August 31, 2009
Don LaFontaine's Legacy Lives On
September 1st, 2009 marks the first anniversary of Don LaFontaine's passing.
To commemorate this day, I'd like to reflect on what has happened over the course of this year and also share some wonderful news about a project that is being worked on in his honor.
DLF, you are missed!
August 30, 2009
Tips For Modifying Your Regional Accent
Has anyone ever told you that you have an accent?
Whenever there are people living the same geographic area, there is generally an accent associated with that particular town, city, or region.
By virtue of that fact, sometimes it can be easy for other people to tell where you are from based upon how you sound... and in our business, your mode of pronunciation can also play a role in determining the kind of voice over jobs you receive as a communicator of other people's messages.
August 28, 2009
Do You Have Low "Voice" Self-Esteem?
Are you being true to your own voice?
What's the price one pays for trying to sound like someone else?
Richard Weirich returns with more commentary that will get the wheels turning here on VOX Daily.
August 27, 2009
How To Remain Genuine and Pace a Conversational Read
Don't want your read to get away on you? Just like walking a dog, you've got to train your read to stay with you, and that takes discipline!
My friend David Bourgeois, President of Voice Coaches, is one smart cookie.
When he's coaching people in the booth who are trying to create a "real person" read, he uses a simple technique that helps you as the voice talent stay genuine while maintaining your creative flow.
The same technique applies to any kind of read where you need to be consistent in your delivery.
Want to learn more? Keep reading!
August 26, 2009
Epic Voice Actors Photo Gallery at LIFE
Ever wondered what the faces behind the voices look like?
Some of them are familiar, iconic, and maybe even surprising!
Discover 17 visages responsible for creating the voices we all know so well, courtesy of the Epic Voice Actor collection at LIFE.com.
August 25, 2009
How To Adjust Your Interpretation To Book Voice Over Work
Ever find that no matter how hard you try, achieving the right sound or read eludes you during an audition?
Do you think that your interpretation may sometimes be responsible for what fails to get you bookings?
Top voice over coach Nancy Wolfson recently shared tips on how you can adjust your interpretation to get more voice over gigs.
Interested in learning more?
Read on!
August 24, 2009
Stephen King: Audiobooks Are The Written Word's Acid Test
Is the act of simply "listening" to an audiobook akin to "reading"?
Just how powerful is the spoken word?
Hear what author Stephen King has to say about audiobooks and make your own judgment!
August 23, 2009
Narrator Lorelei King Teaches You How to Create Believable Characters
How do you create your character voices?
In a recent interview via AudioFile Magazine, Lorelei King shared some of her character creation tips with Robin Whitten.
Hear some of what Lorelei shared as well as my take on the application of her recommendations here on VOX Daily.
August 21, 2009
15 Things N-O-T To Say In Your Voice Over Cover Letter
When you send a cover letter or email to a prospective client, you've got to make sure that everything is just right... say the wrong thing or omit important information and you've lost the contact!
Edge Studio in New York has compiled 15 things you should avoid in such communications for your reading pleasure.
August 20, 2009
Interview with NFL Super Bowl Voice, Ann DeWig (Yes, a woman!)
Did you watch Super Bowl XLIII?
If you're a woman and found that you enjoyed the big game a little bit more than usual, you can attribute some of that joy to the inviting female promo voice behind the Super Bowl XLIII promos on NBC.
Know who to thank?
Get to know Ann a little better and discover more about what it was like to voice NFL Super Bowl promos, making history and fulfilling a dream in the process.
August 19, 2009
Voices.com Voice Acting Mixer in Los Angeles September 3rd, 2009
Looking for an opportunity to network, socialize, and be merry?
As part of a trip I'm making to Los Angeles in early September, I've organized a voice talent meet up at a really great venue, with RSVPs pouring in through Facebook.
If you can make it, why not join your friends and others from the biz in Los Angeles for a voice acting mixer in Westwood?
August 18, 2009
Why Is Practicing So Important?
Does practice makes perfect?
Marc Cashman shares some wisdom with regard to how to develop a good practice regiment while still feeling good about practicing!
Great artists all struggled (and some still struggle!) with practicing. Marc gives you the inspiration you need to overcome the urge not to practice and the encouragement to better your craft.
Learn from one of the great masters here today on VOX Daily.
August 17, 2009
Are You Your Own Worst Critic?
Even in your darkest moments of dread when you feel that your client won't be satisfied with your work, you'd be surprised!
Just because you feel you weren't up to snuff doesn't mean that your client thinks you stink.
In fact, sometimes their reaction is the complete opposite!
There's no need to beat yourself up, and if you are, this article may give you the courage to stop!
Join me in welcoming Richard Weirich as he shares his experience with us here on VOX Daily.
August 16, 2009
3 Reasons Why Telephone Voice Over Jobs Rock
Telephony has an undeserved reputation for being "entry level" voice over work.
Whether true or false, that doesn't mean that the recordings are worth less or should go for dirt cheap simply because they are:
A) Some of the shortest recordings
B) For a company that is small or starting out, or
C) Perceived as easy cash
Do you think that a company wants to hire just anybody to represent them on their front line of customer service?
Not a chance!
Find out three reasons why telephone voice over work is one of the sweetest (and most important) gigs here on VOX Daily.
