The local Portland voice over scene looks to it’s one voice over agency, In Both Ears for leadership in the industry, but many local voice over artists also find their jobs online. The “Do it Yourself” culture of Portland is aptly represented in the many home studios of local voice over artists. There is still much work to be found outside the home as well, in the studios around town. Some of the busiest Portland studios are the big-hitters Rex, White Horse Studios, Digital One, and, in the spirit of the “Keep Portland Weird” bumper sticker, the uniquely named Dead Aunt Thelma’s Studio. Any Portland voice over talent should be familiar with them. Online, Portlanders refer to OMPA (Oregon Media Production Association) for its vast directory of production information. (OMPA.org) Portland actors look to the many talent agencies in town such as Ryan Artists, Arthouse Talent and Literary agency, and Actors in Action for ways to expand their acting skills beyond the voice.
If you turn on the television these days you would find many a representation of the local Portland production scene. There’s Leverage on TNT, Grimm on NBC, and the cult-favorite: Portlandia on IFC. The film scene here is also growing. The feature film Gone, starring Amanda Sieyfried, was recently shot here and the award-winning animated feature Coraline was shot here as well. Coraline’s production company LAIKA is joined by many others including Chambers Production, Gotham 4 Studios, and Lyon Films. The Newmark Theatre recently hosted a production of the American classic “Long Days Journey Into Night” starring William Hurt.
Locals in Portland often enjoy debating whether Portland is a “big town” or a “small city” but there’s no doubt about the strong feelings of community wherever you are in this progressive haven. Regardless of how much the community continues to grow, it remains a place where unique Portland voice over talent can be heard by all.
