With all of the social media exposure one gets on a daily basis, it’s easy to miss cool posts! I thought I would share a couple videos that I have worked on just in case they happened to have slipped you by. Please take a look…operators are standing by!
Tobi Platinum Steamer:
Torpedo Blender:
Rejuvenation Pillow:
If you would like to see more videos because you are like me (an infomercial junky), then please visit my YouTube Channel.
While I was getting ready to go record for a new project recently, I found myself wondering when the voice over industry had its inception. So, I went to this one website called Google (not sure if you have heard of it) to do a bit of research and what I came across was way more than I could have expected. I mean, just check out this awesome info graphic that I came across:
Although, I went searching for information on the more modern voice over industry (as we know it today) it was still very cool to see the use of voice in all forms of entertainment media. This info graphic showed me how voice has played such a vital roll in the development of the entertainment that we enjoy today.
Since Waterfront Sound first opened in 1999 they have worked with a wide variety of artists and professionals. They have also done sound production for many networks including Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and History Channel. Personally, I’ve worked with Waterfront on many top infomercials and narration projects.
I was able to catch up with owner Steve Gregan, one of my favorite guys in the Industry, to ask him a few quick questions about his experience operating Waterfront. Here is what he had to say:
DL: So Steve, what is the best thing about owning a recording studio?
SG: The best part is definitely the ability to work on such a wide variety of things. For example, we recently put together the extras for the recent Paramount Star Trek movie but sometime you might find us working on voice over or music composition work also.
DL: That does sound fun. If you had to choose a favorite piece of equipment in your studio, what would it be?
SG: Hands down, the microphones. Software is exciting too but it is ever changing. When you have a quality microphone or musical instrument they can last you upwards of twenty years. The old school microphones are the best.
DL: I hear ya’! I feel the same about my headphones! Been using Sony MDR-V6 headphones for years and I love them. But I’ll save that for another blog!
For more information regarding Waterfront Sound Studio and their services please visit them on the web at www.waterfrontsound.com
As we get closer to summer, I am beginning to pull out all of my old records and listen to the tunes that take me back to memories of past summers. I thought it would be cool to post my top 14 favorite summer songs of the 80′s! Hope I didn’t miss any…
And seeing as “If Anybody Had a Heart” is my top summer song of the 80s, I only thought it would be appropriate to share this shot taken a few years ago of me and the man himself, John Waite.
My Top 14 Favorite Summer Songs of the 80s:
1. If Anybody Had a Heart – John Waite (1985)
2. Things Can Only Get Better – Howard Jones (1985)
3. My Ever Changing Moods – Style Council (1984)
4. Magic – The Cars (1984)
5. The Riddle – Nik Kershaw (1984)
6. Sunglasses at Night – Corey Hart (1984)
7. One in a Million – The Romantics (1983)
8. Every Step of the Way – John Waite (1985)
9. Sunset Grill – Don Henley (1984)
10. Children Say – Level 42 (1987)
11. Say it Isn’t So – The Outfield (1985)
12. Sweetheart – Frankie & The Knockouts (1981)
13. Home Town – Joe Jackson (1986)
14. Darlin’ Danielle Don’t – Henry Lee Summer (1988)
There you have it. You should try kicking off your summer with some of your favorite summertime tunes too!
Voice over coach and super talent agent Lynda McCarrell shares a couple quick tips for those wanting to get into the voice over world or if you’re already in and want some insight from a woman that taught me almost everything I know when it comes to voice over. Literally!
DL: What steps should people looking to enter voice over take to seek auditions and to find work in the field?
LM: The very best way is to be represented by an Agent. They have years of experience and can help you get opportunities that would otherwise not be available to you. Yes, there are other ways -networking, various casting websites – but, for a career, finding an Agent us the best way to elevate your game and make bigger bucks!
DL: What might be a good exercise for preparing for an audition?
LM: Warm up the voice – how can you pitch a home run without a warm up? Research the product- make sure you are pronouncing it correctly. Do not over rehearse – we still want to hear spontaneity, variety, and flexibility.
DL: Great tips! Thanks, Lynda.
For more information on Lynda and her work as an Agent, please visit her website:
There you will find her client base /demos as well as contact info for those interested in one-on-one coaching and the Fabulous Monday Night Workout Group that has been on-going for the past 18 years! The Workout Group is a “come when you can” deal for $20 every Monday. You just can’t beat that…
Oh, and to forward demos or questions, feel free to contact her directly at her office:
mccarrellandassoc@earthlink.net
Late last year I was fortunate enough to have been chosen to voice an infomercial for famed celebrity fitness trainer, author, and wellness expert, Jay Cardiello. Produced by ESA Entertainment’s very own Ernie Schultz, the infomercial turned out really cool!
JCORE is a fitness and wellness lifestyle company built upon the premise that you can positively change your life, without changing your lifestyle. Full-body workouts can fit into time-crunched schedules and small spaces. JCORE offers a proven system of fitness and dietary products based on Cardiello’s acclaimed Cardio Core 4 x 4 exercise program, innovative dietary supplements, customized personal training and more. Those things are the result of years of research and hands-on experience. I’m not just saying this because I did voice over for Jay’s infomercial…JCORE truly delivers the very best in fitness and wellness.
A special thanks to all that I had the pleasure of working with while producing this great infomercial!
