VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

It’s THE studio session! Points to consider are :-

1 – You marked up your script with a combination of hieroglyphics and Sanskrit, they look as if they mean something but we both know they don’t. Now you have to interpret them.

2 – Mic position is essential as is the setting, your position, the mic itself and the headphones and the room. This is a pro’ studio and the person who designed it obviously KNOWS NOTHING!

3 – The script like your demo should be specially selected for you and flexible. It’s badly written, over written and the voice the client really wanted had “Access to ISDN” in the same way I have “Access to Penelope Cruz” – Only available when people don’t need it.

4 – Direction is your reaction to creative input and yet allows you freedom to interpret everything except the words, tone, style, length and emotions.

5 – Everyone THAT side of the glass is clear, they don’t know what they want! They’re creatives, it’s their job not to know what they want.

Practice this phrase – “No, no, don’t tell me. I’m keen to guess!”

6 – When someone sighs and says, “Sorry this is a bad script”. Don’t get sucked in, it’s a trap! You reply with a shrug “looks just fine to me, let me try again for you”.

7 – The only attitude the client needs to see from you is the one in your performance.

8 – When you are invited to escape the VO booth ensure that you have asked in three different ways “Happy with everything?”

9 – Remember NETWORKING. The thing to remember is that YOU NEVER EVER EVER DO IT… EVER. When the job is over be a nice person not another threatening Voice Talent. They’re waiting for your networking skills to bite them on the bum, leaving them with only a painful memory of working with you.

10 – Leave quickly and politely with a “see you again soon”.

[davidmonteath]

Can I add another to be inserted appropriately.

8b - They aren't your friends, they are clients. Even if they do happen to be great friends out of the studio, when you are in there and they are paying you for your skill and your time, they are clients.

Just my 2 shillings and sixpence, cos I'm loaded.
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www.davidmonteath.com

Sponsor of Voice APpreciation Indulgence Day 2010

Proud member of Self Appointed Voice-Over Experts Discussion Group - overenthusiastic pontification a speciality.

[voicy1stef]

Bravo to all. especially 6 and 9. I've seen vo peeps try to do a little smoosching (networking) & watched the clients backing off like the plague.

I'll remember these helpful tips guys. thanks!

8b is SpotOn as well!
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Intuit and do it!

British-American voice artist based in England for the past umpteen years. I say, has it really been that long!

http://www.stefsvoice4u.co.uk
Podcast: Positive Affirmations and Audio Stories, on iTunes, Spotify etc.

[Lance Blair]

On screen talents get a few minutes between takes. You don't.
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Philip Banks]

To be fair you are allowed to take a breath as long as you're quick.

[bobsouer]

Breathing is good.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

[Don G.]

[bobsouer]

Don,

I don't do those kind of commercials anymore. Life is too short. (And sometimes the copy is just plain too long!)
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

[Lee Gordon]