Today’s blog isn’t about the people in entertainment marketing. But it’s close. Or adjacent as they like to say in old LA. Today we (meaning me) sound off about misconceptions that plague the VO world. Brought about by my alma mater, SMU in Dallas, offering a course in VO which, to quote the administration, ‘can be a hobby’.

Yes, someone at my college is under the impression that doing VO can be a hobby. I asked if they were going to read copy to their cat. Silence. They do not offer any courses in VO or radio. Their TV courses now focus on things other than performance. SMU has a cutting-edge new program for non-profit administration. Leading the way.

Anyway, being able to read, time, record, time, edit, rerecord, bring emotion to the ideas in the copy…that is indeed rare. We all can talk but real pros use their voice as an instrument. Under their Continuing and Professional zoom classes, they are offering a short workshop on VO. Mind you, since SMU doesn’t offer VO classes, there is nothing continuing.

Just because you have a unique or pleasant voice means…good for you. Without training, desire, luck, focus, and all the things involved with any creative career, you’re just someone with a unique or pleasant voice. Let’s be more direct – even with training, you might just be a unique or pleasant voice who did some classes.

The folks were entirely unaware of the implications of AI on VO. They do, however, offer classes on AI.

And another thing, demos always sound great. But you really need to hear a voice read your copy. Cold. See if they understand. SO many don’t. Unless you have time to babysit a session (and if you do, please let me know and I’ll do an interview with you) then understanding copy is job 1.

Thanks for reading. End of a very long week. Hope you are doing better.

Job Alert – Digital Content Manager KSWO Lawton

Think About This: Missing the mark is one of the ways in which we learn to hit the target.”  ~  Eric Butterworth