Versatility...

Kim White · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 16:16 (GMT) Post subject: Versatility...

I've seen many posts here about the importance of versatility. However, this has me a bit confused. When I listen to national TV spots, 80 percent of them sound the same to me -- possibly even the same person. My voice does not sound like that. My voice is a bit different.

Also, it seems many of you are UNBELIEVABLE at character voices -- something that does not come easy for me (partly, because I don't have a high interest in it). I'd rather be the 'straight man' for you wonderful comedians/comediennes.

All that said, is it possible to have a successful career with a unique voice, but without the ability to break into a cast of animation characters? Must I be able to do that to be successful, or is there enough work for someone who actually likes industrial/corporate training/telephone stuff?

Thank you for your input!

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:15 (GMT) Post subject:

How unique is "unique", Kim? Posting a demo will generate a reference.... and some responses. Smile

Kara Edwards · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Without hearing your voice, I would still say the answer is 'yes'. You can absolutely have a unique voice and make a living! There is a gentleman who gets MUCH work from both V123 and TOS who is from South Africa and has an incredible, but unusual voice.

You have to find the place that is comfortable for you. I have an unusual and distinctive voice. While I do quite a bit of character work, my bulk work is surprisingly in radio and TV commercials, as well as narrations, training videos, and website imaging...

Once you feel completely confident in front of that microphone, it will show in your voice. Exploit your attributes and don't worry if something 'might' hold you back. My goal in this business is to dominate the areas where I am strongest. I leave all the deep, luscious reads to everyone else Smile

September Day Leach · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Kara Edwards · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Hahah! That is what is great about VO September...there is no other person on Earth that sounds exactly likes us, reads exactly like us, paces like us, etc...therefore there is no competition! We are each unique Smile

That's what I tell myself each time I don't get a gig- it ain't nothin' but a pig show! (I grew up on a farm...all things relate back to pigs...we used to show them and there was never any rhyme or reason to why one pig won over another)

September Day Leach · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 18:10 (GMT) Post subject:

well, unless they're some terrific, radiant, humble pig,right? And even he didn't win first prize! Just a medal that made the farmer curb his craving for bacon!! Very Happy

Kara Edwards · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 18:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah, even a prize pig is eventually breakfast....wonder how THAT relates to our biz??

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 18:47 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Versatility...

September Day Leach · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 18:54 (GMT) Post subject:

I dont like phone stuff much either. Unfortunately, it's my bread and buter right now.

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 19:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Of course, if you happen to be a "pig" that has sprouted wings and can do aerobatics.... you might do just fine! Smile

Michael Murphy · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 22:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Speaking of pigs, there was a baby pig on the news last night that fell off a truck of bigger pigs and was rescued. I guess they were gonna find a home for it so it wouldn't become bacon.

Was kinda cute!
Wink

Mike

Bob Bergen · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007, 00:43 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Versatility...

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007, 01:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Bob is quite correct. Unfortunately, a lot of Seekers are waiting to hear a "voice" that matches their fantasies rather than a "performance" that will influence a target-audience.

Of course, as much of that influence has to do with the Copy -- another rant for another place and another time.

But then again, it is our job to also buff turds to a very high gloss. Smile

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007, 15:15 (GMT) Post subject:

Don't think about doing characters, think about moods.

Here in the UK if I said to someone "Yorkshireman" they would visualise a blunt to the point of rudeness, surly, man's man and that thought will create a sound in their head. Whilst they may not be able to reproduce the sound of a Yorkshireman they may be able to communicate the mood.

If you listen carefully to the Warner Brothers cartoon voices created by Mel Blanc you will notice Sylvester is Daffy Duck in a different mood or vice versa, Foghorn Leghorn was Yosemite Sam on valium or moonshine. I'm sure you can think of your own examples.

Find the mood first and the character will follow.

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007, 07:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Exellent post, Philip (as is usually the case).

Will Ferrell's George Bush characterizations from Saturday Night Live weren't even remotely accurate impressions/representations. However, they're excellent projections of a mood (swagger meets ADD)...or at least of what some audiences think of Bush. Ferrel completely threw himself into that character (accurate or not) and didn't let any self-reflection interfere.

Maybe this is the key: make the character into yourself, instead of making yourself into the character.

Here's another weird example of that: Mr. Rogers did all of the voices for the Land of Make-Believe puppets on the Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood PBS program. I never realized that until twenty years after I watched the shows as a kid. All of the voices sounded clearly like Mr. Rogers' own regular speaking voice with that Pittsburgh accent, but they all had different emotional characteristics.

To return to Kim's original question, I've recorded a prominent documentary narrator who I can't imagine doing any plausible characterizations. His normal speaking voice is almost completely lifeless and frankly annoying, yet he also has an impressive dramatic background. He has an extremely distinctive voice, and a strong career, but there is zero versatility to it. He is what he is, and that's a very good thing.