VOX Talk #37 – Apple iPhone, Marc Graue, Julie Williams Product Review, Betty in Boca

Stephanie Ciccarelli

July 12, 2007

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Apple iPhone, Recent Happenings at Marc Graue Voice Over Recording Studio in Burbank, Product Review Opportunity for Voices.com members in London, ON of VO Coach Julie Williams’ “Proven Voice-Over Techniques”, special Interview in The Biz, Betty in Boca in Tech Talk, and 60 Second Pitch Contest Accepting Entries.

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Apple iPhone, Marc Graue, Julie Williams Product Review, Betty in Boca

Transcript of Vox Talk #37

Matt Williams: Episode 37
You’re listening to VOX Talk! The voiceover industry’s number one podcast brought to you by Voices.com. It’s about voice acting, growing your business, and sharing your knowledge. VOX Talk is a show that you can be a part of. Getting involved that’s both fun and rewarding. It’s time for this week’s episode of VOX Talk with your host, Stephanie Ciccarelli.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: Hi there, I’m Stephanie and welcome to the show. Today, we have a special treat for you in The Biz and Betty in Boca joins us in Tech Talk. Get ready for VOX Talk!
Matt Williams: The Loop, informing you of news and current voiceover events.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: In technology news, Steve Job’s and his team at Apple have sold over 1 million iPhones since first releasing them a couple of weeks ago on June 29th, 2007, selling an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 in the first week alone. The iPhones were released at midnight on June 29th and even Apple co-founder and creator of the computers, Steve Wozniak lined up to get some.
The Apple iPhone is a three-in-one gadget embodying the traits of an iPod, a phone, and full Internet access. In order to activate the iPhone, you have to sync it up to your iTunes player. iPhones run for $599 a piece.
To learn more about the Apple iPhone and where you can get one, go to apple.com/iphone
In voiceover news, the Marc Graue Voice Over Recording Studio always has fabulous projects on the go. Most recently, the team at the oldest voiceover studio in Burbank completed recordings for the Transformers video game with Frank Welker and Peter Cullen as well as ADR sessions with actors in the Transformers movie.
To read more about what’s going on at Marc Graue’s, check out his website at fixinthemix.com.
And to wrap up, if you live in London, Ontario Canada or the surrounding area, you’re invited to participate in a review of voiceover coach Julie Williams’ updated release of “Proven Voice-Over Techniques” at Voices.com! Each person who reviews the CD will receive their very own copy of Julie’s Proven Voice-Over Techniques and some goodies for your sweet tooth.
Spaces are limited to 15 participants, so if you’re available on the afternoon of Saturday July 21st and would like to come out, be sure to send me an email at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Matt Williams: The Biz, helping you grow your voiceover business.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: Today in The Biz, I’m pleased to present a gift from Joan Baker, voiceover coach, author and performer. Joan has given me permission to air a radio interview she and and Don LaFontaine were on that ran the week of June 7th on ABC Radio Networks with host, Bill.
Don LaFontaine: Step into another dimension, a brand new journey.
Bill (Dill): That’s Don LaFontaine nicknamed the “King of the Movie Trailers” and that “voiceover guy”. For many years, Don wasn’t seen but then we actually saw him in a commercial.
Male: Paula (Sella) is a real GEICO customer, not an actor. So to help tell her story, we hired that announcer guy from the movies.
Paula (Sella): When the storm hit, both our cars were totally underwater.
Don LaFontaine: In a world where both of our cars were totally underwater.
Paula (Sella): We thought it would take forever to get some help.
Don LaFontaine: But a new wind was about to blow.
Bill (Dill): LaFontaine told me he has the ability to change his voice.
Don LaFontaine: We have changed it according to the copy and it’s my voice but bigger. It’s not a voice that I could necessarily use in mixed company without having people call security but it’s – the copy changes, it dictates how you wanted to happen, you know. Horror films generally are done on a softer mode down in here someplace and so it’s scarier and action films, you put more of an edge on your voice and comedies, you got to be up a little bit higher and so, yes. It’s my voice but it’s the full range of it.
Bill (Dill): Do you feel like a pioneer?
Don LaFontaine: I never really stopped to think about it but I suppose, yes. I have to be considered that in that, I was lucky enough to be there on the ground floor when that whole thing was happening. And the impact of that in the bastard children of that are MTV and the modern television promos which are direct take-offs on what we did for the movies.
Bill (Dill): Well, LaFontaine is now known for that GEICO commercial, actors and actresses who shun doing TV commercials for many years are now doing lots of them and often not on camera. There’s Sean Connery.
Sean Connery: Where will you find an advanced IP Network that’s built to deliver voice …
Bill (Dill): You’ll never hear Connery’s name mentioned in that level three communications commercial and no names attached to these voices either. Here’s George Clooney for Budweiser.
George Clooney: Bright. Crisp. Clean. Pure.
Bill (Dill): Julia Roberts.
Julia Robers: Want a better internet? You belong in America Online.
Bill (Dill): There’s Kiefer Sutherland.
Kiefer Sutherland: Welcome to Verizon Business.
Bill (Dill): And here’s Kelsey Grammer.
Kelsey Grammer: When you give your kids to Disney experience …
Bill (Dill): New Yorker, Joan Baker holds voiceover seminars and is the author of “Secrets of Voice-Over Success”. I asked Baker, why use actors and actresses for commercials even though they’re not seen and not trained in voiceover work.
Joan Baker: But you know, they have done a lot of acting training which goes hand-in-hand with voiceover, at least it’s very supportive of voiceover. I mean, you don’t need the acting especially if you have a gift for being spontaneous. But acting really does support voiceover and I think when they’re hiring a named person, I think advertisers are hiring them on the notion that somebody will recognize their style of speaking as opposed to the art behind communication.
