NEW HERE

Tim Rhoten · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 04:12 (GMT) Post subject: NEW HERE

I WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET SOME JOBS. MY BEST STUFF IS IMPERSONATIONS. GENERAL VOICE KIND AVERAGE AT BEST.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 04:57 (GMT) Post subject: TimBits

Timmy, Timmy, Timmy...what do you expect?
I've been doing this a long, long time and I've seen one request for Ed Sullivan and one for Mike Tyson and - of your portfolio - that's it, man.
So figure 2 auditions every 15 years.
What are you so impatient about?
You posted an excellent Red Foxx. But what for?
There is nobody anywhere at this point in time who is itching to get their hands on a Sanford and Son parody.
There is VERY LITTLE demand for impersonations.
I went to your site. Your voices are very, very good. I enjoyed them.
But your talent is like being an excellent unicorn tracker.
There's not that much call for it.
Branch Out!

Anthony Williams · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 05:07 (GMT) Post subject: i agree

Hi Tim,

Welcome

you do have nice impersonations but i have to say amen to Robert on this one. it does not seem to be many impersonations leads out there right now for those characters. Hang in there though you definitely have character

Thanks Tony

Anthony Williams · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 05:07 (GMT) Post subject: i agree

Hi Tim,

Welcome

you do have nice impersonations but i have to say amen to Robert on this one. it does not seem to be many impersonations leads out there right now for those characters. Hang in there though you definitely have character

Thanks Tony

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 05:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Tim - Welcome!

I'm in the same boat (move over!)

Seriously - if you've got the range to impersonate, you can take those vocal qualities and create your own unique characters.

There's a lot more work for characters than impressions (although I did get two Ahnold jobs last year). Only current, topical, dead-on impressions have a snowball's chance.

And of course theres a ton more work for "regular" voices, "natural" reads. Even a smattering of accents and dialects (a few for me last year as well).

So, to recap the pecking order (low to high):
impressions < characters < dialects < announcers < natural
(imho)

Anywho, it's a supportive bunch here, and we'll be happy to help you out if you're willing to do the work.

Happy days,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 05:30 (GMT) Post subject:

I think "natural" is the hardest nut to crack.

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007, 15:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Tim,

I've taken a listen to the stuff you've got up on V123, and I'm not sure I agree that your best stuff is impersonations. I know that may sound a bit harsh, but if you want the work, you've gotta know the lay of the land.

All of your demos have major sound quality issues, and are too short to show if you can maintain them for longer reads.

Your best is Ed Sullivan, but as stated before, there's not much call for him. As a rule of thumb, if you call it an "impersonation", it should be dead on, or at least a very recognizable characature. I use the term "impression" for the second type... You've also got a lot of African American ones, which is less of a problem if they're really good - so, you've got a problem there Wink

Here's some short comments for each one:

sopranos type - Has a bit too much Elmer Fudd, I wouldn't be frightened by this guy

redd foxx - close, but not dead-on - might be offensive to some

MIKE TYSON - uh, aside from the "ear" I wouldn't know it's him

AMOS & ANDY - Way too blackface and vaudeville - trust me, it's really dead!

ED SULLIVAN - best of the bunch - if you can maintain it, it's good... but not much call for him

jim nabors - it's ok, but not dead-on

john wayne - kinda/sorta , but you've got a bit of new england mixed in

ali - kinda/sorta - might be offensive to some

henry kissenger - off the mark - gravelly Sean Connery with some other mixed in

SEAN CONNERY - good, but has a bit of Austrailian, and slips in and out - not a consistent read

That being said, what I really like to hear is your real voice. Just sit down and record one of the audition spots... We'll be able to tell you much more if we can hear a longer sample of what you actually sound like.

Let us hear you - we're listening,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

J.S. Gilbert

Tim,

Most of your impersonations are fair. Yes, you do a very good Sean Connery, but that's your best one and last time I was at the agency, there were 26 guys there that did really good Sean COnnery impersonations. I don't think there's been a call for an Ed Sullivan since about 1974. I'm sure youo're a big hit at the retiement home, but in addition to not being relevant, you don't know what you're doing.

I disagree whole heartedly with the statement that if you can do impersonations, you can make it in this business. Of course, if spinning your wheels for 2 jobs a year that pay a total of $167.50 is your idea of making it - then be my guest. C'mon folks, I thought the rules were the newbies had to know which end of the microphone to speak into before we helped them.

Tim, I'm sorry to say this, but you haven't a clue about this business and I suggest you go out, buy a book, take an acting class, DO ANYTHING and learn some actualy marketable skills. Responding to auditions right now is a waste of your time and the auditioners.