The Good Karma Network is an entertainment industry support group. We're here to help each other cast projects, get cast in projects, advertise the projects we get cast in, and share tips and tricks to succeeding in our field.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
GKN Weekly Update 10.25.10
Hello on this surprisingly warm morning! The whole week is supposed to be in the 60's and 70's. This is the last week of October, right?
So last week I had a retake session. It doesn't happen very often but it can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common ones are script changes due to content or length, technical problems with the sound file, or someone higher up the ladder just didn't like it. Sometimes it's more than one of those reasons. The client was listening in this time and gave me direction. It turned out very well! We banged out two 30-second spots in less than half an hour and everyone was happy. Whew!
TIP OF THE WEEK #1: Retake sessions are a pain in the, waitaminit, they're great! What a perfect opportunity to make a good impression with a client. You're happy to schedule a second recording session and it doesn't matter why. It's a pleasure to work with everybody again. You'll schedule it at your earliest convenience and you're looking forward to the exciting and interesting changes to the script. Get it?
TIP OF THE WEEK #2: This is the question that popped up in every VO talent's head when they read this: how much do I charge for a retake session, if anything? Great question. The answer is: it depends.
If it's a very minor adjustment that needs to be made, like one or two lines of a corporate gig, or if I need to change the stress of one word in a commercial and I can record it at my convenience, I don't charge anything. If the whole thing needs to be done again or a second recording session needs to be scheduled, then I bill them again. How much? Once again, it depends. I have charged anywhere between 25% and 100% of the original invoice. For example, if it's a 30-second spot I recorded on my own and they changed some lines but the whole thing needs to be done again and I can re-record it myself in a few minutes, I'll charge 25-50%. If it's the same spot and I was perfect and the sound file is perfect but they we-wrote the whole thing and want a new session scheduled. I'll charge upwards of 75-100%. Even then, there are exceptions.
Remember, the goal is to make EVERYONE happy, not just your bank account...
So last week I had a retake session. It doesn't happen very often but it can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common ones are script changes due to content or length, technical problems with the sound file, or someone higher up the ladder just didn't like it. Sometimes it's more than one of those reasons. The client was listening in this time and gave me direction. It turned out very well! We banged out two 30-second spots in less than half an hour and everyone was happy. Whew!
TIP OF THE WEEK #1: Retake sessions are a pain in the, waitaminit, they're great! What a perfect opportunity to make a good impression with a client. You're happy to schedule a second recording session and it doesn't matter why. It's a pleasure to work with everybody again. You'll schedule it at your earliest convenience and you're looking forward to the exciting and interesting changes to the script. Get it?
TIP OF THE WEEK #2: This is the question that popped up in every VO talent's head when they read this: how much do I charge for a retake session, if anything? Great question. The answer is: it depends.
If it's a very minor adjustment that needs to be made, like one or two lines of a corporate gig, or if I need to change the stress of one word in a commercial and I can record it at my convenience, I don't charge anything. If the whole thing needs to be done again or a second recording session needs to be scheduled, then I bill them again. How much? Once again, it depends. I have charged anywhere between 25% and 100% of the original invoice. For example, if it's a 30-second spot I recorded on my own and they changed some lines but the whole thing needs to be done again and I can re-record it myself in a few minutes, I'll charge 25-50%. If it's the same spot and I was perfect and the sound file is perfect but they we-wrote the whole thing and want a new session scheduled. I'll charge upwards of 75-100%. Even then, there are exceptions.
Remember, the goal is to make EVERYONE happy, not just your bank account...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: It’s just gonna make you stronger. Every good man I know has been through somethin’! Chris Carter
STUFF!: How have you handled retakes in the past?
From Tom Dheere's apartment, this is Tom Dheere, GKN News...
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
GKN Weekly Update 10.18.10
Good morning! My day started MUCH earlier than I would have preferred. I had to take the car to the mechanic and enjoyed struggling with a weak wi-fi signal while I waited. Good times, good times...
Strangely enough, every recording I had last week involved reading lists of glossary terms. The subjects covered everything from food to the economy to human rights violations. Sounds easy, right? Not so much. Even just narrating the alphabet can be tricky. Here are some things to remember when narrating lists:
TIP OF THE WEEK: When I started doing voiceovers I had no idea how involved this stuff can be! I also had no idea how many different types of voiceovers there are. Know your craft folks, know your craft.
Strangely enough, every recording I had last week involved reading lists of glossary terms. The subjects covered everything from food to the economy to human rights violations. Sounds easy, right? Not so much. Even just narrating the alphabet can be tricky. Here are some things to remember when narrating lists:
- Don't read it like it's a list! Each term has to be said out of context. In other words, don't say it like it's the ninth item on the list, say it like it's the only item on the list.
- Know your audience! The comprehension level and age of the listener is very important. Make sure you ask the producer before you start recording.
- Don't trail off at the end of the term.
- Explore the choices. "Interesting", for example, can be spoken as "in-tres-ting" or "in-ter-es-ting". Say it both ways or ask first.
