Do That Voice!

'Quantum of Solace' Videogame Site Launched

From MI6:

Activision today officially confirmed the videogame adaptation of the upcoming James Bond film "Quantum of Solace", and launched a teaser website to promote the title.
[The website] gives fans access to some early concept artwork from the locations featured in the game, as well as the opportunity to sign-up to the community to vote on polls and ask the development team questions. This site will serve as the hub of activity for the game and will be updated on a regular basis.
Development studios are confirmed as Eurocom, Treyarch, Beenox and Vicarious Visions. The game will be released this Fall. Treyarch are understood to be heading up development on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, with Beenox producing the Nintendo Wii version, and Vicarious Visions working on the hand-held platforms. Eurocom are understood to be developing the PC version.
Speaking about Activision's direction with the 007 licence, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said "Bond is one of the great videogame franchises of all time and that really was a result of GoldenEye 64. I think the key to re-energising the Bond franchise is going to be ultimately the highest possible game quality."
Last November, Activision confirmed a second 007 title was also under development.

Posted by dhvoice at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mmmm, Donuts.

My friend DB Cooper whipped up this clip, with a wee bit o' yakking from yours truly.

Other fine voice talents featured on this clip are Maureen Egan, Philip Banks, Connie Terwiliger, Jeff McNeal, Dylan Guptill, and Mary McKitrick.

Posted by dhvoice at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New Client: Rove Mobile

Happy to have Rove Mobile as a new client; I'll be voicing an introductory video clip for their new application. Rove creates IT and business software for handheld devices.

Posted by dhvoice at 01:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Engineered for Success

Since setting up a MySpace page a few years ago, I've pretty much made it a home for VO networking. It's worked pretty well in that regard for me, and I'd like to think that those MySpacers who've come to me for VO advice have found it worthwhile.

I can't take all of that credit, however. A few months back, a gentleman named Chris Doohan left a comment on my page asking for suggestions on breaking into the voiceover biz.

Given that Mr. Doohan is the son of the late, great James "Scotty" Doohan of Star Trek fame, I half-jokingly advised him that he had something of advantage in breaking into show business. Chris seems to have inherited his dad's good looks and upbeat personality, along with at least a fair measure of his talent, so I figured he could certainly make quick inroads if he wished. I then gave him some general information and wished him well.

Turns out I was right. It didn't take long for Chris to get his VO career going, and a more appropriate first gig I can't imagine: he'll be voicing various characters in a new animated Star Trek series produced by NEO f/x and Farragut Films. While it's not an official Paramount production, the series promises to be true to the style of the original animated adventures, and the voice cast is highlighted by Trek alums Tim Russ (Tuvok on Voyager) and Chase Masterson (Leeta on Deep Space Nine):

So, as I said, I can't take any real credit for Chris' gig. Still, I'm glad he thought highly enough of me to ask for some tips before getting underway.

More info on Starship Farragut, The Animated Episodes here:

NEO f/x and Farragut Films Journey to the Animated Frontier

Posted by dhvoice at 08:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Too Clever for its Own Good?

I came across these creative business cards recently:

Personally, I love it and wish I'd thought of it. On the proverbial other hand, I can see one of these cards being mistaken for a comb. (If you're a VO artist who moonlights as a stylist, then you're in luck.)

Posted by dhvoice at 05:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The VO Industry Has Arrived.

How do I know? Because we're now fodder for The Onion:

Guy Who Says Previously On <i>Heroes</i> Wishes He Was Guy Who Says Previously On <i>Lost</i>

Guy Who Says 'Previously On Heroes' Wishes He Was Guy Who Says 'Previously On Lost'

Gotta love that our fictional VO guy's name ("David Cavanaugh") is the name of a minor character on the series. (Very minor, actually, since he only appears in a deleted scene.)

It's a funny read in any case, but sometimes satire isn't really satire:

"It's a daunting task, especially since you can't rely on such actorly tricks as facial expressions and body language," Cavanaugh said. "All I have is my finely tuned instrument and its subtle tones of honesty and vulnerability that envelope the viewers and make them feel safe and informed."

It's 100% true, even if he's putting it in flowery terms...

For what it's worth, the real "Previously on Lost" VO guy is Andy Geller.

Posted by dhvoice at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Do That Resource!

This little ol' DTV blog gets a feather in its cap from Voices.com; it's listed as one of their 100+ Industry Resources for Voice Over Talent, the latest in their series of VO talent tools.

Thanks to Stephanie and co. for seeing fit to include me; if you agree that DTV has been a valuable resource, I hope you'll pass along my link and subscription information to anyone interested in voiceover.

Posted by dhvoice at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In The Interview Chair - VOD Edition

After several weeks of false starts and reschedules that just couldn't be helped, I finally got together with Terry Daniel and Trish Basanyi as their Voice Overs On Demand Podcast guest. (Here's a direct link to the mp3.)

Honestly, I don't stammer and stutter like that on most days. (Note to self: caffiene is b-b-b-bad for you.) I had a great time nonetheless, and they have my continued thanks for the invite.

Posted by dhvoice at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Brilliant!

Nope, not a Guinness ad, but a PSA for a decidedly less decadent idea. (Courtesy of Cape Town-based advertising blog Cherryflava.)

Ta da - the winner of The Times Young Creatives Competition held at Design Indaba has been announced...and here's the winning ad.

No T&A, no unnecessary stunts, no excessive Photoshop work...in fact no electricity-using computer generated design at all, just a pencil and a simple sheet of paper, all of which took 2 hours from brief to final ad to create.

Jennifer Macfarlane, art director, and Cuan Cronwright, copy writer, of Ogilvy Cape Town who won the competition created their hand-drawn ad without using a computer or any other electrical equipment. The ad was stylishly hand-crafted with a simple pencil and the copy highlighted that 350 watts of electricity was saved by switching the computer off for two hours.

Simple, but thought provoking. The winners head to Zanzibar, and Ogilvy score a full-page in The Times for another pro bono client.

(Link)

Posted by dhvoice at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)