Having wrapped my first project for ACX, and just learned that it passed muster with both the rights-holder and with Audible’s Quality Control team, I have to say, I’m quite pleased.
And relieved! After all, having spent that much time on a project–no matter how confident I felt about the resultant audio quality, it’s still nice to know it passed with flying colors. WHEW!
Now it’s just a matter of time before it hits retail and I can begin doing some very targeted promotional work. But that’s another post for another day.
As I work on another two projects (simultaneously), I realize that there’s a comparison/contrast that must be made between the two. One is a work that is presented in the First Person. The second a work that is presented in the Third Person. There are stark differences between the two that transcend the narrative approach, and yet are so tied to it, that the difference is so subtle that it could be missed.
And really, this difference could simply come down to the material itself. And yet, there’s a sort of disconnect between the two approaches that begs to be noticed, and that is narrative voice.
For both of these productions, I’m using “my” voice as that of the narrator. To me, that seems intuitive enough on the surface. As such, in the case of the First Person narrative, the protagonist’s voice is also “my” voice. Of course that, in and of itself, presents subtle challenges, but again–that’s another post for another day.
But for the Third Person narrative, suddenly “my” voice is off-limits where applying it to any given character is concerned. Arguably. After all, that’s my choice, and a rule that’s made to be broken–I’ve listened to enough audiobooks to know that some narrators offer very little differentiation between characters, and the really good narrators can make it work. But to me, storytelling needs to be a bit more dynamic than that. Again: my choice.
When I landed my first book narration gig by way of ACX, I immediately sent an email to my long-time “pen-pal” Jim Meskimen to share the news. You probably know Jim from his incredible impressions, most notably his outstanding “Richard III Monologue” viral video. In my experience, Jim is not only insanely talented (I spotted this in the early 1990′s), but an incredibly giving man–and, dare I say it, a good friend. He’s also narrated many audiobook titles, and has also directed entire dramatizations that feature countless voices through his involvement with Stories from the Golden Age. In short, Mr. Meskimen knows his way around the realm of audiobooks. When I told Jim of my triumph in landing my first book gig, his reply was affirming, and yet succinct. I won’t quote the entire message, but the primary bit that stuck with me. He said, “Remember: Keep it simple.”
“Simple,” I thought. “Yeah, right…Simple…(why, I oughtta…)”
For my first gig (which, incidentally will not be my first to be released), the character voices all fell into place like the pieces of an “Age 4-8″ jigsaw puzzle. Easy-Peasy.
But for the second (also, by the way, not the first that will be released)…a Third-Person narrative with a “Dramatis Personae” that made my throat tighten up just at the thought of it…well, that was a completely different animal.
During the pre-read I quickly found myself straining my brain for “voices.” There are so many characters in this story! It made me wonder how my audiobook role model, Jim Dale, was able to manage the Harry Potter series. Trust me, I’ve listened to all seven of those audiobooks more times than I can either count, or should admit. But Mr. Dale’s performance is so amazing, so easy to listen to…well, I find it to be inspiring. And I’ll level with you: At times I’ve listened to those stories for the joy of the stories, and at others, in an effort to dissect his performance. To spot the “X-Factor” that makes it resonate with me. To zero-in on how he did it! To this moment, the best I can offer, to that end, is “he’s just that good.”
Another of my narrative heroes is the late, great, James Doohan, best known for his role as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott on the original Star Trek series, and the subsequent movie franchise. James Doohan narrated a handful of Star Trek audiobook adaptations. I’ll grant you, they were abridged, and featured “enhanced sound effects and an original score!”, but that had no impact on the caliber of Mr. Doohan’s incredible work. His narratives were incredible, and his characterizations were amazing. Now…I’ll grant you that he had a distinct advantage where many of the voices were concerned. After all, he lived Star Trek in a personal and meaningful way for much of his life. It’s natural that he should have a good “take” on the characters he was portraying. But the funny thing is this: when he did Captain Kirk, or Mr. Spock, he didn’t try to imitate William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy. He did his take on those characters. He did his take on all the characters. And it was BRILLIANT.
Effortless.
Simple.
When I realized this…and then went back and listened to Jim Dale’s take on Harry Potter again…really listened…I realized something: Mr. Dale, though a two-time Guinness World Record holder for his work on the Harry Potter series (one for having created and recorded 146 separate character voices for a single book), actually pulled a fast-one on us. In some cases, if you really dig down into the performance, you’ll realize that he wasn’t really doing–in every case–a “separate voice” for some of the characters, but was presenting his own voice with a different attitude, or inflection, or just a slight lilt…it was his voice…just a little different. No over-the-top differentiation, no obvious change in dialect, but a simple attitude.
