RESOURCES FOR VOICE ACTORS
A continually growing list of voice over resources useful to voice actors looking for jobs.
Suggest links we've missed, and return often to see what's new!
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Accent and Dialect Elimination and Acquisition
Resources to help you gain or eliminate accents or dialects.
Edge Studio
http://www.edgestudio.com/accents.htm
888-321-EDGE
Our team provides extensive accent and dialect elimination and acquisition services for voice over artists, actors, singers, politicians, and public speakers. In-person, via telephone (we only need to hear you), and by Skype. Call 1-888-321-EDGE or email training@edgestudio.com for friendly help.
Hanover Speech and Voice Improvement
http://www.hanoverspeech.com
If you rely on your voice for your profession, you are a professional voice user. This can include singers, actors, teachers, salesmen, clergymen, air traffic controllers, lawyers, doctors, or anyone else who uses his or her voice in the work setting. If your speech is holding you back from achieving your goals, we are here to help you. Take advantage of our speech improvement, accent reduction and voice therapy services from a licensed speech-language pathologist, Fern Hanover!
New York Speech Improvement Services
http://www.nyspeech.com/
212-242-8435
Our instructors help actors, business professionals, politicians and professional speakers, students, individuals dealing with the public, or anyone just wishing to achieve his/her personal best. New York Speech Improvement Services trains 250 clients per week, 80% of which are looking to shed a foreign accent or regional dialect, or business executives looking to expand their public speaking abilities. The remaining 20% are entertainers from all branches of the industry.
Pamela Vanderway's Dialect 411
http://dialect411.com/
Voice and dialect information for professional actors and the people who hire them.
The International Dialects of English Archive
http://web.ku.edu/~idea/index.htm
A free, online archive of primary source dialect and accent recordings for the performing arts.
Audiobook Directories
Publishing companies record audiobooks and hire numerous voice over actors.
ACQWeb
http://www.acqweb.org/pubr/audio.html
Directory of publishers and vendors for audio books and tapes.
Audio Publishers Association (APA)
http://www.audiopub.org/
APA and its members work to bring all audio publishers together to create increased public awareness for the audiobook industry through joint publicity efforts, national consumer surveys, trade show exhibits, an association newsletter, the annual APA conference – APAC and the Audie Awards competition and gala.
Audiofile Magazine
http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
AudioFile, the magazine for people who love audiobooks, is indispensable for anyone who enjoys spoken-word audio. We review nearly 400 audiobooks every 60 days, feature narrator and author profiles, and award exceptional performances with AudioFile's Earphones Awards.
The Association of American Publishers
http://www.publishers.org/
The Association of American Publishers (AAP), representing publishers of all sizes and types located throughout the country, is the principal trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry.
Dictionaries, Pronunciation, & Mispronunciation
Tools for voice-over artists
Dictionary.com
http://www.Dictionary.com
It’s just what the name implies. Words that you search are retrieved with their definition and an audio pronunciation of the searched word.
Edge Studio's Voice Over Mistake Chart
http://www.edgestudio.com/voice-over-mistake-chart
A helpful list of the most frequently mispronounced words and phrases in English.
Fonetiks.org
http://www.fonetiks.org/
Online pronunciation guides to 9 varieties of the English language and 9 other languages.
Forvo
http://www.forvo.com/
Touted as the largest pronunciation guide in the world, this tool goes way beyond spoken English. The top languages covered are English, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic, German, Czech and Swedish. And for the occasional Star Trek commercial, Klingon is also supported.
How J Say
http://www.howjsay.com/
A free online talking dictionary of English pronunciation. It has over 14 million entries.
Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mplusdictionary.html
A medical dictionary with pronunciation guide.
NLS Other Writings
http://www.loc.gov/nls/other/sayhow.html
A pronunciation guide to names of public figures.
NLS Other Writings ABC Book
http://www.loc.gov/nls/other/ABC.html
The ABC book a pronunciation guide.
Educational Company Directories
Want to record educational toys, videos, kids’ games, and talking toys? From interactive to Internet voice over work, this is a huge sector of our industry.
Actor's Technique NY Kids & Teens
http://www.actorstechniqueny.com
917-763-1777
Top acting and audition technique classes for kids and teens
K-12 Educational Publishing Companies
http://www.ehow.com/about_5427824_educational-publishing-companies.html
This informative website has a lists and gives information about educational publishing companies.
PublishersGlobal
http://www.publishersglobal.com/directory/publishers-by-subject.asp?publishers-of=Education
PublishersGlobal is emerging as the definitive resource centre for the global publishing industry -- print as well as digital.
