VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Hart

I'm just curious here. Just surfed over to ESPN.com and it scared the crap out of me by starting a video stream automatically. Actually made me spill my coffee, but that's probably because I have the computer run through the mixer and my monitors were set pretty loud. Anyway, I've noticed more and more sites doing this.

Do you as a VO have audio that starts automatically on your site or do you let the user determine when/if to play your demos, etc.

I use a flash player that would allow for audio to start automatically, but I find it jarring so I've disabled that feature and let the user determine when and what they want to hear.
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Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:49 am Post subject:

Opinions here are split on this issue-- it comes up now an again.

I frankly hate sound that auto-plays-- the startle factor is exceedingly unpleasant and NOTHING makes me leave a site faster than "Hi! I'm Joe Smedley-- welcome to my website!"

Meh. Welcome to 2nd grade.

There have been times-- very few times-- when I have been delighted by a voice that greeted me as soon as the site loaded, but I would have been equally delighted had I been given the opportunity to choose to listen.
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Apageloman · Guest

I Whole-heartedly Concur Deebs

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:08 am Post subject:

Mine starts automatically with the option for people to stop. Someone visiting a website selling the servies of a voice over should expect audio to feature above anything else. Having said that, there should be some point to the audio "Hello I'm Philip Banks and welcome to my web site" is pointless.

brianforrester · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:41 am Post subject:

The difference between most sites and Phil's site is that his starts with gentle music, then a soft v/o.... I actually don't mind it... then there's a very obviousl way to turn it off if I don't care to listen any further (I wish we could put that function on some of his posts Wink

)

As a rule, I really don't like it unless the above is true... definately no "HA (read southern drawl Hi), I'M BILLY BOB GELDERFELD SMITH THE III. THANKS FOR VISITIN' CAUSE I CAINT WAIT TO READ YOUR SCRIPT!"

I'm not one to say never, but I doubt that unless I find a very subtle and attracting way to incorporate audio, that I'll use it on my site.
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Hart · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:44 am Post subject:

I agree. The nice thing about Philip's is it's kinda like an audio version of a sunrise. You realize it's coming. That works for me.

For now, I'm happy to leave mine as is though.
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anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

People who want to have the option of starting music/sound are control freaks Wink

-Anthony

Hart · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:52 am Post subject:

Hey! I resemble that remark.
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anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:45 am Post subject:

I love Anthony.
I love Philip, too.
Philip's auto-sound is one of the very few I do like for all the above-stated reasons.

HOWEVER

Just because I am visiting a site that is for a VIO or sound designer does NOT mean I want to have sounds played for me.
Still love you, I just don't agree with you.
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BenWils · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

--
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

I'm removing my link from my profile page before you all check it out and flame me and make fun of me! hahahahaha Going now
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TG2

"Communication without intelligence is noise; Intelligence without communication is irrelevant."

Gen. Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
Former Commandant of the Marine Corps

Doc · Guest

If it's good enough for Harlan Hogan, it's good enough for me!

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

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject: