I had the pleasure of meeting and introducing Da’ Coach Mike Ditka as the keynote speaker at a fundraising event tonite.
He’s a smart man…not PC, and plenty of common sense.
Posted via web from CourVO’s posterous
CourVO
Mike Ditka
November 17, 2009 By 1 Comment
PostOp on a Teleseminar
November 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
When do you become an “expert”?
That word makes me uncomfortable.
That’s why, when I started my teleseminar Saturday morning (Leveraging Social Media for Your VoiceOver Business) on behalf of the VoiceOverDirectory, I began by saying I’m a fan of Social Media, I enjoy Social Networking, I’m familiar and comfortable with New Media…I’m drawn to its potential…but “expert”? Nah!
Social Media is too new, and so ever-changing for anyone to be able truly be an “expert”…at least by my definition, which I’m conveniently not stating here.
My talk was more about trends, indicators…mapping out a few directives that seem to be working FOR NOW…and why voice actors really shouldn’t ignore the opportunities afforded by New Media for furthering their brand, their personality…the relationships that may lead to enriching their personal lives, and advancing their business.
Amazingly, I talked almost non-stop about that for almost a half-hour, and still felt there was much left unsaid.
I’m a geek at heart, which means I’m a genetically hard-wired metal detector, perking up when a wayward fragment of social media metal shows up on my radar. But I know (that’s right, keep telling yourself, Dave) that Social Media is only one of the tools in my job-searching toolbox. It just happens to be the one that captures my fancy (hey!…I found a gold doubloon!).
Maybe I’m on to something. Maybe not. Maybe it’ll bring me more VO jobs…or not. Or maybe — just maybe — all this flailing around may lead me into an unexpected career vector that has little to do with voice-acting. All I know is along the way I’m learning a ton, and meeting some of the savviest people on the planet.
Below is about a 2:30 excerpt of my teleseminar. I recorded the whole thing on a trusty Logitech webcam…and the audio you hear is from the onboard Logitech mic (not the greatest). On this segment I blatantly break a number of my own rules, stated so smugly on my new website: OnCamTips.com. But, there may be some value in watching this anyway: a segment on the rationale for voice actors to consider authoring a blog of their own.
I have no idea how many listened in, but quite a few responded afterward to say they’d like the resource material I promised to make available if they’d just send their e-mail address to me. I think they were just being polite…;-}
BTW, write me at [email protected], and I’ll put you on the mailing list for that resource material, too.
My thanks to Mark Davidson and Austin Alexander of VoiceOverDirectory for asking me to speak, and arranging this teleseminar so professionally.
Also my gratitude to a couple of voice-actors who are social media VO giants in my eyes: Trish Basanyi (@Trishsvoice) and Terry Daniel (@TDaniel39).
CourVO
VO General Store
November 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Art Hadley has put together a rather nice idea of an Amazon Store of VO equipment.
This is not a comprehensive collection by far, but certainly grasps the essence of tools that any VO would need to set up a good private studio.
The VoiceOver General Store is HERE.
CourVO
Top 10 TV Commercials w/ Big Actor Voices
October 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
These collections are priceless. This time, though, I barely recognize half the names. That is most certainly a reflection of my working knowledge of Hollywood and TV commercials, though, and nothing else.
Click HERE for the list on Paste Magazine.
And…this note that for the next few days I’m taking my annual, lone-driver trip out West…since I’m already here, and I don’t have to drive to get there…just drive IN it.
I’ll be hoppin’ in the ole 2004 Chevy SSR (with brand new tires, shocks, and alignment), destination Boise, Idaho. That means driving the entire length of Nevada on 2-lane roads, and wouldn’t you know it…there’s a huge rain storm predicted. IN NEVADA!
Actually, that’s OK….sunny and clear comes 320 days/year in NV. Clouds, rain, even snowtopped mountains, should make for some beautiful shots that you rarely see out here.
Of course, I’ve got my iPhone and laptop, so I won’t be far from posting stuff, once I find a good wi-fi.
Finally, I’m burying this next link here, ‘cause it just seems so…no other way to say it….egotistical. But maybe I’m just getting caught up in semantics.
I’ve got my own FaceBook fan page now, not published by the director of my fan club (there is none)…it was posted by ME. This is the thing to do now, I guess….(or should I say everyone else seems to be doing it, so naturally – me being a lemming – I have to do it).
That’s right, I posted my OWN fan page, and (get ready for it)…I’m asking if you’ll visit, and become a “friend”. HERE is the link. Disclaimer: No real or implied advantage comes from becoming a fan of the Voice Overs by CourVO fan page!
CourVO
Status Posting
October 5, 2009 By 2 Comments
‘Coupla days ago, I shuffled out loud through a few rambling thoughts here on this blog — like I NEVER do that! (see “…MushMind…”)
Surprisingly, comments from three people I really admire, immediately popped up.
My original musing was: “Does it help you or hurt you to see other voice actors posting prodigiously about the work they’re doing…or just completed…or must knock out before the end of the week? I’d really like to know what you think about that. Personally, I’m undecided. I’ve been hurt AND encouraged by it.”
Peter O’Connell wrote to say: “…if you’re a VO marketing to other VO’s (and you may be if you’re a coach or something) then that plan works. But if you’re just spouting off to anyone of your followers your daily tasks, I think one risks a bored board of followers.”
Karen Commins was effusive in her response, but mostly ’cause she reprinted an article she’d written before on related themes:
“Comparing yourself to other people is a guaranteed formula for feeling BAD! Without too much effort, you can always find someone who apparently:
* has more credits and/or more impressive credits
* has booked more jobs recently
* makes more money
* has better equipment
* has more agents and/or more aggressive agents and/or agents in more markets
* has higher search engine rankings
* has a better demo
* has more training
* has better marketing promotions
* has more audition opportunities
You get the idea. By comparing yourself and your achievements to anyone or anything, you more than likely will find fault with your own situation.”
Finally, Derek Chappell followed up with: “…This post and the responses are so timely it’s scary. I was just thinking these same thoughts about all of those who REALLY crank out the daily spew of how many jobs they’re working and how “important” they are…”
I’d really encourage you do return to the comment section of that blog article, and read the responses in their entirely. Click HERE.
Does this in any way settle my mind on the question? No. And believe me, I’m not knocking anybody’s motives or action here. But nothing we do is in a vacuum. We DO affect others. Proving that is a WIRED Magazine article about relationships, and how the interaction affects behaviors. Click HERE. It’s an eye-opener.
But we also need to take responsibility for our own feelings and reactions, and not blame them on someone else. No one controls how you feel about yourself but YOU.
OK, the armchair psychologist is off-duty now.
CourVO
The Amazing John-P
October 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment
You’ve heard me mention John Pozadzides in my blog before…most recently here.
John’s been in town for a PhotoShop conference, and writes about his experiences (one story is unbelievable – no, I take that back – BOTH are). His blog is ALWAYS worth the read. See OneMansBlog.
We met for dinner Friday and the conversation was – as usual – quite edifying for me. I’m preparing another presentation on New Media for an internal group at the TV station, and since John’s fingernail clippings contain more knowledge about Network marketing than the sum total of my over-rated knowledge about this subject, I listened intently (shoulda taken notes).
I’ll spare you the long version, but a summary of the core message is one all Voice-actors…indeed…all people can benefit from in their relationships…especially the online kind.
So how much do you really care about building a relationship (as in: client relationship)? If the answer is that you care a great deal, then you will take the time to do the things that people who care about each other do. You create a conversation. You take an interest. You inquire about things in their life that matter to them. You keep track. You remember important details. You do a little homework. You engage and keep engaging. ‘Next thing you know…you have a friend, not a client.
I first met John when I made a troubleshooting call to Woopra. John is the one of the FOUNDERS of Woopra, and yet, he dug in, solved my problem, and kept the conversation open through the ensuing months. He’s engaged, involved, and wants to know what’s happening with me. In a sense, he practiced what he preaches ON ME, and I am one of the beneficient outcomes of the application of his principles. Even though in my case, his expectations were dashed (heh)… he hung in there.
Like, I said, read his blog, and you’ll see the essence shine through of the guy everyone knows as John-P.
CourVO
Cashman Audiobook Training
October 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Marc Cashman is voice actor, voice coach, and someone you should get to know in this business. Besides being a good guy, and a smart guy, he’s got a boatload of experience.
You can see that first-hand attending one of his many workshops. He’s holding one in the middle of Oct. in LA for budding AudioBook narrators, and all the info is below.
Also, check out the Edge Studio newsletter above where you’ll find that Marc is also holding an Audiobook workshop on the East coast.
A good rule of thumb is to seek some sort of coaching once a month…even if it’s the valued opinion of a peer your respect (I know budgets are tight all around).
CourVO
The Voice of SpongeBob
September 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Sure it’s a cartoon, but most kids would never get all the grown-up humor and inuendo written into the story lines. And how hard must it be to continue keeping the energy going for a cartoon character for 10 years?!!
For answers, insights, and a pretty good article on Tom Kenny – who has always voiced the character of the sqare-panted-one — click HERE.
CourVO
Reaching across the pond…
September 23, 2009 By 1 Comment
More testament to how global our business is becoming.
There’s this Brit voice actor living outside of Istanbul who writes occasionally and certainly keeps his eye on VO happenings here in the States. His name is Andy Boyns. I’ve blogged about Andy before.
Something about Andy appeals to me, and I’d like to float an idea for anyone who’d like to join me in a benevolent act.
Andy would love to be able to attend VOICE2010 next June, and wouldn’t it be a kick for us to pitch in and help him? I have no idea what the international travel arrangements would amount to, but I know Andy has a family, and not a lot of discretionary income… and ANYTHING would be a help, right?
Contact me here or at [email protected] if you’d like to pitch in. This is my idea, not Andy’s. In fact, he’s trolling around his connections in Turkey to see if he can get sponsored to come over. We’ve got more than a few months to work on this, so think about throwing in what you can, and see if we can’t get a movement going!
CourVO
Hodgman on Emmys
September 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The guy making the quips and obtuse voiceover remarks at the Emmys Sunday night was American voice-over artist, author, actor and humorist John Hodgman.
He was twittering from the booth, too. Here’s his Twitter profile: http://www.twitter.com/hodgman.
You’d immediately recognize him as the PC-guy in the PC vs. Mac commercials of recent months, and as a correspondent on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show. Oddly enough, he had nothing to say as Jon came to the stage to accept HIS emmy.
The more traditional Voice-acting duties of announcing during the show were handled by Hillary Huber. Hillary is also known for her prowess narrating Audiobooks, and I was lucky enough to study with her during Pat Fraley’s workshop last year at Buzzy’s Studio.
Excellent job Hillary!
CourVO
![View Dave Courvoisier CourVO@CourVO.com [LION]'s profile on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/img/webpromo/btn_myprofile_160x33.gif){kind=small}
Recent Comments