VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

RayAnime · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:03 am Post subject: Introducing . . . ME!

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the VO-BB and since I've been here for all of five seconds and have already posted about a zillion times, I figured it might be nice to introduce myself before the rambling continues.

My deal is that I've been studying VO on and off for about two years now and am finally getting ready to make my commercial and animation demos this spring/summer (so get ready, because I'll definitely be asking for feedback when the time comes). I've been fortunate enough to study with some amazing teachers along the way: The fantastic Pat Fraley, Bob Bergen & Bill Holmes . . . can't say enough great things about these guys. The downside is they all live in LA so I've been racking up frequent flier miles like there's no tomorrow. Thinking about a temporary move out there this summer to see "what happens" (thoughts?).

I love VO in general, but animation is what I live & breathe for (okay maybe that's a BIT extreme, but you know what I mean). I have always loved cartoons--in fact, I knew the names of most of the "big" character voice actors and could pick them out on different shows BEFORE I ever thought about getting into voiceover. Yep, somebody watches a little too much tv. I actually almost tried to get into writing for animation before my path veered down the lovely VO highway. Shows like "The Emperor's New School" give me hope that clever writing is still alive & well in animation. By the way, for the scoop on all things animated, check out www.cartoonbrew.com, a really wonderful website with daily posts ranging from commentary on the latest Dreamworks offering to clips of hilariously abysmal old cartoons.

I'm excited to be a part of this community--I can already tell it's one of the most valuable resources we have as VO actors. Thank you Ms. D.B.!

Lucky for you, I do more than just talk incessantly (though that IS one of my strong suits). I also--I guess you could say "dabble"--with graphic design , so if you're having trouble with Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign or that kind of thing, or if you need quick flyer or something pulled together I may be able to help you out, depending on my schedule (for free, of course, I'm not pimping my services here).

Smile

Looking forward to getting to know all of you! Smile

louzucaro · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

Welcome Ray! Thanks for the link to cartoonbrew.com as well!

Moving out to L.A. seems to be a combination of a lot of things, including talent, "what you make of it", luck and, I dunno, ancient Mayan astral projection or something. Who knows. Everybody seems to have different stories on it. I know people who did it and are working as actors pretty much all the time, and in not-too-shabby stuff, either. Others came back crying in a few months.

P.S. Is it Ray? RayAnne? Just wanna make sure we're addressing you correctly Smile

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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

RayAnime · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

It's actually Rachel, but I'm fine with Ray (so much for anonymity--well, I guess that went out the window when I posted my picture).

I have a lot of friends out in LA, and I keep going out there for classes anyway . . . I guess I'm thinking even if it sucks and I don't get any work at least I'll at least get to hang out with my friends and go to the beach, and I can always come home to NYC at the end of the summer (I didn't move here to pursue VO, I grew up in the area & my family's here, so it's a pretty good home base to return to if LA is horrible). I also know of a girl who wants to sublet my room for the summer . . . maybe I might as well try the LA thing since it won't be that hard to come back if it doesn't work out. Hmm, did I just answer my own question??

paddyo · CM Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 975 Location: New York City

Welcome aboard Ray.
I'm also in NYC. Maybe I'll see you in town.

Paddyo

TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Introducing . . . ME!

melissa eX · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

That you Rache???

See you finally decided to jump into the pool...

Welcome! Great bunch here.... grab one of those drinks with umbrellas in them and soak up the atmosphere... lots of good stuff here.

melissa

Gp · Guest

KaraEdwards · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Rachel- welcome!

I'm big into the animation VO thing too, so we have much in common Smile

I could quote entire scenes from my favorite cartoons before I ever hit double digits age-wise. It's something in our blood, right?

Do you also do on-camera work? I ask because you are obviously a beautiful girl. It's a great way to make side-money while persuing VO. Even just some easy local commercial work is great!

Anyways, if you make the move to LA- best of luck! I say go for it if you have nothing holding you back. I wish I had many years ago...but then I may not have the life I do today...and I wouldn't give that up for the world! Follow your gut, it will always lead you in the right direction.

OK- enough from me...Welcome!
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Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

RayAnime · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing . . . ME!

Hi to Paddyo!!! NYC really is like a small town sometimes--I randomly run into people I know more often here than in the rinky-dink town where I went to high school!

louzucaro · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing . . . ME!

RayAnime · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

Lou . . .

And all for the low, low upgrade price of only $599!!!!!

lol

bobsouer · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

RayAnime · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

Kara,

Thanks for the kind words (and the advice)! I'm in the process of hitting the gym & then planning to do the headshot thing in a few months & see if I can pursue commercial work alongside VO . . .

Are you into old-school animation, or is there anything on today that you enjoy as well? I personally like a good mix of both . . . I know a lot of people think the current state of cartoons is generally abysmal, but there are a few shows I really enjoy.

Seems like everyone here is so nice. Yay Smile

louzucaro · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

I am, shamefully, not up on current cartoons that much.

That said, I do think the Simpsons is still really funny. I've enjoyed Family Guy from time to time, and I think that a lot of the Spongebob eps I've seen are really, really funny.

For old stuff, I'm a sucker for classic WB...love love loves me some Bugs Bunny.

Also a big fan of both Paul Frees and Daws Butler...Elroy Jetson is one of my favorite character voices EVar!

And I also really dig Paul Frees' work in things like Rankin-Bass' "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Such great work.

But there are so many great older cartoons that I feel bad not including just about everybody (June Foray, etc.).

There was even some stuff that I liked even though I wouldn't put it in the "great" category for the same reasons...

A friend and I used to do a bit on a local radio station called "Speed Racer Theater" where we'd be given script excerpts from various movies, assign the real characters to Speed Racer characters, and do the lines in the style of Speed Racer, with the lines of dialog all run together and the punctuation removed. The first caller to call in with what the movie really was won some silly prize like half a frozen pizza or whatever. But it was fun.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

ccpetersen · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Rachel,

Welcome! Like you I used to hang over all the cartoons... and I could to a bullwinkle when I was a kid... Wink

I'm up near Boston; I get to NYC once in a while; a couple of years ago I commuted to Midtown every week for a big project, so I got to know that area and Union Square... great place!

Glad you're here!

CC
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