We’ve started a new series to introduce you to our talents by going even more in-depth than their profile listings. So, meet Dustin Ebaugh, a Blue Wave Voiceover Talent!
Dustin Ebaugh – Male Political Voiceover Talent
Tell us a little about your broadcast-quality home studio. Where is it? What kind of equipment do you have? What do you like about it?
My studio is located in the second floor of my home in Henderson, Nevada. I really like the comfort of it. I have a control area with a mixing board, Focal audio monitors, a Mac Pro and two huge video monitors. Across from that, I have a 4 x 6 foot vocal isolation booth. It’s double-walled and very sturdy. I love it! Inside the booth I use a Neumann U87 microphone as my daily driver, but I also have a Sennheiser MKH 416 available too. Most studios are very comfortable with either microphone. I also have ISDN and Source-Connect available to connect with my clients and studios.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I love singing barbershop harmony with a quartet or chorus.
How did you get into voiceover work?
I spent 20 years in radio and while I was doing that, I started working with local studios in 1999 to voice commercials for advertising agencies. I just fell in love with the work.
Do you remember what your first voiceover spot was?
Yes, as a child, it was for Home State Bank & Trust in McPherson, Kansas at age 4. I recorded a radio commercial for them. My first professional voiceover job was in 1999 for Blockbuster Video. It worked out better for me than for them.
Do you remember the first political voiceover spot that you did?
Yes, it was for Donald Betts, a democratic House candidate from Kansas.
What has been your favorite voiceover project to date – political or otherwise?
I loved doing a project called “We Play for Vegas”. It was a piece for UNLV’s basketball team. The visuals were great, the music was amazing. All that was in place before I did the voiceover. I got to work with my friend John, who is an amazing director, owns a studio here in town and is a good friend. I was also so pleased to be able to do something that showcased our community here in Las Vegas.
Why do you think voiceover will be an important part of political advertising in the 2020 election?
Because a human voice can connect to people like nothing else, except perhaps music. Put them together and we can create some powerful messages.
What issues would you like to see at the center of the Democratic platform for this year’s election?
I think healthcare is the most pressing issue. Competent leadership is so important.
What is your biggest voiceover pet peeve?
When the copy is too long for the target length. A lot of writers never read the copy out loud with a stop watch. The message is more important than cramming in every little thing.
If you could tell political voiceover clients one thing that would help you do your job better, or help them get what they want faster – what would that one thing be?
Provide good direction in the specs and read the copy out loud with a stop watch to make sure it’s not too long.
What advice do you have to aspiring voiceover talents that want to work in the political arena?
Be persistent. Work hard, market yourself, then when you’re working a lot, find a good team of agents and managers to help you. They’re for the second part of your career, not the first. You have to build that on your own.
What hobbies do you have outside of your voiceover work?
Playing tennis, Freemasonry, reading, riding my bike, walking in the park.