Tuesday, April 21, 2009

GKN Weekly Update 4/21/09

Hey folks! Sorry I didn't post this yesterday but I had a long & crazy day. I'm also feeling a bit under the weather and I'm not sure if it's allergies or one of those pesky Spring colds because of the yo-yo-like weather. I'll try not to sneeze in your direction...

Apart from the recording session I had with ETS, the highlight of the week was recording a VO spot for American Express & Delta Airlines. It's part of their joint "Pay With Miles" promotion. It will be on both of their websites pretty soon. Thanks to Ingrid French for sending me out on the audition and to Marro Associates for casting me!

Check out this pic of Project TERRA villain Angela Miller!



Teddy is doing an amazing job, isn't she?

TIP OF THE WEEK: This past Saturday I went to Asha's first birthday party.



Isn't she adorable? What was so interesting about the party is that it was one of those "Worlds are colliding, Jerry!" situations where a bunch of mutual friends that know of each other but never met finally did. It was cool! So what's my point? Actually, I don't have one. I just love it when stuff like that happens. Hey, I can't be expected to supply epiphanies every damn week, can I?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: When was the last time you examined your systems of thought? Have you ever thought about why you think the way you do? Your brain follows the path of least resistance, you know...

Monday, April 13, 2009

GKN Weekly Update 4/13/09

Happy Passover AND Happy Easter!

Man, I love this time of year. It's awesome to eat TWO big honkin' holiday meals in one week.

April seems to have slowed down just a tiny bit but there's still plenty to talk about!

Last week I had an on-camera audition for a casino courtesy of IFM. The cool part is that it shoots in Chile! Since it's been more than 48 hours I assume I'm not getting the callback but it sure was fun thinking about flying down to Chile. The only bad part is that I had to renew my passport and expedite it for $175!!! I'm considering the fee my Lazy Tax and writing it off as a business expense. A word to the wise, folks: renew your passport nice & early so you don't get hosed with the expediting fee.

Later that day I was in an on-camera commercial for Hillside Toyota. Believe it or not, I was cast for the Spanish version! I had to say "Nobody, now way, no how." in Spanish. Stay tuned to Telemundo! BTW they will post it on You Tube so I'll send you the link. A special thanks to Ingrid French Management for sending me to the audition and to Sid Paterson Advertising for casting me.

The other good news is that I got word that I was cast for an online VO spot for Amex. Actually it's for an airline frequent flier program that partnered up with Amex for the promotion. I'll let you know how it goes!

I got clips of my VO work for that Swiss Air radio spot I did a few months ago as well as the scene I did for "The Tin Woodsman of Oz". Go to the Samples Page of my website to check them out.

TIP OF THE WEEK: I found two sites you may want to check out: Talent Rover and Talent Hub. Both are entertainment industry networking sites where you build a profile and poke around for networking opportunities & jobs. I just joined them last week and they seem okay. I'll let you know if I get any good leads...

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. Abraham Lincoln

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Have you found any new or interesting websites lately? They can be industry-related or just fun. Please share!

Monday, April 6, 2009

GKN Weekly Update 4/6/09

And a happy albeit yucky day weather-wise to you!

So, remember last week when I said it seemed like things were getting back to normal? Yeah, not so much...

Monday was a retake session for Infinivox. I fixed boo-boos and room noise for three of the nine stories I narrated.

Tuesday was a VO audition for Subway at House Productions courtesy of IFM.

Wednesday was actually kind of slow which meant it was catchup day which in turn made it not-so-slow. Interesting how that works out...

Thursday I had a Heineken print ad audition in NYC that I landed from Craig's List, then I had an audition for Hillside Toyota at Xist Talent in Caldwell courtesy of IFM. I had to say "nobody" in both English and Spanish many, many times.

Friday was nuts! I had a morning recording session for ETS in Princeton. Then I had an afternoon on-camera shoot for a new invention called the Genesis Combustion Enhancement System. It was a sales DVD and I was the spokesperson. I had never used a teleprompter before but it was the kind that was directly in front of the camera lens so it was a lot easier then I thought it would be. I was able to get out of there in time to make dinner reservations all the while driving through that freaking monsoon we had. Fun day!

But wait, there's more! On Sunday I attended an open house at Watersign Creative, a recording studio in Lake Hiawatha. They're celebrating their 7th anniversary so it was a good opportunity to catch up with the owner Guy Parker and Julie. Networking on the weekend in the town I grew up in. Weird!

TIP OF THE WEEK: the final aspect of the five areas of success in our industry is Health. This includes mental as well as physical health. I try to exercise at least four times a week. I do pushups, situps, crunches, and about 15 minutes on the Mini-Step. Some weeks are better than others! I also read Men's Health online once a week to get tips about nutrition, exercise, etc.

As to mental health, I consider working on Project TERRA a means to that end. It's my passion and a great way to distract me from anything going on that's not too much fun to think about.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (Thanks for the quote, Amanda!)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What do you do to keep your body and mind in shape?

Have a great week!