September 30, 2008
First Look : New Profiles at Voices.com
Continuing our "First Look" theme, let's take a look and the new Profiles.
Profiles Now Have Four (4) Unique Sections:
๏ The main Profile page
๏ Demos
๏ Store
๏ Feedback
Since many of you have such impressive resumes and also a growing portfolio of demos, separating the two only makes sense and gives you more room to shine.
Learn more about the new Profiles now!
September 29, 2008
First Look : All-New Voices.com Home Page
Fall '08 Release
Every quarter, we make updates to the Voices.com website, and this time, it's a big one.
Over the summer (and really, over the past 18 months) we've been working on ways to make your experiences using Voices.com faster, easier and better, in fact, we're shooting for "fantastic"!
During the next 10 days or so we'll be giving you a first-look at the all-new Voices.com and how you can use it to your fullest advantage.
This is a very exciting moment for us as we draw nearer to the launch...
What's New?
There'll be plenty to explore including a new search engine, new directory layout, a new Top 100 list called "Most Listens", a dedicated Community area and a reengineered SurePay service that is easier than ever.
Plus, we'll be showing you the Store and how to create products that you can sell in the store.
Buckle up...
To start, we're unveiling the completely redesigned Voices.com home page.
Saturday Giveaway : Voice For Hire
Want to Win the Newest Book on the VO Market?
Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé's book highly anticipated book "Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs" is quickly approaching it's release date and will soon be found in stores across the US. The book hits the shelves on September 30th, 2008!
Want To Win Voice For Hire? Leave a Comment!
September 28, 2008
Don Morrow Movie Trailer Workshop, November 1st in Sacramento
Want to get into movie trailers?
The first-ever movie trailer workshop held by Don Morrow, a contemporary and friend of the late Don LaFontaine, will take place in Sacramento at Nakamoto Productions November 1st, 2008.
September 27, 2008
Joan Baker Voice Over Immersion Classes for Fall 2008 / Winter 2009
Are you looking for a chance to study with Joan Baker?
Check out Joan's Fall / Winter schedule and head for the Big Apple!
Bettye Zoller Workshops : Go Big in Dallas and Houston
Before 2008 ends, you have the opportunity to attend two final voiceover workshop days with Bettye Zoller in Dallas, Texas.
Learn what you need to succeed as a voice talent today and have fun too!
Also, there's a workshop in Houston that you may be interested in. For more details, keep reading this post.
September 26, 2008
Pat Fraley Workshops : Ultimate Video Game Voice Over Event in LA & Pat Comes to The Great Van!
Game On at Pat Fraley's Game World!
Acquire the performance and marketing skills you need on how to get to Gaming Producers and
Casting People BEFORE they throw the work to the Northern Hemisphere!
Be in a position to list the best teachers in the industry, and be trained in the best facility in Los Angeles. "Who Trained You" makes a difference to Producers, Casting People, and Agents.
They READ YOUR RESUMES!
This is the inside track on how you can be prepared and participate in the largest and fastest growing area in the entire entertainment industry: Voicing Characters for Gaming.
This single area of entertainment will SURPASS the MOVIE INDUSTRY in two to three years.
Interested in learning more?
Elaine Clark and Harlan Hogan Team Up in Washington, DC
Here's an opportunity to join Elaine Clark and Harlan Hogan for a weekend of voice over education and fun!
After the great success of the Sarasota FL workshop weekend, H2 and EC decided to take their expertise and experience to a larger East Coast venue.
Don't miss out on this power-packed weekend with the authors of There's Money Where Your Mouth Is (Elaine Clark) and VO : Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor (Harlan Hogan).
Nancy Wolfson and Anna Vocino : Teleseminar November 12; Radio Autopsy
What Are You Doing on The Evening of Wednesday November 12, 2008?
You could be joining voice over divas Nancy Wolfson and Anna Vocino in the third part of their mini series on the :60 Radio Autopsy.
Missed the first two? They're available online. Find out more by reading this article.
Rodney Saulsberry : Commercial Intensive Voice-Over Tele-Class
Voice Over Study Opportunities
Today, you'll be seeing a variety of workshops that are coming up this Fall and Winter in the wonderful world of voice-overs!
First, we'll start with an A1 Voice Over Artist...
Commercial Intensive Voice-Over Tele-Class
Are you looking for an opportunity to study with a top voice acting coach and celebrity talent from the comfort of your own home?
Check out this tele-class starting in October with Rodney Saulsberry.
September 25, 2008
Vital Signs : How To Lose The Dreaded Radio Voice
In this final chapter of the series "Vital Signs", I have two fabulously talented educators with me here on VOX Daily sharing their thoughts on how those of you who come from radio can free yourself from broadcast radio bondage.
