My articles on getting started in VO contain information on how to get out of the starting gate, but what does a voiceover artist do to stay in the race? Actor and VO talent Wendy Braun lists Ten Ways to Sustain a Voiceover Career in the latest digital issue of Backstage.
A look at Wendy's extensive VO credits means she knows what she's talking about, making this list recommended reading.
My article on Getting Started in Voiceovers is featured today on Helium's home page. A hat-tip from me to the Helium team.
Also featured are excellent VO articles by Natalie Nicole Gilbert and Doc Phillips. Give those a look while you're there, and take a look at the larger Helium community; it's a terrific resource for articles on just about any topic imaginable.
UPDATE (7/11/08): I received a message from a Helium user after yesterday's front-page showing:
I read your article on voiceovers (congrats on making the front page of Helium) - you have an excellent writing style, phenomenal understanding of words and their use in the English language, and easily share your knowledge without sounding pompous. Thank you for bringing your talent to Helium.
C.M.Erickson
Coffee sub-channel steward
C.M. didn't leave an e-mail address, so I hope it's okay if I offer humble thanks here for those kind words.
Looks like I'm out. Daniel Craig has apparently agreed to voice Bond in the new game.
I don't blame the producers one bit for securing Craig as he became available. The original audition was for voice matches for Craig and other principals, and the fact that they looked for non-union actors like myself probably means the stars were too pricy; considering that Activision also now has Judi Dench on board, money doesn't appear to be an issue for them any longer.
I'd be less than honest if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I understand how these things work. Life goes on.
Turns out I have more in common with Daniel Craig than just a similar vocal quality:
Daniel Craig Injured While Filming Bond
The report states that Craig "sliced the tip off of one of his fingers during the shooting of an action scene". As it happens, years ago I sliced the tip off of one of my fingers during the shaving of an action figure.
"Huh?" You're no doubt asking. Long story short: Once upon a time, customizing action figures was a hobby of mine. An attempt to slice away some excess plastic from one such superhero resulted an errant slip with an Exacto knife. (If you've never had the pleasure, I can guarantee you that a brand-new Exacto blade is sufficiently sharp as to cut flesh without any pain --- at least for a few seconds, after which the pain pretty much leaves no doubt you've been cut. I do not recommend the experience.)
An ER doc managed to sew the disc-shaped piece of skin back where it belonged, but it would literally be one year before the nerves healed completely.
I'm sure you'll agree that all this is further proof as to why I'm a perfect substitute for Daniel Craig.
/sarcasm off
The main site has a new look and feel.
It may yet get a few tweaks here and there, but I think it works. It was time for a change.
IGN pulls back the curtain on voiceover recording sessions for the new Hulk video game (based on the upcoming movie starring Edward Norton):
VE3D Video for The Incredible Hulk (PC) - Dev Diary Vid #4
Short but revealing interviews with the actors (including William Hurt, Tim Roth and Liv Tyler) give an insight into the approach taken to performing their characters, and also to the surprises that even experienced film actors encounter when voicing a game --- get ready to grunt and scream for your supper!
In light of some of my recent posts, I think this video only serves to underscore that voice acting is more than just saying one's lines when the red light goes on.
Formula 'secret of perfect voice'
Researchers say they have worked out a mathematical formula to find the perfect human voice. The study, commissioned by Post Office Telecoms, asked people to rate 50 voices then analysed the results.
It found the best female voice to be a mixture of Dame Judi Dench and Honor Blackman. Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons did best for the men.
The research was conducted by linguist Andrew Linn, of Sheffield University, and sound engineer Shannon Harris.
The pair worked out their formula based on the combination of tone, speed, frequency, words per minute and intonation.
They concluded the ideal voice should utter no more than 164 words per minute and pause for 0.48 seconds between sentences. Sentences themselves should fall rather than rise in intonation.
Vocal traits associated with positive characteristics, such as confidence and trust, scored highly with listeners. Professor Linn said: “As humans we instinctively know which voices send shivers down our spine and which make us shudder with disgust.
“The emotional responses panellists had to the voices were surprising and go some way to explaining how voiceover artists or radio DJs are selected, or why particular celebrity voices appeal.”
He said most men found presenter Mariella Frostrup’s voice “mesmerising” because it was deep, slow and confident.
Actor Jeremy Irons came very close to the ideal voice model, speaking at 200 words per minute and pausing for 1.2 seconds between sentences.
Professor Linn said this explained why his “deep gravelly tones” inspired trust in listeners.
He said: “This formula gives us an exciting glimpse into the way voices work and what makes them appealing or repelling.”
The formula showed the BBC’s Jonathan Ross, on the other hand, spoke too quickly, with very short pauses between sentences.
The researchers said the presenter’s varied range of voice, with frequent highs and lows was associated with expressiveness and intelligence. But his rising intonation was usually linked with someone weak or unsure.
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