Jimmy Fallon & The Muppets sing "The 12 Days of Christmas"

Creating Shapes Using Sound

Here you will observe the effects of sound on sand while changing the frequency and the resultant shapes created.


Shapes Using Sound Effects - Click here for more blooper videos

Arnold Stang 1918/09/28 – 2009/12/20

Character actor, comedian and cartoon voice actor Arnold Stang has passed at the age of 91. Read more about him at Mark Evanier's blog, "News From Me"

What It's Like in the Studio From a Director's Point of View

Ellie Devers talks to Frank Piazza of APVoices who shares his unique perspectives in this interview-style podcast, "What It's Like in the Studio From a Director's Point of View." Discover what a producer's expectations are of a voice over talent and how to come prepared to a recording session.

Audio Player
Downloadable MP3

Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009

Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - One Hour Version

Maria Bamford's One-Hour Homemade Christmas Special! from Maria Bamford on Vimeo.

Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 1 of 6


Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 2 of 6


Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 3 of 6


Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 4 of 6


Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 5 of 6


Maria Bamford's Homemade Christmas Special 2009 - Part 6 of 6

The Muppets Do "Carole of the Bells."

Bob (Porky Pig) Bergen & Bill Holmes in a new series.

This is the first of a series of "how to" voice-over podcasts with Bob Bergen and his buddy Bill Holmes. This episode deals with physicality. Tracy Pattin conducts the interview.

June Foray - Voice Legend

On February 23, 2000, Karen Herman conducted a two-hour interview with June Foray in Woodland Hills, CA. Ms. Foray discussed her start in radio and her transition to voice-over for animation and television. Some of the characters voiced for classic Warner Bros. animation include Granny in Tweety and Sylvester and Witch Hazel. She then went on to create and voice her most famous character, Rocket J. Squirrel on The Bullwinkle Show. Other television shows she discussed include The Twilight Zone, I Love Lucy, Looney Toons, George of the Jungle, and The Smurfs.

The segments run about thirty minutes each and should follow one after the other.

http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/june-foray

Maria Bamford in Target Ad Campaign

This Target campaign features two sisters (both played by comic, Maria Bamford) who are getting ready for the Target 2-Day Sale: one is an overachieving overachiever who can't wait for 5am, and the other is a frazzled everymom who'll get there when she can.

Quite The Character: Maria Bamford

Here is a collection of twenty short videos under the title "The Maria Bamford Show." Bamford, a stand-up comedian, does some excellent character work, portraying herself, her sister, her mother, her father, a cadre of her high school enemies, and a variety of people from her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota.



http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D4A7B23D87E784A9

An interview with Maria Bamford, part 1:


An interview with Maria Bamford, part 2:

Dave Fox of Z100 Radio in New York

Nick Parker interviews Dave Fox, the Creative Services Director of Clear Channel New York. Dave Fox - Known in some circles as a Prod-god,
is highly regarded as one of the top signature voices in Top 40 radio as the voice of Z100, here he shares his in-sight on radio imaging.

I am not a smoker personally, and do not condemn anyone who does, but Dave Fox credits his voice success to the "cancer stick," although he doesn't recommend it.

Kids, DO NOT TRY THIS IS HOME. Every great voice is NOT a deep voice.

From Weird Al Yankovic to Carl Sagan & Stephen Hawking : Auto-Tune

Weird Al Yankovic helps to explain the history of the software which created the auto-tune effect.


Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking auto-tuned

Pat Fraley and Me

These photos (taken on October 31st) are courtesy of Linda Montana.

" I Love Lunch : The Musical "

I've been fond of lunch, but not like these people.

Grocery Store Musical

Have you ever felt as if you wanted to bust out into song in the middle of a grocery store? You'd feel right at home with these improv players.

Robbie Rist Talks About The Biggest Myth Of Voice Over

Here are some voice over tips by actor Robbie Rist. Robbie talks about the biggest myth of being a voice over artist. http://www.ExploreTalent.com He has voice over credits for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films, television, radio and video games as well.