Events
Voice over and industry events are a great and important way to market yourself and network.
Actorfest
http://www.backstage.com/bso/actorfest/splash.html
This Back Stage event takes offers the performing arts community opportunities for networking, sourcing and education, and provides career opportunities. Actorfest takes place annually in New York and Los Angeles, in alternate seasons.
FaffCon
http://www.faffcon.com
FaffCon is a participant-driven unconference by and for working voiceover pros. The weekend is filled with up to 50 highly-interactive topic sessions on performance, business and marketing, and home studio tech. The overarching theme: getting better at what we do and making more money doing it. Plus, we have a lot of fun! For details about the next event, and testimonials from past participants, visit FaffCon.com.
Showbiz Expo
http://www.theshowbizexpo.com
ShowBiz Expo is a five-star event that brings everyone in Show Business together under one roof.
Film and Video
From documentaries to video to film, these studios hire and record voice-over artists.
Actor's Technique NY Kids & Teens
http://www.actorstechniqueny.com
917-763-1777
Top acting and audition technique classes for kids and teens
LA 411
http://www.LA411.com
This website have an extensive listings of video/film production resources in the Los Angeles area.
Media Job Search Canada
http://www.mediajobsearchcanada.com/default.asp
This website helps Canadians search for jobs with media-related companies across Canada.
New York 411
http://www.newyork411.com
This website have an extensive listings of video/film production resources in the New York city area.
Forums and Groups
Directories, unions, and other voice over related organizations can help lead voice actors to work.
Dave Courvoisier's Blog - Voice Acting in Vegas
http://www.courvo.biz/
Words of Voice Over Wisdom from Dave Courvoisier.
Facebook: I'm a voice actor...???... YES I get paid to do that!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=5152293285
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. Bringing people together to talk all things 'voiceover'.
Facebook: International Voice-Overs Bank
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=94958652574
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. This Group's goal is to share your knowledge/Experiences and make loads of new friends in all language and countries. Hope this group helps you to find new dimension for your Talent.
Facebook: Savoa
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=117287448827
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. Come and share in and promote SaVoa! Accreditation by SaVoa is recognition of a voice over artist's ability to provide vocally and technically proficient broadcast-quality voice over services and to conduct business in a manner that enhances the profession as a whole. We maintain an accreditation program for voice over artists worldwide and can now qualify voice actors in English, French, Spanish and German. We support voice over education and promote public awareness about our profession. Join us now!
Facebook: VO Planet
http://www.facebook.com/VOplanet
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. VOplanet is a voiceover talent membership site where clients can do free auditions and book directly with talent. VoiceCasting is a full service talent agency in business for 31 consecutive years that represents professional voiceover talent to blue chip clients worldwide. Clients can ALWAYS audition talent for FREE!
Facebook: Voice Actors in the News
http://www.facebook.com/voiceactorsnews
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. This group specializes in entertainment news for voice actor fans and professionals.
Facebook: Voice artists who do dubbing and voiceover work
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7385061578
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. The art of using your voice is full of challenges. Let´s share some great stories and thoughts on how we do what we do and have fun doing it.
Facebook: Voice Over Artist
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14640726429
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. A Network of professional voice over artists.
Facebook: Voice Over Universe
http://fb.me/zisGThiJ
Must sign into Facebook to view this group. Members of the Voiceover Universe meet, greet and share ideas in voice acting.
GKN: The Good Karma Network
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GKN/
The Good Karma Network (GKN) is an entertainment industry support group. We're here to help each other succeed both professionally and personally.
The GKN is a collection of actors, models, voiceover talents, crew (production and post), production companies, personal managers, casting directors, and talent agents from all over the country.
When you join, you increase your exposure to the entertainment & media industry as well as have a great forum to table ideas & experiences.
Google Groups: VoiceOver
http://groups.google.com/group/voiceover?lnk=
The VoiceOver Group covers the business of VoiceOver, Voice Acting, Imaging, Character, Commercial and Cartoon Voices...Corporate and Industrial Narration...Radio, TV and Movie Voices...in other words: The VoiceOver Group is perfect for anybody who makes a living (or wants to) with their VOICE!
HOLA
http://www.hellohola.org/
The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA, a 501(c)(3) group) is an arts service organization founded in 1975 to expand the presence of Hispanic actors in both the Latino and mainstream entertainment and communications media, by facilitating industry access to professional and emerging Hispanic actors. HOLA members represent the full spectrum of Latino cultures, reflecting the nation's growing Hispanic population.
