Sometimes when I am in a studio recording some
teaching materials, my mind starts to wander. Of course, part of me is
focussed on what I'm recording:
"Number 1
....... Boat ................ Boat ................ Number 2 ...... Coat
................ Coat .............." and so on. Thrilling stuff. Part
of me starts to think about all sorts of things, to play games with the
words, to tell a story using the phonics words I'm recording. (One day,
while on a boat, it got cold, so I put on my coat. Suddenly I noticed
that the boat could no longer float. A goat swam by and...You get the
idea.)
Sometimes I am quite crass when the
words are, well, unusual. Yesterday we came across "hip, whip, ship and
lip." Yes, well, a bored mind could do something with that...
And
then there was the very weird workbook, I won't go into details, but I
started to giggle at one point (as did the guy I was recording with) and
we couldn't stop. The engineer kept going back and cueing me, I'd
pause, pause, then burst into fits of giggles again. Now this is ok from
time to time, but if the engineer has cued you three times and you're
still giggling, it's not so cool.
But not to worry, I have a secret weapon: Dead rabbits. Yes, I think about that scene in the Glenn Close movie, Fatal Attraction,
[thanks, Neil!] where she is preparing rabbit soup with the pet
rabbits. This brings me down enough that I can start recording again.
The moment then passes, and all is well. The dead rabbits have served me
well for years.
But no, not yesterday. Why? Well, you see, I read Eve's hilarious blog about
the 'rabbit' her husband gave her. Yes, you know, the rabbit featured
in that dreadful show, 'Sex in the city'. The one with a motor. Yes, got
it now? Not only was her blog hilarious, but I asked her to give me a
product rating on the rabbit, which she did (privately, of course!)
So,
I'm trying to calm down from the giggles by thinking about 'dead
rabbits', which leads me to Eve's 'rabbit', which leads me to excusing
myself for a couple of minutes to stop giggling. (And then I asked the
engineer to cue me with a hand signal, not letting me hear what we had
just recorded--the original cause of the giggles!)
I'll have to come up with a new 'stop giggling' image. Cod liver oil, perhaps?
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Sunday, August 26, 2012
April 11, 2007: Press conference, with details
Well, friendies, brace yourself for some pretty odd photos. Ok, here I was, getting ready:
I like Chinese style clothing and have quite a few pieces at home. This outfit came from a costume rental place. Unfortunately the buttons (traditional cloth knot-and-loop) kept coming undone. Aaron, the editor of 'Enjoy' and my chief translator of the day eventually had to staple me into my costume. It was a little intimate and I think he was a little uncomfortable. At one point he said, "Sorry, I'm a bit clumsy." "Don't worry," I answered. "If I think you're trying to feel me up I'll knee you in the groin." This made him laugh and feel more comfortable.
Then I had my makeup done and a wig put on:
Wow, talk about scary makeup! She covered over my eyebrows and gave me new ones. And there was so much foundation on my face, it was really caked on. My wig had a bun at the back:
And a curl at the front:
Here are the main characters of the show: Sean, Grand Aunty, (I've forgotten the pudgy little boy's name. Steve--help!), Smarty and Jenny.
The artist is Taiwanese and started producing comic books about 50 years ago. The Chinese woman who was the other Grand Aunty got quite emotional on stage (this was part of the "Oh, let's forget the script and do what we want" thing) and was saying how deeply touched she was to have the opportunity to play Grand Aunty's voice for the cartoons as she had grown up with Grand Aunty and it was such an honour and blah blah blah... Aaron said she is a 'C' list actress (but perhaps an 'A' list voice artist?). She was taking this opportunity to be in the limelight.
(Notice how I am standing there holding my stupid basket (not by the handle as the other one broke!) no longer smiling. I'm not smiling because I had smiled so much already that my cheek muscles were begining to tremble, I couldn't 'hold' a convincing smile anymore! I'm also not smiling because I'm wondering what the heck is going on--huh? this isn't in the script! What should I say next? Help~~~!)
After we were finished there were more speeches, then we came up for photos with important people. The only one I recognised was the artist, on the right of this photo. His tie has the cartoon characters on it, very cute!
