Karen@KarenCommins.com

Karen Commins

Award Winning

Atlanta Audiobook Share-rator™

Narrators

A Tale of Two Web Sites

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,
we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct
the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present
period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its
being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree
of comparison only.

Was Charles Dickens really writing about the French Revolution in his novel A Tale of Two Cities, or could he perhaps have been writing a prediction about my move of my domain name to a new web host?

It was the best of times because I have a new web site. Along with a new design, the site contains updated demos, pictures of my beautiful new studio with its stunning Parisian theme and testimonials, as well as expanded informational content. It was the worst of times because the site design has been completed for some time, but I haven’t been able to launch the site. My main domain karencommins.com still points to Earthlink’s servers, while the new site can be previewed under either the KarenCommins.com or KarenVoices.com domains on 1and1.com servers. If you have clicked the logo on my blog, you have already seen the new site.

It was the age of wisdom because I developed the new site under a different domain. Furthermore, I was wise to shop around for a new web host who offered better pricing and customer service than I was receiving from Earthlink. My web site would never go down when I made the transition from the old host to the new one.

It was the age of foolishness to think that something that should be an easy task actually would be.

It was the epoch of belief when I started to make the DNS changes to move karencommins.com to the 1and1.com name servers. I believed I would access my account on Network Solutions, quickly make the change to my Whois record and routers everywhere would know about the change within a few days.

It was the epoch of incredulity when I learned about the snarled mess with my domain registration. I own the domain karencommins.com. Network Solutions is the registrar. However, my Network Solutions account did not reflect my domain.

It was the season of Light when the Network Solutions rep explained that Earthlink was one of their wholesale accounts. While Network Solutions was the actual registrar, Earthlink had registered the domain on my behalf. I therefore needed to contact Earthlink and request that Earthlink make changes to my Whois record for that domain.

It was the season of Darkness when I had to call Earthlink. First, the people on Earthlink’s support lines could not understand that changing my DNS record is a separate issue from changing my web hosting account. Earthlink refused to change my DNS record to a different web host, even though I would continue to pay my monthly web hosting fee to Earthlink and even though Earthlink was obligated to service my domain registration. Earthlink promised to release its stake on my domain registration so that Network Solutions would have total control of it. A phone call a week later had me going through the same scenario, only to learn that nothing had been accomplished.

It was the spring of hope when I called Network Solutions again and was offered the opportunity to convert my wholesale registration to a retail account. I had to fill out a form and provide proof of my identity and fax it back to the company.

It was the winter of despair (even in May) to learn on a subsequent phone call to Network Solutions that my first fax was never received. My despair continued when, after receiving confirmation that my second fax was received, I did not hear anything from Network Solutions. They told me that the paperwork could be processed in 3 days or less, yet 3 weeks passed without any communication from Network Solutions. At least I could shake off my despair by going on vacation with Drew!

We were all going direct to Heaven when I called Network Solutions earlier this week and found out that my paperwork had been processed! Apparently, I didn’t receive the notification because I somehow had 2 accounts, so they merged the information. HALLELUJAH!!!

After over 6 weeks of effort that included at least 6 phone calls and 2 faxes, I FINALLY am able to enter a simple change to my DNS record that will cause my current domain to match up with my new web site. You might think that I have already made the change and am just waiting for the replication to occur around the world. If that were the case, though, I wouldn’t feel the need to tell the story about it in pure Dickensonian fashion.

I truly think things happen for a reason. For instance, a monumental traffic jam in New York on Sunday 7 May prevented me from getting to the airport in time to make my flight home. The next flight was delayed an hour due to weather problems in Atlanta. I had the opportunity to calm a terribly irate passenger who was in the same circumstance with me. She was railing at the Delta agents because all of the eateries in LaGuardia — such as they are — were closed. I told her that if being late was her worst problem in life, she had no real problems.

I said there was some reason we were delayed. We weren’t meant to be on that earlier flight. We might have run into bad weather that would have made us sick. Maybe we would have had to circle Atlanta because we couldn’t land. I would much rather be standing in an airport than sitting on a plane!

I also reminded her about all the things for which she could be grateful. She was standing there in seemingly good health and had not been in a wreck in the incredible traffic jam in NY. She was so much better off than the vast majority of the world’s population, most of whom would be glad to trade places with her right then. She not only said she saw my point, but she stopped having her tantrum with the Delta agents. (BTW, after hearing this exchange, the Delta agent who was helping me granted my request of upgrading my husband’s ticket to first class at no charge!)