What I'm saying may come as a surprise to many people but just because you come from radio doesn't mean that you're by virtue of that fact already a voice actor or that voice acting will come easily to you.
This article will explain how voice acting and radio differ and will help those who come from radio lose their "radioness", ditching the sing-songy sound that some women carry over from broadcast and also the announcery baggage that men bring to the table when they enter the business of voice over.
September 24, 2008
Vital Signs : Voice Over At The Speed of Ad Copy
When reading copy for advertising, a voice over artist encounters more than their fair share of acrobatics, especially when there's too much copy crammed into a designated time slot that doesn't take to accommodating natural phrasing.
Has technology helped you to beat the clock?
September 23, 2008
Vital Signs : Analog VS Digital And The Implications Therein
Newer and emerging technologies have changed the way audio is recorded, edited and archived.
From archaic wax cylinders to reels to MP3s, and from analog to digital, we've come a long way in a matter of decades.
With the simplification and notably more "hands off" production process, has the work of people behind the scenes (and behind the mic) been overlooked because of perceived ease when it comes to producing audio or visual content as propagated by the Digital Revolution?
September 22, 2008
Vital Signs : Has The Internet Changed The Way You Interpret Copy?
Today, we're going to start engaging in a series of articles called "Vital Signs", an innovative and thought-provoking tour that explores and questions how technology has affected the voice over industry and those within it.
These posts were inspired by an article in The Atlantic written by Nicholas Carr titled "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"
First up to bat is interpreting copy.
Does reading a script on your computer screen as opposed to a printed copy make a difference in your preparation, interpretation, and performance?
September 21, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : How To Make Money in Voice-Overs Even If You're Not in NY or LA
Can You Make Money in Voice-Overs Even If You're Not in New York City or Los Angeles?
Julie Williams of Voice-Overs.com has just released the 3rd edition of her CD marketing guide "How To Make Money In Voice-Overs", regularly priced at $169.95.
You might recognize Julie as one of our experts on the Voice Over Experts podcast. If you click on her name above, you'll be taken to her profile and will be able to listen to her speak to learn more about her and her teaching style.
Want To Win This Marketing Course? Leave a Comment!
September 19, 2008
Who Got The Gig? Is Your Voice for Hire?
Welcome to another weekend and joyous celebration of voice over work across the industry and across the globe!
What kind of voice overs have you been recording this week? Share your success stories by leaving a comment.
September 18, 2008
Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé to Release New Book : Voice For Hire
Itching to get your fingers on Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé's new book, Voice For Hire?
Meet them on their book tour and get your own autographed copy!
Available in stores September 30, 2008 on Back Stage Books, a division of Watson-Guptill and VNU Publications, Voice For Hire : Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs is going to be a hit, prefaced with a foreword by Don LaFontaine.
September 17, 2008
Voices Heard / Faces Unseen : The Credit Debate
Voice Heard + Face Unseen = Very Little Credit
This is one of the classic truths that plagues narrators and voice actors.
How many of you have watched a documentary with minimal participation from an on-camera presenter but a gargantuan amount of voice over from a narrator whose name isn't even credited on the DVD literature?
What about watching a movie with a great opening narration that goes unacknowledged even at the end?
This isn't news for many of you who narrate, however, I feel that narrators should be given more credit.
What do you think?
September 16, 2008
There's No Better Time To Go Platinum and Here's Why
Did You Know There is Another Way To Get Voices.com Working For You?
Earlier this summer, we launched a new membership level called "Platinum", a service designed for voice over talent who want to get the absolute most for their career out of the Internet by way of greater visibility in the search engines, insider tips and some major publicity.
The Platinum Membership Includes:
๏ All of the features and benefits of the Premium membership at Voices.com
๏ Additional Listings on 10 Niche Voice Over Websites
๏ 2 Personalized Publicity Campaigns
๏ Exclusive Monthly Marketing Reports
๏ Advertisements throughout the Voices.com Advertising Network
There have been a number of impressive success stories so far, two in particular that are detailed below.
I'll also share a compelling reason to join that you've never heard before.
Is becoming a Platinum member the right decision for you? Find out here at VOX Daily.
Beau Weaver Gives You a Tour of His Studio ~ Video
What's life like working as a professional voice over talent in LA?
In this 9 minute video, one of world's most in-demand voices, Beau Weaver, shows how he works as a voice over talent from home studios in Los Angeles and Ojai, CA.
September 15, 2008
Do Workshops Get You Work In Voice Overs?
Do You Get Work as a Result of Education?
Have you experienced success studying with a voice over coach or by applying something you learned at a workshop, from listening in on a teleseminar or a podcast?
Share your insight as a comment.
