LEADS AND READS - WEEK OF 1/28 TO 2/03

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 02:56 (GMT) Post subject:

That was a game shot, Hail, and you obviously had the prerequisite fun with it.

To these ears, however, you got (understandably) bored with the copy about halfway through, and just went through the options from thereon in. Listening, I know I did.
Personally, I would have started with a soothing, loving, fetching Cupid-like tone, and only later have switched to a standard, P.O'ed everyday tone.
It would have had more punch and variety that way, no?

Voice On!

Travis . · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 03:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Both Sides of the Spectrum

Here's one I cut recently that got a "5" and one that got a "1"

James Lorenz · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 04:27 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm a Dolphin fan living in NY, so I'd love to see the Giants win...but...emotions aside, the Patriots are too good. I see a Pats romp. I hope I'm wrong.

Anyway how about a couple of reads?

One a bit relaxed...the other very frantic.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 09:56 (GMT) Post subject:

Travis -- You are not alone. My Campari also got a big fat 1.

Colin Campbell · Men's Zone-15-02-01-08.mp3

OK... here's someone with ZERO training, ZERO coaching. A sales rep where I work. I know this is not great but I can hear a marketable sound, a "niche" sound.

Travis . · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008, 19:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Colin,

One of the more frustrating things about our industry is how many amateurs are really good at it. We spend years honing our skills and somebody with no experience whatsoever breezes into a session somehow, and sounds fantastic - a "natural talent".

About twice a year, one of my clients will call me with some sort of "discovery" - someone with a "fantastic voice" who "really should be working in showbiz". --I find this a rather difficult situation. My client wants me to "help" this person "break in" to the business - either by introducing them to an agent, or to help them make a demo, or just spend some time giving them "career guidance". However, 95 percent of the time, (yeah, 19 out of 20) it's immediately obvious to me that this person is not emotionally equipped for a career in showbiz. I don't want to disappoint my client, (they are, after all a client), but, no matter what I do, it's going to be a problem. Anyone who really wants a career in showbiz will have already done the work necessary to get past this point. People outside the performing profession, including many producers and directors, still seem to think it's all "talent".

I don't know how things are in your market, but here in Southern California, one of the worst things that can happen to someone is to be "discovered" - you're standing in the checkout line and somebody with the ability to make you a star decides that you're so attractive or interesting or weird enough to be in their big-time production. Next thing you know, you're on the set and the whole world, it seems, has proclaimed you to be the greatest thing ever seen. Now this all seems great, EXCEPT, you haven't experienced or been tested by, the real side of performing - the need to constantly promote yourself, -the constant, constant rejection, and you have no idea how to protect yourself from the truly cruel aspects of the business.

I know many people, like myself, who just love working in show business, but I also know many who are bitter, discouraged and miserable, which is why I try to be very careful who I encourage to get into the 'biz'.

Your friend does have a very interesting, almost "professional" sound, but I've found that a person's natural abilities are the least important ingredient for succuess in this wacky business of ours.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 00:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Diane Havens · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 04:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Lee and Travis --

Just curious -- any direction given on the Campari thing?

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 04:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin-

That woman sounds like she could do some fun characters stuff. There's a small hint of Fran Drescher in there, but in a good way.

As we've discussed before, it's amazing where you find talent. At our station, when we're in need of a different voice (and in a hurry)I've been known to pull the UPS guy into the production room and have him read a line.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 06:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Dave...that was my situation. Voices requested and the company has fired all the talent. Find talent in the corner with the dust bunnies.

OK.. so here's one I "did up" for 123 tonight...

(Way too much copy for a 60 but I didin't try to fit it in. A way of showing them how it might sound if they were reasonable.)

Hargate Theater Vision...

Travis . · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 07:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Dan Dunlap · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 12:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey guys...don't feel bad...I pulled a big fat "one" on this audition, too. I was so incensed that I almost...almost contacted the seeker to let 'em have it (if I were within driving distance it may have turned into something else.) I was pissed! Then I did a little research and found out this was a "production house" out of New York...couple of young guys...first timers here at V123 who obviously did not realize the importance of the rating system. Also, they were looking for a "young" voice...not me. So, while they were jerks...in my haste to get an audition in, I didn't read all the required specs. I have since unchecked the "young" voice talent option in my profile and have vowed that if I ever see that seekers name in a talent request again...delete...

Dan

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 17:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Still, being new to Voice123 and somewhat ignorant of the "system" should not be an excuse for seekers to penalize us with low ratings. Since the powers that be at Voice123 seem so fond of issuing warnings and admonitions, perhaps they should do the same whenever a seeker hands out a 1. I think a box should pop up on the screen in the same way that Windows asks you "Are you sure?" whenever you attempt to delete a file. That box should ask the seeker if he feels the demo was truly awful or just that it was not right for the particular project, or if the price quote was too high. It should then explain to the seeker -- in bright orange type, if necessary -- that a 1-star rating can have a detrimental effect on a voice talent's ability to be considered for other jobs.

Deby Cedars · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 20:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Well I had fun with this even though I did not get a ratiing on it. strichauge

Dan Dunlap · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008, 22:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Lee...I can't argue with your logic on that. I agree that the seeker should be made aware that this is how alot of folks here make their living or at least a substantial second income as I do and that the seeker should apply some weight to their rating decision. As an aside...there was a lead a month or so back that was for a movie trailer...terrible misspellings in the listing. It was supposedly for a ninja movie...I did a little research and found that the seeker was a 13 year old kid from Columbus, Ohio that's likes to put his home movies up on youtube...sometimes I'm not so sure that V123 does due diligence on the seekers. I don't reply to misspelled listings anymore...live and learn.

Dan