Vimeo's "Vimeo can help**with your videos" is engaging & hilarious in a very now kind of way... I'm into marketing campaigns that can keep my attention in this era of easily-skippable ad placements, and this one is just weird enough to make me re-watch even during constant streaming repeats. Vimeo Staff. "Vimeo can help.* *with your videos". Vimeo 20 February 2019. 12 April 2019 #advertising #vimeo #production

NYC Transplants, Meet Native New Yorkers As part of their Ask a Native New Yorker series, Gothamist shows what happens when recent NYC transplants ask residents how to get around the city. Specifically, why New Yorkers "walk so fast." Be prepared for brutal honesty and helpful advice. And for someone who once asked the same question, it is spot on! Have a read here... #NYC #newyorkers #advice #gothamist #article

Review: Voice37 Vocal Therapy Drops Voice37 Drops Vocal Booster from Clyor would have come in handy a few years ago before an early morning voice over session. At the time, my voice wasn't in top shape and that groggy morning sound got in the way of what could have been a smoother recording. Move over lemon tea with honey -- ENTER Voice37, a quick remedy I've been using lately for those very situations and vocal health in general. Plus, it's always a good idea to take care of the instrument that happens to be our livelihood. Only this time, the secret ingredients include an unbeatable combination of Fennell Seed, Horse Radish Root, Slippery Elm Bark, Thyme, Celery Seed, and Horehound Herb. Got that? Clyor Voice37's motto is "Backstage concerns, Front Stage Results" so it goes without saying that countering performance anxiety is a top priority. And with our "stage" being a vocal booth, subtle vocal inconsistencies are more noticeable. However you want to put it, whether it’s croakiness, gruffness, huskiness, or throatiness, Clyor Voice37 addresses the nesses and gets you from grate to great quickly, effectively, and naturally. Now, you might be thinking "Aren't gruffness and huskiness marketable voice qualities?" For some performers, yes. Voice37 can have universal appeal especially for those who specialize in genres like video games and animation, which, at times, require intense vocal output. As with any type of performer, stage and otherwise, constant strain can lead to bigger problems down the road. So, why not give it a shot? Our throats will thank us. #voice37 #vocalremedy #clyor #health #review #products

Ear-Catching: Ray Donovan meets Hamlet While browsing YouTube a few weeks ago, I came across this amusing video featuring Liev Schreiber playing Hamlet...as Ray Donovan or as he calls it "Southie Hamlet." It's a couple of years old but still holds up today. If you're fan of the popular Showtime series or an admirer of Shakespeare you'll appreciate this. Check it out below! #RayDonovan #Hamlet #Shakespeare W Magazine. "Liev Schreiber Auditions for Ray Donovan as Hamlet". YouTube 29 June 2016. 12 Dec 2018

Review: Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone "Designed to help you sound your best no matter where you are." I'm no stranger to Blue products. The early days of using a Snowflake for auditions and last minute pick-ups are hard to forget and a recently purchased Yeti Nano sits on my desk waiting to be used. The Blue Baby Bottle is a household name at this point and can be found at agency booths and casting offices around NYC. Recently, I've been experimenting with the Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone from Blue Designs as part of my voice over travel rig. While I usually bring a more sophisticated set-up on the road, the Raspberry is compact, hassle-free and delivers impressive studio sound. Not surprising. For years, Blue has been developing cost-effective, high quality products designed specifically with voice talent in mind, however their inventory appeals to a wide range of performers including podcasters, gamers, singers and musicians. While it might be hard to tell from the photos, this little mic is capable of delivering the goods no matter the location. After all, what $200 USB/Lightning mic has an intricate built-in filter? And not just any filter but an IAD (Internal Acoustic Diffuser) that helps "minimize the sound of the room" when you're forced to record at the airport. Well, maybe not ALL the sound. Here's an audio sample: But what about room treatment? No sweat. While using it at my parents' house during Thanksgiving, a bed and two pillows sufficed and the IAD worked its magic. In addition, it works with most iOS/Android devices and went directly into my iPhone. Oh, Technology. Bottom line: small usb/lightning microphone, optimum sound and adaptable to many environments. Not to mention, a collapsible stand/mount and suede pouch, making traveling easy and that pretty much seals the deal. If you're on a budget and in the market for a low maintenance, professional digital condenser microphone, this may make your on-the-go recording life a little easier. Check out the specs below and Get it! Microphone Specs: USB/Lightning Capabilities Cardioid Polar Pattern IAD - Internal Acoustic Diffuser Up to 24 bit/48K No Latency monitoring Gain up to +40DB Mic stand adapter Collapsible Stand Headphone jack #audiogear #microphone #blueraspberry #recording #voiceover #mobile

