“I will say, as someone who has auditioned hundreds and hundreds, if not over a thousand, voiceover artists and listened to very talented people doing the same take over and over again, the recording quality, the sound quality, absolutely matters. And it's an immediate… There are so many people for me where it's an immediate ‘no,’ because the moment I hear the sound quality and it's not totally up to a pro level, I assume tons of things about that.” – Wil Seabrook This episode’s guest is a former W...
“I will say, as someone who has auditioned hundreds and hundreds, if not over a thousand, voiceover artists and listened to very talented people doing the same take over and over again, the recording quality, the sound quality, absolutely matters. And it's an immediate… There are so many people for me where it's an immediate ‘no,’ because the moment I hear the sound quality and it's not totally up to a pro level, I assume tons of things about that.” – Wil Seabrook
This episode’s guest is a former Warner Bros recording artist and the founder of two award-winning creative agencies, and he’s produced over 8,000 videos and commercials for some of the world's biggest and most successful companies. His name is Wil Seabrook, and this week we’ll be talking about how sound design affects his creative process, what people should keep in mind about sound when it comes to their own projects, and what role he sees AI playing in the short and long term when it comes to sounds of all sorts. If you work in sound and you’re struggling to find your place in the modern marketplace? You’ll definitely want to listen in on this conversation.
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(0:00:01) - Musicians' Early Sound Influences and Journeys
As our conversation starts, Wil recall his earliest memories of sound, and the impression that hearing a Simon & Garfunkel song made on both him and his parents. “I came home from preschool,” he recalls, “and I was talking to my mother, and I kept saying Funkle, Funkle. She's like, ‘what the heck are you talking about? You want a pencil?’ And she finally figured out that I wanted to listen to Simon & Garfunkel.” He talks about his early career as a musician, some of his missteps along the way and how he’s helped his son avoid them, and how social media has transformed the music scene. “I think the rise of social media,” he says, “the way things have changed in the last ten, fifteen years, you just realize what an incredible amount of talent there is in the world… now you can just sit down with your phone and a guitar and make a beautiful noise and inspire people, and I do think that part's neat.”
(0:08:57) - The Power of Music in Communication
The discussion continues as Wil talks about his shift from working with Fortune 500 companies to helping small businesses establish their brand, and the different approach it requires. “It's a much more emotional journey,” he explains. “But I get to be more helpful with more things. I'm not just creating content, I'm helping them put it out into the world, improve their business, and I find that fun and engaging.” He also offers some firsthand advice to voice actors who might find themselves frustrated with the auditioning process. “Don't automatically assume that you did something wrong,” he tells us, “or that you've made a mistake, or that you're not talented, or that you're not doing everything right. You could do everything right and still not be the person who gets selected.”
(0:14:20) - Creating Music for Brands With Purpose
As the first half of our conversation comes to a close, Wil shares a surprising discovery about the power of authenticity while recording an Instagram spot. “I did two versions in the studio and, on a friend's recommendation, I did a version on my couch, just to see. The version on my couch outperformed the other two versions, two to one.” He points out the work that can go into such seemingly organic spots, however, and cautions against not taking it seriously. “It's very important for people to understand that simple or homemade style does not mean that it's not produced,” he explains. “It's just a different medium, in a way, than trying to make a TV show or a movie.”
Episode Summary
- Will shares his musical journey, from old records and school choirs to recording singles.
- Sound’s subliminal impact on consumers and how clients can tap into that power.
- How the right environment and equipment can make or break a voiceover audition.
Be sure to tune in for next week’s episode as Wil and I discuss AI’s place in the music industry and Wil’s own business, why he thinks we may be in for a new golden age once the dust settles, and how musicians and producers are adapting to the mile-a-minute landscape of social media.
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