The Art of Voice Acting, Second Edition: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice-Over [Paperback]

James Alburger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2002

The Art of Voice Acting continues to be an excellent introduction to the business and art of voice acting. Newly updated to reflect the latest changes in the industry, this new edition features more contributions from professional voice artists and voice-acting coaches. It also covers job opportunities in the field and career management tips, such as working with a personal agent and keeping detailed records. Including an expanded appendix of Internet resources and a new companion CD-ROM--complete with audio examples--this is the perfect modern manual to getting established in the voice acting industry.


This book introduces performance techniques and offers many useful tips, including how to build a career as a voice-actor. Complete with a large variety of scripts to use for practice and a CD-ROM with actual examples and voice-over demos, it takes readers step-by-step through a recording session, a review of equipment set-up, and some of the difficulties they might encounter when recording and performing.

* New companion CD-ROM with audio versions of sample scripts

* Expanded section of Internet resources

* Includes updated contributions from professionals in the field

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All actors/speakers should know and use what is contained in this text to develop and expand their career options. Well written, right to the point..." - Choice

"The Art of Voice Acting written by James Alburger is a detailed guide about becoming a successful voice-over actor. If you have ever had to narrate a video, this is a good book for you to investigate." - Videomaker, November 1999

"I have spent many hours the past few weeks with your book, The Art of Voice Acting, and would like to thank you for a succinct eye-opening lesson . . .your book goes a long way to explaining the ins and outs and just how important it is not to lose sight of your goals.... I have a very strong old-time booming announcer's voice that your book is teaching me how to tame. I just wanted to say thanks from a virtual beginner who is very excited to begin. The book is "Terrrrific." - Dick Gould, 2000

Book Description

A one stop shop packed full of resources and real world advice from techniques, voice exercises and preparing an audition tape to copy samples and business advice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (March 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804791
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804798
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,159,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Voice Acting, May 28, 2000

By 

RICHARD A GOULD - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Voice Acting: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice-Over (Paperback)

As a rank beginner in the field of Voice-Over and where it can lead, I found that this book shines a light down the highway so you can see the road ahead with all its twists and turns. Potholes, construction slowdowns and flat out beautiful stretches that make you remember why you like to drive in the first place. Arlburger explains in laymans terms how to get ahead in this lucrative and rewarding part of show business. After reading this book and practicing the exercises and sample copy provided, you will know if you've made the right decision. He proves you don't have to have a voice like Walter Cronkite to succeed in Voice Over but you do have to understand the priciples of good business and have a marketing strategy that works for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and recommend it wholeheartedly.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for Voice Actors, April 14, 2003

By 

Debbie Foster (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Voice Acting, Second Edition: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice-Over (Paperback)

I believe James Alburger's book to be one of the best, if not THE best resource available to all voice actors.

I have 12 years experience as a successful female voice actor and until recently, had not read this wonderful book. I am SO glad I have now! It has been a wealth of information for me in my endeavours of marketing myself to a global audience. Thanks to this book, I now have an understanding of what the American market expects from performers and how their market operates.

Everything you need to know about voice acting is written in clear terms - you won't be left wondering what this author is talking about. This really is an absolute MUST if you are serious about the profession of voice-over.

The only thing which, in my opinion, needs clarification in the book, is how to play the audio files off the CD. There is no 'autorun' feature and when you browse the folders you only see the pdf files listed. However, like another reviewer, I sent an email to the author and within 30 minutes I had a response which lead me in the right direction.

This book is Excellent and the author is clearly a committed professional.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for voice over mechanics, March 31, 2005

By 

G. Maxwell (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Voice Acting, Second Edition: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice-Over (Paperback)

This book is a great start to actually using your voice for voice acting. It teaches you how to hone your voice into a finely-tuned instrument as well as dealing with the ins and outs of the trade.

The only thing I found annoying was the author's insistence on taking classes. He introduces the idea early but then never lets up! He is always stressing to the reader to "...take classes."

I think that this idea is a sound one but the author needn't waste ink or precious space to constantly remind the reader of what he stated fourteen other times!

Other than this, it's a pretty good book for those getting into voice overs/acting.

Oh and by the way: take a class...just kidding...