“I feel truly honoured to have been chosen by my peers to receive this esteemed award,” says Douglas.

The Don LaFontaine Legacy Award was introduced for the first time at the 2009 Promax Marketing & Promotion Awards celebration as part of the 54th annual PromaxBDA Conference. The PromaxBDA Awards competition is dedicated to celebrating excellence in marketing, design and creative content in the entertainment industry.

“In a world where one person’s voice has the power to capture the attention of people across the globe, Hal Douglas is a legend,” said Jonathan Block-Verk, president and CEO of PromaxBDA. “Iconic and identifiable, Hal Douglas’ extensive career as a voice-over actor is legendary in its own right spanning across all mediums in the entertainment industry and we are so proud to honour him with the Don La Fontaine Award for this year.”

Hal Douglas was born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1924. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he enrolled in The University of Miami to study Radio and Theatre. Hal began his career as a DJ and on-camera spokesman, eventually moving to New York where he spent ten years producing commercials at several top advertising agencies, before becoming a full-time voice actor. Hal’s storied voice over career includes national commercials, Broadway promotions, documentary narrations and world-renowned movie trailers, as well as countless on-air promos, including his signature voice work at A&E and The WB. More recently, he has enjoyed recording live sessions from his home studio with clients all over the world.

For conference updates follow PromaxBDA on Twitter at PromaxBDA and Facebook at facebook.com/PromaxBDA.

Source: Liza Rindge-Peterson

Entering what he calls “the third act of his career,” he announced on Talkin Toons that, for the first time, he is offering voice over coaching which is available privately via Skype or phone and live in LA.

The chance to learn from Paulsen has been in the hearts and minds of aspiring voice actors for generations as they’ve listened to him give life to a huge array of iconic characters such as Yahkko, Pinky and Dr. Scratch ‘n’ Sniff from The Animaniacs, Pinky from Pinky and the Brain, Raphael from the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Arthur in “The Tick,” title role in “The Mask,” title role in ‘Mighty Max,” Carl Wheezer from “Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius,” Jack Fenton in “Danny Phantom,” Bobble in the “Tinkerbell” – and that’s just to name a few. Having voiced over 2000 animated episodes, Paulsen’s IMDb reads like a novel.

Paulsen also released the news that he will be hosting voice over events across the US and according to his website the first one is slated for June 25-26 in LA.

Visit Paulen’s website Rob Paulsen Live for more details.

Source: Vox Daily

The film stars Jason Segel and Amy Adams. Their characters are on vacation in Los Angeles, when they discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10-million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit the Frog reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. The Muppets reunite to stop an oil tycoon from tearing down their beloved studio.

Walt Disney presents The Muppets on November 23, 2011.

Source: Disney Offical Website / Wikipedia

Guss has represented some of the entertainment industry’s most prominent voice-over performers including Lauren Bacall, Whoopi Goldberg, NFL Films’ voice Harry Kalas, and Jim Birdsall, the voice of CNBC. Guss has worked directly with these and many other celebrity artists to develop their distinctive talent into a marketable, valued commodity.

Alpha Voices offers an elite and comprehensive repertoire of industry knowledge to actors and artists working within the voice-over industry. His services provide voice-over training and technique as well as the critical insight needed to give artists the career guidance they require the most.

Alpha Voices one-on-one training is now being extended to business professionals, communicators and leaders in virtually every field who rely on their public speaking and verbal communications skills.

“In addition to working with actors and voice-over artists, as a one-on-one consultant, I am now able to share my training approach as an enhancement for anyone whose livelihood depends on the spoken word,” said Guss in a statement.

“The need to speak with clarity and confidence is an important asset. By mastering voice-over technique, people can communicate their message with greater control and effect, a skill that will deliver tangible rewards,” he added.

In addition to the commercial voice-over industry, Guss points out that the business world relies on a wide range of digital media to communicate, including podcasts, website and intranet announcements, YouTube presentations, internet conferencing, and even voice mail greetings and phone calls.

For more information about Marc Guss and Alpha Voices, visit www.AlphaVoices.com, Twitter @marcguss, and Alpha Voices on Facebook.

Source: Alpha Voices

Production for the show will begin in the Fall of 2011. The show is set to premiere along side McFarlane’s other popular Fox animated series’ The Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Cleveland Show.

“The Flintstones are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on Fox,” said Reilly. “Fox has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.”

The original series aired for six years from 1960 to 1966 and spent decades in syndication. The show celebrated its 50th birthday on September 30th, 2010. The original Flintstones concept was about the challenges and joys of a regular working-class Stone-Age family and the adventures they had with their next-door neighbors the Rubbles. While the main concept and characters will stay the same McFarlane indicated that the story-lines will be updated for a modern audience , saying “What’s the [prehistoric] version of an iPod?”

“The very first cartoon character I drew at age 2 was Fred Flintstone. So it’s appropriate that events have come full circle, allowing me to produce the newest incarnation of this great franchise,” said McFarlane. “Plus, I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat, stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him,” he adds with his trademark sarcasm.

There is  no official word yet on who will provide the new voices for the iconic characters, but McFarlane will no doubt provide the voiceovers for at least some of the characters. The original cast included voice over greats like Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl, Don Messick, Janet Waldo, John Stephenson and Daws Butler and included Verna Felton, Janet Waldo, and Harvey Korman.

Source: Worldtvpc.com / Wikipedia

Voices.com recently teamed up with a group of voice actors to create a public service announcement for the petition encouraging the Academy of Arts and Sciences to introduce a Voiceover Performance category at the Oscars.

Voice actor Andy Boyns originally brought up the idea of a PSA in a conversation with Voices.com Social Media Manager, Ashley Hall. Together they approached Pablo Hernandez, a voice actor with previous experience creating PSAs, to discuss the idea and assemble a cast.

