On The Radio!

So, today was interesting. I was interviewed live from Barbados on 94.7FM, by my good buddy Arturo Valentino, in honor of the anniversary of the great Don La Fontaine's passing.

We talked about voice work, voice work hats, Voice Work the reality tv show in development.

...amongst other things

But perhaps the most important part of our conversation centered around the one year anniversary of the death of the late, great Don Lafontaine. and his influence on the voice over industry. An incredibly kind man who to this day is often imitated but never duplicated.

Once we started talking I realized that I am already on the air there in Barbados. Go figure! I'm the Italian spokesperson for the restaurant chain Il Fortuna and I'm not even Italian. That's good character acting.

Make sure you listen in to Barbados' 94.7 FM. CBC.BB

Thanks again Arturo - Peace.

We must still be in the recession!

It's not even 12 noon and fortunately I've done 4 voice sessions. That's a good thing. I mean it is the end of the month and people are trying to get the last bit of budget spent?

Yet, the stuff I'm recording is a sign of these sad recessionary times.

Session #1 - A spot for Foreclosures and Bankruptcy done in a UFC smackdown mode

Session #2 - Lottery

Session #3 - Body Sculpting device

Session #4 - Used Cars! Used Cars! Used Cars!!!

All I need now is to record a spot touting the healing benefits of Jack Daniels and Coke - Although the day is still young.

Oh well, it beats not working right? So, with pride neatly swallowed I will do what I've got to do to survive.

What happened to the movie trailer and voice work for banks and hospitals?

Until next post...Hurry time is running out! Act now! Operators are standing by!!!!!

Tell the world what you do! And help kids at the same time!

Well the good news is - we sold out of our first run of hats...so thanks to everyone for that. The better news is the new shipment arrived from the factory today! So, what are you waiting for???

Why not order yours today.

The proceeds of each hat sold goes directly to the Children's Health Fund. A charity set up by singer/songwriter Paul Simon to aid children and their families who can't afford proper medical care.

Voice Work hats are embroidered with the Voice Work Logo. 100% distressed cotton twill in Black or Stone. One size fits all.

Paypal and all credit cards welcome.

http://www.voiceworkhats.com

More Screaming! Infomercial Day

Yepper...the things we have to do...or I should say the things we have to read to make a living and pay the bills. There was a time when my voice was used for hospitals, banks and pharmaceuticals. A nice, relaxed and soothing tone. I would read in a slow pace, with an ever so slight smile on my face. We call that knowing reassurance. I would read :30 of copy for a :60 spot. Meaning I had time to make the words actually mean something.

Today was day three of screaming, with copy that literally read - "But wait! There's more!" And..."If you call right now!"

Voice Over Delivery - Screaming vs. Talking

I just finished my first session of the day and man is my throat killing me! The direction from the client was - hard sell, fast pace, loud. Can you guess what kind of spot we're talking about? Yep, car dealer.

At what point in the advertising business did someone think that the louder you scream, rant and yell the more cars you will sell? I never understood that. Why can't we just talk to our audience. Why do we have to beat them into submission to buy a car? Maybe that's one of the reasons the auto industry is suffering. Oh well, unfortunately money talks...and I'm getting paid to give them exactly what they want...As a matter of fact I was so forceful and hard sell that I did the copy in :57 not :59.9.

Often times I'll get copy that's 1:05 and it will be electronically compressed to make it in time. Talk about 5 lbs. of shit in a 1lb. bag!

Well, back to the grind.

Today it's all about the auditions!

Today, it's all about the auditions. And there have been some dandy's! The cool thing is I am listening to a voice over lesson by voice coach Nancy Wolfson and applying her techniques to my reads. I am of the mindset of being a "Voice Under" as she so eloquently puts it...as opposed to being a "Voice Over".

Today's auditions have included everything from a Wall-E robot voice character to a deep and mysterious narrator for a shark exhibit. Not to mention a shoe company, a steak house, a video game, a fast food restaurant and a promo for a reality show pitch...Not mine. And this is before 11am.

Working and Learning about new technologies at the same time - what a gig!

One thing about this voice over job stuff, one of the best things is learning about new technologies. Not recording technologies for the voice, but the technologies I am voicing. Today, I recorded a series for a company in Denmark called Inbacom. They take hay - yes hay and convert it into Ethanol simply by cooking, extracting and processing.

Soon after that session I went right into a session for Panasonic and voiced a video for their new 3D HD televisions.

Super High Def and you wear electronic shutter glasses that sync with the television. Unbelievable...and after all this...I still get paid to talk! Who's got it better than me?