New Amazing Voice (so they say)

John Peterson

Hello Everyone!

Every where I go, people tell me that I have an amazing deep voice and that I should consider a voice over career.

Co-workers are always trying to copy my voice and certain phrases that I routinely say.

I have made one DVD for my company that turned out pretty good but I am a little microphone shy. It has taken me 8 hours or so to complete a 4 minute narration for the DVD.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a new guy to get into the voiceover business. This is something that I would very much like to pursue.

Thank you,
John

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 02:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, John, I DO have some recommendations.

I just went to your page here on voice123.com and listened to your one "grave" demo.

The VERY FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO, if you have not done so yet is to read the "Random Thoughts for Newcomers" sticky at the top of this "Newbies" forum, please do so. It's a great place to start.

Next, do a search for the following names on voice123.com and listen to their demos:
- Thom Wilkins
- Colin Campbell
- Sid Whatley
- Dave DeAndrea
- Anthony Williams
... just for starters. Then ask yourself if you have what it takes to compete against these guys. From what I heard on your page you have your work cut out for you, but I DO wish you all the best!

James Lorenz · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 04:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi John -

While Scott has lead you on a great path he, in his modesty, left his own name off that list.
If you've taken him up on his advice, you should have noticed what he meant. Yes, you do have a deep voice, although it sounded like you were forcing it even deeper then it really is. But do you hear the difference in the delivery?

Let's hear your real voice. You say you have a shyness on mic. While that's definately not a good thing for this business, you need to overcome that. This site , and other online sites, will not make a career. Even the pros only make a small percentage from it. The real career will be in front of other people while on mic.
Are you up for that?

Take some classes, read as much as you can and learn from this site. It is an endless resource for information.

I wish you nothing but the best in your journey.

John Peterson · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 05:10 (GMT) Post subject: Real Voice

James - That is my real voice. When I am recording, my voice actually goes higher when I am nervous and my thoart tightens up.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 20:10 (GMT) Post subject: Welding school.

There is a 3,000% better chance of you making over $10,000 per year as a welder than in voiceover. UNfortunately many people feel that it's as simple as "I have a mouth or I have a GREAT voice"

The truth is that the world isn't really beating down doors to find new voice actors. That's what voice teachers tell people so they can afford to buy new cars every year.

Oh and if you're going out for any decent work, you not only have to worry about the V123 gang (names previously listed), but folks that routinely audition and book $100k per year or more (yes union, non-union and financial core) and plenty more that wish they did. Go over to voicebank.com and listen to some of the actors demos there and you might want to also notice that every single person that's ever been in a soap opera, sitcom or reality based show is also trying to make a living at voiceover, not to mention underworked and displaced radio dj's and former child stars.

Voice123 and other online casting services really are representative of a tiny bit of this industry.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 22:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Must be the season, John: the folk are being very, very gentle with you here. I'll be a grinch.

Firstly, the amazing voice that you consider to be your greatest attribute is actually the least important thing you can bring to the game.
It's a bit like being lithe and lovely, and thus expecting a long, happy career in modeling.

Just look around at all the lovely creatures working at Starbucks, Sears, and McDonald.
Secondly, your own infatuation with your voice is a powerful drawback, one you must overcome quickly.

So you can see that basically, you've got nothing right now. Less than, actually.

Take JS advice: listen to one hundred solid, pro demos. Read a couple of books. Do some amateur theatre. Take some voice lessons. Listen to every pro read on television. Practice until your throat is raw.
Then do it all again.

Then post some reads here and this scrabbling, proud community will happily help with some concrete advice.
Whatever you do, DO NOT come waltzing in with an amazing voice only.

It's a bit like trying to compete in the Winter Olympics because you have a nice ski hat.

Voice On!

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 23:16 (GMT) Post subject: Was I being too nice?

Robert,
What was I thinking about?

John,

I'm sorry if I was being too nice. I thought your voice sounded like a 45 rpm record being played back as a 33 1/3.

It might be illegal for you to do radio commercials, since a person could easily fall asleep and get into an accident.

Your choice of a funeral parlor client was a good one, since after hearing your demo, I wanted to kill myself.

Do you work in a machine shop or somewhere else that would cause hearing loss or impairment or do the people who say you have a nice voice owe you money?

Perhaps when they are copying your voice they are simply making fun of you. Maybe they want you to quit your job and that's why they've been planting these thoughts in your head.

Was that better Robert?

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 23:38 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Was I being too nice?

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 23:46 (GMT) Post subject: I did bite my tongue

C'mon, with a title like "New Amazing Voice", he might as well have walked across an archery range with a bullseye on his shirt.

Yes, I suppose that was the first test, or just perhaps one of many.

Or maybe John will come to his senses and keep his job as a grave digger.

was that better, Robert?

(places strategic comma above)

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007, 23:58 (GMT) Post subject:

What, are you guys back in high school high-fiving each other in the hallways after giving the new guy a wedgie?

Jeez, grow up.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007, 03:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Cameron,

As much as I truly DO love Robert and JS, and yes, I do, I'd have to agree with you on this one. Let's try not to amuse ourselves TOO much at another's expense, shall we?

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007, 07:04 (GMT) Post subject:

John,

You asked for suggestions... you got a smackdown.

For what it's worth... here's my thoughts:

Upon listening to your demo, the first person I thought of was the guy who played Robert Barone on "Everybody Love Raymond"... I can't think of his name at the moment. I think there's a spark of potential there for you as a character voice.

But the truth is it's gonna take a lot of time and practice. I believe that some of the previous suggestions are valid (like listening to other people, acting lessons, etc.) because in the big picture, just having the right quality of voice won't be enough... you're going to need to learn how to use it... and that isn't something that happens too quickly for most of us... certainly not for me.

If it's somthing your really want to pursue, just know that it's not going to be easy. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try...

I wish you the best!

-Dave DeAndrea

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007, 15:06 (GMT) Post subject:

John,

I hope you're still hanging around these forums and that some of the rather pointed responses haven't chased you away. Since you haven't responded to this thread I can only wonder.

But Bob Bergen, one of voiceover's biggest national talents (the voice of Porky Pig and many others) just posted an outstanding response over on the "PROS" forum that anyone looking to get into this business can benefit from. Here's the link.... please go read his thoughts, they're priceless:

http://voiceoversavvy.com/ftopic4418.html

One of the things he says is "Everyone has a good voice! There's no such thing as a bad voice!" But he goes on - in great detail - about what makes one SUCCESSFUL in this business. Great reading, not just for John, but for ALL OF US!

Please go give it a look.

John Peterson · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008, 20:28 (GMT) Post subject: Still here

Hello,

I'm still here but have been very busy, not doing voice over's but with my business.

I appreciate all of the comments and complaints. The amazing voice topic was to get "your" attention and of course a few comments.

The DVD was made for my company and that is the only voice item I have made. In order to get the full feel of the voice, you will need to see the video as well. The voice goes with the video.

You can see the video on this website:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=10408088

I know it takes a lot to become a GREAT voice over talent and from the response, there are a lot of professionals seeking
jobs as voiceover talents. I realize there is a lot of competition and it takes dedication to become the best.

I have had a deep voice ever since high school, people could not believe the voice was coming out of me. When I was in
9 or 10th grade, my mom had me join the church choir and had a deeper voice than most of the men 2-3 times my age. I guess,
I should have pursued this and have taken voice lessons when people first started talking about my voice.

I will hang around Voice 123 and will practice improving my voice and delivery.

Thank you,

John

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008, 00:47 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Still here