TIP OF THE WEEK: When I started doing voiceovers I had no idea how involved this stuff can be! I also had no idea how many different types of voiceovers there are. Know your craft folks, know your craft.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Listening builds trust, wisdom, and experience. Rick Pitino
STUFF!: Let's make our own list! Let's see how many types of voiceovers we can come up with. I'll go first: Commercials.
From Tom Dheere's apartment, this is Tom Dheere, GKN News...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
GKN Weekly Update 10/11/10
Good morning on this wonderfully mild October morning! Can you believe October is only two weeks away? I am seriously struggling with ideas for a Halloween costume this year. My "My Name is Earl" getup last year was such a big hit I have no idea how to top it. Remember...?
BTW I sent out my quarterly newsletter last week. If you didn't get it, you can check it out here.
So I landed a new client last week: DUX Crackers (thanks, Craig's List!). Ever heard of them? It's popular in the Latino community. I recorded it from home with the director on the phone. The session was quick and easy!
I had a bit of a breakthrough with this recording session. I've always shied away from the high-energy commercial spots because I never thought I sounded good doing them. To be honest, I always thought I sounded like a dork. Well, I discovered you kind of need to sound like a bit of a dork doing these spots, but not exactly. Not dorky, not goofy, just excited, but not out of control. Just really, really happy to be sharing this wonderful news about this amazing product. And I did it without feeling self-conscious. The client was really happy with my work so I guess I did it right.
TIP OF THE WEEK: Branching out and taking risks is critical to your development both professionally and personally. You need to put yourself out there, out of your comfort zone. That's when great things start to happen!
BTW I sent out my quarterly newsletter last week. If you didn't get it, you can check it out here.
So I landed a new client last week: DUX Crackers (thanks, Craig's List!). Ever heard of them? It's popular in the Latino community. I recorded it from home with the director on the phone. The session was quick and easy!
I had a bit of a breakthrough with this recording session. I've always shied away from the high-energy commercial spots because I never thought I sounded good doing them. To be honest, I always thought I sounded like a dork. Well, I discovered you kind of need to sound like a bit of a dork doing these spots, but not exactly. Not dorky, not goofy, just excited, but not out of control. Just really, really happy to be sharing this wonderful news about this amazing product. And I did it without feeling self-conscious. The client was really happy with my work so I guess I did it right.
TIP OF THE WEEK: Branching out and taking risks is critical to your development both professionally and personally. You need to put yourself out there, out of your comfort zone. That's when great things start to happen!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: If all babies are pretty, then why are there so many ugly people in the world? Charles Barkley
STUFF!: Good news, everyone! I don't have to think of a Halloween costume this year! Instead, I'm going to a toga party. A couple of bedsheets and I'm golden!
From Tom Dheere's apartment this is Tom Dheere, GKN News.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
GKN Weekly Update 10/4/10
Happy October! I hope you're enjoying this somewhat icky, rainy, chilly day. Not the best way to start the month, but I'll take this over the endless onslaught of 90+ degree weather we had this summer any day!
So, a lot of interesting stuff happened last week, but there is only one thing I want to talk about. Last night I and some of my fellow VO talents got together for dinner in New York City! It was me, Melissa Exelberth, Kara Edwards, Patrick O'Connor, Rachel Rauch, and a special guest appearance by Patrick's dog Bailey! All of us met via the Voiceover Bulletin Board and we had dinner at City Crab on Park Avenue. The food was fantastic! Even though we all knew each other, some of us had never met in person so it was fascinating to watch everyone interact. After dinner we went to Times Square to take some pictures:
A great time was had by all!
TIP OF THE WEEK: Man, I had a wonderful time last night. It was so great to see everybody and just have fun. Being the marketing/networking fanatic I am, you'd think that was on my mind. It never occurred to me the entire night! There was almost no shop talk, no complaining about the state of the industry or smack-talking, etc. Last night was about friends getting together to have a good time. Here's my challenge to all of you: the next time you're socializing with professional colleagues; try not to talk about your industry and instead take the time to get to know them as a person.You'd be amazed!
So, a lot of interesting stuff happened last week, but there is only one thing I want to talk about. Last night I and some of my fellow VO talents got together for dinner in New York City! It was me, Melissa Exelberth, Kara Edwards, Patrick O'Connor, Rachel Rauch, and a special guest appearance by Patrick's dog Bailey! All of us met via the Voiceover Bulletin Board and we had dinner at City Crab on Park Avenue. The food was fantastic! Even though we all knew each other, some of us had never met in person so it was fascinating to watch everyone interact. After dinner we went to Times Square to take some pictures:
A great time was had by all!
TIP OF THE WEEK: Man, I had a wonderful time last night. It was so great to see everybody and just have fun. Being the marketing/networking fanatic I am, you'd think that was on my mind. It never occurred to me the entire night! There was almost no shop talk, no complaining about the state of the industry or smack-talking, etc. Last night was about friends getting together to have a good time. Here's my challenge to all of you: the next time you're socializing with professional colleagues; try not to talk about your industry and instead take the time to get to know them as a person.You'd be amazed!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Don’t worry. It’s a killer. The damage is done. Have a giggle. Live for the now. David Helfgott from the movie “Shine”
STUFF!: Patrick tried to give me about five different Quotes of the Week but I forgot them all! Thanks for for the effort, Paddyo.
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