Check out Jay Cardiello’s JCORE fitness and wellness lifestyle at www.jcorebody.com/
Last week, I attended the Response Expo in San Diego. The expo was a lot of fun and it was definitely nice to see some of the faces behind products I’ve done voice over for.
What is so great about Response Expo is that they bring together industry leaders from the corporate marketing arena and create valuable networking opportunities for marketers, direct response agencies, advertising executives and those in the television world. So many different kinds of people that use direct response marketing on television, on the radio, in print, online or even in the mobile/wireless world, all attended last week—including me!
Continuing on the overwhelming success of last year’s event, Response Expo 2012 was back with a full track of educational sessions that featured the newest ideas and biggest names in direct response marketing. There was also a bustling expo hall floor and several networking events, including the fifth annual Response Expo Golf Tournament. By the way, have I ever mentioned my golf skills? Considering that I haven’t played since I was ten years old, let’s just assume that there’s a good reason for that.
It was truly a lot of fun and made for a fantastic networking opportunity. And because it is all about networking (and you never seem to know whom you’re going to see), I bumped into my long time friend Bob Hastings from Salem Broadcasting, while walking the expo. After catching up with Bob, I chatted with Matt Edgar, Publisher of DMI News, who had us reminiscing about our favorite 80’s groups like Howard Jones, The Style Council, and Level 42! Lastly, I also met a few nice folks that came all the way down from Toronto for the Response Expo, and don’t worry, I made sure to let them know that Degrassi is my favorite TV show!
You know, seeing old friends and making new ones at Response in San Diego was an all around good time and I am already looking forward to next year. Who knows, maybe I’ll even golf?
And by the way- check out these thumb drives that I’m using as promotional tools. They turned out really cool!
Working in the voice over industry definitely has its perks. But of all the experiences that I’ve had, since entering the field at sixteen, some of the most enjoyable were spent working with people like producers Taro Koki and Masa Kuji while voicing the auto enthusiast DVDs for Best Motoring and Hot Version. I had the pleasure of being, as Taro goes on to put it, “the voice of Best Motoring” from 2004 to the most recent project we completed just late last year.
So anyway, the other day I came across a couple of the DVDs we had worked on together and thought it would be cool to reach out to Taro to see how things are going over at Best Motoring—which has now evolved in to one of the most actively viewed online video networks for auto enthusiasts…GT Channel.
Here is a bit about my experience while working with Best Motoring/GT Channel, what they are currently up to, and according to Taro Koki, the unveiling of a car that you won’t want to miss:
DL: Taro- tell me a about any exciting projects or media you may be currently working on.
TK: Well, we just kicked off Season 2 of “Behind the Smoke.” The series follows current drifting champion Dai Yoshihara.
DL: GT Channel has a great blog for catching the unveiling of new cars! Are there any new cars that you might be looking forward to?
TK: The Scion FRS. In fact, I believe the first unit was delivered to a Toyota today. It is the first light, compact, rear wheel drive car from Toyota in a long time. And although it is only 200 HP people are looking forward to it.
DL: To put you on the spot, what was the worst part of working with me?
TK: Nothing. Working together was great! When people hear your voice elsewhere they point it out as the voice of Best Motoring.
DL: Well, you’re very kind. So, we both know there were just a few Japanese names that I had trouble with. Recall any?
TK: You know, surprisingly, also a lot of European names. Fiat and Ferrari models were pretty tough.
DL: I might be throwing myself under the bus a bit here, but what about any English words?
TK: The English pronunciation of Porsche was one that actually stumped us both once. We had to make a phone call or two…
As a leader in online automobile media and news, GT Channel is paving the way for bringing you the best motoring news around.
A special thanks not only to Taro for allowing me to share his experiences, but also Scott Schlichter and his team at Dogma Studios, for not only authoring the DVDs but also with post production.
Catch their videos on www.GTChannel.com
Or check them out at www.youtube.com/gtchannel
One might think that being the “Voice of God” would be a grueling and nearly impossible task. If a voice could carry with it some kind of expectation, you’ve got to bet that God’s has one of the highest. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to know first-hand that being the “Voice of God” isn’t at all as scary as it seems.
When I was approached by AGF Media Services to be the “Voice of God” for NAWBO’s Leadership & Legacy Awards Luncheon, I was thrilled. But then it occurred to me just how huge of an undertaking it might be. I quickly learned that, lucky for me, I had the coolest job ever! I got to sit backstage with the audio-visual guys, wearing a headset and microphone and wait for cue that said, “Ladies & Gentlemen, please welcome Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Chapter of NAWBO, Jane Pak,” all while getting the privilege to say I was the “Voice of God!”
The National Association of Women Business Owners, or NAWBO, represents more than 509,000 women-owned businesses in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The organization also employs more than 688,000 people, and generates more than $129 billion in annual revenues. The group held its 26th annual Leadership & Legacy Awards Luncheon on March 23, 2012 at the JW Marriot hotel. This year’s theme was “Inspiration Starts Here” and honored seven inspirational business leaders.
I feel so honored to not only have been given the opportunity to be the “Voice of God”, but to do it for such a powerful and motivational organization. I guess I always envisioned the God’s voice to be deeper than mine, but I’m so glad that AGF Media Services and NAWBO had my voice in mind. I’ll end this with some advice I learned from this job: if you’re waiting for God to speak to you…just give me a call, I’m not too expensive.