Newbie questions

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

First off let me say that I am by no means educated in this profession, and to be honest had no idea how large it actually was. I must say though, that after reading through some of the threads that I am amazed at how large of a business it actually is.....guess it's something I never gave much thought to in the past. I'll try not to waste too much of your time, but if there ever was a place that I thought could answer my questions, this would be it.
Basically I am a VERY small, first time producer/editor/film hand/business owner that needs some BASIC advice on voice-overs. I'm in process of producing a small web-site based DVD that needs a few short voice-overs in different clips throughout the DVD. The voice-overs need to come from myself or my partners since our general selling audience already know who we are.
I'm using an IMAC and Final Cut software to edit the DVD, but I'm not really sure where to start with voice-over equipment. My budget is very small, but not so small that I can't afford to spend a couple hundred dollars on a mic. and other gear. Really what I need is a basic set-up that won't sound like nails on a chalkboard......so, if any of you have suggestions I'd love to hear them. Please keep in mind that I'm not overly technologically advanced. Very Happy

Thanks for taking the time to throw out a few ideas and advice.
Jamie

Connie Terwilliger · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 409

Is the DVD to market your video services? Or are you just acting as the video producer in order to create a video for some other service? No matter what the answer is, why skimp on something that will be bringing you lots of business. If you do skimp, then it won't bring in the business.

Frankly, the audio is more important than the pictures - think about it - you can watch the squiggly lines on the premium channels as long as the audio is good. But no matter how beautiful the pictures are, if the audio is bad, you can't watch it.

I gues I am really not sure what you are asking. There are more technical folks on the board who may have some specific suggestions, but the long-time producer in me wonders what it is you really need at this point.

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

Jamie:
Like Connie and probably many others, I stand ready to chip in with some small advice.
But what are you asking, really?

Do you want to know what mic and audio chain to buy for a couple of hundred dollars?
Do you want some real cheap VO? I note that you have no V123 or other site, so I'll assume you're an absolute newbie.
Do you want somebody to do this for you?

Your appeal here is somewhat akin to saying, "Lookit, I'm making a movie. What do I do now?"

Let us know what you need to know. Then maybe we can let you know what you need, no?

Verbalize On!

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Nevermind.....found out what I needed to.....thanks for ALL the help....great site here. Rolling Eyes

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

Ohhh, Jamie's in a snit. Jamie is rolling his emoticon's eyes.
Jamie's disappointed with us.

He did ask a question, you know. It was there all along, rolled up and swaddled in a lot of other text.

He only wanted to know what mic to buy, and we let him down.
I know, I know, I know: the question's been addressed 764 times.
You didn't expect Jamie to go to all the trouble of using the SEARCH function though, did you?

When he could pose an almost-question here and have us answer immediately?
Shame on us.....

Atone On!

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Guess it only figures your from Canada Robert.......nice avatar by the way, I can just about assume your lifestyle. I think you're shorting yourself by not listing all your voice genders though in your profile......fairly sure you know where I'm coming from. Anyway, have a great day Robert......I'm sure it's full of VO auditions. Rolling Eyes

(sarcastic rolling eye emoticon)

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008, 18:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh Good Gawd. Stoppit you two. Or at least take it outside.

Now I gotta clean up this mess......................

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

No need to worry Scott, I'm done here.....thanks for allowing me to have a little fun at Robert's expense. BTW......I'll pass on asking Robert to "step outside".....wouldn't want him to take it as an invitation of any sorts. Very Happy

Good luck to all of you in your professions....even you Robert.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008, 20:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Robert -- witty, insightful, deliciously sarcastic -- I give him a 9.5

Jamie -- no last name, not a VO pro, failed to do a google on "basic mic setup" which would have netted thousands of useful resource pages, has a silly signature, false humility, vague rambling prose without point, erudite, overuse of eye-rolling emoticon, pointing out the use of eye-rolling emoticon immediately after using said icon, and finally, reverting to strange stereotypes based on misunderstanding of an avatar's meaning and questioning gender and/or sexual preferences without logical basis (often a sign of a lazy sense of humor) -- I give him (or her...Jamie is an androgynous name, after all) a .02

Okay...I won't delete -- since I don't, but seeing that Jamie has come back and made nice, I'll make sure you know, I was having fun, too. (Should I use the wink emoticon here????)

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

Jamie · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008, 20:22 (GMT) Post subject:

That's a good one! You have a good day, too.

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

She also happens to be quite funny.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008, 21:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, but looks don't count. (insert wink emoticon here)