Voicing Political or Other VOs that conflict with your values

[connieterwilliger]

Jeez JS - I'm dyin' here! Seriously addicted to your posts...

I did a spot for a Judge years ago - the first political spot I ever did I think. I bought myself a nice pair of Frye boots with the money I earned.

He was elected and then a while later was arrested for - uh - well, let's just say he used his credit card to pay for the services of a "lady of the night." (perhaps multiple - can't remember now.) I named my boots - the Judge Wen*** boots.

[Jodi Krangle]

:) Interesting story, Connie (and I'll bet they're nice boots! ). Out of curiosity, did anyone associate you with that Judge because you'd done a voice-over for his campaign? Does that sort of thing happen? (I'm suspecting not ... but I guess it would depend on how many projects a voice artist did for the same individual and/or political party, etc...)

I mean, it does come down to what each individual is comfortable doing, certainly ... but in the end, we're all really just "hired guns", aren't we?

Hearing people's opinions on this is really fascinating.

[Julie Williams]

I have to stand up for Bob and his integrity. I respect that he would not voice what goes against his values. It's not a slam against others who will voice stuff he won't. I'm sure each of us who said we would not compromise our values in a VO have different sets of standards.

When I was 20, I used to voice adult content stuff. I'm a different person now, with different values, and would rather get out of VO altogether than voice adult content. But that's not to say I am on a "high horse" looking down on those who have no problem with that.

Connie won't voice mud slinging, Diane won't do what makes her throw up! :)
Bob won't voice political or Drug companies, others won't voice telemarketing or get rich scheme stuff.

This is just their personal values and no one should attack a person for their values. You may not agree with their values, everyone's values are different.

Given that, the question was about if you would voice what conflicts with YOUR values. I appreciate everyone's candor! I'm looking fwd to putting this ino in the VoiceOver Insider this month!

[bobbin beam]

I am non-partisan and I do voice-overs for a living, so sure, I'll do politicals. Many I voice are out of area and have to do with local or area "propositions", ballot measures, etc. I've never received any political script I have found to be morally offensive. If I did, I'd reject it.

What I DO refuse is anything bordering or flat-out "adult" content in nature. It's everywhere and I am completely offended by that!

[vanessa551]

No fur, no Republicans, nothing that degrades women, no pay check advance, no get rich from your couch, etc, etc, - so . . . while money is nice, sleeping well at night is better. If I do my job well people will be influenced - I believe that is my responsibility. Just my choices -

[jsgilbert]

I am so bored with this topic.

[SilverSurfer3001]

I know the poll is closed and the topic is prolly done with, but I gotta say that I would most likely voice politicads with very little reservation.

I would simply look at it as just another gunforhire vo opp that is not any different from my voicing of an ad for a beer or wine company (I can't stand the taste of either - just one of my many oddities).

That being said: knowing that the candidate (regardless of political stripe) is by nature basically a smooth-talking-not-so-bright-bulb who is for the most part lead around by an invisible string by his/her handlers and trained to say the thing that makes people all warm and mushy inside, and knowing that they are taking advantage of as many people as they can to seek their goals, and knowing that by virtue of the type of ad that they are producing, they are guaranteed the cheapest rate on the ad rate cards, I would certainly make them pay.

I would charge 175% of the highest rate on my rate card and residuals at a 45% markup from my rate card.

If the candidate still wanted to play ball, then I would warm up the pipes and give them a read that they would never forget...

Does that make me slimy?