sound critique wanted for narration-style thingy

Christopher Vournazos · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 29

Hello!

Been doing commercial radio for ahem...cough... years, and I am deathly tired of it. Thought I'd try to knock into more audio book-oriented kinda things. I have no real makings for character voices (I'm stuck with one particular kind of voice, and it doesn't do well in higher registers [e.g., Geddy Lee], and so forth), so I tend to focus on nonfiction, self-help kind of narration projects. BUT - I've always wanted to try something outlandish, and wayyyyyy over the top of the cheese mountain. So, please, as you will certainly see fit to do, criticize my disturbed rendering of Jabberwocky.

Thank you. I mean it. If you don't offer criticism, I'll narrate and post Kafka, next time...

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006, 12:27 (GMT) Post subject:

Good morning, Christopher!

Okay, do you REALLY want my HONEST opinion??
Are you sure?????????javascript:emoticon(' Confused

')

My HONEST opinion is that it's TERRIFIC! My wife listens to a TON of books on tape so I've heard a LOT of the pros out there who do it for a living. From this brief snippet I feel you're as good at it as any I've heard. I'm serious. I love the timbre, warmth and naturalness of your voice. Your emphasis was great. You had me dying to hear more, even if I only understand about 25% of what you were reading! I tried to see about getting on with the 'audio books' folks and learned that they only hire a tiny handful of new talent each year (we're talking a half dozen or less), and that you pretty much have to live in NY or I guess L.A. to do it in THEIR studios. But if you can handle the location, I'd say go for it!

Honestly, from one quick listen the ONLY advice I can offer is indeed, go for it. You sounded fabulous. applaus

Christopher Vournazos · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 29

I appreciate the kind words. My experience with Voice123 and this associated forum is quite limited, as I have only just discovered all of it.

This isn't meant to be an unfriendly estimation of our industry, but my experience led me to expect an attitude entirely different from that expressed by most of the folks onboard here. I'm delighted to find a place where g-r-r-r-r-reat voices with loads of experience are willing to share thoughts with relative newcomers; not just your encouraging response, but most of the other responses I've read on this forum are, by and large, helpful and kind: nobody seems to beat up on those less experienced. So, I'm greatful beyond words for your response, and honestly still would have been, had you instead given a less positive review. This entire community is very encouraging.

Thank you.

As for L.A. or N.Y., I don't foresee my wife and I deciding to move anytime soon. Cincinnati seems to loom large in our immediate future, though, for other reasons. My goal in the interim is to see what people might want that's produced in my basement studio...

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Chris:
Well, you sure added some wacky to the Jabber. Nice work. I loved hearing the fun you obviously had with that...could almost see you flapping around the mic and madly acting it out. It's what it's all about.
As to audio books, I understand one solid option is to volunteer for one of the many charity outfits that read for shut-ins and the blind, etc.
Not only does this make you feel warm and fuzzy all over, it gives you a couple of (unpaid) books with which to practice and build up a portfolio. Also, some feedback and kudoes. Also, a tax deduction.
Apparently, however, it remains an exceedingly solid door to break through.
I've been trying for three years.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006, 18:32 (GMT) Post subject: Re: jabberWacky

Christopher Vournazos · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 29

...and then I'll leave you alone.

I've included here my "preliminary" demo. I say "preliminary" since I don't think it's quite right - I'm simply not sure it's the direction in which I should go. The things in it don't necessarily highlight what my voice really wants to sound like. My general idea is to present an overview of the things of which I'm capable, not just book narration, in this case. But - I have an overriding feeling that (a) it sounds amateurish, and (b) years of voicing (mostly local) radio commercials has obscured what is most natural for my voice.

So - with all of that said, have a listen, at your convenience. Then, help me determine my most natural place. I'm beginning to feel that narrative style and smoothness are where I need to focus my efforts, and ditch the other crap.

Thanks again. Oh - just a side note: most of the music underneath is original (mine).

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Chris:
You came back, and so will I.....
Obviously, we're so busy not voicing that we can ping-pong like this....
I disagree with you, Chris.
I thought your radio-y clips (2006 Blowout, 500 Corn Hole, We've Got Your Voice) are right-on and enviable.
I wouldn't say the same for Paid Commission, auditing solution, and RAM.
The voice is there, certainly; but without the A.M pizzazz they don't carry enough energy. And voice alone ain't the Pied Piper anymore.
Maybe you're bored by it, or disheartened by the tussle for "typical radio voices" work. But you're good at that stuff; real, real good.
I mean, even if the lion runs a little short on good gnus, he doesn't go vegetarian.
I say put a solid :55 demo together of that lively, radio stuff. Then audition the heck out of it: the imaging, the car ads, the fast stuff.
On the side, work up the other angle and unveil it in a few weeks, months....whatever.
But maybe that's just me looking to keep yet another competitor out of the picture.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006, 14:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Chris,

In this case I have to agree very strongly with Robert. While I guess a lot of us get to where we hate doing those hard-sell spots; they're never gonna go away, and people like you have the pipes for it. I don't. I HATE doing them and can't do them well at all. Your lower-energy spots on here seem very weak compared to the hardsell stuff. I also agree that they need to be shorter, by probably about 1/2 (the soft-sell, mainly).

It just may not be your forte', without some training. You have an awesome voice, and honestly, your 'in-your-face' stuff is some of the most professional I've heard, plus, it did NOT turn me off, like so many of them typically do. But the RAM, and commission spots just weren't up to snuff. Perhaps with training and practice you could do those well, but right now I'm thinking your bread and butter is the high energy route.

Christopher Vournazos · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 29

Robert, Scott... I appreciate your taking the time to respond. It means a great deal to me, particularly since it's very difficult in my general circle of physical people to get reliable feedback (e.g., all of my coworkers are too concerned with their own egomaniacal bents to provide comment).

Have no doubt - I intend to follow through with your advice.

Since the hero rating system already seems to be taken (by Mr. Jadah, I believe), I can't without some impropriety assign either of you a numerical value. Instead, how about: I dub thee My First VoiceOverSavvy.com Friends Letters A and B. In no particular order.

Thanks again, kind sirs.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Chris:
We've got to stop meeting like this....
You touch on an importantly melancholy point: the vaccum in which we work. It's little wonder that those around us are not particularly enthused by our latest grouting demo, or our struggles with subduing sibilants. That's why I view this V123 feature as such a boon...a place to feel like part of a understanding community.
Without getting maudlin, I think it'll help sustain sanity, marriages and pursuits.
I mean, I'm much less bitter that She Who Must Be Obeyed rolls her eyes about my latest exciting :18 performance (no hearty guffaws, please...we're talking audio recordings here) now that I can share a beer and cyber-chat with all these good folk....
Robert Jadah
You First VoiceOverSavvy Friend A
(Well, I claimed it first)

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006, 22:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Speaking of stellar :18 performances, Robert... if you guys would like to hear some clips of an actual V123 job I got here over the summer, the client FINALLY has the one-hour or so c.d. ready to sell on the market. (Don't even ASK what I got paid for it... sigh...). Anyway, go here and they have a couple of sample audio clips on the site:

http://www.smartonthego.com/

Michael G Stanton · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 30

Christopher,
that is one lively, fun, and enthusiastic read. Loved it! Can you say "tongue twister?"
God speed. Best of luck to you
Have a great day
MichaelG
http://michaelgstanton.voice123.com/