Slice of Voice Over Life…What is YOUR VO Life Like?
June 3rd, 2009 Posted in blog
Bob Wood
It’s always interesting and useful to hear about the day in and day out of the voice actor. As so many in my podcast interviews have said, it can be a subjective path, different for each voice talent. I think the best rule of thumb is to take bits and pieces from lots of experts to shape our voice over careers. So, I am reviving my “Slice of Voice Over Life” series. Bob Wood, is a longtime voice actor, working in both the LA and San Francisco markets. He’s also directed, taught and produced in the voice over industry. Currently, he is immersed in some great voice over gigs, voicing AND producing projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here’s his “Slice of VO Life.”
TJP: What voice over projects are you currently working on?
BW: I work with two companies on a regular basis. One is a Hi-Tech firm in The Silicon Valley, and I voice all their tutorials for their and outside engineers learning how to program and use their operating systems. The other company is a well known phone company, and I Produce there voice messaging system worldwide in English and Spanish.
TJP: How did you get this job?
BW: The Hi-Tech company for which I record and edit on my home system, came to me through another project I had voiced through my Agent in San Francisco. It was one of those “I got your name from a colleague” referral.
The phone company Production gig came out of the blue from a phone call one day about 8 years ago. The manager of the phone system said that she had seen my website and felt that I was the most professional looking voiceover artist (based on my website and resume) that she had seen. At the time, I had not done any production, but felt that, based on my experience and contacts in the industry, I could make it happen. If it’s one thing I have learned in the 25+ years I have been in this business, I have learned that the word “No” is not in my vocabulary. I ended up auditioning voice talent, narrowing the field down to the best 5 or 6 and let the client make the final choice.
I have to honestly tell you that my eyes were opened when I started listening to auditions through the ears of a producer. I was appalled at how unprofessional many talent that call themselves “artists” really were. The quality of their recordings (many done at home), a complete disregard for my specs or lack of ability in general was in abundance. It was amazing and probably a great lead in for another discussion on professionalism in this business.
TJP: You’re doing all the recording yourself. What is your home setup?
BW: I have an iMac and use ProTools for the software. I spent about $250 on a KSM 97 mic. The feedback I get is that the sound is excellent. I set it up in my bedroom, curtains drawn and pillows as a sounding board behind my mic. Based on results, my makeshift studio works just fine.
Tomorrow Bob shares his marketing strategy, and talks about the San Francisco voice over market.
-Tracy Pattin
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