Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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. But if you're looking for a breakdown of (dare I say) insider procedure and industry protocol, the Thomas/Rofe work is invaluable. What ways (and how many times) to contact an agent if you're demo hasn't been acted upon? They'll tell you. Ways not to antagonize your fellow artist when doing multiples? They'll tell you. Instruction on what to do/not to do at auditions and (hopefully) subsequent bookings? They'll tell you that too.

Different books are published for different purposes. It's not the first book I'd buy but it's in my 'ready reference' briefcase. This is the one that proverbially-speaking guides me as what time to wake up and be ready for school, what to wear, and how to act when the teacher calls on me!

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.

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. I liked the CD that came with it. If you are beginning voice talent, this book is especially good. If you are a seasoned professional, tidbits in the book are always a good thing to add to your knowledge base.

Working through Voice for Hire has demystified the voice over business and enabled me to have the confidence to approach my first voice coach. Great job!

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. Hear actual voice-over demos that open doors in the cds accompanying an in-depth guide from a voice artist and voice coach who join forces to tell how to break into a lucrative albeit competitive market. The step-by-step approach covers everything from promos and commercials to demo reels and job-winning auditions.

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 entertainment news program in the world. It is that journey of experience that she has brilliantly penned, with Peter Rofé in Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs. This book is compelling, insightful and interestingly told.

Author, Timothy Wehr's review that the book "contains little more than some insights about how the business works - not how to "do" it." totally misses the mark. The book's own description states, "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." Randy gives the reader, looking to get into the business, or make it to the next level in voice-overs, an astute heads-up as to what to expect.

There is no realistic "how-to" voice-over book in the marketplace, because every situation is different. If you are born with the instrument and the desire to use it, Voice for Hire: Launch and Maintain a Lucrative Career in Voice-Overs helps teach you what you can do, and where you can go to learn how to play that instrument the best YOU can and where and what you can expect at home and on the road.

I've ready virtually every book out there on the field of voiceovers and Randy's book is a positive, currently relevant and inspiring book for those who are trying to do the just what the book title states. Great job, Randy and Peter. Congratulations on an honest evaluation of the business and a great, helpful 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 that voice-over offers. Before I was a voice over talent, I worked in "Corporate America." A number of my friends are losing their jobs right now, but as an independent contractor owning my own business, my business is actually growing!! I've recently completed a group of national television commercials for several Hannah Montana products, as well as other toys... and the list goes on.

Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

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. I felt it will be a good tool for him to use and be empowered with ideas and information on his journey for this next chapter in life - doing voice overs. He loved having the book. So for my needs, the book worked very well. As to the content of it, I have not read it. I believe that books are tools to help guide us and give us clues in things that we are interested to do. This book was definitely bought for that reason and it worked.