tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30268589593708102722024-03-13T14:55:39.735-07:00Ken Krauss: Adventures in VoiceoverAdventures in Voice-over---
the musings of voice-over artist Ken KraussKen Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-48307397168117154212013-12-03T16:34:00.000-08:002013-12-03T16:34:29.415-08:00Voicetrax VOICE-ACTING PODCAST 5: Students You Might Have HeardIt has been a while again, but this one I'm really proud of. I made the cut on the Voicetrax podcast student sampler demo. They used part of my VO for one of the stops on the Kelley House audio tour in the mix. It was wonderful to hear my voice alongside aome of the folks I've learned with over the years. You can check it out at he Voicetrax YouTube channel at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi0vo_snbQQ">this link</a>, or just look below.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Xi0vo_snbQQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
What an honor! And what good company to be in! Thank you Sam Paris, and thanks to everyone at Voicetrax, for helping me find my voice!Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-61494056857175483922013-10-16T16:40:00.001-07:002013-10-16T16:40:39.418-07:00Voicetrax Podcast 4: Think Visually, Act Vocally<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JfWO2sbAmRk" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Here's some perspective on performance from one of the best in the business, Thom Pinto. Part of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Voicetrax?feature=watch">Voicetrax</a> YouTube Channel.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-10882317572366682302013-03-18T14:11:00.000-07:002013-03-19T17:50:31.140-07:00Part 2 of the Thom Pinto interview . . . .This is part two of the interview of VO great Thom Pinto, from <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lovethatrebecca/2013/03/14/love-that-voiceover">LoveThatRebecca.com</a>. It's worth it for that pictures of Thom over the years alone. Thom is a great teacher and influence, and he is both generous of spirit and a truth speaker. There is another part coming soon too, so be sure to get your Thom on!<br />
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Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lovethatrebecca">LoveThatRebecca</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>
Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-17828829512257052032013-03-16T18:12:00.001-07:002013-03-16T18:12:07.115-07:00Have voice, will travel . . . .Last Thursday I made the trek to Emeryville for a callback audition at <a href="http://www.leapfrog.com/en/index.html">Leapfrog Games</a>. I had read for four characters in a new game they are producing, and they called me in to give reads on three of them. It was an awesome experience, and I felt quite honored to make it to that point. Of course, there is no way of knowing how it will turn out, but I felt good with my performances and the booth director was enthusiastic and positive. We shall see . . . .<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM5RP1GVVAXvcpA8oBuBYGBRFBYQcpDKFrCQpqJbphmgN7209cO7_7xTTb9jwCEgttugdgu_YGm0GiFzzMQJY0MDCd9ub-CXKA_ROs6Qu_45eqy8-U1_MUz-NbHIPOYfSNvlSgVCu7_c/s1600/IMG_0184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM5RP1GVVAXvcpA8oBuBYGBRFBYQcpDKFrCQpqJbphmgN7209cO7_7xTTb9jwCEgttugdgu_YGm0GiFzzMQJY0MDCd9ub-CXKA_ROs6Qu_45eqy8-U1_MUz-NbHIPOYfSNvlSgVCu7_c/s400/IMG_0184.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lobby at <a href="http://www.leapfrog.com/en/index.html">Leapfrog Games</a> in Emeryville, CA.</td></tr>
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One thing that really surprised me was the attitude of people when they heard I was coming from Mendocino. I know (BELIEVE me, I know) it is a three hour drive each way, and I don't mind it so much. I realize that I have to go to the job---it's not going to come to me. But one person literally said "Are you crazy?" when I told her where I was coming from (this was another voice actor.)<br />
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I look at it this way: I have to be willing to do what I need to do to make it in this business. If that means driving a couple of hundred miles to get a shot at a job, so be it. It doesn't matter to the client how far I am coming from. They just want the best performance I am capable of.<br />
