October 31, 2008
October Voice Over Gig Roundup
It's Time to Celebrate!
It's the very last day of October, and for some of you, you're reading this posting on the 1st of November. My goodness, between the start of autumn and the first brush of snow, how quickly time has flown by...
What was October like in your voice over studio? Any interesting gigs you'd like to talk about?
Leave a comment!
October 30, 2008
Andy Serkis Judges Best Gollum on Richard and Judy Show
As promised in my interview with Matt Cowlrick earlier this month, I have some exciting news from the world of broadcast television that gives you a behind the scenes look at how the Gollum-Off went last week.
Pictured above are Matt Cowlrick with the man of the hour, Andy Serkis.
Watch the segment and hear about Matt's experience on VOX Daily!
October 29, 2008
Not Getting the Gig
What do you do when your best efforts yield no fruit?
This article was inspired by the story of one voice talent who hasn't found work online through the marketplace in over a year.
Want to read his story?
October 28, 2008
What's Your Favorite Voice Over Video on YouTube?
It's time for some fun!
There are so many wonderful videos out there on YouTube that celebrate voice acting and voice overs.
What are your favorites?
Comment with the video URL (the web page the video is hosted on) and let me know why you chose to submit it :)
October 27, 2008
Does Your Personality Match Your Signature Voice?
Have you ever taken a moment to think about whether or not your signature voice (the voice that makes you the most money) and your personality are related?
Let's take a look at these two elements and consider how they are connected.
When we're through, comment to let me know if your signature voice and personality are alike!
October 26, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : Premium Membership to All-New Voices.com
Want to Win a Voices.com Premium Membership?
I'm very excited to give this prize away and can't wait to hear from you!
If you'd like to win a 1-year Premium membership to Voices.com, valued at $299, effective upon the launch of the new site, leave a comment!
October 24, 2008
Getting Voice Over Gigs In Today's Economy
One of the benefits of using Twitter (you can find me here) is that you know about something quickly even before other major outlets pick up the news.
Today was no exception as I read a tweet posted by my friend Alison Pitman this morning, a voice over professional in the UK, directing me to a timely blog post she wrote raising a number of very interesting questions that warrant further debate.
Also, a couple of weeks ago I happened to be reading another friend's blog, David Bourgeois from Voice Coaches, and he wrote some commentary that I think you'll find uplifting regarding how you can make strides to push through times of difficulty as an entrepreneur.
How is the economy affecting your voice over business?
Click here to read more on what Alison and David are thinking as well as some commentary from yours truly.
Once finished, I invite you to comment with your thoughts :)
October 23, 2008
Sick? 22 Ways To Get and Stay Healthy During Cold Season
Are you feeling icky?
I've asked a couple of very helpful voice over coaches to share how they get through yucky voice conditions including their preferred methods of going from sickness to health during cold season.
Graciously sharing two different perspectives gained from years of experience and practical application, take heed to what Bettye Zoller and Debbie Munro have to say and get yourself on the path to feeling better, for you and for the good of your voice over career!
October 22, 2008
What Inspired You To Be a Voice Actor?
How Did You Fall in Love With Voice Acting?
There must have been something along the way in your past that sparked your passion for voice over.
Today, I'd like to share a story of my own about how I came to be fascinated with and love voice over, something that perhaps many of you can relate to.
After you've read my account, I'd love it if you shared your story too!
October 21, 2008
My Precious! Matt Cowlrick To Voice Impression of Gollum For Andy Serkis on TV
There Can Only Be One!
For those of you who are fans of the Richard and Judy Show in the UK, some great news!
On Friday October 24th at 8 p.m. on 'Watch' (Sky Channel 109 and Virgin channel 124), Richard and Judy will have a feature showcasing a number of people who can imitate the voice of Gollum, a character in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (movies directed by Peter Jackson) whose voice has been made famous by the actor Andy Serkis.
In the presence of Andy Serkis, a number of contestants will get their inner Gollum on to be broadcast on the telly nationwide.
Our very own Matt Cowlrick, an Australian voice over artist, is one of the contenders.
Coming off a win in another competition sponsored by Three Mobile in Australia, wherein he also impersonated Gollum, Cowlrick's impression of Gollum won him and a friend $10000 worth of travel, which helped Cowlrick to get over to the UK.
Will lightning strike twice?
October 20, 2008
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that October is a month set aside to raise awareness for Breast Cancer?
There are many people out there doing their part to spread the word, from pink avatars on Twitter to running for a cure and for hope.
I'd like to invite you now to watch a couple of short videos and listen to the messages.
Through your actions, you could help save someone's life.
October 18, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : Traditional Medicinals Prize Package
Is your voice in need of some tender loving care?
This week, we're giving away a rocking package featuring some products from Traditional Medicinals.
Leave a comment and let me know that you'd like to win!
October 17, 2008
What's on Your VO Horizon?
Every day is a new day, and as Little Orphan Annie would say, you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!
What's just around the bend for your voice over business?