LinkedIn Groups: SaVoa.org Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=162044
The above link takes you to their homepage to signin. SaVoa’s mission is to establish and maintain an accreditation program for voice over artists, and to support continuing education for the advancement of the voice over industry. SaVoa -- Raising the Level on Professional Voiceover.
LinkedIn Groups: Taji's Voice Over Casting Group
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2026506
The above link takes you to their homepage to sign in. If you work in Voice Over Casting and would like a group that caters to your side of the business or if you are a voice over talent who wants to mingle with voice over casting agents... this is the group for you!
LinkedIn Groups: Voice Over Professionals
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=132961
The above link takes you to their homepage to sign-in. This is a group for Voice Over professionals (also known as Voice Over Artists, Voiceover Actors, Voice Talent, VO Announcers, Narrators, as well as other variations) to share ideas, information, contacts, stories, complaints, concerns and advice for their fellow performers.
LinkedIn Groups: Voice Over Vision
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=1315197
The above link takes you to their homepage to sign-in. Bringing voice over professionals, radio heads, internet savants, music junkies and entertainment people together under one roof. This is a positive place to share ideas, connections and a passion for our business. I encourage connecting on many levels. There is enough work for all of us and together we can make it work.
LinkedIn Groups: Voices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=61762
The above link takes you to their homepage to sign-in. Voices.com is the online marketplace that connects businesses with voice actors and voice over talents. This group is open to both Voices.com members or those interested in our services.
LinkedIn Groups: Working Voice Actor Group
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=137057
The above link takes you to their homepage to sign-in. The purpose of this group is to create a forum for true working voice over professionals, both union and non-union talent. The intent is to share and express thoughts and ideas on garnering and retaining new clients. Advice on home studios and recording gear. The latest updates in the business, etc.
SAVOA.ORG Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists
http://www.savoa.org/
SaVoa’s mission is to establish and maintain an accreditation program for voice over artists, and to support continuing education for the advancement of the voice over industry.
The Hollywood Post Alliance
http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=21462&orgId=hopa
The Hollywood Post Alliance®, also known as HPA® , is the trade association serving the Southern California-based professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.
The Media Communications Association
http://www.mca-i.org/
The Media Communications Association-International is a global community that provides professional development seminars and events, opportunities for networking, members-only benefits, forums for education, and information resources for media communications professionals.
The Voice Talent Productions Blog
http://voicetalentproductions.com/blog/
The latest from the world of voiceover plus The Erik and Ember Show!
TIVA-DC
http://www.tivadc.org/
Television, Internet and Video Association of DC (TIVA-DC), a local not-for-profit organization was formed to serve the needs of the growing Washington/Baltimore media production community. Focused on the burgeoning local market, TIVA offers an entrée into a world of career opportunities, new-industry technology seminars, educational outreach, mentoring and award ceremonies.
Twitter: Courvo VO
https://twitter.com/CourVO
Fascinating updates and information from Voice Actor Dave Courvoisier.
Twitter: Erik Sheppard
https://twitter.com/eriksheppard
Erik Sheppard is a professional voiceover talent.
Twitter: VO Planet
http://twitter.com/voplanet
VO Planet is a VO talent agency that books professional voiceover talent with their own studios worldwide.
Twitter: VO Universe
https://twitter.com/vouniverse
Tips, advice and useful information for voice talent.
Twitter: Voice 123
https://twitter.com/Voice123
Voice123! Say what? Hire voice talent! Book voice talent! That's what we're talking about!
Twitter: Voice Actors in the News
http://twitter.com/voiceroy
Specializes in entertainment news for voice actor fans and professionals.
Twitter: Voice Over Times
https://twitter.com/voiceovertimes
The New Source for the Voice Acting Community.
Twitter: Voice-Over Actor
https://twitter.com/VOvoiceactor
Fantastic group and has helpful Voice Over Tips of the Day!
Twitter: Voiceover
https://twitter.com/Voiceover
Helpful information for voiceover talent, whether you're a beginner or an expert.
Twitter: Voices.com
https://twitter.com/voicesdotcom
The world's #1 online marketplace for voice overs! Find voice talent and voice over work here. Tweets by Voices.com Team & Stephanie Ciccarelli
Voice Acting Alliance
http://voiceactingalliance.com/board/
The Voice Acting Alliance Community Forum.
Voice Artists United
http://voiceartistsunited.com/
The VAU Network is dedicated to the education and professional advancement of voice artists by building a dynamic community of voice-over practitioners from around the world and by sharing their knowledge and experience in the field.
