Richard Smith

Southern Gent, working man, old timer, hill billy, cowboy, old cowboy, guy next door, New York-er, surfer dude, German scientist, nerd, geek, circus barker, announcer parody, announcer, non-announcer, narrator, story teller, news reporter...

I started doing voice work at a local (not LA) radio station my junior year in high school in 1965. Subsequently, while a Major Market On Air radio talent, personality and production director, I've voiced, written and produced innumerable spots and promos. I am no stranger to either side of the glass. I bring a seasoned, professional skill set to the creative table. Though I am officially retired from full time work I enjoy being active and creative from my home studio creating professional, cost effective imaging and branding solutions. Though formally educated as an Electrical and Broadcast Engineer most of what I know about the VO business is the sum of nearly 50 years of experience, as a student, journeyman practitioner and a teacher. I've had the good fortune and great privilege to work with and learn from some of the most talented people in the industry. At one point in my career I was a guest instructor at The Columbia School of Broadcasting. As with most everything there's constant change, evolution - if you will, and if you don't keep up... your out. So, to keep myself sharp I work with a voice coach. I do voice exercises daily and for practice, muscle memory and training I record, edit and produce something nearly everyday. I have worked with: Pro Tools, Sony Vegas Movie Maker HD, Sound Forge & Cubase DAW's. The mic I most often use is an AKG Perception 220. My studio monitors are Rockit 5's, I have an Alesis MultiMix8 and Sony MDR-7506s. My recording studio is extremely quiet (not sure I've ever been in a completely sound proof room) and is acoustically neutral. I have an extensive library of licensed and Royalty Free music and SFX to work with. As a voice actor & artist I must use my skills to "paint the picture" & bring the script to life phrased, nuanced and colored as though my own in real time. Natural. The art part of voice acting can be studied, refined, honed, tuned, rehearsed and directed - sometimes, but it cannot be installed: It's Organic... or not. Voice artistry is not a simple substitution equation. Nor should it be. When I first read a script I ask myself: What is “the story” and how can I best tell it? Not every script, lyric or melody is right for every actor, singer or musician no matter their skill-set or how youthful & elastic the imagination. Really successful performers know their range, find or create their niche and are selective with the part(s), or story(s) they choose. I too, am very selective. Scripts I choose have to paint a picture in my mind when I first read them. The story has to trigger my imagination, be compelling and worthy of telling.