VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks

At VOX on Saturday afternoon a session was held ...... THE BIG SESSION,,, On rates.

At the mic and in control of the guests on stage was one of my best friends, Phil Sayer a VO with over 408 years experience.

"How many of you make around 25% of you income from radio?" asked Phil. Around a dozen or so VOs raised their hands. "Ok, how many of you make around 50% of your income from radio (ads) ?" ...CUE Wind and tumbleweed.

Whilst I was not there I am reliably informed that around 120 mins out of the 90 min session concentrated on radio. It was stimulating, informative, in depth and about as worthwhile an investment of professional time as knowing the plot of the Brazilian soap opera Viver a Viva.

If we (I'm being polite as I REALLY mean most of you) concentrate on our on-going career developement by delving into abstract concept the results will be as abstract as "Taking my career to the next level". There is a place for the Flake stuff but for May and May alone ...Go into a COMA.

Concentrate
On
Measurable
Absolutes

Some months ago I had a conversation with Mark, one of the directors at a managment company. I thought they were a VO agency, my error.

ABSOLUTE - Mark told me that they we "10 percenters" which meant from the day I signed they got 10% of all my income ALL OF IT, no exceptions! That's fair.

In return what would I get from his company? He used the word "opportunities" more than once ... VAGUE CONCEPT. I couldn't get one thing from him that indicated an ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT whereas from day one that's EXACTLY what he insisted upon from me .. Nice guy (vague concept) but he gets nothin' from me (ABSOLUTE).

ISDN is dead, nobody will be using in 5 years they'll go into gas podules and ..... (VAGUE CONCEPT). Last week I earned $800 from ISDN and I'll be spending it in the next week or so (ABSOLUTE)

Hopefully you get the picture.

Think about the most memorable phrase from Jerry McGuire and in May shout it often.

By Concentrating On Measurable Absolutes there is a downside, you will be able to measure when you are failing. The upside is that you'll be able to do something about it and see when things turn around ....

Hoozah and Hoorah ...here's to your first month long COMA

heyguido · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:19 am Post subject:

Once again, Banks.... (do I really need to say it?) Wink

Fookin' genius, er wot?
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Bish · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:31 am Post subject:

Once again, good examples back up a solid concept.

Unfortunately, there is a much bigger market for vague concepts and hackneyed aphorisms. I blame self-help books. I want to write one to help people break their addiction to them. If you can't sell the real stuff, sell warm'n'fuzzy... there seems to be a bigger market.

Although it's a terrible backronym from my corporate days, I always liked SMART:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound

I was wondering if other industries have as many parasites*. Are plumbers barraged with opportunities to, "take your plumbing to the next level... become the plumber you always wanted to be" courses and seminars... "unlock the mysteries of the compression joint" or "which solder is best for me?" webinars.

*Tarring everyone with the same brush here for the sake of dramatic brevity. There are good products, suppliers & services out there if you know how to filter.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:40 am Post subject:

Were I in a court prosecuting someone then I would challenge the value of being grabbed by the "Warm and fuzzies" until those who claim they'd derived such awesome benefits from spending $799 on the Iranian Double Pause Masterclass Weekend Worshop were weeping on the floor ..

"Ok ,,,it ...was ...SNIFF ....Pointless!"

Fluffiness is a subject best debated in person over a few glasses of Rioja with trusted friends.

COMA ...One month ...May ...Try it.

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:38 am Post subject:

I love this place!
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Bobbin Beam
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Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:15 am Post subject:

See above post for person on whom I have the biggest crush EVERRRR!

audio'connell · Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:18 pm Post subject:

And I had dinner with her last week.

Just sayin'.
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- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:42 am Post subject:

Just missed a golden opportunity for ..... DIGNIFIED SILENCE!!!

Bish · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:52 am Post subject:

Is that a whole bunch of Iranian double-pauses edited together?
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:59 am Post subject:

No, because beyond 7 we would have an Adriatic aspirate dramatic rest.

Lee Gordon

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:17 pm Post subject:

oh, i thought, you said, comma month.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

audio'connell · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:57 pm Post subject:

and again, apostrophes get completely ignored.

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

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:41 am Post subject:

i wish i could say the same thing about periods.
Gasp

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roger · Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:21 am Post subject:

Pinto FTW
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www.MyFavoriteVoice.com
http://rogertremaine.voices.com/
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