Voice Over Tips: CAP Interviews… Keith Ferguson

August 27, 2008

Keith Ferguson as “Ben Stiller” in Family Guy

The man of a thousand and one voices (and that’s probably a modest number), Keith Ferguson is someone who was born to perform.

Inspired by an uncanny early knack for getting into trouble (where so many great performers got their starts), Keith would often mimic his own cousins’ voices, saying inappropriate things to unknowing adults.

Those pitch perfect “voice-matching” skills would later prove to be quite an asset in the voice over world as Keith is widely considered one of the very few go-to clutch performers whenever producers would need talent to voice-match celebrities for games, films, toys, etc.

However, beyond merely voicematching some of your favorite celebrities, Keith has an even larger array of original voices that has propelled him to the pinnacle of the voice-over world. From the lead character of “Bloo” in Nickelodeon’s Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends to the character “Kaim” in the global hit video game “Lost Odyssey”, and too many others in between, Keith Ferguson is a highly skilled and sought voice actor who has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential with an even brighter future ahead.

Just check out Keith’s website and you’ll get a very small taste of the smorgasboard of voices Keith is so quietly famous for.

Special thanks to Keith for taking the time to participate in this interview.

Keith Ferguson as “Han Solo” in Robot Chicken

cap) How did you get introduced to the voice over industry?

kf) The short answer is I was discovered by one of my current agents, Pat Brady, in a voice over workshop I took after landing some vo work in a talk show that I actually used to work on as a staff member. Wait… that was actually the long answer.

cap) How long have you been in the voice over industry?

kf) About eight years so far.

cap) What would you attribute most to your voice over success?

kf) Hmm, hard to say. Definitely my representation is a strong factor. I’d say the reason I have a career is because of Pat Brady. She’s been relentless in championing my vo skills since the very beginning and has always made my capabilities known to those that had no other reason to be aware of me.</blockquote>

Keith Ferguson plays two different racing announcers for Vitamin Water

cap) How long did it take you to land your first voice over job?

kf)Well, I suppose it was more of a lucky fluke, but I booked my first audition. As a matter of fact, Ms. Pat Brady got me the audition before I even officially signed with her the day I first went in to meet with her. I worked the following week. Now ask me how long my second vo job took.

cap) What was your first job you earned that really got you noticed in the voice over community?

kf) I’d have to say the role of Blooregard Q. Kazoo on “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends” on Cartoon Network. I’d been working in the industry for about three years with a comfortable rate of increasing success, including a brief and exciting website series with vo veteran, Rob Paulsen (Pinky of “Pinky and the Brain”). But then when I booked Foster’s it was like, “Whoa, where’d this guy come from?!”

Keith Ferguson as “Bloo” in Nickelodeon’s Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends

cap) Finish the following statement: “One thing you might not know about voice over is…”

kf) It can be great physical exercise. Especially with bigger characters or almost 80 percent of video games. When finishing a session one can be so covered in sweat that one feels like they just ran a 10k.

cap) Do you feel that the industry has changed since you first started in the business? How?

kf) The gaming industry has exploded since I first started. It was already going at a pretty good pace, but now it’s on par with the film industry and sometimes surpasses it.

cap) What’s your favorite part of the job?

kf) The work itself. Feeling myself vocally slip into the skin of so many different characters is invigorating. It takes me so many places in my mind, giving me a rich world of countless perspectives from the real to the surreal.

Keith Ferguson plays “Friend Owl” in Walt Disney’s Bambi II

cap) What’s your least favorite part of the job?

kf) I’m not sure. I really do enjoy my work.

cap) Finish the following sentence: “If it wasn’t for voice over, I’d probably…”

kf) …be trying to get into voice over. That or being some kind of psychologist. Or seeing one.

cap) If you were just entering the voice over industry now, would you do anything different?

kf) I’d establish my website much sooner, and be better about getting copies of everything I booked from the very start.

