There are several rooms at Bell Sound Studios. This is Studio B. Sound engineer Aaron sits at the console. Aaron's moved to Australia since I took the photo; now I work with Alfredo. Behind where the engineer sits is an area with a sofa and a desk for the client (should the client wish to attend the recording session). Through the door at the left of the picture is the booth, where I stand at the microphone to record. I almost never sit when I record. Something about staying on my feet keeps my vocal energy up. I need that, because the commercials I record are upbeat.
Each week I record voice-overs for Stater Bros. Markets. If you're local, you know about Stater Bros. In case you're not from around here, I'll tell you: Stater Bros. is a chain of grocery stores here in Southern California. They're located mostly in the Inland Empire and Orange County. The nearest store to Pasadena is in Santa Clarita--that's a bit of a drive. One has to cross a mountain or two to get there. I've made the drive and I'm glad I have, because I found that what I advertise (high quality at low prices) is actually the case. (When John and I picked up a deli lunch there before visiting Vasquez Rocks, we were goggle-eyed at what we got for our ten bucks.)
Actors perform in commercials all the time. It's part of what we do. When I get up to the microphone, nothing makes me more enthusiastic than touting a business I actually feel good about. I only wish they had a store in Pasadena.
24 comments:
Thanks for taking us inside.
Good insight.
I feel like I need to type quietly ~ your photo makes me feel like I've been invited someplace special and I need to be in hushed reverence. {Aaron moved to Australia? Go, Aaron!} I'm sure if I heard your voice for an advertisement, Petrea, I'd want to buy whatever you're selling.
Interesting to see inside one of these studios.
I went to school very near this building.
Vasquez Rocks is so cool. btw, did u climb those jagged things? Star Trek, westerns and music videos were filmed there... NCIS too....
Yes, thanks for the inside peek at the studio, where, I'm sure, your work boosts the sales at Stater Bros. Markets.
I hope I boost the sales. That's the whole point! Plus the Stater folks are awfully nice to me, it's the least I can do.
Yes, Aaron's in Oz, Shell. He's not a great communicator so I have no idea which part! (Big country, Oz.) But I believe he's happy. He was itching to go.
Vasquez Rocks, if you ever have a chance to go (obviously Kalei has), is a wonderful southern California park with lots of history and fantastic rock formations. If you don't have a chance to go, well, you've already seen it in the shows Kalei mentioned.
That is very interesting. I'm guessing you are as talented as Cedering Fox. Do you know her? Keep those precious vocal cords polished.
What fun to have a glimpse of your world. No Stater Bros around here in Coventry but I'll keep an eye out next visit to So. Cal. and call in with $10 in hand. Cheers!
You're so good at your job. When I hear you in the morning, I want to rush right out and get those groceries.
I don't know Cedering Fox, Steven, but I think she's terrific.
LOL, I will save you some deli chicken.
Thank you, Bellis. Sometimes when I read the copy I'm about to record I think Oh, come on! Why can't I buy chicken at that price in LA?
Lots closer then that. One in Azuza and Glendora and both on Alosta; west of Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse. Thats where jockey Shoemaker got drunk the night he drove his car off Alosta.
Call me Ms Sunshine!
Azusa! Not bad, not bad at all. That's a hop, skip and a...a trot and a jump and a hop on the freeway. Better than two mountains.
I stopped at the one in Mentone years back. I think it's still there.
Oh oh, do you have link to one of your ads? I've worked with voice actors in the past -- even had to direct one, not that I knew what I was doing -- and have great respect for what they, you, do. You guys can say any given word ten different ways. Ten? Ten! Ten...Ten--, TEN,ten, tehhhhhn,
And, I might add, competition for voice acting jobs is fierce! At a prior job, we put out a call for voice talent, I think we heard, "Welcome to the Los Angeles Times," from a hundred different actors. And a group of us sat in a room to decide. Too girly, not girly enough, too harsh, too soft, too sexy, too sweet, too young, too old, too commanding ... We all ended up agreeing on an actor named Bobbin Beam. I'm sure we would have loved you, as well.
Laura, am I a bad person if I had to look up Mentone?
Hiker, you're so right about the competition. It's fierce and I am fortunate.
I searched online for a current Stater Bros. spot but didn't find one. An older version is on my demo reel here:
http://bit.ly/LA6dHW
If that link doesn't work, go here
http://petreaburchard.com/actor
and scroll down to the 60 second demo reel.
I just listened to Bobbin Beam's very impressive commercial demo. Wow. Yet I agree, you would have loved me!
When I lived in Claremnt I would shop there. Good produce, as I recall.
Fun coincidence - I heard you today! I was ready to get my bags and get some apricots. What a pleasure to know the voice moving me was you.
Fun to see the innards! It has an air of "wizardry" about it. I will definitely go to your site to hear your voice!
Yes, Margaret. Produce and meats. I cannot believe those chicken prices.
LH, I rarely hear myself. I'm listening to the wrong stations!
Thank you, Ms. M. Yes, there's something about the studio. It's been a Hollywood mainstay for years. I often seen current luminaries in the lobby and I even met June Lockhart there.
Very interesting. Professionals at work,it is one of few my favorite things to watch.
What fun to hear and see you!
I am hurrying so haven't time to see if anyone else found this long (!) Stater Bros. history. Thought you might be interested.
http://www.enotes.com/stater-bros-holdings-inc-reference/stater-bros-holdings-inc
Have spent day upgrading my Mac's OS X system. Eyes closing....
Betsy
Thank you, Irina and Dina!
Betsy, thanks for going to the trouble. Stater Bros. has been around for a long time and is a venerated company.
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