My Voice-over career went nowhere
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
December 31, 2016 12:20pm CST
Back in 2005, I read about a local voice- over class presented by Ed Ragozzino, who was a director/producer of local musical theater from the high school to college level. He even became the driving force behind our wonderful Hult Center for Performing Arts. Ed did major narrations for series and even a video game (3D Ultra Pinball). Both Anne and I were interested in acting, and I had done some local TV commercials, so we signed up.
The class was small, about eight of us, held in Ed's home over a period of a few weeks. We did vocal exercises and worked on technique as well. As part of the class, we got to do a professionally recorded Voice-over demo CD and were given about 25 copies of it. It is about 2 minutes long.
I got a few of mine into the hands of some local ad agencies and TV stations, but we live in a "small market" where the voice-over talent is well-connected and pretty much the same voices are used all the time.
I gave my daughter a copy (for posterity) but still have a bunch left to discard. I did do a (very) few more TV commercials and hope to get some more in 2017.
13 people like this
13 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Dec 16
Very true, but things have not changed much locally with agencies using the same people.
1 person likes this
@TheInvisibleMan (17594)
•
31 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic Have you ever tried new directions? New people?
1 person likes this
@eagletrek2 (5514)
• Kingston, New York
3 Feb 17
I am hearing a lot on voice over now
1 person likes this
@eagletrek2 (5514)
• Kingston, New York
4 Feb 17
@JamesHxstatic I am looking in to it
I am all ways doing strange voices to anoy my friends
now if I can make money out of it that would rally anoy my friends
yes I know it take time and work to learn more on how to
learn how to do it and more.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Feb 17
@eagletrek2 It would be fun to do. If we had a way I would send my sample on here.
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Jan 17
I'm sorry this hasn't worked out well for you. I hope you get more commercials. As your experience grows perhaps you will have more opportunities.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic ......Sounds interesting.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Jan 17
It is more of a hobby than anything else.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
3 Jan 17
It would be nice if something good would come of your efforts. We just never know.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Jan 17
It is sortof fun to listen to it. I even did different voices and a Texas accent.
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Dec 16
Talented? A little maybe, but I do like to try new things. Happy New Year and good luck staying warm next week.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69174)
• Centralia, Washington
1 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic Thanks and Happy New Year to you, too. Next week is going to be a doozy on the lack of heat for sure. And a huge thanks for dragging me back into the poet's corner.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
2 Jan 17
@sallypup My pleasure. You need to be there every Saturday.
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
31 Dec 16
That is so interesting. Good luck in 2017. Happy New Year.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Dec 16
Happy New Year to you as well!
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
1 Jan 17
@JamesHxstatic I hope you get new assignments in 2017.Wish you a very Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Jan 17
Thank you. I wish you the same too!
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11327)
• Australia
1 Jan 17
It's fun experience I reckon to learn how to do some vocal exercises and work on technique ... I think I need something like that so I speak clear ..
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
2 Jan 17
I know two people who've done voice work, successfully. My sister-in-law used to do commercials and actually narrated a book or two. And I have an acquaintance from my mom days who does narrates books.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381971)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jan 17
What a shame your career went 'nowhere' but maybe one day you'll be discovered. Our brass band were in a TV commercial once but after a pretty boring and long evening doing the filming, etc, you see us in the background for about 3 seconds. Sort of turned me off a TV career!
1 person likes this
