VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[hal]

Hello All;

New guy here. Another who came to VO later in life. Won't give away my exact age, but let's just say that 55 is a distant speck in my rear view mirror!!

Soooo, I've been at this for about 2 years now--managed to land some work to build the experience base and resume a bit----but, of course, always open to suggestions about growing more, getting more work in order to be self-sufficient with this great profession--AND--ALWAYS willing to help anyone I can.

There's a twist to my story that's a bit different than most: about a year ago, I moved to my 92 year-old Mother-In-Law's home in the city(leaving my family behind at the beloved mountain home we've lived in for over 30 years) to take care of her. She has many physical problems--she's completely dependent, and we get along great. I rely on her memory often , and she relies on my ability to do the stuff that requires moving around from place to place. She has nicknamed me "windy," because of the breeze made from the speed at which I move through her house, taking care of what needs taking care of! To do all this, I had to spend the first 5-1/2 months moving a business I own to her 2 bay garage (that required renovating first). Then, I had to set up my VO equipment in a room converted to a studio, settle in, and get busy. This has been a challenge, and, sometimes, even though exhausted, I recognize it as an honor, as well.

O.K.--that's my situational background in condensed form. Here's more about what's been inside of me forever and what I intend to keep inside of me and nuture until the forever at the other end.

I've always had this little kid inside of me. Really. You know him. He's the kid on the bicycle riding around the neighborhood with his friends in the 1950s. The one who feels in his gut that everything is possible--that everything is quite beautiful, that, "why not??" Instead of "can't happen." Don't know why it's there, but I'm very thankful that it is. Here's the crux of what it does for me (double edge sword sometimes): it makes me believe that IT can be done. When there's what I see as a great idea put out there and so many "experienced" folks rush in to recite why it won't work, I can actually SEE that it will. FEEL that it will. Is this frustrating sometimes? Yup. Would I trade it for anything? Nope. You see, to me, that childlike glee is as important to survival as oxygen. Without it, everything is black and white. With it, everything bursts forth in dazzling color.

Sooo---that's my little story. Lots more to share, like my love of writing (ask me about my book someday), my love of VO (we could talk forever on that one!), and ----well----more. But that's for another time. What I'd like right now is responses from all of you. I'd like to get to know you, share with you, help you if you need it, talk with you, move forward with you. You see, I believe that none of is going anywhere unless we're all pulling in the same direction.

All the best to all of you.

Until later.

[JBarrett]

Thanks for the intro, Hal, and welcome to the board! I enjoyed reading your story, and look forward to getting to know you more.
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Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

[asnively]

Welcome, Hal!
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Amy Snively
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[todd ellis]

hiya hal. welcome to the hoopla!
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Philip Banks]

Delighted you decided to join us.

[Bruce]

Welcome aboard, Hal! You have my admiration for taking on two difficult, often frustrating, but often rewarding projects: taking care of an elder loved one and ramping up a VO business in a new location.

Got a chance to listen to your narration demo...very nice.

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. .

[audio'connell]

Welcome.
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- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

[Lizden]

Hey Hal!
Weeeeelllll, geeeeee....looks like we have a few things in common.

My - now 93 years old wheelchair bound - mom has lived with me & my husband for the past 15 years (she had a stroke in 1994)....unfortunately her memory is not as good as your MILs...and well too long of a story!

Suffice it to say: Welcome to the family-caregiving-VO-life!
And welcome to the VO-BB!

Peace!

Liz
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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

[bobsouer]

Hal,

Welcome to the VO-BB. You'll find lots of our stories (at least pieces of them) buried in the archives here along with lots of other gold, some tears and plenty of laughter.

There are a few of us here who love to write as well as voice. My usual outlet for that is my blog. But, I do post here now and then as well.

In any case, I look forward to seeing more of you in the days to come.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Chrissy]

Hi Hal,

Glad your joining us. I spent most of my growing up years in Albany.

[imaginator]

greetings and welcome!

you and liz are bound to have stories to swap.

and as for your story about the "little kid"...that's the perfect situation for a voice actor to be in. as many of my close friends will tell you (when i'm not looking), i'm still about 6 years old inside...though i'm working on my fifth childhood.

keep up the good work on all fronts!
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rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

[SteVO]

HI HAL!!! So glad you are here. PM me or I you. I have some questions from your unique perspective on things. Great to have you here.
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"I'm thinking...and it hurts"

[ccpetersen]

Welcome! Good on you for taking care of the MIL. That is amazingly cool and it's good you guys get along so well!
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[whalewtchr]

Hal. Welcome...you will discover warmth, knowledge, smiles, laughter and cake here, lots of cake.
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jonahcummings

[Andy Bowyer]

Funny how so many of us are doing the "caregiver" thing. I won't go into details, but I, too, spend a good deal of time lending a hand (and arms and legs) to a loved one who's currently in need.

Viva self-employment!
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ab
http://abVoices.com