VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

I'm a beginning voiceover guy, Have been involved in theatre and acting for the past 30 years, but have never really formally tried to take the plunge into this world....

Over the past 5 years, I have put together a decent studio (I'm also a vocalist and play keyboards). mostly music oriented...I have Logic Pro 7 on the mac, with a ton of plugsins, and a PC with everyplugin known to man...also a giant collection of loops and samples....my gear is kind of modest for Vo work, a mackie 1202 and a Studio Projects condensor...i'm looking at the symetrix 528..

I'm in a major market (Chicago) and the competition is stiff.. I'm in a voiceover workshop/class with a top coach in town, and my idea was to try to compile my own demo...It needs to be top notch...the advice Im getting so far is with my knowledge I should be able to put it together, but have a professional VO studio master it ....

My question would be ....a)does it sound like I'm on the right track here?
and b) where do you go about getting some VO copy for your demo with production notes for backing tracks?

thanks all...
captain

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject:

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Hart · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject:

I think it depends on your level of experience and comfort with it. I produce a lot of commercials for the radio stations I work for and I'm very comfortable with producing my own stuff. Been doing it since '92. BUT that's also why, when the time comes, I really want to have somebody with some fresh ears produce a demo for me. I don't know if they can do it better, but I'm willing to pay for a different perspective.
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1636

I am almost in the same boat as Hart, however, I produce my own demos and have trusted professionals (i.e. my agents, and a few gifted VO artists) critique them in detail.

As for you being on the right track? Yes, you are on the right track. Training first is essential. Then you pick up small gigs here and there. Then, go for the big time and land a part-time job in the McDonalds Drive Thru around the corner. You can learn proper mic control all day long. Laugh

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

I've been involved in acting since the mid 70's....did summer stock, dinner theatre, studied with one of the best acting teachers in NYC, worked for years on stage in Chicago, in NYC, done a couple of films, some Tv stuff...and the interesting thing I've found about all this is that you really have to acquire a completely new set of skills....

the acting training and background is critical, but I'm starting to think
that if you have some kind of improv background you are really set up to do well with this, cause you are trained to think on your feet and be playful, have fun...The people that do well here in Chicago, a lot of them had some kind of Second City training, and I've heard the producers love to have the Second City people come in because they bring new and interesting script re-re-writes to the table...

I never really wanted to be bothered with the VO stuff, even though for years people have said I have the voice for it. ..I'm really more interested in utilizing my home studio and trying to make use of it rather than my own personal enjoyment and the occasional band or solo artist demo I produce for someone...

I appreciate all the feedback and advice here, and believe me, I'll coming back for more !!!

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject:

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject:

Got it now! You see an opportunity to use your acting talents and other resources to add another income stream and have some fun along the way. Good balanced approach, it will serve you well. Best of luck.

Hart · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject:

donrandall · Guest

Radio Geeks?

So, only actors can voice commercials or other voiceovers? Well, that seems to be an increasingly popular notion these days. But consider that most of us Radio Geeks have voiced many, many commercials over the years - and in many cases, we have also taken on industrial and instructional reads as well.

I can see where some acting chops work well for certain spots. I have also noticed an awful lot of slick, highly polished and well acted commercials that were very entertainling little radio plays. Cool - but, uhhh......what the heck was the product? Where can I buy it and why do I need it?

Forgive me for sounding off here, but in my opinion, a lot of clients are spending money and not getting what they are paying for - what the need is something to get the phones ringin' and the doors swingin'!

allensco · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:03 am Post subject: radio geeks?

Hart · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:21 am Post subject:

Well that makes 3 of us with a burr under our respective collars doesn't it?
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Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:22 am Post subject:

All right, you guys. No "radio guys vs. actors" threads allowed.

We all need both skills. Stage and movie actors need to be taught mic technique-- something broadcast pros bring to the table. The Broadcasters need to learn about character development and script interpretation.

Everyone needs to learn to keep their hands out of their pockets at the mic stand.

So simmer down, y'all. Don't make me pull over.
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Deirdre · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:24 am Post subject:

Incidentally, the term is "burr under your saddle" , meaning a persistent irritation.

You can be "hot under the collar" or irritated.
You can have a "chip on your shoulder".

It's better if you don't, though.
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