Then we had the television interview. One of the questions was "Is there a slogan that represents Grand Aunty?" (Like "What's up, doc?" for Bugs Bunny.") The other Grand Aunty couldn't think of anything, so I said, "Yes, SEAN~~~!" Sean is Grand Aunty's border and is always doing dumb things. He also doesn't pay his rent on time, so Grand Aunty often shouts at him. They asked the other Grand Aunty to shout Sean's name in Chinese (something like "AH SHIEN GUH!") then they asked me to do it again. I forget sometimes that my vocal cords are very 'fit' so I well and truly yelled "SEAN!" Heh, they all moved back half a step. I didn't watch the news last night as I don't get any channels where I live. I will, however, buy a paper and see if there is anything there.
Here's a photo of me and one of my coworkers, Franklin:
I know I moaned a bit about the other Grand Aunty, but I watched what she did and tried to copy her a bit. When they took photos of her she did these cute, cartoony poses that really looked 'right' for Grand Aunty. I tell you, Taiwanese babies come out of the womb just knowing how to pose for photos. This is me with the second in command at my work:
And here is a photo of ME! The REAL me! After I changed and cleaned myself up I went up and took a photo of myself. Nobody recognised me, heh heh heh!
So, it was an interesting experience but not one I really want to repeat in a hurry!
..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~..
[Later] I spoke with Aaron this afternoon. He said he watched the news. Our story was less than a minute. Can you guess what I was doing on the news? Oh, yes, I was seen shouting "SEAN~~~!" Mmm, very nice, very cool. Not. Thank goodness no one would ever connect my face with that performance!
I like Chinese style clothing and have quite a few pieces at home. This outfit came from a costume rental place. Unfortunately the buttons (traditional cloth knot-and-loop) kept coming undone. Aaron, the editor of 'Enjoy' and my chief translator of the day eventually had to staple me into my costume. It was a little intimate and I think he was a little uncomfortable. At one point he said, "Sorry, I'm a bit clumsy." "Don't worry," I answered. "If I think you're trying to feel me up I'll knee you in the groin." This made him laugh and feel more comfortable.
Then I had my makeup done and a wig put on:
Wow, talk about scary makeup! She covered over my eyebrows and gave me new ones. And there was so much foundation on my face, it was really caked on. My wig had a bun at the back:
And a curl at the front:
Here are the main characters of the show: Sean, Grand Aunty, (I've forgotten the pudgy little boy's name. Steve--help!), Smarty and Jenny.
The artist is Taiwanese and started producing comic books about 50 years ago. The Chinese woman who was the other Grand Aunty got quite emotional on stage (this was part of the "Oh, let's forget the script and do what we want" thing) and was saying how deeply touched she was to have the opportunity to play Grand Aunty's voice for the cartoons as she had grown up with Grand Aunty and it was such an honour and blah blah blah... Aaron said she is a 'C' list actress (but perhaps an 'A' list voice artist?). She was taking this opportunity to be in the limelight.
(Notice how I am standing there holding my stupid basket (not by the handle as the other one broke!) no longer smiling. I'm not smiling because I had smiled so much already that my cheek muscles were begining to tremble, I couldn't 'hold' a convincing smile anymore! I'm also not smiling because I'm wondering what the heck is going on--huh? this isn't in the script! What should I say next? Help~~~!)
After we were finished there were more speeches, then we came up for photos with important people. The only one I recognised was the artist, on the right of this photo. His tie has the cartoon characters on it, very cute!
Then we had the television interview. One of the questions was "Is there a slogan that represents Grand Aunty?" (Like "What's up, doc?" for Bugs Bunny.") The other Grand Aunty couldn't think of anything, so I said, "Yes, SEAN~~~!" Sean is Grand Aunty's border and is always doing dumb things. He also doesn't pay his rent on time, so Grand Aunty often shouts at him. They asked the other Grand Aunty to shout Sean's name in Chinese (something like "AH SHIEN GUH!") then they asked me to do it again. I forget sometimes that my vocal cords are very 'fit' so I well and truly yelled "SEAN!" Heh, they all moved back half a step. I didn't watch the news last night as I don't get any channels where I live. I will, however, buy a paper and see if there is anything there.
