Moral Dilema...

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 00:06 (GMT) Post subject:

It's simple to me. If it feels wrong to me, I won't read it. Now, I am pretty lenient on what I find wrong and what I find OK. I don't think Coke is wrong. I don't think that kids should drink gallons of it either, but that's a parent's resposibility. As a "treat" it's fine.

There were some political ads on 123 that I started to audition for and they went so far against my grain that I said to myself... "I just can't read this and sound believable because I think it's a bunch of lies."

I say you just "feel" whether it's right or wrong FOR YOU and that is a very personal decision based on experience, political beliefs, morals... all PERSONAL beliefs.

If you have to ask the question then I say you don't do it. You'll feel better about yourself because you didn't let the almighty dollar take over you soul.

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I charged double for all the right-wing political ads. That solved that problem. Wink

Honestly that's why I said, if you have to ask, you probably don't have a strong conviction against it. I would never have to ask, because I simply wouldn't do, any job that promoted hate or harm. So I'm obviously kidding about right-wing ads. Really, I'm more concerned with the message than the messenger. The script tells the story.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 01:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Nikki wrote:

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

Joe,

Dude you have already said to much. They could be watching this thread right now. They have people man.

Oh man, I should not even be writing this.

I am outta here, later.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 02:04 (GMT) Post subject:

First... great joke....
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A guy walks into a bar and notices a lovely lady he is attracted to. He asks... "would you sleep with me for a milliion dollars?" She says... "why yes, of course I would." The guy then asks... "would you sleep with me for $5?" to which she replies... "what kind of a girl do you think I am?" The man then proclaims... "we've already established what kind of a girl you are, now we're just haggling over price."
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I love that. Now as far as the right-left thing, first let me say that we should not discuss politics in polite company. I will say that the scripts that made me feel uncomfortable during the political season were left wing ads. That's all I'm saying about that. Well maybe one more thing...
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"Monica... you were so close to the President... what were your impressions of him as a man?" Monica... "he leans a little to the left."
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Shoot me down. I'm sorry.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 02:04 (GMT) Post subject:

he ... will ... find ... you

Scott Nicolino · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 50

Here's one for you...I personally do not use 'extreme' profanity...I just choose not to, no big deal...however, I am considering some scripts for a couple of different projects that both use 'extreme' profanity. So as a voice talent...do I do the script because that's what I do...or do I say no to the script because for me personally using the 'extreme' profanity in voice feels funny!? Most of y'all probably think it's silly and are saying yes by all means do the script...but for me, it's kind of an odd thing and a tough choice...a simliar quandry...

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Best euphamism from the Clinton years: Monica's Toothbrush...

But Mom! Colin started it!!!,
Joe

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 02:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott wrote:

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

Well to be fair, Colin, we're not talking politics, just voice over rates in the guise of a moral dilemma. Wink

As for Monica and Bill, the old jokes really are the best, but you guys may want to consider getting new material.

Profanity doesn't bother me a great deal, in moderation. I certainly don't go around spouting off like a longshoreman with Tourette's. But I do come from an acting background, and I have said and done things in my performances that aren't me. Like Robert said, we're also voice actors and while I don't want to encourage anyone to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable, I do want to suggest that part of the craft is stepping outside yourself, expressing the human condition, selling soap or Botox, whatever. On the up side, think of what you can do with the money. Let's say one week Todd does a PETA spot for $5,000; the following week he can donate to the Cattlemen's Retirement Fund. Something like that puts him back in the driver's seat of his morals -- such as they are. Rolling Eyes

(I like bacon too, Todd.)

For balance, if I do a spot I'm not particularly proud of, I send some money to Children International one of my favorite charities, which I'm shamelessly plugging here.

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

The point is, not whether it's good or bad in reality. Joe's having problems with it. For him it IS a problem. If he had bad feelings about Coka Cola, the dilemma would be the same, but chances are, he has no dillemma about Coca Cola. It's a matter of a personal decision based on a personal feeling about something. For this, Joe is having a dillemma and I don't think anyone should go against what's in their hearts. If to joe, this is a bad thing, he should not do it. Then again, if he had no problem with this group he could go ahead and do it with a clear conscience. Robert and Nikki have no problem with this group and therefore can do the spot with a clear conscience....not the case with Joe. Joe, if I were you, I would pass, but refer them to maybe Robert or Nikki or anyone else you know that it's not an issue for. My 2 cents......lol

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

No, no, Tom; that's not entirely accurate.
I do have problems with "this group". They are spooky, hypocritical and very, very misled.
My point is that they have legal status, some legitimacy (however questionable to some sensibilities) and want to hire a professional voiceover.
That's it.
I'm in.
I cannot take the time to weigh the morality of potential clients' stands.
I've done political ads for both Canadian political parties.
I've worked used-car ads. I'd do a sex-shop voiceover, or a gay dance bar. I've emceed an awards show for adult-content productions.

I'm a voice for hire, not a moral adjudicator.

Vice On!

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

right....and that's exactly the point I was making. You may intellectually have a problem with this group as you mentioned, but it doesn't pose a conscience problem for you. Therefore because you don't weigh things morally when it comes to voicework, you have no conscience dillemma about doing it. Which is fine.....you are free to voice the project with no problem. But Joe on the other hand has the intellectual problem with it AND the conscience dillemma, which he should not go against. There's a difference.

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Hey all,

Thanks for helping me out with this. (and all the kind, thoughtfull words)
I really appreciate it a lot.

In the end, I made the call. Hey, it's an audition. At this point I don't know enough to make an informed decision. To find out more, I'll have to speak with them.

Two thoughts:

1) Does the grocer ask you what you do for a living, or what your political stance or religious affiliation prior to letting you buy that apple? Nope. The apple should be available to all at the same price, no matter what they believe. That's America. Maybe I'm an apple salesman...

2) Why should I discriminate against clients? Maybe I feel the same way about Lutherans - is that ok?

We all have our standards, and they should guide us. The final on this for me has more to do with what they're asking of me, than who they are.

... at least it makes sense to me Wink

Thanks again all - really helped,
Joe