Q. How do you select your voice talent?
A. Before adding a voice to our roster, we listen intently to their demo material. We’re looking for more than an interesting voice. We want to hear evidence that they understand the nuance and subtext of a script. We also are looking for a diverse interpretive skill – the ability to take their read in a variety of directions.
Q. How frequently is your talent pool updated?
A. We receive new demos from talent every week. We’re careful to only add talents to our roster who have clearly demonstrated their special abilities. We are also looking for talents who bring new, fresh colors into the mix.
Q. Can I contact the voice talent directly?
A. When it comes time for your session we welcome your input and direction. You’ll have direct communication with your talent, either in the studio or by phone.
Q. What if I want Tanglewood to produce, but have my own voice talent?
A. If you have a talent that you’d like to bring into the studio or who is available via ISDN connection, we’re happy to produce your spot with your talent. Remember that there are additional charges for ISDN connection if you’re not using Tanglewood talent, though.
Q. Does Tanglewood’s talent utilize the latest sound capturing and transmission hardware? Does ISDN affect sound/video quality?
A. Our digital recording equipment is capable of recording at today’s highest sampling rates. ISDN codecs use a variety of modern compression algorithms to achieve compatible connections with remote locations and CD quality audio in real time.
Q. I am not a musician but have a general idea for a custom music bed or score – how can I best communicate my direction to Tanglewood’s composer?
A. If you can make even a modest recording of the melody and rhythm that you have in mind that can be a great guide for us. Otherwise, samples of other pieces of music with the feel you’re seeking will provide a point of departure for us.
Q. I’m unsure which voice talent is best suited for my spot. Can you help?
A. We are always glad to help in the casting process. You provide the best lead for us with your script itself. Copy has a way of suggesting certain voices. Additional directives from you about the nature of the read you’re looking for (dry, deadpan, sarcastic, playful, etc.) will help us to guide you to several talents who could be right for your spot.
Q. Are the voice samples on the Tanglewood website talent actual spots or are they mock-ups?
A. Many of the samples you hear within the talent demos on our website are selections from actual spots that talents have voiced. In some cases, though, a talent may be looking for a particular example of a style or color to show you. We always suggest that talents only include material in their demos that they can readily deliver when asked.
Q. How do various markets affect talent and music rates?
A. The number of “ears listening” is the determining factor. Your production will have a certain size audience. The rate you pay for talent and music is based upon the size of that audience.
Q. What is the most effective way to produce a session if I am not at the studio?
A. We successfully produce spots all the time with only our producer/engineer involved. However, it’s very easy for us to patch you into your session by phone. From the comfort of your office you can sit in on the session and direct if you like.
Q. How can my off-site client participate in a session?
A. Just as we can connect you to your session by phone, we can easily conference your client into a session as well. Bear in mind that telephones are not full-fidelity. We recommend listening to the final production on speakers. If you have speakers attached to your computer, it will be easy to listen to your final spot right at your desk once we post the spot on your private page on our website.
Q. How can my client and I review a recorded audio or video session?
A. We create a special page on our website just for you to preview and download your materials. Once you know the URL for your private page, you can listen to or view any of the files we post there. Once you’ve given final approval, you can direct anyone on your team to that location for downloading the material.
Q. How is the finished product delivered?
A. We can deliver your production in virtually any format you request. High-resolution MP3 has become the format of choice for most of our radio productions because of its compact size and robust audio. For video, reference files can be posted on the website, but full resolution video is still quite large in size. We can FTP or post a large file but remember that the larger the file the longer it will take to upload it (at studio rate).
Q. Are you available to record or shoot out-of-market projects?
A. Yes, we do recording and camera work remotely. Travel time and expenses are in addition to normal production rates.
Q. Can you create a semi-custom music/effects beds by enhancing cuts from your existing music/SFX library with customized musical or effects elements?
A. Often, a production is greatly enhanced by placing a single musical effect or sound effect at a precise moment within your spot. We carry a huge selection of musical instrument samples and sound effects for just that purpose.
Q. What is pricing for custom scores and effects?
A. Hmm… custom means just that – a creation tailor-made for you. We’ll discuss what you have in mind and give it some definition. We usually like to take custom work in stages. We’ll develop a sketch in the initial exploration stage for a minimum fee. Then, after we’ve given your concept some form, we have a much better model from which to craft your final piece.
Q. How long should I expect to wait before I can get into the studio and produce my project?
A. Of course, the busier we are the harder this is to answer. But we love to jump to the rescue when we can. (We’ve been known to get spots out the same day on occasion.) You should expect, however, that we’ll need to schedule your talent and find available studio time. We can usually contact talent and schedule your studio time within a few days of your call.
Q. How much time is typically required for a :60 radio spot?
A. This, of course, depends upon the complexity of your spot. However, a single-voice “straight read” with music is usually fully produced in a one-hour session.
Q. What is the general rule of thumb for the budgeting a video project?
A. Short format video can vary greatly depending upon the complexity of your final piece. Being well organized with script, storyboard and graphic elements will definitely maximize your effectiveness in the editing room.
As a rule of thumb, for long-format video, you should expect your production to run a thousand dollars per finished minute or more. All the elements to be considered for your production – script development, storyboarding, site scouting, permitting, talent, music, graphic design, editing – these are all factors which will affect your final budget.
Q. What are the most frequent issues agency producers overlook when planning their audio or video session?
A. n our estimation, a great producer is one who HASN’T overlooked the planning of their project. Now, we don’t expect that every producer have intimate knowledge of every aspect of the production process, but knowing the process does help. In general, the important issues to cover in planning your project are: script, timing, overall form and structure.
Q. What do you require from new clients?
A. New clients can book production time as easily as picking up the phone. If we have no previous experience with a client, a credit card will hold your session time for you. We also take great care to make sure we’ve done everything we can to get you prepared for your session by trying to get a general idea of what your session will entail in advance of your session. If you wish, we’ll make suggestions for how you might prepare for your session in advance.
Q. Do you offer sound sweetening/final mixing to completed video projects?
A. Prior to adding video production to our offerings, sound for picture was something many clients came to us for. It’s still common for a rough-cut or final version of a video to come to us for a soundtrack, which brings it to yet another level of impact. It’s amazing how even the most modest video LOOKS better with a custom soundtrack built with just the right sound effects, music and voice over.
Q. Do you have reliable/trusted sources for actors, dancers, musicians, make up, etc?
A. Because we’ve been doing this for a while, we’ve built up a database of trusted talent in many areas. And the advantage of being in the middle of all this activity is that when a new individual is brought into our experience who demonstrates a skill level that would be helpful later, we add their contact information to our database. We’ve built a nice network of writers, musicians, actors, dancers, and other creatives. If your project is going to need those kinds of reinforcements, simply ask us to suggest someone for you.
Q. I am pitching a potential new business prospect – can Tanglewood help?
A. You’ll find that Tanglewood’s attitude about potential new business is that if we can help secure that business we’ve earned the business, too. In general, we look at our relationship with our clients as a partnership – the more successful you are, the better we’ve done our job.
Q. I am pitching a new idea I’m to my client – can Tanglewood help me communicate the concept?
A. We regularly have discussions with clients who run their idea by us. As part of your creative team, we enjoy tossing around ideas in advance of a project because it very often builds the chemistry. Sometimes a simple suggestion from us can evolve into a whole new slant on your project.