Maybe the Universe put all of these extreme delays of moving my domain in my path for a reason. Maybe I need to do a few more things on the new site before I launch it to the world. I know it has a few missing links and a couple of pieces of incomplete content. At least now I can make the change whenever I’m ready!

I started this entry with a famous quote from Charles Dickens, and I’d like to end it with another that, while less famous, sums up my ordeal in moving my domain name:

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many
not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

 

Congrats to the Audies winners!

Last week, I was on vacation with Drew in Ft. Lauderdale. Otherwise, I would have liked to attend the annual Audio Publishers Association (APA) meeting and Book Expo America conference, held this year in Washington, DC.

The Audie Awards are juried awards in the audiobook and spoken word industry for the finest work in numerous categories, similar to the Grammy, Oscar and Emmy awards given in other mediums. The APA and Audiofile Magazine created a wonderful multimedia presentation that contains sound clips and reviews for all of the finalists in this year’s Audie competition. I’m thrilled to see that my friends Barbara Rosenblat and Mel Foster were the narrators of award-winning titles, while another friend Alan Sklar scored 3 nominations.

Producing quality audiobooks is a major undertaking, and I congratulate all of the people who participated in creating the books nominated for the 2006 Audie Awards. I hope to be with all of you next year in New York!

 

Women in Animation Master Event

I have wanted to take a class with Pat Fraley and Hillary Huber ever since I met them in 2003 at the Audio Publishers Association Convention in Chicago. I finally got my chance this past weekend (6-7 May) in New York City, when I attended the 2-day Women in Animation Master Event. What an amazing, motivational, intense and downright FUN time!Before I talk about the class, I wanted to mention that Drew and I spent Friday as a play day in New York. We first went to see my friend Jeff Berman, who owns SoundHound, a premier New York audio production facility. Jeff gave us the grand tour of his magnificent operation, and I can tell you it would be every voice talent’s and director’s dream to work there! The studios are a striking blend of muted colors mixed with several natural textures so that they are an aesthetic delight to behold. You feel such a sense of tranquility from the moment you walk out of the elevator and into his space. It’s no wonder that people were busily working in every suite when we were there.

Attendance at the Women in Animation class was limited to 12 participants, and I signed up as soon as I received the e-mail from my coach Susan Berkley. Pat has given voice to thousands of characters in cartoons, movies and audiobooks. When Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, wanted a coach, Pat Fraley is the person who helped her. Hillary uses her character voices in audiobooks, where subtlety is key. They were the perfect complimentary team to each other.

Spending 16 hours over the weekend in Pat’s workshop was like being at a premier comedy club; we were laughing the whole time! However, while the subject matter was fun, all of the attendees were intent on getting as much from the sessions as possible. In fact, we even had homework prior to our meeting! We each received copies of Pat’s 2-CD set Cartoon Voice! and were instructed to listen to them at least once before the workshop convened.

It’s easy to do a silly voice. However, being able to replicate that voice on command and being able to think and feel like the character would is a skill set that takes some time and practice to master. In audition situations, you don’t have the time to come up with a new voice on the spot. You need to be ready to go with a voice that fits the description or picture but make it SEEM like you just thought of it.

Pat said numerous times throughout the workshop that we should be goal-oriented in the class. He wanted us to walk away with usable skills and be on our way to creating character voices that are, to quote Pat, evocative, unique and fully developed. We learned about character archetypes and the elements of a character voice. By analyzing the script, you can determine the archetype being served by the lines, and you may already have developed a voice that fits the archetype. In many cases, the class exercises caused us to invent the basic voice that could be further developed.

We each had the exciting opportunity to work one-on-one in the booth with the incredible and wildly energetic animation voice actor Candi Milo. Under her excellent and fast-paced direction, I discovered that I can do a pretty good voice for a little boy, especially since I naturally have a lower pitch and speak with the right cadence. I was thrilled to have this voice emerge because the market continuously demands women who can perform young boy voices.

In addition to some new voices, I found new uses for some of my existing characters, primarily developed in the audiobooks that I have completed. I was delighted to learn from Hillary that my snobbish old woman character named Aunt Freddy in the 2 audiobooks that I have completed could be parlayed into a mean old woman archetype just by the way I chose to deliver the lines.

Leslie Zaslower, who casts talent for Nickelodeon, enthusiastically spoke to us for an hour and graciously answered a wide berth of questions. Among other things, she explained the production process and gave us advice on structuring our demos. I introduced myself to her and asked how I might get my agents to send auditions to me for roles with little boys’ voices. You better believe that I will follow her suggestions!

