Growing pains

Well, it's been awhile since the last blog, and quite frankly a busy last couple of months. Not so much in the voice over business, but Life in general, I DID get an agent, no paying gig yet, but some great auditions. I dropped Voices.com because I wasn't getting any gigs, I have contacted several agencies outside my region and sent demos for inclusion, found some great sites for networking and getting my "voice" out there. Took a part time job cleaning a cancer research center to try and get our bills under control, what else.. oh yeah, worked my ass off at my regular job. But maybe things will start to get better in the coming year, but then again, I say that every year. There just isn't enough time in the day to get the things done that I need to get done. 'Nuff complaining, back to work. Write soon, wish you were here (;D)

Do I need an Agent?

I wondered aloud as I haven't gotten but one job from a Voices company. Over 200+ auditions and only one job. Hardly justifies what I spent to "join" this outfit. Perhaps I should get a voice coach, and pay them 150 bucks an hour in the hopes that I may or may not get a voice over gig that will help pay my mortgages. I'll explore it, but I don't have that kind of cash available, do you? Nah,, didn't think so.

So what IS the deal with agencies?,, I'm a non-union freelance voice over artist and there in lies the problem. I believe that agencies hire union talent because they can negotiate higher rates from the client and still pay the talent their scale fees. It's B.S. but that's the nature of the beast.

I'll make some inquiries into it and get back to you. In the mean time, just keep doing what you're doing.

Lots of Hats

I love hats, I have about 100 hats in my closet, and my wife will do just about anything to get rid of them, but each hat holds a memory, a point in time where it was received, purchased or found that brings about an emotional response.

Think about that when you're voice acting, or narrating a piece, invoke emotional responses to what you're speaking about. Whether it's cars or cracked foundations, you're ability to tell the story with an emotion in your voice will convey to the listener the one thing that emotionally connects them to the idea, product or story.

I find that telling stories to children is a great way to tune up character voices, or work on delivering an emotion. It's great practice, and its fun for kids too. Try it, volunteer at your local library, or read to your own kids, or grand kids for that matter. You'll find that when you tell the story, and it's just you doing all the characters in the story you'll find ways to emotionally connect to the story, and the audience is just as emotionally connected as you are.

Finding you niche' is probably going to be hard! No, really, it's going to be the hardest thing about voice work/production. Finding out what you're good at took me 19 years,, well not that long, about 15 years actually. I always wanted to be a radio superstar.. like Lujack, or Mancow, or Dare, or Imus. But,, that never happened, and it probably never will.

So I had to find out what I was good at. Let's see, I can tell good stories, (especially to 3 and 4 year olds) with character voices and mouth made sound effects. Ok, I'll put that on my check list. Let's see what else.. hmm, ok, I have a knack for creating imaging that cuts through, with the use of sfx, drops, conversational pieces.. Ok,, that goes on it too.. but what do I do the best?

I create commercials that sell! But I didn't do that by myself, I had a little help from a creative director who writes.. OH,, you can do that too.. fan-freakin-tastic! You're well on your way to finding that niche' I've been talking about.

Marketing yourself and your niche'?

.. well, let me do some research and I'll get back to you

July WHEW!

Been a while since the last time we chatted. I've been through so much in the last month it's mind boggling. My father had quadruple bypass surgery and is still in the hospital with rehab issues, a family member had the most extravagant wedding I've ever been to or will go to, and I've been dealing with some personal issues that I think I've worked out.

I started this blog to catalogue my life and how it relates to life, sort of a "how to" book online, but it's mostly becoming a place where I can vent, and post my thoughts on all kinds of stuff.

But enough about me, let's talk about Voice work, imaging and what needs to happen to make it "sound" right. I've worked with a lot of great voice over people in my career, and they've all got great advice on how to get work in this cut throat business. But let's face it, unless you've got kahunas the size of grapefruit, or a voice so unique it's really hard to get business. I'm a member of several online communities, but I've only gotten a few jobs and it's extremely rare that I get a substantial amount of money for the work that I do.

That being said, do not be disheartened by it, and most certainly don't take what I say as gospel. But do try and find your niche' and then follow it. Tomorrow, I'll share how to create some cool effects with software and mic technique.

Now what?

I received information that my father is to undergo an angiogram on Tuesday. "No big deal" you might say.. but the rub is that my father wouldn't have even told us that he was going to have this procedure if had his way.. Mom is the one who told us and even she didn't know much beyond that as Dad wouldn't let her go with him to the doctor.

What kind of logic is that, is my father so bitter or uncaring that he won't even tell his children that he is having, in my opinion a major surgery (ok, I'm stretching and overstating it a bit) but I'm concerned for the welfare of my parents. I think it's rather selfish of him.

In this wonderful world we live in, the marvels of modern medicine make it possible for doctors to insert a piece of fiberoptics, and look around my dads heart valves. Amazing isn't it! Now for the hard part, they will force him to sign documents specifying that "if needed" we (the medical professional) may need to preform bypass surgery to correct any obstructions that may or may not be found. Isn't that just a way for them to garnish their already depleted Medicare Plans?

Here's the irony, my dad really could care less whether he lives or dies. He's lived a great life. I just wish he would "LOVE" life even more.. There's lots of life to live.

Everything is for sale

I can buy Paris Hilton's prison jumpsuit for a billion dollars. Ok, so that's a slight exaggeration, but is it?.. Why would I want something like that, and what possesses anyone to buy crap like that. I heard you can buy serial killer John Wayne Gacy's shoes, or perhaps Sirhan Sirhans toothbrush. People will buy anything as long as there is controversy or celebrity attached to it. I had my picture taken with Mancow at a friend of mines wedding, maybe in 300 years it will be worth something.

Which brings me to another observation.

Why do people hate you or are disappointed in you if you like or admire another person. I am who I am, and I'll have anyone I want to as my hero's and who I admire is my business and none of your concern, if it bothers you that much then get a therapist. Ok, enough of that, back to my original thought. If I can buy Paris' jumpsuit, what's next. Brittany's shredded locks, or perhaps Lindsey's puke stained shoes. No thanks, I'm saving my money for something worthwhile.. gasoline