Last Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. I found myself at the world headquarters of InfiniD Learning in Provo, Utah. It's a small four room office with bathroom tucked away at the back of a decorative business office plaza near the Cottonwood Comfort Inn. I guarantee you'll get lost if you try to find it using a sign. There are none, except for a printed 8.5 X 11 sheet of printer paper taped to the front door's glass. Once inside you'll be impressed by the Spartan atmosphere accented by the "if it don't have a use then it don't get bought" philosophy of office feng shui. As for office perks, I believe I noticed a box of granola bars sitting on a shelve. I'm sure they'd share if you asked nicely.
I was there to record my lines for the upcoming InfiniD simulations set to drop worldwide sometime in the near future, or when Austin finishes the polish up work. Austin is the sound man, possibly the production manager, maybe even the last stop for quality control, but for sure the keeper of the lego models - of which he has plenty. "I'm here as ordered to record my lines," I said when he arrived to work. I followed him to his office and with a click or two his computer was up and running.
"Is that Vic?" Syler Carr said as he appeared in the doorway. According to their website, Skyler is InfiniD's chief hand raiser. Actually, his desk is where the company's bucks stop. That being said, he should change his handle to "Headmaster and Dispenser of Discipline".
"How are you Skyler!" I responded enthusiastically.
"Not too bad," he replied. Once the pleasantries were exchanged our conversation turned to my role as the computer voice for all InfiniD simulations. He expressed his satisfaction with my performance and continued by stating how cool it was that the voice of the 'guy who started it all' was heard in hundreds of school's nationwide every day. "Your legacy lives on!" he said in summation.
I thanked him for his kind words, while at the same time waited for him to follow the accolades with a request that I not take payment for the day's recordings. Natalie Anderson, of Space Center fame, is another voice artist for InfiniD, and I can only imagine what she charges for her time and vocal orations :) My day's volunteering sacrifice would guarantee her continued service. But happily there was no such request. The company was financially sound, as one could seen by the many lego creations hiding the beige walls of Austin's office.
Reviewing my lines and checking on the pronunciation. If I don't, I won't
earn my "One Take Charlie," merit badge
"Did you know that every once in awhile someone recognizes your voice?" Skyler said. "It's the older teachers who brought their classes to the Space Center for field trips back in the day."
All this time I thought my voice was changed by a voice distorter before going out in the simulations. "So you can tell that the computer is me?" I asked.
"Austin adds just enough of a computer effect to change it slightly, but not to take the essence of 'you' out of the of voice," Skyler replied. Austin pulled up a clip on his computer so I could here myself as the InfiniD computer - something I hadn't heard before. Yep, I could hear myself in the voice. "So, let that be your blog post for Sunday," he suggested.
So, because of Skyler's suggestion, my role as the computer InfiniD's computer voice is the lead story of today's blog post. Let's hear it for the voice behind the computer effect!
Meet More of the Staff and Volunteers of the Past. Honors Night, November 30, 2004 (The Series Continues)
Our last Blast from the Past post introduced you to the staff and volunteers who attended the Honor's Night of November 30, 2004. Today I want to introduce you to more of those outstanding people Here are a few more pictures from that Honor's Night. All these great people are 18 years older and wiser today; some still live locally and others are, well who knows where, but to all of them I want to say thank you for your service to furthering the Space Center's great mission, To Create a Space Faring Civilization!
Metta Smith Earning a few more pips on her Supervisor Blues for Outstanding Service. The Magellan and Metta were inseparable!
These are the staff and volunteers who earned a coveted Mrs. Houston pillowcase to be used on the overnight camps. OK, shall we try to name them all? Left to right: Thomas Harding, Amber McEntire, ? , ? , Jeremiah Robinson, Ammon Clegg, Emily Perry, Brayden Bodily, Jessica, and finally David Andrus.
And earning their Mrs. Houston Space Blankets are Stacy Carrell and Jameson McDougall
These are the outstanding volunteers who earned their silver one year of service pin. I'm going to do my best to name them. Please fill in for those I've forgotten. Left to Right: (I forgot her name, but she lived in Park City and has gone on to become an engineer), Amber McEntire, ?, ?, Brent Anderson, ? , ? , Mark Daymont standing in the background, then Brandon Warner, Spencer Dauwalter, ? , Taylor Herring, Spencer Robinson, Kyle Parker, and the last two are unknown to me.
Sitting at the table are Chris Call (white shirt) and Dustin Robison (backward cap).
Jameson McDougall received his copper 5 year pin that day.
Kendall Duclos and Brady Young were up for something. They already had their Supervisor Blues so let's leave it a mystery.
Metta won a lava lamp for something.
And there on the floor sat Bryson Lystrup and friends. He is providing play by play commentary on the evening with some comments complimentary but most unflattering and sarcastic :)
And finally we have Kyle Herring awarding David Andrus an atomic clock and his green shirt (for educational staff / flight directing).
Imaginarium Theater
The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
No comments:
Post a Comment