What Is Never Out Of Style?

It is useful to sometimes reflect upon one's past experiences in order to gain a sense of perspective on the current state of the voice-over world. That sense of history and the way things used to be done in comparison to how things are handled now also presents some startling , highly contrasting snapshots of sweeping change.

However, while some things change, others stay the same.

When I started out as a voice talent in the 1980's, there was a protocol. You really needed an agent, because it was the best way to get yourself introduced to the industry's players; the casting folks, ad agencies and production companies. Most talent work was performed locally, and if you wanted a shot at a national spot, you HAD to have an agent or two. I had a couple in Milwaukee, and another in Chicago. There were some great talents out there and the competition was formidable. You'd hear many of the same 100 or voice talents out there working it.

Demos were longer, and usually spliced together  and mastered on tape at a recording studio. Dubs were reel-to-reel or cassette.
Your agent would send those tapes out when there was a casting call and you'd also appear on  the agency's house reel and sometimes you'd simply get cast from your demo.

Recording sessions took place at the recording studio or a radio station, with an audio engineer,  the producer/director, and many times, the client. Back then, most recording sessions were for commercials and narrations.

After the session, I'd always make sure to thank everyone involved for the work, promptly leave the studio and follow up with a hand-written thank you note. And I'd stay in touch periodically with general marketing materials as I grew my business.

One thing, however was certainly frowned upon by agents, casting directors and producers... and that was directly contacting the clients after auditions to see if you got the job. It was considered poor taste,  a reflection of inexperience, an act of desperation, or viewed as, "too pushy". 

I even heard of some talents that even went so far as to contact the clients after the project was cast with a different talent to try and convince the client to hire him or her.  Way Bad form!

Fast forward to 2008.
Hundreds of auditions and jobs are available daily through the internet in a myriad of languages. Now thousands of voice talents hang their virtual shingles at  the Voice-Over Malls, known as "pay to play" vo job sites. Clients interface directly with talents from all over the world, and most of talents record, produce and self-direct in their own in-home recording studios and deliver via email, FTP, ISDN or Source-Connect.
 
Lately, perhaps in part because of the economy, many clients, some at very large companies who once only would be contacted via your agent (because they were too busy to deal with talent )are now in many instances bypassing casting directors, talent agents and the Unions, and they (or their assistants) now deal directly with talent. I am certain there's some economy of scale at play somewhere if you peel away layers of personnel and paperwork.

Voice talents have now learned to become marketers, bloggers, podcasters, salespeople, audio engineers, producers, directors, copywriters, web designers , do their own SEO, bookkeeping and accounting, and now.... social-networking experts. 

Talent Demos are now downloadable on a talent's websites, or on CD or DVD. Custom demos are now customary to land a gig.
And there are loads of new media applications way beyond commercials and narration: 
Videogames, animation, podcasts, anime, e-books, telephony and IVR's, e-learning, audio books, websites, interactive media, web and mobi-sodes.
 
Now the competition is greater and prices are going a bit southward.  Are we working hard enough yet?


So what is it that doesn't change or outlive its usefulness in this business? I'll elaborate on this all-important element in my next post.

Download | Duration: 00:02:31

        

I lived with the name Bobbin Beam all my life, but I still  get the questions or comments, like "Was your mother a seamstress?

Answer. Nope.

I was Roberta Ann Beam, until  nurse Rupenthol (who occasionally baby-sat me) started calling me "Bobbin".

So, Bobbin is my nickname and I explain it to people as a strange hybrid cross between Bobbie and Robin, which are also used as nicknames for Roberta.  To those who think it's really different, well it is. But it's unique, memorable, and not as different  in my opinion as Whoopie, or Swoozy. heh.

I was Bobbin until I entered first grade, which is when I decided to ...<< MORE >>

EEEEK! Are you kidding me? (Voiced in a positive utterance from my mouth this past Friday afternoon, May, 2, 2008).

I somehow subscribed myself sometime back to Susan Berkley's "Inside Voice-Over:" newsletter some time ago and read the following to my complete surprise:

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In my April 11th post here I encouraged any readers of this blog to participate in the VoiceoverXtra survey on Voice Actors' Health Insurance status/issues/needs.

It's uncanny how timely this article arrived for me, as today our family's health insurance  which is obtained through my spouse's employer becomes effective with a new carrier TODAY! Time will tell how the coverage changes will impact us. One thing I can say for sure, premiums we'll pay will increase, as will the co-pays for Dr. visits and Rx plans.!

I just received the following from John Florian, publisher:

You may have wanted to know when the VoiceOverXtra HEALTH ...<< MORE >>

I know there are a lot of Star Wars fans. I myself have been one for ages.

I am also a fan of audiobooks. I just learned of this amazing Random House Audio limited-time offer  to download either a pdf or audiobook, "Star Wars Legacy Of The Force: BETRAYAL", available until May 13th.

Learn more here.  or go to this url:

http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/features/starwars/update_index.html

I think you'll need to enter your email address, wait to receive the offer via email and then download. Enjoy. Many thanks to my friend Dave Christi at vo-bb for sharing this excellent find! ...<< MORE >>

Every natural conversation requires a different level of articulation.  It depends upon our listener, our environment, and our intent.  Sometimes we speak formally (enunciate words clearly) - other times we speak informally (colloquially).

The voice-talent's job is to determine how formally or informally the script should be, and then deliver the script accordingly.  In other words, pronounce words as they are spoken in genuine conversation, and then tailor them to match the formality of the script.

a. Do not over-articulate, or your delivery will sound contrived and
  unnatural.  While it may seem obvious to pronounce every sound very
  clearly, it ...

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My vo pal Liz deNesnera found a great article by Bob Fraser  that is a wake up call to action and realization that this voice acting or any work in acting is NOT a quick way to make a buck.

There ain't no Fairy Godmother in the voice acting world! 

Liz also found more insights from Bob by subscribing to his newsletter: Show Biz How-To

Now I am subscribed, too.

Read her excellent  and inspired post, and thanks, Liz.
...<< MORE >>

I really haven't had time to blog this week. It's been crazy with loads of work. Thank goodness. It was a bit soft for  6 weeks or so.  But I didn't lose my interest or blogging fervor. I'll be back blogging next week. Promise. Glad to say I must now run off to a studio for a session! ...<< MORE >>

Thanks to Voices.com as the source for this post:

We see wild voice tracks recorded and the audio files are sent to the station. Then the station produces finished sample cuts. We see and hear both the raw recording and then listen to the finished tracks. Love t!

This is cool!

...<< MORE >>

I feel honored to be requested to serve on the Advance team of VOICEOVER International Creative Experience-(VOICE 2008) August 8-11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

I worked the event last year and it was such a meaningful and amazing experience all around! I learned, I worked my tail off, had a blast, networked,  came home with a complete case of brain overload...and I loved it!

Check here for the latest schedule of speakers

I been asked to head up the Advance Team for this event. We get briefed  and offer input every two weeks. So as we learn more about what's coming, I'll post it here. Also be sure to get on the mailing list for updates from www.voiceacting.com

Of course, any questions or input you may have....be sure to leave a comment. I'll be sure your "voice" is heard.