I read a fascinating article in one of my gardening magazines recently that has really started me thinking about my own new voice over business. The article was about two college freshmen from Princeton University that came up with a genius concept for plant food. The 'food' is made from liquefied worm poop. Literally. Food waste from large scale food producers is fed to worms, the castings (or poop) are then processed and liquefied. Early research shows the result is as good if not better than commercial brands. Along the way, these two college students decided to use recycled soda bottles for their 'containers', rejected spray tops for the nozzles, and rejected shipping boxes for their own shipments. The name of the Company is TerraCycle, and you can now pick up their all purpose plant food almost anywhere.
In fact, we picked up a bottle yesterday and started using it last night...I will let you know the results in a month or so.
What I love about this company is that it began with an old concept (worms being good for plants) that became 'new and different'. Months of scientific research went into the development of the food. These guys found earth conscious and money conserving ways to produce their product, bottle it, and ship it. The product is sold at a reasonable price, competitive without being 'cheap'. When I buy it, I feel good about getting a quality product, while supporting conservation at the same time.
As I look at my own business, I want to use these two young men as my models. I want to take an old concept (voice acting) and make it somehow new and fresh. I want to research new voice techniques, spend time on quality auditions and jobs. I don't want to waste money on unnecessary equipment just because someone else has it, or it's the 'cool' product of the moment. When a client 'purchases' my product, I want them to feel good about their decision. I want to give a quality product at a competitive price without being 'cheap'.
Miss any of these steps, and 'worm poop' is all I have to offer!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
My Organic Studio
Yesterday evening I posted a question at www.VO-BB.com. It was about my home recording studio and what type of phone patch and mic-pre set up I should look into purchasing. The folks over there have been more than helpful so far, and I look forward to learning more!
Today, I noticed an interesting parallel between my home studio and a large ant pile that has appeared in my cool-season vegetable garden. Allow me to explain…
The ant pile appeared in my garden one week ago. If my husband had his way, we would pour some sort of chemical, granular, acidic sort of thing over the mound and be done with it! However, I pride myself on having a totally organic, chemical free garden. So- we have been going through an assortment of humane and environmentally safe procedures to rid us of the ants…namely, boiling water down the hole! So far, it isn’t working…so an hour ago- I went online and looked up “ways to get rid of ants without chemicals” on Google. My, oh my, do people have some crazy ideas! So I tried them all.
Right now, there is a layer of corn starch all over my garden, followed by a layer of cinnamon, topped off with black ground pepper. The water is boiling on the stove.
If it rains…I will have a cake instead of onions and peas!
It occurred to me that this is much like my studio. I keep trying new things, asking more questions and hoping to rid it of all the ‘bugs’!! If a dash of cinnamon (a mic-pre), pepper (phone patch), and corn starch (whatever else I end up buying) make the difference- then my ‘organic’ recording studio will be my pride and joy!
Now, if only the equipment would cost the same as the spices!
Today, I noticed an interesting parallel between my home studio and a large ant pile that has appeared in my cool-season vegetable garden. Allow me to explain…
The ant pile appeared in my garden one week ago. If my husband had his way, we would pour some sort of chemical, granular, acidic sort of thing over the mound and be done with it! However, I pride myself on having a totally organic, chemical free garden. So- we have been going through an assortment of humane and environmentally safe procedures to rid us of the ants…namely, boiling water down the hole! So far, it isn’t working…so an hour ago- I went online and looked up “ways to get rid of ants without chemicals” on Google. My, oh my, do people have some crazy ideas! So I tried them all.
Right now, there is a layer of corn starch all over my garden, followed by a layer of cinnamon, topped off with black ground pepper. The water is boiling on the stove.
If it rains…I will have a cake instead of onions and peas!
It occurred to me that this is much like my studio. I keep trying new things, asking more questions and hoping to rid it of all the ‘bugs’!! If a dash of cinnamon (a mic-pre), pepper (phone patch), and corn starch (whatever else I end up buying) make the difference- then my ‘organic’ recording studio will be my pride and joy!
