Delving Into New Territory

I've gotten some great (non-verbal) response to the pair of excerpts from Adam Christopher's amazing sci-fi/film noir/graphic novel-esque book "Empire State". People really seem to like that style. (I urge anyone reading this to suggest to me other styles of stories or titles that you really, REALLY want to hear me do. Comment below or send me a message to my Facebook page!)

Anyway, since I need to do other styles of demos, I'm thinking I'm going to do "The Phantom Tollbooth" next (Not to be confused with "The Phantom Menace") which is one of my favorite stories as a child. "Tollbooth", not "Menace". I'm not sure "Menace" is anyone's favorite anything.

Hopefully I'll start on that tomorrow and have it uploaded and posted by Friday.

Another excerpt from Adam Christopher's "Empire State"!

I am having SO MUCH FUN recording these bits. I absolutely love the noir-ish sensibility of the story.

For those interested in reading this book (sadly at this time I am not narrating it... yet) you can find it here at Kobo: Empire State e-book or of course Amazon: Empire State Kindle Book

Cold Feet, Warm Heart

After jumping into the voice over world feet first, without thinking anything through, I have made the seeming mistake of trying to find out how to do what it is that I want to do.

One would think that it's not that difficult:

• Computer software. Check.
• Books to read. Check.
• A great voice. Check and double check.

Should be it, right? 

Maybe.

I am beginning to second guess myself. I have been joining as many groups and forums as I can get into to try to glean as much information as I can about this business. And as is the case most of the time,  I feel like I am way over my head.

There are SO MANY narrators, audiobook producers, voice over actors, etc etc, that I often feel like such a small fish in a VERY large pond. And of course they all start swapping information on what they feel is the best software out there to use, what type of microphone, headphones, sound studios, etc etc etc.

Everyone has an opinion, obviously, but that's not all. There are so many years of experience that I suddenly find myself surrounded by - even by what I would consider 'kids' by my age, people that are 28, 29 that have 10 or more years plus experience on me. It's all a bit overwhelming.

Hell, it's more than a bit. It's downright challenging!

I don't have a studio. I don't have the best headphones. I don't have an audio producer. I don't have a $500 microphone. Or a mixing board.

I have me, my $50 headphones and a $120 mic. I record in a room that is far from soundproof. I try and record whenever the neighbors across the street finally decide to go into their homes instead of showing off their new car's sound system or driving around.

But I am determined to make this work. This is what I feel in my soul. This is what I am meant to do. All this other stuff, the limitations, the challenges, the seemingly increasing "problems" - all of it doesn't matter. I am going to continue to record what I can, when I can, and somebody somewhere is going to take notice and say: "Hey, you shouldn't be able to do that!"

Oh yeah? Screw you. Watch me.

Coming soon!

This evening I will have (hopefully) more audio bits to share with the world. I am following my heart and not really trying to overthink things, so it was very encouraging to have so many of my friends and family stop by my blog and listen to what I have produced so far. No comments yet, but if it was bad at all, I'm sure I would have heard from someone. No news is good news, right?

As some of you know, I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction, and try to flood myself with positive thoughts and motivational quotes. Do you know why? I am an actor.

At the very root of my core lies this bit of uncertainty and self-doubt that pushes me. Am I good enough? Am I strong enough? Will this performance be liked and appreciated. So on occasion I get deflated - and (far) too often I take it personally when no one says anything. Like what happened yesterday. I asked for suggestions from my readers to perhaps showcase another genre they might want me to do, or an excerpt from a particular book that might work for me.

No one offered up a single thing.

Ordinarily this would bother me. I'd start thinking, "Crap! Did they not like what I've done? Is anyone actually reading this? Jesus, do they even like me?" Etc, etc, and I downward spiral.

Not doing that this time. It's a Saturday. People get busy with errands, chores, family time. No time to give a proper response to me. I get it now. True, they were all over Facebook. Lots of photo shares and status updates, and pictures of food. I still don't get that. But whatever.

This is for me. I'm going to do this because my heart and soul tell me so. This is the right choice. I'm done overthinking it.

Keeping Up Appearances

Today I was planning on putting together some more audiobook demos, but alas, as usually happens - life gets in the way. However, things will still come together, and I am most certain that I will be posting some new tidbits within the scope of the weekend.

Since I have your attention, and as a matter of a shameless plug, is there anything specific that you would like to hear from me? Any particular genre or title that anyone would like me to tackle? Please let me know either by email or by message on my professional facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jcredethevoice

Keep listening, I may just surprise you!

J.C. Rede

JC's Professional Demo Reel

An Excerpt from "Empire State"