Keith Ferguson as Steven Wright in Family Guy

cap) With several automated online based marketplaces opening up in the voice over industry like voices.com, voice123.com, etc., do you think this changes the playing field in terms of competition, agent value, barrier to entry in the field?

kf) Hard for me to say. I have heard that some casting directors do go directly to sites sometimes before going to agencies to audition. My agency happens to get an immense amount of audition copy in town, so for me, the effect may be different than for others. Also, there still will always be the need for the negotiator. Some performers have that inclination as well, but there will always be those who want to focus on the art form more than deal brokerage, myself included. I imagine that vo websites might open up opportunities of discovery for those not yet known. But then again, there is always high value in having a third party who’s industry-established, be it an agent or a manager, vouch for your ability and professionalism. My sense is that hearing someone say, “Trust me, this person’s really good,” carries more weight than merely hearing, “Trust me, I’M really good.”

cap) Do you have any voice over tips you’d like to share?

kf) Read aloud everyday. And in different ways, from emotional intent to vocal quality. Take a workshop. Then, take a workshop with agents when you feel really competitive. Have fun in the booth, unless it’s a really dark and serious project. Then just have fun between the takes. ;^)

cap) When you’re not working, how do you typically spend your time?

kf) Watching movies, running or cycling, hanging out with friends, and lavishing inappropriate amounts of affection on my cat.

cap) Complete the following sentence: “I wish…”

kf) I had discovered voice over even earlier in my life.

You gotta love Daniel-San!

cap

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Voice Over Tips (Comic-Con Special Edition): CAP Interviews… Gregg Berger

July 27, 2008

Gregg Berger is “Orson” in US Acres

Gregg Berger may not be a household name but chances are that most houses have been exposed to the work of this extremely talented and versatile actor throughout your lives. Moreover, chances are that you’re still exposed to his work on a daily basis. An (extremely) abridged list of Gregg’s credits include: G.I. Joe, Transformers, The Smurfs, Garfield (a personal favorite), Duckman and Spider-man. Additionally, his equally long and impressive list of video game voice over credits would read like the hall of fame of all time greatest video games.

Yet another impressive distinction for Gregg is that he can claim the rare distinction of conquering every major facet of the voice over industry. Though the majority of voice over talents audition consistently for commercials, animation, trailers, narration, promos, etc., the realistic and harsh facts and stats are that if they’re lucky enough to beat these overwhelming odds for actual paid work, chances are that they’ll only be strong in the one niche. Crossing over from animation to commercials, commercials to promos, trailers to commercials, these are not the norms… unless you’re that extremely rare talent on a very short list whose versatile gifts allow you to transcend such constricting labels. A list that includes Gregg Berger.

Add to that the fact that Gregg’s career spans over four decades in an industry where an organic peeled banana usually has a longer shelf life and you get a slight indication of just how consistent and uncommon Gregg’s career is in the voice over business.

And if that’s not enough, I can tell you from personal experience that you’ll be hard pressed to find a more gracious, warm hearted and professional guy than Gregg.

Gregg Berger brings on a very unique perspective on this very unique profession and I thank him publicly for taking the time to answer a few questions here.

Okay I’m done waxing this dude’s car, let’s get on with the interview. =)

Gregg Berger plays “Cornfed” in the Cult Hit Duckman!


cap) How did you get introduced to the voice over industry?

