Katie Crown gives voice acting audition advice.

Here is the latest installment of videos around the voice over production process and industry. Check back regularly for updates right here on our blog and soon, on iTunes and other platforms, from individuals we have had the pleasure of working with on projects.

These two videos feature actors we have had in the studio, giving their audition advice for aspiring voice actors. Katie Crown shares that you must always know the tone of the project you are working on and how that can lead to success in the booth! In addition, Charlie Bodin gives his audition advice. His tip: take risks. He stresses the importance of reaching above and beyond your comfort zones and not going with the most obvious choice.

Voice actor, author and audio engineer Dan Friedman shares his list of 10 important tips for getting the best efforts and best results from your voiceover sessions.

1. Choose Wisely – Who you choose to deliver your message is the first and possibly most critical decision you’ll make. The voice should personify the attitude and style of your company, product or character and should relate to your target demographic. Keep in mind that the talent should be able to communicate your message quickly and efficiently. Choose a voice talent who can deliver your copy with few mistakes or pickups. Just because audio editing is easier and faster than ever, doesn’t mean extensive editing should be required to get the result you want.

Richard Epcar

Richard Epcar has voiced more than 300 characters, in games, cartoons, and anime, so he’s no stranger to juggling multiple roles. He recently worked on an audiobook where he played the entire cast, and we were curious to know what it was like to have to go back and forth between so many characters. Here’s what Richard had to say:

Voice over casting can be one of the most creatively exciting times in the life of your project. Finding the voices that fit the characters that have been living in your script/storyboards/head makes everything feel like it’s really starting to come to life. At Resnick Interactive, we love watching that moment happen, and we’ve seen it happen over and over during voice over casting sessions.

We know it’s risky to put this information out there on the Internet, but we’re going to reveal the number one secret to finding the perfect voice cast. Are you ready? This is going to blow your mind.

Last month, the whole team at Resnick Interactive ventured over to the studio for a Motion Capture (MOCAP) test for a video game we’ll be working with in the near future. With the help of the always charming JB Blanc, we all had a great day in the studio filled with new technology and lots of eyeliner. Eyeliner? Yep, eyeliner. The MOCAP camera uses dots (in this case, provided by liquid eyeliner) to pick up on and track facial movements. Phillip from MOCAP Design was the lucky gentleman that got to dot eyeliner all over JB’s face. For those of us not getting outfitted with little black dots across our faces, the entire process was pretty hilarious.

While New Yorkers may have to put up with cacophonous and disjointed announcements on their subway systems– where the voice seems to be screaming at them– the British tube has long been understood to be a more civilized system. The tube was made famous thanks in part to its soothing, silver-voiced announcement to please Mind the Gap.

By Ryann Ferguson

We pooled our resources here in the office, as well as your votes from online to put together our top 10 most memorable, most inspirational Voice Over Performances. Ever. Now this is for an iconic single performance. We’ll get to actors with an all around amazing track record next week. From newer performances iconic to younger generations, to unexpected performances from actors we thought we knew, there is no shortage of innovation in voice over performances. Without further delay, we present these memorable performances to you now.

By Ryann Ferguson

What would Shrek be without his Scottish accent? Can you even imagine it? But not only was the character of Shrek NOT Scottish in William Stieg’s original books, (in fact, his name comes from Yiddish) but Mike Meyers very nearly never got the chance to play Shrek.

Several other actors were once considered for the film, including Bill Murray as Shrek with Steve Martin as Donkey. Ultimately, the producers hired comedian Chris Farley, who recorded upwards of 90% of the movie’s dialogue before passing away without completing the role.

Remember when we were limited by the physical nature of recording? Film, tape, vinyl? Yeah, me neither. Many of those forms of technology didn’t die out all that long ago (after all, the first voice overs are still less than 100 years old) and yet, we quickly repressed those memories in favor of the newest, most convenient technology.

From Logic to ProTools to the stuff we carry around in our pockets, advances in technology have increased our ability to create great products, to do so cost-effectively, and to cast the projects efficiently.