Banks Blog

You’re sitting in the middle row, a group of Voiceoverists are looking captivated by top expert Zebedee Florence from Magic Roundabout Studios. Let’s be clear about this, Zebedee is one of the greats, it says so on his website.

“By marking in bold the focus points on the copy you will easily see where the client needs lifts and calls to action.” There are nods of approval, a ripple of applause and lots of note taking. Be honest, you have no idea. To be honest nobody else attending has a clue either.

STOP – ENOUGH

What you do next takes courage. You raise your hand. Zeb looks at you.

“Zeb, I believe I’ve just missed a valuable point. If it’s ok with everyone else would you please explain in detail what you mean and give a few examples?” You look around the room, waiting for groans and accusing stares but rather than an attack of the negs you see smiles and people with pens poised waiting to expand their, so far, meaningless notes. At this point there is more danger of the speaker looking dumb than you.

How do you determine whether your question or the answer is dumb? Simple! Listen. Apologies, that’s unfair because for the majority of Voiceoverists listening to anything other than something they want to hear is extremely difficult; you need to move beyond that trait and move on quickly. Listen. In the example I’ve used you’re listening for a clear explanation of what the concept means and how to apply it. Think of your most recent job or audition and when your host has stopped talking ask yourself how you could have applied the technique. If you can then Zeb is on to something, if you can’t then there is a chance he is talking garbage. Good or bad, you need to know as it’s your money, your time and your career.

One word of caution; check with friends who will be honest enough to tell you if you really are dumb.

What on earth is a “Voice Stalker”? I got this idea from an online horoscope I read today. “If a plan is working, make the most of it. If it’s not working, change it. And if you’re not sure whether it’s working or not? Well, that largely depends on how long you have already been giving it the benefit of the doubt. A lot of people spend a lot of time living in a make-believe world where ‘hopeful signs and signals’ are frequently seen, yet no real change ever comes. You’re not obliged to put up with an unsatisfactory situation for a moment longer than you want to.”  Interesting isn’t it? 

If I discovered a girl who I wanted REALLY WANTED and contrived to be where she was, kept in contact with her, did everything within my power to attract her attention, showered her with gifts and attention, phoned, sent texts, visited her at work, at home all to no avail what would that make me? The advocates of positive mental attitude, the marketing experts, those who say things like “winners never quit and quitters never win” would say that some day she will be mine. What think you m’lords, m’ladies? Mmmmmmmmm CREEPY STALKER!  Exactly.

Review your wants, your desires and your dreams, get real. Am I saying you should give up on your dreams? No. I am saying that you should stop stalking something that has told you many times already that it will never be yours. Don’t give up on your dreams, give up your obsession and find a real dream, your dream and that dream will come true