GB) Hmmmmmmmmm. Introduced? Well, I knew as a kid that Mel Blanc was the voice of all those cartoon characters that I grew up loving, so I guess that was the first time it occurred to me that somebody was putting a voice in the mouth of all of those characters. For as far back into my childhood as I can remember, I would look at people and how their facial features were arranged and try to guess what their voice sounded like. Then I would hope that I got to hear them talk or sometimes I would even try to get them to talk. I’m still fascinated by the same thing.
As far as my involvement… well, fast forward to me acting at The Repertory Theater of The Loretto Hilton Center in St. Louis. I was still an acting student, but had landed a role with the Rep. One of the actors had a tie to KETC TV, the PBS affiliate there. They were doing a puppet show called The Letter People and I got an opportunity to audition for it and got offered a character, and later… more characters. I even did some puppetry (on the job training!). While I was there I heard about auditions for a temporary replacement gig as the booth announcer for the station (I didn’t even know what a ‘booth announcer’ was! I took my best shot at ‘acting’ like an announcer and they said yes! So before I had even graduated from The Theater Conservatory of Webster College… I had done my first voiceover gigs.

cap) How long have you been in the voice over industry?

GB) Sheesh. Short answer is since the gig above… but by no means consistently. Mix in summer stock, dinner theater, touring theater, television, film and writing. And a couple short lived job-jobs. Those of us who achieve any degree of longevity in this career are usually jugglers. The more possibility of being employable we can keep in the air, the more likely we are to be able to catch something that will keep us afloat.

cap) What would you attribute most to your voice over success?

GB) Well, I don’t know who said it first, but whoever it was deserves credit… for pointing out that it’s voice ACTING. The voice itself is secondary to the point of view, the sense of play, or the sense of seriousness … the sense. The sense of the voice actor and the innate ability to honor the material.
After all of that is in play, it doesn’t hurt to have good pipes. But good pipes alone won’t get it. I attribute my success most to my acting ability… and then to my voice itself. And determination, a ridiculous level of optimism and a healthy dose of absolute good fortune.

cap) How long did it take you to land your first voice over job?

GB) Uhhhhhhh. See Above.

cap) What was the first job you earned that really got you noticed in the voice over community?

GB) That would have to be the consistency of employment and activity of the golden days of Transformers (Generation ONE!) and GI Joe recording concurrently. It was wake up, shower, and have to be at a studio. Happily, to some degree… it still is!

Gregg Berger plays “Ripcord” & “Spirit” in GI Joe.


cap) Finish the following statement: “One thing you might not know about voice over is…”

GB) That the voice itself is secondary to the point of view and flexibility of the voiceover artist.

cap) Do you feel that the industry has changed since you first started in the business? How?

GB) Trick question. Yes and no. The fundamentals are still the same, but nobody knows what it sounds like or looks like anymore. Announcers have been replaced by ‘non’announcers’. Hard sell has been replaced by ‘heart sell’. Story driven animated characters are now often animation driven characters. The technology in animation is faster, sharper and more explosive, just like live action. But ironically, it’s still the great characters and stories that that we remember the most vividly.

cap) What’s your favorite part of the job?

GB) Bad coffee, good shmoozing, great comradery, and my admiration for the talent on both sides of the studio glass.

cap) What’s your least favorite part of the job?

GB) Screaming. Necessary for most interactive games and all epic scripts. Hey, its a small galaxy, but somebody’s gotta struggle to save it!

Gregg Berger plays “Odie” Classic from Garfield…

cap) Finish the following sentence: “If it wasn’t for voice over, I’d probably…”

GB) Still be trying to get my voice heard some other way : - ]

cap) If you were just entering the voice over industry now, would you do anything different?

GB) I would bring with me everything I’ve learned! I would realize that what will be recognized is what is distinctive about you. The things that separate you from the crowd and make you stand out as unique.

cap) With several automated online based marketplaces opening up in the voice over industry like voices.com, voice123.com, etc., do you think this changes the playing field in terms of competition, agent value, barrier to entry in the field?

GB) Sure, but the cream will always rise to the top. More portals mean more entry points and there’s always room for one more voice talent… but only if its a really great voice talent. So the field will in truth, level itself.
With a big dose of good fortune and pure luck and perfect timing… those deserving recognition will be recognized. The daunting variables of good fortune and good luck and perfect timing are still in play, regardless of increased entry opportunities.

cap) Do you have any voice over tips you’d like to share?

