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On this episode Mike Lenz provides an update on his move into full-time VO and podcast production. Mike discusses the work he's been doing in the eLearning, corporate narration, and audiobook space. Mike also launched PodcastSnap, a concierge podcasting service that helps clients with all aspects of their podcasting neeeds. He spoke recently at the ATD 2018 International Conference about The Power of Podcasting.
On this episode Mike Lenz interviews actor, voice actor, writer and producer Tiffany Morgan. Tiffany is a stage, film and television actress best known for her roles on Nashville, The Mist, and The Walking Dead. We discussed the life of a freelance entrepreneur, and the growing wave of podcasting that Tiffany is involved in, with several podcast productions in the works.
Val Kelly is a bilingual, French/English Voice Actress. Val started her voiceover career in 1999 after being told her whole life how "cute" her voice is and that she should do something with it... and so she did....!!
Val has been actively booking Voiceover work for years now and most recently finished working on her new commercial demo with Emmy award winning sound designer, recording engineer and producer "Uncle Roy" Yokelson. Val is currently working on her animation & singing demos. Val's specialty is in voicing characters for cartoons, talking toys, apps, videogames, children's e-learning, radio & tv commercials and short films. Her clients include Hasbro toys, "Hungry Howie's Pizza Place", "Roam and Wander", "Mymoonah", "The Foreign Candy Company", Theory Films, and many more.
In addition to being a Voice actress, Val is the Owner/President/CEO/Executive Producer of Mid-Atlantic Voiceover, LLC. Val is in charge of running all aspects of the company and is the Executive Producer for the Mid-Atlantic Voiceover "Get Inspired" Conference that takes place in November. Check out the latest news on upcoming events at midatlanticvo.com
Claton Butcher is an audiobook narrator, voice over artist, and music pastor, with over 80 audiobooks to his credit. He has studied under some of today’s best and most prolific narrators, including Scott Brick, Sean Pratt, and Johnny Heller. He is also the founder of Two Words Publishing.
Claton and his biggest fans: his wife, and their daughter - born in 2016 - live in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.
Check out Claton’s Voice at twowordspublishing.com.
Since Brandon Pollock began his voiceover career in 2011 he’s been trusted by companies all over the world to voice their projects. His experience includes:
- Commercials
- eLearning
- Industrial Narrations
- Audiobooks
- Animation
- And More…
Brandon believes in getting it right and enjoys taking direction to deliver exactly what you’re looking for.
Brandon prides himself on providing great customer service and understands that every project has a budget.
Brandon currently lives in Mooresville, North Carolina with his wife Lauren and their two daughters, Brynley & Ella Claire.
Website: https://bpvoiceovers.com/
Tawny Platis is not only a fellow voice actor but also a fellow podcast creator who hosts her very own 'The Dirty Bits' podcast. Having started her own brick and mortar business right out of high school, Tawny gained a wealth of business knowledge that served her so well as she transitioned into voice-overs, coaching, and podast production. So much good stuff on this episode!
I had a great time talking with VoiceZam creator Bob Merkel about his amazing product. You'll find out that VoiceZam is so much more than a great demo player - it's a marketing resource to help propel your VO career, no matter where you are in your journey! And be sure to listen all the way through to get a discount code to try out VoiceZam for free! I love this product and Bob is truly committed to helping the voice-over industry. Enjoy!
A collaborative artist like Julie Slack is driven to elevate your brand.
Julie Slack instinctively and technically knows how to bring out the best in your words, your story, and your vision so that your message resonates with your core consumers.
And those who have partnered with Julie will tell you that once you’ve worked with her, you'll always go back to her.
Who is Monk? And why is he seen so often in a kilt? We'll get to that in a moment. First off, I am a voice actor and storyteller. From the stage to the screen to a quiet booth. Bringing a story to life is what I love to do. That script could be about a far-off land filled with mystical dragons, or a quick explanation of how your new online banking app functions. A voice over that conveys trust and honesty. My work has received Addy and Telly awards and I've received a couple of awards for my stage work as well.
I record at Lodge Studios, a fully equipped Voice Over studio with iPDTL and Source Connect connections to the outside world.
So how did I get here? After 6 years of fixing helicopters for the USAF, I jumped into broadcast school, and after a couple of radio stations, switched to animation and film work. From there I hit the stage and moved from behind the camera to in front of it. I started singing and performing, and the storytellingand narration followed. When I approached my first agent, he threw me into commercial work. So I understand the needs of production, and the pressures of getting it done right the first time. My masters degree is in Communications, getting the message to the target audience. It's amazing what you can do with a smile
Now, about the kilt. You know, once you start wearing them, it's hard to go back to anything else. Believe me, go get a kilt.
