LEADS AND READS - WEEK OF 2/18 TO 2/24

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

Thanks for your concern, but actually, I've rarely felt happier.
The spouse is warmer than the Moosehead (with less head, admittedly), and spring is only ten weeks away.

But of course V123 is being used as a large brainstorming session; why else would ditzy posters come back THREE times with different hoops for the talents to jump through?
And - just to amp the chat - did you guys know that a solid and well-known talent mentioned on another board that he had made $25,000 through V123 in 2007? On thirteen jobs?

So there is gold in them thar hills; but I guess you've got to stop chasing shadows.

Voice On!

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

Actually I think the casting director for this gig is open minded and really hard working!

Think about it...They don't want to cut corners and save time by only auditioning 20 people. They are taking the time to audition Lot's of people. The fact that they are reposting to find just the perfect voice means more work for them as well.....and on top of that they are paying what is considered to be a nice sum compared to most V123 jobs. If they are shelling out that kind of money and time don't they HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PICKY!

SCOTT.... it was really nice to see you spread your wings and do a character voice. I liked the second one best. I would have liked a meow or a purr some where .....maybe even tagged on the end just as an extra throw in....You most likely will not get the gig....but it was not a waste of time. It is good character practice......You might have to be the voice of a cat in an audio book someday. Keep stretching your getting better at it.

Simon Hill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 288

Hey Melba,

Thanks for lending your savvy ear there.

I just checked that out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp-cBQ2lf8Q

That crazy talkin' dude is quite the character! Thank you for the suggestion especially if it isn't popping up nowadays, maybe I can bring it back like Disco!!!!!!!!!

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

Simon Hill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 288

Mr. Jadah is onto something there definetely I would agree.

Here in Vancouver if I go to an audition from my agent, my audition for something like this would be maybe 5 minutes in length. A quick hello to the folks at the studio, right into the booth, maybe do like 3 reads with some direction, then I'm out the door! They'll take those super quick fast audition reads, send em off to the writer or client, and they'll find the one that best matches the "essence" of what they're looking for, then bring 'em in for the gig and give them the direction so they can get exactly what they wanted. It would be great if they could've just selected someone from the many who had the "essence" and of course a good write up on their page with some good cred.

I guess for some this is a bit trying but hey ya always gotta look at these things positively right? Getting the work done for this audition will only set you up better for the next.

And let's be honest, out of all the auditions they received, how many of them were really professional? Ya never know with this place what you'll get. With Voice123, as a client who's going to shell out $3000 to someone they've never seen nor know if they have any skill of taking direction yada yada yada, they have to be careful in selecting who's going to be the very voice that their product will be associated with. So that's a viewpoint I could understand for the Cat people, not that it is though!

Positivity on!

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

I've been away on vacation all week (boo-hoo, poor me Boo hoo!

) and had limited access to e-mail and basically no opportunity to audition for anything. I saw the first posting for the $3000 Catseye gig and muttered under my breath about missing out on an opportunity. However, the next day I saw that they had cancelled that lead and replaced it with another one just like it and the red flag went up (I got the same impression as Mr. Jadah regarding whether these seekers had their excrement together) so I didn't feel so bad about missing the first boat.
Today, when I returned home and started sorting through about 350 e-mails that gushed into my inbox -- 270 of them spam, I was somewhat surprised to see that the ship had not yet sailed on Catseye Lead Take 3. So, not having done anything else constructive this week, I submitted in spite of any misgivings.
So, here is my entry in the talking cat sweepstakes (NY version).

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

First of all, I take umbrage at the derogatory portrayal of both CATS and NEW YORKERS, but especially at the combination of the two.

As for the rest of the huffing and puffing here, I will quote both T. S. Eliot and Woody Allen, who made the very similar observation when it comes to hard reality (definition of reality, another topic):

"Humankind cannot bear very much reality." (Eliot)
"Too much reality is not what the people want." (Stardust Memories, Allen)

Good reads, all, by the way!!!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 14:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Victor Harris · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 17:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Simon, I like your takes on the Catseye spot. I think you are one of the most talented character dudes around. Wink

Scott, I don't think you give yourself enough credit for your characters, I thought you did a nice job. Wink

Here is another character lead I got this morning. Whats with all the NY accents all of a sudden? This one they wanted a Jerky Boys type read. I gave my usual tough guy and a Jerky read. Cool

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Vic --
Excellent! I enjoyed it. Very authentic in tone, pace and delivery -- and this Brooklyn-born Jersey girl should know.
Maybe people are missing the Sopranos, hence the increase in the requests for this "genre."

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

I haven't posted anything here in a while since I haven't auditioned for much. Here's a PSA that asked for strong and sympathetic.

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

I had the same thought as Vic -- "What's wit all da New Yawk - New Joisey tough guys?" Oh well, that's what I did for Liquid Blue what got me involved in dis forum in da foist place.

So here's my "Franky, the talking bottle" and also my take on the Diabetes PSA (which I think Diane did a superb job on).

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 20:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Anyone else do the Kentucky Cell Phone/Cannon deal? I aplogize if it has already been discussed, I don't get on the forum as much as I used to. Burnt out at night these days...

David Bosco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 281

Colin:

I remember seeing the Kentucky Cell Phone spot. I also remember they were asking for a Jason Lee type voice. I couldn't quite get it so I didn't send it in. Yours may have been a second round with new directions, but your delivery wasn't Jason Lee at all, although it was fine as is. Would you tell us if the seeker rated it favorably?

So what's another couple of cats in the litter anyway? Here's my second submission, a little more oiled, not as squeaky.