August 14, 2009
Why You Should Have More Than 1 Voice Over Demo
If you go shopping for a loaf of twelve grain bread, would you pay much attention to pumpernickel, sourdough, or raisin bread?
Not likely!
You're decidedly going for something very specific and only want the twelve grain bread... everything else is a distraction, no matter how good or healthy it appears to be.
That's exactly what clients go through when they are looking to cast a voice for their project, however it's important to realize that their being picky doesn't necessarily mean that a good selection isn't appreciated by them for future reference, either.
A fine balance? It doesn't have to be!
Get a quick history lesson and discover a number of reasons why you should have a demo for every major application of voice over that you offer your clients.
August 13, 2009
Richard Horvitz to Bring Animation Voice Over To Dallas!
Want to play pretend?
This November, Richard Horvitz, voice actor on hit shows such as The Angry Beavers (Daggett), Invader Zim (Zim), the Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (Billy), Ben Ten (Grey Matter) and many, many more is scheduled to bring his animation voice acting weekend workshop to Dallas, TX!
Dallas-based voice actress Mary Morgan has been working together with Michelle Ann Dunphy to organize this excellent opportunity for Texas-based talent to train with Richard Horvitz.
If you're not in Dallas but feel you could benefit from the teachings of one of today's great character voice instructors, get yourself to the workshop... but first learn more at VOX Daily!
23+ Free Magazines Distributed at AES Conventions
When I found this information, I couldn't help but share it with you!
Earlier this week I came upon a video (above) that rhymes off a number of audio magazines that may be of use to you when recording and producing voice overs.
Read on for links to some of the magazines mentioned in this video and for more information about how to get them.
August 12, 2009
Sharon Feingold Introduces Voice Talent to KIVA
Ever heard the saying that a little goes a long way?
New York-based voice talent Sharon Feingold has started "Voice Artists & Friends," a group formed via the KIVA website that allows you to make microloans to others in need to help them grow their businesses.
Founded on July 31, 2009 the group already has 9 investors.
Will you join them?
August 11, 2009
When Voice Acting for Video Games Improves, Gamers (and Actors) Rejoice
Remember the first video games featuring voice over?
Do you recall the quality of the voice acting?
Suffice to say audio, specifically the voice acting aspect, has come a long way in gaming since the early 1980s.
Hear what professional voice actors have to say about this blessed phenomenon here at VOX Daily!
August 10, 2009
Don LaFontaine Reasoned That Voice Over is All in The Read
Do you need to have a voice hot enough to melt chocolate to do voice over?
What about a million dollar voice whose rich, luxurious timbre oozes cash?
While a pleasant, attractive, or otherwise unique voice is a definite plus, it isn't necessarily the quality of a voice that books... more often than not it's the interpretation of a script with the right delivery that finds its way to success.
August 9, 2009
Ever Have Dreams About Your Work?
When you spend enough time doing something, it's likely to stick in your subconscious mind and manifest itself in your dreams.
Do you dream of voice overs?
Hear about one voice talent, Lisa Foster, whose radio experience won't leave her alone!
August 7, 2009
How To Work With Independent Audio Theater Producers
Brian Price joins us again with some insight for those who'd love to become part of an audio theater production.
Acting is at the very heart of it all, and if you've been thinking about entering into the theater of the mind, this article is up your alley!
Find out who to contact as well as how to research audio theater.
August 6, 2009
Working at Home... With Kids!
How do parents working from home juggle kids and voice acting?
Hear from four voice actresses who have young children, run voice over businesses, and manage to keep it all together here on VOX Daily.
August 5, 2009
95+ Podcast Resources for Voice Actors
Are you studying the art of voice acting or looking for resources to get started in voice overs online?
If you love learning, you'll love this list of 95+ educational voice over podcasts, sorted by category!
Find voice acting podcasts to help you grow in your business, develop your artistry, hone your technical savvy, spice up your auditioning techniques, demos, and of course a healthy selection of tips to do with "getting started" in voice over here at Voices.com's VOX Daily blog.
August 4, 2009
Voice Over Experts is Nearing its 100th Episode!
Did you know that the Voice Over Experts podcast is about to reach a centennial milestone?
For 2 years now, you've been able to hear pearls of wisdom from top voice over educators around the world, learning from the privacy of your own home and at your own pace.
To mark this occasion we want to do something special and are inviting you to take part.
Want to learn more about this opportunity? Read on!
August 3, 2009
Why Voice Overs Are Necessary at Theme Parks
Voice overs may be good fun, didactic, and so on for those visiting a theme or amusement park, but have you ever considered what the benefits are to the park owners?
There are are number of practical reasons why voice overs are used in addition to entertaining, educating and protecting people who visit the park.
If you're a theme park owner or operate rides at an amusement park, I'm sure this article will resonate with you!
Today, we'll take a closer look at why voice overs are useful, if not entirely necessary, at parks meant to amuse the public.
August 2, 2009
Roles that Voice Overs Play in Amusement Parks
Have you ever noticed the voice overs that are played at amusement parks and on rides?
From my experience, voice overs at theme parks, fairs, and the like have one of three purposes, which are to Entertain, Teach, and help keep you Safe.
You may have also noticed that often two of those purposes are combined, if not all three.
Learn more now!