Voice Over Community Message Board (VO-BB)
http://www.vo-bb.com/
The Voice Over Bulletin Board. Full of awesome review, critiques, event information etc.
Voice Over Times
http://www.voiceovertimes.com/
Voice Over Times is an online news website for the arts and entertainment industry, providing feature stories, product reviews, tutorials and opinion articles.
Voice-Overs.com
http://www.voice-overs.com/forum/
Voice-Overs.com is a discussion forum for the voice-over industry. If you’re a VO talent looking for a taste of the industry, they have pages and pages of free information in their resource center.
VoiceOver Hispano
http://www.voiceoverhispano.com/
Website for Hispanic voice talent full of informative forums, blogs, videos, etc...
Voiceover Universe (VU)
http://www.voiceoveruniverse.com/
A social network for people that work in, or are seriously working towards all fields on Voice Over.
VOX Daily: The Official Voices.com Blog
http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily/
Free industry news and tips for Voice Talent.
WIFV
http://www.wifv.org
WIFV supports women in the industry by promoting equal opportunity, encouraging professional development, serving as an information network, and educating the public about women's creative and technical achievements.
Home Studio
Helpful resources for voice actors working with home studio equiptment including ISDN and voice over microphones.
Ascended Media
http://www.ascendedmedia.com/
203-653-3535
Need computer help? Call Ascended Media. They're an “all-encompassing” media services company, focusing on IT (information technology), SEO, and promotional services. They are direct business representatives for over 20 different computer and electronics manufacturers. We use them and love them!
DIGIFON
http://www.digifon.com/
ISDN and Phone-patch experts for voice over studios. From their humble roots as The Ballen Record Company in 1946, to being the nation’s leading CD and DVD manufacturer for independent artists and businesses, they’ve come a long way. They do everything in house: from glass mastering and replication to printing, packaging, and poly wrap. Plus, they offer other services like authoring, encoding, graphic design, and menu design.
DiscMakers
http://www.discmakers.com/
From their humble roots as The Ballen Record Company in 1946, to being the nation’s leading CD and DVD manufacturer for independent artists and businesses, they’ve come a long way. They do everything in house: from glass mastering and replication to printing, packaging, and poly wrap. Plus, they offer other services like authoring, encoding, graphic design, and menu design.
Footage Firm
http://www.footagefirm.com/
With over 60,000 satisfied customers, Footage Firm is the leader in providing HD and SD royalty-free stock footage from around the world.
Free Play Music
http://freeplaymusic.com
212-974-0548
The Freeplay Music Library, is a comprehensive collection of High End Broadcast production music spanning all the popular musical genres, available for download either on-line or via our Portable Hard Drive.
MyMusicSource
http://www.mymusicsource.com/
MyMusicSource is a music licensing company located in Nashville, TN and Cleveland, OH.
Their mission statement is simple ...to simplify the music licensing process and deliver the best possible music at the best prices to their customers.
Pond5
http://www.pond5.com/
The world's marketplace for
royalty-free stock video, sound effects, music, after effects, photos and illustrations.
Royalty Free Music
http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/
Download Royalty-Free Music and Background Music
Sound Ideas
http://www.sound-ideas.com/
Sound Ideas is the world's leading publisher of professional sound effects, offering more than 240 distinct collections to broadcast, post-production and multimedia facilities around the globe.
Sweetwater
http://www.sweetwater.com/
For voice over home studio equipment, Sweetwater offers products from HUNDREDS of the best names in the music business like Digidesign, Roland, Yamaha, Mackie, Korg, Kurzweil and more. And just about all of the products they offer are in stock in their huge warehouse at all times.
Marketing
Useful tools to promote your voice over business.
Artist Upgrade
http://www.artistupgrade.com
646-770-0110
Website design, graphics, promotional postcards, branding, and more... There is not another company who puts more heart and soul into their work, nor who does a better job. Need a voice over website, business card, graphic, logo, or branding expertise? Then call them.
GoDaddy
http://www.GoDaddy.com
480-505-8877
Need a domain? Need website hosting? Want custom email? We've found no one else finer. Great prices, great service, great help. Call them.
ProPoint Graphics
http://www.propointgraphics.com/
For Flash and PowerPoint presentations on your website, Edge Studio recommends ProPoint Graphics. Serving businesses across the country, ProPoint Graphics specializes exclusively in Flash and PowerPoint presentation design services. Clients rely on ProPoint Graphics for corporate Power Point service because they consistently produce superior deliverables quickly and cost-effectively.
News and Resources
These sites are jam packed with useful information relating to the voice over industry.