Continuing Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series

Here are several interviews including multiple ones of Robert Jordan, and his widow and editor Harriet McDougal and bestselling author Brandon Sanderson who speak about how McDougal selected Sanderson to complete the "Wheel of Time" series and how Sanderson first examined the final notes and material left by Jordan. These notes and material have now become "The Gathering Storm," "Towers of Midnight," and "A Memory of Light."

The Gathering Storm goes on sale October 27, 2009.

Bob "Porky Pig" Bergen on Demos

Bob Bergen guides you on "Preparing to Record a Commercial Voice Over Demo". Bob talks about how to choose material, the importance of variety, and promoting your commercial voice over demo once it has been produced.

Expert Bob Bergen on Recording a Commercial Voice Over Demo
Uploaded by voicesdotcom. -

Annette Turns 67

Today is Annette Funicello's 67th birthday and while I don't know here current state of health I want to send good thoughts her way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Funicello

Suzanne Vega sings "Tom's Diner"

On the August 4th, 2003 episode of "The Screen Savers," Suzanne Vega performed "Tom's Diner."

Video Games - E3 2009 - The Screen Savers

Thunderbirds Are Go! Interview with the creator of SuperMarrionation: Gerry Anderson

Leo LaPorte interviews the creator of Supercar, Firebal XL5, Thunderbirds, and Space:1999, Gerry Anderson on The Screen Savers(August 28, 2002.)

Video Games - E3 2009 - TechTV Vault

Think You Know "Fiddler On The Roof?" Watch this . . .

Bob "Porky Pig" Bergen Sings "New York, New York"

I am not certain if Leah Ann Civoli or Patrick Sweeney shot this at VoiceLympics 2009, but here is Bob Bergen, the voice of "Porky Pig" singing "New York, New York."
"

Real or Fake: Answering Machine Message for Maroochydore High School in Queensland, Australia

The following is purported to be an answering machine message on the phone system at Maroochydore High School in Queensland, Australia. Real or fake, it certainly speaks to issues schools, parents, and students need to face.

Bob Bergen Takes His Act On The Road, Again!

Bob Bergen is taking his one-pig, er . . . his one-MAN-show, "So, Here's The Deal" to Chicago where he'll be performing at "IO Theaters Del Close Theater" on October 2nd. It's the tender story of how a nice Jewish kid from Cincinnati moves to Hollywood and becomes the worlds most famous stuttering pig (among other characters.)

I now seen three versions of Bob's show and found it hilarious. He's honed and expanded the show each time. Ask him how the captain of the Norwegian Pearl became part of his show on Deb Munro's VoiceLympic Cruise. For a taste of Bob as Porky Pig, Tweety Pie, Sylvester Jr. and others, watch the trailer:

Spongebob Squarepants Does The Classics!

What happens when the cast of "Spongebob Squarepants" dubs their voices to classic films like "Casablanca," "Singing in the Rain," and "The Godfather?" Watch and find out.

Pat Fraley- Triple Coaching Lesson

Here are three lessons from the actors actor and the voice coaches coach: the Legendary, Pat Fraley. Enjoy as you learn. You can't fail to do both when Pat is the teacher.

Debbie Munro: Being Believeable While Understand Your Client's Needs

Voice Coach/Actor, Debbie Munro, talks about "Understanding Your Client's Needs and Being Believable". In this podcast, Deb shows why you should care about your clients as if their projects were your own. She conveys acting methods to be believable, and how your passion can come through in your read. Deb want voice actors to connect to their characters and their copy effectively and achieve success for themselves and their clients.

Marc Cashman: Practice Makes Perfect

In this example, voice coach Marc Cashman addresses the importance and value of practicing the craft of voice acting. He talks about developing an enjoyable practice regime. His gives examples of how artists, Joshua Bell and Wynton Marsalis, pushed themselves to practice regularly and how you can make use of their procedures.

