Wow, Alex just put Talkback in LOCKDOWN at V123

[Colin Campbell]

"Ah yes, the Norwegian Blue... Beautiful plumage don't you think?"

"The Plumage don't enter into it, he's dead."

"He's restin'"

I'm sure I have the quote wrong so here's what Google turned up. HAD ME IN TEARS...

http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/m...on-parrot.html

[mirrenlee]

Oh, Colin, thanks for that!

Unfortunately, I had this uncanny flashback to customer service at you know where. :shock:

"This system is dead."

"No, it isn't, it's just resting. You put too many Keywords in."

"How many is too many?"

"AND you answered too many auditions."

"I never ... how many is too many?"

"We're closin' for lunch."

At least they're giving us hours of amusement!

Mirren

[Colin Campbell]

Reminds me of the "Argument" skit. Wish I had the audio.

[mirrenlee]

My son is the Internet King for finding things. I'll put him onto it!

[Colin Campbell]

Please do... "Dead Parrot" and the "Argument" thing are such therapy in a world gone mad!

It's such a microcosm of what is going on at 123.

Boy do I sound like an old man... maybe because I am?

[mirrenlee]

I've just checked Google and The Argument is everywhere, from the script to the video, in many different lengths! It's PERFECT for what's going on "over there". I see you've posted a link there already for The Dead Parrot. Will you do the same for The Argument? They've even got it on youtube! It's wonderful that a whole new generation can share this genius.

Makes me feel there IS sanity somewhere, sometimes.

I think we Baby Boomers just feel old a lot of the time because we've seen so many of these situations before. Life becomes like a tiring summer rerun. :roll:

[Colin Campbell]

Originally Posted by mirrenlee

Life becomes like a tiring summer rerun.

There is so much wisdom in that statement!

Here ya go...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y05EmK66Gsk

...and the "Dead Parrott..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GipFyAsYK1M

Tales of 123 customer support.

[JoeActor]

Originally Posted by mirrenlee

I missed his behavior that you're describing, and I don't see it now on the site. Is it somewhere I'm missing, or has he taken it back into Internet heaven and it's gone?
All I can say is thank the universe for TOS and Julie's forum.
Mirren

Yeah, Alex deleted some posts and threads when he stormed off with his ball.

You may still be able to see a screenshot of my Keywords (no offense) here: http://voiceoversavvy.com/sutra39564...porarily#39564

And just for reference, here's my "fresh after the fact" post:

Standard Operating Procedure.

When a government (or organization) is having problems with the "freedom" they've bestowed on their populace, they resort to several common tactics to regain control:

Censorship: Several threads and posts have been removed rather than address the issues raised.

Propaganda: SmartCast is popular, and what the people want. Don't believe it? Just read what the company tells you to read.

Ostrisizing: Implications are made that the users who complain are really the problem, and are ruining it for the rest.

Coercion: (but it's "nothing personal")

Shut down the presses: Talkback forum locked.

Banning "troublemakers": This hasn't happened here yet, but would not be surprising given the response thus far.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

But I'm probably wrong - that's what they tell me anyway,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[mirrenlee]

Oh, yeah, I saw all that. I guess I had a "senior moment" when I saw that he had posted your example because I thought at the time, "And the problem would be? Joe's right: he's just adapting to what's needed." Duh me. The whole problem, to me, is that any form whatsoever of LOGIC is like a red flag to the proverbial.

What I STILL don't get is why the "I'm for it (even though I'm having all the problems you guys are and haven't made any money since it was implemented)" camp refuse to articulate what it is EXACTLY they don't agree with in the "Get rid of it" camp.

One person in particular seems to flame everyone all the time - she's been rightfully accused of being humorless - and then admits she hasn't made any money with the new system, but she did before. WTF?

The whole thing really is like fighting a battle of wits with unarmed people, isn't it?

But please keep up your logical posts because I love reading them!

Mirren

[Julie Williams]

HI Guys,
I just saw these posts, and I have to say that I don't see Juan as a bad person. I think he is a person who works for voice123 and is doing his best. As the marketing person, I assume he's greatly responsible for all of the clients who come to voice123.

I think that Voice123 spent a fortune on what they hoped to be a great product improvement... which is bombing. I disagree with the premise behind their SmartCast (not all their changes, just Smartcast and the ratings) and how it rewards the fastest--rather than the best. And I feel it "controls" the marketplace. And the price increase accompanying such a drop in service is shocking.

But I don't think Juan deserves to be personally held responsible for those changes, or have his character attacked. Now, I don't know if he said something that made you feel that way about him... I didn't spend a lot of time on that forum, so I really didn't see interactions between him and others. But imagine the frustration he --and all of them--must feel at this point... unveiling their baby...and it's a flop... and everyone hates it... and people are talking on their forum about it. And they just don't want to let it go.

I know of at least a dozen people who did NOT sign up because of their changes. (I know because they emailed me about it when they saw all the badmouthing of it... and some of them were my students who I had told to sign up...and then had to contact and retract my recommendation because I no longer feel that it's in their best interest to sign up there.)

I feel sorry for Alex and Juan, and all of the people over there. I believe they did what they thought would be best for clients, and ultimately, talent. And they invested a lot into doing it. I believe they did the wrong thing...and their response to complaints has been poor customer service, but I don't think it's a reflection of their personal characters.

And even if they said some unkind things... I would hope that I'm not held accountable for everything I've said when I've felt like I was under attack!

One of my favorite bible verses is "Even a fool is thought wise if he is silent." I like it cos it speaks to me. Lord knows, I've done MY share of shooting off at the mouth, reacting out of emotion!