For those not initiated into the world of Voice Overs for ILR (Independent Local Radio) - may I spend a moment inducting you into its hallways - or more likely inducting you into a small booth about 3 foot by 3 foot, or even more likely the cupboard under the stairs.
The voices you hear on adverts played on local radio have, 9 times out of 10, recorded them in their own studios, on their own kit and can then send the audio files to the production house - or use ISDN lines (studio quality telephone lines) to speak direct to the production studio and are recorded and directed down the line. Since they don't have to leave the house, and the vernacular for a bit of voicework is "gobbing" - it has been christened "Gobbing in your slippers"
It can be a strange and lonely occupation - so if you have the time to befriend one of these solitary beings - then please do so, as you would be helping to initiate their return to society.They are easily identifiable as they tend to blink a lot when they come out into the light.
If you are worried that you may indeed be one of the aformentioned personnel, then here are some identifying signs.You know you’re an ILR VO when:
1. You take your mobile to the bathroom in case you miss a script.
2. You’ve never actually met your best mate at work.
3. You check the ambience and suitability for installing a booth when you visit other people’s homes.
4. You find yourself reviewing your work in The Wild Bean Café in BP petrol stations.
5. You know what ISDN stands for.
6. You take your mobile to the gym in case you miss a script.
7. You have an App that turns your iPhone into a mini recording studio if you step out of the house.
8. You get confused about why people are “framed” for crimes. Framing is good no?
9. Your bedtime reading is the Pro Tools 9 manual.
4. You find yourself reviewing your work in The Wild Bean Café in BP petrol stations.
5. You know what ISDN stands for.
6. You take your mobile to the gym in case you miss a script.
7. You have an App that turns your iPhone into a mini recording studio if you step out of the house.
8. You get confused about why people are “framed” for crimes. Framing is good no?
9. Your bedtime reading is the Pro Tools 9 manual.
10. Your daytime reading is the Canford catalogue.
11. You don’t mind if someone says you’re a bit “bottomy”.
12. You take your mobile to bed in case you miss a script.
13. You can sing all the jingles from the VW dealership in Scunthorpe.
14. You don’t snigger when someone asks you to bounce a WAV file.
15. You’ve actually heard of Snozzle FM and know where it broadcasts.
11. You don’t mind if someone says you’re a bit “bottomy”.
12. You take your mobile to bed in case you miss a script.
13. You can sing all the jingles from the VW dealership in Scunthorpe.
14. You don’t snigger when someone asks you to bounce a WAV file.
15. You’ve actually heard of Snozzle FM and know where it broadcasts.
Bless you for being there in that cupboard, wreathed in cheap duvets from IKEA.
