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The Most Obnoxious Man in Voice-Overs

Career

Characters.

The voice-over world is filled with them.

On-screen and off-screen.

Most of these characters are very likable, but every now and then you’ll encounter a rotten apple, an arrogant bully or a troll.

A week ago, I ran into one of them at a New York audition. I’d seen him before at some other place. He was an older guy, dressed in a classic three-piece suit. His tan was as fake as the color of his hair. When he spotted me filling out the sign-up sheet, he bellowed:

“Hey, Danish guy, I’m surprised to see you here. Did you finally decide to join the big leagues?”

I tried to ignore him, but he went on:

“Tell me, are you union yet?”

“No, I’m still happily non-union,” I answered. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’d like to…

Read the rest of this story in my new book. Click on the cover to access the website and get a sneak peek. Use the buttons to buy the book.

Making Money In Your PJs cover

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Filed Under: Career Tagged With: Dutch voice over, most obnoxious voice-over, Nethervoice, Paul Strikwerda, voice-over, voice-over director, voiceover audition, voiceover blog, voiceovers

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Comments

  1. Philip Banks says

    January 23, 2014 at 3:10 am

    Wonderful story.

    Sadness and loneliness manifest themselves in many ways. We live in a world full of people who cry out loud “just be yourself” and yet most are terrified to try it for fear of being judged.

    Today, blow away the smoke that hides the truth and smash the mirrors of illusion. The progress you will make in 24 hours both personally and professionally will astonish you.

    Better to be thought of as being a “you” than being thought of as just another Dick.

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  2. Debby Barnes says

    January 23, 2014 at 7:14 am

    I hung on every wonderfully crafted word of this story, Paul. (It almost felt like a 60’s Twilight Zone episode!) THANK YOU for retelling it. Life is rife with vignettes like this one, isn’t it? And Philip Banks’ comment finished me off. Too true. 🙂

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  3. Howard Ellison says

    January 23, 2014 at 7:16 am

    Philip – What a compassionate response to Paul’s excellent story. People who are a pain to others are often even more of a pain to themselves. Our sense of unease is in reality theirs.

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  4. Lance Blair says

    January 23, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Great story! You ought to write some ‘fiction’ based on your experiences. Philip said it best, but there’s a lesson in here that not being fake in your real personality will help you be real/engaging/trustworthy in your work – no matter what it is you do. Yes, don’t be a Dick.

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  5. Moe Rock says

    January 23, 2014 at 9:10 am

    Paul what a lovely story. I was hanging on every word and was totally taken in by the ending. Thank you so much for sharing! I’m with Debby that it sounds like an old Twilight Zone.

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  6. J S Gilbert says

    January 23, 2014 at 11:50 am

    As we all know, to avoid “bad luck” we call “Hamlet” the Danish Play.

    I think Dick figured out that to avoid bad luck at auditins to not call you “Paul” and instead call you the “Danish Guy”. I think that calling you Peter was a similar vehicle.

    By the way, I booked the gig. Jeez, a lousy 4 grand.

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  7. Bill Brewer says

    January 23, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    WowI. Loved this. I think I met a look sound alike at an audition last week.

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  8. Peter Drew says

    January 23, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Thank you, Paul, for the perspective adjustment. You, too, Philip, for your insightful comment.

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  9. Ted Mcaleer says

    January 23, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    A very emotive piece…And the comment by Phillip is like a well written afterward. So thought provoking. I really enjoyed it.

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  10. Lynne Darlington says

    January 23, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    You had me at fake tan, 3 piece suit…

    Thanks for sharing this experience. You really should write more than your blog Paul!

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  11. Paul Strikwerda says

    January 23, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Many thanks for your kind comments and additions! Just so you know, I used the fictional character of Dick, to share some of the obnoxious things with you that have been said to me in my career. I would never expose a real person for this purpose.

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  12. Deb Coloma says

    January 24, 2014 at 4:08 am

    Paul,
    This is one cool story, hung on every word, couldn’t wait to read the next sentence…so well written, so much fun, so much compassion, so very interesting… you never cease to entertain Paul, thank you!

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  13. Mike Broderick says

    January 24, 2014 at 7:16 am

    Nice story Paul. Glad to learn it wasn’t real – although I’m sure it has the ring of truth based on what people have told you.

    One line stood out for me: “To me, money is a sign of respect.”

    Nothing sums up obnoxious better than that.

    Regards,
    Mike

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  14. Rick Lance says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    What a great story, Paul! There’s a novel in your future.
    Maybe you’re already working on one. A Fable tucked inside a novel.

    Followed up by some entertaining words from Phillip Banks!

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  15. Chuck Davis says

    January 24, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Beautifully written Paul.

    Phillip gets the tag line prize.

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  16. Dan Friedman says

    January 24, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    Love the story Paul! Very clever.

    Dan

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  17. Frank Eriksen says

    January 25, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    Nicely done Paul. A good read. And fun too.

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  18. Rose C says

    January 28, 2014 at 9:49 am

    What a fun story – could you imagine if all those things came out of one person’s mouth?! Ha ha! As always, Paul kept his cool 🙂 My fav part was the yawn in the face LOL

    Thanks for sharing your short story Paul!

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In this blog I may discuss/review products or books that I believe are relevant to my readers. As a service to them, I often provide links to those products or publications.Instead of having a tip jar, Nethervoice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. In other words, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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