Here's a photo of me and one of my coworkers, Franklin:
I know I moaned a bit about the other Grand Aunty, but I watched what she did and tried to copy her a bit. When they took photos of her she did these cute, cartoony poses that really looked 'right' for Grand Aunty. I tell you, Taiwanese babies come out of the womb just knowing how to pose for photos. This is me with the second in command at my work:
And here is a photo of ME! The REAL me! After I changed and cleaned myself up I went up and took a photo of myself. Nobody recognised me, heh heh heh!
So, it was an interesting experience but not one I really want to repeat in a hurry!
..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~.. ..~*~..
[Later] I spoke with Aaron this afternoon. He said he watched the news. Our story was less than a minute. Can you guess what I was doing on the news? Oh, yes, I was seen shouting "SEAN~~~!" Mmm, very nice, very cool. Not. Thank goodness no one would ever connect my face with that performance!
April 11, 2007: Press Conference, brief
Press Conference: This afternoon I have
to take part in a press conference for a program I am working on. I
will have to dress up like the character whose voice I am dubbing and
take part in a skit. I have never been to a press conference before,
let alone taken part in one. And since a disasterous singing
competition when I was about 10 years old, I have not been on a stage.
When I agreed to do this I didn't realise I would have to actually DO
anything. However, I am committed to it so: deep breaths, it'll be
just fine. And hey--somethnig to blog about for today! :o)
March 29, 2007: "The Man In Brown"
It was a good day--The Great Wall, errands, cartoons
for PTS. I FINALLY finished sanding the floor downstairs and have
varnished 2/3 of it. The fumes were killing me, though, (yes, yes,
windows open, lots of ventilation. It's just stinky stuff (varsol +
pine resin)) so I had to stop. I will finish the last third tomorrow
morning and then hopefully do a second coat in the afternoon.
Today's title refers to the book I started last night, "The Man in Brown," written by Maurice Walsh. It was written in 1946 and to say it is 'dated' is to be wonderfully understated. It's a white man's world, according to the author. The characters use the most ghastly 'modern' slang (modern if it were 1946, I guess.) Reading this is as painful as reading something written in 'leet speak' (13375p34k). However, the story itself is fairly interesting. It also gives me a new perspective on older people: If the views and actions of the characters were considered completely normal and acceptable at the time, then many people say, seventy or above, must find today's world incomprehensible.
I may, or may not finish the book.
Today's title refers to the book I started last night, "The Man in Brown," written by Maurice Walsh. It was written in 1946 and to say it is 'dated' is to be wonderfully understated. It's a white man's world, according to the author. The characters use the most ghastly 'modern' slang (modern if it were 1946, I guess.) Reading this is as painful as reading something written in 'leet speak' (13375p34k). However, the story itself is fairly interesting. It also gives me a new perspective on older people: If the views and actions of the characters were considered completely normal and acceptable at the time, then many people say, seventy or above, must find today's world incomprehensible.
I may, or may not finish the book.
March 20, 2007: My work
I
have had a few people ask me about my work. What I do is sit in a
recording studio and read material for assorted publishing firms. Most
of it is used in teaching English: text books, phonics books, work
books, listening comprehension tests. I sometimes do voiceover for
company videos. Some of the work is more fun: magazines and stories for
small kids (with fun voices and a few songs), cartoons (even sillier
voices) and the magazine I do with Steve and Laurie. The magazine is my
main job, the other stuff is all free-lance. I work (ideally) 20~25
hours a week.
Talking of which...I must brush my teeth, get changed and leave for work (two cases: a few childrens songs followed by a textbook.)
Talking of which...I must brush my teeth, get changed and leave for work (two cases: a few childrens songs followed by a textbook.)
March 20, 2007: Everyday life
Ah, another satisfying day. It
started off very well as it was SUNNY this morning. Not sparkling blue skies
and blazing sun: it was more that the sun was playing hide and seek among the clouds. But that’s the most sun I’ve seen in a
long while.
After walking two very happy dogs we returned for breakfast. I did a bit of writing, a bit of editing, practiced some songs for this afternoon. The singing case went surprisingly well: yea! The second case was interesting as I recorded with two different guys. One is American and we recorded for the first hour in our normal accents. The second fellow is Irish, we were required to record the second hour in fake British accents. This was easy for me as I often have to put on a fake accent. It was this fellow’s first time recording and man was he nervous. His voice is not suited to recording (too rough), his ‘British’ accent was poor and he was sooo nervous. It was a shame because when he spoke normally he sounded quite lovely (and he was awfully handsome, too!) I tried to help him out a bit and everyone was really calm trying to allow him to relax and become more natural. He works for the company that is producing this project and they brought him in -- so the quality, or lack thereof, is their business.
