Opportunity taps - thing 1 of my 100 things

[darkemeralds]

I was out putting sheets on the clothesline this extremely fine spring morning when my across-the-street neighbor wandered over to be neighborly. We spoke for a few minutes about the WDOUY*, who resides and yips pretty much right outside her patio doors and is therefore even more irritating to her and her ten-month-old baby than he is to me.

We discussed the problem of neighborliness in the face of dog noise, and I mentioned that I was getting ready to replace my bedroom windows with more soundproof ones--not because the WDOUY (or anything else) disturbs my sleep, but because my bedroom is also my little fledgling recording studio.

"Oh, what are you recording?" Neighbor asked with interest.

I gave her my evolving elevator speech about audio versions of niche-market spiritual books, and she responded by telling me about a volunteer program she's involved with that needs voice-over work on videos they produce.

Hard to say what might come of such a casual exchange, but I let her know that I'm interested.

*Weiner Dog of Unending Yippitude

Comments

[jumpuphigh]

Very cool!

Also, I saw somewhere recently, and alas I don't recall where, cool pictures of people using difference colored sound absorbing panels as artwork. I thought it was a really neat idea. I can dig around in my history and see if I can find it but I cannot guarantee success.

[darkemeralds]

I've seen something along those lines myself (I've done a lot of research into soundproofing). I've got a good mini vocal booth and I'm happy with the overall acoustics of the room itself, if I can just do more to block external noises from getting in.

Besides new windows (which make a HUGE difference--and I need them anyway for energy conservation purposes), I'm considering some drapes that combine blackout with sound-deadening. In my fantasy, these will look elegant, and not like a bordello, a funeral parlor, or a convention hall. We shall see.

[jumpuphigh]

There are some amazingly elegant and heavy fabrics out there that I bet would work. Do you sew?

[darkemeralds]

Yep. I was at Fabric Depot (pretty much as huge as it sounds) not too long ago and was surprised to see that there's even such a thing as white blackout fabric--and it wasn't even plastic-y in feeling. It will be an interesting experiment.

Then, if I can get my room really dark, I'm gonna put glow-in-the-dark space-scapes on my walls! Hee. Maybe.

[jumpuphigh]

Oh, they have white blackout fabric now? That's awesome! *ponders*

[darkemeralds]

Yup. Contradiction in terms, huh?

[jumpuphigh]

Oooooooh and other pretty colors, too. Thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it.

[lyr]

I hope the voice-over thing pans out; it could be cool. And also, I hope the soundproof windows help with the ambient level of yippitude.

[darkemeralds]

Thank you. I hope so too, on both counts!

[(Anonymous)]

Exciting! And voice-over work would be fun and exhausting!

IMHO

[cattraine.livejournal.com]

Wiener dogs really excel at yipping. Also, there appears to be no shut off valve on a wiener dog yip.

Re: IMHO

[darkemeralds]

LOL! Yeah, that seems to be the case.

The neighbors (the human ones), bless 'em, know it's a problem, but I don't think know what to do. I suspect they don't even hear him most of the time--they just tune him out. I hate to get all angry with them, but with summer and open-window season approaching, it does get on my nerves a bit.

[kis]

Now, that's what I call a Sign. How exciting!

[darkemeralds]

It was! I'm discovering that there's a hell of a lot of voice work going on out there--more than ever because of online videos. If I mention my plans to people, it's bound to lead to more possibilities than if I exercise my usual secrecy.

[kis]

Actually, this post has made me question my own default when it comes to voicing and secrecy ...

[darkemeralds]

Really? That's kind of cool.

At my first voice lesson a few weeks ago, the teacher of course asked me what I hoped to get out of this training. I was on the spot. I couldn't say, "Oh, you know...whatever" and hope to get anywhere. So I said I was recording audiobooks and wanted to improve my vocal stamina and range.

He barely even blinked. He works with non-singing voice actors all the time. He was curious and wanted to know more. I stumbled through a fledgling out-of-the-closet speech, and that was that. I've since sharpened up the speech, and it's starting to feel less dangerous--and meanwhile, the voice lessons are proceeding swimmingly.

Only one person so far has given me a negative response. That was an acting coach, by email, who warned me that I was getting into a very difficult field that would take years of training. I deleted her email and moved on.

But nobody's laughed at me or rolled their eyes or any of those things I traditionally fear.

[kis]

Have you come out to your family?

[darkemeralds]

Hee!

Well, yeah. They've been very supportive. :D

[tehomet]

Is the WDOUY okay? Or being abused/neglected?

Ooh, interesting. I hope your conversation bears fruit.

[darkemeralds]

I think the little fella leads a pretty good life--the neighbors clearly love him and he has a great big fenced yard to roam free in. I think there could be a wee bit of benign neglect, but I'm not a judge of dog-stewardship.

And thanks! I hope so too.

[vampirefan]

now this is awesome! i hope it works out because you will be able to practice and hopefully get good feedback and learn more about the professional recording process (that is, if this volunteer thing uses professional recording services).

can't wait to hear if this pans out!!

[darkemeralds]

I got the impression that they use an amateur setup, so I might not learn too much in that regard, but the interesting thing is how the professional/amateur line is blurring. This is one of probably a thousand situations where "good enough" really is good enough, and that's where I see my chance.

Maybe eventually I'll get into the "big leagues" of professional studio recording, with costs fronted by real publishers, but in the meantime, I think there's a lot of opportunity in the bush leagues.