Perspective: Photographing NYC As a freelancer, I am so grateful to wake up in a city where photographic opportunities can be seen and felt every day. It's one of the many perks of living in a city like New York. On any given day I can walk out the door and find something to document. And I've been doing that everyday since I moved here nearly 14 years ago. One thing remains true: this city is a kingdom of visual artifacts. Joel Meyerowitz knew that as did William Helburn, Carrie Boretz and others. You can travel anywhere and still feel like you haven't seen it all. All these years, there's more to discover - more places restaurants and hotspots, more communities and hidden gems, more people and interesting faces. The best is yet to come, as they say. #nyc #newyork #photography

Ear-Catching: Warby Parker's Commercial Voice Voices are everywhere. There's the voice on the radio, the voice narrating documentaries or the latest ASMR Sensation. Some are pleasant sounding and others are, well, interesting. Nevertheless, in commercial advertising, the human voice is not usually the defining element that makes a campaign successful. VO pros certainly know that by now. But when it's the right voice - and it works brilliantly every time? Sometimes a voice just transports you, as it does in this ongoing Warby Parker ad. And because their creative is always spot-on and the message connects with it's audience, it's easy to fall in love with the brand. After all, I'm a happy customer. #warbyparker #commercial #voiceover #advertising Photo by Saketh Garuda on Unsplash

Studio Experience: Soundtrack NY Over the last few years of working and recording voice over in NYC, I’m always thrilled at the opportunity to visit at a new studio space. It gives me the chance to meet industry and creative folks as well as some very knowledgeable sound designers and engineers. And in this day and age of home studio isolation, any face-time can make a huge difference in chaotic VO life. Recently I’ve been spending time at Soundtrack NY, a fantastic studio located close to the Flatiron District, one of my absolute favorite places to be. The studio is a busy hub for voice over, ADR/Dubbing for feature films and TV, Commercials, sound design, VFX, and more. Owned by Soundtrack Group, there are actually two locations in the city - Soundtrack NY and Soundtrack F/T, both within walking distance of each other. There are even facilities throughout the greater Boston area as well. Both NYC locations have a variety of capabilities and set-ups. Check them out. Upon entering, the space is a delightful mishmash of different styles and genres. At times, it takes on the feeling of a glorified thrift store (And who doesn’t love thrift stores?). One of the engineers at our session mentioned that the studio is going through somewhat of a makeover, however the unfinished areas do give it a little character, as I tend to like imperfections. The ceilings and walls are covered in bright white light, with an overhead neon light cutting through the middle of the upstairs lobby. The walls are decked out in vinyl 45s and retro pop culture memorabilia. Oh, there’s even a popcorn machine. As you walk further, you’ll notice it takes on a 90s vibe with framed albums from some the most memorable artists of that era (and recorded at this very studio). It doesn’t take long to get swept away by the caliber of talent recording on any given day. Pretty soon, the sign-in sheet fills up with celebrities and in walks “that woman or that guy” from “that show”. Truthfully, I was a bit starstruck until I remembered why I was there in the first place. Lastly, no studio is fully functional without its incredible staff. From the receptionists to the engineers and talent coordinators, I was in good hands the entire time. During the recording session, our engineer Mark DeSimone and his assistant Kristin could not have been more gracious and accommodating. Mark went out of his way with kindness from start to finish, making sure the levels were good and I felt right at home. If you're looking for new places to record, solid people to work with and a variety of recording options, give Soundtrack NY a try. #soundtrackny #soundtrackgroup #NYC #recordingstudio

Ear-Catching: UHC TV Spot "Something For Everyone To Like" In recent years, Leo Burnett has been behind some memorable advertising campaigns. Whether health and auto insurance, cosmetics or technology, their creative instincts bring to life some of the most engaging, clever and, often, hilarious work. They keep things consistent and more down-to-earth in a recent TV commercial for UnitedHealthcare aimed at the Minnesota market. The basic idea? That health plans are available for all Minnesotans, no matter the individual, family size or specific need. What I particularly love about this spot (aside from the VO) is its welcoming tone. And while it still address the complexities of healthcare, it stays playful while driving home a message of community and connectedness. And that is what we need now more than ever. #commercial #unitedhealthcare #advertising #minnesota