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So I am ready to load up my iPod with tunes and podcasts, gas up my Saturn, and hit the road if need be. There is a whole range of possibilities out there, and limiting myself because of where I live is not going to bring them to me.<br />
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Have voice, will travel!Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-85389513990889385472013-03-10T21:42:00.001-07:002013-03-10T21:42:12.442-07:00That running over cup . . . .So, here it is, March 2013, and I am posting the first blog post of the New Year. It's a quandary---when nothing's happening, I feel like there's nothing to post, and when I'm busy it seems like I haven't got the time. Right now it is the second part of that range of possibilities that is what has made posting difficult.<br />
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If I put aside my day jobs---and there are several that I work at to pay the rent---here are my current projects:<br />
<ol>
<li>An audiobook for Redwood Audio (booked through <a href="https://www.acx.com/">ACX</a>) titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Politics-Passion-Toward-Egalitarian-Liberalism/dp/0300115369">Politics and Passion; Toward a More Egalitarian Liberalism</a> ;</li>
<li>an audio tour for the <a href="http://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/">Kelley House Museum</a> in Mendocino, which we are in post-production on;</li>
<li>a call back audition (this Thursday) for an eLearning project received from my agent at <a href="http://www.starsagency.com/home.php">Stars</a>.</li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYXtpI14Tvy5E0dybm-c_6guEID4CcFiC_wISZTwVBrmHG7yMqmXhj6mqO9Xnu20oOrzhSC-Z5WJCOk8U_qlURRfVQ9t9ePxr74H0M-uxFYxKlbRzhJIV22t1Bft1P2uR5dxCb4v0kQ/s1600/my-cup-runneth-over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYXtpI14Tvy5E0dybm-c_6guEID4CcFiC_wISZTwVBrmHG7yMqmXhj6mqO9Xnu20oOrzhSC-Z5WJCOk8U_qlURRfVQ9t9ePxr74H0M-uxFYxKlbRzhJIV22t1Bft1P2uR5dxCb4v0kQ/s320/my-cup-runneth-over.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://inkjot.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/my-cup-runneth-over/">Inkjot Comics</a></td></tr>
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On top of these, I have begun rehearsals for the next <a href="http://www.mendocinostories.com/hitandrun.html">Hit and Run Theater</a> shows, coming to Hill House in Mendocino on March 29 and 90.
All this makes for one very busy person. I am grateful that all this is happening, and feel like the work of the past years is finally bearing fruit. I will do my best to make time to keep this blog posted on new happenings, and updates on all that is already going on. My cup runneth over!Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-14525690353397312762012-12-06T11:58:00.001-08:002012-12-06T11:58:37.878-08:00The Santa sessions . . . .I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this. (Via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/bigbangvoiceover?feature=watch">bigbangvoiceover</a>)
Happy Holidays, folks.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fN9AZ-N3Npo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-18990603972358566872012-12-02T10:53:00.000-08:002012-12-02T10:53:16.880-08:00Beginning work on an audio tour project . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbl7zfCtn3mO_ESHZvYTsHlsKC8c-UxMXjUALCX0tJyiKq9HT5kblaTitskjKosHp6QrtiZxrM1SPMc_a2G_iSqlpt5ZWD2dLzTg254n6_QLts3HiR_5IoQ5J6dyo_JCoRJgUWY9-sKE/s1600/Kelley-House-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbl7zfCtn3mO_ESHZvYTsHlsKC8c-UxMXjUALCX0tJyiKq9HT5kblaTitskjKosHp6QrtiZxrM1SPMc_a2G_iSqlpt5ZWD2dLzTg254n6_QLts3HiR_5IoQ5J6dyo_JCoRJgUWY9-sKE/s400/Kelley-House-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I did preliminary work on a new project this week: an audio tour narration for one of the local area museums, the <a href="http://www.kelleyhousemuseum.org/">Kelley House Museum</a>. It entails a number of passages detailing the historical events surrounding the landmarks in our little chunk of the Mendocino Coast. It is quite interesting, and has a lot of information that I wasn't aware of.<br />
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I will be working once again with <a href="http://www.givingvoicestudio.com/aboutbeth.html">Beth Richmond</a>, alternating reading the various passages with her. Putting my voice in people's heads is an interesting challenge. There will be music and sound effects added by us as well, and the tour is designed as an app that will include pictures and illustrations also.<br />
