VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

georgethetech

I have a client new to VO who's working hard to build his reel and client base.
His latest project is working to video, replacing the audio track of a Realtor's video home tour with his own, re-encoding, and sending back the video.
I think it could be a great gig, and he said they have a lot of work. However, they need quick turn around and sending a video each time will be slooow. Plus, I think its nuts that he should have to deal with the video side of things. Isn't it appropriate that he get the audio and just replace and let THEM sew it all back together?
Wouldn't that put him in the position of Producing as well as voicing?
They're excuse is he needs the cues from the video, but I'm not buying it.
Would love your input on this!
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:13 pm Post subject:

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:16 pm Post subject:

I agree that it is too much unless he's being compensated for it. The video dub work I do requires that they send me the script with the time cues already on it, then I can match those and send them a beautiful file they can then sync up on their own. Their video peeps know how to do that stuff. I have them send me the video, too, so that I can make sure it all lines up, if it really requires that.

A client coming in tomorrow actually has me label every file separately so their vid person can put each line exactly where it needs to go and take care of the pacing on that end.

That, however, is just my experience.
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Claire Dodin · Club 300 Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 392 Location: Sunny LA

I work the same way as Mandy, with time codes.
Or, if it's dubbing of an English dialogue, they send me the video, I extract the audio and record whilst listening to the English. During editing, I time it exactly to the English (visually with the English sound wave), then I send them back the French audio file. (not video, all they have to do is paste it back together as the audio is synched)
It's very easy to do.
I would not add it to the video myself as it would block my computer for hours, video encoding is very slow and demanding on the computer.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

I just had to do this for a videogame translation to English. Had to match the timing, etc. I was paid as a VO, then paid a lovely (and quite nice) fee for the studio time to edit and place properly in the PT session.

It all depends if this is something he wants to do, and if he'll be fairly compensated for it.

(Otherwise known as: what Mandy said)
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Most real estate gigs aren't very high paying. I'd tell your friend to flee. Sounds like a lot of busy work for your friend whereas they should be spending that time working towards getting better clients.
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georgethetech · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:40 pm Post subject:

I think he's having second thoughts after I explained to him the process to actually do what his client expects of him. I agree with you completely, though.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Bruce · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:10 am Post subject:

Everything but the sewing it back together and transmitting it back sounds kosher to me if he finds it easy to do. If he's not killing himself financially, lower paying work early in one's VO career is still pay and good experience.

B
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Living Culture · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

That sounds like a crazy request.

Besides the reasons already stated. Video dubbing is done by specialised people with specialised software. Why would the realtor guy assume the VO artist has the necessary tools? Adding the audio and re-encoding the video in some freeware download a Hobo Tounge

will not give him the quality matching the pro software the video guys use.

This would be kinda like giving the video to video dubbing people and asking them to please have one of their gophers read the script before encoding.

That said, I would do it just to get experience in that field. It can never hurt to add to your abilities.

davidmonteath · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:51 am Post subject:

+1 on all of these.

I have had clients try this and its always more hassle than its worth.

My advice, do it if you have a weekend with nothing else to do and you are trapped inside the house by a bear, otherwise tell them that you are happy to do the audio but if they want it done to picture to go ahead and book a dubbing suite and you will happily go there.

Sorry George, I know this wasn't 'you' but I was getting tangled up with my first and third person.

Congrats again on Ella. Smile

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