I Want YOU...
...to hear about Peter O'Connell's new gig as the voice of Uncle Sam for Tops Friendly Markets. Kudos are in order for this first-class voice talent and audio producer. Well done!
July 20, 2008
July 05, 2008
007 Status: Revoked
Looks like I'm out. Daniel Craig has apparently agreed to voice Bond in the new game.
I don't blame the producers one bit for securing Craig as he became available. The original audition was for voice matches for Craig and other principals, and the fact that they looked for non-union actors like myself probably means the stars were too pricy; considering that Activision also now has Judi Dench on board, money doesn't appear to be an issue for them any longer.
I'd be less than honest if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I understand how these things work. Life goes on.
June 13, 2008
Ouch.
Turns out I have more in common with Daniel Craig than just a similar vocal quality:
Daniel Craig Injured While Filming Bond
The report states that Craig "sliced the tip off of one of his fingers during the shooting of an action scene". As it happens, years ago I sliced the tip off of one of my fingers during the shaving of an action figure.
"Huh?" You're no doubt asking. Long story short: Once upon a time, customizing action figures was a hobby of mine. An attempt to slice away some excess plastic from one such superhero resulted an errant slip with an Exacto knife. (If you've never had the pleasure, I can guarantee you that a brand-new Exacto blade is sufficiently sharp as to cut flesh without any pain --- at least for a few seconds, after which the pain pretty much leaves no doubt you've been cut. I do not recommend the experience.)
An ER doc managed to sew the disc-shaped piece of skin back where it belonged, but it would literally be one year before the nerves healed completely.
I'm sure you'll agree that all this is further proof as to why I'm a perfect substitute for Daniel Craig.
/sarcasm off
June 06, 2008
MobileAdmin VO
May 21, 2008
Stifler's Mom and Hot Fuzz
I spent Wednesday playing a cop in this movie ("Ex-Terminators").
9:30 call time. As has been the case on pretty much every film shoot I've been on, this meant finally getting into wardrobe around 10:45. Hurry up and wait, background peons!
The clouds had already broken, sending plenty of sunshine and humidity down on everyone and everything. Okay, please put on these head-to-toe black polyester costumes.
"This is Papa Bear. Put out an APB for a male suspect, driving a... car of some sort, heading in the direction of, uh, you know, that place that sells chili. Suspect is hatless. Repeat, hatless." Thus spake Police Chief Clancy Wiggum.
Fellow beat cop Ro Black. Smart, opinionated and funny. You saw her here first.
Chief of Internal Medicine or the Baddest Police Chief Ever? The name tag reports, you decide.
Lots of takes in the not-so-well-air-conditioned church, followed by lots more takes in the less-well-air-conditioned outdoors. Heather Graham was nice to everyone, but seemed not to be feeling well and wasn't necessarily approachable. A cardinal rule of background work is that you don't pester stars while on set, although this rule is often bent.
Ended the day on a good note. Jennifer Coolidge --- aka "Stifler's Mom" in American Pie --- was gregarious and friendly even when she didn't have to be, and after a ten-hour shoot in the aforementioned soupy heat at that. Earlier, after a "CUT" while shooting the processional scene, she playfully chided the director: "Why don't I get to have a husband? Maybe I'll marry this cop", pointing to me. I held up my ringed finger and lamented "Well, I'm kind of taken already." (A nearby co-star didn't miss a beat in replying "You'd be perfect for her, then.")
No, I didn't run off with her, but she was kind enough to pose for a pic.
No, I didn't run off with her, but she was kind enough to pose for a pic.
We shoot again this Sunday. The fake Police Station will, one hopes, have better climate control. Watch for the update.
May 07, 2008
'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.
May 05, 2008
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.
April 25, 2008
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
More info on Starship Farragut, The Animated Episodes here:
NEO f/x and Farragut Films Journey to the Animated Frontier
January 24, 2008
OmniTraderPro - Video Clip
Here's a TV Spot I did last year. Just now got the clip from the client.
January 08, 2008
And This Little MI6 Agent Went...
Wii Wii Wii.
Okay. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me after that, take a look at the latest news in the 007 videogame saga:
Beenox Confirms Nintendo Wii Version
January 07, 2008
Final Week!
We're having a terrific run, but now it's crunch time.
Voting in the Unofficial NBC News Voice-Off ends on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. ET. If you haven't done so yet, click here and log a vote for your pal Dave Houston --- yes, that'd be me --- in the comments. Feel free to pick two other voices, but you know they don't love ya like I do. ;)
Once you're done, just do me one more teensy solid and pass this along...
