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All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘female voice over’

Audio for business…what’s that all about? 0

Man with business card

Business networking and voice over services!

When I meet people at general networking events and they ask me what I do for a living, my answer is of course ‘voice over artist’.  However, invariably they will look slightly perplexed, then follow with a question something along the lines of ‘what’s that all about then?’, quickly followed by ‘oh yes, commercials!’ as this is commonly what a voice over is best known for.  Being a voice over at such events usually causes interest, as the chances are there won’t be many others in the room. Conversely, you can also see their faces wonder what on earth I’m doing there…I mean, they don’t know anyone that makes commercials….

As I go on to explain the types of voice over work that I get involved with, their eyes begin to register on an increasing scale…corporate or website video narration, on-hold messaging, voicemail, e-learning, podcasts…You see, all of these are what I call business audio, and indeed, audio is playing an ever growing part in the world of business…

Website video is something that most companies can now relate to, as they are either in the process of incorporating video onto their website, or already have video.

More and more companies have upgraded their telephony systems to include either on-hold messaging, or IVR prompt/auto attendant systems, for both call management and on-hold marketing messages.  Or, maybe even those voicemail prompts they hear as they check to see if they’ve got any messages since they left the office 30 minutes ago!  Oh yes, and wasn’t that a sat nav they used to find the venue?  That was a voice over too…

Equally, more and more companies and their training or HR departments have Audio-based e-learningembraced the adoption of e-learning materials, which can often have audio content. This is recognised as being an effective method of learning; audio appeals particularly to those who are auditory (and therefore increases engagement for a greater number of learners); but also audio is something that can be listened to on-the-go, or during down time, and is often more cost-effective than conventional training.

Or it could be that the organisation produces regular podcasts for its staff, particularly the larger companies who want to disseminate information in a more informal and engaging way to their staff.

Audio for business…so, now we know ‘what that’s all about’!

Posted on: 01-13-2012
Posted in: Business Audio, Industry Articles, Voice Over General

Not a ‘big fat gob of maximum crapulosity’! 0

The Books of Zyzagarus – Parallel Lines:
New fantasy fiction audio book

Audio book - Parallel LinesOver the past year I have had the pleasure of voicing the female characters in the first of a new, exciting six-part fantasy fiction radio play style audio book (CD) and MP3 download from new author, Dean Cook.

I was delighted to play two very different characters; the very regal Queen Gertrude, who has a penchant for emitting green snot from her nasal passages at the most inopportune moments. The second is the aptly titled Minxe, a volatile but vulnerable young girl with a feisty demeanor who doesn’t suffer fools gladly!

A word of warning: swearing and adult humour – not for the faint-hearted!

However, The Books of Zyzagarus does comes with a pre-warning. The material contains adult themes, swearing and humour that some readers and listeners may find offensive.

To every generation is born a child. The Mentor passes on secret knowledge to the child through the Books of Zyzagarus. These books help the child grow and take his place as the Guardian of the Parallels. But something has gone wrong for this generation’s child remains lost. The hunt for the Books of Zyzagarus will save lives and is but one chaotic adventure away…

A short promo video can be seen/heard here:

The Books of Zyzagarus – Parallel Lines is available to buy as both CD and mp3 download here

Visit Lindsay’s Audio Book page and listen to samples
Read other audio book related articles

If you’d like to be kept informed as and when this becomes available, please sign up to my mailing list, and you will received notification, along with further releases and updates on other work I’m doing.

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Posted on: 01-3-2012
Posted in: Audio Books, Featured Projects, Voice Over General

The ‘radio play’ style audio book on the rise? 0

The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks

The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks: a children's audio book narrated by Lindsay Abbott

When I was asked to provide the narration and all of the character voices for a new audio book, but in the style of a radio play, it seemed to me that there may be a growing trend in this kind of project. I had recorded a similar type of audio book a while back, The Books of Zyzagarus, by Dean Cook, which was enormous fun…but more of that one in another blog post..

Generally, audio books tend to be straight audio narration pieces.  Any character voicing tends to be very much part of the narration.

So what’s the definition of a ‘radio play style audio book’ that sets it apart from the standard audio book?  The best way to explain it is that the characters speak as if taking part in a radio play, including voicing various bits of character ‘business’ and atmospherics that enhance the script, accompanied by a narrator, but includes a full soundtrack, and some amazing sound effects, almost akin to a full cinematic production in sound quality – like sitting in a cinema but without the visuals!

