Voicing Political Spots

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

Max -- I find it hard to believe you could possibly be old enough to have been approached to to work on a TV campaign for cigarettes. Cigarette advertising on TV has been banned in the US since 1970. Those broadtail lambs are not the only things that woud have been pre-natal back then.

I applaud your ability to turn away lucrative business in order to remain true to your principles. I'd like to think I would also turn down money from the tobacco industry (I quit smoking in 1970), but I admit I might enjoy the opportunity to look temptation in th eye. I have done plenty of casino spots and would most likely do more if given the chance.

I do decline to audition for those auto-dialer messages that try to make it seem like the people they are calling had acutally initiated the dialog and then try to sell them a get-rich-quick scheme, a reverse mortgage, or life insurance. I hate getting those calls, so I don't want to be a party to them.

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

As with most things, there is a considerable grey area here.

How I would love to be a philanthropist -- give untold millions to some worthy cause, stand on high principled ground. To do that, you must start off with lots of money. Not to take anything away from those who choose to give away even a small portion of their wealth -- it is still a wonderful thing to do. No matter that the foundation is named for them, or the wing of the hospital -- it remains an important major source of funding for most worthy causes.

However, my real admiration goes to those who struggle to feed themselves, yet still give a few dollars to charity on a regular basis. I know people that do that. No one hears about them.

Giving up work is, in effect, giving up money. How easily can you do that? What other options do you have? What responsibilities do you have? Who else is depending upon your employment? All considerations.You still may pass, but the price of doing so is higher.

Everyone lives with their own consciences, their own truths, their own individual circumstances. And it's up to each one of us to make our own choices, for whatever our reasons.

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Lee, first, I'm obviously older than you think I am. Second, I didn't say the campaign was for American production, and lastly, I wouldn't state something in a post that was completely untrue....so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at....sorry you find my post "hard to believe." Should I take it as a compliment that you think I look so young, or an insult that you think I'm lying? :~)

I'm not making anyone else wrong or judging them for advertising whatever they want or making money in whatever way they want to. If people want to voice political spots, advertise guns or casinos, that's just fine with me. I'm just saying that my preference is to not make money promoting things that I don't resonate with.

I'm not giving up money when I choose not to do a job. I just focus on other jobs I'd rather do. And if it were reaching a point where I had to do jobs that I did not like and felt bad doing, just to put food on my table, then I'd be in the wrong line of work. I like money just as much as the next person, but I'd rather not have that be my main motivation for doing the work I do.

Passing on certain jobs doesn't mean not working at all. Just because I choose not to buy certain foods at the grocery store doesn't mean I'm giving up eating. I just eat other things instead.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008, 15:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Yep, Max.

And J.S. -- I'm so sorry you're not opionated. Here, you can borrow one of my opinons. Laughing

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

Yeah, Melba -- isn't it a shame JS has no opinions about anything? Geez, I wish that guy would open up a little.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008, 15:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh, but he is self-righteous. That's always nice to have in a friend. Laughing

{{{Hi, Curmudgeon! xoxo}}}

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

Larry Maizlish · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008, 17:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow. Some really good opinions and views have been posted on this topic overall. Just to mention a few:

1. Allen Brown - great write up on the topic

2. Connie Terwilliger makes a good point that many political reads do not require auditions, saving you the time and effort of the audition process. The client either wants to use your voice or not.

3. Maxine Dunn - mentions to stand up for what is important to you, yet understand that in doing so, some folks may not like it and exclude you from future opportunities. Regardless of that, what you believe in and what you do, really is a reflection of who you are. If it's important to you, don't sell your soul.

Again, great comments and thoughts in this thread.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008, 17:44 (GMT) Post subject: There you go again

Great, Now all of you people with scrupels and morals have to go bringing down people like me, who have managed to sleep, cheat, claw and conive their way up to the middle of the pile a bad name.

You call yourselves actors??!! Give me a 3 martini lunch any day of the week.

By the way Max, Dorian Gray says he's done another painting of you and Melba, you better be careful or you'll bring up the test curve for us dum, witless actors.

As for those of you hiring talent for your political spots, apparently you just don't really care about your clients or you would indeed hire me.

So remember, hire J.S. Gilbert and become rich, popular and sucessful, or hire someone else.

Connie Terwilliger · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 409

Ha - JS! Hire me and go viral - win primaries - become more attractive to the opposite sex (OK that wasn't part of this campaign)...this was originally a radio spot that we did just a few short days before the election. Someone added video and posted it to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa1t88tENog

My client just sent out a link to an article about this campaign...

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

Well JS...no matter what your success in this realm has been.....

I THINK THE OBAMA GIRL has a bigger claim to fame than any of us in this realm....

Oh JS, just curious how big is your stimulus package??? (lol)

PS. Remember all you political clients......I write catchy jingles Wink