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We did a walk through of the whole tour yesterday, which gives us a chance to see each of the stops on the tour and relate it to the real world, as well as timing the reads to fit a leisurely pace. I've lived on the North Coast of California since 1990, but I was unaware of some of the more colorful elements of our area. We were with several of the people who actually give walking tours for visitors, so we got a real sense of the tone and passion for this information from them. They are obviously very committed to sharing the history of our home with those who are interested. What a real asset to get that kind of insight.<br />
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Coming up with sounds and music will be a challenge, but I am happy to be a part of this project. Another new adventure in voice overs!Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-73526328693131697432012-11-29T07:57:00.000-08:002012-11-29T08:01:06.338-08:00A chat with a voiceover great: Thom Pinto . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-SvvXfmj9u7uMXGU1weFGs9svk-HwTBmZLh44S5Qnk5nhzmZQcGcw2uIqiLETmr49yPJUVr0Q3Ad0o4UOvZstnZX6wZXcbUVSc-QllKfzY4vuTXH5htiak6oTp0u4JP7ZkvS_6oQ9zw/s1600/contentBio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-SvvXfmj9u7uMXGU1weFGs9svk-HwTBmZLh44S5Qnk5nhzmZQcGcw2uIqiLETmr49yPJUVr0Q3Ad0o4UOvZstnZX6wZXcbUVSc-QllKfzY4vuTXH5htiak6oTp0u4JP7ZkvS_6oQ9zw/s320/contentBio.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
Okay, it's been too long (the generic "I should post more" post), but I've had something I've come across that deserves attention.<br />
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This is an interview with one of the best in the VO business, <a href="http://thompinto.com/index.htm">Thom Pinto</a>. I have been fortunate enough to have been instructed by this guy at Voicetrax in San Francisco over the years, and he is someone I feel grateful to consider a mentor for my work in voiceover. The interview is by <a href="http://www.lovethatrebecca.com/">Rebecca Michaels</a> on her podcast <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lovethatrebecca/2012/11/28/thom-pinto-pt-1-iconic-status-tune-in?goback=%2Egde_1792447_member_190733040">Love That VoiceOver</a>.<br />
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The interview is a joy to listen to, full of memories and insights into the business. Just having a chance to hear Thom chat a bit about his experiences and career is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in voiceover. This is part one, so I'm looking forward to hearing more!<br />
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<div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;">
Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lovethatrebecca">LoveThatRebecca</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>
Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-54676786175742106312012-10-22T17:56:00.000-07:002012-10-22T18:00:22.129-07:00A tool in my kit . . . .One of the tools in my tool kit for voice over is working with a local improv group on the Northern California Coast called the <a href="http://www.mendocinostories.com/hitandrun.html">Hit and Run Theater</a>. This crew has been at it for several decades, and for the last three years I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the festivities.<br />
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Improv is an amazing discipline, and emphasizes skills which are vital for script analysis and character development. Add into the mix a need to work well with others and get out of your own way, and I believe it is an invaluable part of my voice acting arsenal.<br />
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And as these photos by my wife, Bessy of our performances at the Hill House in Mendocino last weekend show, it's a heck of a lot of fun. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdhaus449/8110465175/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Christine is confused by Doug's obvious enjoyment of Ken's massage by birdhaus, on Flickr"><img alt="Christine is confused by Doug's obvious enjoyment of Ken's massage" height="319" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8110465175_eb6df4b04f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I give Doug Nunn an on stage neck massage, much to </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Christine Samas' surprise.