VOICE 2008 is still rummaging around in my brain.
I want to put it to bed.
I can't.
I shouldn't.
After all, I attended to learn…to shake-up the business-as-usual routine…to network…to be challenged…to find "aha!" moments.
All that I did. But it's not settling into a form I can use….
Yet.
You see…all was not consistent across the board of VO experts. What one said is not necessarily the wisdom that came from another; direct conflict, in fact.
I had a therapist once who laughed at my notion that all experiences should settle into a nice, comfortable pattern of predictable and safe eventualities. "A rut" he called it.
His more preferred take on the world was that there is a "tension" we live in…or should want to live in (even though we're never completely comfortable there)…that sits between two distinct possibilities which are not congruent or compatible, or even reconcilable.
Humans actually thrive better in the tension over time.
So what now?
Like most any other challenge in life, I'll analyze, sniff, swish thoughts around in the wine glass, weigh the pieces of silver, and compare the relative merits according to the book of life I've been given so far…and come up with: a result that is uniquely Dave Courvoisier's… wrong or right, good or bad doesn't fit into that equation. It just IS.
Oddly enough, a concensus of opinion at VOICE 2008 DOES support the "unique" thing. My voice is uniquely mine, and while it may sound like others, no one else brings THAT voice with MY set of experiences, and MY attitude…. a combination the next client may be just dying to find!
So let the thoughts bang around in your head.
Just…not taking any eventual action…now THAT would be the crime.
CourVO
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Dave:
Write it down. Make it a list. Add headings or subheadings…any format that will let you know what you are talking about. Make the notes clear, re-read them so that you know you’ll be able to refer back to them and know exactly what you meant…no short hand (my big failing).
Then walk away.
Make an appointment with yourself (and don’t break it) to come back in 3-5 days. You’ll likely think about the list after you’ve written it and some parts will stand out as really resonating with you. That’s the cream. The other stuff may require a little sifting but you’ll figure out what works.
But be honest with yourself. Don’t do only what’s easy…then there will be no change. Look at some of the stuff that you think would be a good idea but would be a challenge…that stuff should be near the top too.
I hope this helps.
Best always,
- Peter
(author note — Thanks Peter for offering those excellent suggestions, and for commenting on my blog… I think I’ll certainly take your advice!)
DC
Dave,
I too, am still processing the experience of Voice 2008. I was thoroughly exhausted upon returning home and felt like my head would explode. Now in retrospect, I feel like it was like voiceover “Disneyland” to me. I couldn’t decide which cool session I wanted to attend while three were happening simultaneously. Dang, I couldn’t clone myself right then and there!
And of course, there were so many kindred voiceover souls to meet and get to know. Now I am attempting to spend time reading the workbooks, and absorb some more. I have a feeling I’ll have to make some dedicated time to have a “bite out of the apple”, and take some real time to keep learning and gleaning what I can.
All the Best,
Bobbin Beam- Voice Actress & Female Voice Talent
(author note — Whew!…Thanks Bobbin…good to know I’m not the only one… thanks for commenting!)
no worries, dave
i continue to be amazed that you observed and covered as much of that whirlwind weekend as you did…AND managed to post about it in such detail and so regularly.
as for the conflicting idea threads, i thought of the proceedings as a huge buffet: look at everything, try some new stuff, see what works for you and what makes you sick if you have too much of it…take what you can use and go back for more.
while i agree with peter’s idea of not shying away from new or difficult ideas, i also know what “floats” someone else’s “boat” might sink my career if i tried to copy too much of it.
(Author note — Rowell, you’re kind to comment with those wise words. Thanks for that perspective!…CourVO)