Go your own way....

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 19:56 (GMT) Post subject:

...and here is my "monotone" read of the aformentioned poem...

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 20:01 (GMT) Post subject:

J.S....

I was hoping you wouldn't take my comments the wrong way, but I can see how they'd come across that way, for which I apologize. When you first posted on the forums, with the points about how most people here would fail, there was a LOT of friction stirred up. Your points were - and are - extremely valid. Every time you write there's biting truth in what you say. I appreciate that. But initially, because of how cutting your comments were, and how much you got to the core, you came across as having an attitude. You and I got into this on the forum together back when we first started posting.

I've also noticed that the continued dialogue on this forum has done two things: It's softened up how you've been presenting your well-grounded critiques and comments, and it's made me less forgiving and more pointed in my own critiques. We've been moving to a middle ground. I think, personally it's been good for both of us. It doesn't do a person any good to have excellent and valid points if - when he makes those points - no one cares to listen due to having been rubbed the wrong way. Equally so, it does no good to be so sugary sweet that you never want to risk hurting anyone's feelings, and thus fawn all over the worst of the worst, as we were all pretty much guilty of when these forums first opened.

I think I speak for everyone here when I say every time you pen something here it's worth reading and on target. I probably also speak for everyone here when I say we've enjoyed seeing the lighter side of J.S. Gilbert come out in ensuing posts too.

So please don't take my comment as any kind of slur. Perhaps what I meant to say is that I am often seen as a "Mini-me/J.S." because I don't hesitate to tell a poster here if their read stinks.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 20:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 20:18 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott... music added to post above.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 20:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 21:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott... I don't think there's a lot of money in reading poetry.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

It was really, really good, Colin.
It's a favourite inspiration of mine, and I'm downloading your read to make it part of my morning listens.
So far, there's a Todd Ellis and a Lafontaine and an Orson to get me going...so you're in good company.
Thanks.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007, 22:07 (GMT) Post subject:

WOW! The "double play..." kudos from both Scott and Robert in one thread. I'm truely touched. Thanks guys. Is someone else going to give it a shot?

Dina Monaco-Boland · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 671

I hope you guys don't mind a newbie joining this conversation but I guess I have to say that it speaks to me as well. Now please remember that I can only speak for myself but boy howdy... I would much rather the honest truth. I'm not one of those people who can read between the lines. I need it plain and simple. So thank you to those of you who have given it to me straight. How else am I going to learn? If I wanted a pat on the back I'd go to my mom. She thinks I'm great. If I wanted to feel like crap I'd go to my kids (although they love me, to them I'm just lame). But you guys give the truth. And I thank you. It's like Simon Cowel (sp?) on American Idol, he's like the only one who tells the truth.

Anyway the only other thing I can add is, that whatever advice is given... be true to yourself and make it your own or it will never work. I once heard the advice "If you old and ugly, then be old and ugly but be who you is". Now, I don't like being old and ugly but if that's who I am, then that's who I am. However, that doesn't mean I can't be better at it or more to the point, if I'm not right for this or drastic improvement is needed I should not overlook that advice. I need to see what that advice means for me.

Please know that I've taken all advice quite seriously and while my head does spin from it, I'm gaining priceless knowledge. Now it's up to me to make it work. And believe me, as long as you'll have me, and as long as I don't become stalkerish (trying not too but I'm so hungry for the advice) I'll keep asking for it.

As for me right now, being so new, I'm taking a few steps back, reconfiguring the "hardware" and as always, reading up and practicing to make myself better. Believe me, I don't want to muddy up this industry. Right now it's 1 step forward and 20 steps back but I know that in time it will be 1 step forward, 2 steps back, and soon 1 step forward & 1 step back, and then God willing, maybe I can actually step ahead.

I hope I didn't take this off point and make it all about me (but as an egocentric harpie, where else would I go--just kidding!) A special "shout out" (hope I'm using that term right--like the kids do!) to JS Gilbert. You've just been terrific. And I can never thank you enough.

Dina

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007, 00:25 (GMT) Post subject:

In my day, we used to have to do our voiceovers by candlelight. Our parents were so tired from working 6 jobs and cleaning floors that we used to have to beg them to beat us and it made us who we are today, old, bitter and arrogant, but in a good way, blah, blah, blah

I just said I didn't know what the comment was meant to be. We have a friend who, whenever we eat out with her, will usually spil something on her blouse. So whenever someone spills food on themselves, we affectionately say that they pulled a (insert name here)

It was just my way of saying that I'd prefer not that anytime someone on here is a little gruff, callous or to the point, that they say they pulled a J.S. I may talk a mean game but it's all bark and no bite. That's why I'm in voiceover and not a professional wrestler.

And as I've said before, I can take it too besides dishing it out. In fact, I just read for something - a big job not through here and if I don't get it, I'm going to post their breakdown and my audition and you can all tell me just how sucky it was and why I didn't get it. Or maybe tell me what you think I should have done to get it. How's aboutthem apples. I'd like to see some other pros put their losing auditions up here for the world to see.
Well of course now you'll all be rooting for me not to book it so you can embarass the hell out of me. See you're all just like me.

And to Robert. I don't spell poorly. I type poorly and I spell poorly. There is a difference. Even with a spell checker it still comes out wrong. And whoever came up with the whole I before E thing except after C - I will seek you out in the afterlife and make you pay.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007, 00:32 (GMT) Post subject: colin

Colin,
For 1 minute and 57 seconds there you had me. Just as you were finishing, my email alert went on and another spam from someone sellin Viagra. Still 1 minute and 57 seconds ain't bad.

Darn nice job.

Tom Greenlee · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 945

J.S. I already did post my losing audition....it was in a different thread. I was shortlisted for a gig with the Weather Channel....the gig was for 16 :30 spots (national) with a guarantee of continuing work. There were 5 of us on the shortlist. They loved my voice but ended up going with one of the other guys because he sounded older...the gig was for the gardening segment of the weather channel. His voice lent better to a neighborly/gardeny feel. anyway....I was really bummed....here is the link to that demo.

http://voiceoversavvy.com/download.php?id=1318

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007, 01:05 (GMT) Post subject:

JS... there was a reason for the change at 1:57. I realized that I read "be careful" instead of "be cheerful" and edited in the change. Now, I remember it as a youth being "be careful" but most will say that it is "be cheeful." Oh well. That's the reason anyway.

Man.. I've got to say JS, you don't miss a trick.

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Good thread. Colin good read....I agree with you BTW. It is hard to "change" for every critique and still be who you are. I don't here the annoncer as much in that read. I think based on what I have read here and in other places that is a good thing.

Heather Cooper · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 472