Vote No on Yes

Many of you know that one of the favorite hats I get to wear is that of being a voice talent. Sometimes I get to write em, sometimes I direct em, sometimes I say em, and sometimes I wish I didn’t say em. But overall, despite the fact that I may be making lots of money extolling the virtues of a product that may in fact have few virtues, there seems to be little issue among friends and family regarding the fact that I have just been a “cog” in some advertising wheel. I find it interesting to read the various online forums and catch a comment from someone new to the old ad game who manages to pen something while atop their high horse, that reads like “No way I would ever do a commercial for a fast food restaurant” or one of my favorites, “I don’t think I could be the voice for any product or service I don’t totally believe in”.

It seems like these sentiments pour forth from many, many members of the commercial acting community, although among my happy little group, it seems that most of us would take money from just about anybody. Well maybe not the National Pedophiles Convention, but I’m sure they could get quite a few takers with a little ad on Craig’s List.

Now given that I do a little bit of writing, I have spoken with many of my copywriting brethren and sistren and they don’t seem to have the same sort of  morale compass. Now, I am sure that there are quite a few commercial copywriters out there that would draw a few lines in the sand when it comes to writing a campaign, but for the most part, it would seem that this group tends to look at what they do as a job. Somebody wants something – they hire me – I write it – and I get paid. Pretty simple stuff. But then again, writers don’t often write about what it is they write. Actors tend to act out, act up and oddly enough, can somehow manage to change the topic of discussion from Afghan rebel training camps to them having just had a callback to be pant leg number 2 on a Levi’s commercial.

I’ve long lost count on the number of products and businesses I have been paid to promote in my career and when it comes to political spots, I couldn’t tell you Blue state from Red State from Hot Pink State from Paisley state. Left, right, in between and all around, I’d say I’ve pitched the good, the bad and the ugly.

But don’t blame me. While I may be the voice, I didn’t lead the voters like so many lemmings to jump off cliffs into a political death spiral. No my friends. You the voters, who are reading this ultimately are the ones who are in control. So don’t shoot me or any of the many other voices out there who may be heard in a political spot. Nor should you look down your noses at the lovely people who conceive of and/or write the spots.

 It’s just our jobs

Here’s a little sample of some of my voice work for political spots. Just in case you’re into such things.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Related posts:

1. The Governator Guy I have a dream job or you might say dream jobs. I...
2. A few Tips for Creative Directors, Copywriters and Broadcast Producers. These “tips” are designed for those of you who need to interact...
3. Part of Riney’s Legacy you don’t hear about March 24th just swung by and while it may not seem like...
4. Bullwinkle and Rocky visit the Governator Guy Well, for a number of reasons, I have severed relations with a...
5. What’s wrong with the word Audition? While the way we do things is changing, there is no reason...