Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Archive for the ‘Jus’ So You Know’ Category

The title for this blog is identical to one posted on August 25th.

You wouldn’t believe what has happened since then.

VO friend Peter O’Connell immediately picked-up on the idea and we both started dragging in other voice actors and we all asked ourselves:  ”Can we really make this happen in 5-6 days?”

Well, whether we’ve “…made it happen…” remains to be seen, but we’ve certainly given it a lot of effort.

The whole idea now has it’s own official logo, proclamation (Thanks to SaVoa), a News Release (see below), and a Website.  FaceBook page coming within the next day.  You’ll see it on VoiceOVerXtra, VU, and most VO Forums…chief among them:  VO-BB.

Why a National Voice Over Month? Isn’t it time?  I mean, how many nebulous, frivolous, and capricious organizations, animals, causes, and movements MUCH LESS IMPORTANT THAT VOICE OVERS have their own month….why can’t we have OURS!!!???

When you think about it…this is a chance for voice actors everywhere to explain what they do, take pride in their work, and shamelessly tout September as THEIR month.  When you think more about it, the event has promotional, marketing, and branding opportunities written all over it.

*Use the logo on your website.  It’ll bring questions.  You have answers.
*Send the News Release to the local media.
*Post tweets.
*Launch YouTube videos spreading the word.
*Encourage people to join the FaceBook page (check back, it’s coming later in the day 9/1/10)

We plan to expand on this theme throughout the month.  We may end up transforming it to “International”.  There will be opportunities for building on the event all during the month to maintain momentum (for instance, watch for some fun things to come out of FaffCon that will benefit BOTH events).

This does not belong to ANYBODY…rather, it belongs to EVERYBODY… make it yours too!

Happy Voice Over Month!

CourVO

Read the rest of this entry »

My apologies.  Apparently gaining access to In the Mo registration requires an invitation code.

Try this link: http://www.inthemo.com/Register/PreRegistration/HostPreReg1.aspx?code=EE51FE33F5CF

Thanks to Nicole for this!

CourVO

Here’s a slick idea for a website…and in a second, I’ll give you a link to MY video within it.

The site promises: “We spent years gathering recommendations from the people breathing life and culture into their cities around the world, and filming video features on the very best local spots. With this information we have created the first worldwide city guide that learns what you like.”

And it IS a very easy interface with lots of video, links to hot-spots, plus (of course) the ability to use various Social Media platforms to spread the word.

Some months ago, I got the call out of nowhere to be profiled for this site’s showcasing of Las Vegas.  I said I’d participate, not really knowing exactly what it was all about.  I did the interview about “my Vegas”…you know — how I perceive my town, what’s to do here…etc.  Then I waited several more months, and now here it is…a fully launched site with obviously TONS of work and thousands of man-hours put into it.

You have to register (for free) to gain access to everything (quite extensive)…but then you can click HERE to get to my video….or just browse around and choose LAS VEGAS, then see my listing among the others interviewed for this project.  The home page is:  http://www.inthemo.com….or click on the logo above.

Let me know what you think.

CourVO

Erik Sheppard and his associates have launched the Voice Talent Production site.  Click HERE. 

A lot of work has gone into the back-end of this enterprise, and I find myself extremely honored to be the company of the other talent here.

Please take a moment to look around, and pass the word on to those who matter (ahem: clients) that this is the place to look first!

CourVO

Oh….BTW, two prominent VA talents are in Vegas this week, and if I’m lucky, I’ll be able to run into both of them:  Chris Flockton, a NYC-based British voice, and Ron Knight of Knight Mediacom.  ‘LOVE the way Vegas attracts all the right people!

The famous line from Animal House bears no resemblance to my present-day journey, but I can’t but help to draw the comparison in enthusiasm.

I love driving, and I love my daughter, so having the two of them to myself for the next 2 days is optimal.

