VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks

It was the comments about the "give a bad local ad a national feel" that got me thinking about voice over people. This is not a question as to whether someone is good enough or not but how are they (are you) perceived by others?

If you sell your sound as opposed to a myriad of characters where do you fit in the minds of others. Very good but there's something about you that will keep you making a good living outside of the major productions or do you sound like you belong in the national league? What about other people, have ever heard someone punching above or below their weight. This is not about local/regional/strong accents, it's about that "certain something".

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

The most rewarding questions are the ones that are the most challenging to answer. I have a "gut reaction" answer to your question (in a good way), but I ought to really think about it...I'll get back to you on this!

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

There is "sound." We hear it. We know it. Are we it? Are we capable of it?

Food for thought.

[edited to remove a stray letter.]
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asnively · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

If I didn't think I had what it takes, I would not be able to keep banging away at this day after day. If I'm a big loser, please don't anybody tell me. I already bought all this stuff...
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BenWils · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

I think the market will dictate what is and isn't a national sound. If the market chooses some young smarmy-sounding 18 year old to start voicing all the promos for Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC or the BBC...then what will someone's comment of "you sound national" mean then?

VO "quality" is so relative. We think we know what sounds good. But it is just 'our' opinion. The person next to you may have a totally different opinion as to what is good.

It used to be if you had a deep voice...you had a great voice. These days, because of all the fake junk we see, people/producers want something real.....something that will evoke emotion from others. Thus the shift from just plain announcers...to the need for actors who can promo an upcoming show so well, millions will tune in or go to the theater to see it.

So yes, I have been told by people in major markets "I love your sound, you have a very national sound". I am honored and delighted at their comments. I guess I am working more toward this comment from my agent..."Wow, you really do have a unique and awesome sound. Here is your W-2 for last year.....looks you like you barely made it over $10 million.....I think you're slipping a little". I'll keep working toward that goal I guess.

Laugh

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Ben

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

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:11 am Post subject:

Amy, your demos are what I hear when I think of "national sound"! Great!!!

glittlefield · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:37 am Post subject:

Nice question, Phillip. As it turns out, I've been asking myself this over the last few months. So far, I am at peace with knowing I'll never do trailers.

I spend a LOT of time with people explaining to them how computers work. I also come from a family of teachers, so I've learned to be able to come up with different ways to explain the same task to a variety of people so that each of them come out of the experience with the same understanding of how that task works. It takes patience and a certain degree of human connection.

This is one mindset I can bring to the mic with me as I FEEL I am equipped for the guy-next-door sound. It's a matter of conveying that to the listener now.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I think the national sound in the US already is very smarmy and features a restriction of the back of the mouth and a pushing out through the nose. I don't have that, and I have no intention of cultivating it...(and I don't see this style from boardmembers either). Call me a Dodo, but a Dodo who doesn't sound like a faux teen.

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:03 am Post subject:

It really is impotant to have a sense of where you fit in and all credit to Greg for knowing his niche. There is a man in London who does corporate work, nothing more, nothing less. He earns around $200.000 a year. In his market, mention Don la Fontaine or Joe Cipriano you'll get a blank look, mention his name and people will respond "He's the man for us".

Bailey · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:53 am Post subject:

Knowing one's own sound is so important— all the more so when you're looking for an agent. You need to know where you fit in, you need to know if there's already someone like you in their stable. You need to know where there are similar voices making money, so you can approach another agency and tell them, "I have a sound like Zelda Fitzgerald at Acme." The agent you're talking to wants a piece of that action.

(the foregoing is from my memory of a recent chat with Pat F.)
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:06 am Post subject:

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I prefered q sound = national feel

Let Q stand for National Feel, and R for National Audience Response. It's formulaic, as it somewhat is in reality anyhow.

BenWils · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:50 pm Post subject:

I like it! Let's all see if we can start it. We did it with "voice talking" and it is taking off very nicely.

In another 5 years leads will soon go like this:

"I need a voice talker with a somewhat Q sound......not too Q....just somewhat Q. And if you can sound tall and Q ....and like DLF or CIP all at the same time....we'll just go ahead and book you. We'll need it read on a 416 with at least a V Hobo Tounge

or a vt737sp with a soft knee and a hard elbow to create an R. Or just send Kick Ackerman"
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Ben

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

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

Hey - we COULD be "moaning" IP numbers. Lead on V123 today wanted sexy - and had a link to MoanMyIP.com to describe the sound they wanted...

That lead was subsequently replaced by a new lead with no lsuch ink - with the Adult Content box checked, so I never actually received it...just followed the link to the new lead...curiosity as to what changes they had made...
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