VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:31 am Post subject: Do big-name talent take jobs?

So I'm watching our local Evening Magazine and they have feature on VO artists. Particularly, 2 local Seattle artists who are miffed that big name talent are taking VO jobs in feature animation. The first example they gave was Meryl Streep in the Ant Bully. They indicate that despite the big names, the movie flopped. Therefore, big names are not a draw for animated features.

This, of course, does not hold up to any kind of critical logic. Additionally, you don't hire Meryl Streep because she's a draw. You hire Meryl Streep because she is one of the great American actors of our day and can bring life to pretty much any character she's cast for. Yeah, I'd hire her over the voice of Pajama Sam any day.

Of course, they also point out Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence in Open Season. Neither are good actors, nor are they huge box office draws. So why use them as opposed to some cheaper, professional voice-actors?

So what do y'all think? Are "name" actors taking work from professional VO artists?
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:14 am Post subject:

The implication in the question is that the big names sweep in and take job that rightfully belong to Voice Over artists. The jobs are for the producer and casting director to bestow on those they see as right for the part. The part may be that of announcer for the Sneaky Joe's Auto dealer and massage parlour commercial on K-WIPUM or the main character voice on Disney picture's new animation "Blood massacre kittens on fluffy farm apocalyse" if you're right for the job you'll get it, known or unknown.

Meryl Streep is a good example. Were I a director I would not be concerned about her voice or her ability to give a good performance whereas someone selling themself as a Voice Over would not inspire that same confidence.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:

The value of having name stars in an animated features is that they ARE familiar to the movie-going public, so they ARE a draw.

The wicked excellent benefit to folks like us is that more studios are willing to invest more money in more animation projects when they see financial success in the theaters.

More work = more work for us.
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Jowillie · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:37 am Post subject: The key is...........

Good Agents!
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John M · Guest

Rognog · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

One thing I've noticed over the past few years with both TV commercials and film is that your average person doesn't even know who the celebrity voice is. However, when I point it out "Yeah that's George Clooney doing that Bud commercial" the repsonse uausally is something like. "I was wondering why I like that commercial". I think it's because even though you who don't know exactly who that VO celeb is, you're drawn to it because it's a familiar, comforting voice you've been hearing for years. That and the fact that these are some great actors who are great at what they do...
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Bruce · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:15 am Post subject:

Speaking of big-name talent doing commercials, my wife just spent 11 days as a Production Coordinator on a multi-million dollar TV spot for Gatorade featuring Derek Jeter of the Yankees and the actor Harvey Keitel on camera. Yeah. Harvey Keitel. You'll see it during baseball season.

B
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Tom Greenlee · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:34 am Post subject:

Cool Bruce. Did YOU get to meet these guys? That's very cool.
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tackerman · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

The Cleaner. Bitchin

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

John M · Guest

Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject:

I recently read a good rant on this in regards to David Hyde Pierce.

Yeah, Niles from "Frasier".

While I do understand the logic when such comments are made, I also have to remind myself of how many of these folks were, at one time (like David) doing commercial VO like the rest of us.

Makes you think is all I'm saying...
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richgates · Guest

I don't blame the VO people for feeling threatened, but I don't blame the studios for wanting to have marquee names to help sell tickets. I would think the top character voice people are still making a ton of money and are working most of the time.

Is it money or ego?

kitstern · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:53 pm Post subject:

Most often in demand these days for male VO is Kiefer Sutherland, presumably because of his persona as Jack Bauer in "24". As you go up the food chain in VO, signature voices are the ones being hired and actors have had years (and TV series) to establish themselves as signatures. I've heard VO described several times by actors on late night talk shows as "the best gig in town".

But they probably wouldn't be caught dead doing an industrial narration Smile

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