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdhaus449/8110459789/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Steve is having none of Ken's whining. by birdhaus, on Flickr"><img alt="Steve is having none of Ken's whining." height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8110459789_35acd3615d.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the end of our improvised opera on pickles, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Steve Weingarten prepares </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to deliver the death blow to me, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as Kathy O'Grady, Dan Sullivan, and Christine look on.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdhaus449/8110451557/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ken, Kathy, and Steve take points of view by birdhaus, on Flickr"><img alt="Ken, Kathy, and Steve take points of view" height="271" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8110451557_1ee6fe64c8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A bit of imrovised song with me, Kathy, and Steve.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdhaus449/8110446205/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title=""All better now?" by birdhaus, on Flickr"><img alt=""All better now?"" height="317" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8110446205_e4aaa7db99.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Doug cures my character of hyperactivity, at least momentarily,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as Jill Jahelka appreciates the moment.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Improv has given me a new way to look at my voice work, and I am glad I have it! I owe a big debt of gratitude to all the Hit and Runners.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-58947126267406999022012-09-23T21:37:00.002-07:002012-09-23T21:37:44.608-07:00Here come the auditions . . . .After what seemed like a period of spotty audition activity, last week was very busy. This weekend alone I had four scripts to read from my agent, plus an inquiry on rates from a German company. When it rains . . . .<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdMTNM7kbvbzthpeBEBW2claB89bh-kHU3tWtHhNvKfhDN9rpcTLOfmjtk8H0YND8c5ijNMvDCOqTv4vKPN76spOUjzJZH-BOyGI-FbiKHouW5dJzyl1nIDBDSs3C8eol72Obr8VMRjo/s1600/Ear-voice-connection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdMTNM7kbvbzthpeBEBW2claB89bh-kHU3tWtHhNvKfhDN9rpcTLOfmjtk8H0YND8c5ijNMvDCOqTv4vKPN76spOUjzJZH-BOyGI-FbiKHouW5dJzyl1nIDBDSs3C8eol72Obr8VMRjo/s200/Ear-voice-connection.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://katepeters.com/blog/">Kate's Voice</a></td></tr>
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Auditioning from home, which is all I've ever done, is a solitary beast. It makes me feel so isolated, and there is no sense of how well or poorly you did other than whether you get the gig . . . or don't. The lack of feedback can be maddening, and I do often rely on my friend, producer and narrator <a href="http://www.givingvoicestudio.com/aboutbeth.html">Beth Richmond</a>, to give what I've done a listen and let me know her opinion of my performance. There is just no substitute for another set of ears. Yet at times I must just trust the process and the preparation and talent I have, and roll with it.<br />
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I have also begun practicing with the improv group I work with, the <a href="http://www.mendocinostories.com/hitandrun.html">Hit and Run Theater</a>. We will be performing at the Hill House in Mendocino for two shows next month, and the interplay with these talented folks always tones my performance muscles. Improv is a great tool to have in my kit, and it definitely helps with script analysis and helps me give a unique take to any reads.<br />
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All this gives me a greater sense of connectedness to my art, and I am grateful for that.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-8186224849497140562012-09-11T22:07:00.001-07:002012-09-11T22:07:43.531-07:00New toy . . . .I decided a week ago to upgrade my home studio and order the <a href="http://www.harlanhogan.com/portaboothArticle.shtml">Harlan Hogan Porta-Booth</a>. At this point in my life I don't have the wherewithal to afford sound treating an entire room (besides being a renter), so I wanted an option that was both low impact on my living space and effective. Plus there are times when I travel, so having a portable recording option available is useful. I've only been using it a short time, but my reaction so far is WOW!