Blog Archives - Jonathan Clays Voice Over Artist

Edson Arantes do Nascimento

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:25:49 +0000

Terribly sad to hear the news about Pele yesterday. It goes without saying that he was the original GOAT and arguably the GOAT, but he also struck me as being warm, charming and truly gracious. You see, back in 2015 I had the wonderfully surreal privilege of spending 45 mins with him in a hotel room, pretty much just me and him.

I was doing some freelance sound recording work at the time for 5Live. If a high profile interviewee can’t make it to the radio studio, I go to them and they’re interviewed remotely with me controlling the kit at their end. I met a lot of very high profile people from the world of sport and politics in that time, often going to their homes.

Then one Friday afternoon I had a phone call.

“Can you make it into central London in two hours?”

“Yes, love to – who am I meeting?”

“Pele”

“What? Seriously??”

So there I was two hours later, in the lobby of a very smart five star hotel in Holborn where I was met by a man who introduced himself as Pele’s ‘personal assistant’. Pele appeared to have quite a few ‘personal assistants’. This particular one had the appearance of a ‘personal assistant’ who’d spent time with the Secret Service but I wouldn’t imagine it was anywhere near the typing pool. Let’s just say he was quite a serious individual.

We went up to a suite and I set up my recording kit to start the interview where there were a number of his other entourage. In the room next door I could hear the faint sound of a phone conversation taking place. It was Pele.

A few moments later, the bedroom door opened and there appeared a man instantly recognisable to a sizeable chunk of the planet’s seven billion occupants, with the most wonderfully warm, welcoming smile. To me he had the aura of being almost presidential, ambassadorial if you like; a man with absolutely nothing to prove to the world. He knew who he was – he was Pele.

We shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and got started. I soon became subconsciously aware that the room appeared to have otherwise emptied, with the exception of just one of his PAs messaging on her phone over on the other side of the room taking absolutely no interest in what we were doing.

Over the next thirty minutes or so he was asked about the Banks save, his incredible goal scoring tally, winning a record three World Cups and England’s chances for the Euros among others, except the interviewer’s in a studio several miles away so he needs a facial point of reference to react to and that’s me sitting right next to him. Pele is telling me about the legendary Banks save! He actually pointed out, with a hint of irony and much good humour, that he scored 1283 career goals yet people always want to know about the one that didn’t go in.

Eventually our time was up. We parted company. I checked my audio had recorded OK. Please let it be OK. Pele’s quite a busy man – I can’t imagine you get another go if you mess up. Thankfully it was spot on – I still have it today, room atmos, off air dialogue and all.

The ‘assistant’ appeared, to escort me out.

Now I know I’m probably not really supposed to do this but I then produced a Brazil top and marker pen.

“I carry this with me everywhere just in case I ever bump into Pele – do you think he’d mind please?” A wry smile was returned. “I’ll see what I can do”.

90 seconds later he appeared with the signed top. Yes, I realise Pele played no 10 and mine’s a Ronaldo Nazario 9 but I could hardly ask him to hold on while I nip out and get a new one now could I?

On the tube home I was so excited I wanted to take it out of my bag and show it to everyone. “I just met Pele!” I didn’t. Obviously. It’s been on my son’s bedroom wall ever since.

Some time later I heard a story that once upon a time a car that Pele was travelling in in Brazil was held up at gunpoint by armed men. As soon as they realised who the occupant was they apologised and left. I’ve no idea if it’s true or not but having met him, I’m happy to believe that it was.

RIP Pele. That brief yet unforgettable window that I was given into your world truly was an absolute privilege.

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Awards Show Voice Over

admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:24:54 +0000

Awards Show Voice Over

Arguably my favourite type of voice over work is as an Awards Show Voice Over for live awards ceremonies. ‘Voice of God’ is the industry terminology for the performer who makes the vocal announcements at awards shows and events. Usually announcing the awards nominees and other audience event information.

Many of the established artists who work as ‘Voice of God’ have also been the in-show voice on tv shows, myself included. There’s certainly a crossover in terms of the style.

With the lifting of Covid restrictions last year an entertainment starved public were permitted to have fun again. With that a pent up supply of awards shows simply begging to happen. It was a pleasure to be the live Awards Show Announcer for the NEPA Awards. Sceptre Awards, NCE Tunnelling Awards and once again the FMBE Field Marketing Awards.

A slightly scaled back version of previous events, January’s FMBE was held at Oxford Town Hall, a lovely example of Victorian splendour. Imagine a cross between my living room and a Wedgwood dinner service and you’re probably not all that far off!

Live or pre-rec?

When booking an Awards Show announcer there are a few things to consider:

Among those, will the Voice of God be live in-person or pre-recorded?

