Voicebank.net's VoiceRegistry Blog

Think Less, Feel More! says Promo Expert Joyce Castellanos

Tracy Pattin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:46:49 +0000

In tomorrow’s final episode of our NEW Roundtable podcast (Tuesday, October 14th) animation actor Bob Bergen, commercial producer/teach,Bill Holmes and promo producer/teacher Joyce Castellanos share their insights. “Think Less, Feel More” coined by Joyce seems to sum it all up when it comes to the secrets of voice over success. Our panel of experts agrees that simply bringing yourself to your reads, brings the originality that clients want.

When asked about creating character demos, Bob Bergen says, “It’s all about originality and character.” Bill Holmes chimes in with, “It’s what’s behind what you say” with Bergen adding, “AND what’s behind YOU.”

Find out more of this panel’s voice over insights in tomorrow’s podcast. But FIRST, listen to part 1, part 2 and part 3 to hear the complete NEW Roundtable series.

-Tracy Pattin

Question of the Week: Would You Do Promos For A Candidate You Didn’t Believe In?

Tracy Pattin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:28:29 +0000

Tonight’s Vice Presidential Debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin shines an even brighter spotlight on politics. And par for the course, are the slew of campaign ads. Both camps have male and female voices praising their candidate and degrading the other. Which makes me wonder, when we hear those voices behind the mic , Do they support that particular candidate or do they just do it because it’s a great gig?

I’ve often thought, What would I do if I had the great opportunity to do a voice over for a presidential campaign and I didn’t believe in the candidate? What would you do?

I know I would only do promos for a candidate I believe in, hands down, no doubts here.

I’d love to hear from you!

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast- Part 3 of Tracy Pattin’s Roundtable with Bob Bergen, Bill Holmes, Joyce Castellanos

Tracy Pattin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:47:48 +0000

Voice Over experts, Bob Bergen (voice of Porky and other Looney Toons characters), Joyce Castellanos (former audio director/producer for NBC, Disney Channel) Bill Holmes (commercial producer/director/demo producer/ The Voice Over Doctor) share their insights about the industry in this NEW! Voicebank/Voice Registry Roundtable. You can reach Joyce Castellanos at promoteach@aol.com.

right+click here to dowload podcast [14MB]

Is The Pendulum Swinging Back To The Agents?

Tracy Pattin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:14:56 +0000

In part 3 of my podcast interview NEW Roundtable Series, Animation Voice Actor, Bob Bergen, Promo Director/Teacher, Joyce Castellanos and Teacher/Producer, Bill Holmes, toss around the notion that clients don’t have time to listen to thousands of online auditions, going back to using agents to find the talent for them. If that’s true, what’s the impact for the voice talent across the country in smaller markets? What do you think?

Bob Bergen gives his nuggets of advice on how to make it in this industry saying one of the biggest mistakes an actor can make is to do their demo when they’re not ready. “The best resource to prepare is Voicebank.net. You can listen (for free) to all the demos from all the talent agencies. Then you can create a targeted marketing strategy to particular agents.”

Then, I posed questions from our Voice Registry/Voicebank.net listeners like, “How do you create characters for commercial copy?” Bob Bergen responded with this memorable quote: “Every character has a voice but not every voice has a character.” He goes into more detail and explains his three animation techniques.

Listen to the previous Roundtables, Part 1 and Part 2. Then check out tomorrow’s podcast Tuesday September 30.

-Tracy Pattin

Bob Bergen/Bill Holmes Weekend Intensive THIS Weekend!

Tracy Pattin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:39:09 +0000

Bob Bergen’s animation class has a waiting list of 3 years. BUT this weekend, he and commercial voice over teacher/producer, Bill Holmes are doing a special intensive at Compost Productions in North Hollywood, California.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity!

Click here for more info: Bob Bergen/Bill Holmes Weekend Intensive.

-Tracy Pattin

Randy Thomas Does Book Signing Event for Her Book, Voice For Hire. Big Turnout!

Tracy Pattin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:05:43 +0000

The other night at Barnes & Noble bookstore in Los Angeles, Randy Thomas wowed the crowd with her stories about announcing for the Academy Awards and doing promos for Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and the Democratic Convention, as she promoted her new book, Voice For Hire. I had the privilege of being the interviewer, introducing Randy to the group and asking her about her book. As we threw it to the audience for questions, it was apparent the big voice-over guns were out en masse to support their colleague and friend. People like voice over coach, Maurice Tobias and animation voice talent Bob Bergen and promo guy, Joe Cipriano. Randy had Joe come onstage to tell his story about announcing for the Emmys the night before and how he had to add last minute info on the stars as they were heading up to get their award. Then, Joe headed across the street to CBS to do a slew of promos for the network.

What a great night it was! Randy’s book is available through Amazon.com, October 14th.

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin’s Roundtable Series: Bob Bergen, Bill Holmes, Joyce Castellanos part 2

Tracy Pattin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:21:57 +0000

Check out Part 1 of the Roundtable Series.

Right+Click here to download podcast (13MB)

How To Succeed In The Voice Over Business Without Really Trying

Tracy Pattin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:23:06 +0000

In tomorrow’s Voice Registry Podcast Roundtable Series (part 2) Bob Bergen, Bill Holmes and Joyce Castellanos, all agree that to be successful in this business, you must bring YOU to the audition and the job.

“Nobody in this business needs another voice. What they don’t have is YOU. The you, you are with family and friends and in life” says hugely successful Animation voice actor, Bob Bergen. Commercial Teacher/producer, Bill Holmes says, “Figure out who you are, what you do and be comfortable doing that.” Promo director/teacher Joyce Castellanos says, “Know your audience and how your voice fits into the shows on the air.” And they all agree that one path to build those skills is improvisation.

So, maybe we need to sit back, relax a little and not try so hard to please. The key is to know yourself. But that’s a lifelong adventure, isn’t it?

-Tracy Pattin

Randy Thomas Book Signing in Los Angeles September 22nd

Tracy Pattin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:03:18 +0000

Join renowned Voice Over star, Randy Thomas, at the Barnes & Noble in The Grove for the launch of her new book co-authored with Peter Rofe, Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs.

Location: Barnes & Noble at The Grove
189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036 US
When: Monday, September 22, 7:30PM

-Tracy Pattin

Voice Registry Podcast- New Series! Tracy Pattin’s Roundtable with Bob Bergen, Bill Holmes, Joyce Castellanos

Tracy Pattin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:24:51 +0000

Right + Click here to download podcast (12.0 MB)