Archives for February 2019

Two-Voice Dialogue Commercials

I voice, record, and produce all types of audio projects. Two of the most effective and fun types to record are two-voice, dialogue radio commercials and explainer video narrations. They catch the ear of the listener. These types of voice overs are more creative and fun in presentation, and performance than other genres.

Grab The Listener

We are bombarded with sounds, messages, and images, all the time. Audio presented these days, especially in advertising, needs to grab the attention of the listener. It has to do this in the first few seconds. You have a very short amount of time to grab their ear, create interest, and get the message to stick. Utilizing humor, multiple voices, and other techniques can achieve these goals. A radio commercial does not have to be funny to be effective but commercials using dialogue can help make the message memorable.

Two-Person Dialogue

Two-person dialogue spots should be written to intersect with common human behavior. They work best if they setup up realistic, humorous situations that are relatable. It’s always fun to work with other voice actors in performing these kinds of commercials. Sometimes the two actors are together in the same studio. But most of the time, they are recorded at the same time from two different studios, or each part can be done separately and then put together by the editor/producer.

Some Examples

I’ve enjoyed working on a few two-voice projects and auditions with some of my voice over friends. These voice artists are very talented and I always enjoy working along side them, in person or virtually, in studios across the country. This one is an audition I enjoyed being a part of with Kendra Hoffman. She is a very talented voice actor. Her many styles and abilities make commercials come to life!

Mike Laponis & Kendra Hoffman - Mike Laponis Voice Talent

Two-voice spots give vitality, life, and energy to the message.

Another great voice talent I work with is “The Red Headed Voice.” She is Karin Allers. Here is one of my favorite auditions we worked on together. Another “wife and husband” scenario.

Mike Laponis & Karin Allers Seahorse - Mike Laponis Voice Talent

It’s always fun to collaborate with other voice actors and work on these types of radio commercials and productions. I not only love to voice these, but I love to produce and edit them as well!

Explainer Video Narrations

Another genre of voice over work that allows for creativity in style and performance, is explainer videos. Usually an “explainer video” is a short animated video that explains a product, or service utilizing engaging, and attractive visuals. It focuses on “explaining” the idea, product or service, in a way that makes it interesting and compelling. As part of a blog that Kendra Hoffman wrote and is published on Adelie Studios website, here is a short explainer narration I recorded.

Adelie Studios specializes in animated explainer videos. Kendra’s full blog titled, Gender in Your Explainer Video, is available here , and an interesting read!

Use the tools you have at your disposal to cut through and grab the attention of the listener. Two-voice dialogue commercials and Explainer Videos are both excellent choices to grab an ear!

Password Essentials – Protecting Yourself

Cybersecurity, Safety, Security, Technology

I used to be one who would use the same password (or two) for almost every login I had, almost everywhere. Along the way, I realized that’s not a good thing. Too many companies, servers, and retailers have been comprimised. You know what they say, if you haven’t been hacked yet, it’s because you just don’t know it! There are several ways you can protect yourself and minimize the risk of being hacked. Integrate most, or all of these, and you will improve your odds at better cybersecurity.

5 Steps to Better Password Security

Use a unique password for each and every site and login you have. That way if (really, when) there is a data breach the hacker does not have access to your bank account or any of your logins. If you’re like me, you’re thinking, but how can I keep track of ALL those DIFFERENT passwords!? The solution is simple. I’ll explain that part in just a bit.
Use the longest password the system will allow. You want to make the password at least 12-15 characters long. Be sure it is a random string of characters. Don’t use patterns, pop culture references, pet names, or anything that can be guessed or figured out.
Utilize a combination of upper and lower case with at least two special characters. Spread those special characters out throughout the password. (I know, I know. I am making it to where you will NEVER remember your password. Hang on, the solution is on the way)!
Never let or allow your browser to remember your passwords for you. Don’t trust Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or any browser to handle your passwords for you. Too risky!
As an added layer of protection, opt in for the two-factor verification. Many sites allow for a second form of verification, either a text to your mobile number or a verification that is sent to your email account. Opt in for those security measures whenever possible. It can make a difference.

Here is What Makes It All Work The Best

Okay, here is the the secret to MOST of the previous tips. This makes all of that easy! USE A PASSWORD MANAGER. That is the only way to go! A Password Manager will allow for most of the things mentioned. You can easily and conveniently have a STRONG and UNIQUE password for each and every login you have and you only have to remember ONE password to do it! Maximum security with with ease and convenience!

Here are two password manager sites/apps I highly recommend – 1Password or LastPass. These allow you to create truly random passwords, that are unique to each and every site and login. It will allow you to include upper and lower case with special characters and you don’t even need to remember them. You just need to remember your master login. These password managers sync across your desktop and your mobile device. They also have extensions for your browser(s) for easy access and ease of operation. They include password generators so the passwords that are created are extremely strong. Maximum length, with upper and lower case, and special characters.

Although both of these have a free trial, there is a small charge if you decide to utilize it on a regular basis, but the fee is manageable, there is family pricing, and the extra security is totally worth it! Not only does a password manager assist in providing you with maximum security, but it makes logging in so convenient and you only have to know your master password.

Want to learn more about digital security? Check out the Wired Guide to Digital Security.

Let me know if you have questions. I am always happy to help!

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing, Safety, Sound

The absolute loudest sound I have ever heard was the sound of a top fuel dragster as they would spin the rear wheels in the bleach box, just behind the starting line on the drag strip, to heat the tires up! I was only a few feet away, working as security to keep people out of that area at the NHRA Winternationals.