Bill (Dill): Baker says, “Just like a great painter, voiceover work is also an art.”
Joan Baker: Voiceover is the art of subtlety. So, everything that you’re getting from a producer like in terms of direction or a casting director or a coach. It has to sift through you on a subtle way because of the microphone being there. You can’t manufacture nuance in your voice and richness. All you can do is reveal what’s already there and that is why it’s an art because it’s so subtle and it’s not like you can stick your hand down your throat and fix it and then it comes out perfectly. It’s like – it does take a big of awareness and training and also the courage, the courage to really reveal. That usually is a block for almost everyone, at least at first.
Bill (Dill): Baker knows the voiceover world. She worked with President Bill Clinton at a documentary for his presidential library and she’s done many commercials and promos.
Joan Baker: Now more than ever, Delta Airlines and American Express is your winning combination.
In a parallel dimension, an infinity driver is doing all these, not with his hands but with his voice.
Bill (Dill): Yet again in the world of commercials, wasn’t easy at first for Joan Baker.
Joan Baker: People, the way they responded to me visually, I’m bi-racial and I mean, that’s fine and that’s great but in show business, you’re often categorized. And I could not easily fit into a box or a category. So I got for years people saying, you know, you’re great, you’re beautiful but we can’t use you. You’re not easy to recognize and especially advertisers, I would get told that you know, you’re just not black enough or …
Bill (Dill): You’re not white enough or …
Joan Baker: Right. And you’re not Latino because you don’t have an accent. So it’s like I could not be fit in a box easy and it’s interesting how my path has led me to a career where I’m not seen.
Bill (Dill): I’ve never been in a movie, but I wondered what a trailer featuring Don LaFontaine would sound like if it was for a movie starring me. Take it away, Don.
Don LaFontaine: It’s a thriller to die for. A world where there’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. This is the one you’ve been waiting for, The Radio Murders starring Bill (Dill). One man, one destiny, one great movie. Opening soon at the theater near you.
Bill (Dill): Hey, I can dream, can I? For perspective, I’m Bill (Dill), ABC News.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: I hope you enjoyed hearing this excerpt from Joan. To hear more from Joan Baker, tune in to the Voice Over Experts for Episode 6 next week where Joan will be lecturing on the topic “The Myth of Rejection”.
Matt Williams: Tech Talk, walking you through the technological landscape.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: And this week in Tech Talk, Betty in Boca joins us to chat about recruiting free, pint-sized recording engineers.
Betty in Boca: Hi, this is Betty in Boca. Has this ever happened to you? You’ve just done take number 100 when a sweet little voice can be heard on the other side of your studio door, “Mommy!” or “Daddy.” Oh, the humanity of the agony. The emotional whiplash, “Here we go again it’s worse than when you’re on the phone.” Well, don’t think of it as yet another annoying interruption. I know the little one has made a habit of desperately needing your attention especially when you’re recording, but that doesn’t matter anymore. You can now start thinking of your child as free engineering. Yes, free engineering.
Invite that little one into the booth and get him or her to run your board. This works great with any child over the age of five. Trust me, they know more about computers than we do. Greet your child with, “I’m so glad you knocked on my door today. I have a big surprise for you. You’re going to start working with me as my board operator. Come on in while I show you what I want you to do.” Plug in your extra headsets or take yours off and let him or her use them. Show them how to click record and tell them to let you know when you’ve messed up then, read a few words and mess up. They’ll be thrilled to get a chance to correct you. So start your read again and mess up again and again and again and again until you can tell that you child is really getting tired of it. Then do one right. Ask them if they think you’ve done enough takes. At this point, most kids will say yes. And remember something they had to do that they forgot about including, “I left the dog outside. I left my computer on. The dog ate the computer!” And that old favorite, “I have to go to the bathroom bad!”
Try this and share your story. My e-mail is [email protected]. And remember, it’s a win-win situation, either they stop bothering you or you have free engineering! Hey, I can hear my little board up coming down the hall now! I got to go.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: Thank you, Betty. Betty’s topic goes hand in hand with the Family Week on VOX Daily and we wanted to be sure that you heard her piece here on VOX Talk to coincide with it. Adam Fox is taking the week off but he’ll be back next week with segments every week after that. If you liked Betty’s segment this week, let her know by dropping her a line at [email protected].
Matt Williams: VoxBox, sharing your audio feedback.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: In the VOX Box today, I’d like to remind you that we are still accepting entries for the 60 Second Pitch Contest until July 20th, 2007. That’s only a week away! A 60 Second Pitch lets people know who you are, what you do, and how you can serve them through your business. This week, we featured Bettye Zoller on the Voice Over Experts podcast talking about just how to go about this and why having an “Elevator Speech” or pitch is important for any voice actor.
To learn more about the contest and how to enter, go to voices.com/60secondpitch/enter.html. The winners will be announced via the VOX Talk podcast on July 27th, so stay subscribed.
Okay folks. That’s the show for this week. We love hearing from you and thank you for staying subscribed to VOX Talk! You can subscribe to this podcast through the iTunes Podcast Directory, by RSS feed or by email on the VOX Talk website at podcasts.voices.com. I’m your host, Stephanie Ciccarelli. Take care and we’ll see you next week!

