The Hip Chick Voice Blog!
This is a great reminder
I just saw this post on Voice Over Xtra. This is a great article. Do I do all of this though? No. For example, for certain reasons, I rarely eat breakfast. I need to exercise waaaay more often. And so on... ahem. But this article is a great reminder to do all of that.
Clicky here to read "Discipline - Not a Bad Word, Really! Apply it to VO Career & Joy of Life"
Clicky here to read "Discipline - Not a Bad Word, Really! Apply it to VO Career & Joy of Life"
The Internet... and Facebook... are Amazing Tools
Ok, two blog entries in one day. The world is in a tailspin, huh? I just had to post this though.
The Internet really makes this small world even smaller.
It's amazing.
On my Facebook fan page for Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice (which can be found here... I'd love for you to be a fan!), I post samples of my most recent work, blog links, etc. A while back, I posted a video for a book trailer I did for Scholastic Books for a book entitled, "I So Don't Do Mysteries" by Barrie Summy. I thought it was a great little video, and a cool book!
A couple of weeks ago, I checked the page and was pleasantly surprised to find that Ms. Summy had actually visited my Facebook page, and commented, "The book trailer for I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES is fantastic! Your voice is perfect, perfect, perfect!!!"
Wow, well those are some very nice things to say!! I'm sooo glad that she's happy with it. It's rare that a voice talent hears feedback from the "end user" (or maybe that's "beginning user" since she wrote the book?). Thank you, Ms. Summy!!!
As it turns out, I went back to my fan page today for a little visit, and saw that Ms. Summy posted a link to a blog about the book trailer, which you can read by clicking here.
I'm flattered. Beyond flattered. I feel the love, and I like it!
Really, kudos go to the production company who selected me as the voice and produced the trailer. The guys at Rezolution Productions are the bomb! Thanks guys!!
The Internet really makes this small world even smaller.
It's amazing.
On my Facebook fan page for Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice (which can be found here... I'd love for you to be a fan!), I post samples of my most recent work, blog links, etc. A while back, I posted a video for a book trailer I did for Scholastic Books for a book entitled, "I So Don't Do Mysteries" by Barrie Summy. I thought it was a great little video, and a cool book!
A couple of weeks ago, I checked the page and was pleasantly surprised to find that Ms. Summy had actually visited my Facebook page, and commented, "The book trailer for I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES is fantastic! Your voice is perfect, perfect, perfect!!!"
Wow, well those are some very nice things to say!! I'm sooo glad that she's happy with it. It's rare that a voice talent hears feedback from the "end user" (or maybe that's "beginning user" since she wrote the book?). Thank you, Ms. Summy!!!
As it turns out, I went back to my fan page today for a little visit, and saw that Ms. Summy posted a link to a blog about the book trailer, which you can read by clicking here.
I'm flattered. Beyond flattered. I feel the love, and I like it!
Really, kudos go to the production company who selected me as the voice and produced the trailer. The guys at Rezolution Productions are the bomb! Thanks guys!!
How DO you Hire Voice Talent?
If you're a business and you need a voice talent to narrate a web video, for example, how do you go about finding the right talent for your project?
The options are endless, but my friend and fellow voice over talent Brian Hart wrote a blog that explains all of the options, and answers lots of questions you might have. Click here to read Brian's blog.
The options are endless, but my friend and fellow voice over talent Brian Hart wrote a blog that explains all of the options, and answers lots of questions you might have. Click here to read Brian's blog.
No Snow Days... or Lawnmower Days
As I sit here, listening to the rhythmic rumble of lawnmowers on my street, waiting for them to finish their weekly job so I can record a narration for Google Adwords, I decided to surf the Internet and take a a look at Voice Over Xtra.
I found a blog by Bob Souer, one of my most favorite talents (and friends) in the industry. Turns out, last week presented challenges to him... only with snow. And he handled it gracefully, I might add. Clicky here to read about the lack of snow days in voice over.
I found a blog by Bob Souer, one of my most favorite talents (and friends) in the industry. Turns out, last week presented challenges to him... only with snow. And he handled it gracefully, I might add. Clicky here to read about the lack of snow days in voice over.
