LEADS AND READS - WEEK OF 7/14 TO 7/20

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

Is it Monday again already? I swear, it feels like I just did this.

I have GOT to cut down on the cough syrup.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008, 19:43 (GMT) Post subject:

This isn't one of MY leads or reads, but I thought you guys might get a kick out of it.

I was producing a demo over the weekend for a talent named Mike Vendetti. I had written some scripts for him and one of them required a female talent as well. He was to be henpecked and she was to be the nagging wife. I was having a hard time finding an available character actress who could do it quick (busy weekend)... then, like one of those "lightbulb-over-the-head" moments, I thought of the perfect woman... MY MOM! Not that she's a nagging wife or that my father is henpecked, but they're Italian and well... aren't opposed to using volume. Smile

So I went and got her, brought her into the studio and basically had her repeat after me. She's never done anything like this before and had a hard time not laughing while she did it... but she did a great job IMHO!

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Oh, Dave -- this is wonderful!!! I can see where you get your talent and wit --- a star is born! So funny. Laughing

And reminds me of a few of my relatives --- hmmm, I may call upon them if need be.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008, 20:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Reminds me of Estelle Getty from The Golden Girls.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008, 20:23 (GMT) Post subject:

I've played it for a few people at work and I've heard comparisons to the "Where's The Beef?" lady and Marie from "Everybody Loves Raymond". Smile

I'll add "Estelle Getty" to the list.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008, 20:29 (GMT) Post subject:

The "Where's the Beef" lady came to my mind as well. Clara Peller.

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

First your kids -- now your mom. All I can say, Dave, is you must be a pretty good director.

Kent LaTurno · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 212

Hysterical!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008, 03:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Dave, that was GREAT! As I was listening to it just now one of my stand-in voice talents (my 15 year old son) was listening and he commented "I'll probably serve tacos at MY wedding!"

Laughing

Rajiv Hasan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 355

Sounds like an absolute natural, Dave.

Tanti complimenti! Cool

Marilyn Taylor · **Voice Talent** Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 400

Hi, I would love to have a critique on this...there are several tracks... I want to make sure I'm on the right one before I continue..thanks Very Happy

-there's 5 sec. of just music at front end..

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008, 20:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Marilyn! Good to hear something from you! Here's my 2 cents worth...

Your voice and delivery are great...
The music bed is great...

They're just not great together... at least through my speakers... and I'm mostly talking about EQ. The sax sounds nice and bright and makes your voice sound a little muffled by comparision. The sax is really competiing for attention the whole time and taking away from your performance. If that's the bed they want you to use, I'd try taking it down a little more in volume at least. If it's just something you selected, you might want to consider something without a lead instrument that allows you to be the center of attention.

BTW, what is that bed? It really sounds familiar... I'm sure we probably play it on our Smooth Jazz station.

Sid Whatley · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008, 20:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Marilyn....Dave is absolutely correct. A lead SAX is all but impossible to speak over. Same for a Clarinet. I get so irritated at these music beds "made for vo's". Many of these composers and especially the engineer/mixer have no freaking clue about voiceovers and how to mix for us. Not all broadcast music is good for vo work. My compliments Dave.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008, 22:38 (GMT) Post subject:

I third that motion.

Your voice is very well-suited for this, but sounds really muffled. And personally I don't like the mux because it sounds very dated, very 80's.

Love the gal voicing it though!

John M. Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 139

Tried another, must sound like "Sam Elliott". Audition opened but no rating. Maybe one day.....