So I was looking at Paul Strikwerda’s blog earlier as he was participating in Mahmoud Taji’s blog post discussion when I saw the above graphic that caught my eye.

How nice, I thought, that Paul would offer his VO services if someone donated to his participation in the Multiple Sclerosis walk and how great he put it on his blog.

Then I read further and was even more impressed.

However, no one had seemed to donate yet. Well I fixed that and I hope you’ll add to the pot too if you can.

While it would be lovely I’m sure, I don’t need Paul to read anything for me so I hereby offer my read up as an “extra” for anyone who might want it.

Our voice over industry is almost as amazing as the journey it takes us on everyday.

Tags: blogs, commentary, community, voice actors, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover blog by peter o'connell voiceover
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Voice Talent Lee Gordon (I swear it's him)

Last evening I enjoyed two very pleasant phone calls that I thought I would share with you.

First, I got a call from a number I had never seen before – which isn’t that unusual as many new clients call me all the time. But this wasn’t a client, it was my friend and fellow voice talent Lee Gordon (that’s his picture above) who shared with me the fact that he took my advice (yikes…I’d forgotten what I said) and got a cell phone he could use just for his business. This would be his primary business number: 860-805-8100. I was his first call on the new phone, which was a great honor in my mind. I hope if you read this here, you’ll call Lee and congratulate him while simultaneously putting the number in your own database, as I did.

Lee also called to share some other good news: he was cast as the “Sun” in a national commercial for SunSetter Awnings, though our mutual agent and friend (the two aren’t mutually exclusive) Erik Shepard at Voice Talent Productions. I was especially thrilled to hear this because Lee and I had spoken in New York in December about how we were both up for the announcer role for the SunSetter Radio spots, which I was hired for. Let it be known that the FIRST person to congratulate me on that win was Lee Gordon – the very definition of gracious. We both hope somehow our paths will cross on these campaigns and we’ll get to work together.

Later in the evening, about 8:00 p.m., I got a call from the agency president of one of my other agents, Lynne Heyman of Heyman Talent (that’s not her pictured above). She was returning my call, which I advised her automatically puts her in the upper echelon of my agents. But as I also pointed out to her, the dedication she shows to her talents on her roster by following up with a call even at 8:00 at night is very impressive. And as usually, our 5 minute call lasted almost 1/2 an hour and it is always time well spent with her. I just wanted to thank Lynne here for taking the time with me last night.

Tags: announcers, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent by peter o'connell voiceover
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Male Voice Talent Bob Souer

No but he plays Him in an audiobook. (Ba-dum-bump!)

About four years ago my friend, fellow traveler and sometimes dining companion Bob Souer was booked to narrate entire Bible in the “New King James” version.

Let me repeat: the entire Bible – all 700,000 plus words of it. It’s now been released.

Personally, I’ve always felt there was a bit of divine intervention in the booking because you’ll not find a more kind, Christian man with greater voice over talent than Bob.

If you or someone in your family enjoys absorbing Scripture, this would be an awesome gift, written by some awesome people and presented by an awesome guy.

Tags: announcers, audio books, casting, commentary, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover by peter o'connell voiceover
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I hope I’ve written something like this before about the voice over industries preeminent e-zine, Voice Over Xtra! but if not, here it is: you darn well better be a subscriber if you are in this industry.

Should you needed any more convincing, look no further than the post its editor and my friend John Florian put up yesterday. He got voice over talent Jennifer Vaughn to write a fascinating article that financially analyzes and compares her 2009 efforts auditioning and securing business on both Voices.com and Voice 123.

As the voice over industry’s two primary pay-to-play sites who together have changed the landscape on how clients and talent get new voice over business (the argument about whether for better or worse will be held over for another time) this is really a great comparison and a startlingly honest report by Vaughn.

Thanks Jennifer for that and thanks John for everything.

Tags: casting, commentary, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice, voiceover blog, voices.com by peter o'connell voiceover
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Voice Over Talents Rowell Gorman, Debra Stamp & Peter K. O'Connell

The nice thing about travel (yes there are a few nice things) is heading in to warmer climates during the winter. Raleigh, NC isn’t Bermuda but it’s a very nice spot and it was my destination yesterday and today.

As always, I try and summon the voice over troops in the area, this time breakfasting with Rowell Gorman (the Imaginator) and Debra Stamp (who lived and worked in Buffalo for a long time and now lives in Raleigh).

Rowell is an in-demand character voice actor as well as announcer and Deb is a very well respected narration and commercial voice across the country. Both do terrific on-camera work as well.

It was an all too short visit but terrific to hear about the great work they are both doing including Rowell’s work on the North Carolina lottery as Mr. Monopoly and his voice work for the well known area drug chain Kerr Drug.

My thanks to both of them for spending part of their morning with me.

Tags: voice actors, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover meet-ups by peter o'connell voiceover
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For many folks the economy has really ruined their year. That has been equally true for performance based professionals – voice talents, actors, disc jockeys, producers, directors, writers etc. I’ve been lucky with my business and I know it. So let me share with you a secret.

Full Circle Studios (yes two mentions in two days – they should pay me – and they’re not paying me for this) created a web site called Casting Central where actors, voice talent, models and agents within Western New York State can get a free listing. So when FCS clients want to check out possible talent for a production – it’s as close as a mouse click.

Are you a talent who wants to get listed? Click here for details.

I hope this helps you in your search.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Tags: casting, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter o'connell voiceover
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