Ed Cunningham on making a Voice-Over Demo

You've decided it's time. You've honed your craft, studied other voice actors, and you're ready to have your demo produced. Here are some tips from voice-over actor and demo reel producer, Ed Cunningham, as he talks about how an actor should prep for a voice-over demo recording session.This is a 3-part BackStage "Short Cuts" video series.

Oddity from Disney - "A Symposium on Popular Songs"

Professor Ludwig von Drake (voiced by Paul Frees) gives a concert of songs he "wrote" from Rag Time, through the Roaring '20's, and ending in the early '60's. While von Drake's segments are cel animation, the songs are portrayed in stop-motion paper cut-out animation, unusual for Disney. The singers are Skip Farrell, Paul Frees, Billy Storm, and Gloria Wood. Words and music by Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman, arranged and conducted by Camarata.





At 4min 23sec, the Professor introduces "Puppy Love Is Here to Stay" performed by Jackie Babylon and his Babylonians.

In reality, the song was performed by Billy Storm,originally released as Buena Vista 403, circa September 1962 seen and heard here from the Walt Disney Production, "Symposium on Popular Songs", released 19 December 1962. Bill Justice did the stop-motion animation. Enjoy!

Dig That Crazy Stephen Foster ala Stan Freberg

In the wake of Stan Freberg's appearance at Comic-Con International in San Diego, here's an oldie, but a goodie: Rock Around Stephen Foster!

Voice Actor/ Writer Craig Crumpton Speaks Out on "Futurama" Pay Dispute

In his blog, Voice Actors in the News, Craig Crumpton has "An Open Letter to ‘Variety’ and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’" concerning the discrepancies between what the voice actors of "Futurama" were asking and what Fox was offering.

For an enlightening read, go here.

Interviews with June Foray & Paul Winchell on the passing of Hal J. Smith

Actor, Hal J. Smith, died on January 28, 1994, and while he was best known as Otis Campbell, the town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show,Smith was also a voice actor.



He voiced Goofy after Pinto Colvig died and provided the voices of Owl and Winnie-the-Pooh in many of the shorts and feature films. He provided the voices for many characters in Davey and Goliath,he did voices for The Flintstones, and he was the voice of Elmer Fudd after Arthur Q. Bryan died. He reprised his role as Owl and voiced Winnie The Pooh in the Disney Channel's Welcome to Pooh Corner television series to replace longtime actor Sterling Holloway. In 1988's, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh TV series, Smith again played Owl and sometimes he alternated voicing Winnie the Pooh with fellow voice actor, Jim Cummings. In 1991, Smith provided the voice of Philippe the horse in Disney's Beauty and the Beast movie.

What follows are interviews with June Foray and Paul Winchell concerning Smith.

The Queen Speaks

"Did You Grow Up With Me, Too? - The Autobiography of June Foray" has hit the bookstores (or at least Amazon.Com) and will be promoted this weekend by June Foray at Comic-Con International in San Diego. You can find the book here.

Cut! Acting's Middle Class Losing Income.

I was listening to NPR and heard Madeleine Brand interviewing Beth Broderick (Aunt Zelda on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) about how the economy has affected the acting profession. What would you do if you had your pay cut by 4/5ths? To read more or listen to the interview, go here.

Ken Levine has a few comments on actors communicating with writers.

I just finished reading Ken Levine's "Actors: How to give notes to writers" and thought it worthwhile reading, not only for the subjects mentioned, but also for those day-to-day encounters we all experience. Read it here.

Warming up before a recording session

Speaking at PodCamp London, Stephanie Ciccarelli, co-founder of Voices.com, shares tips on caring for your voice and preparing for a recording session.

