Well, I tried to make this shorter, but I just could not seem to hit the delete button. So, I guess you have to endure this lengthy babble of my review of the Voice2007 DVD.
The Voice2007 DVD is a power pack of some of the most incredibly talented
VO artists in the business. The DVD includes the audio from 16 (over 18 hours) of the most useful
VO panels I have ever heard. Being at Voice2007 would have been one of the greatest experiences a
VO person could possibly have. But, if you missed it, like I did, the Voice2007 DVD is the next best thing. In some cases, it has an advantage in that you can listen to the speakers over and over rather than just sitting on the panel for the 1 to 2 hours and try to soak in what was presented. So, who can you hear on Voice2007 DVD? Here is a short list:
Rodney Saulsberry, Connie Terwilliger, Frank Frederick ,
Mathais Dunn - AFTRA, Alex Torrenegra Voice123, Linda Weinrib (Tribute to Lenny Weintrib), Chris Wagner, James Alburger, Penny Abshire, Don LaFontaine, Gregory Best, Bettye Zoller, MJ Lallo, DB Cooper, Bob Bergen and many more along with 200
VO artist ranging from Wanna Bees to Seasoned Pros.
Here is a break down of some my favorite highlights from the DVD:
Rodney Saulsberry Panel:
Rodney is not just a powerful voice in the
VO business, he a powerful person with such an incredibly positive view of, not only the
VO business , but on life in general. If anyone has read Rodney's book Step Up to the Mic then you know what kind of impact a positive approach to the
VO business can have. One of my favorite parts of Rodney's panel was his story of landing the part of Carl the Boxer on Taxi. Rodney's techniques and positive words have inspired me to pursue my own
VO career with a more positive approach as well as sign up for his Commercial Intensive Tele-class. Great stuff.
Connie Terwilliger Panel:
This was a great eye opening session. Connie emphasizes, especially for those just thinking to get in the
VO business (Wanna Bees), to perform a Self Evaluation to ensure you are both headed in the right direction as well as if you are right for the business of
VO. Connie covered everything from a basic understanding of the business, Marketing, business sense, demos, technology to the costs involved in taking part in the
VO business. One thing that she really focuses on is for a
VO person to "Find the people who what to buy what you have to sell". Connie suggests listening to everything you hear from TV spots, radio, cartoons, and anything where someone is being paid to speak and analyze if you have a voice that will fit in. This was another great example of the great knowledge that was shared at Voice2007.
Frank Frederick -- Love Notes
This was a session where I wished I had attended Voice2007. Frank has a great approach to banding yourself in this day of the Internet Voice. His "Love Notes" technique is just terrific. It really gets you to think about how to market and brand yourself to attract the most clients. "Love Notes thrive on the intensity and spark of passion" is something that Frank drives home. If clients are not attracted to what you have to sell, then you cannot expect them to be knocking on your door to offer you work. After listening to this session, I have discovered I have plenty of homework ahead of me in developing on my own personal "Love Notes."
Linda Weinrib - A Discussion of VO and Tribute to Lenny Weinrib:
Now this was an extra special treat for me. I grew up watching the Dick Van Dyke show, H.R. PufnStuff, The Munster's and may of the other incredible shows that Lennie had a hand, or rather, a voice in. These shows and the tremendously talented actors that played in them inspired me to pursue my own
VO career. And to hear his daughter Linda discuss his career and how Lennie was as a father was extra special. The tribute to Lennie was well put together and in great taste. At Voice2007 there were reels shown of Lenny's work, which would have been great to see. The scene from the Dick Van Dyke show where Lennie played the part of Jackie Brew-Brew and to hear Linda describe how Lennie got the part and had only 4 hours to read, rehearse and record the scene was priceless. It just shows what a true genius that Lennie was.
Linda in her own right is a very talented actor and surly has inherited the skills from her father as well as developed her own. Also, her son and daughter (not on the DVD) are in the
VO business voicing various Anime characters, which my own daughter and I have watched. That makes 3 generations of some of the most talented
VO people in the business. And to hear how they are known as the "One Take Weinrib's" based on their ability to voice a spot perfectly in one take is just pain amazing. I wish could tap into that gene pool. After listening to this session, I have placed a number of Lennie products on my holiday wish list including the Dick Van Dyke Show episodes with Lennie in them. Truly awe inspiring.
DB Cooper -- Infinite Ammo:
Wow!!! This was a real treat. DB is just incredibly active in the
VO business. And, considering her experience in the Video Game Business, this was very interesting to me. To hear her play bits from various Games and then analyze the voices gave me some insight into what the Game companies are really looking for. If you are thinking of getting into this part of the business, DB highly suggests playing, listening and analyzing a number of video games so you can hear how things are done. This is certainly an area I would like to tap into and after listing to this panel I still have plenty of things to work on.
Hot Seat Demos:
This was a really great session for those of us trying to figure out how to make our demos the best they can be. And, my hat is certainly off for those brave souls that offered their own demos to be torn apart be some of the best
VO talent in the business. After listening to this, I am really rethinking how my own demo is put together. And one thing that I found very cool about this session was what Jackie stated "we are here to take your demo from ordinary to extraordinary." This was a very informative session and another one that I wish I were there to attend.
Professional Panel:
This would have been best described as the 'Incredible Professional Panel'. The panel included Jackie Baskow, Greg Allen, Frank Frederick, Connie Terwilliger, Bob Bergen, Jenny Abshire, James Alburger, Michael Rhys and many others. The great
VO masters offered answers to what is happening in the
VO business and describe their own
VO stories. One of my favorite pieces from this was the story Bob Bergen told about his first experience with the "Magic Fourth Beep" during a voice replacement session for the movie "American Ninja 3 (not 1, not 2, but 3)". Bob is a great storyteller. Another great part of this panel was when Michael Rhys explained how he ended up being an Englishman voicing in Japan. This was very interesting indeed. And, the best part was listening to James Alburger and Penny Abshire introduce each other. They certain have a special relationship and deep admiration for each other. They are truly one of a kind.
A couple of things there were not on the DVD that I wish had been were Pat Fraley's session and Bob Bergen's One Man Show. Bob's show would have been great to hear despite his suffering from a cold. Maybe they could offer these on a special extended DVD.
Well, I could go on for a very long about all of the incredibly fascinating information that is to be heard on the Voice2007 DVD, but being this is just a review I must keep it short. This DVD is just packed with some of the best that the
VO business has to offer. It's like getting 16 individual classes from some of the greats in the business. If you missed Voice2007 or you are looking for a refresher from the convention, then the Voice2007 DVD is the perfect thing for you. Also, if you are looking for some real insight into the
VO business then this DVD is just for you. Wanna Bees and Seasoned pros will all get something from listening to this DVD. I highly recommend it.
Go get it!!!
Thanks for reading,
Jon Morss