Pre-recorded is perfectly fine and often suited to a tighter budget or simpler occasion, and many artists will happily offer that service. However, there’s quite a difference between the two. For starters, as a performer there’s no comparison between sitting alone in a home studio versus the added pressure of a live audience. Let’s just say, performing in front of 500 strangers isn’t for everyone.

There are no second takes, no “can I go again?” and no “oh I’ll just edit that bit”. Many voices are also able to perform the former but the latter’s a different game altogether.

Being there in-person adds so much more to the event. The buzz of a live audience, tailoring your delivery to suit, and the fun of spontaneity makes it just so much more entertaining.

I regularly voice both live and recorded awards show voice overs but can honestly say it’s the live, in-person work that really does it for me. As you’ll hear below.

"Der krieg ist verloren!"

It’s ironic really. Back in the mid 90s when I was working in local radio I’d rather have eaten my own trousers (white anyone?) than be involved in the station’s live roadshows.

Just like the Japanese WWII soldier found wandering lost in the jungle thirty years after the war had ended, it was as if no-one had told the management that it was no longer 1983.

By contrast, awards shows today are big budget, super-glam, slick spectaculars usually hosted by a name; backed by a professional voiceover artist (ahem) and sound, vision and lighting crew. Throw in enough fizz to pickle a brontosaurus and a sumptuous venue and they really are rather impressive.

Johnny Oxford

And so that brings us back to Oxford. Superb, lively good fun, ad libs and improv aplenty and a really fabulous night. I really do love this kind of work.

Meanwhile, just before the clock struck midnight did I…

a) slip away before my waiting chariot morphed into a pumpkin, leaving only a Matalan desert boot behind as evidence. “But who was that mystery voice?” they’d ask quizzically.

or b) all funned out, can of Brewdog in one pocket, smoky bacon crisps the other, wander back to the reassuring tranquility of my Premier Inn. Satisfied with a job well done.

To read more about my VoG work and hear more samples from live awards events click here

Or to return to the home page click here

Awards Show VoiceOver

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Live Event Announcer

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:30:44 +0000

One area of work that I love doing is being a Live Event Announcer, or Voice of God Voice Over as it’s known. You know the thing, “And the nominations are…”

During September, I performed as Live Event Voice Over for the YCN Student awards in Spitalfields, London. The fifth year in a row. I was also the awards announcer of the ERS medical awards in Madrid and the FMBE Awards in London.

Having been the voice of some of Britain’s biggest TV shows including Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m a celebrity and Text Santa there are definite parallels between the two types of work.

FMBE Awards

“You did a fabulous job at The FMBE awards Jonathan. Thank you.” Samantha Tasker Robbins, FMBE Awards

Syon House, London is a modest old pile, a supremely stylish stately home set in 200 acres dating to the 15th century and home to the Duke of Northumberland. It was also home to the Field Marketing and Brand Experience Awards this month. What could be more fitting a venue for brands such as Pot Noodle, Haribo and Poundland? It’s what the Duke’s ancestors would’ve wanted.

As the event’s live awards announcer my job was to partner the on-stage presenter. Comic and Radio 4 regular Lucy Porter.

With each table comprising enough in the beverage department to quench the most enthusiastic of thirsts, it’s fair to say my announcements style was rather different from those required for a medical event. If there’s one thing I love though it’s to make the event feel like an awards ceremony should do by creating a slightly over the top parody of the genre. It was great fun, having been incredibly smoothly organised and turned out to be a fabulous evening.

Afterwards, reflecting on a job well done, I shared the odd drink with my delightful co-host before being whisked by private helicopter back to my own Paladian style mansion on the other side of town*.

Can’t wait to do it all again soon.

(*certain elements of this sentence might not actually be true)

You can hear a variety of pre-recorded announcements in the audio player below. They range from VoG to medical events and airport tannoy announcements.

FMBE Awards with Lucy Porter – Live Awards Announcer

Voice of God Announcements Mix

To visit my Voice of God page click here or for my TV Shows here.

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Voice of God announcer

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 10:45:00 +0000

Voice of God announcer:

One of the areas of work I enjoy most of all as a voice over artist is being a live Voice of God announcer.

The Voice of God Voice Over style is synonymous with the big intro voice you’ll hear on Saturday Night TV shows such as Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Text Santa and Beat the Star.

It just so happens that I’ve been the voice of all of those shows, and plenty more as you can hear below…well isn’t that handy!

http://www.jclays.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Text-Santa-fade.mp4

The Voice of God announcer anchors the awards ceremony by signposting what’s ahead for the audience by voicing announcements throughout the event.

The voice remains out of sight but is still very much an essential part of the show.

YCN Awards

Each Autumn The Barbican Centre in London plays host to the wonderful YCN Student Awards.

Alongside universities, colleges and art and design schools globally they showcase emerging creative excellence.

For the fifth year in a row it was a pleasure to be asked to be their awards show voice over for the live awards event.

