Character building

Part of what I need to do before I voice a demo is create characters. I don't necessarily mean 'cartoon' characters, but different people I can do with my voice. I'd never really thought about it until I took the VO class. I've had some fun creating a few....but I have many more I need. To be a 'bookable' voice over artist I need 12 - 15 characters. People I can slip into and out of with ease. Sounds crazy....right? So here's what I have so far.....

• Miss Kitty from Atlanta (I created her after attending an HDI meeting where they didn't have a name tag for me...only Kitty's was left and she couldn't attend)
• Tsunami Susan (my Superhero! - created her at the VO workshop)
• Nasaly Nelly (self explanatory - created just to keep up with speaking nasaly)
• Biker Brenda - tough talker and such a far stretch from me!

That's it. I have a long way to go....any ideas will help!!! :) Thanks for reading....

My life long dream....a possibility!!

I did it! I'm sure I've driven some of you nuts in the past few days and for that, I'm sorry. I didn't want to jinx anything. I was afraid if I said something, what I wanted to do, just wouldn't happen.

I've had a dream....for the past 27 years and was afraid to follow it. I was afraid that if I tried and was told I wasn't any good, that my dream was done.

So, here it is.................voice over work. There. I'm sure for some of you it was 'duh' or 'that's it?'!

Yep, that's it. I worked at Burger King back in the early 80's. We had to call back our orders on a microphone. First time I picked that thing up, I was HOOKED! I LOVE talking on the microphone (my EB family can attest to that). Over the years, I've taken a few classes on voice over but they were mostly about how to break into the business. Big deal. Didn't really help because I didn't know if I had the skills....or the talent. So, today, I found out.

I got an email from American Eagle Casting this week asking if I was still interested in their voice over workshop. I had inquired back in July 08 and they just recently went through their contacts for this upcoming class. My weekend plans were canceled (Jeff and I were going camping) so now I was available to take the class. The class was offered at Zone Music in Cotati (CONVENIENT just a mile away!!!) and being taught by Kathy Garver. Some of you might remember her as "Cissy" on a Family Affair from back in the 60's. Kathy has a Masters' degree in Communications from UCLA and a Bachelor's degree in Voice Work again, from UCLA. She's been in the business for 25 years and knows what she's doing.

I was very nervous about going. Just because I like to talk on a microphone, doesn't mean I have any talent. Can I do a cartoon voice? Can I speak with another actor and read/act out a script? What about commercials? Tags? How was my diction? Elocution? Enunciation?

We spent 5 hours reading and recording scripts. Car commercials, descriptions of paintings for museum tours, commercial scripts with multiple actors, cartoon characters. I took direction, created my own characters, and read the most convoluted tongue twisters I'd ever heard of! (Ask me when you see me and I'll read a few!). I had a BLAST!!!

In the end, I needed to ask Kathy. "Can I do this?" "Am I any good?". This would tell me if my dream was just that.....a dream, or if I could actually work in this field someday.

Kathy told me, I'm good. Some of my reads were a bit over the top and she had to bring me down a notch (another big surprise). I came up with my own motto to get through my reads "Drink a glass of wine, then read my line". That's what I need to do. Chill out a bit and go for it!!!

So there you have it. My dream has been to do voice over work and be good at it. I might just have a shot!!

Oh, one more thing.....when I got to the class, the casting director was there. She asked me "Have you ever modeled?". I said no, but funny you should ask....I was in a print ad campaign recently for an association I belong to. "You have a great look. What are you doing Monday?" She asked. "I'm working...". "OK, never mind. I'll find someone else".

And that's show business!

My buddy!

I have a brave new buddy named Lauren
When you see her smile, you'll be soarin'
such a beautiful girl
with once a head full of curls
but now it's a hat she's adornin.

Lauren has a icky affliction
her hair on her head it's affectin'
so the chemo she takes
still the smiles she makes
and her curls she donates with affection.

How can a beautiful girl with cancer be
the one who is inspiring me
to grow my hair long
and break out in song
knowing my hair will be donated with glee!

So to my dear buddy Lauren
whose giggles and smiles are a warnin'
no affliction can make
you a bad attitude to take
so please look on the bright side each mornin!

Love to you Lauren! Peace!

CHOC walk

Disneyland's new President greeting the walkers...

If I can be socially aware while I'm traveling, I do. While at Disneyland having a great time, I did the CHOC walk! It's a walk-a-thon for Children's Hospital Orange County. CHOC has this walk through Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. They open up the parks early for the walkers and make it a special day. As we turn each corner, there are characters waiting to greet us. We get to go back stage and it's just a really special day.

The walkers behind me on main street (looking towards the train station)

The Disneyland Fire Department met us backstage as we walked through...

Woody, Jessie & Buzz greeting us in DCA
....and I'm done! Long walk, foggy morning and soggy hair. Glad to have walked it!

Halloween Disney Style!

My buds on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Oh and ME on Big Thunder! It's hard to hold the camera and take a picture on that attraction!

Dale me and Chip. Too cool for school

I was in town (LAX) for a meeting last Friday and figured I'd spend a couple of days at Disneyland! Loved it! Was by myself for the most part...caught up with a couple of friends while I was there. I love the Halloween decorations they put up. Here's a few pics...

My visit to Utah

Me and Vicky OLD OLD friends!!

I had a great visit to Utah a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen Vicky and family in several years, hadn't met a few of her kids! It was time.....past time. Lauren and I were roomies for the weekend and I'm glad we were! (Picture is Lauren, me and Natalie) Lauren and I have necklaces that I bought us and we text each other and tell the other one we're wearing it. So cool. Lauren is a great girl and working hard through her health struggles. Sooo proud of her!!

This picture is of the Lehi Roller Mills. May not mean anything to you unless you've seen 'Footloose'. It's where 'Ren' worked and where the final dance was. I bought some FABULOUS brownie mix from them! Yum!!

My soon-to-be-famous cousin!

My 16 yr old cousin Jonathan Tomczak wrote a book! He is a history buff and was interested in writing a book. He got the idea while on a school trip to England and found a publisher. So proud!! These pictures were taken at his first book signing at Copperfields books in Petaluma.