This was a long time ago, but it is something that I will always remember. The sound of those top fuel dragsters revving their engines at top RPM was a sound unlike any other I have ever experienced! It was SO loud, it did not even sound like I was hearing it through my outer ear. It sounded (and felt) like the sound was emanating in my gut and the sound was exiting my body through my ears! I have no idea what the actual sound pressure level was that day, but it had to have been at least 140 decibels. I was not wearing any hearing protection!

Noise Induced Hearing Loss is Prevenatble

Sound does not have to be as loud as that to cause Noise Induced Hearing Loss. Do you know what NIHL is? Do you know what sound levels are safe to be exposed to and for how long? How can you minimize the risk? Noise Induced Hearing Loss is any hearing impairment that is as a result from exposure to loud sound. It is preventable and it can be permanent! In order to keep our hearing in good health we need to know what levels to limit to.

How Loud Is It?

You might be surprised just how loud the sounds of our day-to-day environment actually are. The average office noise or classroom usually reaches average decibels of 60 – 70 decibels. Long term exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or above can cause permanent hearing loss. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that the level of noise exposure in the workplace is no more than 85 decibels (dB) for 8 hours per day. Of course the ear can be exposed to short periods of loud sound, in excess of 120 dB, without permanent damage. It is all a function of the loudness and the length of exposure.

Important for Audio Pros

Whenever I teach an audio production or sound design class, I always include a short workshop on Noise Induced Hearing Loss. I figure, as an audio professionals, we need to know what NIHL is, and how to create a safe work environment. One part of that workshop is to use some sort of Sound Pressure Level Meter to take measurements of our sonic environment. Probably one of the most readily available, and affordable SPL meters is via a mobile device app. There are many to choose from. Here are some recommendations.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are the steps to reduce your chance of Noise Induced Hearing Loss:

Be mindful and be aware. Avoid noise hazards in and around your environment and turn the volume down while listening and mixing in your studio or home.

Educate yourself on sound levels and exposure limits. Take steps to limit your exposure to harmful levels and exposure times.

Give your ears a break. Take lots of time to rest your hears with little or very quiet sounds.

Purchase and use hearing protection devices, earmuffs, and earplugs as the situation warrants. There are many available that attenuate the sound levels without blocking out the frequency response.

May you have a lifetime of excellent hearing so you can live and work in the wonderful sonic environment in which we live!

What’s Old is New

Business, Client Relations, Customer Service, Technology

What’s old is new! Want to try something fun? Take an “old school” rotary phone and put it in front of someone who is under 30 years old. See if they know how to make it work! How to “dial” a number?!! What is a rotary phone you ask? It’s an older model landline phone with what is known as a rotary dial. There’s a lot of old technology that’s been gone for so long now. So long that a lot of people are not familiar with it and would not know how to use it.

Old Technology Becomes New

I ‘m a voice actor and voice over talent. I also teach college classes in audio and video production. In these courses, I work with 18-24 year olds all the time. It keeps me feeling young, and keeps the creative energy flowing! I love it!! We had kept an old IBM Selectric II typewriter around the studios to be able to “type” (print) labels. One day, I walked by and saw a student yanking the labels out of the typewriter, wadding them up and throwing them on the ground! I asked her why she was doing that. She said she kept making typos. I smiled, and showed her the “correcting key” that allows you to push the button, re-type the mistake and it lifts the mistake right off the page! She had no idea and was totally blown away!

What Do You Mean There is More Than One Song?!

Several students had no idea how vinyl records work. Seems so obvious to me. One student had no idea there were two sides to the LP. Another thought that the 33 1/3 LP vinyl disc only had one song. When I explained there were 6 songs on that one side of the album, they had no concept of how you could discern where one song ended and the next song began. I got to teach what was old and make it new! What fun!!

Technology will always change. It’s sometimes hard to keep up with technology. Of course we do so to stay relevant. To improve workflow. Improve quality. Be more efficient. But technology will always be a moving target. Technology is not everything. How we work with our clients, our “client relations,” is NOT a moving target. Especially in the voice over business (and probably most any business), return business is key.

Customer or Client?

First thing to think about is the difference between “client” and “customer.” What is the difference to you? In a blog a while back, I wrote, “As your ‘customer’ you are hoping to sell to them a product or service. As your ‘client’ you are looking out for them and what is in their best interest.” This is an important concept. Advances in technology don’t really change this. Except in helping your workflow. But as a business philosophy, it does not change.

Concepts and Tenents for Good Business Relations

Think about these very important concepts. Things that make your business relationship with your CLIENT sustainable. These are all things I value and hold to in my voice over and production work.

Honesty – Always being honest with your client.

Integrity – Adhering to ethical conduct in your business dealings.

Trustworthy – being dependable and reliable. Your clients want to know they can trust you.

Meeting Deadlines – Providing the deliverables/service on time to meet your clients needs.

Availability – Making yourself available to your client so they know they can count on you.

Expertise – Provide your client with expert skills and knowledge.

Friendliness – Clients want to work with people who are easy to work with, friendly and fun.

These are all tenets I value. Personally and professionally, they are very important to me. I always want what is best for my client. I approach my relationship with each client as “here’s what I can do to help you.” Having a happy, satisfied CLIENT makes it much more likely they will return to you the next time they need something. Client relationship does not get old, it stays new!

May you live long, help others, and prosper!

Mike Laponis

VO