This month's "Meet the Member" features Freelance Writer Simon Talbot, who specialises in creating audio guides for historical and cultural sites around the world. He also narrates and produces a podcast about badly behaved historical figures called Rogues Gallery Uncovered.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you come to Unicorn Studios?
I’m a freelance writer specialising in writing multimedia and audio guides for historical, artistic and cultural sites. This means that sometimes I get to visit fascinating places such as Hegra in Saudi Arabia, The Taj Mahal and The Giants Causeway or explore The National Gallery, Edinburgh Castle, and The Royal Collection.
Most of the time however I’m sat in front of a screen on my own with a pile of reference books and multiple open browser tabs trying to hone a script.
I’m also a freelance voice-over artist which means I’m often sat on my own in a recording booth narrating commercials, e-learning presentations, explainer videos and – surprise, surprise -audio guides.
Both of these jobs are varied and enjoyable, but the common denominator is that I do them on my own and sometimes, my own company – and the sound of my own voice when I’m editing - drives me to distraction.
I come to Unicorn to work in a space where there are other professional people with whom I can swap ideas, get feedback, inspiration and have a laugh. It’s become an important part of my working week.
Writing about history with a quill biro
What was your first job?
I worked in a book warehouse when I was 17 or 18. I became a dab hand at steering heavy pallet loads of paperbacks and using a tape dispenser. I love reading so being surrounded by books was great and I have fond memories of zooming between the shelves while ‘Close To Me’ by The Cure - my favourite band – was playing over the tannoy.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of my first writing gigs was creating a new family tour for The National Gallery.
I came up with ‘Teach Your Grown Ups About Art’, which gave children exclusive facts, their adult companions would not know.
The idea was that instead of being lectured to by parents, teachers etc, kids got the chance to teach adults a thing or two about the art they were enjoying.
The tour was nominated for a Museums and Heritage Award and, I think, ran for about ten years.
I’m also pretty proud of a tour of Doune Castle in Scotland – Where Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed – which was narrated by medievalist and Python, the late Terry Jones – who, I’m told, liked it!
Aerial view of Doune Castle in Scotland (Wikipedia)
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
My brain tells me that getting up and seizing the day is best but my body refuses to let me wake up early and then won’t stop when I get into a groove, so I burn a lot of midnight oil.
What’s one of your favourite memories this year?
My wife and I went to Tromso in Norway for her 50th birthday which was amazing.
She had always dreamed of seeing the Northern lights and not only did we see them several times - from a minus 14 degrees roadside in Finland, the deck of a boat off the coast and the side of a mountain, but they put on a phenomenal display above our heads when we were sitting in an outdoor hot tub.
A few months later everyone in England saw them.
Eating cheese in a radio studio
When working what is your guilty pleasure?
I have recorded voiceovers wearing my pyjama bottoms and on one memorable occasion just my underpants – I was playing the part of a polar bear for a reason which escapes me.
I regularly pause during long writing or editing sessions to play loud, jangly 80s indie music, 60s mod tunes or 90s Britpop and have been known to sing, dance and play air guitar when no one is around.
What’s something you’re planning on doing in the next year that you’ve never done before?
I write, narrate and produce a podcast about badly behaved historical figures called Rogues Gallery Uncovered.
I have been talking about writing a book based on it for ages and this is the year.
Playing Snow Patrol
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Playing the guitar – I can pose like a guitar hero, but I can’t play a note.
I own an instrument and once guested with a band playing one song in front of an audience – a very very easy Snow Patrol number – as a challenge for The Ipswich Star.
I imagine performing music is really cathartic and wigging out like Townsend, Weller, or Coxon must feel great but sadly it requires talent and practice.
I can’t sing either.
What is your hidden talent?
I have very fast reactions and am always making spectacular catches of things falling off shelves and out of cupboards but there is never anyone around to see me do it which is very frustrating.
I once broke my little finger catching a bottle of beer as it fell from the fridge so it’s a curse as well as a blessing.
Bob Mortimer with a Wotsits wig
What three people would be your fantasy coworkers at Unicorn studios? And why?
David Bowie, because he’s David bloody Bowie!!
George MacDonald Fraser, the author of the famous ‘Flashman’ novels because they are my favourite books, they turned me on to history and they were my first adult appreciation of how wonderfully the English language could be used.
Bob Mortimer, because no one makes me laugh like him.
Would you rather be a tiny unicorn or a giant hamster?
My favourite superhero – we’ve all got one – is Ant-Man.
He has the strength of a full-grown man even when he is the size of a small insect.
I will therefore opt to be a tiny unicorn with the strength of a giant hamster. Would I use my abilities for good or evil? YOU decide.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontalbotvoice
Rogues Gallery Uncovered Podcast - https://www.roguesgalleryonline.com/
Benefits of joining Unicorn Studios
Productivity
Work-life balance
Cost effective
Collaboration
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