Voicing Political or Other VOs that conflict with your values

[Julie Williams]

Poll is for upcoming issue of VoiceOver Insider.

Thanks! Please vote only once. You may reply with a comment that may be used in the magazine as well.

[Bob Bergen]

GREAT question, Julie!

I voted, but I'm also adding my 2 cents here. Though, I have no desire to sway anyone. Vote honestly and vote your conscience.

There will always be another job. No amount of money is enough for me to sacrifice my values. The only thing we own is our integrity. Give that up for a price and what's the point??

I myself, even if I believe in the person or cause, won't do any political ads. I have no desire to air my views to the world. I've turned down TONS of gigs over the past months with the current onslaught of political ads. Just not my thing. And this has nothing to do with the state of my career. Years ago when I was doing the day job just trying to make enough to qualify for health benefits, I still wouldn't lend my talents to anything I felt went against my grain.

But again, folks need to do what feels right for them.

[chucktaylor]

My parents divorced when I was 3 so my Grandfather was the father figure in my life and he told me that there were 2 important principles to live your life by "Stand up for what you believe in" and "Your word is your Bond" to this day I've always followed those two rules...My integrity means more to me than money.

ct

[connieterwilliger]

If a script makes me uncomfortable, I will refuse to do it. Now, if it was in a market outside my market and I was able to use a different "voice," I think I'd have a hard time turning down big money...it would depend on the script.

With the political stuff, I usually let the client know that if the campaign starts heading into total mud slinging, I will probably reach a point where I'll have to say no.

I got blindsided once many years ago - had just been to a studio the day before to do an auto spot and got a call from my agent asking if I could quickly get over to that studio to record - quickly in like a half an hour. I was able to - didn't even ask her what the job was - just jumped in the car and headed over. I was met in the parking lot by the producer who actually thrust the script at me through the car window. I scanned it and froze - it was a vitriolic as for the mayoral campaign - I hadn't made up my mind - but it was simply a horrible spot. So I told him no and then raced up the steps to call my agent (pre cell phones). I got the usual "you'll never work in this town again" speach.

As I was leaving the parking lot, the engineer was just pulling in (it was lunch time) and asked me where I was going. I told him that I just couldn't do the spot and he said, "You're the second one." THAT was the reason for the last minute call. I heard the spot the next day done by what sounded like the receptionist at the station.

Then more recently, I started doing some spots for a campaign in a small county in the south somewhere - they loved the reads and came back with another spot and then another. We discussed the issue of going "too far" in the scripts and he asked me where that line might be. I told him that it was hard to tell, but that if it was a "liar, liar, pants on fire" kind of thing that might be the line. A day later he sent me a note telling me that the next spot had THOSE EXACT WORDS in it! Well, in the context that they were used, it was actually acceptable, but we sure got a huge laugh out of that one.

[billelder]

I don't do any local political ads at all. My voice is known here and that would almost qualify as an endorsement. All others have been out of state. But, you folks know how the copy goes. "(Insert Candidate) is going to work for the people and stand up for the little guy!" Most of the text is vanilla.

[Robert Jadah]

I voted with the minority.
I'm a voice for hire, and anyway see little difference in trumpeting a cat food I know nothing about, a get-rich-quick scheme, or a political party with views different than mine own.

Now, I'd probably draw the line at an offer from the Toddler Tossing Association, but otherwise....I'm just a voice gigolo.

Amorally Yours,

[Lynn Benson]

I have a combo take. Similar to Bob. Not my voice. AND I would like to have the person running tell me and the rest of the people what they stand for without a spokesperson.

[AlanSimmons]

I would have to pass on the job if it were in conflict with my beliefs. Even with as little voice work as I get and as much as love it and want to do it, I can't sell my standards for the price of a 60 second spot. Just my vote...

~Alan

[jsgilbert]

Thanks to Mr. Jadah for giving an honest answer. I tend to agree.

Send those jobs my way. I'm a voice actor. It's what I do for a living.

Now here's another question for you all, when you're waiting tables and somebody you don't like sits down, do you refuse to serve them?

Or is it that for whatever reason you all seem to attract offers from Pedophiles and the K.K.K.

Somehow those seem to get filtered coming in to me.

And today's big question: Does a ton of jobs weigh the same as a ton of b.s.

[JoeActor]

"Principles - It's what's for dinner!"

I would never lend my voice to something I don't believe in 100%.
Fortunately for me, I have more than one, so I use one of my spares for those projects!

I voted "Maybe", because the particulars really do matter for me... but I lean toward J.S. and Robert J's position.

So, it's a definite "Maybe",
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio