Saturday, February 25, 2006

What I Do

"The voice over business is a dark, obsequious world of drunken egos.
Cutthroat, ostentatious and aquamarine."
Dave Morris

Asked if I could describe my business, that silly fluff is the best I could come up with. Shoot, we read scripts. Nothing too mysterious, not much really learned about it... you use what nature gave you - a voice. The only thing you must acquire beyond that is interpretive skills. That's... pretty much it. There is a small measure of "magic" that enters the equation, but that part is intangible.

I hesitate to "pull back the curtain" by putting any of this in writing, (like I care?) but as this video illustrates, some of the most respected voice over artists in the world are just... regular dudes.


When I read script in the studio, I get a little animated. Arm gestures, facial expressions... it would be pretty embarrassing for you to see it. You will never, ever find a video of that anywhere.

I promise.

13 comments:

Spinning Girl said...

How disapopinting that we can't see you in action.

Spinning Girl said...

p.s. that video was quite entertaining. I had to close my eyes a few times to get the full effect of the voices without the distraction of vision.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

They could at least have let you drive, and do a cameo.

StringMan said...

That was a fun video! When is your next "on air" adventure? Any coming up?

Paula said...

I haven't seen you in action but I've heard you record in your closet, it was pretty entertaining!!

Dave Morris said...

By "closet," of course Paula means the high-tech 4x8, bell/whistle-laden, sound-proof booth in which I lay down my voice tracks.

Unless, of course, she's referring to the closet I used to work in when I started doing voice overs.

(actually, it was a stair-well with blankets and 3-piece business suits hanging on the walls for sound proofing)

Weary Hag said...

Darn it. I thought perhaps you might make an appearance in that clip, but nooooo. I remember doing a few character voices back in the day when I would don costumes to make a buck. I don't think I could have mastered those voices without the accompaniment of gesticulation. No way.

Of course, even as I type, my arms flail wildly. Okay, maybe not, but if someone tied up my hands, I wouldn't be able to speak at all! Shhhh... don't tell Ed about this little secret.

Anonymous said...

Great clip.

I've downloaded some famous/infamous voice-over outtakes from Casey Kasem, Orson Wells and a few others. Always funny to hear them at their strangest.

What's the worst assignment you've ever had?

Jess Riley said...

That video tickled my funny bone.

And yes, have you done anything we'd recognize?

Anonymous said...

What you do always amazed me. I loved listening to you work and watching you work... (yes, I've seen the man in animation)... it leaves me in awe. You're talent is unmatchable.

Baby, I'm amazed by you...

Lee Ann said...

I would love to see a video of you reading.
I think that is awesome that you get animated, I think that could only help in the believability factor. Part of what makes you awesome in what you do!
Oh....and you can drunk dial me anytime, I would love to hear your voice (even drunk) haha

Chris Cope said...

I'm assuming they still got paid for that, which would make it the most expensive inside joke ever.

CP said...

Oh don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain. That's just the wonderful wizard of ODD...


*heh*

I laughed like nobodies business at that video. Mayyyyuuuun...that Disney guy slays me.

CP.