That "Internal Clock" do you still use yours?

Michael Strah · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 13:59 (GMT) Post subject: Develop the internal clock

The internal clock is always going to be useful, I hate having to look around when reading copy. In fact, I love to take an "eyeful" and then close my eyes, remove the "visual interference" and that is usually how I get what the producer is asking for and emotion in my reads.
But that's just me and my technique and I'm sticking to it, Officer!

My internal clock is actually two internal clocks. A "do it by feel" type for the standard 30sec for example. The second is one of two mental images, either that of an old IBM type red colored sweep hand office clock like we had in school on the back wall of the classroom or a simple red digital numbers on a black background (like the old Police album cover for "Ghost in the Machine" Google an image of it and you will know what I mean. I start the red hand when I start my read and do the read while keeping the "mind's eye" on the clock.

Simple, no? I think the red color has something to do with making it easier. But then again, the actual clocks were those colors.

Like anything, it just takes practice. A little pressure from an insufferable producer never hurts to move things along! LOL!

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 16:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Nice set of "sub-modalities" there, Michael! Smile

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 20:49 (GMT) Post subject: the internal clock rocks.

Internal clocks are great and I can usually tell where I'm at and where they need me to be at and here's where I say chuck all the clocks out the window.

I am guessing that of the last 250 radio spots, only 5 or 6 weren't overwritten. When I produce or write, I like for radio to be 58.5 seconds to give me soime nice space at the front and back to transition from or into whatever is going to be there. The clients seem to always want 57 - 58.5 for the same reasons and/or to allow for the bed to come up and fade out.

Invariably when I get inthe booth, my first read generally times out 1:06 or 1:03 if I'm lucky. That's when I hear the director, engineer, clients, whomever over the talk back mic "Hang on, we're trying to figure out something."

10 minutes later, they've scratched out 2 words and ask me to pick up 6 or 8 seconds. (WHich I know if I do will make me sound like a 331/3 record playing at 45). I'll pick up the pace, but I'm not running a 3 minute mile.

It's right around take 16 that the pens really start flying, everyone's on their cell phones and eventually, they cut out enought to allow me to do a halfway decent read within the time they want.

I don't do a ton of auditioning online, but when I do, I want it to count. A little bit of advice: Now, since we often get auditions for radio on V123, assume they may be overwritten and don't worry about coming in on time.
When I print out the scripts, I hold on to them and mark down how long my audition was 1:03 or 1:05 or 1:17 (in one case) and then if and when the booking comes in, I simply ask them where they want to make revisions to the script. It saves a lot of hassles, rather than getting the booking, setting up record time and then reading either too long or too fast.

Also, often the copy you auditioned for is different than the final copy. Check to see if they've added things, taken them out, etc.

This would go for t.v. and any other timed copy as well.

--j.s.

"I'm not an actor, but I play one on t.v."

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 22:34 (GMT) Post subject:

I wuz lucky, J.S. I had such seniority with my last national client, I was able to go into the booth; rip a read; stare out through the window and say, "We're dropping a product. The only question is: Which one?"

That's when the cell-phones lit up, the frenzy was on... and the engineer and I would duck outside for a "dart".

Meanwhile, the writers had this propensity for tagging the spots with "Don't Miss It!"

For whatever reason, I could always get away with: "If I actually do say those words, they will be the last ones you hear because, right afterwards, I will come out there and kill you!"

Big Fun!

Don't work for them anymore. Don't know why. Smile

Lee Gordon

Michael Strah · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 23:35 (GMT) Post subject:

"why don't we try it this way"

When said correctly it can always get you what you are looking for.
Or a pulled back muscle.

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007, 13:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Besides an "internal clock", another personal resource that can be useful is the capacity for quick reactions.

Here's a piece of copy that came with an overnight lead:

"Come to our shop, A friendly family focused community catering to a lifestyle second to none.

Here you’ll have the best of all worlds, great shopping as well as real family values.

Offers outstanding schools which rank among the best in the state as well as recreational facilities including an 18 hole championship golf course."

I challenge anyone to claim they actually saw my delete-finger move! Smile

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007, 13:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Aye, Mr. R..and as if the rip-snorting copy weren't enough (are they selling a shop or a community?), the To Be Defined budget and their scinitllating 33% aud-opening rate made this lead shimmer.

(As do cow-flops in moonlight.)

Delete On!