VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:12 am Post subject: A VO masterclass - Friday evening

"Philip! How are you AY?" The distinct Canadian with a French twist accent was Lauren.

"Fabby! Now what do you want?" I snap. Not deflated in the least she continues.

"Do you remember Jane?" I remember Jane vividly, 5ft 5 tall, yet appears to consist of 6ft of legs and 12 megatonnes of blonde hair. Is always in one of two states, talking about herself or about to talk about herself.

"Yes!" I groan.

"Don't be lake that AY. Well, she wants you tu teach her tu be a voice over AY".

"Madam. I am replacing the receiver and terminating this conversation. If you EVER telephone again I shall summon a Constable"

"So late Fraydee afternoon ok AY?"

"Working on Saturday, eating here, drinking here, staying here?" There's a long pause for a conference which starts to break off into what to wear so I shout into the phone. "Stop it at once!"

"Negative work so A-FFIRM the rest AY".

"Right. Roll up when you can be bothered. We'll spend 5 minutes convincing Jane that VO work is not her area of expertese by me demonstrating that it isn't mine either, then walk Jazz, raid Buckie Chinese and drink a few litres of Rioja. Heureux avec les arrangements ma petit beignet canadien?"

"Bien et être agréable qu'elle est un peu a effrayé de vous AY"

So that's my Friday late afternoon and night sorted. When it comes to the VO coaching I'll be as helpful as possible but more importantly as gentle as possible. I am sure as I can be that Jane will walk away knowing that VO work isn't for her but that doesn't matter as much as ensuring she has fun while she learns.

Lizden · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Any way to webcast the session! Ninja

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Deirdre · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:08 am Post subject:

Crikey— run the cameras.
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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

I'll bring the popcorn.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

Ooh- I'd love to sit in on that!
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:34 am Post subject:

We are all E-VILLE and going to voiceover hell. cool

Mandy, pass the popcorn!
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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

This looks about right, right? What time is the seating? Not the one in hell, I mean the good one. Inoccent

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006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

The one in hell IS the good one. Sarcastic

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Chrissy · Guest

Popcorn, Junior Mints and Snow Caps wow, count me in too.

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Philip,

I'd love to see that session, too. Smile

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voicy1stef · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:54 am Post subject:

squeeze over guys...one more comin in! Laugh

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Lizden · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

SO??????
How did it go???????? Ninja

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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:31 am Post subject:

This morning my house guests are sleeping soundly. A great deal of Rioja was consumed to wash down 18.5 tons of Chinese food. Moderation was the key for me as I am working this morning.

The VO masterclass started at 4.15pm and continued until around 4.30pm.

We hit the ground running. Lauren took Jazz out for a walk and I settled Jane into the Wee Huttie and handed her a script, it was a TV promo for Oprah Winfrey. Within 10 minutes Jane was looking very flustered.

My phone rang and I had to stop school to do an ISDN session. From phone call to end of VO session, including idle chit-chat, time elapsed 6 minutes.

I emerged from the Huttie, Lauren and Jazz had returned from their walk. Jane looks completely deflated.

"All I needed to see and hear I've just seen and heard. It's got **** all to do with having a lovely voice!" she looked at Lauren for support.

"I damn well told you it wasn't easy ay! He just makes it look easy!"

I asked if Jane wanted to pick up where we left off but she was happy to let things drop.

Conclusion the girls arrived at - A wannabee Voice Overist should be taken to a studio and allowed to try a real script in a real studio WITHOUT any "let me show(off) to you" from a pro voice. Direct and encourage, do no more. The wannbee session should be interrupted by a real session, a live session not self record and send later. After the live session most wannabees will hoist the white flag of surrender.

In order to get Jane smiling and laughing again we played the "Hello game". Good for VO acting practise. Describe to someone a scene, a mood and a character then get them to say "Hello" in context. Raincoats on, all in car, Jazz to the Winding Woods near Fochabers. Hello Game continues throughout the walk.

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:14 am Post subject:

Shortly after 11am the first of the two pyjama clad harridans surfaced. Lauren said she wasn't dead but I think she was merely trying to put on a brave face. Jane followed about 10 minutes later although I suspect she'd left her bed hours earlier and had got lost.

"Shower, dress then we'll breakfast at Puddleduck Patch followed by another Winding Woods walk with Jazz". The two children obeyed their father without comment.

Breakfast. Orange juice, coffee (9 gallons), toast and marmalade, eggs, bacon, lorne sausage, black pudding, fried bread, tomato and mushrooms.

"I didn't think that would work or I'd be able to eat it" said Jane in a Beau Weaver voice.

Refreshed we headed off to the Winding Woods.

Lauren took the photo below because she felt that "Chat" didn't quite cover what goes on in this part of the VO-BB and believes this is a better signpost for visitors.

Deirdre · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:24 am Post subject:

Yo, Peeps— this way.

It all sounds splendid and I'm sure your guests are nourished in every way from their visit.
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