VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Tom Test]

Here’s my plan:

1) I’ll submit a script, something non gender-specific.

2) You record no more than TWO takes, slate at the end with just your name, and e-mail it to me. Please also include the details of your signal chain (mic, preamp, etc) in the body of your e-mail message. PLEASE SUBMIT BY TUESDAY MARCH 3rd.

3) I assemble ALL of the takes I get into one master high bit-rate MP3 and supply a link so you can listen to everyone’s audition.

4) Give us your opinions on whose auditions you thought would be most likely to get the gig (notice I did not say “who was the best”).

5) Discuss amongst ourselves...

For several years in the mid-to-late 90’s, I ran VO practice groups out of Bosco Productions in Chicago. We always started with a mock audition. They were extremely helpful learning tools. I predict a lively and insightful discussion would follow. Depending on how it goes, I might do this monthly.

-- UPDATE - see script below...

No more than 2 takes. If you do 2 takes, make sure they are different reads.

Slate at the END of each take with your name, e.g., “this is So and So” and please, nothing else!

Please do any “sweetening” you wish (EQ, compression, etc), but please do NOT add any background music or SFX.

Save the MP3 as a 128 Kbps MP3. (If you wish, you may also send me a wav file version if you really want to hear the best quality audio in order to compare signal chains). Please label your auditions something like FirstNameLastName-Moments1 (or 2). This will help me keep people and submissions straight.

E-mail me the file to VoicesOn@gmail.com . In the body of your e-mail, please tell us which mic(s) you used, which preamp(s) you used, and which sound card, USB or FW interface you used. I’d also be interested to know what sweetening you did, if any.

--

This is a script is for a video to be played before the National Business Meeting of a Big Health Care Company. I do not have in my notes if they gave any direction for the read, but I’ll make some suggestions. Most important, take your time with it! Do not rush through these dramatic images that are happening on the screen. This isn’t 40 seconds of copy in a 30 sec script, time doesn’t matter.

I think you could do this with a stylized, movie-trailer type announcer voice, but you could also do this much more real – like a parent taking an intimate look back at the dramatic events during their children’s journeys into adulthood. So while I hear an old geezer like me doing this, I can also imagine a younger voice or certainly a woman doing this.

My personal strategy when doing auditions is to 1) give them what they SAY they want to hear, then if possible 2) give them something different that I think makes sense for the “big picture” of what this script is trying to accomplish.

And with no further ado, here it is.....
(Music: bold, driving, as if something interesting is about to happen)
(Video: MLK delivering his “Dream” speech)
There are moments that change everything....
(Video: Wright Bros. first flight)
When the impossible becomes reality...
(Video: a small child excitedly about to jump into a swimming pool)
When we forgo the sidelines to dive right in...
(Video: Apollo rocket on launching pad, then rockets ignite)
When belief ignites, creating a bold new trajectory...
(Video: images of our employees, then zoom in on the location of our meeting)
This is our moment.
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[Bill Campbell]

Isn't MOCK AUDITION redundant?

I'll play, if only for the comparison of signal chains.
It might be fun and informative. I'd put it in the ENTRE NOUS section, though.

Lady D?
_________________
www.asapaudio.com

[Tom Test]

"Mock" means that nobody gets a gig out of it!

Actually Bill, I am also quite interested in hearing others' signal chains too, so that's part of my motivation. I thought about putting this in Entre Nous, but didn't want to exclude anybody at this point. But I will defer to the Higher Power.
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[bobsouer]

Tom,

I would love to participate.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

[Tom Test]

I would be truly honored to have you and Bill involved in this. But do me a favor - tell ALL your VO friends! For now, I figure "the more, the merrier."
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[Rob Ellis]

I'll play!

[Tom Test]

Great Rob!

Now I've got some Big Names here already - which is great - but I would like ANYBODY to join in. This could be a great opportunity for those new to the VO biz to hear themselves compared to the established talent, and learn what they need to be doing in order to truly compete.
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[todd ellis]

so post the script already so we can see which ellis wins!
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[SeptemberDay]

Big bucks, no whammies! I'm in
_________________
www.septembervoice.com
www.voicetalentproductions.com
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Life is short but sweet, for certain
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SaVoa Member #07011

[KaseyKruz]

Heck I'll just give you a rundown of my signal chain and an audio sample for the fun of it (because I am a techie)...after I install my new Echo Mia Midi card.
_________________
Does life start at 40?

[JBarrett]

Add another non-big-name to the list!

As for signal chain, that will depend upon when I get my home gear fixed. I hope to squeeze in time at work 'til then, though.
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

[Lee Gordon]

Let's see -- post an audition for a fake job that nobody actually gets, but lots of people compete, and it isn't Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Sounds like Voices.com and Voice123 all rolled into one. Count me in.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[Craig]

Absolutely. Sounds fun.

Craig
_________________
Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

[audio'connell]

As long as we don't have to pick teams I'm in.

I always get picked last
_________________
- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

[bobsouer]