Simple.
Brilliant.
As I’ve delved hip-deep into work on, what I believe to be my most challenging job to date (yes, the “Third Person narrative” I spoke of earlier, just for clarification), I’ve taken a clue from each of those men: I’ve played it closer to the cuff…tried to present an attitude in some cases, more than a radically different voice than my own. And so far? It’s working for me.
And I couldn’t be more relieved.
“Remember: Keep it simple”, said Jim Meskimen to me, one night in May of 2011.
More sage advice I have rarely, (if, in fact,) ever received.
Thanks Jim.
Jims?
Maybe I should have called this one “A Tale of Three Jims….”
I’m putting on a hat right now, just so I can take it off and honestly say, “My hat’s off to you all…”
ab
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Andy,
Sounds like you’re in the midst of some fantastic projects. Thanks for sharing the ‘simple’ advice that so many of us often forget. Keeping it simple in what and how we do the little things, keeps it simple for the listener as well.
Thanks, Derek. “Fantastic” is as “Fantastic” does. The proof will be in the final product.
As for the “simplistic” nature of things, it seems both intuitive, and yet counter-intuitive. After all–those who do it *well* make “simple” seem so *easy.” It gets difficult when *you* are the one trying to make it seem “simple.”
That, my friend, boils down to experience. And that can mean “from your own” or “quickly learning and intuiting from the experience of others.” In my experience, it’s a combination of both of those things. 
Andy,
I love this post. I too have great admiration for Jim Dale’s work in the Potter series (and I too have listened to them more times than I should ever admit). I recently came to the same conclusion about his brilliant performance.
“In some cases, if you really dig down into the performance, you’ll realize that he wasn’t really doing–in every case–a “separate voice” for some of the characters, but was presenting his own voice with a different attitude, or inflection, or just a slight lilt…it was his voice…just a little different. No over-the-top differentiation, no obvious change in dialect, but a simple attitude.”
Keeping it simple really is some of the best advice you can give because it helps keep it authentic.
Congratulations on your job well done with the ACX project!
Looking forward to hearing about the release.
Best,
Lauren
Thanks Lauren! Stay tuned, there will certainly be more to come.
ab
Brilliant post Andy,
I congratulate you on your current, exciting achievements and challenges.
I love what you’ve said and learned from Jim Dale. He’s my all time voice HERO! In fact, it’s because of Jim Dale reading Harry Potter that I ventured into the VO world. Four years ago, my then 12 year old son, Bobby, was listening to Jim Dale (loving every minute of it) but one evening asked if I would read the next chapter instead of listening to the CD. I’d always read to him at bedtime but since he’d got the Harry Potter audiobooks it had been a few weeks since I’d last done it. I snuggled up in bed with him and read the next chapter, giving Mr. Dale a rest for the evening. As I’d been doing so for Bob’s whole life, in his opinion, I read aloud with believable character voices and brought the story to life for him. When I was done, he turned to me with the fullest sincerity, held my cheeks with both hands and whilst looking directly into my eyes he said, “Mam, I think you should read books for a job! I think think you’re really good and I could listen to you just as much as I could listen to Jim Dale!”
WOW!! Out of the mouth of babes!! I teared up immediately and felt so proud. I thought it was a great idea and immediately researched how to become an audiobook narrator. A few weeks later after some training and a professionally created demo, my VO career was born. I narrate suspense stories for Houston Taping for The Blind Radio radio every week but I’m still trying to get my first paying audiobook gig. I’m loving every second of my new career though and I think I should send Mr. Dale a huge thank you for being a total inspiration in his genius of simplicity!
Pearl–
Your story should be an inspiration as well. There is great honor in reading for the blind, and you should hold your head up high for doing it. And kudos for taking the necessary steps to reach your dream. I’m sure you’ll be up to your elbows in “paid” work before you know it.
Bravo!
ab
I don’t know exactly how I happened upon this post, Andy, but it’s quite timely for me. I am in the throes of recording an audiobook, also in third person narrative with a cast of characters. Serendipity. Simple=brilliance!
All The Best,
Bobbin Beam
Regardless of how, I’m glad you made it here, Bobbin.
And I hope your project goes smoothly and successfully!
ab