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvxrDYc4GOm5EpDFwNwMt7xJJLM0cke55PJNuQ6U709UkN6JK6jn-lbHL8rdONOgBZZp4frWKU3QtvTNt5-w7vQDmnSvFBAd8o9HVAe8ii_BdshZdz5zfg6nG2OmuhMi0FKT6G04QPLM/s1600/PICT3382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvxrDYc4GOm5EpDFwNwMt7xJJLM0cke55PJNuQ6U709UkN6JK6jn-lbHL8rdONOgBZZp4frWKU3QtvTNt5-w7vQDmnSvFBAd8o9HVAe8ii_BdshZdz5zfg6nG2OmuhMi0FKT6G04QPLM/s400/PICT3382.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the new home of KraussVO! I left up the old fruit box dividers I used </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before to mitigate sound bouncing, but I don't think I need them anymore. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My MXL 990 microphone looks quite cozy.</div>
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The Booth does take some getting used to. For years I've been used to the ambient sound of my recording studio, which is located in a cabin separate from our house. At first the "deadness" of the recordings I was doing (as opposed to the "live" sound I have been used to) was . . . well, weird. I couldn't really tell if it was better or not. I finally went to the woman who produced and engineered the audio book I recently finished, <a href="http://www.givingvoicestudio.com/">Beth Richmond of Giving Voice Studio</a>, and asked her for an honest appraisal. She has done production and post-production work for some years now on numerous projects, and built her own home studio some years ago. She said the sound was "great", which, given the primitive nature of the structure I use, is saying a lot.<br />
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I'm learning to do things a little differently, positioning the mic and my mouth differently, putting the scripts in the Booth for reading, but it seems to be working out better. As time goes on, I will report on how it feels once I settle into it a little more. For now, it seems to be a definite improvement.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-13455972044172650532012-09-07T22:43:00.001-07:002012-09-07T22:43:28.121-07:00Left out or right away . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3zkdKM__pWJ7rYq3E2eXwjXvNVlCWurKFn5fgUXabjsi7QfQqodyFFAeozj_AiPSWb_YbLL7LM8gHxTZf-LiH2AwNe3Afk8iZndgeGTGz5MmgNBrxVuW5_T38gRsjhcVI4enjacooys/s1600/VO+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3zkdKM__pWJ7rYq3E2eXwjXvNVlCWurKFn5fgUXabjsi7QfQqodyFFAeozj_AiPSWb_YbLL7LM8gHxTZf-LiH2AwNe3Afk8iZndgeGTGz5MmgNBrxVuW5_T38gRsjhcVI4enjacooys/s200/VO+button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I was getting ready to head to my day job today when I checked my email, and there was an audition from my agency (<a href="http://www.starsagency.com/home.php">Stars of San Francisco</a>) which was due in about an hour. It was for a ballot initiative here in California, Prop 37, which would require appropriate labeling for genetically engineered foods. I grabbed the two scripts, did a quick read, and sent them off, but it did occur to me: what if the spots were for a position or candidate I didn't agree with?<br />
<br />
According to one of my idols, <a href="http://www.myvoiceoverguy.com/voice-over/political-voice-overs-sometimes/">D. C. Douglas</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">There are many</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.myvoiceoverguy.com/" style="color: #674930; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_self">voice over</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">actors who will not provide their services for anything that is contrary to their</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.myvoiceoverguy.com/voice_over_demos/political.html" style="color: #674930; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">political</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">views. I’m not one of them. I don’t think the power of my voice and the quality of my timber can actually make someone</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">do</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">something. (Just like video games and rock music don’t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">make</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">do</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">anything – you and your brain/brain chemistry are responsible!) If I’m not recording it, someone else is. I’d rather the money landed in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">my</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">bank account – a secular Liberal with Libertarian leanings…</span></blockquote>