Review: Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset "Now you can capture and share the world just as you experience it." A while ago, after watching a commercial for the GoPro Hero 4 video camera, I finally went out and bought one. This was going to be the defining moment for me to capture HD video of my daily NYC activities hassle-free. The only problem was that the advertisement and product description didn’t match my actual experience. To this day, I’ve only used the GoPro Hero 4 a few times and now it mostly sits in a case in my closet. My purchase of the Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset, on the other hand, was the complete opposite experience. Finally, I can go out into the world and record video directly from my iPhone that not only looks good but sounds equally amazing. It's hassle-free, easy-to-use and delivers clean beautiful audio. Watch the geeky train video below (preferably with headphones) and hear for yourself. Headphone Specs: Lightning cable connection Built-in 3D mic App connection Transparent audio blending Active noise cancellation Additional telephone mic Signature Sennheiser sound Apogee’s proprietary Soft Limit and mic preamp plus precisely tuned A/D and D/A conversion Buy it here and have a blast! (Worth the investment, I promise) #sennheiser #apogee #ambeosmartheadset #Headphones #audio #binaural #sound #recording

Queens & Kings of ASMR I used to fall asleep to Bob Ross videos. His soothing voice as he painted "happy little trees" calmed my mind and end-capped my day, even after listening to voices for hours. But I didn't really have words for what was helping me fall asleep - that lulling feeling of a beautiful voice creating soft sounds. Now, this phenomenon is trending big time, and it's called ASMR. A recent piece by New Yorker (see below video) profiled several popular ASMRists and their soundscape journeys, and I'm so glad we're talking about it! Wikipedia defines ASMR as Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In more abstract terms, it's that "tingling" running down the spine when hearing specific sounds. ASMR isn't voice over in the traditional sense. It's not always recorded in a pre-treated room or vocal booth, isolated from any outside noise, and it doesn't necessarily sell things or promote an outside concept. With ASMR, sounds within a space, or "room tone" are part of the appeal. All the little imperfections and blips that we in the 'professional' recording world work to eradicate from our day-to-day recordings are key to an ASMRtist's success. Types of ASMR Staged - a person faces the camera with a background in a setting of their choosing, used to fit the mood of the video. (example, WhispersRed ASMR channel) Accidental - a voice or channel which happens to bring about ASMR simply by being or having the qualities aforementioned. (examples: Bob Ross, this delightful woman who runs a bat sanctuary!) ASMR Artists to check out... Gentle Whispering WhispersRed ASMR Bob Ross Videos Jojo's ASMR Fairy Char ASMR ASMR Nerd Find channels you love, subscribe to support creators, and start falling asleep to amazing voices...! Video credit: The New Yorker #asmr #voice #sleep #online Photo by Kazuky Akayashi on Unsplash

5 times to shut up during a session One should expect a certain etiquette from talent during a recording session. The type of pro styling that comes when we do our jobs carefully, thoughtfully - purposefully. Gone are times when "Ernie Anderson-esque" outbursts were acceptable in a workplace environment - though it's hard to understand how they ever were. Vanishing quickly too is the notion that a "great" actor requires the space to be rude, inconsiderate, or higher maintenance than those around him or her. To be truly "great" requires an ability to work well with a creative team, take direction quickly and without feather ruffling. So with this in mind, I'm working on my own Inner Diva checklist, starting with - Things to make sure a producer or director never hears during a session: My too-actual personal life: "Last night I got so hammered..." Complaints about the script: "Did they have spell check? Basic typing skills?" Refusing direction: "No, I'm not doing another take for safety. If you don't have it by now..." The Backout: "Look, maybe you need someone else." ie. I suck. Get someone else. Also - this doesn't seem to be working? Premature demands prior to recording: "Can I get a copy of the spot once it airs? I need it for my website..." And yes, things that appear to be self-explanatory upon reflection are all things I have done. We live, learn, and try to get as much growth out of ourselves as possible. What I know is that, as a voice talent in a booth, working with incredible creative teams, it helps to check that inner diva at the door. More soon... #voiceover #recording #producer #advertising