All of my fellow participants are extremely talented and funny ladies! I was impressed to see a couple of newcomers in the class. It takes courage to take the plunge and actually DO SOMETHING about following your dreams. I thoroughly enjoyed the warm camaraderie through the whole weekend and feel that I made some wonderful lasting friendships. I’m looking forward to making a new demo and applying my new skills as often as possible!

Harry Potter – 1, Censorship – 0

I heard on the news that the Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously ruled to keep the Harry Potter books on the school library shelves. A local mother who reportedly had not even read the books had started a movement to have the books banned because she claimed they encouraged witchcraft.

As a citizen who lives in this county, a suburb of Atlanta with the largest school system in the state of Georgia, I am pleased to see the Board’s ruling on this matter. The Harry Potter books are an unparalleled phenomenon in encouraging kids to actually READ. I could understand if the mother thought that the extraordinary narrator Jim Dale had cast a spell on her kids when they heard his captivating voice create over 100 memorable characters in the audio versions of those books. I think every book was nominated for a Grammy, and I know Dale’s enchanting performance won at least one of those coveted awards. If you haven’t heard him, you can download all the books on iTunes.

I wonder if this same mother is as vigilant in monitoring the video games that her children play. As a voice actor who has had roles in 2 games and hopes to work in many more, I certainly am not opposed to the video game industry. However, I do think that many games glorify violence and are not suitable for children. I don’t have children, but I believe that parents should select games and other materials that improve their children’s minds.

The Harry Potter books do improve childrens’ minds. As the kids read, they are using their imaginations. Once you start to use your imagination, you learn how to solve problems, and you realize that anything is possible.

 

I couldn’t care less about American Idol

I had an appointment at the hair salon today. As I drove to the salon, people on the radio were endlessly chatting about American Idol. Once I arrived, all of the stylists and fellow customers were all abuzz about their favorite performer. Everywhere I go, people constantly talk about this show and the people on it.

I don’t watch it….except, of course, when Barry Manilow is a guest. Even then, I don’t watch the live show; I’ll let my trusty TiVo record it for me.

I understand the popularity of the show. What I don’t understand is why people get so caught up in the dreams of other people and yet are so unwilling to do anything about their own dreams. Most people I know get up in the morning, go to work, go home, have dinner, veg out in front of the TV (perhaps watching the aforementioned show) and go to bed so they can get up the next day and do it all over again.

They live for the weekends, which are taken up with all the errands and chores that they didn’t have the time or energy to do during the week. When I ask people about their dreams, they often give me blank stares. They either don’t have dreams and goals or do little toward accomplishing them.

I’d like to remind everyone:

The way you spend your days is the way you spend your life.
Tonight, while the rest of America lives vicariously through other people and sits in front of their televisions eagerly awaiting the outcome of a popularity contest, I will be preparing an audition and making changes to my web site.

I wish the contestants on American Idol every success and joy in life. However, I am much more interested in the pursuit and attainment of my own goals and dreams to be too concerned with theirs.

 

I won a marketing contest!

As I was on my way to the airport on Friday the 5th, I read an e-mail message on my PDA announcing a new marketing book. Since I am an avid student of marketing, I probably would have ordered the book anyway, but the contest to promote the launch of the book made the immediacy of the purchase all the more compelling. The author was attempting to reach #1 status on Amazon by midnight, Friday.

The book is Book Yourself Solid : The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling by Michael Port. You could enter the contest without buying a book. I was intrigued to learn that he was giving away $50,000 in prizes to promote it! Even though I don’t normally order things from my PDA, I decided to join the contest and buy the book that moment.

I just learned that I actually won something in the contest!

The Internet Power Pack
Offered by Max Steingart of www.successway.com/max

A Completely Different, Proven Approach to Prospecting and Recruiting that Allows You To Create An Unlimited Pool of Prospects, Any Time, Any Place, Anywhere, Literally on Demand, Completely Devoid of Fear of Rejection, Heartbreak or Failure. This enormous package includes 8 CDs, book and ebook!

Gaining qualified prospects and keeping my database up-to-date is a perpetual challenge, so maybe the Universe thought this is something I could use. I am thrilled to have won this prize!

I also think I’m going to benefit greatly from reading Port’s book. I especially liked these lines from the prize winner’s page:

Whether or not you won one of the prizes from the jackpot worth over $50,000 donated to this fun and playful sweepstake, you are a winner… because you stand in the service of others as you stand in the service of your destiny….Just between you and me, Book Yourself Solid is truly a love story disguised as a business book. A love story between you and all the inspiring clients you will choose to book right away.