Backstage Newspaper
http://www.backstage.com/bso/index.jsp
Industry-known resource for actors, voice talent, and other arts. 1-800-634-6810
Showbusiness
http://www.showbusinessweekly.com
Weekly newspaper catering to actors, voice talent, and other arts.
TIVA-DC
http://www.tivadc.org/
Television, Internet and Video Association of DC (TIVA-DC), a local not-for-profit organization was formed to serve the needs of the growing Washington/Baltimore media production community. Focused on the burgeoning local market, TIVA offers an entrée into a world of career opportunities, new-industry technology seminars, educational outreach, mentoring and award ceremonies.
Voice Actors in the News
http://voiceactors.wordpress.com
Specializes in entertainment news for voice actor fans and professionals.
On-Camera Commercial Training
Resources for voice over actors also interested in on-camera work.
Nadette's On Camera Commercial Class
http://www.nadettesclass.com
Nadette's On Camera Commercial Class is suitable for seasoned professionals who want a refresher, performers who are not familiar with Nadette's approach to on-camera commercial work, and non-performers who are interested in doing commercials. The workshop is designed to take you from wherever you are and bring you to the next level, with the intention of giving you the tools to be competitive and marketable. Nadette is committed to leaving you with an understanding of what you need in order to succeed in the field of on-camera commercial acting.
Small Class, Personalized Attention, Practical Tools and FUN!
Online & Pay-To-Play Casting Sites
Voice over work can be found on the Internet! Here's where to look.
Actors Access
http://www.actorsaccess.com
Actors Access is your starting point for taking control of your career. Uniquely tied to your representative's information about you.
bodalgo
http://www.bodalgo.com/index_english.php
With more than 2,300 talents featuring more than 50 languages bodalgo's voiceover database is one of the biggest in the world!
Casting Frontier
http://www.castingfrontier.com/
Casting Frontier links your Profile (headshots, resume and reel) to your actual audition with a convenient membership card or Actor ID number. Connect your profile to your agent so they can submit you for roles that match.
NYCastings.com
http://www.nycastings.com
NYCastings.com is New York's most widely used source for Actors, Models & Musicians of all types to find work in Film, Television, Commercials, Theatre, Music Videos, Voice-Overs & Print.
Voice 123
http://www.Voice123.com/
Voice123 finds more voice over talents and voice producers for projects of all types than anyone else in the world. (Supported genres include commercials, promos, documentaries, audio books, phone systems, corporate presentations, etc.)
Voice Over Directory
http://www.voiceoverdirectory.com
VoiceOverDirectory.com is a registry of the names, services, products, and contact details of voiceover industry businesses (voice over talent, voice over artists, and other voice over industry resources) that brings together those who provide voice over solutions with those who need voiceover solutions.
Voice Over Planet
http://www.voplanet.com/
A membership site for talent looking for the highest paying auditions on the Planet. In order to provide the best service available, the VOplanet Team works closely with their clients and their talent. They give personal attention to each aspect of a project, including superior tech support and the agent's direct involvement in coaching, audition, etc.
VoiceHunter.com
http://www.voicehunter.com/
Since 1999. VoiceHunter.com has been the leading online voice over casting company. They began as an exclusive service that cast radio imaging voices for stations across the country. For the past 7 years they have offered full-service voiceover casting for commercials, imaging, TV promo, message-on-hold, IVR VO, narration VO, industrial audio, video game voices and more.
VoiceRegistry.com
http://www.voiceregistry.com/
This website is geared specifically to talent who are promoting themselves to agents. VoiceRegistry.com enables agents to browse for new talent. Owned by Voicebank.net, Voice Registry is the ONLY actor website directly linked to every Talent Agency on Voicebank.net, the most used and trusted online voice-over delivery service on the web.
Voices.Com
http://www.voices.com
Voices.com is the online marketplace where businesspeople connect with voice actors and professional voice over talents.
Radio Station Directories
While DJs (disc jockeys) narrate most spots at radio stations, stations sometimes hire outside talent. This may be because none of the staff disc jockeys have the required voice-type for a particular recording, or the station wants to impress a client with a particularly unique and/or national style, or the station simply wants more variety.
Radio Station World
http://radiostationworld.com/
Informational directory dealing with radio broadcasters worldwide and listings of local radio stations on the web.
Radio-Locator
http://www.radio-locator.com
Radio-Locator says it's the Internet's most comprehensive radio station search engine. They have links to over 10,000 radio station web pages and over 2500 audio streams from radio stations in the U.S. and around the world.
