Bob Noble
Orlando, Florida, United States
Audio Book-Dramatic Historical Novel-Two voices
A torch lit chamber of death in Pharoh's ancient Egypt is the setting for this descriptive narrative and conversation between two friends, one of which is about to die at the hands of the other. The stench of death fills the air as the cry of the condemned echo off the stone walls. My personal facination with audio book reads comes from 50-years of acting in motion pictures, television and theatre.
Audio Book-Mystery Novels
Of all the Audio Book categories, a good mystery novel is one that keeps you spellbound wanting to know what's about to happen next. Join me here for a overview of several "thrillers."
Audio Book-Multiple men
From a remote location on the border of Iran and Afghanistan to the 11th floor balcony overlooking Vancouver, BC, these two audio book reads showcase four distinctly different voices in both narrative and conversational modes. The second of the two reads is very reminiscent of a Mickey Spillane novel. My personal facination with audio book reads comes from 50-years of acting in motion pictures, television and theatre.
Audio Book - British Read
Audio book narrations, being totally different from industrial narrations, must take the listener deep into world of imagination. The only pictures seen are those that are created in the mind of the listener. Those pictures can only be "painted" by the audio brush of the narrator. In this particular demo there is no dialogue. just the vivid description of a darkened room, bookshelves, a hanging chandelier and a stranger sitting at a dimly lit table. My personal facination with audio book reads comes from 50-years of acting in motion pictures, television and theatre.
Audio Books - Non-Fiction-Current Events
In the venue of Non-Fiction audio books, many of today's best sellers are based on front-page headlines such as the economy, current personalities or events in the news, such as the wars in the middle east. This clip is just such an example.
Audio Book-Biography-Abe Lincoln
Biographies, whether current or historical, give us a unique insight into the lives of men and women who have changed the course of history. This is a look into the personal stress of US President Lincoln during a critical period of the Civil War.
Commercials-Radio & TV
Commercials, whether for radio or TV, have to accompllish their task of generating customer response in a very limited span of time, usually 30 to 60-secs. Although the voice of the spokesperson is important, the use of music and sound effects also helps to bring about the desired results. Here are four examples of a good blend of all the elements that go into a succesful commercial.
Commericals-Double Voices
Being able to do multiple voices within the same commercial will often result in getting work you might have otherwise missed out on. After all . . ."why use two, when one will do." Here's an example of a conversation between mission control and the space shuttle regarding a retail furniture sale. The humor of this one is at the very end.
Commercials-Dialects & Accents
Utilizing dialects and accents in voice work is limited, but necessary at times to convey meaning to certain commercials and/or products.. Accents can be used for both comedy, retail sales and mood setting. Here are three very different examples of the use of these "tools of the trade."
Commercials - Automotive
Automobile commercials began in the early days of radio and quickly moved onto the "living room screen" with the advent of television. Although "shouting" commercials work for some, we personally favor the friendly "let me tell you about" the latest model style. Give a listen . . . then head to your nearest auto dealer.
Animation - Characters & Animals
Some of the most "fun" times behind the mircophone, occur when a voice talent is called on to become a cartoon character, which is usually an animal such as a pompous porcupine, a ruffy dog or anyone of a number of other four-legged or two-winged characters. These type voices are often used in commercials, cartoons and video games, just to mention a few.
Award Ceremonies
Whether it's the Academy Awards . . . the Golden Globe Awards . . . or a company showing it's appreciation to a successful sales organization, the handing out of awards is always an exicting time . . .requiring an exciting voice . . .
Corporate & Business
In today's corporate world there has been an explosion of voice-over for eLearning projects, podcasts, apps, etc. Corporate voiceovers come in all styles and configurations. Here are a couple . . .
Corporate-Technical
In the corporate world, training of new employees and/or clients into the technical advancements of a new product or service is critical to a company's "bottom line." It often sounds something like this . . .
Corporate - Technical (British)
Often technical reads are requested to be "voiced" in either a Britsh or International accent. We are happy to oblige . . .
Corporate - Medical Reads
Medical narrationss are another great part of the voice industry. However, they require a totally different approach than normal narration. Correct pronounciation of medical terms is essential, since most listeners will be medical professionals.
Video Games - Multiple Voices
Videogames are viewed and played worldwide, and voices-needed can either be heroes or villains, or something in between. Another requirement is an assortment of grunts and groans as the various characters engage in combat.
I think you'll find these voices familiar.
