• Posted by Richard
• 30 November 2011
• Audio, Business, Video

I stumbled across this behind the scenes video today, of all the voice actors that feature in the upcoming Happy Feet Two film. The film itself looks rather adorable, and now makes me want to see the first one and this one! Can't believe I've not seen it....I'm such a fail at times.

As you'll see from the video, voice artists get up to all sorts in booths Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 23 November 2011
• Audio, Business, Uncategorized

On Tuesday 6th December I shall be attending & exhibiting at The Business Growth Show's inaugural event in Solihull. It's set to be a fantastic event with several hundred people coming through the door for you to network with. Over the last few years I've attended I think every single one of the Birmingham events (bar one when I damaged my back!) and exhibited several times too, and I've always found them to be one of the most productive events you could attend (and exhibit at).

I'll be there all day, so please do come along - come and find me and say hello, and we can 'do' coffee as it were.....

For all the information you need, check out the flyer below. (Click on the image for full size view). Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 21 November 2011
• Audio, Business, Uncategorized

This post is prompted by Amy, a voiceover colleague of mine, and a recent posting of hers on her fabulous blog - Voice Of Amy

The actual post this refers to can be found here - it's well worth a read.

It's all about the 'conversational read' as us voiceovers call it. It's possibly, arguably, the most common type of read we would get asked to perform; for something like an e-learning programme, corporate/promo video narration etc. Something which gives all the relevant information across, without it being a hard-sell pushy narration, just a friendly yet informative conversational style. Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 14 November 2011
• Audio, Business, Uncategorized

Well, today is my birthday. I don't say this to encourage a flurry of "Happy Birthday"'s as I normally keep it quiet, but today is a bit different. This post is rather to draw your attention to, what I think, is the world's best birthday card! It was given to me by my mom this morning, who had an artist and card maker down in Cornwall create it just for me, from a whole host of keywords that define me and my likes and loves!

It's got everything from iPhone, Mac, Italian food, Cornish cream tea's, microphones, voiceover related stuff, cake, cider - you name it, if I love it, it's there!

So unusual, and there is absolutely nothing out there like it. Created just for me.......love it. Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 07 November 2011
• Audio, Uncategorized, Video

Someone sent me this YouTube video the other day, showing the effects of re-dubbing a presidential candidate! I have no idea what Mitt Romney was saying in the original clips, but watching the lip movements, it's sometimes impossible to imagine that it could be anything BUT what the the re-dubbed audio says it is!

I chuckled most heartily when I first watched it, and I'm sure you will too. So, enjoy.... (By the way, it's safe for work) Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 31 October 2011
• Business, Uncategorized

I went to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire yesterday afternoon, as I've been meaning to go for some time since it opened a few years ago. It's one of those places that really is a must-visit sometime during your life. The grounds have been very nicely thought out, with lines of trees surrounding the central monument, and an array of benches so you can just sit and look at it.

It's somewhere that despite it's primary function as a memorial, it's not a sombre place. It's actually quite uplifting and thought provoking. Somewhere to just ponder your thoughts in a calm and very peaceful environment. Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 24 October 2011
• Audio, Uncategorized, Video

I stumbled across a rather amusing video on YouTube the other day; a version of Star Wars from an alternate reality. We've all I'm sure seen the raw footage from a Star Wars scene of the actor in the costume of Darth Vader, Dave Prowse - delivering his lines in a rather un-menacing Westcountry accent. Hence why he was re-dubbed with the deep velvety dulcet tones of James Earl Jones. Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 06 October 2011
• Business, Uncategorized

Last night, I saw the news break via Twitter to say that Steve Jobs had died. At first, like so many of these tweets, you assume it's a distasteful hoax, so I ignored it.

A touching Apple logo tribute, created by Jonathan Mak, Hong Kong.

However it soon became clear that it was actually genuine.

The web for the last 15 hours or so has, predictably, been awash with tribute messages and condolence messages. Not remotely surprising, as to many he was more than 'just the CEO of a company'. He was much more than that. He was a visionary, daring to go where other people dared not. He was an innovator, making things you didn't even know you wanted or needed, or that were remotely possible to make. That's the Steve Jobs that I see...someone who wanted to make great stuff. Great stuff that functioned superbly, but with no compromise on how it looked, too. A true perfectionist. Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 03 October 2011
• Audio, Uncategorized, Video

Audio (naturally) is a big part of my life, always has been. I've always been a musician and been involved in the creative arts since I was little...

Music is something that I love.....a fair mix actually, bar a lot of 'modern' stuff - but that's mainly due to me getting older and not being 'hip' anymore. I get a little confused as to who is who with all your Lady Googoo's and N-Flubz. However one genre of music that always gets my cochlea excited (matron) are film scores. To me, they're some of the most evocative and powerful pieces of modern orchestral music around. Especially (of the more modern age, anyway) David Arnold (of Bond music fame, especially) and Hans Zimmer (who has done countless A-list Hollywood film scores). Read more

• Posted by Richard
• 30 September 2011
• Business, Uncategorized

I have to tell you about a very special mistress in my life.......

And that is...coffee. We've had a long, long affair now. I love the look of her, the aroma, the taste. It's something pretty special. Have I gone to far? Probably. But hey, it's worth it.

So, to that end, I today came across some interesting factoids about my lovely coffee, and it's place in the workplace. (Thanks to Alltop) Read more