September 13, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : Publicity Campaign from Voices.com
And Now For Something Completely Different!
Do you want to get the word out about your voice over services in a big way?
This week on the Saturday Giveaway, we're asking you to leave a comment pitching your most recent voice acting or voice over related achievement for a chance to be selected to win a publicity campaign from Voices.com, a value of $400.00!
As I said, this is something different, so take a good look at what I'm outlining here for you when participating this week.
September 12, 2008
Who Got the Gig? Rise and Shine!
Wakey Wakey!
Have you obtained any voice over work that you'd like to share this week?
This is the place to toot your own horn, and boy, do I ever want to hear it!
Add a comment to let me know about what you've been up to this week in the wonderful world of voice overs.
September 11, 2008
Voice Overs For Export Promo Videos Are Hot According to Market World
Do Exports and Voice Overs Mix?
It's a hot market that is growing, says Jack Wilkins, and voice over has become the standard element that brings all aspects of the promotional videos together.
Learn more in this interview with Jack Wilkins of Market World, a client of Voices.com.
September 10, 2008
You Can Help Bring Audio Theater To The Troops
Just in time for Patriot Day, I have a special interview to share with you featuring voice actor Neil Kaplan, and his mission to bring audio theater to the US troops overseas.
Some of you may know Neil as the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers : Robots in Disguise (2001) and for his videogame voice acting work including roles in Everquest II, Lord of the Rings II and III, and a number of other character voice acting roles.
Find out more about this unique project and learn how you can help make this dream a reality.
September 9, 2008
Dressing Up The Booth : Where Does Your Studio Take You?
Your studio is your workplace, and also as a voice actor, it's your castle!
When so much of your time and energy is spent behind the microphone, now may be the perfect moment to consider how you can make your studio not only an abode but an inspiring environment that serves as a muse for your performances.
September 8, 2008
Projects & Milestones
When you're working on a long term or ongoing voice over project, do you set milestones for your clients?
Today, we'll discuss how you can keep your schedule on track and become more accountable for your work by setting goals with reasonable deadlines that mark important phases in the life of a project.
September 6, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-over Actor
Tales & Techniques
Ever been for a ride-along with one of the pros to watch their journey to voice over greatness?
Go for a spin with Harlan Hogan and enjoy a non-stop tour of how he got started and courageously made it to the upper echelons of commercial voice over success.
Want to Win? Leave a Comment!
Book Review : VO : Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor
VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor, published in 2002, takes you on Harlan Hogan's journey from the mischievous to the magnificent, complete with colorful anecdotes, real life experiences and insightful "been there done that" takeaways that you can apply to your career found throughout this unique education, the tales and the techniques of a voice-over actor.
Your daily challenge is to make the words that are penned by a stranger your own.
Are you up for it?
Read more about this great book here on VOX Daily.
September 5, 2008
What Does Work Mean To You?
What is Work?
On this week's edition of Who Got the Gig, we'll discuss why work is integral and how the having it or the lack of it makes such an impact on our lives.
What is your definition of work?
Add a comment to share your thoughts.
September 4, 2008
3 Reasons To Use Pro Voice Overs (even if people think they can do it themselves)
Ever find it hard to explain to people why they should hire a professional voice actor to record their voice overs?
Here are 3 solid reasons you can give them for why they should be working with you and how you can make a difference.
September 3, 2008
In A World Without Don LaFontaine : Where Do We Go From Here?
When it feels like the world has stopped turning, we must be reminded that it has not, and that we must continue to live, charge ahead and embrace the future while honoring the past.
As we have been told by someone far greater than any of us, we will not be left as orphans, but instead be guided and kept safe from harm to do further good for the glory of God.
This is one of the most difficult articles I have ever had to write from a personal stand point and I thank you on behalf of Don LaFontaine's family, his friends and colleagues for the overwhelmingly beautiful thoughts and prayers offered here on this blog for Don over the years in times of great joy, celebration, in times of need, and lastly in mourning, remembrance and tribute.
The question that we face now is where do we go from here?
With faith and trust, we can go far, and we will.
September 2, 2008
Don LaFontaine : The Legend Lives No More
In this time of sorrow, I want to express my deepest, heartfelt sympathies to the family of one man who meant the world to the voice over community.
Don LaFontaine, husband, father, grandfather, and hero passed away September 1, 2008 in the afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 68.
September 1, 2008
Undercover Voice Over
If you've been following the news, US presidential candidate John McCain's commercial voice over talent "Joan", whose identity is deemed a corporate secret, has been a topic of discussion and I've no doubt in my mind that she had to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).
Have you ever had to sign a non-disclosure agreement for a voice over job that you've recorded?
Leave a comment!
