All too often!

Peter M. Verderosa · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 7

All too often I read, "looking for a big, James Earl Jones" type voice.
I talk to myself at that point and I mumble, a clone of those massive "pipes" or a great read. Only hiring JEJ will get you both! Boy... it sure makes a lot of the talent seekers seem very shallow. And to think that they are getting their clients to buy their scripts and their casting ideas. I am a very good judge of voiceover talent; looking for someone to emulate an entertainment icon seldom fills the bill.

John Weeks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 186

Amen. I they want James Earl Jones, they should be willing to fork out the cash!

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007, 18:41 (GMT) Post subject: another hypothesis

There is also a trend towards providing direction such as "James Earl Jones, Samuel L. Jackson or Morgan Freeman", as a code for saying they really want an African American voice talent.

Apparently this seems to be more p.c.

The bottom line is that when a casting lists a famous actors name, you need to take that information and do a thorough copy analysis to determine what YOUR best approach might be.

I personally don't do a very good Woody Allen impersonation, but I can certainly read copy in a clumsy "nebish" manner with the type of emotional connection to the copy that one might expect if hearing Woody Allen.

Saying they are looking for James Earl Jones can mean many things. As an actor you should interpret such direction (as it applies to the copy) and use your acting skills to provide a quality performance.