VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

I admire the PR spin in this article http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-documentary-i-know-that-voice-20130830,0,1181359.story but the truth is that no one wants to show it.

Doing what you care about keeps you sane, doing what other people care about keeps you solvent.

[melissa eX]

[Bruce]

What an odd business model. Offering it for free for a month (on services I don't have which ticks me off) then charging for it everywhere else. We've been teased about this flick for what now, two years? Which from my experience tells me this is likely to be a truly disappointing dog of a film.

Sigh.

Free showings can be smart when applied intelligently. There was theater chain in Phoenix that had a foreign films club of sorts which I happily belonged to. About two weeks before they were going to show a film to the public they'd show it for free to 500 of us. Great free word of mouth advertising for a product that's hard to advertise traditionally.

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. .

[Lee Gordon]

If I made a movie about fixing toilets, I'm sure plumbers everywhere would line up to see it. But the rest of us, not so much.

This could be the voiceoverists' version of that film. I know I want to see it, and I'm guessing a sizable percentage of people in our profession, people interested in VO, and even some normal people want to see it. But it wouldn't surprise me if there were a fairly large segment of the general population who just wouldn't give a crap.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[Bob Bergen]

I've seen the film, and I'm briefly in it. I gotta tell ya, it's one of the best lessons in vo/animation I've ever seen. Every major player, from actors to casting directors to agents, generously sharing their journey and at times their style and techniques. If I am able to come away from the film learning a ton, it's a good film. The fans eat it up. But also, anyone wanting to get into this business, especially those who have been told they "have a great voice" will get a dose of much needed reality.

There are a few common denominators with each person interviewed. First of all, they are all undeniably talented. Also, they are driven and committed. None of these people are where they are by accident. You can see the passion, and you can see the ambition. And, you can see the fun. There isn't a spec of negativity, excuses, bitterness, or jealousy. There is talk about the ups and downs of the industry, as well as competition. But it's presented in the way I know these people live their lives and their careers. I know the majority of the players in this film. They are constantly working on their craft. Many still work with coaches. Many do theater at night to keep up their acting chops. They are always trying to be better and work harder than the rest. They are generous in their advice and time. And, they all have that "nothing will stop me" attitude. None of them looked for short cuts along the way. Lots of hard work and sacrifice.

One of the reasons it took so long to make is the producers had to work around very busy schedules. Each interview was 1-2 hours or more. They were adding players every day. Some actors weren't interested until they heard others took part. It was a huge juggling act. And I'm sure an editing nightmare. I was asked early on in the project to be a part of it. I had no idea what the finished product would be or whom amongst the animation players would be in it. I think every voice actor, even those who aren't interested in animation, should see this picture.

One lesson I teach my animation students is to find someone successful doing exactly what you want to do and research their journey. Whom did they study with? Who did their demos? Their website? What was their specific and strategic journey? Who is their agent? How did they secure their agent? Study their imdb page, and research their step by step work journey. What are the common denominators? Studios? Casting directors?

This is a process of research and learning that I was not able to do because of the lack of technology. You all have all of this information at your finger tips on your computer. My research tool when I was starting out was the telephone. I phoned Mel Blanc to ask for career advice. I phoned Hanna Barbara who referred me to study with Daws Butler. Half the people in this documentary were also in Daws' class. Here is this 2 hour plus documentary to examine and drink in everyone working in the industry today. And, as I say about every workshop, if you leave this film with only 5% more than you came in with, bank that knowledge and info! I think you will get more out of it. If anything, it's entertaining as hell.

[Philip Banks]

No idea about the quality, entertainment or educational value of the piece so I really appreciate the review, thank you Bob.

Sadly it would appear that the bean counters don't see any value in the movie; the know their market and their audience.

If I tell people about the specific instructions to Pilots not to "pump" the rudder pedals in an A320 Airbus there eyes will glaze over but when I add that the tail section will fall off, suddenly I've got their attention.

Movie idea - When Voice Overs go bad! That'll sell.

[Bob Bergen]

Documentaries are some of the cheapest films to produce and some of the hardest to get mainstream distribution. All of them, from political to whimsical, have niche audiences. There are 1000s produced every year, and a small handful find themselves in a multiplex.

I don't think the producers ever expected or intended this film to get a mainstream distribution. I'm sure they would invite this. But they know the world of documentaries. This will be buzz in festivals, cons, word of mouth.

I'm a documentary junky. I get to see most of mine on Netflix. I'm sure this one will be there eventually. But I think it's important to understand the documentary distribution business model. And if I were a major distributor and didn't have a clue about our industry, I'd think twice about investing in audience appeal.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to mainstream films and television, some of the most anticipated productions bomb. And some sleepers become huge hits. Some of your favorite and most successful films and TV shows were turned down by numerous studios and networks over and over before one took a risk. From Star Wars and ET, to Mad Men and Breaking Bad. They heard many a no before yes. (Kinda like being an actor!!) Hell, there was a time early on Modern Family was gong to be animated.

So, if you get the chance see I Know That Voice!