HILARIOUS Onion article on the voiceover talent who does the promos for “Heroes.”
MARCH 29, 2008 | ISSUE 44•13
SAG Strike Referendum On It’s Way
Unbelievable — SAG is talking strike again. Given the state of the economy and the continued slow down in work for actors as a result of the WGA strike, is this really the best choice? Or is this just a bargaining strategy threatening Producers with a strike to give SAG more leverage?
A letter from the powers that be:
A Worthy Cause - Seeking Support
Sponsor Me Here: http://my.e2rm.com/persona
I rarely ask for support from people and so in doing that I hope you know how important this cause is to me. Rachael and I have had a burden for Africa for years and specifically the children of Africa. This year Rachael was able to find a way for us to help. She is heading up the New York GuluWalk! I know there are so many places out there seeking your attention and support. So I’m EXTREMELY grateful that you’re taking the time to read about this worthy cause and I hope you support my walk.
Voice of Rolaids
These are two fun TV spots for Rolaids. I was the announcer voiceover and I posted them because of the way the sauces explode on the screen. OK, truth be told, I just love watching things blow up. I hope you too can take pleasure in watching a hotdog explode. A possible metaphor for your bank!
Rolaids TV Commercial Hot Sauce Explosion [0:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Rolaids TV Commercial HotDog Explosion [0:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download“The Business” Remembers LaFontaine
This is a really nice remembrance of the famous voiceover Don LaFontaine added to the end of a recent episode of KCRW’s “The Business” dated September 22nd, 2008. It touches on his history as a writer and producer before he became a voice talent. Also, Steve Tischerman, Don’s longtime agent from TGMD Talent Agency, is interviewed and it’s fun to hear him speak of getting Don started in the business of voice over and specifically how Don started voicing trailers for films.
I thought the shout out at the end to Ashton Smith and Brian Cummings was generous and I’m sure it made everyone over at DPN excited since they represent both Ashton and Brian! Enjoy.
Audible’s Best of 2007
It’s a little late, but I just found this and I thought all you voiceover people out there would enjoy hearing bits from some of the Editors Picks for best audio books of 2007. There is a wide range of voice over styles and sounds here. Some of the stand-outs in my opinion are classics narrated by the likes of Grace Kelly and new works narrated by the author themselves (Steve Martin narrates Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life (Unabridged) which I very much enjoyed). 
The Voiceover King is Dead
Voiceover artist and inspiration to all aspiring voiceover talent, Don LaFontaine, has died this past Monday. Our small community is morning the loss of it’s king. Don was a true pioneer and a master of all things voiceover and I’m horribly disappointed that I never had the chance to tell him that in person. Not that he needs to hear that from me, but I still would have loved to have met him.
Meeting the Miller Lite Brewmaster - In a voice over booth…
Here’s an enjoyable radio commercial I just did for Miller Lite introducing their new Aluminum Pint. Beer commercials usually have really funny radio & TV campaigns and its an opportunity for voiceover talent to stretch your muscles and do something a little bit more over the top. I thought this spot, called “R & D” for research and development, was a clever concept delivering mundane facts within a humorous situation. Speed, clarity, and timing (Chuck!) were key to making this voiceover work. Also, Chuck (sorry Chuck for not getting your last name at the session) was the PERFECT Brewmaster. The funny thing is that Chuck really sounds like that in person. Some people are just given a great set of pipes and others, like me, sound like a teenager in prep school.
Unite For Strenght — Like, duh!
When SAG and AFTRA didn’t merge in early 2000 I knew it was the beginning of the end. The leadership that blocked the merger at SAG is the reason I’m not involved in SAG politics and really don’t have much hope for SAG in the future. In other words, pension when I turn 65, I wouldn’t bet on it.
But recently, a wonderful phrase has come down the pipeline thanks to a few friends passing on some information (Shauna Markey and Bob Bergen). UNITE FOR STRENGTH.