Trailers-Movie & Television
"Movie and Television" trailers are a vitial part of marketing video productions. They usually are thought of as "Big & Booming." Unfortunately, the King of the Movie Trailers, voice-actor Don LaFontaine is no longer with us. But his work as a voice talent will live forever. As you will note from the four examples in this clip, trailers can take many forms.
News Broadcasts & Promos
With 24/7 news coverage available on radio, TV and the internet, news intros and promos are a vital part of attracting listeners. These have become a major source of work for voice work, generally on a "retainer" basis. This is a brief example of that venue.
Phone Messaging & On Hold
Telephone message systems are now a part of everyday businesses, large and small. It cuts down on staff and helps to direct incoming calls to the proper person or department within a business. Although it can become a frustration when you are put onhold or the menu does not cover what you're looking for, it has become a vital part of voice-over work. The key to a good telehone message is a friendly voice.
Real Estate Tours
A relaxed and friendly descripti;on of real estate property can often lead to a quicker "closing on a sale." This is a typical "walk through" overview of a high-end estate in South Florida.
Museum & Landmark Tours
With the advent of podcast and other portable audio devices, audio tours of museums, landmarks, parks, etc. has become very common. Here are a couple of examples of this voice-over venue.
Confederate General
Documentaries deal with many types of subject matter. In many such projects, the narrator or another voice person, must also assume the role of one of the principals in the story line. Here is an example of a confederate general offering understanding and support to a young 17-year old who has just found out how rough war can be.
Country Western voice
Sometimes voice-casters will provide detailed specifications and copy for the voice they're looking for. And, sometimes they don't. When that happens, it's up to the talent to try and figure out what's the best thing to put in their submission. In this clip, the specifications only indicated that the client was looking for an older country western voice. This was my submission.
Voice of Teddy Roosevelt
Impersonations are a very limited category of voice work. And like "accents" they should only be done by a voice talent who knows how to do them, and do them well. As for myself, I do only impersonations of those who haven't been around for a while . . .like Julian Ceasar, General Robert E. Lee or Teddy Roosevelt. After all, who's to say if I'm "on target" or not. This is a clip of my version of Teddy Roosevelt, which I did for the recent documentary "Undocunmented"
in which he reflects on illegal immigration.
Indian Chief-Elderly-Dying
Many folks when they hear the phrase "Character Voices," think only of cartoon voices. However, the phrase can also mean the voice of a particular "character," as in story-telling. The audio clip here, voices the concern of a dying Indian Chief who realizes that his tribe is disappearing and he will no longer be in a place of leadership among his people who are vanishing.
Audio Book Montage
From the battlefield of the Civil War to the bedroom of an elite widow, you become a part of the story in this journey of imagination.
Gabriel-The Angel
In the audiobook "UFOs, God's Celestial Air Force," the archangel, Gabriel, in a slightly humorous and Grandfatherly voice tries to explain that angels don't just fly around with wings, but travel the universe in Unidentified Flying Objects.
Southern Accent-Uncle Harry's papers
Regional accents used in commercials, audio books and almost every other voice venue, should be accurate or the listener will be turned off and it will reflect badly on all concerned with the project. My best advise is not to try an accent unless you are sure it will sound like the "real thing." Having grown up in the south, this southern accent comes quite naturally.
Phone Chat with Myself
"Talking to yourself" is not necessarily a sign that you're loosing it.
In this clip the challenge was two-fold . . . to simulate a conversation between two industrial types, one of which was calling in on the phone from half way around the world. Here's how the final intro to an educational video turned out.
British/English Accents
Probably the second most requested accent for voice-over projects in all categories is the "British" or Internatioinal accent. This demo will give you an idea of my treatment of several commercials, narrations and audio books. The degree of accent can be adjusted to fit the needs of the project.
Financial Trading
Financial "reads" are required for many different voice projects, such as E-Learning, audio books, and internet home-based businesses. It's a specialized field that requires both an authoritative and sincere delivery. Here's a sample for promoting forex trading.
Robotic Voices
Ever since the arrival of the movie "Star Wars" many years ago, robotic voices have found their place in the world of voice work and computers. Here are two examples of the monotone delivery usually associated with these little creatures.
Grandfather's Voice
Grandfather voices are in constant demand for all venues of voice-acting work. Here again, is one of those categories where if your voice doesn't sound like it has the age of a grandfather, then don't try to fake it. Although Grandfathers can be very young, what most clients are looking for in a voice is the "typical" Grandfatherly sound. Here's my version.