GB) Show up and always let em know what makes you special.

cap) When you’re not working, how do you typically spend your time.

GB) Well, there’s not much leisure time these days. My wife and I are managing my son’s Rock N Thrash N Roll band BACKLINE. All original and starting to get a tourbusload of attention worldwide thanks to myspace, the internet and a ton of live shows at large and small venues. Check em out!
Backline on Sonicbids Online EPK with tracks, vid, lyrics, bio, photos, more
Backline on MySpace
I’ve also been busy making my own myspace more fan friendly. Come visit!
Gregg Berger on MySpace
Plus I am nearing completion of my first book, Voice Virtue.
When I am not doing those things… I am exceedingly good at RELAXING!

… Gregg Berger also plays “Odie” 2.0 in the New Garfield!

cap) Being one of the rare triple threat VO actors are there any differences in approach when you perform for commercials, animation or promos?

GB) Yes and no. For me, it’s a translation challenge. They all require the same degree of honesty. But the size of the sandbox changes. Ability is the same, it’s the application of the ability that changes. On stage, you have to find a truth that reads to the back row. On film, closeups are more focused than wide shots. It’s like that… but the similarity is that regardless of size, it’s gotta ring true. And I love the challenge. I love stage work, on camera work, off camera work, commercials, animation, promos, narrations. Bottom line… I love working. Getting the job… that’s the tough part!

cap) Complete the following sentence: “I wish…”

GB) I wish… and then I try to actualize what I wish for. I hope everybody does!

Listen to Gregg Berger perform some of his Greatest Hits!

cap

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Voice Over Tips: Billy Crudup, George Clooney & Queen Latifah do Voice Over

July 17, 2008

I had these posted in an earlier post about Commercial Voice Over Demos. But now I realize that many people may not find them this way by the method on how the internet, search, etc. are laid out.

So check out many of your favorite celebrities shilling merchandise via the near anonymous world of voice over.

Enjoy!

Billy Crudup of Watchmen voices Visa

George Clooney of American Dad! voices Budweiser

Queen Latifah of Last Holiday shills Pizza Hut

p.s. I know that Clooney didn’t voice himself in American Dad! but I still believe that was the most accurate portrayal of Cloon-dawg out there.

cap

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Voice Over Tips: CAP Interviews… Ben Diskin

June 24, 2008

Ben Diskin

Ben Diskin is a young, successful, extremely talented and versatile actor who’ll be working for a long time to come.

Ben Diskin started out in his profession at a very early age. So early that even at his current young age, he’s considered something of a veteran to the voice over game. With a long list of credits already under his belt, Ben also has the rare distinction of transitioning quite smoothly from super young child actor to an equally successful adult voice over career, a rare occurrence indeed.

Ben plays the new Eddie Brock / Venom (far right) in The Spectacular Spider-Man

However, despite all his successes, personally I think that Ben’s most impressive aspect as a young maven is his well grounded principals and down to earth attitude. Always professional, always diligent and always always talented, success couldn’t come to a nicer guy.

Of course I always suspected that his quiet, nice demeanor was all really just an elaborate ruse to get unsuspecting bullies to give Ben an excuse to practice his martial arts skills. =)

Some of Ben Diskin’s credits include playing Eddie Brock / Venom in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Numbuh 1 & Numbuh 2 in Codename: Kids Next Door, Kai in Blood+ just to name a few.

