Auditions - Winter 2010

Written by Johnny George Friday, 16 April 2010 17:40

We last checked in on our latest auditions in January.  Here are several of what we have had the opportunity to audition through February so far:

• Cabrini College
• Atlas
• Mediacom
• Bank of Ann Arbor
• Disney Alliance
• Sears Service
• Bright House Networks
• Hungry Howies
• Captain D's
• Centerpoint Energy
• Rhode Island Lottery
• Sage Technologies
• Exxon
• Shoney's
• Carmax
• Huntington Bank
• Elanco
• Tom Adam's
• Milwaukee Journal
• YMCA, NYC
• GW Hospital
• Billy Graham Evangelical Assn.
• Coton
• Scoop Away
• Bailey's Irish Coffee
• Value City
• NASA
• Cardinal Health
• AAA
• Budweiser
• OK Tourism
• White Castle
• Lee County Tourism
•  

Auditions listed are from current agencies, my talent agents and online membership-based online sites.

Social Links now available

Written by Johnny George Thursday, 15 April 2010 17:31

     If you haven't been by our website recently, we just launched our new Social Links to Facebook, Linked in and YouTube.  You can follow our dribble and nonsenceical rants and raves on Facebook and Linked in.  You'll noitice that the forums on Linked in for the voice talent community has become quite, uh, vocal.

     Additionally, we have uploaded a variety of TV spots to YouTube we voiced for clients over the past few years. Car spots, colleges, doctors, amusements and more.

     We welcome your comments and opinions, as always, and hope to see some participation in the forums and our daily observations.  Jump in - the water's fine.

SaVoa Accreditation

Written by Johnny George Tuesday, 13 April 2010 09:46

      I am proud to announce that I have received the Certificate of Accreditation from SaVoa, the Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists.  SaVoa affirms that Johnny George has been assessed by a qualified peer review panel and found to meet or exceed established standards for vocal and technical delivery for the provision of voice over services. 

      SaVoa Incorporated is a not-for-profit corporation based in North Carolina.  Membership in SaVoa depends on successful completion of the peer review process. It tells clients that you meet or exceed established standards for vocal delivery (performance and technique) and technical delivery (audio quality and technique), and that you conduct business in a manner that enhances the voice over community as a whole.

      For more information, please go to:  http://savoa.org/about/

Winners

Written by Johnny George Tuesday, 06 April 2010 16:05

Are YOU carrying the ball?

     Being a small part of the Butler University alumni and a resident of Central Indiana, I watched with countless other basketball fans as the Butler Bulldogs brought their 25 straight game winning streak to the stadium floor of the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis this weekend.  Saturday night they stayed basket-to-basket with Michigan State... and Monday night, they joined the talented Duke Blue Devils in the final match of a tremendous year.

     What a fabulous, edge of your seat game.  The final buzzer left Butler's ball in mid-air as it sailed to the final basket attempt that was just a  bit too hard and rolled off the rim to put Duke back in the Winning seat as the NCAA National Final Four winners over Butler 61 - 59.  But that's not to say Butler wasn't a winner too.  This incredible group of young men had bound themselves together as a close-knit band of focused ball players that made us all proud.

     My point, in relationship to my voice acting career can be summed up by stating - Just because you don't win the BIG game, doesn't make you any less of a winner if you play hard, work hard and aim for that winning game. I may not be announcing each night for FOX or CBS, but my work stands as winning work for me and makes me strive for the next big game.  You're a winner too if you are doing all you can to achieve that next big voiceover job and continue to climb and learn and practice and keep it in your sights.  You don't have to have taken over for the late, great Don Lafontaine as the trailer voice for every new movie coming out of the left coast, but you do need to apply the same work ethic to continue to grow personally and maintain that winning attitude and heart it takes to continue to climb.

     Butler can hold it's head high and proud.  They may not be the #1 NCAA team in the country, but coming from obsurity to the #2 college basketball team in the country is no small feat.

     In the words from the movie, Hoosiers, "Be the best that you can be...."Go Voice Actors!

