Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 16 2010, 9:21 PM BSTPrincess Bride is great in many many ways.
Not least because of Peter Cook, who did ads for Barclays (he got the job when Peter Sellers died, though both he and Dudley declined Blake Edwards' offer to take over as Clousseau), Nat West, Panama cigars and Cadbury's. And Shower Fresh.
John Cleese with blond hair and a moustache saying:
"A TV commercial?! What for?"
seems permenantly etched in my brain. I think Talking Pages folded, probably due to that advert.
Quote: Timbo @ October 14 2010, 11:28 PM BSTThe point about advertising voiceovers are that they are not so much work as money for old rope.
You speak from a position of ignorance.
Always a bad thing.
Technically they are very hard - many quality performers can't do them.
i wouldn't know, though I would have thought that reading from a script was part of the basic skills set of an actor; anyway, if you can do them, it is a shed load of money for a morning's work, which was my point.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 16 2010, 9:21 PM BSTAh yes, you're right. Edited to make more sense
Princess Bride is great in many many ways.
It certainly is!
I dunno, it really depends on the advert itself, and whatever's being advertised. The Peter Kay John Smiths adverts used to be funny so they're more 'acceptable' than others.
If a comedian does an advert that tries to be funny and fails I think they are doing themselves no favour. Leonard Rossiter, Grff Rhys Jones and Rowan Atkinson are among those who have fronted lovingly crafted advertsing campaigns, and raised their stock as a result.
Ultimately it is a career choice; when an actor looks at any script he has to balance kudos against cash. A crap advert for a product you don't care about is going to lower your stock, but if you want the money you might decided it is worth it. Evidently the choice Fry and Merton made.
I hate the Pear Cider adverts with Mark Watson. GUH.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ October 17 2010, 3:09 PM BSTI hate the Pear Cider adverts with Andy Watson. GUH.
Mark!
And yes, they're rubbish; Stewart Lee did a great bit on them
Quote: Timbo @ October 17 2010, 12:00 PM BSTi wouldn't know, though I would have thought that reading from a script was part of the basic skills set of an actor; anyway, if you can do them, it is a shed load of money for a morning's work, which was my point.
You're quite right, you don't know.
The thing is, they get paid what they're worth.
No advertiser is going to pay a load of dough if he doesn't think he's going to recoup it many times over.
They're good at something and they get paid well for it.
I think on the whole, the public are pretty forgiving - unless it's an absolute shocker - then it's desath by association.
Plus you'd be amazed at the number of people who don't recognize a voice-over - even the really big names.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 17 2010, 3:21 PM BSTMark!
And yes, they're rubbish; Stewart Lee did a great bit on them
My brain is broken today, Edited.
Yeah saw Stewart Lee's preview when he did the Pear Cider rant. Was magical.
Quote: Lazzard @ October 17 2010, 3:22 PM BSTYou're quite right, you don't know.
The thing is, they get paid what they're worth.
No advertiser is going to pay a load of dough if he doesn't think he's going to recoup it many times over.
They're good at something and they get paid well for it.
I think on the whole, the public are pretty forgiving - unless it's an absolute shocker - then it's desath by association.
Plus you'd be amazed at the number of people who don't recognize a voice-over - even the really big names.
But plenty of actors could do it! Merton and Fry are being hired not because of their thespian talents but because they are much-loved popular entertainers - that is why they are worth it! The advertisers are prepared to pay stupid money to cash in on their popularity. It lends a reassuring credibility to the product.
I sort-of fondly remember some ads for Heinz tinned soups with Penelope Keith (in a major break with character, playing a posh snob) and Andrew Sachs (almost unrecognizable, playing a mustachioed imbecilic ethnic waiter). Anyone know if those ads were broadcast in the UK?
Quote: Lazzard @ October 17 2010, 3:22 PM BSTyou'd be amazed at the number of people who don't recognize a voice-over - even the really big names.
Just in case anyone isn't familiar with it, this is probably the right place to link to the classic outtakes of Tom Baker's voiceover for Symphony furniture ads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQeTIjD0T_4
A lot of the VO stuff is by impersonators. And any way after years of struggling wouldn't you revel in being able to make some real money if only for a day or two?
I know I would.
It's only people like Vorderman who promote immoral products we should hate.
Quote: Kenneth @ October 17 2010, 3:59 PM BSTJust in case anyone isn't familiar with it, this is probably the right place to link to the classic outtakes of Tom Baker's voiceover for Symphony furniture ads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQeTIjD0T_4
That's just made my day!
Quote: Kenneth @ October 17 2010, 3:59 PM BSTJust in case anyone isn't familiar with it, this is probably the right place to link to the classic outtakes of Tom Baker's voiceover for Symphony furniture ads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQeTIjD0T_4
:Legend.