On Camera

I am an actor. I generally do voice over work, however I also do on camera work from time to time.

Not long ago I did a local commercial for Opticare, a vision care provider in Connecticut. Since it's one of the few things I've done lately that is for public consumption, I figured I'd post it!

I've been fairly busy recently, and have done VO work for Unilever, Booze Hamilton, Infosys and other companies, but alas, I can't post copies.

New Yawk!

Long time no see sports fans! That actually sort of relates... you see, a recent radio spot I did features Yankee Stadium. Sort of.

I got a call for an audition a little while back requesting a New York accent. Accents are funny. See, there isn't just one New York accent. There are quite a few. Brooklyn, The Bronx, "upper class"... many more, and that's not counting Upstate, which I assumed wasn't what they wanted!

I saw that the client was Klaff's, which is a "luxury home design store" so I figured they probably wanted something light, more upper class, and more NYC based.

Now, I am not from New York. I have spent time there working, and I know quite a few people from the city. I was actually born in Boston, and I've lived in Connecticut most of my life!

But I gave it a shot. Light New York City (you know, "New Yawk"). And... I got the job! The producer liked that it wasn't a broad accent, that it was lighter, more like someone who was from the city, but had moved further out (the ad was for a new store opening further upstate.) We recorded two (one featuring Yankee Stadium, the other Madison Square Garden) but they were only going to use one.

I was glad to do it! I don't often get to do accents, but they are a lot of fun.

Here's the ad...

And we're back!

It's been a while since I updated my blog here. Not for lack of work, just for lack of examples! One thing about doing corporate voice overs, you generally don't get a copy.

However, I did do a set of corporate videos that the company decided to post online.


Pfizer did 3 videos for it's annual review, designed to emphasize the core values of the company. The spots were produced by Jetpak Productions in New York City, and we recorded at Pfizer's studio there.

I think they turned out really well! They wanted a warm, inviting feel, while still being upbeat and inspirational. All three were slightly different, with the same basic feel.

Check them out here!

Client Comment

I just finished a project for Burnt Peaks Productions, Inc. and I thought I would share what James, the producer on the project, had to say!

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Dude...you have a great voice and did it flawlessly. Nice work... Client was very happy with the vid and you have a great voice.
--
James Mairs,
Burnt Peaks Productions, Inc.

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Yes, this post is a little self serving, but I do appreciate hearing that I do good work!

Riskalyze Welcome VO

A friend of mine is the CEO of a new financial/tech startup called Riskalyze. Riskalyze is an algorithm that helps you analyze and pick investments that fit your risk tolerance.

It's a pretty cool concept. Anyway, he asked me to "host" the welcome video for the launch of their public beta version.

I was only too happy to oblige!

Summer and Tastykake

Well, it's been a while. I've been busy, and busy enjoying the summer! Fishing in Minnesota, the beach here in CT, concerts, plays, the list goes on.

And of course, the cookouts. I love grilling (especially because it keeps the oven off!). We grill quite a bit, everything from traditional meats to veggies and even pizza! I haven't tried baking anything on the grill, but I bet given enough patience I could "give it a go" as they say across the pond.

Speaking of baking, I recorded the announcer VO for this Tastykake ad recently. I think it is a pretty fun ad. I had never personally had a Tastykake. They are okay. Nothing to write home about, but a nice, reasonably fresh and reliable baked treat.

Till next time...

Home sweet recording studio...

I had an interesting thing happen today that highlights the usefulness of a home studio.

I had a recording session this morning. No big deal, drove down, the producer and engineer got everything set and we did the session. They wanted a certain read, I delivered it and everyone was happy.

Everyone but the client apparently. The client had given somewhat confusing instruction, and what they thought and the producer thought were apparently different.

So I get a call later on in the day saying "would it be possible, somehow, to get a different read from you today?"

And that's where the home studio came it. In this case, it wasn't quite in my home, but it is a studio I have access to on a regular basis and can use almost any time I need it. I was able to record the VO again, in a different style, and send the files on to the producer. And everyone is happy!

I'll see if I can get a copy of the finished product to post later!