PROnunciations

Written by Johnny George Monday, 22 March 2010 10:51

     Over my voiceover career I've run across variations of pronunciations that are sometimes unique to areas of the country.  As an example, I have pronounced the word, "ROOFING" as "Ruffing".  I'm sure you'd say, "No, no, no...it's "ROO (long O) FING".  A word like that, I get.  Or "ROUTE 66" is said two ways, "ROOT 66" or "ROUT 66" (Like "about").  Or "DATA" as DAY-TA or DAD-DUH.

     However, there are several words I hear over and over again that I feel are just voiced improperly.  Like OFTEN.  The "T" is silent.  You wouldn't say SOFTEN. (pronounce the "T") It's properly spoken, "OFF-EN"  Or how about, INTERESTED.  It should be spoken as a 3-syllable word.  IN-TRESS-TED.  Not, IN-TER-EST-ED.  Granted it may be subjective to you, but how many times have you heard the state Illinois voiced as, ILL-IN-OYE's, instead of ILL-IN-OYE?  There are so many of these words that I, as a voice actor, must say properly for not only the area, but the industry.

     What words have you run into like these?

March Madness

Written by Johnny George Wednesday, 10 March 2010 16:40

     Actually, I'm not mad.  Maybe a little sore about the lingering winter weather.  But today, Mother Nature has redeemed herself with blue skies and 71 degrees. (OPEN THE FRIGGIN' WINDOWS!)  There, that's nice, but I may have to record soon, so don't get too comfortable yet.

     Since I last wrote at the end of February, I've picked up six new clients.  So someone is shinning down on me.  Thank you!  So is March going to be a great month as we move into Spring?  Or are you panicking and getting ready to discount everything to stimulate your biz? 

     Sure, the economy is still a bit fragile, but you can still be strategic.  Here are a few insights I've learned over the years when lean months seemed to dominate my worries...

• >>  Heavy discounting can be the classic mistake.  If you lower your rates, in order to attract business, be aware you are going to have a harder time raising them when we come out of this mess.  Today's frugality is NOT a passing fad.  People are getting used to it.  You're not considered to be a cheapskate if you go shopping at Walmart any more, are you?  Your loyal clients will not forget and will challenge your crediblity when you feel it's time to raise your voiceover rates back up in the future.

• >>  Instead of lowering your rates, which also affects your competitors, offer extra value.  Add something to your deal that will make them feel they are getting a better deal with you than someone else.  Perhaps, a limited 2 for 1 sale.  Offer a simple premium with their next order.  Offer free updates for timely commercials that need this month /next week / this week / tomorrow / tonight versions.

• >>  You can also offer a MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE.  Just be sure to be able to back it up if you do offer this service.

• >>  If you do cut your rates on your voice jobs, do it only on low-margin items so you can retain rates & integrity on high-value voiceover items.

     Of course, you should promote your length of service to the media at large, list some of your high-profile clients and show the value in your work.  One way has always been to find a nitch in the market you can own.  Find it, market it and specialize in it.  Examples such as, Podcasts, Messages On-Hold, PA Announcements for chains, etc..  You get the idea.  Now...get started!

You Never Write anymore...

Written by Johnny George Tuesday, 23 February 2010 16:41

...and I feel bad about that.  Really.

     I really meant to disapline myself and write at least one entry into my blog each week.  Haven't been such a good soldier, huh?

     Since I last wrote, I've been pretty busy.  Another 80+ more spots for Sylvan Learning... JD Byrider spots and another fun spot for my clients in Trinidad/Tobago.  Add in voicing a half dozen cars commercials in Philly, Chicago and Little Rock, plus several hospitals that I voice semi-regularly. It's been a good couple of months and I'm not complaining.  Not to forget, Intel, John Deere, CloudSwitch & Samsung 3D.  The narratives continue to keep me busy too.  Not so much Marketing On-Hold this quarter.

     Auditioned for quite a few of my agencies with the likes of: Sparq, Sam Ford, Easy St. Toyota, Unity Hospital, Direct Buy, Bismark, Shoney's, Huntington Bank, Senaca Casino, Elanco, Milwaukee Journal, Bright House, Naturemade, Albert Sales & Liquidators, WEG, GW Hospital, Billy Graham Foundation, ScoopAway, Congressman Smith, Bailey's Irish Coffee, Value City, Sears, NASA, AAA Motor Club and Canadian Natural Gas.  Many thanks to these folks who keep my studio humming and trying alot.