We’re on our way to Champaign, Illinois in a mini-van full of furniture we’ve cobbled together from Craigslist to move her into her first off-campus apartment.  I’ve even found a patsy, er, uh, friend to join me for the trip back to help with the driving.

I’ve got a rented Honda Odyssey and I think they still sell gas along the way, so I’m set.

I plan to stop to check e-mail and make uploads every few hours for a break.  I’m gonna hate giving up my 3G network for the slower Edge (E) Network in most locales…but Starbucks stores are good for free wi-fi’s.

For recording, I’ve got my Zoom H4n, my laptop, a AKG C3000B with USB adaptor, and Adobe Audition 3.0.  I’ve even got my iPhone with Blue Microphone’s “MIKEY” if I need to get an audition in down ‘n’ dirty.  I use the Poddio app on my iPhone to edit on the fly.

So look here for postcards from the hiway the next few days.  My blogs may not always refer to the voice-over business, but life on the road.  I’ll at least try to post lots of good pics.

CourVO

This looks like one helluva party on water…I wish like heck I coulda pulled it off to be along for the ride.  Maybe YOU still can.

I’m re-printing all of Deb Munro‘s latest e-mail with all the last-minute announcements of VoiceLympics, plus her ADHD schedule of upcoming coaching sessions, and more…below.

If I’m lucky, I may be able to catch up to the cruise wrap-up party in LA.

BTW, HERE is the official VoiceLympics website.

CourVO

Read the rest of this entry »

Friends James Alburger and Penny Abshire asked, and I said “Yes!”

Their popular series of free teleseminars with people in the VO business continues this weekend, and I’ll be in the hot seat.

Apparently they think people will actually want to hear what I have to say.   From what I understand, they’ll mostly be asking the questions, but there will be opportunities for callers to interact as well.

The topic is how to “diversify” your portfolio of skills to enhance or supplement your VO work.

Click HERE to see the official announcement.

C ya on the phone!

CourVO

‘Seeing lots of posts here and there on the forums about the next-gen OS for the iPhone likely having voiceover capabilities…whatever THAT means.

Well, it turns out some features of the new operating system (V3.0) for the 3G iPhone will likely be voice-activated.  That’s a far cry from creating a new market for voice-actors…which is what could be intimated by those headlines.  Voice-activated would be more like giving voice commands to activate certain functions in the software — like run a program.

Click HERE to see a more detailed explanation of all this.

CourVO

VoiceBank.net is now VideoVoiceBank.net.

You already knew that?  Heck!…I didn't.  So maybe some others didn't either. Hence this blog.

In it's previous form as just VoiceBank.net, the service was well-recognized as the place to have your voice acting demo, there, among the pros.  You get there by getting an agent, and having your demo posted by that agency.  Hence, it's seen as a repository (bank) of some of the best demos around.

Now, the site wisely added video to its name to follow trends 'n' times a la YouTube.

I've exchanged e-mails with the very helpful and responsive Sales Director there: Amber Dahlin.  They have a pretty cool suite of services for voice actors, and the site also lists tons of contact info for agencies, casting agents, studios, production houses and the like.

Below, see an explanation of some of their services, and all their contact info.  WELL WORTH a visit, if you haven't seen it…and especially if you haven't seen it LATELY.

CourVO

Read the rest of this entry »

The next VoiceOver International Creative Experience is on the calendar!!!

Anyone who attended, or even heard of the first two of these conferences knows how precious they are for learning, networking, growing, meeting industry movers/shakers…but most importantly MAKING FRIENDS.

The first one was held here in my home town of Las Vegas in March of '07.  The second one in August of '08 in LA.  Now it looks like the third event will also be in LA in March/April of 2010.

Here's the official announcement from James and Penny's newsletter:
___________________________________________________________

VOICE 2010

James Alburger and Penny Abshire
______________________________________________________________

Click HERE to see the page James and Penney have created to get you involved in the process of designing their next big gathering. 

Hope to see you there!

CourVO