I sit in the projection room at the back of the 250 seat theatre, working with the director. It’s my job to introduce the commendees and guest speakers. I very much see it as my job to help make the evening special.

Timing has to be flawless, awkward names pronounced correctly and the voice delivery needs to be clear, authoritative and also credible. Because it’s an evening of celebration, I also like to make it fun!

For this particular event with its youthful audience I also enjoy adding my own favourite specialist ingredients; irony and parody of the genre.

I find the odd ad-lib also never goes amiss.

Always a fantastic event, in a wonderful setting it’s a genuine pleasure to be part of. Above all, the evening was a huge success.

It’s right up there with my favourite bookings of the year. Consequently, I can’t wait for next year!

Click here to read my latest VOG news.

If you’d like to contact me about your event, I’d love to hear from you, please click here.

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Coppell vs Pele… (sports commentator voice)

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 16:57:51 +0000

Sports Commentator Voice:

As a voice over artist I do a lot of work as a sports commentator voice. I’ve always loved football and always look forward to a World Cup. Occasionally, I also get to meet my childhood heroes from the other side of the mic.

A blog of two halves:

I did a spot of work for BBC 5Live a while back and was asked to help out with an interview with former Man Utd and England legend Steve Coppell.

As a Panini sticker collecting would-be football commentator ten year old growing up in the Midlands in the 1970s if you’d told me that one day I’d be going to the United no. 7’s house I’d have probably swerved my Raleigh Chopper into an oncoming Spangles lorry.

What a good guy he was too. He made me very welcome, did a great interview then made us both some tea as we chatted footy afterwards. I noticed he had a nice collection of framed signed football tops. “I’ve got one of those” I said, pointing at the signed Pele “Did you meet him too?”

Slightly embarrassingly for me, the great Steve Coppell hadn’t.

My date with Pele:

It was around a year earlier. I got called to a very swanky London hotel for another recording job, this time to meet Edson Arantes do Nascimento…Pele.
What a wonderful man, and almost presidential in the way he carried himself; a man with absolutely nothing to prove to the world. Well, having won three World Cups for Brazil and considered to be the greatest of all time, why would he?

I sat with him for 45 mins, just him and I. He spoke and recounted stories from his amazing career including the legendary Gordon Banks save in 1970. (audio below)

At no point did he offer to make me a cup of tea though. 1-0 to Coppell; let alone a refill. 2-0.

Nor did he hang around to chat footy afterwards or suggest that maybe we should have a kickabout, “I’ll go in goals if you like.” 3-0.

What he did do though afterwards was to sign the Brazil top that I just happened to have on me and leave me feeling just like that excited Panini sticker collecting ten year old all the way home on the tube.

Let’s call that 3-3 and a magnificent comeback from the world’s greatest!

I’ve been the voice of many national and global productions as a football and sports commentator voice. To hear my football commentator voiceovers click here or if you’d like to book me for your World Cup 2018 project click here.

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“Dreaming”

admin — Wed, 11 May 2016 14:55:37 +0000

As a kid growing up in the late 1970s there were two things that I really loved; Blondie (especially Debbie Harry) and football, in particular goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton.

Shilton was my hero and my bedroom wall reflected that – pictures of him diving acrobatically through the air to make yet another fantastic save interspersed with posters of Debbie Harry looking utterly lovely. The beautiful game meets just plain beautiful.

Imaginary scenario: Debbie Harry taking shots at Peter Shilton. The best of both worlds.

Imagine my delight when I got asked last Sunday if I was available to go to Peter Shilton’s house for a 5Live radio interview. Love to.

Despite being England’s highest capped player ever, footballers in Shilton’s day just didn’t earn the millions they do today. He lives in a nice, smart cul-de-sac but it’s otherwise fairly unassuming. His neighbours will pick up their milk in the morning and think “Oh there’s Peter Shilton mowing his lawn.” I can’t imagine that happens to Joe Hart very often.

After the interview we sat in his garden drinking tea and talking about you’ve guessed it…football. Best not to mention the posters – don’t want to scare the man.

What a privilege to sit talking to my childhood hero and hearing his thoughts on the infamous Maradona ‘Hand of God’ incident (I couldn’t possibly divulge) or winning the European Cup…twice, or Brian Clough.

A lovely chap, he kindly signed some bits I’d brought along for my little boy and on my way I went just about as big a fan as I had been 30 odd years earlier.

Second imaginary scenario. It’s 1983 but you can only meet one of your heroes, Debbie Harry or Peter Shilton. Which one do you choose?

Hmm, do you think she’s any good in goals? Sorry Shilts.

I’ve been the voice of many national and global football productions for TV, radio, online, PC games and interactive productions. To hear my football commentator voiceovers click here or click here to hear other voice demos.

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