USA Radio Stations
http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/media/radiostations
A directory of AM and FM radio stations nationwide.
Recording studios
Contact audio-recording, production, and post-production studios that record and/or produce voice-over jobs (some studios provide only music-recording services).
Edge Studio
http://www.edgestudio.com
A leading voice over production company for casting, translation, editing, and complete production.
RecordProduction.com
http://www.recordproduction.com/
A great website to locate a variety of recording studios throughout the country – some even offer video tours.
Talent Agent and Casting Directories
Voice over talent agencies, casting directors, and representatives get narrators work.
Advertising Agencies.org
http://www.advertisingagencies.org/advertising_agencies/
Advertising Agencies.org is dedicated to bringing people who need professional help together with creative people who provide it.
American Advertising Agencies
http://www.americanadagencies.com/
The American Advertising Agencies network is the original agency finder for corporations in the USA. It is an invitation-only network of top advertising agencies that understand the direct relationship between the Internet and new business.
Association of Talent Agents
http://www.agentassociation.com/frontdoor/membership_directory.cfm
The Association of Talent Agents (ATA), is not a talent agency. Founded in 1937, ATA is a non-profit trade association representing unified talent and literary talent agencies. ATA is the voice of agencies. ATA agencies represent the vast majority of working artists, including actors, directors, writers, and other artists in film, stage, television, radio, commercial, literary work, and other entertainment enterprises.
Casting Society of America
http://www.castingsociety.com
The Casting Society of America is the premier organization of theatrical Casting Directors in film, television, and theatre. Although it is not a union, its members are a united professional society that consistently sets the level of casting professionalism on which the entertainment industry has come to rely. Its 350+ members are represented not only in the United States, but also in Canada, England, Australia and Italy.
The Advertiser Redbooks™ and The Agency Redbooks™
http://www.redbooks.com
Also known as the Standard Directory of Advertisers and Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies, these tomes profile nearly 21,000 U.S. and international advertisers and close to 15,000 U.S. and international ad agencies. Subscription to the online versions is also available. Don’t try to purchase these – it’s really expensive! Instead, go to the library and photocopy the pages you want. [The same publisher also publishes the Agency Redbook.
The Call Sheet
http://www.backstage.com/bso/call-sheet/index.jsp
This is published by Backstage Magazine. It is a nationwide listing of all franchised Agents and Casting Directors and is an invaluable resource for people seeking representation. The print version is released bi-monthly and is available at most NYC newsstands and specialty bookstores. NOTE: the online version is accessible only through the Backstage website, and a subscription is required.
VoiceRegistry.com
http://www.voiceregistry.com
This website is geared specifically to talent who are promoting themselves to agents. VoiceRegistry.com enables agents to browse for new talent. Owned by Voicebank.net, Voice Registry is the ONLY actor website directly linked to every Talent Agency on Voicebank.net, the most used and trusted online voice-over delivery service on the web.
TV and Cable Station Directories
Want to get commercial voice over work? Use these directories to find jobs.
Association of Public Television Stations
http://www.apts.org/local-stations
Public television stations are active in their communities providing mission-related services in numerous ways. Whether it is working to promote public safety or using their resources for educational purposes, public television stations are trusted institutions enriching the lives of the communities they serve.
Station Index
http://www.stationindex.com/tv/
This website contains a list of television stations in more than 175 television markets.
TV Station Web Page Directory
http://www.tvwebdirectory.com/
Extensive directory of television stations in the United States and around the world.
Unions
Here are the main voice over unions.
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)
http://www.actra.ca/main/
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the union of more than 21,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada including TV, film, radio and digital media.
AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)
http://www.aftra.org
AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)
212-532-0800
Union that represents voice-over recordings in formats other than film (radio commercial, video, broadcasting, news show, audio tape, and music).
SAG (Screen Actors Guild)
http://www.sag.org
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors, to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s, to fighting for artists’ rights as the digital revolution sweeps the entertainment industry in the 21st century. 800-724-0767
Volunteer Work: Blind and Visually Impaired
Numerous organizations exist for the blind and visually impaired, and most of them require volunteers to read books, newspapers, magazines, instructional manuals, and more.
American Foundation for the Blind
http://www.afb.org/default.asp
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for the more than 25 million people in the U.S. with vision loss.
Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
http://www.asb.org/donations-a-partnerships.html
ASB is a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring self-esteem, independence and self determination among people who are blind or visually impaired.
