Voice Actor | Audio Editor | Radio Broadcaster | Voice Acting Mentor | Consultant
For an audio guy, I hang out with some very talented visual specialists. Recently, I asked Anna to photograph our team… (including herself).
I am over the moon with the images of my whole crew and am stoked with my new look too.
huge respect to the visual storytellers in my life…
Anna Singleton – Katie Finn – David Martinelli – Cindy Laine – Hakan Nedjat
When my NZ journey started, one of the first web pages I bookmarked was WHITILIVE – a live stream camera positioned overlooking Mercury Bay. This site extremely valuable as a source to feel ‘at home & local’…when I’m unable to stick my head out the window. A massive thanks to owner of whitilive and fellow CFM staffer – Sam Howell, for keeping this site up and live. Feel free to stop by anytime to check the amazing view.
Skimming through my usual weekly radio news sites, I stumbled upon an article from someone I have heard of, as yet have not met, but look forward meeting. Noting my previous post – hyperlocal, you’ll understand.
The article: Tips on runnning a standalone station: Glenn Smith 1XX New Zealand © Radioinfo.com.au
With fervour and excitement, I read Glenn’s tips on running a radio station; the article just simply rang true for me, making it easy to connect the dots in my own context.
Although, I’m 18 months into my New Zealand radio journey; I’m still learning and getting to understand the many differences and similarities from my experiences of commercial radio in Australia.
One major similarity between the two countries – is the large amount of big-stakeholder radio ownership. ie: Southern Cross Austereo in Australia and the duopoly of MediaWorks and NZME in New Zealand – all with very sizeable radio holdings in Metro and Regional locations. Add to the mix the state run radio ABC (Australia) and RNZ (NZ) and then the smaller independents – BrianFM, 1XX, BOP and CFM to name just a few. My particular case study today is CFM – owned & run by John & Lynda Grant – Radio Coromandel Limited.
Over the past 15 years, I have developed as a Voiceover Mentor; thanks largely to my academic colleagues – Dr Kate Foy, Dr Ashley Jones and Dr Bernadette Meenach; and also my peers – Sharyn Doolan, Reg Mowat and Marcus Oborn. The many conversations and time spent working with these people has rubbed off on me obviously.
Since the early 90’s, I have considered myself a professional voice over person. Reflecting back; (as mentioned in a previous post) not only has my style and acting changed – but it seems the many years of just doing it, and soaking up knowledge from the afore mentioned people, has amounted to a lot of acquired knowledge, that just slips out sometimes.
In my last session with a mentee, I heard myself discussing how important it is as a voice actor, to understand the working tools of your trade. This has brought us to this post.
Reflection on one’s style and technique is an imperative skill for a voice actor – to improve or progress you need to be able to critically listen to your work and offer yourself feedback. I find it fascinating how my own style has changed over the years, from that very forced ‘radio announcer’, to a casual more realistic human sound. Today I was writing and listening to the radio; and a couple of my own voiceovers jumped out at me.
I have read commercials for both of these clients, a number of times; I wonder if my read style has been influenced by a personal connection to the clients – both of whom I’ve enjoyed many glasses of wine with.
For the past couple of years I’ve been using the CEntrance R4 audio interface in the booth and on the road. I’d been using the original CEntrance MicPortPro for many years, then the R4 replaced it – Clean pres with plenty of dynamic range, very clean phantom power and absolutely well built. When recently the R4S (Studio model without battery) was on sale – I decided to purchase a second unit. (One for the booth, one for mobile.) I also decided to splash out on a new set of headphones for Vo work – CEntrance Cerene db. It’s nice to have such a good set of headphones in the booth – controlled natural, transparent sound.
Switchel, switzel, swizzle, ginger-water or haymaker’s punch is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar and seasoned with ginger. It is usually sweetened with honey or maple syrup.
I like it, simple as that. So, here’s my recipe….
500ml water
Fresh Ginger – 2x 2inch pieces
80ml – Apple cider vinegar
50g [2 Tblsp] – Manuka Honey
Juice of one Citrus
Bring to boil 500 mil water with 2 nice pieces of loosely cut peeled ginger.
Let cool to below 30 degrees (to prevent killing all the good bacteria).
Combine ginger water with vinegar, honey and juice.
Shake well and leave in sealed bottle overnight, strain, then refrigerate.
To serve: 40ml in a glass topped up with sparking water.
