Voicebank.net’s VoiceRegistry Blog

Should We Speculate On The Specs? What’s Your Strategy?

Ahh the voice-over specs. Those little descriptions at the top of audition copy telling us what the client is looking for. But what if the specs are non-specific or overly specific? Do we jump through voice over hoops to try and second guess the client?

Here’s an example of some specs I got for an audition:

The client is unique in what they respond to, a nice warm smooth genuine read means nothing to them, they want out of the speaker box, with an odd phrasing or crackle in the voice, but not contrived. real. moving. a strange pause, an impediment, (okay maybe not an impediment) but something that feels real and wakes up the listener brain to something they think they may not have ever heard before.

So what do we do with this information? Cherry pick the specs, finding nuggets that connect with our voice print, type or sound?

There are so many opinions on what to do with specs from deep analysis to throwing them out and doing what you want. Teacher Bill Holmes (The Voice Over Doctor) is all about using the words in the script for clues, then substituting a real life situation for a more authentic read. He says little about the specs. Other teachers use specs as an important key to a winning audition.

It’s one thing to get, “Female 20’s-40’s (yes the range can be that wide) non-announcery” but what do you do with specs when they read like a mini-thesis?

Maybe it still comes down to one thing, as Don LaFontaine says, “It’s all about honesty.”

Voice talent! I’d love to hear your strategy.

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast-The Voice Over Doctor Treats Margaret Lorenz part 2

Bill Holmes is “The Voice Over Doctor” in Voice Registry’s NEW podcast series. The “Doctor” will be taking voice over students through the paces of an audition, from a cold read to a hot performance. Bill is an award winning director who has freelanced with casting houses over the past 15 years including, The Voicecaster, Sight n’ Sound Casting, Sheila Manning Casting, Danny Goldman Casting as well as his own company Compost Productions. Not only has he been working very successfully in the voice over business for the past 25 years but he has been teaching commercial voice over classes for the last 15 as well. Currently Bill can be heard on radio and TV commercials nationwide. This guy doesn’t mess around! He knows how to drill in and find the truth of it all. It’s an entertaining and educational experience you really don’t want to miss!

Right + Click here to download podcast (9.0 MB)

“Voice Over Is That Easy” Says The Voice Over Doctor

We all know how very competitive voice over is. Okay, so beating out all that great talent to get the job may be the hardest part. But, according to The Voice Over Doctor (teacher Bill Holmes) delivering a great read is the EASY part; Once you let go of the words. Of course the words come in handy when looking for clues in the script, but then you have to toss them and focus on other things. Sounds a little crazy, right? Not according to the VO Doc.

Check out tomorrow’s Voice Registry podcast (Tuesday August 19th) with The Voice Over Doctor (part 2) and his “patient” longtime San Francisco Voice Actor Margaret Lorenz as she learns some powerful new voice over techniques.

Also, check out the other Voice Over Doctor podcasts.

-Tracy Pattin

Do You Still Need To Be in Los Angeles To Make It In The Voice Over Big Leagues?

With all the ISDN, phone patch and MP3 technology, the world has gotten smaller for Voice Over, opening up opportunities to aspiring voice talent all over the country (and the world). Sometimes all you need is a home studio or access to a studio and you can have clients anywhere. But, according to some talent agents and producers at last week’s Voice 08 conference, it is still ideal to be in Los Angeles, especially for animation projects where the callbacks often require the talent to come in to meet the producers so they can see how talent takes direction. Some agents echoed that sentiment although others represented voice actors across the country. And judging by the vast number of voice over actor attendees from across the country (and the world), you can be just about anywhere to start your VO career. But the question still remains, Do you still need to eventually be in LA (or New York) to get the biggest opportunities and make the most money as a Voice Over actor?

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin Talks To The Voice Over Doctor…Again

Bill Holmes is “The Voice Over Doctor” in Voice Registry’s NEW podcast series. The “Doctor” will be taking voice over students through the paces of an audition, from a cold read to a hot performance. Bill is an award winning director who has freelanced with casting houses over the past 15 years including, The Voicecaster, Sight n’ Sound Casting, Sheila Manning Casting, Danny Goldman Casting as well as his own company Compost Productions. Not only has he been working very successfully in the voice over business for the past 25 years but he has been teaching commercial voice over classes for the last 15 as well. Currently Bill can be heard on radio and TV commercials nationwide. This guy doesn’t mess around! He knows how to drill in and find the truth of it all. It’s an entertaining and educational experience you really don’t want to miss!