Thanks to Ben for sharing some of his valuable time for this exclusive interview:

cap) How did you get introduced to the voice over industry?

bd) I was introduced to the voice over industry at a really young age.
As I got older and learned to speak well enough, my agent at the time,
Bob Preston, had me read some voice over dialog before I was even old
enough to read. I’d just mimic his line-readings and we’d go from there.

cap) How long have you been in the voice over industry?

bd) I guess you could say I’ve been in the voice over industry since I
was about 4 or 5 years old, so I’ve been in this around 20 or 21 years now.

cap) What would you attribute most to your voice over success?

bd) I’m really fortunate to have great parents. Both my mom and dad are
actors, so when they put me in the business I always had plenty of good
coaching as well as reasonable parents who never tried to force me into
“stardom” as many stage parents do to their kids.

cap) How long did it take you to land your first voice over job?

bd) I can’t really remember WHAT my first voice over job was, to be
honest. I’m guessing it was a radio commercial or something. I’m going
to go out on a limb and say….. 3 years? *shrugs*

cap) What was the first job you earned that really got you noticed in the voice over community?

bd) Although I had the lead role in a cartoon show (Problem Child: The
Animated Series) when I was around 10, the first job I got that REALLY
got me noticed was my work on Codename: Kids Next Door for Cartoon
Network in which I played two of the main characters.

Ben plays Numbuh 1 & Numbuh 2 in Codename: Kids Next Door

cap) Finish the following statement: “One thing you might not know about voice over is…”

bd) One thing you might not know about voice over is that it’s all
secretly a cover-up for various top-secret professions. Fred
Tatasciore? Ninja. No joke! … No, really the only thing I can
think of is that a lot of people don’t really consider VO to be “real”
acting because only the voice is used. From what I’ve seen and
experienced, total character immersion is the best way to get the
desired take and reads that are half-assed are easily recognizable by
casting directors and audiences alike.

cap) Do you feel that the industry has changed since you first started in the business? How?

bd) I wouldn’t say the INDUSTRY has changed, but the technology the
industry uses has gone through leaps and bounds. With people recording
their voices on computers instead of tapes, takes can be instantly sent
to casting directors, modified by audio programs, cleaned up by superior
editing techniques, etc. It’s made things easier on the recording
artist, but at the same time it probably makes things more difficult for
casting directors. It’s hard to tell if a person has sent in their
first take or just the best lines edited together from a series of poor
takes. This can cause a casting director to seriously reconsider hiring
outside of a select few group of actors whom he/she knows can handle the
various roles. It’s a risk to just hire someone from a take they
recorded at home or at their agency.

cap) What’s your favorite part of the job?

bd) My favorite part of the job is the work itself! I know there are
many hard-working people out there who hate their jobs and I’m very
fortunate to be in the minority of folk who love what they do for a living.

cap) What’s your least favorite part of the job?

bd) If I were to find something I actually DIDN’T like about voice work,
it might be that occasionally I’ll play a character that leaves my
throat very sore for a while afterwards. Really, though, most
characters are rewarding enough that I don’t mind the occasional blood
throat.

Ben plays Eddie Brock / Venom in The Spectacular Spider-man

cap) Finish the following sentence: “If it wasn’t for voice over, I’d probably…”

bd) If it weren’t for voice over….., I’d probably be screwed, blued,
and tattooed. My on-camera career is pretty much non-existent and
although I love writing and camera work, I don’t think I’d be able to
get a job too easily since there’s so much competition and I’m terrible
at self-promotion. So, if it weren’t for voice over…… porn, I
guess? Yeah, I’m sure EVERYone would just LOVE to see ME naked.
*passes out vomit bags*

cap) If you were just entering the voice over industry now, would you do anything different?

bd) If I were just entering the voice over industry now, I’d probably
lick a lot more boot. It’s hard as all heck to get people to give you a
chance in a business where there are already sooo many talented people
who’ve been doing this for many years longer than you. I’d have to do a
lot more to get casting directors to give me a shot since they wouldn’t
have a clue who I am or why they should hire me.

cap) With several automated online based marketplaces opening up in the voice over industry like voices.com, voice123.com, etc., do you think this changes the playing field in terms of competition, agent value, barrier to entry in the field?

bd) The online marketplaces are interesting but I’d be cautious about
them as well. There’s pretty much no protection on those sites in the
form of agents or managers, so actors trying to get into the business
can easily get involved in projects they shouldn’t be doing and not
being paid what they rightfully deserve. It’s all fair in love, war,
and work, so I don’t have anything against any actors who are trying to
get noticed by eliminating the “middle men,” so to speak, and going
right to the casting directors.

