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Free Stuff
(You may need to turn off your Pop-Up blocker to view or listen to some files)
From time to time, we’ll post interesting links to free resources or fun sites we think you might enjoy. If you know of something you would like to share, please send an e-mail with the link included.
Scroll down and click on the button at the right for lots of interesting free stuff!
ARTICLES BY MARC EVANIER
If you’re in a hurry to break into voiceover—especially for cartoons—you absolutely MUST read the following two articles by Marc Evanier before you do anything else. You’ll also find tons of other valuable information on Marc’s website at www.povonline.com.
Voice Work—Frequently Asked Questions
POV (Point of View) - Starting in voiceover
FREE OFFICE SOFTWARE
Open Office Suite - http://openoffice.org
Note: This software can also create PDF files.
[From the website - their emphasis] OpenOffice.org 2 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.
PDF 995 - www.pdf995.com
Free software for creating PDF files. Works great for creating PDF files of invoices, contracts, and other important documents.
Primo PDF - www.primopdf.com
Free software allows you to create a PDF file from any program simply by using the “print” command from the application.
FREE AUDIO RECORDING SOFTWARE
Audacity — free recording software for PC and MAC. Be sure you also download the L.A.M.E. encoder in order to make MP3 files.
Studio Buddy — free glossary of recording tips and suggestions
PODCASTS FROM MICHAEL MINETREE
We figure “why re-invent the wheel,” so when we discovered Michael Minetree and his Voiceover Podcasts, we immediately obtained his permission to include a link to his site. Michael is a voiceover professional and coach in Virginia. His coaching philosophy is the same as ours here at VoiceActing.com. He really “tells it like it is” and doesn’t pull any punches when he talks about breaking into the voiceover business. Michael’s goal, like ours, is to give you the truth about this business so the money you spend for training, equipment, demo production, and marketing, is invested wisely. Even though Michael does plug his coaching services, that’s OK with us because we encourage you to learn this craft from several sources and Michael will give you the “real deal.” You’ll find his catalog of Podcasts at the link below. You don’t need an IPOD to listen or download the programs.
Michael Minetree Podcast catalog on the craft and business of voiceover
PODCASTS FROM VOICE123.com (www.voiceoversavvy.com)
PODCASTS FROM VOICES.COM (www.voices.com)
AUDIO & VIDEO PLAYBACKS
Audio out-takes and other playbacks - you won’t believe some of these!
NEWSLETTERS & EZINES
Lots of newsletters & ezines here
VOICEOVER DISCUSSION BOARDS
Lots of discussion boards here
DICTIONARY, TEXT-TO-SPEECH, AND PRONOUNCIATION
Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary
Most words are provided with a verbal pronunciation
IDEA—International Dialects of English Archive
Need an English dialect? Here’s an incredibly comprehensive archive of English dialects from around the world.
Regional dialect pronounciations
Need to duplicate a specific regional accent? Here’s the place to find out what it really sounds like.
INTERVIEWS & MEDIA:
RAP Magazine & Other Interviews with James R. Alburger and Penny Abshire - In March, 2002, Radio And Production magazine published a 7-page cover-story interview with James Alburger. The entire article is re-printed here as well as other print articles and radio interviews.
RESOURCES AND LINKS PAGES
Send large files to anyone . . . Anytime! - If you don’t have your own FTP website and need to send large files via email, SendThisFile.com can be a viable alternative to an FTP upload. Basic service is free with subscription.
The World's Largest Collection of Tongue Twisters - Just for fun, try some of the foreign language tongue twisters.
ARTICLES ON VOICE ACTING & PERFORMING:
Voice Acting 101 - lots of free articles and tips for the voiceover artist ready for you to copy and print
The Best Kept Secrets for Voiceover by Lani Minella - Lani is an experienced director, producer and voice talent for the video game industry. This article is mainly intended for the video game producer, but contains valuable information for voice actors who want to work in this field.
Animation World Magazine - Joshua Seth’s 10 Steps to Voiceover Success
Animation World Magazine - Getting That First Voiceover Role - compiled by Heather Kenyon. ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE - ISSUE 4.6 - SEPTEMBER 1999
Joe Bevilacqua’s excellent article on voiceover
How to Choose a Voiceover Workshop by Laura Schiff
The Actor's Checklist - The Actor's Vocal Gift & The Voiceover Industry
International Voice Actor Meet-up Day - monthly meetings of voice actors in your community (see website for cities and details about this free service).
Voice Acting From the Inside - by Deborah Sale Butler
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES REGARDING “FINANCIAL CORE”
Financial Core - the Real Poop
Questions and Answers about Financial Core
The Financial Core Handbook (provided for your information only)
BUILDING YOUR HOME STUDIO:
How to Build Your Home Studio—E-Book and equipment ideas
Home Recording and How to set up a Home Studio
WEBSITE LINKS - (Not necessarily free):
www.k-bay106.com/mics.htm - An on-line collection of vintage microphones.
www.earth.prohosting.com/radshows - This web site categorizes over 2,700 freely downloadable old time radio shows online. Also includes many old time radio show collections that are available for purchase.
www.laugh.com - mostly comedy from classic comedians—some charges may apply for downloads or purchases from this site.
www.drdemento.com - if you don’t know who Dr. Demento is, you probably have no business visiting this website
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