New Peanuts Voices
November 3, 2008
Barack Obama, John McCain … or Linus?
In a batch of 20 new webisodes, Charlie Brown and the gang have been brought back to animated life, much in the style of their classic holiday TV specials. But Lucy, Snoopy and others have been remade for the Web in 3- to 4-minute videos taken directly from classic 1964 comic strips.
In one of them, Linus runs for class president, only to be bedeviled by a controversial skeleton from his past: his strident belief in his Halloween hero, the Great Pumpkin.
Linus pleads: “In my administration, children will be children and adults will be adults!”
James Earl Jones To Receive 2008 SAG Lifetime Achievement Award
October 21, 2008
Photo Credit Bibiana Huang Matheis
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced today that James Earl Jones, whose acting prowess and iconic voice are world-renown, will receive the Guild’s most prestigious accolade—the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Jones will be presented the Award, given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession,” at the “15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®,” which premieres live on TNT and TBS Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. MT.
In making today’s announcement, SAG President Alan Rosenberg said, “James Earl Jones’ distinguished career on stage, in film, on television, in commercials and as a vocal presence without peer commands our admiration and respect. His long and quiet devotion to advancing literacy, the arts and humanities on a national and local scale deserves our appreciation. It is our honor to bestow the Guild’s highest tribute on this extraordinary actor.
Igor the Engineer Scores Celebrity Voice Cast
October 17, 2008
Animated movies are great money spinners, with children insisting that their parents not only take them to see the film but also buy them the merchandise and movie tie-ins.
So it’s not surprising that an increasing number appear to be getting made.
With the animation studios of Pixar and Dreamworks cornering the market, Igor, which has nothing to do with either, comes as a breath of fresh air.
The story revolves around Igor (voiced by John Cusack), the hunchback assistant of evil scientist Dr Glickenstein (John Cleese).
Sam Hornish Jr. Voices Roary the Racing Car on PBS
October 11, 2008
Sam Hornish Jr. Voicing Roary the Racing Car
What’s a guy do after winning the Indianapolis 500 and three IndyCar Series championships?
Narrate a kids show about a racecar, of course.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be anything that was going to make me rich,” said Sam Hornish Jr., narrator of PBS’ “Roary the Racing Car,” launching Monday on PBS Kids Sprout. “But I’m a big kid myself.”
Don Madison Studies Voice-Over By Phone From Iraq With Voice Coaches
October 7, 2008
What’s a retired military man, now working for a private contractor in a war-torn country, to do with his down time? If he’s Pensacola resident Don Madison, currently residing in Baghdad, Iraq, he trains to become a professional Voice Actor.
Would it be easier to wait until he’s done with his work overseas to take on a new challenge like this?
After all many people put their dreams on the back burner for reasons far less substantial than being half a world away.
Madison says, “I’m a big believer in not putting things off until later. I tell my kids ‘there’s no time like the present.’ What kind of father would I be if I didn’t set the example?”
VOICE FOR HIRE by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe’ Book Release September 30th, 2008
September 17, 2008
The launch date for Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe’s book highly anticipated book “Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs” is quickly approaching and will soon be found in stores across the US.
Whether a beginner thinking about getting into voice over, a part-time pro with a day job, or a seasoned professional, the authors promise that the book has something for everyone.
Following the release of the book on September 30th, 2008, Thomas and Rofe’ will be making several public appearances on their book tour including stops in Los Angeles, New York City, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Audio Theater for the Troops, Neil Kaplan Needs Your Votes
September 12, 2008
Voice actor Neil Kaplan is a man on a mission, and his mission is to bring audio theater to the US Armed Forces serving overseas.
Find out how you can help!
Voice Over Community Invited to Reach Out to Don LaFontaine’s Family
September 8, 2008
Grieving members of the voice over community are being invited to send an email to the family of Don LaFontaine expressing their condolences to be printed and presented to the LaFontaines.
Don LaFontaine’s Voice Silenced at 68
September 3, 2008
Photo of Don LaFontaine in 2007, Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press
Don LaFontaine, who brought his sonorous, ominous, melodramatic baritone to so many thousands of movie trailers, commercials and television promos that he became known in the industry as “the voice of God,” or just “the V.O.G.,” died Monday near his home in Los Angeles. He was 68.
His death was confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley. The official cause has not been released.
In a 33-year career Mr. LaFontaine did voice-overs for more than 5,000 movie trailers, 350,000 commercials and thousands of television promos, including dozens of “Next week on ‘E.R.’ “ spots.
Unite For Strength Aims to Merge SAG and AFTRA
August 28, 2008
Isn’t it a lovely day for a merger, dear?
How many times have you heard people say that they wish the performers unions SAG and AFTRA would merge?
The Screen Actors Guild is in the midst of electing a number of new members to the SAG Board of Directors, and fortunately for those in favor of merger, there is a slate of 31 television stars, journeymen, background performers, stunt performers, and voice over artists who are gunning for just that as they run for seats on the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors.
Unite For Strength desires to unite performers at the bargaining table once and for all.
