Forgetting everything I ever learned in Radio

Andi Arndt

So I posted a demo for critique and have been mulling over one of the ideas in the response, which was that I will need to unlearn everything I've learned doing radio. I have so many questions!

1. What are the differences between radio announcing and vo presentation?

2. Does it matter that I did public radio (10 years and counting) which rewards announcers for having a much more laid-back "natural" presence on the air?

3. What are the dead giveaways that I'm a radio chick?

Thanks in advance to everyone who endeavors to answer any or all of these!!

Andi Arndt
hoping to specialize in narrations for education/training, travel/tourism, and arts/culture

Grant Holmes · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007, 20:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Andi,
Welcome. I too spent a time in radio as have many of us in the forum. I'll be watching this as I've heard other say this about me AND about others.

Best!

Jason Peck · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007, 01:08 (GMT) Post subject:

I don't know how much help I can be. Last time I was on radio was in college and well I am 30 now so you can see that time has lapsed. I can state that well written scripts dictate your mood and reflection of voice.

Last real bit I was working on was annoying. Had to make sarcastic comments impressionating Dennis Miller. Apparently that is a real talent.

Welcome to the land of V/O and best of luck. I think like the rest of us you just need to get your feet wet, just make sure it's not next to your equipment. Wink

Martin Dotson · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007, 15:26 (GMT) Post subject:

I 've been in radio for about 6 years, and really just starting to produce VO outside of my local area.

I have found that there are not too many differences betweent the two.

You still have to enunciate, and sound credible. Your voice may be better suited for Narration, which is great seeing is how that's what you are shooting for.

VO Narration is probably one of the hardest things I've come to do, especially lengthy ones. Being in radio, you don't keep the same cadence, emotion, and tone longer than 30 to 60 seconds.

Some VO seekers are looking for someone that is laid back , but radio doesn't prepare you for this level of consistency! Its Tough.

It doesn't matter that you did public radio. I think everyone that does VO work, should work in radio for a while. Broadcasting gave me tha chance to find my "natural" speaking voice, then fine tune that voice for general VO work.

Of Course this is only my opinion.

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007, 19:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Andi, I would highly suggest voice-over classes or lessons from a reputable instructor. They are so helpful, and will help you find your pace, "money voice" natural cadence and serve as an excellent support/feedback system. Good Luck! Cool

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007, 21:33 (GMT) Post subject:

The huge difference between radio and real voice acting is the acting part. I never knew what it was like to try and act until recently. Not that I'm any good at it yet. I've spent my entire adult life (30 years) in radio. There is a big difference between reading and acting. If it's a tear jerker you have to shed tears. If it's about a person you have to substitue someone you know in your mind. Sometimes you have to intentionally stammer which goes against the grain of radio people.

It takes a great actor to appear not to be acting.

When Burt Reynolds was young he met Spencer Tracy. Tracy said... "what do you do kid?" Reynolds said... "I'm an actor." Spencer responded... "don't get caught at it."
----------------------------------------------------
"I'm disappointed in acting as a craft. I want everything to go back to Orson Welles and fake noses and changing your voice. It's become so much about personality." -Spencer Tracy

Andi Arndt · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007, 22:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Debbie - I'm going the Nancy Wolfson route...I guess I figure I could spend almost as much (or more) with someone who doesn't seem to have her connections, abilities and track record.

The plan is to do a professional demo in March '08...in the meantime I hope my custom demos will get me enough work here to pay her fees!! I have booked one job here since joining a few weeks ago, but have two high-volume clients in the pipeline, which is great.

I am in this for the long haul...might as well do it right, eh?

Andi
whose last public radio subbing paycheck, after taxes and retirement savings withdrawals, was $1.98

Vance Elderkin · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007, 02:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Andi, you will not be sorry you're studying with Nancy. Good decision.

Tom Reed · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007, 03:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Vance Elderkin · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007, 03:18 (GMT) Post subject:

No. Who?

Tom Reed · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007, 14:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison Scussel · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007, 06:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Regarding Andi's initial question, now I have one! I've been a radio personality & local commercial talent for over 19 years. What do I have to "unlearn"? I had to study acting in college and have recently taken part of an advanced voice over work shop. I re-write scripts for clients to enhance their product to fit the demographic for the audience which I am speaking to. At the station I work for, we don't have a single production director. The four full time announcers we have (including me) all act as production director. I've been employed at the same place for the past 10 yrs because it offers job security and that's something you don't get in radio. I want to enhance my resume' and my knowledge through voice over work because of a few factors. A friend/ collegue who is a vocal coach said I'd be stupid not to persue this and most radio jobs, even in the largest markets like Washington DC, don't pay much so we have to find ways to enhance our incomes

After all this time, am I still a "newbie"? Should I start posting my auditions here for feedback?

Your response is appreciated, whether it be good, mediocre, or poor.
Sincerely,
Allison