Happy Fauschnaut Day!
This has absolutely nothing to do with voice over. But, I feel the need to recognize this day... it brings back fond childhood memories.
It's Fat Tuesday!!! No, my parents didn't get me drunk as a child. Ha!! I've actually never been to Mardi Gras, but I did just visit New Orleans over the New Year (and went to the Sugar Bowl BCS Game). It's a fabulous town, full of character, good people, and so much history!
When I was growing up, Fat Tuesday, aka the day before Ash Wednesday, was known as Fauschnaut Day. We lived in a rural Pennsylvania village on the eastern side of the state... yup, Pennsylvania Dutch Country. And you know what they do for Fauschnaut Day???? They make and eat doughnuts!!!! I remember coming home from school, walking into the kitchen where my Mom would be, in front of a big pan of hot grease (which was a very rare happening in our household), frying up doughnuts!
So, enjoy Fat Tuesday, Fauschnaut Day, Shrove Tuesday, or whatever YOU call it. I think I'm going to have a doughnut today.
It's Fat Tuesday!!! No, my parents didn't get me drunk as a child. Ha!! I've actually never been to Mardi Gras, but I did just visit New Orleans over the New Year (and went to the Sugar Bowl BCS Game). It's a fabulous town, full of character, good people, and so much history!
When I was growing up, Fat Tuesday, aka the day before Ash Wednesday, was known as Fauschnaut Day. We lived in a rural Pennsylvania village on the eastern side of the state... yup, Pennsylvania Dutch Country. And you know what they do for Fauschnaut Day???? They make and eat doughnuts!!!! I remember coming home from school, walking into the kitchen where my Mom would be, in front of a big pan of hot grease (which was a very rare happening in our household), frying up doughnuts!
So, enjoy Fat Tuesday, Fauschnaut Day, Shrove Tuesday, or whatever YOU call it. I think I'm going to have a doughnut today.
Don't be afraid to look dumb
I enjoyed this little diddy by Philip Banks, and I hope you do too!
Click here to read Philip's blog.
Click here to read Philip's blog.
One of Us is Gonna be on the TV!!!
My friend and fellow voice over talent, Jeffrey Kafer, is going to be on the Huckabee Show on the Fox News Network!!! The show is about people who have been laid off and have created their own businesses, I believe. You see, Jeff used to work for Microsoft, but was let go several months ago. When he had his full-time job, he was also a part-time voice actor. Since then, he's been pursuing voice acting full-time.
The show will air tomorrow, Saturday, January 9, at 8ET/5PT PM, and will repeat on Sunday, January 10, at 11ET/8PT PM. Be sure to watch!
I'm so excited for Jeff, and I can wait to see his debut on TV! Break a leg, Jeff!!
The show will air tomorrow, Saturday, January 9, at 8ET/5PT PM, and will repeat on Sunday, January 10, at 11ET/8PT PM. Be sure to watch!
I'm so excited for Jeff, and I can wait to see his debut on TV! Break a leg, Jeff!!
Where have I been? Oh, and are you interested in VO?
Wowza, it's been a while since I've written a blog! Thankfully, fall is a busy time for me, with the toy products/commercials being produced for the holidays.
I received an email from a person interested in voiceover today, and after I wrote my response, thought I'd post it here for all to see. This is my general response to anyone who asks me about how to get into voiceover. I was very blessed to have much encouragement along the way when I first started out. However, it occurs to me that even though I had that encouragement, this career is something I REALLY wanted to make happen, and I did everything I needed to do (and still do) to make it work! You have to be persistent!
So, without further ado, here is the question:
"I have always been curious about doing voice work. have done impressions for yrs. I have no idea what kind of background one needs for this career. I have heard your voice on many ads and decided to search you out for advice. Thank you in advance for your time."
My response:
Hi XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting me! I'm happy to give you advice from my point of view.
Most people in vo come from a radio or broadcast background. But that's not "required." It just so happens that most of the people do. I, however, am one of the few that doesn't have a radio or broadcast background. I came from good ol' corporate America. But, I had a passion for singing and using my voice, and that's what drew me to this career.