October 16, 2008
Jeff Gelder's Holiday Magic 2008 CD Call For Participants
Jeff Gelder will be producing a Holiday Magic CD for Children's Hospitals for the 6th year running and is looking for inspired voice over artists to submit recordings with holiday flair for inclusion on the Holiday Magic 2008 CD.
These CDs are given out to children in December and bring great joy to little ones and their families who because of health reasons cannot come home for the holidays.
With a deadline of November 7th, you've got to get moving if you want to be part of this! Keep reading for more details.
October 15, 2008
3 Reasons Why You Should Be Your Business's Greatest Ally and Worst Critic
How Much Do You Love Your Business?
Discover 3 reasons why you should be your staunchest supporter and your hardest hitting critic.
Learn how being both of these things in relation to your business will help you to achieve success.
October 14, 2008
Have You Noticed A Difference in Dora The Explorer's Voice?
This September, voice actress Caitlin Sanchez, took on the role of Dora the Explorer.
Have you noticed any differences?
October 13, 2008
Does Your Studio Have a Nickname?
Some people have nicknames that they call their studio.
Similarly to how Batman has the Batcave, I'm sure you have a name for where you do your voice over recordings.
What do you call your recording studio?
October 11, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : Julie Williams' Proven Voice-Over Techniques
Do You Know Any Proven Voice-Over Techniques?
Julie Williams of Voice-Overs.com has generously donated a copy of her CD "Proven Voice-Over Techniques", an edited version of Julie's 11-hour voice-over workshop.
You might recognize Julie as one of our experts on the Voice Over Experts podcast and from a previous giveaway. 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 CD? Leave a Comment!
October 10, 2008
Who Got the Gig? Leave A Comment!
You know how some magazines have a "Who's Doing What" column?
For people in our industry, the weekly "Who Got the Gig" column gives you the opportunity to comment and share about the kind of work you've been voicing, recording, directing or casting!
This posting is open to anyone in the voice over industry, so don't be shy. I'd love to hear from some of you who haven't commented before as well as those of you who have.
First Look : Community : Read, Listen and Contribute!
Want to take a closer look at the New Community area at Voices.com?
I'm pleased to share some information on how you can get involved and be an active part of the vibrant community that all voice over talent can call "home" online at Voices.com.
October 9, 2008
First Look : Approval of Files and Release of Payment
To wrap up this First Look series and glimpse into the all-new Voices.com, we're going to talk a bit about two new features that you'll be able to make use of when you are working for clients.
These features include the ability to request Approval of Files and Release of Payment.
Learn more now!
October 7, 2008
First Look : Finalizing Business Terms
Looking forward to the all-new Voices.com?
Another new element I'd like to introduce to you is the addition of Work Agreements when you are awarded a job.
Take a look!
October 6, 2008
First Look : Auditioning at Voices.com
As you've been reading, we've left no rock unturned and are pulling out all of the stops for this redesign and reprogramming of the Voices.com website.
Today, we'll discuss some improvements made to the auditioning process and the SurePay Escrow Service as well as how they will benefit you.
October 5, 2008
First Look : Jobs for Voice Over Talent
Here we are in the second week of the preview series covering the biggest launch at Voices.com ever!
Last week we covered how clients will use Voices.com to search for, audition and hire professional voice talent.
This week, we'll be exploring the different areas of your account including a new Inbox, how to view and audition for jobs, accepting deposits, managing payments, delivering files and how you can get feedback.
Let's go look at the new jobs section!
October 4, 2008
Saturday Giveaway : Promo & Movie Trailer Voice Over Coaching Session from David Alden
Want to get into Promos and Trailers?
This week on the VOX Daily Saturday Giveaway, I'm pleased to present you with an opportunity to win a 1-hour Promo/Trailer demo coaching session with David Alden, a talented voice artist and instructor who has worked with top names in Promos and Theatrical Trailers including Joe Cipriano, George DelHoyo, Ben Patrick Johnson and more!
David has also joined our faculty on Voice Over Experts so expect to hear from him this week in conjunction with this fabulous giveaway.
Want to Win? Read to Learn More and Leave a Comment!
October 3, 2008
Kathryn Klvana Shows You How To Voice Political Spots
Political VO How-To
Watch as veteran voice talent Kathryn Klvana goes from incredulous to inspirational in seconds while showing you how to interpret copy for political campaign spots.
Does her style jive with yours, or do you record political voice overs differently?
Let me know on this week's Who Got the Gig theme "Political Voice Overs".
October 2, 2008
First Look : Voices.com Search Engine & Directory
There's a new search engine in town.
Want to learn more?
October 1, 2008
First Look : Voices.com Store
THE VOICES.COM STORE
Coming up this fall, you'll be able to sell products in the Voices.com Store as well as in your own store located within your Profile, an innovation that we're pleased to offer to you that will make it easier than ever before to be hired based upon work you've already done.
From our market research, we're confident that the Voices.com Store will leapfrog any other web service for voice over professionals when it comes to promoting your services and giving you the power to control pricing, your own ad copy and product descriptions as well as product samples.
