7/22/2010 – Scam Update: Voices.com Suspended ‘Con Artist’ Account, by Scott Lumley
An online scam running through the voice over community apparently began with a job posting on Voices.com in early May. It’s now evident that the job poster – Charles Thamesmead or Frank Mayfield … several names are involved here – didn’t really want to hire a voice talent. Rather, the goal was to collect names and email addresses for conducting the scam. VoiceOverXtra asked Voices.com for a comment, and Scott Lumley, Job Postings Manager, details the scam
My latest podcast is now ready 4 U!CORRECTION to Link
Correction to the podcast link! Here’s today’s podcast line-up. Christmas in July (!?) rant, Part 2 of the children’s audiobook narration – The Tale of Miss Kitty The modernisation of Libraries, AND, iTunes apps of the week You can have a listen here: http://ipad.io/MAV Cheers!
My latest podcast is now ready 4 U!
Looks like I’m getting a little more confident at podcasting! Here’s today’s podcast line-up. Christmas in July (!?) rant, Part 2 of the children’s audiobook narration – The Tale of Miss Kitty The modernisation of Libraries, AND, iTunes apps of the week You can have a listen here: http: //ipad.io/MAV Cheers! (The picture is of sculpture on side of building housing a Chinese restaurant)
Mini-Review of My All Time Favorite Studio Microphone
Yup. It don’t get much better than this bad boy. You can preach Neumann all you want, but unless you’re talking up a U89 (at THREE times the price), there’s NO more flexible large diaphragm condenser than the AKG C 414 XLS. Let’s take a look at this brand new revision of a studio staple that’s been around for over forty years!
I’ve Been Recycled!
…add to that list: “Re-Purposed”…and “Relieved“! It’s been months since I did the voice of a nerdy little robot for a NASA animation video detailing U.S. astronauts’ return to the moon. The project was very clever and a lot of fun. And of course it was also immediately redundant once funding for any further moon missions was scrapped recently. Mind you, the client paid for my work…no complaints
Lunchin’ with the VO Ladies
Today was fun! I did some recording in the morning for Hilton, State Farm and some others, and then actually had a chance to venture out of the booth and head out to have lunch with my voiceover pals, Connie Terwilliger from San Diego and Larissa Gallagher a transplanted Aussie visiting the area by way of Washington, from D.C., where she’s lived for 3 years. And did we “talk shop”? Only a little bit. A lot of laughs, too. Thanks, ladies! I had a wonderful time.
Spanish Buzz
If you’ve seen Toy Story 3 you know that one of the most fun moments takes place when Buzz Lightyear get’s set into “Spanish mode.” This interview with Javier Fernadez-Peña was done by Voice123.com, the site that played a role in his casting as “Spanish Buzz.” Fascinating story.
Thinking about starting a voiceover career?
The following message was left as a comment to my post The feel-good voiceover blog of the summer! I copied the message exactly as I received it because I felt the answers to the questions deserved to be their own entry. I’ve been considering launching into this field—and really want to know what it takes and what to expect. The best way to find out the pros and cons of any occupation is to talk to others who actually do it…..So, I’m open to whatever info you think
Watermarking Your VO Auditions
Today’s blog post is inspired by a great question that was posted on Such A Voice’s Facebook page about watermarking auditions that you post on directories such as Voices.com and Voice123.com. A watermark in the audio world refers to a second audio file that is laid over the voice over to protect it from being used by a naughty client who wants to use your talent without paying for it. An example of a watermark for a commercial you audition for might just be a ding every few
7/21/2010 – Scam Alert #2: ‘Frank Mayfield’ Email Seems Legit, But DELETE Or Frame It, by John Florian
At least two versions of an alleged scam that involves voice over work to be done for the “High-Breed” energy drink have been poisoning the voice over community recently. One version is described in our report, “Scam Alert: ‘Oops …’,” in which a Charles Thamesmead invites talent to voice a 30-sec spot for the product. That gig would pay between $300-$500, he says. But a Frank Mayfield ups the ante. He dangles thousands of dollars for someone to act as