http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/articles.htm VoiceOverXtra.com Articles en-us Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:30:54 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss johnflorian@voiceoverxtra.com (John Florian) Copyright © Voice-Over Xtra!. All rights reserved. http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=dzlu9uk5 Variety in your voice over reads is a key to getting more jobs and keeping clients. You're up to it - but your right and left brains might need a nudge. In this thorough practice guide, veteran voice talent and coach Randye Kaye shows how to combine mind control and imagination for results that you can - well, only imagine ... Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:49:03 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=dzlu9uk5 http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=zsk57x4v What if stars Pat Fraley and Brad Garrett invited their friends and colleagues - who cast, act, agent, direct and produce - to jump on stage, and share their wisdom and experiences in voice over comedy? You'd probably want to be in that audience. And even to jump on stage yourself! On Saturday, Oct. 2, Pat, Brad and their pals will rock the house with "Crafting Comedy Under The Stars," an entertaining and educational day-long event at the Edgemar Center of the Arts, in Santa Monica, CA ... Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:13:46 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=zsk57x4v http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=cchwsu7a The ancient concept of Yin and Yang is well known as applied to the sexes - the complementary opposites of female and male. But voice over veteran Paul Strikwerda sees it every day in this profession, too: our need to interconnect seemingly contrary forces. Like, should we specialize or generalize? Play it safe or experiment? It's truly a balancing act ... Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:28:56 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=cchwsu7a http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=7w9mbhcb Despite the gyrations of today's economy, audiobook sales rose 4.7% in 2009, according to the Audio Publishers Association. And that's surely great news for audiobook narrators. "But if you dream of narrating in a gorgeous publisher's studio in Manhattan while enthralled listeners listen to your golden tones from a chaise lounge by the pool, it's time to wake up,""says award-winning voice talent and coach Bettye Zoller. On Monday night, Aug. 2, Zoller and VoiceOverXtra present that wake-up in Audiobooks Webinar #3 - Narration Skills & Getting Hired. For both narration newcomers and those already narrating, the info-packed webinar will tell how to get started, how to get hired, how to narrate in a variety of genres, and more ... Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:31:06 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=7w9mbhcb http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=uewawunj An online scam running through the voice over community apparently began with a job posting on Voices.com in early May. It's now evident that the job poster - Charles Thamesmead or Frank Mayfield ... several names are involved here - didn't really want to hire a voice talent. Rather, the goal was to collect names and email addresses for conducting the scam. VoiceOverXtra asked Voices.com for a comment, and Scott Lumley, Job Postings Manager, details the scam timeline and actions taken ... Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:51:16 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=uewawunj http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=xker71ws "Reading the recent articles and comments about an Internet-based scam makes me glad I work the old-fashioned way, making personal networking contacts either through live contact or referrals from others," says voice talent Paul Payton. Now in his 23rd year in this biz, he shares some networking strategy - and his success with the one time he engaged a client via the net ... Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:40:25 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=xker71ws http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=m3nmnbsr How many times have you won the Nigerian Lottery? Or have you received a voice over job offer from Charles Thamesmead or David Connor? Those names are among what is perhaps a list of alias in an alleged scam making the voice over rounds now. This scheme has a familiar hook at the end: "Oops ... We sent you an overpayment for your services. Please send refund in the amount of ..." Here are recent voice actor experiences with this crew ... Share YOURS, too ... Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:50:43 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=m3nmnbsr http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=pkzpzwqv At least two versions of an alleged scam that involves voice over work to be done for the "High-Breed" energy drink have been poisoning the voice over community recently. One version is described in our report, "Scam Alert: 'Oops ...'," in which a Charles Thamesmead invites talent to voice a 30-sec spot for the product. That gig would pay between $300-$500, he says. But a Frank Mayfield ups the ante. He dangles thousands of dollars for someone to act as "project manager" for the recording of a series of spots for the drink. Here's the scam and full text of Mayfield's email ... Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:11:16 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=pkzpzwqv http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=o2ljhyva Audiobooks are adapting to the digital age as eBook readers plummet in price and downloads rise in popularity, notes James Adams, founder and CEO of BeeAudio and a business trends pundit. Looking ahead, Adams offers a 10-point scenario that predicts a collapse of the CD market, and a demand for audiobooks with multi-media options. Actually, it's already happening ... Sun, 18 Jul 2010 07:06:34 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=o2ljhyva http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=j9ilze7d Do audiobook listeners appreciate the homework that goes into an audiobook narration? How about would-be narrators? There's much to do, and much to learn. Veteran voice actor and narrator Alan Sklar tells what it takes to be at the top of this form, shares his methods of research, and presents - as an example - an exhaustive Audiobook Vocabulary he compiled for his recent narration of "The Ghosts of Cannae" ... Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:38:23 EDT http://www.voiceoverxtra.com.com/article.htm?id=j9ilze7d