As Lee Pritchard, (Media Music Now) and producer of my latest audio book, The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks, by Declan Harney, spoke about in his own blog  post recently, not every audio book production is able to work on this kind of scale as they are particularly time intensive, and usually a little more costly due to the high production values of the project.

On the other hand, they are considerably more economical than using a large scale production team involving a multitude of professionals, including several voice overs rather than one! It took just 3 of us; the author, the producer, and myself as the voice over. That said, it’s hard work, but the end result is usually worth it.

Audio book publisher Tales4allThe audio CD version of The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks, by Declan Harney, and independently published by Tales4All  is now available instore and online from Waterstones, WH Smiths, and of course, Amazon.

Take a sneak listen to this short promo:

The second book in the Treebobs series, The Treebobs and the Runaway Cauldron, is now in progress. If you’d like to be kept informed as and when the next book becomes available, please sign up to my mailing list, to receive notification, along with further releases and updates on other work I’m doing.

Sign up to Newsletter!

Read about the launch of The Dizzy Broomsticks
Visit Lindsay’s Audio Book page and listen to samples
Read other audio book related articles

 

 

Posted on: 01-3-2012
Posted in: Audio Books, Industry Articles, Voice Over General

The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks now available! 0

The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks

The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks: a children's audio book narrated by Lindsay Abbott

Listen to preview here

The latest children’s audio book I’ve voiced has now been published. The launch of The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks is the first in a series of 19 audio books. You can listen to a short promo above to hear what I’ve been up to, cackling away as I have been in the booth a few weeks ago!

In the audio book, written by Declan Harney, and produced by Lee Pritchard, you’ll hear me voicing a multitude of characters surrounding the tale of the Dizzy Broomsticks, featuring the awful witches Rotten Rena, Badlot Barbara (where you can hear her ‘blasting off with Bab’s Brooms!), Vixen Vera, Nasty Nina, Evil Edwina, and Mad Marge; plus all the Treebob folk and forest characters; Treebob Bluebell, Foxglove Philip, Treebob Jazz  (yes I do blokes as well lol!), Blossom Belinda, and Bindweed Belle.

So, what’s it about then? Well, without giving too much away, here is the descriptive preview:

Mischief and magic abound when fairies and Treebobs team up to stop two wicked witches from running a broomstick shop in the magical forest, with quite dizzying results!

Audio book publisher Tales4allThe audio CD version of The Treebobs and the Dizzy Broomsticks, published by Tales4All , is now available instore and online from Waterstones, WH Smiths, and of course, Amazon.

With 19 books in the Treebobs series, we’re going to be busy at voicey towers capturing the magic world of the Treebobs!  We’re in the middle of  voicing and producing the second book in the Treebobs series, The Treebobs and the Runaway Cauldron.

If you’d like to be kept informed as and when this becomes available, please sign up to my mailing list, and you will received notification, along with further releases and updates on other work I’m doing.

Sign up to Newsletter!

 

Posted on: 12-14-2011
Posted in: Audio Books, Featured Projects, Voice Over General

How do you create corporate video? 0

corporate video filming
Mugshot Media filming a corporate video

It’s magic isn’t it, creative stuff? There’s often a perception that anything creative is sprinkled with fairy dust and magically appears with minimal effort!

As a voice over, I often get asked to work with video production companies to provide the narration for corporate video.

So, I wanted to find out about what’s involved in making that magic video appear. I asked Mark Pirrie of Mugshot Media to give me a breakdown of the step-by-step process. I wonder if a voice over is in this list somewhere…?

VIDEO PRODUCTION PROCESS

Concept

  • What is the purpose and objectives for the video?
  • What do you want the video to achieve?
  • What should it look like?
  • What should it feel like?
  • Who is the audience?
  • Whats the output?: TV/DVD or web etc

Cost and finalisation

  • Agree cost based on concept requirements
  • Agree final brief
  • Agree style, number of film days, cameras, locations, etc.

Pre Production  

  • Key Message session
  • Script  creation / review
  • Storyboard
  • Shot list creation
  • Agree locations/ logisitics (overnight stay)
  • Hire/ cast presenters/ actors / voice over – yay!

Production 

Actual storyboard and shot list creation resulting from pre-production planning.