     You must always remember that these auditions are the keys to building and practicing our voicing trade.  I may not get a huge amount of them, but I do OK and truth be told, my ROI is well worth it regarding my paid online investment with Voices.com, which is the only one I am paying for presently and my other agents who regularly send me auditions.  Hey they need their 10% ya know.

     I'd love to hear what you do with your day.  Feel free to add your comments below so we can all learn from each other.  And I promise to blog more often so I don't have to ramble on & on and sound like I'm tooting my horn.  Only letting you peek behind the curtain of my DigiStudio.

     Blog ya later...

Latest Auditions

Written by Johnny George Wednesday, 20 January 2010 17:57

     It's always interesting to see what auditions are coming through during this economy and this season.  Here are just some of the latest over the past several weeks:

• A & W
• Comcast On-Demand
• Monsanto
• Zedia
• Transition Lens
• Dog Product video
• Divorce DVD
• Star Wars Giveaway TV spot
• Midstate Medical
• Oklahoma Tourism
• Forex Tool Shop
• Video Game
• Viridian Systems
• Kraft Foods
• NASCAR World Truck Series
• iRacing.com
• YouTube Rentals
• Green Products
• Oklahoma Commerce
• Falcone Automotive
• CIGNA
• NCH
• IndyCar
• IT Security
• Direct TV
• Gibson Law Firm
• Star Trek Online
• Alcon

     Auditions listed are from current agencies, my talent agents and online membership-based online sites.

Respect

Written by Johnny George Wednesday, 20 January 2010 17:04

     I just finished another ISDN session recently and thought about how great it is to do what we do and how we interact with others that represent us and those that hire us.

     I was scheduled to voice a session with Studio Center for a client yesterday about noon.  As usual, their engineer/producer in Virginia Beach dailed me up on their Zephyr in a timely manner and we connected.  This time, it was Trent, who was to call the client in NYC, so they could listen in and direct the session.  Trent greeted me with the usual enthusiasm I always get from their staff and he then called the client.  We connected, exchanged plesantries and we proceeded to lay down Take #1.

     Long story-short and the point I wanted to make is that Trent ALWAYS goes out of his way to be respectful, pleasant, eager to please both the client and me as a Voice Actor and offer every possible service available to him as a producer to make the session efficient, creative and complete.

     When we concluded the voice session, Trent thanked them and arranged to send them the audio files and then thanked me for my time and completed the session.

     I know that this all sounds quite normal.  Yes, every time I connect up with my folks at Studio Center, I always leave the session happy, thankful and impressed with the quality of people that they employ and the stature of the work they perform each and every time. Their standards are Top Drawer and as a Voice talent, I appreciate it very much.  Over my career, I have worked with so many people that made me feel like they were doing me a favor to work with me.  So many of those people are no longer employed or in this business.  I've worked with some steller pro's too.  But I never assume how I will be treated from one to another.  I make sure I am on-time and prepared and I expect them to do the same.  Their attitude sets the mood for the whole voice session.  This includes phone-patches and any one-on-one with clients, agencies and the like.

     We as voice talents must set our standards and stick to them.  I super-serve my clients and always under-promise, but over-deliver on my work.  We expect to be treated properly by the people on the other side of the glass.  Just remember, each job starts with YOU.

Welcome to 2010

Written by Johnny George Tuesday, 05 January 2010 12:19

     Another year, more resolutions, better plans and best intentions are running out of the gate.

     First of all, what do we call it?  We've never been in this situation before.  "2010"...is it Twenty-Ten or Two Thousand Ten?  My vote is for "Twenty-Ten".  Shorter, more direct and sexier, huh?  Now after we decide that, we can move on to how many pounds are we going to lose and all the other promised "quits".  I quite cigarettes over 20 years ago, so I'm ahead of some.  Quit caffine - by doctors request over 10 years ago and still need to lose about 20 lbs.

     Strengthen my client base?  You betcha.  Work smarter, not harder - yes indeed.  Clean up my desk?  Well, it's on my list of To-Do's.  Why do we always use the start of a new year to re-examine our faults?  I guess it's just a media thing that was started many moons ago or some Mother used it to reaffirm her commands to her husband or kids.  Whatever the origin, it's not a bad thing if you follow-thru.

     What are you going to do better?  Comments please....