Now, if only the equipment would cost the same as the spices!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Be Willing to Play in the Game
I've talked in the past about my mother's theories on life in relation to pig shows. You may just be the best pig- but for whatever reason the judge chooses another pig...it's all a matter of perception and opinion. This weekend, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about life and the ability to be a positive influence on other's lives. My conclusion? It isn't about 'being chosen' or 'winning'- it's about being willing to play IN the game. It's about stepping up to the plate- going after what you want- taking the next step not only to help yourself but help those around you.
A very tragic thing happened last week. My husband's 18 year old cousin was in a very bad car accident and did not survive. I cannot imagine at this stage in my own life what his mother is feeling. We spent the weekend in Eastern North Carolina with our family, and I can say that I have never seen such an outpouring of support. There were well over 500 teenagers, parents, friends, and family that showed up to pay their respects. That young man touched a lot of lives in a short amount of time. What floored me was watching this child's parents reach out to others and comfort them- when clearly they were the ones needing comfort. They were concerned about their son's friends and wanted to help them cope with this tragic loss. They wanted everyone to know that their son had been a donor- that lives will be saved because of him. This weekend, I saw a mother going through unspeakable pain...but not giving up. She is a nurse, and she will continue to touch people's lives as her son so obviously did.
There are moments when we are reminded just how fortunate we are...this was one of my moments. Each day that is spent with people we love, doing work we love, and reaching out to others is a day in a life well spent. That which makes your heart soar might help another...be willing to give of your gifts freely. It is your passion- not the money you earn or the length of your time- it is the way you spend your moments that matter.
There was a contest recently that I was a part of. It was meant as a fun event, a way to 'honor' a few people in our industry. Lives were not changed- it was just meant to be positive and light. I was surprised, however, when a comment was made by someone about not having enough time to participate in such things. Shouldn't we all want to participate in things that are positive? Shouldn't we also encourage other's to step up to the plate- take a swing- and try to win? Heck- just being a player is fun! I'm not very wise, but I want to always take the time to play- to be a part of things- to learn- and give back.
So-metaphorically speaking- I plan to buy pigs...raise pigs...know they are the best in town...then buy a pig for someone else...and teach them all I know :) I don't want to just play the game...I want to play IN the game...live IN each moment...and be a real winner at the end.
A very tragic thing happened last week. My husband's 18 year old cousin was in a very bad car accident and did not survive. I cannot imagine at this stage in my own life what his mother is feeling. We spent the weekend in Eastern North Carolina with our family, and I can say that I have never seen such an outpouring of support. There were well over 500 teenagers, parents, friends, and family that showed up to pay their respects. That young man touched a lot of lives in a short amount of time. What floored me was watching this child's parents reach out to others and comfort them- when clearly they were the ones needing comfort. They were concerned about their son's friends and wanted to help them cope with this tragic loss. They wanted everyone to know that their son had been a donor- that lives will be saved because of him. This weekend, I saw a mother going through unspeakable pain...but not giving up. She is a nurse, and she will continue to touch people's lives as her son so obviously did.
There are moments when we are reminded just how fortunate we are...this was one of my moments. Each day that is spent with people we love, doing work we love, and reaching out to others is a day in a life well spent. That which makes your heart soar might help another...be willing to give of your gifts freely. It is your passion- not the money you earn or the length of your time- it is the way you spend your moments that matter.
There was a contest recently that I was a part of. It was meant as a fun event, a way to 'honor' a few people in our industry. Lives were not changed- it was just meant to be positive and light. I was surprised, however, when a comment was made by someone about not having enough time to participate in such things. Shouldn't we all want to participate in things that are positive? Shouldn't we also encourage other's to step up to the plate- take a swing- and try to win? Heck- just being a player is fun! I'm not very wise, but I want to always take the time to play- to be a part of things- to learn- and give back.
So-metaphorically speaking- I plan to buy pigs...raise pigs...know they are the best in town...then buy a pig for someone else...and teach them all I know :) I don't want to just play the game...I want to play IN the game...live IN each moment...and be a real winner at the end.
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