Monday, December 31, 2018

Obsession leads to compression

With every audiobook he produced for me, Don Warrick shared his thoughts about his craft, about the way he explores his experience to find the core of the story and inhabit the characters. This time, working on our suspense audiobook, Virtually Lace, felt like a marathon. It came into being in super-speed, so I became more curious than ever to hear his thoughts. I'm so glad to share these thoughts with you:

Obsession leads to compression
By Don Warrick

There is an expression that engineers and geeks understand. Obsession leads to compression. First the obsession part. I was introduced to Uvi's work with the WWII series that we produced. I loved performing her sweeping historical romances. They were warm and lovely, humorous and sometimes poignant. I still want an Uncle Schmeel of my own.

Then came Lace. I had no idea what I was getting into. I wasn't prepared for how compelling this novel would be. Up to this point I had been doing a lovely waltz, and she changed the music to hard rock. I am also a technologist so the very idea grabbed my attention from the start. Then the book sucked me in.

 It didn't tug at me, or coax me, or ask me politely, it pulled me in recklessly with abandon. Adrenalin is a dangerous thing. 

Ordinarily when I am producing an audiobook I take my time, I set a reasonable pace. I had estimated that I would have the book finished by the end of January. I am writing this post on new year's eve 2018 a month ahead of schedule. Compression.

When you record an audiobook, you have three things in your awareness.  
  1. Being true to the characters
  2. Paying attention to the rhythm and pace
  3. Actively listening to sound quality and articulation 
Ordinarily you juggle all three balls in the air and you proceed in a reasonable manner. What I encountered with Lace, is that when you become a little bit obsessed it greatly reduces your production time. Obsession leads to compression.

 I so enjoyed crawling into this book that I never slowed down. I got the tracks laid down and immediately jumped into post. I have never enjoyed recording a book this much.

When Uvi asked me to explain how I managed this feat of legerdemain I can only do so in the rear view mirror. This book was an amazing read. A roller coaster and a brain teaser. She never ceases to amaze. 


(Volume II of Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance)

Haunted by discovering the body of a beautiful dancer, Michael sets out to create a virtual reality simulation of her murder. Can he bring the mystery to life? Can he solve its clues in time, before the killer turns on the woman he loves, Ash?


Don Warrick's Website

His body of work:

AudioBooks:
Uvi Poznansky
Mary Campisi 
A Family Affair: The Promise (Truth in Lies book #7)  
A Family Affair: Winter (Truth in Lies, Book 6) 
A Family Affair: Christmas (Truth in Lies, Book 5)
A Family Affair: Fall (Truth in Lies, Book 4) 
A Family Affair: Summer (Truth in Lies, Book 3) 
Michael J Dawson
Oleg V. Oksevski
Richard James Chance
Julie Elizabeth Powell
John Franz
Artistic Direction
Dayton Playhouse, Dayton Ohio
Central Ohio Professional Theatre, Columbus Ohio
Covered Bridge Theatre, North East Maryland,
Performance
A Little Night Music - Fredrick
Kiss Me Kate - Petruchio
Mack & Mable - Mack Sennett
Man of La Mancha - Don Quixote
Sound of Music - Capt. von Trapp
South Pacific - Emile DeBeque
Sweeney Todd - Sweeney
The King and I - King of Siam
Two by Two - Noah 
The Grand Duke - The Grand Duke
HMS Penafore - Ralph
Pirates of Penzance - The Pirate King 
The Merry Widow - Danilo 
The Mikado - Nanki Poo 
Orpheus - Mercury
Les deux aveugles - Patachon
Die Fledermaus - Eisenstein
Gianni Schicci - Gerardo
La Boeheme - Parpigno
La Traviata - Georgio Germont
Marriage of Figaro - Don Basillio
The Impressario - Herr Eiler
A Lion in Winter - Henry
Lend Me a Tenor - Tito Merrelli
Medea - Jason 
Oleanna - John
On Golden Pond - Norman
Plaza Suite - Jessie Kipplinger
The Odd Couple - Felix 
The Rainmaker - Starbuck
Zoo Story - Jerry 
Brigadoon - Tommy Albright
Camelot - Arthur
Candide - Candide
Jacque Brel - Player 
Convenience - Abe
Fantastics - El Gallo
Godspell - Jesus
Guys and Dolls - Sky Masterson

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