Editing

Voiceovers are relatively straightforward: approved copy is read, music and/or effects may be added, and the finished track(s) is delivered. RIGHT. It's amazing how many different elements can sneak into a seemingly tight little production order.

From the time of script approval...changes are frequently made, generally about ten minutes after completion of the affected page(s). And, such changes are accompanied by the inevitable, “I'm sure this isn't an expensive change, is it?

Most recently, a client and I discussed the wisdom of using employee names in his production. A previous production included the names of employees no longer with the company. I expressed the opinion that, while I would prefer to not use names, if names are used, there is no point correcting the production with each change. If asked, I suggested simply explaining XX is no longer with the company and say, “let me connect you with YY who will be able to answer your question.”

The client agreed, then supplied a script with employee names throughout. Upon completion and delivery I received a call that the production was approved, but needed to be changed as XX was no longer with the company! I couldn't believe it; less than a week after our conversation, we were living the issue we had just discussed.

As it happened, it was not an expensive fix, but I was required to do more editing which is what this little rant is supposed to discuss.

There was a time when I could do the editing with a grease pencil, razor blade and splice block. Dragging the tape over the playback head until I found the edit points seemed tedious at the time...but I'm not so sure digital editing is all that much better. In fact, there seem to be more digital ways to lose, destroy or screw-up that which I have created than in “the good old days.”

The advantage of digital editing is the absence of generation loss and tape hiss. The disadvantage is the missing satisfaction of making a perfect splice.

The bottom line for my client with the revolving employees is a satisfied client to whom I'm going to send an invoice this evening...life is good, even in a digital world.

Bill

www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com

Service, a thing of the past?

I work very hard to keep the clients I have...maybe harder than I work at prospecting for new clients. But there seems to be a declining level of service in this country that I find disturbing. I'm not concerned when my competitors slip...I know I work harder than many (most?) of them, but I do become concerned when I encounter poor service, or no service, in the world in general.

I direct an organization that requires a luncheon for 60-80 persons four times a year. In my town we have a Holiday Inn struggling for business...but try to get them to accomodate my group with a minimal level of service (minimal...like getting a contract to me after four calls for a luncheon I'm trying to book with them). My members have asked why we return to a venue that treats us thus. I maintain we should try to keep business in our downtown...but that may have changed today.

Service does not mean going way beyond what is reasonable...but it does require at least paying attention to someone who is trying to buy. Seems simple.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/

Beware service station coffee

Mid-morning coffee is important. About 10:30am each morning I really need a caffine fix. This morning I stopped at a service station to visit their "Java Hut" for my infusion...mistake. Actually, it wasn't the service station's fault, it was my choice that doomed me for an hour or so. I was swayed to purchase a flavored coffee...loaded with sugar; so now, I'm wired and my voice is "fuzzed-up." Same thing that happens if I have a soda (I don't drink soda any more).
Live and learn.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/related_links.html

I am not an artist

A number of the people with whom I work and/or compete consider themselves to be artists...that bothers me. When I'm hired for a voiceover, I work for the client and provide what I am asked to provide. While I will offer suggestions when it seems appropriate, I am not there to tell the person paying the bill how I see their production. Often a client will ask for input which I'm happy to provide with the understanding that the final decision is theirs...after all, it's their business; I'm just a hired gun.
I have friends in the business who tell me they've walked-out on jobs rather than provide the sound the client requested (shades of Robert Novak...I'd walk out on Carvell (is that spelled correctly?) too). I respect the client and his efforts to succeed to the point where my services are appropriate. I think I'll trust his/her instincts.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/contact.html

Mondays

Oh man, another week begins. Actually, I like Mondays; I start with a run, then relax for a few hours before beginning the business of the week. This week, I'm looking forward to billing a few new clients (always the best part) then taking care of the more mundane tasks we all face.
Next Saturday there's a 5K I've run for the last three years in which I fully expect to participate once again...although I've yet to register.
OK, let's kick this puppy off!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/articles.html

Cruise

I've never been on a cruise, but we began exploring some possible destinations this evening with some friends...sounds fantastic (I'm the only virgin cruiser in the bunch). Now I need to find a way to make a portion of it deductable. When I take other trips I always manage to call on clients or potential clients and pitch the "smooth voice." OK, I'm on a boat in the middle of the ocean...how can that be a planned business trip? Ideas welcome.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/testimonials.html

Day of rest?

Sunday, a day of rest...theoretically. Following lunch today I have been trying to resolve the computer issues that have caused me to fall a bit behind in production. Well, I think I've got the glich straightened-out and, with luck, the voice work I've emailed will arrive successfully on the desks of those to whom I've sent them first thing in the morning. Now, about that rest...
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/oncamera-auditions.html

Food

I know the description of this blog mentions voiceovers, advertising agencies, etc., but one must fuel the system...and no one does it better than Lucia. We just enjoyed a new veggie pizza she invented that is absolutely the best I've ever eaten (topped off with a woody merlot...not on the pizza...in a glass). This must go in her new cookbook. Wow!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/auditions.html

Dress for success

It's interesting, I find I sound better when I dress before sitting down in the studio to begin recording...a t-shirt and jeans just don't do it. No explaination, just the observation...dressing better equals a better sound (for me).
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/messageonhold.html

Writing...