Joan Franzino has been a professional voice actor since the mid-90's and she's done it all (well, <cough> almost). Her home studio is top notch and upgraded regularly, her software and editing skills are the bomb, and you'll get your audio licketty split, swear. She's cast as the young mom, the smooth spokesperson, that sober sound in your head, the voice that makes your sales training sound easy, she can do a slick delivery in your car spots, or that sexy voice with a girl-from-next-door slant.
On-camera, she's just as flexible. She has tons of experience with teleprompters, and is trained and practiced with an ear-prompter. On screen, She've been cast as a business woman, a perky spokesperson, mom, middle-aged beauty, and an easy-to-understand guide for your complex corporate message/training.
Cameron has been pursuing the craft of acting since discovering its transformative effect at a young age. He comes from a family with a strong background in professional theatre. As a young adult he attended the Governor’s School of North Carolina as well as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts during his senior year of high school, both with acting concentrations. Up until this point Cameron had also been developing skills in voice over at two south eastern companies: Procomm Studios and Sunspots Productions. While training at Rutgers, Cameron delved into interpreting Shakespeare’s texts at the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. While there, he participated in the annual Sam Wanamaker Festival, a celebration of Shakespeare’s plays performed by students from the UK’s acting conservatories. Most recent credits include a co-starring role in the season 3 premiere of the Emmy Award winning show Bloodline.
You know the voice that describes the benefits of owning an Electrolux washer? That’s Natasha. That voice who shares events overhead at that casino you visited in Upstate New York? That’s her, too. How about the voice that soothes you to calm while waiting on hold? There’s a good chance it’s Natasha’s voice.
More than a decade in voiceovers, two decades in performance and three decades in customer service, Natasha adds professionalism and finesse to a video, a presentation, commercial copy…even voicemail. Natasha’s voice is described as a "Compassionate, Mom-Next-Door"; "Warm, 30-something, Business Professional"; Conversational, with a neutral-accent, natural, friendly, articulate with feeling and sincerity...
You have found an experienced voice-over talent, capable of handling a large scope of professional voice recording jobs, at a price that does not include fees to third party web marketplaces. Hiring Natasha means hiring a seasoned voice to interpret a script that you need recorded competently and …done right the first time. And, she charges less than you would expect for top-of-the-line talent.
Further, if her tone-of-voice is not your cup of tea…she is happy to pass on referrals of other pro female and male voice actors.
Mike Lenz recaps 2017 and offers some exciting discount codes for helpful voice-over courses!
Saulsberry’s distinctive announcer voice is literally everywhere. He has announced promos for the ABC hit Dancing With The Stars and the ABC critically acclaimed Charlie Brown Christmas Special. He announced the 34th NAACP Image Awardsand the Essence Awards specials on FOX Television and voiced promos for the Grammy Awards and Country Music Awards for CBS. Rodney can be heard currently announcing promos for the CW Network in primetime.
As one of the top trailer voices in the business, Rodney’s voice has promoted many favorites: Red Tails, Tupac Resurrection, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Friday After Next, Drumline, Undercover Brother, The Best Man, Dumb & Dumberer, Finding Forrester, Soul Food, Crooklyn, and many more. Black Enterprise Magazine called Saulsberry “The voice of choice for behind-the-scenes-narration.”
What do Zatarain's, Instant Tax Service, Twix, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Verizon, White Castle, 7UP, Burger King, SBC, and Nestle Crunch all have in common? Saulsberry has been a voice-over commercial pitchman for all of these products and many others on television and radio. He can also be heard reading audio books, as well as narrating E! Entertainments, True Hollywood Story, about Motown R&B singer, Marvin Gaye. His imaging voice has represented NFL Films and several NBA Basketball teams that include the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans. For the past eight years Rodney has been the voice of the stock trading website Interactive Brokers TWS Tours.
Animation is another strong suit for this versatile voice actor. Saulsberry is the voice of Joe Robbie Robertson on the hit cartoon series Spider-Man and James Rhodey Rhodes in the animated feature film, The Invincible Iron Man.
Rodney's acting credits include guest star appearances on Monk, Without a Trace, Law & Order: LA and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. He currently stars as Anthony a street musician and former homeless man on the Daytime Drama The Bold and the Beautiful.
In 2013 and 2011, Saulsberry received an NAACP Image Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his role on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Saulsberry is also a gifted singer who has lent his melodious baritone singing voice to a jubilant ensemble of background singers on a spirited recording of “Hakuna Matata” on The Lion King movie soundtrack. He continued his animation musical journey by singing When You Believe and Playing With the Big Boys on The Prince of Egypt soundtrack. As a soloist, he has recorded two Rhythm and Blues albums that have resulted in two Billboard charting singles, I Wonder and Look Whatcha Done Now.