Links from today’s show:

Apple iPhone
Marc Graue Voice Over Recording Studio
Joan Baker
Betty in Boca
VOX Talk PODCAST: EPISODE 37
Salutation:
Hi there, I’m Stephanie and welcome to the show. Today, we have a special treat for you in The Biz and Betty in Boca in Tech Talk. Get ready for VOX Talk!
The Loop:
Apple iPhone, over 1 million sold
In technology news, Steve Job’s and his team at Apple have sold over 1 million iPhones since first releasing them a couple of weeks ago on June 29th, 2007, selling an estimated 5 – 700,000 in the first week alone. The iPhones were released at midnight on June 29th and even Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak lined up to get some.
The Apple iPhone is a three-in-one gadget embodying the traits of an iPod, a phone, and full Internet access. In order to activate the iPhone, you have to sync it up to your iTunes player. iPhones run for $599 a piece.
To learn more about the Apple iPhone and where you can get one, go to apple.com/iphone
News #2
Marc Graue’s studio projects
In voice over news, the Marc Graue Voice Over Recording Studio in Burbank, California, always has fabulous projects on the go. Most recently, the team at the oldest voice over studio in Burbank completed recordings for the Transformers video game with Frank Welker and Peter Cullen as well as ADR sessions with actors in the Transformers movie.
To read more about what’s going on at Marc Graue’s, check out his website at fixinthemix.com.
News #3
London, Canada opportunity to review Julie Williams Proven Voice-Over Techniques
And to wrap up, if you live in London, Ontario Canada or the surrounding area, you’re invited to participate in a review of voice over coach Julie Williams’ updated release of “Proven Voice-Over Techniques” at Voices.com! Each person who reviews the CD will receive their very own copy of Julie’s Proven Voice-Over Techniques and some goodies for your sweet tooth ☺
Spaces are limited to 15 participants, so if you are available on the afternoon of Saturday July 21st and would like to come, be sure to send me an email at [email protected] to reserve your spot.
The Biz:
Today in The Biz, I’m pleased to present a gift from Joan Baker, voice over coach, author and performer.
I hope you enjoyed hearing this excerpt from Joan. To hear more from Joan Baker, tune in to Voice Over Experts for Episode 6 next week where Joan will be lecturing on the topic “The Myth of Rejection”.
Tech Talk:
This week in Tech Talk, Betty in Boca joins us to chat about recruiting free, pint-sized recording engineers.
Thank you Betty. Betty’s topic goes hand in hand with the Family Week on VOX Daily and we wanted to be sure that you heard her piece here on VOX Talk to coincide with it. If you liked Betty’s segment this week, let her know by dropping her a line at [email protected]. Join us next week with Adam Fox in Tech Talk!
VoxBox:
In the VOX Box today, I’d like to remind you that we are accepting entries for the 60 Second Pitch Contest until July 20th, 2007. That’s only a week away! A 60 Second Pitch lets people know who you are, what you do, and how you can serve them through your business. This week, we featured Bettye Zoller on Voice Over Experts talking about just how to go about this and why having an “Elevator Speech” or pitch is important for any voice actor.
To learn more about the contest and how to enter, go to voices.com/60secondpitch/enter.html. The Winners will be announced via the VOX Talk podcast on July 27th, so stay subscribed.
Farewell:
Well, that’s all for this week! We love hearing from you and thank you for staying subscribed to VOX Talk! You can subscribe to this podcast through the iTunes Podcast Directory, by RSS feed or by email on the VOX Talk website at podcasts.voices.com/. I’m your host, Stephanie Ciccarelli. Take care and we’ll be seeing you next week!