Memoir of the Queen - June Foray

It looks like we'll soon be able to read the memories of June Foray, the undisputed Queen of Cartoons. According to Mark Evanier's blog, News From Me, the autobiography goes to press this week. With help from Evanier and noted animation historian, Earl Kress, Foray's book promises to be a blockbuster for the voice acting community. Foray will be signing her book at the upcoming Comic-Con International in San Diego where it has been rumored she'll be on a panel with her old friend, the legendary Stan Freberg.

The Genus of Daws Butler

I find myself thinking about Daws Butler a great deal these days. Here's what people who knew him personally had to say about the voice acting innovator.

How To Talk Like Pinky & The Brain

The legendary Rob Paulsen, and phenominal Maurice LaMarche, met at Starbucks in Burbank to have a cup of coffee. One thing led to another and . . .

Two Thumbs "Up" for Pixar's Latest Triumph

Laurie and I saw "UP" this morning and we loved it!

Sure, there was a willing suspension of disbelief, but this film contained many of the same tender and heart rending moments which made "Paladin of the Lost Hour", "It's A Wonderful Life", and "Day of the Dolphin" exceptional. Laurie and I both cried during the first ten minutes and we choked up several times through out the film. And we laughed. . .we howled during several spots in the film. This is a film about life and living, death and dying, and all of the ups and downs in between.

The voice cast is wonderful with Ed Asner as the curmudgeonly Carl Fredricksen, Christopher Plummer as the megalomanical Charles Muntz, and newcomer Jordan Nagai as Russell. Co-director and screenplay writer, Bob Peterson also supplies the voices of dogs,Dug and Alpha. Bob Bergen has told me that he provided the voices of a buncha dogs and a tv announcer.

We both recommend "UP" for ages 9 to 99. Stay through the credits!

Disney/Pixar's "UP"











Up Trailer - Watch more
"UP" Movie Trailer


Up Trailer 3 - Watch more
"UP" Trailer 3

Wayne Anthony Allwine (February 7, 1947 – May 18, 2009) and Russi Taylor

The current voice of Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, was stilled on May 18. The third vocalist for the mighty mouse, Allwine held the title the longest, starting with the New Micky Mouse Club in 1977 and ending with the Nintendo DS game "Kingdom Hearts Three-Five-Eight Days over Two" which he completed before his death. He will be missed.

Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney

Ventriloquism is rapidally becoming a lost art, but I hold out hope that future generations will be inspired by masters of the art when they see examples such as the following:

Harlan Ellison Speaks Up

Harlan Ellison is one of those rare authors who can perform as well as he writes. Here is an interview conducted nearly one year ago by Studio 360's Kurt Anderson. Listen as Ellison has some fun making Anderson squirm a bit.

Acappella Simpsons Theme by Canvas

I caught this on the end credits of tonight's "Simpson's" episode. Arranged by Cason Swindle.

Rob Paulsen & Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier and Rob Paulsen discuss the business of voice acting at Anthrocon 2007

Five of the Biggest Voices in Animation

Mel Blanc as the Frito Bandito

When I was a lad, Frito Lay ran a campaign of commercials for Fritos Corn Chips starring the Frito Bandito, voiced by Mel Blanc. Eventually anti defamation groups forced the character off of the airwaves. Now here, without animosity, are a few of those commercials.

Julie Williams Interviews Stephanie Ciccarelli

Julie Williams discusses with Stephanie Ciccarelli various methods to promote yourself using Internet marketing.

Marc Cashman Gives A Lesson on Interpreting Puncuation

What Are You Waiting For? Call Now! Operators Are Standing By!

Marc Cashman gives a brief lesson on interpreting puncuation placed in copy.

Pat Fraley On Auditions, The Root Canal of Voice Over

Pat Fraley is one of my teachers and is full of great advice. In this 7 minute segment, Pat talks about the bane of actors of every stripe: Auditions.

Bob Bergen Takes His Act On The Road

Bob Bergen is taking his one-pig, er . . . his one-Man-show, "So, Here's The Deal" to New York where he'll be performing at "Don't Tell Mama" on April 22nd and 23rd. It's the tender story of how a nice Jewish kid from Cincinnati moves to Hollywood and becomes the worlds most famous stuttering pig (among other characters.)

