VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[kkuhlken]

Dear friends, I have just had my first audiobook narration published. I am excited to delve into this side of VO and looking forward to growing my catalog.

Please take a listen to the sample and offer a critique.

If you would like a promo code to download the book and leave a review, I can get one for you...I know a guy...

Thank you in advance. The brutaler the betterer.

https://www.audible.com/pd/How-to-Deal-with-Workplace-Burnout-Audiobook/B0F2Q5B7L5?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
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My full name is Karl Kuhlken (think Macauly Culkin...it rhymes)

Suave, debonair, a ladies man. Sophisticated, urbane, well heeled....no, wait...that's not me

[audio'connell]

I am so far from being an audiobook narrator that traveling from here to Jupiter and back would feel like going next door in comparison.

All that to say I'm likely not the best choice as an audiobook critic.

But it's 'Merica so I'll spout off anyway. Spouting is covered in the Constitution.

1. If the publisher and author are happy with your read/presentation, game over and you win! Run with that and on to the next project. Get a written recommendation and post it on your website.

2. As a listener, I wanted to hear a bit more empathy in your read as you were describing what Burnout is. Your read wasn't bad (at all) but it felt very business like. Now if business like was what the director asked for...ignore what I just said.

3. I came to my preferred style of read as mentioned based on the title of the book and it's self-help focus. You are going to present a problem and then a variety of solutions. Along the way, you're going directly and indirectly highlight your credibility --- a friendly persona, an understanding voice would engage the listener more, in my opinion

If you've ever suffered from burnout, it sucks and you think no one understands and you imagine that everyone thinks you're just a complainer. But as you know (having read this book) it's not that at all. It's a real problem and the person listening to the book probably really needs a qualified friend's advice, I would think.

Whether it's audiobooks, commercials or message on hold, I always try and start with the audience in mind. Who will hear this? If they have this problem, issue or question, how does that make them feel and how can my voice and tone best convey they solution I am offering without being schlocky (schlocky is also in the Constitution).

In other words, am I sharing or just reciting?

I make the performance choice by trying to speak to one person I know in my life who would want or need to know the information I'm sharing...then I try and keep them in my mind's eye as I perform.

Of course it's not easy but nor is voiceover just talking.

Anyway, this answer is turning into a book so I'll stop here, in hopes that I've helped in some small way.
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- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

[Bob Bergen]

Hey buddy! First of all congrats! That's the most important thing.

Now, I'm not sure what value you get from asking a critique for a gig you already did and got paid for. You did a gig and got paid for it. Odds are if they thought you sucked, you would have been replaced. They liked you and published you. May this be the first of many!

I myself choose not to do audiobooks, so I am far from an expert on audiobook performance. But I have listened to them. You sound fine! I honestly rarely am impressed with an audiobook narrator. But I also prefer reading over listening to a book. I think you sound as good as the majority of the books I have heard. The only people whose opinions matter are the buyers. I have been booked from auditions I thought sucked. I've not been booked on performances I thought rocked. I've been Emmy nominated for performances I thought were mediocre. It's not about me, or the opinions of my fellow actors. It's about the buyers. So, go forth and get more!

[Bruce]

Two notes:

I agree you need to take the material a bit more to heart. You're talking to people who have burned out or about to do so. Help them with warmth, kindness, and great support ideas.

I can hear your plosives in the mic. It's mild, but to someone who strives for technical perfection (and rarely achieves it) it's distracting. Besides getting a good pop screen for your mic, see if you can get a decent sound with the mic further away from your mouth. A few inches more in a well treated recording space can help a lot.

Best point of all, you were hired!

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. .