Ben plays Kai in Blood+

cap) Do you have any voice over tips you’d like to share?

bd) My best advice for playing characters in a cartoon show would be to
remember the characters’ sense of self and reality. You’re not “playing
a character” and giving him/her/it a voice; you’re a real entity who
just happens to have a voice that’s different from your own. It’s
pretty easy to tell someone who’s just trying to say “Look at this cool
voice I can do!” with their reads from someone who’s actually put
themselves into the world and mind of the character.

cap) When you’re not working, how do you typically spend your time?

bd) When I’m not voice acting, I typically spend a lot of time at my
dojo where I’m an assistant karate instructor. When I’m not teaching
karate or acting, I’m relaxing, shopping, or just hanging out with friends.

cap) Being an actor who also works on-camera as well, do you think there is a difference in how you approach the two acting avenues? How so?

bd) On-camera acting usually involves a lot more subtlety and an
ability to throw one’s self away. If you’ve got the line reading down,
but your eyes say you’re thinking about something else, it’ll ruin the
scene. This won’t always get in the way of your voice acting unless you
let it come out in the read. Oh, having to memorize lines rather than
reading them from a script changes things too, but I think that’s pretty
self-evident.

cap) Complete the following sentence: “I wish…”

bd) I wish I had super powers. That’d be bitchin’. I seriously wasn’t
sure how to answer this question ;D

cap

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Voice Over Tip: I Want To Be A Voice Over Artist… Do I Need An Agent?

May 21, 2008

Homer Simpson

Homer Simpson: “Mmmm… Alcohol Poisoning”.

In a word… NO.

First off, read this post and get edu-macated on the basics of how to get started on your voice over career.

Then check out this post.

Maybe this post will answer some basic questions you may have.

There are several more so browse around.

American Dad

American Dad is hilarious! You gotta love Hulu!

Now with that out of the way…

With several years of talent agency experience, it’s safe to say that I know and understand the business both inside and out. Here’s the deal with voice over talent agencies: simply put, they are something not unlike a waiter at a diner. If you’re a buyer, producer or any sort of customer looking to hire or buy voice over talent for your project, you go to an agency or you put up your project on one of those online sites, craigslist, AWN, etc.

These services then send out this project to their clients, community, members, etc. Sometimes they offer suggestions on the hot talent of the moment (kinda like the soup du jour) but really they’re just pushing someone to ease their own load. The talent then records / auditions the piece and these auditions are sent to the buyer to review. Once a decision is made as to who they want, they contact the rightful representative and the talent is hired for a preset price (ie. the dinner check based on the price you saw on the menu).

Generally when it comes to going through a reputable talent agency, these prices are preset by the SAG or AFTRA minimum rates code (currently $426-$685 for SAG and $250-$350 for AFTRA) with hardly any room for negotiation. Hardly the hip, cool, exciting images we have seen in HBO’s Entourage. I guess if you go through one of the online services, they aren’t bound by any of these preset rates and they allow you to negotiate a rate that both parties feel comfortable with.

Know that most likely, the buyer does know the preset union rates so you can have an idea of what a “professionally represented” talent may receive.

Seth MacFarlane and crew have fun with Family Guy.

So does a voice over agent get me more money than if I negotiated my own deal?

Unless you’re a celebrity (check out this post to see what I mean) a voice over agent will only get you the basic minimum rate required by the SAG or AFTRA codes.

Voice Over is primarily a faceless and nameless endeavor. You can be one of the highest paid and most successful voice over artists in the US and still not have to worry about anyone recognizing you on the streets. The agents, the talent, the buyers, everyone knows this. So why pay more than the absolute minimum? Doesn’t make sense.

