The "Heinz" Age

Having recently reached the age of accountability (57), I began to ruminate, nay, meditate on the wonder of the number and it's historical significance.
Every one knows that The Heinz Company are the most famous purveyors of these digits, dating back to 1896 when H.J. got the idea for '57 Varieties' on a New York City train. Colloquially speaking--the name "Heinz 57" is used when describing a dog of multiple mixed breeds. It is this strange endearment to mutts that most closely resembles ME.
I am a true '57'--one look at me will tell you that I am mixed with several different American breeds! Now-that's not a BAD thing, but it is fun when meeting people for the first time!
I have at least 57 "all-time desert island" songs touching every musical genre from traditional gospel to classic rock to Bach to fusion to...well, you get the idea.
My kids thought it would be cool if 57 candles were on my birthday cake (they got up to 47 and ran out). The ensuing conflagration made everybody sing 'Happy Birthday' at 78rpm before the cake was engulfed!(see below)
Now I'm on to another '57'--57 ways to get better! Better to those around me, better to the VO community and better to myself (thanks, Paul Strikwerda). I know I'll never be perfect, but in the walk towards perfection I'm pretty sure I'll pick up at least 57 tips on being a better businessman, a better neighbor (less voicing after midnight), a better voice actor--not to mention a much better Dad, Husband,Grand-Dad,Brother and Uncle.
So--here's to 57!! Thank you, Lord for letting me live it!
Now I KNOW there is a 57th character sneakin' around in my head somewhe---aha!! There he is! Get him, boys!! Throw a net over him a and we'll put him a video game or somethin'...
Happy Voicing!

Finishing School

...so it's 2:17am (I had a loooong nap) and I'm waiting to record yet another strange and fun-filled character...just need a little more info from my client. So, between brainstorming scripts and voicing pink zombies, I have a moment to reflect.
The denizens of 'The Hole' have seen a lot of changes recently--changes in location, equipment and life. We've said 'goodbye' to precious friends and family and we've said 'hello' to exciting and wonderful new opportunities and acquaintances. New friends are always cool 'cause they don't know your foibles yet and old friends are cool 'cause they KNOW you and still love you anyway!
I am especially grateful for renewed purpose--some things never die, they simply wait for your maturity. I'm sure someone out there has a project on hold or a dream not yet realized. I was reminded of my own unfinished 'business' during conversations with friends and family recently. And not just reminded, but spurred into action by an inspiring message by T.D. Jakes about 'the grace to finish'.
Time, the surprises of life and sometimes our own decisions push us into 'I'll do it later'-no matter how noble, necessary, or near-to-the-heart the project is. The only catch to that thinking is we don't know how much 'later' we have left. So-not fatalistically or in panic- but earnestly and with direction, I look forward to 'finishing in phases' as T.D. put it. Reaching up on the shelf in the closet of my mind and heart to dust off that project and re-taking it one small step at a time and celebrating each step as I make it.
Now it's on you. Well, you didn't think I was gonna finish all this unfinished stuff by myself, did ya?!? We'll work towards completions and finishings together and help each other along the way, if need be.
Now, get busy and remember--time is on YOUR side.
Happy Voicing...

Ahh...Memories!

Do you remember the first time you ever heard your own voice over work? No, not the studio playbacks or the samples you produce and provide for your own website...I mean the finished product, the on-air commercial, the animated feature.
Was there a feeling of exhilaration and accomplishment--was the 'Gee Whiz' factor in full effect?
Having voiced commercials, documentaries and other projects that are produced and then aired in other regions or even countries, I finally had the chance recently to enjoy a portion of a completed project--complete with character animation, voice, special effects...the whole nine yards. What a rush (and a blessing)!
I pause for a special recognition to Stephanie Ciccarelli and the good folks at Voices.com for being instrumental in this wonderment.
OK...so now it's your turn. Do us all a favor and share your moment! That giddy moment when you heard you not being you--but being you being someone (or something) else.
C'mon...it'll be fun and educational (Geez, I sounded like my 5th grade teacher just then).

The 'Vipo' Experience: You Are Cast!

In the hilarious movie spoof "Tropic Thunder", one of the characters (a 5-time Oscar winning Australian who portrays an African-American) gives a strange, but spot on lecture about character research and development. He goes on and on using references to other movies and actors to bear himself out. Beyond this character-in-a-character performance, the point is well made that research is the backbone of any performance. You absolutely have to know something about your character, your co-characters and even the project as a whole. It just simply makes for a more well-rounded, 'informed' portrayal. Improv and imagination also come heavily into play when you are "creating" a character from it's inception.
In my case, I had to learn to think and then 'speak' like a half-man, half-iguana who was a mean, sneaky classic villian.
Now, I already know how mean and villainous some people could be, but I knew absolutely NOTHING about iguanas and so...a google or two later I find out that not only is my character sneaky and hot-tempered (his people skills) but he is also aggressive and territorial--an exfoliating ne'er-do-well who does double duty as a thief AND a king. HOOO-BOY!
I now have a great, well-rounded description of Loverboy but ...alas...no picture. No artist rendering, no stick figure sketch, nada. Remember earlier when I said imagination would come into play? After having seen more than my share of 'gill-men' and other cinematic horrors over the years, a visual image wasn't too hard to mentally construct. That wasn't my gig, anyway. What would he SOUND like? He had to be: articulate yet evil, emperious yet sneaky, regal and possesive yet mad and territorial all at once!
Even though I had one primary voice that came to mind I'd already learned from a Pat Fraley podcast that 2 different reads on the same character provide producer/directors with a choice...and a different view. I did just that! I wrote a 30 second monologue (he IS a villian!) incorporating all of his better qualities and social mores--in two distinctly different voices.
With prayer and baited breath I sent the audition to the casting director. She e-mailed me back with some "More of this and less of that" suggestions which were immediately incorporated into the second take amd resubmitted.
In late November 2008, I received this e-mail..."Dear Herb, Congratulations! You have been cast as the Iguana Summer King..."



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