Recently, Saulsberry wrote and composed the song Miracles, which aired on The Bold and the Beautiful on January 13, 2011 and is available for purchase on iTunes. He continues to get his musical compositions featured in television and movie soundtracks. To hear more and learn more about his song placements, visit his music placement website at: Tomdor Music.com
Jordan Reynold's voice is based in Los Angeles, California but has been heard all over the world. Voicing internationally known companies such as AT&T, BMW, Sprite, and Cisco - to voice dubbing celebrities - to screaming as various video game characters - to guiding thousands of customers on hold - to explaining hundreds of new startup businesses products online.
His voice encompasses a broad spectrum from cool and conversational to a diverse body of engaging characters.
Jordan produces voice over demos for some of the top voice actors today: demoswithchops.com
He also played a key role in designing the Roswell Pro Audio RA-VO microphone: A high quality microphone made specifically for voice over.
Nicole Britton - I'm a voice actor who manages to jam 23 years of acting experience into my tiny booth every day; my passion for performance filters into everything I do . I am skilled in voiceover for Narration, e Learning, Corporate Training, IVR and Commercials and have a bevy of Characters and Kid voices on the tip of my tongue. I am proud to be a chicken "clucking " aficionado ;) Represented by RSH Management and Voice Hunter, proud member of World-Voices.org and SAG-AFTRA.
After studying theater at CU/Boulder, I headed straight for the Big Apple to continue learning my craft at Playwright's Horizons Theater School. While working with award winning theatre companies such as Ensemble Studio Theatre and Blue Light Theater Company, I cultivated a diligent work ethic and an ability to interpret scripts and bring them to life.
In Los Angeles, I worked as an actor and a stilt walker (yes, you read that correctly.) These outlets presented opportunities to travel the world whilst being creative. Never a dull moment, I was the lead singer in a rock band and co-wrote for several music placement projects.
I currently reside in Atlanta, GA where I work full time from my professional studio. When I'm not in the booth, I enjoy spending time with my lovely little family and tending to our lovely little farm where I get so much inspiration from my chickens. Additionally, I play the ukulele/piano/mandolin/guitar/egg shaker and sing/dance/juggle - not all at the same time.
Along the way, I have had the honor of working for Pandora, Walt Disney Imagineering/California Adventure Theme Park, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Willy's Mexicana Grill, Dollar General and many more.
Mike Lenz interviews Edge Studio CEO, David Goldberg.
Information about Edge Studio:
We are VoiceSTA certified. We have 1000+ clients, 20+ years experience, and 0 complaints ever registered in the Better Business Bureau.
Currently I oversee all areas of our business. I interact with everyone in the office daily to ensure that every customer is receiving the best possible experience. I am directly involved with marketing, production, casting, sales, career building, and internal operations. I am always available to customers and make certain that each is treated as though they are the the most important one that Edge Studio has regardless of how much money they spend.
* Started a recording studio by myself and continued to grow the operation to a team of very impressive experts
* Partnered with related businesses to further expand the suite of services offered to customers
* Pride myself on only being an email or phone call away from any customer with any question or concern they have
* Currently have three locations in Washington DC, Fairfield Connecticut, and New York City
* Speak at numerous industry events and/or send a member of our team
* Edge Studio maintains a level of recognition and professionalism currently achieved by very few companies
Feel welcome to call us. We're all for speaking!
Specialties: Audiobooks, Documentaries, Corporate training, eLearning, Commercials, Telephone Systems, Cartoons, Animation, Medical, and all types of Voice Over Production, Casting, and Training.
For over 20 years Matt has specialized in concert promotion, promo, commercial, corporate, and Radio and TV imaging.
Most recently the promo voiceover for ABC's "The View". Matt has had the pleasure of working with most of the major networks. He voices local and regional campaigns for Shane Co Jewelers, Subway, Crew Car Wash, Grange Insurance, Boost Mobile, Microsoft and hundreds of corporate narration's and product promotional social network videos.
Matt's studio is equipped with broadcast-quality recording equipment. Connect via ISDN, Source Connect, or have your file of choice transferred directly to your computer.
Evan is a millennial (born in 1990) and he loves telling a story, especially yours.
In 2006, Evan narrated his first self-produced documentary, inspired by a chance meeting with ski filmmaking legend Warren Miller. Since then, he has lent his signature sound to hundreds of projects around the world. He also hosts a podcast where he explores the question, "What makes creative people creative?" It's called the Get Creative Podcastand it can be found wherever you get your podcasts.
Mike Lenz interviews voice actro and audiobook narrator Tom Jordan.