I stopped at an art supplies store to get some bits for crafting with Sophie, ear plugs for me and a can of coconut milk.
Once home it still wasn’t raining (yea!!) so I took the dogs for a shorter walk. As it was dark Little Fella had his flashing collar on. It’s pretty neat to see just this flashing red band floating in the night air. I cooked the beasties their dinner and made chicken curry for me (YUM). Leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch and dinner: happy, happy.
Did chores tonight and got organized for tomorrow. Nothing exciting! It’s now eleven pm, time for bed as tomorrow will again be a full day.
After walking two very happy dogs we returned for breakfast. I did a bit of writing, a bit of editing, practiced some songs for this afternoon. The singing case went surprisingly well: yea! The second case was interesting as I recorded with two different guys. One is American and we recorded for the first hour in our normal accents. The second fellow is Irish, we were required to record the second hour in fake British accents. This was easy for me as I often have to put on a fake accent. It was this fellow’s first time recording and man was he nervous. His voice is not suited to recording (too rough), his ‘British’ accent was poor and he was sooo nervous. It was a shame because when he spoke normally he sounded quite lovely (and he was awfully handsome, too!) I tried to help him out a bit and everyone was really calm trying to allow him to relax and become more natural. He works for the company that is producing this project and they brought him in -- so the quality, or lack thereof, is their business.
I stopped at an art supplies store to get some bits for crafting with Sophie, ear plugs for me and a can of coconut milk.
Once home it still wasn’t raining (yea!!) so I took the dogs for a shorter walk. As it was dark Little Fella had his flashing collar on. It’s pretty neat to see just this flashing red band floating in the night air. I cooked the beasties their dinner and made chicken curry for me (YUM). Leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch and dinner: happy, happy.
Did chores tonight and got organized for tomorrow. Nothing exciting! It’s now eleven pm, time for bed as tomorrow will again be a full day.
March 8, 2007: Phew!
Yea, it's the weekend! This picture is for Kat's 'Feline Friday!'
I did 30 hours of recording this week, 11 of which were on my own. Bowzer will understand that I am one tired little camper.
Very briefly, I had a wonderful birthday (two dinners and two cakes so far, all separate occasions.) I have sanded and varnished almost half the floor. No, it doesn't really take that long, I just haven't had huge amounts of free time to work on it. (Aside from the fact that 2/3 of the holes to be pegged are TOO BIG and thus I had to track down slightly larger dowels. It was I who selected the drill bit and thus it is 100% my mistake. Argh.) Did I mention I have been busy at work?
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 Simon, Sophie and I will go up to Tien Mu for the Orphans Annual Secondhand Book Sale:” yea, books! At one I am meeting Bernard for lunch. I worked with Bernard for about a year or so maybe seven years ago. We have met very infrequently since then so I am sure there will be a lot of news to catch up on. At four I am seeing Tsai to have something done with the rat'™s nest I affectionately call my hair: a few artistic streaks and a trim. Then home to Xindian via the grocery store to prepare for Tilman and my combined birthday brunch. The brunch is kindly being hosted by Angela and Stacy as their home is much more central than mine. This is especially important for Belle who lives in Dansui, about an hour and a half from my place.
What else? Sophie slept over last Saturday. I read a story to her until about 11 pm then we went to sleep. As she is a middle of the night blanket thief I make her bring her own. Uh-huh, and she woke up in the middle of the night saying she was cold, so we had to share anyway, rats. Sunday morning we went to Joufen, about an hour northish from Taipei, with Stacy, Angela and Tsai. We had an awesome day, playing kalah, drinking tea and tea and tea from thimble-sized cups, eating, chatting, taking pictures: Ang got out her Tarot cards and told our fortunes. I didn't believe mine, but then I didn’t like the result, hmph. We got back to Taipei in the early evening. Stood outside Grandma Nitti'™s drinking beer and chatting with Simon and some Animals Taiwan people, then over to Jane's for pizza, wine and (more!) chatting. What a surprise.
