About & Contact
THE NAME OF THE GAME
DOUBLE DUTCH is a platform and playground for ideas, dialogue and discourse about things personal and professional related but not limited to voice-overs and freelancing.
According to Wikipedia, Double Dutch is:
“a game in which two long jump ropes turning in opposite directions are jumped by one or more players jumping simultaneously.”
Whether or not the first Dutch settlers introduced the game when they came to the United States, is still up for debate.
Double Dutch has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, and involves at least three people: one or more jumping and two turning the ropes.
Double Dutch is the perfect metaphor for my blog. First of all, it is a game, and even at a competitive level it is supposed to be enjoyed. It’s also a form of exercise. Writing and researching this blog is a stimulating workout… at least for my braincells. Hopefully, you’ll make some new neurological connections too, as you leap from topic to topic.
In a way, the ropes turning in different directions represent different opinions. As you may have noticed, I love to hop into the middle of a debate, or occasionally stir the pot (or Dutch oven) myself.
Double Dutch is definitely a team sport. The relevance of this blog greatly depends on interaction, and that’s where YOU come in! Just so you know: I have great expectations. Consider this your call to action, should you choose to accept it.
Voted most influential voice-over blog of 2011, this blog has attracted thousands of readers worldwide, and that number is growing day by day. This means that your responses are going to be read by quite a few people.
As author and moderator, I’m glad you’re here and I hope you’ll stay a while and jump in when you feel like it. Whether you’re just learning the ropes of voice-over acting, or you’ve been at this game for a while, thanks for spending some time reading my writings.
One word about language: I do my best to avoid gender-biased language in this blog, but sometimes sentences flow better when I use ‘he’ or ‘she’. Please know that no matter who, where or what you are, I want you to feel included.
I’d love to hear from you, so drop me a line!
Feel free to quote or retweet my blog, as long as you give credit where credit is due.
Paul Strikwerda
PS If you’re a voice-seeker looking for an experienced, European, multi-lingual voice talent, I invite you to go over to my website: www.nethervoice.com. Not only will you find demos in Dutch, English and German, you can also read about my editing, voice-evaluation and translation services.
hello Paul,
I’ve been reading your very useful blog. I’m a musician who doubles as translator and I do the occasional voice-over. No doubt I fall in many an amateur trap !
An Indian based company asked me to do (bargain price, I expect !) a voice-over for them. There’s several male voices, and they included the rather unclear message “Kindly let us know if you could assist for all the above voices, else voice modulation is acceptable with existing voice over artists.”
I was wondering if you have any idea what they mean ?
Btw, I’m based in Belgium and the UK and work in Dutch and English.
all the best,
Mark
Beste Mark,
Since this blog is read by readers from all over the globe, I’ll write back to you in English (hoewel ik natuurlijk ook gewoon in het Nederlands zou kunnen schrijven).
My mother always told me “never assume, always ask,” so I really shouldn’t attempt to assume what this Indian company means. However, based on my experience, this is what I think they mean by “voice modulation”.
Sometimes a script calls for different character voices and ages. One character might be an older gentleman with a deep, gravely voice. Another part might be written for a young, energetic teenager.
Producers may ask you about your range as a voice-actor to find out whether or not you could play both characters, doing different voices.
Before you spend a lot of time recording demos and writing emails back and forth, make sure to get a clear sense of their rates and method of payment. Don’t waste your time trying to get in, if they’re only offering bargain basement rates.
Secondly, should you reach an agreement, ask to be paid upfront. Otherwise you might up waiting for months to get paid.
Third, be clear on how the money will be transferred. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India has imposed strict regulations pertaining PayPal accounts, making it a hassle to use it as an e-wallet for companies in India (see e.g. http://www.facebook.com/l/9cd05grTM4OsgxL3M18eWWR9-0A/techzoom.org/paypal-getting-difficult-to-use-in-india/).
International money wires usually come with a hefty fee which needs to be built into what you charge for your services.
Hope this helps!
Alle goeds en succes gewenst,
Paul Strikwerda
hello Paul,
tx for your response, sneller dan uw schaduw !
Must say, I’m not used to that in Belgium, people respond very slowly or not at all over here !
Very helpful too !
Keep up the good work and tx again,
Mark
You’re very welcome, Mark! Your comment came at a good time of the day for me: around 7:00 AM in the morning when I start working. Enjoy the rest of your day!