidate. Our current Democratic Governor is a corrupt, incompetent idiot, and frankly I'd much rather have his moderate Republican opponent in office now, even though her views do not match mine as well.

For me, I don't vote solely on "issues." "Competency" is REAL important to me, which includes honesty and integrity. I do not have a problem voicing for a moderate Republican or Libertarian who may not share ALL of my views IF they appear to be competent and honest. But there is a line in the sand I won't cross.

For example, I have voiced Science textbooks for grades 1-6 for a major publisher. We went back for lots of follow-up sessions for state-specific material. I was very worried that they'd ask me to voice some creationist crap, which I would have refused to do. To me, creationism is religion (NOT science), which I believe has no place in a public school science textbook. I would feel like I was lying to have read such material. Fortunately, that did not happen.

Basically, I think you SHOULD pay attention to your conscience about things you feel deeply about. Even though my world is pretty gray (not black and white), there ARE some issues which are deal-killers for me personally.

Hope this helps.
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

Oh Magpie, let us not open a can of worms, but I will say I have nothing against guns in general, just the horrible and illegal things some people do with them.

And just putting the opener to the edge of the can, I'll say that regarding a certain very large gun lobby, I think they lie like a rug when they say they represent gun owners, when it is clear that their interests lie mostly with the gun manufacturers instead. In a very slim defense for this lobby, they do have a very fine program of teaching gun handling and safety to first-timers, but beyond that, Greed for the Few is their job one, IMO. We don't need hand held WMD's in the hands of amateurs.

OK, so I turned the can opener a crank or two.

I will say I have come to believe in the importance of gun ownership for the simple purpose of reminding our leaders that this is a government of the People, and that they should never forget what happened the last time our government got all tyrannical on our ass. You be cool. We be cool.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

preach on bruce!
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Craig · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:

Bruce,

Although a life member of said organization for years now, I share some of your concerns, but I also strongly agree with your last argument (though a gummint strongman for 24 years now my own bad self).

I know bad people, with evil intent, do evil things. But, I believe much of that is attributable to the shortage of good people, with good intent, equally equipped.

Case in point...Lubby's cafeteria in Waco, Texas a few years back...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f12XrQ6H0Og

Di, a great read is the biography of John Moses...brilliant man.

This still goes back to having to decide for yourself what you will and won't do and as such I respect each individual's decision to do as they see fit.

Craig
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Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

crap! slippery slope alert!!!!
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