Post production

Enter VOICEOVER, stage right!
  • Offline/online edit of film
  • Voice over narration added, if used
  • Bespoke transitions
  • Audio mastering, node-work and EQ
  • Image grading
  • Render & export
  • Compression for final output dvd or internet streaming

Output

  • Final encoding and exporting of approved film
  • Upload all film to the video server platform.
  • Film delivered in web ready format , DVD or TV output
  • Ongoing provision of film viewings metrics reporting

That’s some list!  I hope you spotted the bit whre the voice over comes in stage right?!  Of course, not all videos incorporate voice over narration, but that’s another blog post!

Some video companies, such as Mugshot Media, provide a range of options reflected in the price, to suit budget and needs. 

As a whole new wave of potential clients look to feature online video in their marketing mix, hopefully this gives some insight as to what’s involved in the actual process. It may appear like magic at the end but, for clients who want a professional job, a considerable amount of time and work has gone into it!

To hear samples of Lindsay’s corporate narration work CLICK HERE

Many thanks to contributor Mark Pirrie from Mugshot Media :>)

 

 

Posted on: 10-27-2011
Posted in: Business Audio, Corporate Video, Industry Articles, Voice Over General

Lindsay’s Voice Over Channel on You Tube 0

Some of my work as a voice over artist is now available over on my You Tube channel, featuring commercials, corporate narration, and product demonstrations that I’ve voiced.

Just click on this link ‘Voiceoverfemale‘ to watch.

Here is just one of the many examples you’ll find there:

Press ‘You Tube’ to visit my channel

CLICK HERE to visit MY VOICE OVER DEMOS PAGE on this website

Posted on: 08-1-2011
Posted in: News, Voice Over General

‘Err…That’s my line…’ 0

During a recent e-learning voice over job at external studio with a couple of voice over colleagues, our producer very deftly justified our fees to the client before we started work: ‘We only use professional voice artists, they know how to interpret text, are so much faster and more efficient at getting the job done’…

All was going rather too well…until I got into a wee bit of a lather over the word ‘salicylic acid’… ‘salicysic’…’salysic’…’sasylic’…it went on…you get the idea..

Just as I was starting to get somewhat vexed at my seeming ineptitude, my fellow voice over colleague leaned over, cleared his throat and informed me quietly: ‘I think you’ll find that’s my line…’

‘OH’? Indeed… !

 

 

Posted on: 07-18-2011
Posted in: News, Voice Over General

Voice Over Studio Upgrade 0

I’m very pleased to announce that I’ve recently upgraded my studio, to include not only my shiny new Neumann TLM103, but a new booth and acoustic treatments. Yes, I’ve been buried under panelling, some lovely burgundy foam, and wiring, for weeks in the heat but have now surfaced! …Shame about my photography skills…doesn’t quite do it justice but Picture of Neumann microphone and voiceover boothyou get the idea…! Just as well I’m a voice over, eh?

To find out more, and to listen to a short demo, please check out my new Studio page.

Posted on: 07-18-2011
Posted in: News

Ahem…’Is That A Frog In Your Voice Over, Madam?’ 0

When reading a recent blog post by another voice over artist on pausing

Frog

Never have a 'frog' in your throat!

for breath during a voiceover read, I was reminded of a session I once did not so long back with the client present in the adjacent listening booth. On that day I had the misfortune to be recovering from a cold/cough.

‘Does she normally do that?’ enquired the client during my unintentional impression of Eartha Kitt with a frog in her throat. ‘Oh, no, Lindsay’s just a bit gravelly today, she’s had a cough’ replied the sound producer…’Can we just do a couple of pick-ups Lindsay?’. ‘No problem’ I said…or perhaps I should have retorted: ‘Shall I pick up from where the ‘frog’ left off then?’ Tip for voiceovers…as part of your training, you must learn the technique of never developing a cold…and certainly, never a ‘frog’….

Posted on: 07-6-2011
Posted in: News, Voice Over General

New corporate promotional video: Rowan International 0

I was asked to voice a promotional video for corporate clients Rowan International, specialists in international sales. They wanted a friendly, warm female voice. ‘Strawberries and cream’ was one comment on the end result. I don’t know about that, but given we’re in the midst of the Wimbledon tennis fortnight, I was reminded of this one amongst the batch I’ve recently recorded:

Featured Project: Corporate Video for Rowan International
Posted on: 06-22-2011
Posted in: Corporate Video, Featured Projects
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The impact of using Voice Over by Lindsay Abbott

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