Odds are, you’ve heard Rob Paulsen do voices in any of a number of shows. In this 20-minute video, he returns to his Detroit stomping grounds to deliver a TEDx talk, which was enlightening and entertaining.
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Category Archives: Voiceover
VideoRejection and Gary Owens
I’ve linked to Mark Evanier’s series on rejection before. It’s very useful for writers — and many entries perfectly connect to film and TV actors and voiceover artists.
This latest installment may resonate particularly with voiceover artists.
In the realm of voiceovers (and frankly, in plenty of realms), people like to work with who they know.
And it’s not only who you know, it’s safe bets. How does this relate to Gary Owens (aka the voice of Space Ghost to many of my generation)? Read on!
Mr. Gravitas, Paul Frees
Okay, I’m double-dipping here, because we posted the same links on the Jabberwocky Audio Theater website today. However, it’s not only a busy week, but I’m coming off of recording the first season of Quorum, so I’ve got voiceover artists on my mind.
And really, when isn’t a good time to check out Paul Frees’ demo tape?
It feels wrong to call him “inimitable,” because not only do people imitate him, Frees was a master at imitating other when called upon to do so.
Posted in Voiceover
Voiceover Update: And (once again) Bjorn Munson as the Vorta
I mentioned this back in March when the prologue episode dropped, but I got a chance to play a Vorta, one of the villains of Star Trek, in an audio fan production last year.
The series, A Call to Unity, is now posted on iTunes so you can subscribe and get your post-Romulus destruction Trek fix.
Enjoy… maybe not as much as my character enjoys tormenting Starfleet captains, but, well, you know…
Escape Velocity Reached
In case anyone had any concerns, but I survived last weekend. I mean, the Nation’s Capital was demolished, but Jabberwocky Audio Theater had fun.
Cast & Crew of War of the Worlds, 2018
I even got a chance to look in on this guy who helped me with some timey-wimey stuff back in the day.
Also, Russia built a space battleship. It was an exciting weekend.
Posted in Various and Sundry, Voiceover
Voiceover Update: And Bjorn Munson as the Vorta
Last Fall, the launch of Jabberwocky Audio Theater was still over half a year away, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring to act in a Star Trek fan production. I got the opportunity to play a Vorta, one of the Dominion’s genetically engineered races. The Vorta might be described as the carrot to the Jem’Hadar‘s stick, but let’s be honest: Vorta are perfectly happy to abandon the carrot when they can make a veiled threat in a voice that would make Dolores Umbridge swoon.
Anyway, I naturally looked to the portrayal of Vorta in official Star Trek for guidance. The wonderful Jeffrey Combs, in his portrayal of the various versions of Weyoun sets the standard for Vorta and unctuous menace (seriously, how he comes across as both a people-pleaser and a pitiless martinet is marvelous). However, I also noted Gelnon (played by Leland Crooke), who first appeared in “One Little Ship” as a good model. He seems to take quiet satisfaction in furthering the Dominion’s ruthless goals — which, I guess, is my way of saying this Vorta is not a nice guy.
Ruthless Vorta aren’t the only familiar thing you’ll hear in this series. If you’ve heard or watched other Star Trek fan productions, this will ring true. Shields will go down. Evasive maneuvers will be made. Loyalties will be conflicted. And all of it will connect to events and characters you’ve seen in official Trek.
Enjoy!
Threat Alert Thursday: Bad Check Voiceover Scam
With great Internetting comes great scumbaggery.
Alas, just as email has allowed voiceover artists to connect with producers that much easier, it has allowed scammers to try make the world a worse place.
This article detailing a voiceover scam was written last year, but I understand that these delightful maggots have been hitting the DC area in recent weeks.
Be aware!
(thanks to Steve Ray and Diane Samuelson for alerting peeps in posts elsewhere).
Voiceover Update: Ripcoil (VR Game)
Since some of my previous voiceover updates either have no audio online or have audio that has been removed, I figured I’d point to another bit of voice work I’ve done in the past year.
Ripcoil is a game for Oculus Rift. I can’t help but think of Tron — and one reviewer deems it every college freshman’s dream come true.
I got to be the stadium announcer you hear during the matches, which required me to record roughly 147,000 different responses depending on whether the players triumph or fail. Here’s a video review with some game play. You can see the match and hear me at about 1:30 in the video, but he actually responds to one of my quips at 3:10 or so, which I love. It makes me feel like I did my job as a voice artist (NSFW Caution: the reviewer uses some profanity).
Those of you who find the announcer really annoying may be slightly gratified to know that my voice was bit hoarse after the multi-hour session needed to get every variant line laid down. Of course, that was only the case for this Sunday, SUNDAY, S U N D A Y ! ! !
Voiceover Update: Virginia Lottery (& Corvettes)
I grew up with all sorts of creative Virginia Lottery spots, so it was fun to be a part of one.
Much like my recent work for the highway safety spot, I can’t find a link to the specific ads I’m in online, but if you hear a Smithers-sounding flunky in the radio spots for Virginia Lottery’s Corvettes & CA$H scratchers… yes, that’s me. The radio spots started around June 6th and should still be going until the end of the month.
Voiceover Update: Our Roads, Our Safety
You may have heard my voice in a DOT spot last year for road safety. Well, the spot is hitting the airwaves again with a slight tweak.
Update: Dang it, they removed the video with the voiceover, but hopefully you’ll still be able to hear the spot on the airwaves.
You can learn more about the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s web site.