I started voiceovers in 1994 – before the internet. I did some computer-based-training voiceovers that paid the rent for a few months, but was living and working in Long Beach, CA and these were the days before people had in-home studios, so whenever I had to audition, I had to drive to LA – in LA traffic! It just didn’t seem worth it at the time.
Fast-forward to 2002 and the internet now allows home studios and emailing MP3s – a huge breakthrough. I start soliciting my VO skills to local cable TV providers – ones that had in-house video production. Got several gigs around the nation – mom and pop stores, mostly – TV and radio gigs. This was fun, but three kids and a full time job took priority.
I had done corporate narration in addition to copywriting as my day gig for several years and, in May 2016 finally decided to turn my VO experience into something that could feed me in retirement – still many years off, but I needed to start somewhere. I hire a coach, Terry Daniel, and do a number of workshops, practice, practice, etc… Cut my demos in February. Apply to ACX in April and get hired within three days to do a six book romance series. Baptism by fire! I was approached by AB2 Talent in May and joined their roster. And now here I am. Networking and social media marketing daily and also meeting people in person. I’m the organizer of Orange County Voice Acting, which I started in January. We have 150 members now. It’s a lively group of newbies and VO pros. I’m having a total blast and love to share what I can with people who are actively pursuing a the VO adventure.
Elise Napier is a graduate from the University of Southern California, where she earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and Theatre. She is looking to continue to learn and pursue all avenues in the entertainment industry, specifically voice over acting. She's a quick learner, dedicate worker, and thrive with organization and color coordination. For more information please contact her at elisenapier2@gmail.com or visit elisenapier.com.
About me: Hey, I'm Tim. I'm a husband and a father, first and foremost. I've spent over 3 years in the podcasting space, learning everything I could about what makes a podcast great. Prior to getting into this arena, I spent my time touring the country with a band of my best friends (including Liam, one of our project managers here). We got the opportunity to play on MTV, at the Bamboozle, on Warped Tour, and various other opportunities for not-so-humble brags. My background is in sales and marketing -- both online and off, and that's allowed me to help podcasters get amazing results. I've also been the voice for many incredible companies like TOMY Toys, Disney, AT&T, The Travel Channel, The UFC, Expedia, Honda, and more. I'm a nerd, and wouldn't have it any other way... and I eat, sleep, and breathe Syracuse sports (GO ORANGE!)
For more information on this and other episodes, head over to mikelenzvoice.com
Audible Best Selling Narrator, Andrea Emmes was born in Hollywood, FL and grew up in both Tennessee and Rhode Island, started her career in musical theater. Cutting her teeth at The Trinity Arts Center in Rhode Island, Andrea eventually made her way to Orlando and began her eclectic career singing/dancing in various shows at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Pirates' Dinner Adventure, performing as a magician's assistant, headlining on the Las Vegas Strip and touring Los Angeles as an L.A. Award winning artist with her album, "I'm On My Way".
Having worked in tv, film and video games, Andrea, a total Book Nerd, now enjoys narrating audiobooks at her home studio in San Jose, California.
Her wide range of character voices and dynamic/emotionally invested performances has reviewers and listeners alike commenting on how she effortlessly pulls listeners in, and has versatility and charisma.
Fun Facts: Andrea has a Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design; was a game designer for Disney Interactive; once interviewed Ernie Cline for his amazing novel Ready Player One as a Gamer Review for ForbiddenPanel.com and gets her gamer-geek on playing games of all kinds with her husband and their cat, Lucy.
I’m a voice actor–which basically means that I love to talk–whether it be narration for commercials, documentaries, instructional films, industrial videos, trailers; or imaging voiceovers for promos and radio stations around the country; or IVR (phone prompts and messaging services) for phone directories; or any other kind of VO!
I’ve voiced campaigns for Acura, Honda, Primerica, Akamai, Schlage Locks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, YAMAHA drums, Vic Firth drumsticks, Atlanta Institute of Music, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, Georgia Lottery, Southeastern Conference, Sportstime Ohio, and many more! In radio, I’ve been the imaging voice for 94.7 WDSD, WWTX 1290 AM, The Ken Coleman Show on WDUN 550 AM, and Lonestar 92.9 KDCD FM.
Brent is the New Radio and TV Signature Voice of the NCAA and March Madness 2016! Also, he is the voice of the International Champions Cup Professional Soccer Tourament and is heard by millions of fans in Stadiums Worldwide. That voice that gets you pumped up for the game? Thats Brent! Clients like NCAA, Nutri-Shop, GoPro, HBO International Boxing, SeaLaunch, and Jiffy Lube, all count on Brent to get their message to the world. What are you waiting for? Send him a script and get your project Rockin!