A client called last week and asked if I would attend a "brain storming" session for an industrial video. The best part of the invitation was the offer of a pizza lunch...in a low carb world, that's an inducement. The day of the meeting the morning seemed to drag on forever as the image of the pizza filled my thoughts...then it was time for the meeting.
I arrived at the studio a few minutes early and immediately heard the owner's apology...the lunch had been cancelled, but they forgot to call me...nuts. I drove back to the condo and had a salad...
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/testimonials.html

Computers

The thing about computers is...they drive me nuts! Oh it's nice I can record voiceovers here in my studio and email them to clients, production houses or broadcast outlets without leaving home...I mean, that's really really nice. But computers, which I operate but don't understand, do things to me just when everything is going so well. Tonight I recorded a simple little 30 second spot and emailed it to the client and to myself (for QC). VIRUS is what my email program told me. So, an hour later with sweat pouring down my brow I send it again...not really knowing what I had done to fix it...but it worked! OK, is this like when I was young and would take things apart that were not working, put them back together and they worked? AAAHHH!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/hiringavoice.html

Tea time...

There is nothing I enjoy more than a cup of hot tea after a long day (of course, that's after I've had a Manhattan). Right now, it's tea on the patio with lovely Lucia...then, back to work!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/index.html

Time = Money

After finishing a recent project, the client called, approved the finished edit, but had a change in the copy she had supplied. No problem, people often have changes...but next she asked if it would cost anything to change the completed work! It is true, time is money and while changes can always be made, they must be paid for (unless I make a mistake...in which case it is my obligation to make the correction without charge).
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/related_links.html

Weekends

Weekends are when I get most of my work done...unless Lucia has a project for me. This weekend I'm building shelves for the storage area. Work will still be there when I get to it.
Bill

http://www.musicbuffet.net/sharp/millerclip.html

Voices of Baseball

Had breakfast this morning with a friend who has brought Ted Patterson to join us several times in the past. If you're not familiar with Ted, and you like sports and enjoy legendary announcers, check out two of his latest books: "The Golden Voices of Baseball" and "The Golden Voices of Football." Great reading and each includes a CD of some of the best moments in sports broadcasting.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/auditions.html

A gem of an idea!

I had the opportunity to have lunch two weeks ago with Jon King, Sr. Vice President of Merchandising, of Tiffany's...you know, as in "Breakfast at." He told me at one time Tiffany's decided to compete with lower priced stores by offering gift items below $100. It did increase traffic and the number of sales, but the bottom line declined. With more people in the stores, the sales people couldn't devote time to each customer and customers accustomed to purchasing the higher dollar items found the crowded stores uncomfortable. Soon, against the advise of Wall Street and others, Tiffany's discontinued the lower priced merchandise, and sales receipts returned and surpassed their earlier levels.
Having more clients is not always the answer...having the right clients and providing your very best is...
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/oncamera-auditions.html

Ohio's treasure...Lake Erie

I spent almost a week last month on the shores of Lake Erie, it was great. While I was looking for new clients each day, I had plenty of time to enjoy the water, sun and fun to be found in and around our treasure to the North.
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/contact.html

I'm being sued and it stinks!

Yep, two people have filed against me for a car accident some four or five years ago. Due to the fact these two were under eighteen, the statutory time-limit to file doesn't begin until they reach that age of enlightenment.
Apparently, the scales fell from their eyes when...for example...the young man, who has spent the last three years in construction jobs, made a visit to a chiropractor complaining of a back pain subsequently assigned to the accident. Uh huh.
The depositions went well, the insurance company seems calm....it still bites!
Bill

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/brewsterscript.html

They get me every time.

I made a delivery to Wooster, Ohio, today...then took some time to shop and have lunch. I saw my favorite sign while there. There is a company with an entrance that is clearly marked: "Entrance Only" then beneath..."large trucks use North Entrance." When you get to the North Entrance it is clearly marked: "Exit Only" and beneath, "Large Trucks Enter Here." Apparently this is the area on earth where Only (capitalized) does not mean only...maybe Bill Clinton is making signs now!

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/related_links.html

I don't get it.

On my way to the office this morning I was listening to my usual drive-time radio station. Of course, I listen in a different way as I'm always paying attention to the commercials and promos instead of the news or music. One thing I noticed was the number of local advertisers who bought sixty (60) second spots. I know it makes sense from an economic point of view (a 30 second spot costs about 80% 0f a 60), but I heard lots of wasted time...which equals wasted money. Complicated plot lines, extraneous humor, and just plain fill...the "sell" could have been better delivered in a tight thirty.

http://www.smooth-male-voiceover-talent.com/hiringavoice.html