Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs (Paperback)

~ Randy Thomas (Author), Peter Rofe' (Author), Don LaFontaine (Foreword)
Key Phrases: voice for hire, live announcing, promo voice, New York, Los Angeles, Academy Awards (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book is designed to teach aspiring voice artists, in a step-by-step format, how to break into an extremely competitive marketplace.

 

There is no single or definitive path to making money in voice-overs, although there are certain trends and truths that can inform your career.  Voice for Hire is a sensible, chronological order of those steps you need to take to achive your goals, along with insightful comments and stories from the voice-over industry's top agents, casting directors, producers, and, of course, artists.

 

Voice for Hire will help you open the door and stay in the room once you get there.

About the Author

Randy Thomas was the first woman to announce the Academy Awards, Miss America Pageant, Tony Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and National Democratic Convention. She has announced the Oscars seven times and is the first person ever to announce The Tonys, The Grammys, and The Emmys all in the same year.  Thomas is currently the voice of "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider."  Visit her on the Web at www.randythomasvo.com. She lives in Fort Myers, FL.

Peter Rofé, a trained stage actor, has voiced national TV and radio spots, network promos, and live events. Today he operates PDR Voice-Over Coaching, which hosts industry workshops, conducts online seminars, and produces sought-after demos. Visit him on the Web at www.pdrvoicecoaching.com. He lives in New York City.

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Product Details Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Back Stage Books; Pap/Com edition (October 14, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0823099466 ISBN-13: 978-0823099467 Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,852 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #88 in  Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Performing Arts

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
voice for hire, live announcing, promo voice, animation demo, commercial reel, promo work, voice artist, demo reel, bold choices

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Los Angeles, Academy Awards, The Price Is Right, Jen Cohn, Jason Alexander, Brian Lee, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Woody Allen, West Coast, Wheel of Fortune, Joe Cipriano, Sharon Stone, Discovery Channel

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	69% buy the item featured on this page: Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs 4.2 out of 5 stars (9) $13.57
	11% buy Voiceovers (with CD): Techniques and Tactics for Success 5.0 out of 5 stars (6) $16.47
	8% buy There's Money Where Your Mouth Is: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Voice-Overs 4.8 out of 5 stars (19) $12.89
	6% buy Voice Actor's Guide to Recording at Home and On the Road 4.9 out of 5 stars (9) $19.79

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Book!, October 26, 2008 By  R. Amor (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I highly recommend this book to anyone even slightly curious about the voice over industry. It is extremely informative and detailed yet wonderfully entertaining and interesting. Drawing from their many of years of experience in this field, Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé navigate through the dos and don'ts with intelligence, sensitivity and charm and provide the insight, details and perspectives that only those who have worked in this industry for many years can truly provide. Commentary from other successful voice-over actors adds beautifully to the various topics and underscores the value and importance of the advice imparted by these professionals. After reading Randy and Peter's book, I could not help but get excited about their profession and to feel fortunate to have benefited from their experiences. I have read several books on this topic but "VOICE FOR HIRE (How to Launch and Maintain A Lucrative Voice-Over Career) is by far the best I have read. It is, I believe, a must read for all of those who aspire to doing voice-over work professionally. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but..., April 2, 2009 By  Timothy Wehr (Coralville, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I read the book hoping to discover the real inside secrets of how to "Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs." Unfortunately, it contains little more than some insights about how the business works - not how to "do" it. While I was disappointed, it did help to spur my interest in the business and provided some facts (dispelling some myths) about the market for voice-overs and who can enter and be successful at it. The book generally lacked the depth necessary to be of real value. It will certainly spark one's interest, but other resources will be necessary to move beyond that point. Randy is certainly one of the most talented voice-over artists on the scene today - she is just not a talented writer. Too bad! It would have been great to learn more from someone so successful in the business. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 28, 2008 By  Steven M. Lowell (S.I., NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book provided amazing insight by a legend who has since passed away most recently, making this book even more important to pick up now. The views are extremely valuable to those who are planning a career in voice overs. For some who have already been in the business for many years, the material may sound repetitive, but the material is valuable considering the sources. Great work done by great people, and having Don Lafontaine as part of this book is fitting testament to how he will be sorely missed, and what he gave to a career he loved.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful If you're looking for a source where you can practice many example reads, this book isn't for you - Elaine Clark's book is even though some of examples are rather dated. Read more Published 2 months ago by Jay Spector 4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and well rounded I thought this was an interesting and informative read. I say it was well rounded because it cover many aspects of voice-over and included input from other experts. Read more Published 3 months ago by C. Mark Johnson 5.0 out of 5 stars How to break into a lucrative albeit competitive market If you have a rich voice and a winning style, go to the next level of development and market that voice with Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs... Read more Published 4 months ago by Midwest Book Review 5.0 out of 5 stars Randy And Peter Tell It Like It Is!! I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Randy Thomas throughout her career, in both radio and television, currently on Entertainment Tonight: The most-watched... Read more Published 7 months ago by Kevin Gershan 4.0 out of 5 stars A Gift for a Friend A colleague retiring at work has a dream of doing voice overs. I did not read the book. I did search in the content and the book covers before I made my decision. Read more Published 8 months ago by L. Mansur 5.0 out of 5 stars Want a Dream Job? This book is a MUST Read!!! Voice for Hire offers insight from two of the most knowledgeable voice-over talent in the biz. It is a MUST READ for anyone who's interested in having the recession-proof career... Read more Published 13 months ago by Caryn V. Clark Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books; Pap/Com edition (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823099466
• ISBN-13: 978-0823099467
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #256,852 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #88 in

  Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Performing Arts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Book!, October 26, 2008

By	R. Amor (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I highly recommend this book to anyone even slightly curious about the voice over industry. It is extremely informative and detailed yet wonderfully entertaining and interesting. Drawing from their many of years of experience in this field, Randy Thomas and Peter Rofé navigate through the dos and don'ts with intelligence, sensitivity and charm and provide the insight, details and perspectives that only those who have worked in this industry for many years can truly provide. Commentary from other successful voice-over actors adds beautifully to the various topics and underscores the value and importance of the advice imparted by these professionals. After reading Randy and Peter's book, I could not help but get excited about their profession and to feel fortunate to have benefited from their experiences. I have read several books on this topic but "VOICE FOR HIRE (How to Launch and Maintain A Lucrative Voice-Over Career) is by far the best I have read. It is, I believe, a must read for all of those who aspire to doing voice-over work professionally.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but..., April 2, 2009

By	Timothy Wehr (Coralville, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read the book hoping to discover the real inside secrets of how to "Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs." Unfortunately, it contains little more than some insights about how the business works - not how to "do" it. While I was disappointed, it did help to spur my interest in the business and provided some facts (dispelling some myths) about the market for voice-overs and who can enter and be successful at it.

The book generally lacked the depth necessary to be of real value. It will certainly spark one's interest, but other resources will be necessary to move beyond that point. Randy is certainly one of the most talented voice-over artists on the scene today - she is just not a talented writer. Too bad! It would have been great to learn more from someone so successful in the business.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 28, 2008

By	Steven M. Lowell (S.I., NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provided amazing insight by a legend who has since passed away most recently, making this book even more important to pick up now.

The views are extremely valuable to those who are planning a career in voice overs.

For some who have already been in the business for many years, the material may sound repetitive, but the material is valuable considering the sources.

Great work done by great people, and having Don Lafontaine as part of this book is fitting testament to how he will be sorely missed, and what he gave to a career he loved.