This seems quite realistic and reasonable, yet I find a part of my soul sort of screaming in pain when I think about doing a script for, oh . . . say, Citizens United, or just about any Republican. NOT that this has been an issue, mind you.<br />
<br />
I guess it is easier for a working VO guy to say yea or nay to this or that political ad. For now, I want work, and if I book something I will take it. If I have qualms about the leanings of the subject of the script, I can always give the money I make to the opposition.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-46270388705382867952012-09-05T18:48:00.000-07:002012-09-05T18:48:19.468-07:00Keep on truckin' . . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_vPUZz5vMcHIfsgcpFR-mQNbcVDnSH4b_oQAG4hvB7hJwB_asUb-ehVV01pbU9gjnLrnYk9BJE6jUcPU9YNf_4vfEs3wkV46tVjeEpMWLWE9ChYdd6g53uaOxpD6buMU5WOR8MQBLiA/s1600/Mark+Ruffalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_vPUZz5vMcHIfsgcpFR-mQNbcVDnSH4b_oQAG4hvB7hJwB_asUb-ehVV01pbU9gjnLrnYk9BJE6jUcPU9YNf_4vfEs3wkV46tVjeEpMWLWE9ChYdd6g53uaOxpD6buMU5WOR8MQBLiA/s400/Mark+Ruffalo.jpg" width="272" /></a>I worked on two auditions last night from my agent, both for industrial narrations. One was a straight narrator script, and the other was the character of a soon-to-retire husband talking about the options for him and his wife. Both were right inside my wheelhouse, but there have been so many perfect fits over the years for me that I don't know what to expect. All I can do is give the best performance I possibly can, and after that it is up to the client. You never hear anything if you are NOT chosen, so it is pretty frustrating, and easy to get discouraged.<br />
<br />
Then I saw this article (via <a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/inside-voiceover-cutting-edge-insights-enlightening-entertaining-news-for-voiceover-professionals">scoop.it</a>, thanks to Sirenetta Leoni) about the struggle Mark Ruffalo endured before he made it:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you happen to be feeling down or dejected because things aren't happening fast enough for you career-wise, consider this...Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo went on over 800 auditions and got 800 "no's" before he was cast in "You Can Count On Me." As the article points out, that is an epic amount of rejection, even by Hollywood standards.<br />
<br />
As your acting and voice acting coaches always tell you, you have to believe in yourself and your abilities. We're sure that Mark had friends and colleagues who were booking more frequently than he was, but obviously he avoided measuring his success by how others were doing and didn't allow his lack of bookings to get him down. We're sure it wasn't easy at times, but he persisted, and just kept auditioning and believing in himself, instead of throwing in the towel.<br />
<br />
Thanks to the folks from The City Workshop for putting us onto <a href="http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0304-MAR_RUFFALO">this Esquire article </a>from several years back. It's the first time we heard this story about Mark, so we're guessing that most of you haven't heard it before either.<br />
<br />
Esquire: "This man went on eight hundred ill-fated auditions. Auditions for bad karate movies and shows about cops on bikes. Auditions in which -- and this one is hard to picture -- Richard Grieco trash-talked him.<br />
Even in a town where rejection is as common as multigrain pancakes, eight hundred auditions is a lot. Epic even."</blockquote>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-shadow: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">800 auditions! And he kept at it. I guess persistence can pay off, eh?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks Sirenetta! I needed that!</span></div>
Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-53834179711766030452012-09-04T15:00:00.000-07:002012-09-05T12:48:33.261-07:00Change is good . . . .<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf7h01V6Ed2MeIzGlOqR8_c7zSofubLVEy19UOdU8Ow-J2bSoCEGfXtXKtdfovxJSerMqrkJfBo3tlc-74fiboI6ugz52LOsbxXAxPjaolv4ZqdRHNr1VmkCCihLsOCuR5ppfWkbGHI8/s1600/website-design-michigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf7h01V6Ed2MeIzGlOqR8_c7zSofubLVEy19UOdU8Ow-J2bSoCEGfXtXKtdfovxJSerMqrkJfBo3tlc-74fiboI6ugz52LOsbxXAxPjaolv4ZqdRHNr1VmkCCihLsOCuR5ppfWkbGHI8/s320/website-design-michigan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via simplifiedinternetdesign.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a long period of procrastination, I have finally updated my voiceover web site. The results are <a href="http://kraussvo.com/">here</a>, and include more <a href="http://kraussvo.com/Samples.html">samples</a> of the work I have done than before, as well as photos of me (as opposed to the stylized images that were there before) and a link to this blog. Hopefully, it will give a clearer idea of what I offer as a voice artist, but I feel so relieved to get this redesign FINALLY done. It is one of the steps I am taking to make a higher priority of my voice work, as well as a way of portraying myself to the world as to what I am as an artist NOW.<br />
<br />
How effective will this be in generating work for me? Only time will tell. But for now, I am pleased to at last made the changes I have been dreaming of for this site for literally years. And that is a major accomplishment for me! <br />
<br />Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026858959370810272.post-65597895353080510362012-09-03T16:14:00.000-07:002012-09-03T16:48:40.518-07:00In the beginning . . . .While I have been working as a voice over artist for a while (or should I say, struggling to break into this field?), this is the first post for a blog I am starting to document my journey. I have heard such a blog can be a "valuable marketing tool", I guess I am also approaching it as a personal tool---a way to track my own progress and see just where this path leads.<br />
<br />
I have my first audio book in release, and I have to say that I am quite proud of it. It is called "Wet Places At Noon", and it is a collection of short stories by Lee K. Abbott. It is available at <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B0092SFMVI&qid=1346712435&sr=1-1">audible.com</a>, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/wet-places-at-noon-iowa-short/id557069927">iTunes</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wet-Places-Noon-Short-Fiction/dp/B00938WWCY/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346712311&sr=1-3">amazon.com</a>, and I have to admit it is exciting to see my name on all those sites!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzTjkCZwYog-ffuZjs1GqbdcIu4Q4tN_fgUUmEojBfqSwC1DNhmVm3V8_jDcqcOE7u42lk891AoSoAiae2d8rw56v3962yFa-ovH-OTLXf-utHbbaU4MPnNtbPqc05dlYQNrvCTC2jg/s1600/Wet+Places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzTjkCZwYog-ffuZjs1GqbdcIu4Q4tN_fgUUmEojBfqSwC1DNhmVm3V8_jDcqcOE7u42lk891AoSoAiae2d8rw56v3962yFa-ovH-OTLXf-utHbbaU4MPnNtbPqc05dlYQNrvCTC2jg/s200/Wet+Places.jpg" width="200" /></a>I recorded it under the talented direction of Beth Richmond at her <a href="http://www.givingvoicestudio.com/">Giving Voice Studios</a>, and I have to give her props for the incredible job she did, in producing, engineering, and directing this newbie at the mic. She is my "secret weapon", and helped me deliver the best performance that was in me. She is a well established audio book narrator herself, with numerous titles to her credit, as well as being an accomplished actor. Her presence was one of the reasons I was able to pull this together, from recording the audition to the post production work. I am utterly grateful to her.<br />
<br />
The book itself was a joy to read. Abbott is an incredible writer, filling his stories with quirky personalities and putting them in situations that test their character and, at times, their sanity. His gift for description is rich and unique, and his tales are full of the unusual and unexpected. There is not a wasted word in his writing. I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to interpret this man's work.<br />
<br />
I booked this project though the <a href="https://www.acx.com/">Audiobook Creation Exchange</a>, a venue for matching producers, narrators, and authors, and I have to say it is a wonderful new way to find work as a narrator. I look forward to more titles through their site.<br />
<br />
I feel there is a new validity to my work in having this project out in the world. I am able to see myself more truly as a narrator, and as a person that maybe a few folks will want to listen to. That is pretty awesome, and gives me a new hope and happiness in pursuing this dream.Ken Krausshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491594637864389125noreply@blogger.com0