Georgia Radio Reading Service
http://www.garrs.net/index.html
(800) 672-6173
Georgia Radio Reading Service is a closed circuit radio station whose mission is to improve the quality of life for every Georgian who is blind, visually-impaired or has difficulty with access to the printed word by broadcasting current information via sub channel radio transmission and streamlining on the internet.
Jewish Braille Institute (JBI)
http://www.jbilibrary.org/
1-800-433-1531
The Jewish Braille Institute produces audiobooks and audio publications on Jewish topics for the blind in their in-house studios, and they are always looking for more volunteers to narrate, direct and edit audiobooks.
Junior Blind of America
http://www.juniorblind.org/site/volunteering
Junior Blind's mission helps children and adults who are blind, visually impaired or multi-disabled achieve independence.
The Braille Institute
http://www.brailleinstitute.org/volunteer
Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote fulfilling lives by eliminating barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss.
WXXI Reachout Radio
http://wxxi.org/reachout/applyvol.html
(585) 258-0200
WXXI Reachout Radio in Rochester, NY is a radio reading service that provides 24-hour per day readings of local and national newspapers, magazines, and books for people who are print-handicapped.
Volunteer Work: Children & Schools
Many schools accept volunteers to read for children.
Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org/us/get-involved.htm
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. prepares and motivates children to read, by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.
Volunteer Work: Libraries
Just about every library offers reading for the blind. A few major libraries pay voice-over artists for this reading, but the pay is quite low.
Jewish Braille Institute (JBI)
http://www.jbilibrary.org/
1-800-433-1531
The Jewish Braille Institute produces audiobooks and audio publications on Jewish topics for the blind in their in-house studios, and they are always looking for more volunteers to narrate, direct and edit audiobooks.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
http://www.loc.gov/nls/
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS administers a free library program of braille and audio materials for eligible borrowers in the United States, circulated by postage-free mail.
Volunteer Work: Non-Profit Organizations
Many non-profit organizations would be thrilled to have volunteers provide voice over work for various projects
Energize, Inc.
http://www.energizeinc.com/prof/volop.html
Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism
LibriVox
http://librivox.org/
LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and publish the audio files on the internet. Their goal is to record all the books in the public domain.
Volunteer Work: Radio stations
Most cities have at least one radio station that offers programs for the blind. Some may require you to work in their facility, but some might be able to work remotely.
Alabama Print Information Center
http://www.alaprint.org/volunteer.htm
Operated by the WHIL Radio Reading Service in Mobile, AL, the Center provides on-demand current print information to those unable to read print due to blindness, visual impairment or other disability.
Audible Local Ledger
http://www.audiblelocalledger.org/gettinginvolved.html
The Audible Local Ledger "Turns Print into Sound," by broadcasting printed material to residents of Cape Cod and the Islands (Mass.), over closed-circuit radio stations, cable television audio channels and on secondary audio program channels of television stations for the blind, visually impaired or print disabled.
Audio Journal
http://www.ziplink.net/~ajournal/volunteering.htm
Broadcasts the printed word to people who cannot see, hold, or otherwise access it. They do this through a special radio frequency.
Chicagoland Radio Information Service
http://chicagolighthouse.org/programs-and-services/cris/volunteer
Chicagoland Radio Information Service (CRIS) provides daily readings of newspapers and periodicals including news stories, sales circulars, and classified listings for listeners who have a wide range of disabilities.
Connecticut Radio Information System
http://crisradio.org/Volunteering.htm
The Connecticut Radio Information System (CRIS), is Connecticut's only radio reading service.
Georgia Radio Reading Service
http://www.garrs.net/index.html
(800) 672-6173
Georgia Radio Reading Service is a closed circuit radio station whose mission is to improve the quality of life for every Georgian who is blind, visually-impaired or has difficulty with access to the printed word by broadcasting current information via sub channel radio transmission and streamlining on the internet.
Indiana Reading and Information Services
http://www.wfyi.org/volunteer.asp#today
Founded in 1982, Indiana Reading and Information Services (IRIS) is an around-the-clock communications link for the print-impaired.
International Association of Audio Information Services
http://www.iaais.org/locateservice.html
This website is chock full on useful places regionally and nationally where voice actors can participate in reading to the blind.
Kansas Audio Reader Network
http://reader.ku.edu/volunteer.shtml
The Kansas Audio-Reader Network is a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri.
KPBS Radio Reading Service
http://www.kpbsreadingservice.org/#volunteer
The KPBS Radio Reading Service broadcasts the readings of newspapers, books and magazines to those with low vision, blindness and other print impairments.