Voting in the Unofficial NBC News Voice-Off ends on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. ET. If you haven't done so yet, click here and log a vote for your pal Dave Houston --- yes, that'd be me --- in the comments. Feel free to pick two other voices, but you know they don't love ya like I do. ;)
Once you're done, just do me one more teensy solid and pass this along...
November 22, 2007
Cat Officially Out of Bag.
Looks like the news is out elsewhere, so it might as well be out here as well:
MI6 News: David Houston to provide voice for James Bond in new videogame
According to several sources, voice-over actor David Houston will be providing the voice of James Bond in the upcoming 007 videogame from Activison. MI6 understands that Daniel Craig will be providing his likeness to the digital 007. [More...]
Vox Daily has also published the news.
Seems there's some negative reaction among die-hard Bond fans at the MI6 forums. If I recall correctly, however, several fervent 007 fans were also dead certain that Daniel Craig was a terrible choice...before Casino Royale was released. He's now quite the fan favorite.
At any rate, I'm simply hoping the rest of the production comes off without a hitch --- according to the studio, the Bond 22 film won't be affected by the WGA strike as I indicated previously --- so that fans can judge the final product. Still very excited about the gig, and looking forward to the sessions.
October 03, 2007
Big Fish Update
The big videogame gig is in limbo, but still moving forward.
The original recording dates (set for last week, in Los Angeles) were put on hold, due to some technical and/or managerial issues...which, as at least one game-developer friend confirms, occur fairly frequently in the industry. My agent assures me that I'm still hired as the lead voice, so it's just a matter of waiting for the go-ahead.
I normally wouldn't bother writing (or even worrying) about a gig offer that gets delayed, but this game is going to be a huge release on the major gaming consoles (Xbox 360, PS3) ...and could (potentially) strap a rocket to my little voiceover career. Hopefully the go-for-launch will be issued soon.
September 14, 2007
Big Fish Landed
I can't go into all the details at this time, but I've just landed the lead voice acting role in a major upcoming videogame (based on a long-running movie franchise). More info as it comes, or at least as it's allowed.
May 31, 2007
New TV Spot
If you're interested, I'll be heard soon on a new TV spot for OmniTrader PRO software; it should air on CNBC in various cable markets. Happy to have them as a client.
May 10, 2007
Great! Now do it like Newt Gingrich.
Specs provided for a recent audition:
[male, age range 40-55, caucasian & african american talent, no dialects or ethnic sound, lower register - Dennis Hasert was referenced authoritative yet warm, sincere, reassuring, compassionate paternal sounding - but without sound old a "we'll help you take care of this" kind of sound / read without being saccrine-y.]Just before my brain finished processing the question "why the hell do they want me to sound like (former Speaker of the House) Dennis Hastert?", I recognized that they were asking for the smooth tones of actor Dennis Haysbert.
I'm hoping that VOs everywhere aren't trying to dig up reference audio of the first guy.
December 22, 2006
Turning the Tables on Fate
Opportunity does knock, but sometimes --- no, make that all the time --- you need to flip the script and go knocking on opportunity’s door.
I was looking through online job postings a short while back when I saw an ad looking for “freelance writers with an expertise in gaming”. Now, while I do fancy myself a decent writer and have played more than my share of videogames over the last, um, two decades or so, this wasn’t really the kind of gig I was looking for. However, one of the job duties in the ad caught my eye:
“…Drafting a script for our voice talent.”
I immediately drafted an email asking if that voice talent would be hired directly, and stating that if so, I’d be ready and available. I think my query took them by surprise, but it led immediately to an audition and --- one week later --- a gig. I’ll be voicing tutorials for a number of highly popular online games (including some MMORPGs, for those of you who speak “gamer”).
It just goes to prove the adage that you’ve got to go find the gigs; to sit around hoping that they’ll find you is to very nearly ensure that they won’t.
I was looking through online job postings a short while back when I saw an ad looking for “freelance writers with an expertise in gaming”. Now, while I do fancy myself a decent writer and have played more than my share of videogames over the last, um, two decades or so, this wasn’t really the kind of gig I was looking for. However, one of the job duties in the ad caught my eye:
“…Drafting a script for our voice talent.”
I immediately drafted an email asking if that voice talent would be hired directly, and stating that if so, I’d be ready and available. I think my query took them by surprise, but it led immediately to an audition and --- one week later --- a gig. I’ll be voicing tutorials for a number of highly popular online games (including some MMORPGs, for those of you who speak “gamer”).
It just goes to prove the adage that you’ve got to go find the gigs; to sit around hoping that they’ll find you is to very nearly ensure that they won’t.