I recommend reading a book or two first. "Voice for Hire" by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe is a good one. I helped copyedit this book, but honestly, all of that aside, it really is a good overview of the industry and what it takes to get into voiceover. Another good book is Joan Baker's "Secrets of Voice-Over Success." That's not a cover to cover read, but gives good vignettes from people who have really done well in voiceover. I also recommend going to Nancy Wolfson's website, www.braintracksaudio.com and buy the mp3, "Your Voiceover Business."
Once you've read those books and listened to the mp3, and you are still interested in making this a career you want to pursue and invest your time and money into, then you can move forward. What you learned in the books you read and the mp3 will be helpful and give you a plan. Take acting classes... mainly scene study and improv. Also, find a coach. Study with that coach, and eventually, they'll let you know when you're ready to make your first demo. There's much to do after that, but these are the basics.
This career is an investment of time and money. You'll constantly spend money, putting it back into your business be it replacing equipment, marketing, working with your coach, making new demos every couple of years, etc. I don't know if people realize that when they're looking to get into voiceover. The other downfall of this business is, it's very competitive. My job is to audition. They say most voice actors book one out of every 50 auditions. I do anywhere from 1 to 10 auditions a day. Sometimes more... it all just depends. Sometimes there are just a few of us auditioning, but much of the time, there could be 50 to 500 of us auditioning for the same spot. You're not going to get rich quick being a voice actor. Frankly, you may not "get rich" at all. But, if doing something you LOVE to do and is your passion is important to you, then this could be the career for you. And that could be "rich" to you.
I hope you find this helpful!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to try and help!
Merry Christmas, and may 2010 bring much happiness your way!
Caryn
I received an email from a person interested in voiceover today, and after I wrote my response, thought I'd post it here for all to see. This is my general response to anyone who asks me about how to get into voiceover. I was very blessed to have much encouragement along the way when I first started out. However, it occurs to me that even though I had that encouragement, this career is something I REALLY wanted to make happen, and I did everything I needed to do (and still do) to make it work! You have to be persistent!
So, without further ado, here is the question:
"I have always been curious about doing voice work. have done impressions for yrs. I have no idea what kind of background one needs for this career. I have heard your voice on many ads and decided to search you out for advice. Thank you in advance for your time."
My response:
Hi XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting me! I'm happy to give you advice from my point of view.
Most people in vo come from a radio or broadcast background. But that's not "required." It just so happens that most of the people do. I, however, am one of the few that doesn't have a radio or broadcast background. I came from good ol' corporate America. But, I had a passion for singing and using my voice, and that's what drew me to this career.
I recommend reading a book or two first. "Voice for Hire" by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe is a good one. I helped copyedit this book, but honestly, all of that aside, it really is a good overview of the industry and what it takes to get into voiceover. Another good book is Joan Baker's "Secrets of Voice-Over Success." That's not a cover to cover read, but gives good vignettes from people who have really done well in voiceover. I also recommend going to Nancy Wolfson's website, www.braintracksaudio.com and buy the mp3, "Your Voiceover Business."
Once you've read those books and listened to the mp3, and you are still interested in making this a career you want to pursue and invest your time and money into, then you can move forward. What you learned in the books you read and the mp3 will be helpful and give you a plan. Take acting classes... mainly scene study and improv. Also, find a coach. Study with that coach, and eventually, they'll let you know when you're ready to make your first demo. There's much to do after that, but these are the basics.
This career is an investment of time and money. You'll constantly spend money, putting it back into your business be it replacing equipment, marketing, working with your coach, making new demos every couple of years, etc. I don't know if people realize that when they're looking to get into voiceover. The other downfall of this business is, it's very competitive. My job is to audition. They say most voice actors book one out of every 50 auditions. I do anywhere from 1 to 10 auditions a day. Sometimes more... it all just depends. Sometimes there are just a few of us auditioning, but much of the time, there could be 50 to 500 of us auditioning for the same spot. You're not going to get rich quick being a voice actor. Frankly, you may not "get rich" at all. But, if doing something you LOVE to do and is your passion is important to you, then this could be the career for you. And that could be "rich" to you.
I hope you find this helpful!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I'm happy to try and help!
Merry Christmas, and may 2010 bring much happiness your way!
Caryn