On our way home Sophie and I stopped to watch the 'sky lanterns'™ and fireworks over the bitan bridge.
Ok, I must go downstairs and make a shopping list or else I'™ll be hooped tomorrow and forget to get half the groceries. There will probably be another pause in blogging as I have another very FULL week of taping looming.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I did 30 hours of recording this week, 11 of which were on my own. Bowzer will understand that I am one tired little camper.
Very briefly, I had a wonderful birthday (two dinners and two cakes so far, all separate occasions.) I have sanded and varnished almost half the floor. No, it doesn't really take that long, I just haven't had huge amounts of free time to work on it. (Aside from the fact that 2/3 of the holes to be pegged are TOO BIG and thus I had to track down slightly larger dowels. It was I who selected the drill bit and thus it is 100% my mistake. Argh.) Did I mention I have been busy at work?
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 Simon, Sophie and I will go up to Tien Mu for the Orphans Annual Secondhand Book Sale:” yea, books! At one I am meeting Bernard for lunch. I worked with Bernard for about a year or so maybe seven years ago. We have met very infrequently since then so I am sure there will be a lot of news to catch up on. At four I am seeing Tsai to have something done with the rat'™s nest I affectionately call my hair: a few artistic streaks and a trim. Then home to Xindian via the grocery store to prepare for Tilman and my combined birthday brunch. The brunch is kindly being hosted by Angela and Stacy as their home is much more central than mine. This is especially important for Belle who lives in Dansui, about an hour and a half from my place.
What else? Sophie slept over last Saturday. I read a story to her until about 11 pm then we went to sleep. As she is a middle of the night blanket thief I make her bring her own. Uh-huh, and she woke up in the middle of the night saying she was cold, so we had to share anyway, rats. Sunday morning we went to Joufen, about an hour northish from Taipei, with Stacy, Angela and Tsai. We had an awesome day, playing kalah, drinking tea and tea and tea from thimble-sized cups, eating, chatting, taking pictures: Ang got out her Tarot cards and told our fortunes. I didn't believe mine, but then I didn’t like the result, hmph. We got back to Taipei in the early evening. Stood outside Grandma Nitti'™s drinking beer and chatting with Simon and some Animals Taiwan people, then over to Jane's for pizza, wine and (more!) chatting. What a surprise.
On our way home Sophie and I stopped to watch the 'sky lanterns'™ and fireworks over the bitan bridge.
Ok, I must go downstairs and make a shopping list or else I'™ll be hooped tomorrow and forget to get half the groceries. There will probably be another pause in blogging as I have another very FULL week of taping looming.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Feb. 27. 2007: Dance the disco
Busy
day today--the Great Wall, then dubbed four cartoons. This is part of
what I had to record today--had me in stitches, kept having to stop as I
was laughing my head off:
Pizza at Jane's with Jane, Simon and Andy--great fun and delicious! Routed out the remaining nine planks, painted three sticks, swept and mopped the floor in anticipation of tomorrow's floor-laying. Routing away:
Dodo has peed on the new (as yet unvarnished) floor. Cats have peed AND pooped in the routing wood shavings. Amanda has managed to use the toilet EVERY time. Why can't they just go outside? Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh. Ah, well, I shall sand out Dodo's evidence and have swept/mopped the cats leftovers up.
This photo I took Sunday morning while walking the dogs. A-ma gave me a cabbage from her garden as we were heading home. I have titled this photo "A Woman, Her Dogs and A Cabbage."
To bed!
Pizza at Jane's with Jane, Simon and Andy--great fun and delicious! Routed out the remaining nine planks, painted three sticks, swept and mopped the floor in anticipation of tomorrow's floor-laying. Routing away:
Dodo has peed on the new (as yet unvarnished) floor. Cats have peed AND pooped in the routing wood shavings. Amanda has managed to use the toilet EVERY time. Why can't they just go outside? Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh. Ah, well, I shall sand out Dodo's evidence and have swept/mopped the cats leftovers up.
This photo I took Sunday morning while walking the dogs. A-ma gave me a cabbage from her garden as we were heading home. I have titled this photo "A Woman, Her Dogs and A Cabbage."
To bed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)