EDITOR’S NOTE: We would file this story under the “Strange but true” category. MVO: The Voice-Over Guy’s Dave McRae was a naughty boy on one occasion (well this is the one time he has written here about being a naughty boy, anyway) and garnered the unwanted attention of a police officer on the highway. Dave proves that a good business card can help bail you out of a tight spot.
The world of professional voice over certainly has its perks, but this was one I wasn’t expecting.
About 2 years ago while driving home (or perhaps racing home) from my girlfriend’s, I was pulled over by the police for speeding. Was I speeding? I was 30km over the limit. Yes, I guess you could say I was speeding.
The police officer asked for my insurance, drivers license and ownership. As he looked over my information, he happened to look down inside the car and catch my business card in my wallet. My card is stylish and different, with my signature promotional shot on it.
“What do you do?” he asked.
I contemplated telling him I was a nuclear physicist… but I decided not to.
“I’m a voice artist” I said.
Unless you’re in the entertainment industry in some sort of capacity, or are a voice artist yourself, there is inevitably an explanation that has to come with it.
He looked at me, perplexed. I took a breath and began telling him exactly what a voice artist is and what exactly it was that I did for a living.
The police officer’s demeanor changed.
He became much more relaxed and casual. One could say he even became more… human.
At one point he leaned on my car, smiling and laughing as if we had been friends for years. He was a big fan of the travel and adventure channel Travel and Escape (T&E) for which I am the promo and imaging voice for. His wife was also a fan of Four Weddings Canada for which I did the narration for.
While laughing and becoming engaged in my stories he then said to me…
“You know, I’ve always wanted to get into that myself.”
He must have stood there for another 10 minutes telling me his aspirations for getting into the business and asking questions regarding the industry. I kept thinking to myself…
‘If he gives me a ticket now, he’s up for the biggest a** of the year award.’
Don’t get me wrong, he had absolutely every right to still give me that ticket, and perhaps he should have. But I think it was that potential awkward transition that prevented him from doing so more than the “celebrity” of what I do.
“Amazing. Thanks so much for all that information Mr. McRae. Oh.. and here’s the $350 ticket and 3 demerit points. Have a nice morning!”
Needless to say he didn’t give me the ticket, but rather a friendly warning and reminder to slow down. I did however, give him my business card for which he was grateful for. One could even say… excited.
I’m still waiting for his call.