I got to see his show in January, 2006 and found it hilarious. I've heard he's honed and expanded the show since then. For a taste of Bob as Porky Pig, Tweety Pie, Sylvester Jr. and others, watch the trailer:

Maurice LaMarche Declares 3/22 "International Talk Like William Shatner Day!"

In honor of William Shatner's 78th birthday on 3/22/09, Maurice "The Brain" LaMarche has declaring March 22nd to be "International Talk Like William Shatner Day!"

LaMarche has created the following video tutorial for our edification, filmed by producer Bill Biggar, on a lengthy drive to the airport on L.A.'s 405 freeway. Enjoy, and remember, it's pronounced "sabotaaj", not, "sabotahj".

Lets Take The Way-Back-Machine to 2007: Harry Shearer

This is a series of clips from an interview conducted by Dave Bookman / 102.1 The Edge with Harry Shearer (voice of many of "The Simpsons" characters) during the time around the release of "The Simpsons Movie."

Behind The Curtain

William Shatner Explains It All In A Recording Session

The following is a recording session with William Shatner getting direction with which he doesn't agree. Shatner and the director have an . . . interesting exchange.

W*A*R*N*I*N*G*! There is adult language including "F**k" spoken by a "Stern" radio host and his female sidekick. Most of this comes after Shatner's portion.

June Foray documentary, Hokey Smoke!

While reading Mark Evanier's blog, News From Me, I came across this reference to a 35 minute documentary on June "Rocky the flying squirrel" Foray set to be released this summer. Narrated by Gary Owens, with comments by Evanier, Leonard Maltin, and others, this promises to be of great interest to fans of the diminutive dame of dynamite.

Monsters vs. Aliens in 3-D

Coming this Sunday during the Super Bowl is a bit of "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3-D. Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan, Rainn Wilson and Hugh Laurie star. The film will be released on March 27th 2009.

Nausicaa - English Voice Work

The following video is from Behind the Microphone: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind




Narrator: Tony Jay
Nausicaä: Alison Lohman
Lord Yupa: Patrick Stewart
Kushana: Uma Thurman
Kurotowa: Chris Sarandon
Mito: Edward James Olmos
Lastelle: Emily Bauer
Asbel: Shia LaBeouf
Mayor of Pejite: Mark Hamill
Obaba: Tress MacNeille
King Jihl: Mark Silverman
Muzu: James Arnold Taylor
Gikuri: Jeff Bennett
Lastelle's Mother: Jodi Benson
Gol: Frank Welker

Voice Actors Billy West & Bob Bergen, behind the scenes on "Bah, Humduck"

The voice and vision of Jim Henson

The world is a better place for Jim Henson sharing his vision, his voice, his heart, and his soul. Let's take a look and listen back over his work.





















Jim Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990)

Listen to "A Boy and his Frog" by Tom Smith

Read the lyrics by Tom Smith

Bob "Porky Pig" Bergen Wednesday on Shokus Internet Radio

Mark Evanier


Over at his wonderful blog, "News From Me," Mark Evanier let us know that the enormously talented Bob Bergen (the nice Jewish boy who grew up to voice Porky Pig) will be appearing on "Stu's Show" on Shokus Internet Radio with Stuart Shostak. Mark reminds us that Shokus Internet Radio is NOT a podcast, so you CANNOT download the show, but MUST listen during the "aired" time from 4 PM to 6 PM Pacific Time, 7 PM to 9 PM Eastern.


Bob Bergen

You might want to check out Bob"s one-man-show "Here's The Deal" and what he has to say about recording a voice-over demo here.

Here is an interview with Bob at ToonZone, Part 1 and
ToonZone, Part 2

Mark has also posted a couple of "Mr. Magoo" commercials for Stag Beer, voiced by the late, great, Jim Backus