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The VoiceOver Book
Don't Eat Toast
by David Hodge and Stephen Kemble
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"How I wish this book had been available to me when I started my voiceover career!" - Miriam Margolyes (Mulan, Rugrats, American Dad, Harry Potter films)
A concise handbook outlining the skills, the know-how and the business of voiceovers, with a particular focus on the UK industry. Stephen Kemble, a voiceover artist and voice coach, and David Hodge, who has worked as a sound engineer, voice director and as Company Manager at a voice agency, offer specialist advice on all areas of voiceover work, including commercials, narration, audio books, animation and dubbing.
Topics include: knowing your voice; understanding and acquiring the skills of a voiceover; how to prepare for recording sessions; technical aspects and protocol of working in a studio; knowing your personal strengths, making the all-important showreel and finding an agent; looking after your voice; dealing with dyslexia; tips from agents, producers, engineers and voiceovers; terminology.
This book is an ideal guide for anyone who has a curiosity about voiceovers and what’s involved. It should be of particular interest to drama school students preparing to enter the industry, and professional actors who want to tap into the voiceover business.
"There’s a lot of down to earth advice for drama school students... But this is a business-like book mostly about getting work, doing it well and managing yourself... It’s mostly written in pleasingly accessible short bites with plenty of quotes from experienced people in the know and it’s especially strong on accents... The best part of this book is the detailed account of what happens in a recording studio when it all comes together." - The Stage
"An extremely thorough and well thought-out introduction (and middle and conclusion, come to that) to voiceover work... for any student with an interest in pursuing what can be a very satisfying and lucrative element of an actor's career, this is essential reading." - Teaching Drama
"An absolute must for any student or actor interested in developing this aspect of their work." - Judith Phillips, Head of Voice at LAMDA
About the authors:
David Hodge began as a sound engineer at the outset of commercial radio in the UK, recording voiceovers for radio and TV commercials, as well as documentaries, animation series, corporate programs, audio books and foreign language versions. He became a founding Director of Silk Sound studios in London where he also produced and directed a number of award-winning radio commercials. He spent six years as Studio Manager for Saunders & Gordon, an audio post-production facility. David was subsequently voice director on Maisy, a BAFTA award-winning animation series for the under-fives and was then heavily involved in the running of Hobsons International, a prominent voiceover and artists’ agency.Stephen Kemble comes from an acting background including extensive work as voiceover. He has worked across a broad range of media; commercial campaigns, narration for documentary programs and current affairs series, corporate work, TV promotions and audio books. He has an MA Voice Studies with distinction from The Central School of Speech and Drama. Since 2006 he has worked with actors in production, teaching practical voice’ to actors in training and developing his teaching of voice for microphone. In 2011 he became a designated Linklater teacher. Currently he’s a text and voice coach at The Royal Shakespeare Company.
Press Reviews:
"The quintessential insiders' guide to voiceovers. It should become compulsory reading at all drama schools!" ―Maxine Wiltshire, Voice Shop
"A useful guide for prospective new voice artists, and for existing artists looking to break in to new VO sectors. Helpful tips on how the industry works, from soup to nuts!" ―Johnny Garcia, Rhubarb Voices
"Provides a real depth of insight and opens the door onto what is required to learn the necessary skill to hold your own in a session. See you in the studio!" ―Nick Angell,Voice Director/Owner of Angell Sound Studios
"An absolute must for any student or actor interested in developing this aspect of their work." ―Judith Phillips, Head of Voice at LAMDA
"The quintessential insiders' guide to voiceovers. It should become compulsory reading at all drama schools!" ―Voice Shop
See the publisher website: Oberon Books
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