Of course there are internal exceptions to these rules. A voice over talent who works a lot and whose time is in high demand may receive a double, triple, quadruple or higher rate at times. That’s generally rare. Not extremely, but generally it’s rare. It takes a looooong time to get there (2-5 years would be considered: fast track). At that point, sure, it might be worth paying 10% of your rate to an agency to manage your time well. Or you could spend a few minutes a day before bed to organize your own schedule. It’s all about time management.

People like saying, “oh my agent this… my manager that… blah blah blah”. It’s all semantics. It’s name dropping. Like “I have a Beemer” opposed to “I have a car”. They both get you from point A to point B. Some people need to say they drive a Beemer. It validates their self worth and temporarily makes them feel important.

So are agents completely useless?

In a word… NO.

Listen, if you’re one of those people who need someone to hand hold you through the process and you think paying 10% of your earnings to someone adds value to your time and how you manage your career (and many many people do) then by all means, go for it. Long standing, well established, reputable agencies have access to copy and projects that those automated online services still don’t. And until Voices or Voice123 or any other online voice over business producing entity gets past the tipping point and becomes a viable service worth their monthly, quarterly, yearly service fees (which I think it very well could) talent agencies will always hold some sort of minor, indirect value. But they can’t just get you a job just because they’re an agent. It doesn’t work like that.

Trust me when I tell you that if you’re serious about starting a voice over career and you want to take a stab at making money doing those “funny cartoon voices”, you’ve got everything you need already at your disposal.

Hope this information helps.

If none of this makes sense or you have a specific question you’d like to receive an answer for, feel free to leave a comment or question here and I’ll be more than happy to answer what I can in a timely manner.

Til then, cheers!

cap

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Voice Over Tip: William Shatner’s Voice Over Outtakes

May 16, 2008

William Shatner as Captain Kirk

He sure is full of Shat.

This is something that’s infamously been out for a while now but I found it online and thought it was too classic to not share here. Enjoy!

This is sort of a non-cap content.

By the way, Shatner’s reaction is pretty extreme and classless. Though I personally only reserve line readings as solely a last resort tactic, most of the actors I’ve worked with in the past not only don’t mind line readings, they ask for it. Then again I think you have to prove yourself over time directing actors and earning their trust before they feel comfortable enough to trust your opinions.

Any actors out there with any opinions on this?

Happy Friday!

cap

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Voice Over Tip: Another Voice Over Outtake

May 15, 2008

Rated M for Mature

Poor guy loses his mind trying to book a voice over job.

Look, one of the most difficult challenges in voice over is the dreaded superfast legal read. It could make otherwise sane, mature, grown ass adults lose their friggin’ minds.

Remember that scene in Sideways where Wings’ “Lowell” did the quick legal read for that chick from Candyman?

The voice over legal read is not always this easy.

Enjoy.

cap

P.S. BTW, lest you think that I was making fun of Sideways, I LOVE Sideways! Great film. Alexander Payne is a major pimp in the filmmaking game.

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Voice Over Tip: Animation Demo

April 27, 2008

Nice random thought on this hot Sunday LA evening.

It’s hot in LA and even though I’m just a few miles from the beach, the lack of cool coastal winds is trapping all this heat and driving me nuts.

I don’t have the patience or brain power to write a long post here today but I thought I’d share a recent animation demo I finished for a client.

Much like my previous tips on voice over, make sure you start with your strongest piece first then use it as the foundation to lead into a nice array of different characters / “funny voices”.

If you’ve worked a lot in animation previously, it’s always a good idea to start with pieces that people find recognizable. If you’ve done little to no voice over (like the sample below) check this post out for tips on how to create strong characters.

Most voice over animation demos should run between 60-90 seconds. If you have a really REALLY impressive demo, then maybe two to three minutes. But you better have something crazy good and worthwhile to warrant something that long.

Remember, you’re only giving them a sample platter of your best stuff and let them want more at the end. Or even better, let them pay you to hear more!

