 Free Forums for the Voice Industry & Community |
|
 |
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
|Message |
Deby Cedars
Talent and/or Voice Producer
Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 1482
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007, 02:51 (GMT) Post subject: |
 |
|
Well that totally makes sense. I've never casted VO....but I did do some casting work in theater and film.
I remember in high school drama tournaments doing monologues where the actors would introduce the monologue then bow only the head and then after a few seconds "come up" in character. Now my transformation from theater to film happened to be when I graduated from high school. Even though I did more theater I never did have to audition with a monologue again until I was at in camera Acting IN Action classes in Burbank. They were showcase classes....the jaded part of me would pretty much think....oh great I'm paying to audition...but they were very insightful.
Anyway some Film Directors HATE theater people....not all....but quite a few. I remember film "people" making fun of this.......so I wasn't sure what kind of directors the 4 directors ( and later 4 agents) would be......so I compromised.....I started the monologue sitting on the floor tearing little bits of the rim of a starfoam cup off slowly and the first line I read like I was talking to my self.....looking down at the cup....ofcourse I was supposed to have my two best friends in the room so I looked up at the imaginary friend on the second or 3rd line.
This has absolutely little to do with VO......but the whole conversation reminded me of how I would try to walk a line and not choose sides and please everyone......ofcourse my starfoam cup won't help me now, but I did get an agent from that and She said she really liked the "bit of business I did with the cup on and off in the scene where I talk about thing going bad with my ex. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Ed Gambill
Talent and/or Voice Producer
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Posts: 585
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007, 04:27 (GMT) Post subject: |
|
|
I'm an audio engineer that has done audio for radio, TV and film production. To not have a slate on the head of any audio track seem to be unprofessional whether it union, guild or no union. There is always the potential to loose those embedded identifiers.
If for some reason the file is repackaged it would be important to have the slate before each audition.
I can't imagine a slate causing me any consternation, for me it would be helpful.
Having said that slates are important, it’s just as important that any slate need to be like Jack Webb would say on Drag Net. Just the facts Mama, just the facts. Name, Title, Agent (if represented)
Here is a point to consider. Allen I have fairly keen hearing and usually identify voices. This is a trait I suspect most VO talent enjoys. On the very first few seconds of your demo on V123, I think you sound like Robert Jadah. Based on you idea of no slates, If I hear your demo I would hire Roberts instead of you, because that is who I would believe it to be.
Maybe the VO industry needs to set the standard by which talent identifies it self to clients. By having an audible portion at the head of a file, the talent is sure to have proper identification and representation on all demos.
Quiet honestly If I were asked to not slate a demo, I would not do the demo
_________________
Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org  No. 07000 |
|
| Back to top |
|
Bill Campbell
Talent and/or Voice Producer
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 106
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007, 12:28 (GMT) Post subject: |
|
|
Wow! Four pages on whether to slate or not slate your name?
In this internet age your e-mail address or phone number might be a more valuable piece of info.
If the seeker gets to the end of your (:60 max) demo...they must like what they hear! Slate your name and phone number at the end.
Also, put your name and phone number in the title of your MP3 file.
Bill
Talent/Seeker
www.asapaudio.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
Allen Brown
Talent and/or Voice Producer - Voice Seeker
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 520
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007, 17:14 (GMT) Post subject: |
|
|
| Ed Gambill wrote: | On the very first few seconds of your demo on V123, I think you sound like Robert Jadah. Based on you idea of no slates, If I hear your demo I would hire Roberts instead of you, because that is who I would believe it to be.
|
Thank you for that compliment, Ed! But, I'm still confused why, while being on Allen Brown's website, with Allen Brown's goofy mug staring at you, and big words that say "Allen Brown", and any demo you download also carrying the name Allen Brown, that you would be confused as to who did the demo. 
Now, as for a SmartCast list, yes...many of us sound alike. That's why, as Dave posted earlier, the SmartCast list has plenty of identifiers to help keep it all straight.
I guess I started this, but I don't want to be put in the role of crusader against slates industry-wide just because I raised the issue regarding internet casting. I solved this problem for myself and I don't really care anymore. Slate away if you like! There's been more than enough justification stated here that they are valuable to some people.
This was not a union vs non-union, pro vs am, Hollywood vs the rest of us, agent vs no-agent issue. This was PURELY a personal preference on my part. I apologize for stating it in such a way that must have made it seem that MY way was the only and BEST way for everyone in every case.
Not having slates makes my job easier. For others, having slates makes their job easier. Others don't give a rat's patoot. As I said, my specs will be clear when I cast using the internet.
Now, let's go Christmas shopping! 
_________________
www.voiceover1.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
J.S. Gilbert
Talent and/or Voice Producer - Voice Seeker
Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 629
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007, 17:49 (GMT) Post subject: hit the nail on the head |
|
|
| Quote: | | Allen Brown said "This was PURELY a personal preference on my part. I apologize for stating it in such a way that must have made it seem that MY way was the only and BEST way for everyone in every case." |
And there is where the issues often lie. I suppose I am guilty of swooping in and citing chapter and verse on these and other forums, not necesarily "this is how I do it" (my will be done), but "this is the way the industry does it". Rules are interesting things, in so much that they do exist everywhere and yet the people at the top of the piles are generally the ones with perception enough to know when and how to follow them and how to break them.
The rule in the industry has been and for the most part is: Slate There is no benefit to not slating, unless being asked not to slate is given as part of the directions. Of course, as someone who has cast from the internet, I have had clients post specific enough directions such as men only and yet received auditions back from women; or no announcers please and got everythng from Edward R. Murrow to BBC1. So obviously following directions isn't paramount to many who think it best to get the audition in, no matter what
So, it's about learning the industry and understanding how and when to "follow the rules". If I had a dollar for everytime I was cast from doing a slate - oh wait, I got a hell of a lot more than a dollar, including a SAG national t.v. spot from Goodby Silverstein for SEGA. Cast from my slate. And that's not the only one. Oh, and that slate was in a character voice. Follow and break the rules.
Being able to interpret copy is an incredibly difficult task. Climbing into the writer's head and trying to understand why things are written a certain way and how to breathe life into those words. If you can do this, then instinctually, you should be able to deliver a slate that welcomes the listener or invites them into the read. John Howard Swain, who has been featured in more commercials than all of the other commercial acting teachers out there combined says that "when you slate you should say your name as though you are introducing yourself to someone you have always wanted to meet."
Of course, when you encounter Alan or anyone elses posting and it says "no slates please" then follow the directions you are being given. It can be just that simple.
Some food for thought |
|
| Back to top |
|
Allison Scussel
Talent and/or Voice Producer
Joined: 25 Apr 2007
Posts: 928
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 05:20 (GMT) Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | Allison, guess you'll have to change your air name! (if you still use slater) |
Funny Jim, but that was the "other" Allison at WFAS. She was the news announcer. I was your shopping buddy who used to use the name "Allison Stone". 
Stone/ Slate, augh, their both from the Flinstones!
_________________
AllisonScussel@comcast.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
|