Los Angeles Radio Reading Service
http://www.larrs.org/volunteer.html
The Los Angeles Radio Reading Service (LARRS), a radio station that broadcasts newspapers for those who are blind or print–impaired, urgently needs volunteers to read and produce the weekday live broadcasts.
Maine Audio Information and Reading Service
http://www.theiris.org/news/23/40/Maine-Airs-Volunteer-Opportunities
Helps people who are visually impaired or blind attain independence and community integration.
Minds Eye Information Services
http://www.mindseyeradio.org/howtovolunteer.asp
Minds Eye Information Service (Formerly Radio Information Service) was established as a broadcast service for the blind and print impaired in 1973 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Belleville, Illinois. It has a varied faith listenership, so programming is designed to be non-sectarian.
Northeast Indiana Radio Reading Service
http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/volunteer/application.pdf
Northeast Indiana Radio Reading Service (NEIRRS) is a free radio reading service for people who are blind or have a visual or reading impairment.
Sun Sounds of Arizona
http://sunsounds.org/volunteer/
Sun Sounds of Arizona provides audio access to information to people in the Southwest who cannot read print because they have a disability.
The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.
http://www.washear.org/v-teer.htm
The Metropolitan Washington Ear: free services for blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled people who cannot effectively read print.
The Talking Information Center
http://www.ticnetwork.com/volunteer.htm
Sun Sounds of Arizona provides audio access to information to people in the Southwest who cannot read print because they have a disability.
The Talking Information Center
http://www.ticnetwork.com/volunteer.htm
The Talking Information Center broadcasts the reading of printed material over an extensive network of commercial and noncommercial radio and cable TV outlets.
Tri-States Audio Information Services
http://www.tristatesaudio.org/volunteer.asp
Tri-States Audio Information Services fosters equal access to printed materials for individuals in the western Illinois region who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled.
Voice Print Canada
http://www.voiceprintcanada.com/volunteer
VoicePrint claims to be the world's largest broadcast reading service, distributed through cable, satellite and the Internet to more than 10 million Canadian homes. More than 600 volunteers read and record full-text spoken-word versions of current articles from leading newspapers and magazines. Together, the staff and volunteers produce and broadcast more than 125 hours of new programming every week. Volunteer readers are welcome at all of their offices across Canada.
WJCT Radio Reading Service
http://www.wjct.org/pdfs/WJCT-RRS-Volunteer-Application.pdf
For nearly 50 years, WJCT has been a trusted resource in the Jacksonville, FL, community, that educates, entertains, and empowers First Coast citizens through excellent programming and exceptional outreach.
WLRN Radio Reading Service
http://www.wlrn.org/web/index.php
The WLRN Radio Reading Service (RRS) broadcasts the reading of newspapers, books, and magazines to individuals who have difficulty reading independently.
WRBH 88.3 FM
http://www.wrbh.org/
WRBH 88.3 FM, Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is the only full-time reading service on the FM dial in the United States.
WUIS
http://wuis.org/radioinformationservice/radioinfoservice.html
WUIS provides an information service for people who are print disabled (blind, visually impaired, learning disabled and physically disabled).
WXXI Reachout Radio
http://wxxi.org/reachout/applyvol.html
(585) 258-0200
WXXI Reachout Radio in Rochester, NY is a radio reading service that provides 24-hour per day readings of local and national newspapers, magazines, and books for people who are print-handicapped.
Volunteer Work: Senior Communities
Many senior communities accept volunteers to read to the residents.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org/section.aspx?id=288
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home.
Website Resources
Companies that cater to voice over talent's websites.
Artist Upgrade
http://www.artistupgrade.com
646-770-0110
Website design, graphics, promotional postcards, branding, and more... There is not another company who puts more heart and soul into their work, nor who does a better job. Need a voice over website, business card, graphic, logo, or branding expertise? Then call them.
GoDaddy
http://www.GoDaddy.com
480-505-8877
Need a domain? Need website hosting? Want custom email? We've found no one else finer. Great prices, great service, great help. Call them.
Media Duplication
http://www.mediaduplicationnyc.com
212-592-2777
Need CDs? This is the ONLY company that Edge Studio recommends for CD duplication and replication. We've worked with them for 15 years. They still impress us!
ProPoint Graphics
http://www.propointgraphics.com/
For Flash and PowerPoint presentations on your website, Edge Studio recommends ProPoint Graphics. Serving businesses across the country, ProPoint Graphics specializes exclusively in Flash and PowerPoint presentation design services. Clients rely on ProPoint Graphics for corporate Power Point service because they consistently produce superior deliverables quickly and cost-effectively.
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