Cheers!

cap

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Voice Over Tips: Voice Over Outtakes

April 18, 2008

It’s Friday and I’m still working:

on a website…

on voice over demos…

on this blog…

on finishing Mark Penn’s Microtrends…

on dinner…

So I thought I’d take a break and share this funny little mash up of voice over outtakes. Enjoy!

parental advisory warning

Due to some mature graphic language, please make sure you sprinkle a few children in the room.

cap

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Voice Over Tips: Commercial Voice Over vs. Narration / Promo Voice Over

April 15, 2008

So what’s the difference? They both promote a product. They both sell a product. They both brand a product.

To get a better idea of the typical “commercial” read you generally want to be “natural”, “non-announcery” and pick someone specific to deliver the message to — typically a good friend.

Check this post out.

I’ll get more specific about commercial reads in a future post but right now I want to focus on the promo / narration / trailer voice over read.

Promo / Narration / Trailer voice over reads are very much a different beast just as animation performances are as well as commercial reads. In my experiences, P/N/T reads rely more heavily on the quality of the voice and it’s ability to command your attention. It’s a much harder sell than say a typical radio or commercial voice over read where it’s more about the art of offering some friendly advice to someone.

I’m sure many of you are quite familiar with that cliched: “In a world… where only one man… can save the world… blah blah blah…”. Well, unless you have those vocal pipes first, you can have the greatest read in the world and it won’t book you the job.

Network and cable promos are slightly different from the trailer reads. The comedy and family line-ups tend to be more high energy and hyper exciting. It’s something like an over caffeinated sorority girl inviting you to an around the world house party. IT’S JUST THAT EXCITING!

Following in the theatrical trailer footsteps, voices to promote television dramas tend to use many of the same talent that voice big event films. This is because networks tend to want that dramatic, “big event” feel to their shows much like an event movie.

Tonight, on a very special episode of Law and Order YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS! Some chick gets attacked and a bunch of guys rush to catch the culprit. BUT JUST WHEN THEY MAKE A BREAK IN THE CASE, they realize the victim is actually ethnic. So they bury the case and move on… TO THE NEXT ALL NEW LAW and ORDER: SVU.

If this is something you’re interested in learning more about, listen to the station ID’s and bumpers during your favorite shows. Networks tend to have a 10-15 sec bumper right before they break back into the show from commercials. Listen to the drama promo bumpers. Listen to the comedy show bumpers. Listen to how differently they deliver the message and tone of the shows they’re promoting.

Narration is more or less about storytelling. And depending on the tone of the subject matter on the documentary or show, it relies less on the actual mechanics of the vocal quality (although you still need a solid set of pipes) and more on the talent’s ability to tell the story in a compelling and sincere manner.

One last thing: this niche side of the already niche section of the business relies much more heavily on a solid demo. This is because the turn-around time on these projects are very fast and they just don’t have the time to audition as often as animation or commercial materials. They rely on solid demos to give producers an idea of your vocal quality and delivery abilities so this is where you may want to focus your energies on.

The other cool thing about the P/N/T niche is that if you score a nice gig, it can turn out to be a very volumous gig. This means lots and lots of spots with crazy high frequency. Let’s say your rate is $250 - $500 per spot. You can do 10-30 spots per session and another dozen tags, three to five sessions a week. It adds up quick!

Or if you’re on a national or global film promo campaign and your rates are around $1,000 per script. Those campaigns usually have high volumes of spots to promote the film and those can add up just as quick and you can say adios to that ditch digging gig.

I’m bored with this topic.

In the meantime, I found this classic clip of some of the most successful promo / narration / trailer guys out there. Years ago they opened the Key Art Awards show with this segment. These guys all still work non-stop (although a couple of them are at their twilight years). Enjoy!

Check out Don “I did that one Geico commercial” LaFontaine with the dead cat on his head.

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