Right + Click to Download podcast (7.5 MB)

The Voice Over Doctor Is In…Again

We’re continuing our Voice Over Doctor series, where The VO Doctor (and Voice Over teacher extraordinaire) Bill Holmes treats aspiring and experienced Voice Over actors.

In tomorrow’s Voice Registry Podcast, (Tuesday Aug 12, part 1), San Francisco Voice Actor, Margaret Lorenz learns about simplifying, making specific choices and substituting situations in her life for a more real and effective read.

The Doc addresses the usual Voice Over strategies like “Who are you talking to?” transitioning into his “It’s not about the words” technique.

Find out how Margaret does and what new Voice Over techniques she learns. And check out our other Voice Registry “Voice Over Doctor” podcasts.

-Tracy Pattin

Are Voice Over Conferences Another Way To The VO Path To Success?

The usual voice over path is taking classes, getting the demo and getting an agent. Now, it seems that Voice Over conferences are a part of that path. The question is, How do they help you with your career? I’ll be asking that question this weekend of the voice talent attending the Voice 08 conference in Los Angeles.

Last night I went to the networking event. Nothing like a roomful of voice actors for a lively evening. We were greeted by “Joan Rivers” on the red carpet with her multicolored mic and wacky voice. The ballroom was filled with all walks of voice over life, from Dallas, Texas Chemical Engineer, Kimberly, with the quintessential cartoon voice getting her VO start to prolific voice actor, Bob Bergen and teacher/producer Bill Holmes.

I finally met the wonderful Bob Souer and his son, Eric. It was great to meet someone I’ve known purely from interviewing him for the Voice Registry podcasts. He’s as warm and accessible as I expected.

Seems a lot of attendees are from all over the country with a handful from Los Angeles. San Francisco Voice Actor, Margaret Lorenz will be reporting back to me on all the seminars, so stay tuned!

-Tracy Pattin

Los Angeles Voice Over Conference This Week- “Voice 2008″

The VoiceOver International Creative Experience conference starts this week in Los Angeles at the Century Plaza Hotel. Check out the networking event on Thursday evening.

I’ll be there and reporting back with interviews and blogs about the latest in the VO world. I’m sure there’ll be lots to write (and talk) about….

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin Talks To Warner Bros. Sound Supervisor Michael Lawshe & New Media Expert Doug Welch

Internet radio play, “Prelude To A Revolution” about the American Revolution and the lead up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence was created, written and produced by Keri Dearborn, Michael Lawshe, Rosanne Welch and Doug Welch. Warner Brothers Sound Supervisor, Michael Lawshe and New Media expert Doug Welch talk about their internet radio projects and the impact of New Media and Voice Over.

Right + Click here to download podcast (11.3 MB)

Live Internet Radio Streaming An Opportunity for Voice Over

A few weeks ago I was part of a radio play, “Prelude To A Revolution” about the American Revolution and the lead up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence, created, written and produced by Keri Dearborn, Michael Lawshe, Rosanne Welch and Doug Welch. It wasn’t your normal radio play broadcasting over terrestrial radio. It was live streaming internet radio. And so often in New Media, it was a spontaneous, guerilla-style performance. No rehearsals, just a group of people, some voice actors some regular people. We all got scripts when we arrived with an hour before showtime and then it was, 3,2,1….

It was truly amazing to watch this production and be part of it. They weren’t worried about being perfect, but still had a professionalism about the process. As New Media expert, Doug Welch says of New Media, “it’s all about doing.” And they did.

Also pretty amazing was watching Warner Brothers Sound Supervisor, Michael Lawshe sound supervise this not traditional media project. He’s very passionate about the accessiblity of the internet for creative endeavors. There seems to be an expanded morphing of New and Traditional Media.

In tomorrow’s podcast (Tuesday Aug.5th) I talk about this with Michael Lawshe and Doug Welch and the impact and opportunities for Voice Actors.

-Tracy Pattin