“This was a collective effort between Pablo, Scott, Andy, Lori, Doug and myself. I am extremely pleased with the support and enthusiasm we have received from the voiceover community in regards to the Oscar Voiceover Petition,” says Ms. Hall. “All of the voiceover talent involved with this PSA project are so talented and creative. What a great group of people to work with!”

The PSA is a volunteer effort with one common goal in mind, to achieve recognition at the Oscars for the actors who give outstanding performances off-camera.

Scott Fortney, voice talent and PSA Producer, asks, “If you can get an award for sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, art direction and makeup, why are voice actors’ contributions ignored? Try watching “Toy Story 3″ with the sound muted. Not such a great story without the voice actors to bring the characters to life, is it?”

The petition is going strong with 675 signatures. Voices.com hopes to reach 2000 signatures in time to present the idea for consideration before next year’s nominations are considered and the respective nominees are announced.

A true testament to the age of the Internet the project came into fruition with participants from far and wide including Puerto Rico, the UK, Canada and the USA.

Pablo Hernandez indicated, “Everything was done via e-mail and via private messages on Facebook. The entire collaboration process was really easy, all the voice actors and voice actress involved in the project are all voice over professionals that work on {these kinds} of projects.”

Click here to download the Oscars Petition PSA.

To view the petition, visit: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/oscarspetition/

Cast and Credits:

Pablo Hernandez (Executive Producer & Copywriter)
Scott Fortney (VO talent & Audio Producer)
Andy Boyns (VO Talent)
Lori Taylor (VO Talent)
Doug Warner (VO Talent)

Source: Vox Daily

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is kicking off its annual June Audiobook Month with a “Get Caught Listening” viral video contest. The contest encourages audiobook fans to get creative with their love for audiobooks in a fun, engaging video of three minutes or less using the “Get Caught Listening theme.” The APA will release the winning video to the web with the hope that it will go viral and generate awareness about audiobooks.

Entries must be submitted by May 15th. Judges will narrow it down to ten finalists. Each of the 10 Finalists will receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to Audible.com, courtesy of Audible.com.

Fan Favorite voting will begin June 1st. Winners will be announced on June 27th. There are three cash prizes to be won:

• $5,000 cash prize
• $2,500 cash prize
• $1,000 cash prize

For official rules and entry forms, click here.

About APA

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade association that advocates the common, collective business interests of audio publishers. The APA consists of audio publishing companies and allied suppliers, distributors, and retailers of spoken word products and allied fields related to the production, distribution, and sale of audiobooks.

Formed in 1987 the APA was created to:

• Advocate high production value and advise on industry-specific technical standards;
• Serve as a networking, educational, and information forum for its members;
• Deliver programs and services that serve the common business interests for its members; and
• Promote policies and activities that accelerate audiobook industry growth.

APA sponsors The Audies® an annual Awards Gala for audiobook excellence and APAC, the annual audiobook industry conference.

Source: Audio Publishers Association

Additional newcomers to the all-star lineup are Jeremy Renner, Aziz Ansari and Wanda Sykes. Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez are also rumored to be joining the cast. Returning are cast regulars Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck.

In “Ice Age: Continental Drift” Manny, Diego, and Sid embark on their greatest adventure yet after cataclysm sets an entire continent adrift. Separated from the rest of the herd, they use an iceberg as a makeshift ship, and are launched on an epic seafaring quest to find the others. Manny and the gang are challenged like never before to become heroes and do the impossible, as they encounter Shira, Ethan, Walter, Gutt, and Marlenne. During the journey Shira falls in love with Diego as the animals explore a brave new world, and battle ruthless pirates and their captain, Marco.

Ice Age: Continental Drift is expected to hit theaters on July 13, 2012.

Check out the movie trailer on YouTube.

Source: RTTNews

Daniel McKeague, a radio sales manager from Minnesota, was awarded the gig as the new voice of the Aflac duck.

His first television commercial debut as the Aflac duck will air during Tuesday’s premiere of NBC’s new singing competition show “The Voice.”

The commercial is a 30-second spot featuring the duck in a breakdancing competition with a pigeon, and a single Aflac quack. McKeague’s compensation was not disclosed, however Voices.com suggests a rate of $2,000 for a single national commercial.

Considering former spokesduck Gilbert Gottfried uttered the quack in over fifty commercials since the year 2000 this has the potential to be quite lucrative for the father of three.

The public got their first taste of McKeague’s take on the duck in a video released online with Aflac Chief Executive Dan Amos offering the 36-year-old the job.

Check out the video on YouTube: http://bit.ly/e74riY

Source: Reuters

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Division, Yankovic also narrated his book and published his latest work ” When I Grow Up” via HarperAudio. A trailer for the audiobook can be viewed on YouTube, giving the listening audience an excerpt of the story’s exuberant eight-year-old protagonist as he catalogs his dream jobs.

Yankovic dedicated “When I Grow Up” to his young daughter. When HarperCollins asked what his daughter thought of the book, Yankovic joked, “She doesn’t care for it. But she thinks it’s a decent first effort. No, of course she loves it. (If she didn’t, I would have swiftly removed the dedication!)…. Nina particularly loved listening in on headphones while I was editing my recording of the audiobook—sometimes she even helped me pick takes. So I get a thumbs-up—I’d say I’m definitely one of her top five favorite children’s authors.”

Harper Collins describes Yankovic’s newest creation as “Virtuoso wordplay, irresistible rhythm, and laugh-out-loud humor abound in the first picture book by the one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic. This unbridled celebration of creativity and possibility invites readers of all ages to consider afresh what they want to be when they grow up.”

Source: HarperCollins Children’s