Highlights
James Gillies' authoritative, avuncular sound brings warmth and dash to any script. He has a voice honed over 34 years in the broadcasting industry, including over 20 years as an announcer and newsreader for the BBC. His ability to conjure up a range of accents and deliver a variety of characters has made him a favourite among British television and radio programme and promo producers. His work is varied and easy on the ears. James brings a lifetime of experience to the microphone, and undertakes to provide you with a professional service and a rapid turnaround (typically under 24 hours).
Languages
English, English (British), English (Scottish)
Accents
English (generic and regional), Scots (generic and regional), Welsh, Irish (Southern Ireland), Ulster (Northern Ireland), Australian, South African, New Zealand.
Ages
Young Adult, Middle Aged, Senior
Special Skills
Cartoons, Documentaries, Audiobooks, Business, Educational, Radio, Telephone, Television, Internet
Experience
From 1978, whilst teaching, James found himself in demand as professional voice over artist. In 1986, he left teaching to go full time working for television and radio stations, the length and breadth of the UK.
In 1991 he joined the BBC. Thus, sadly, while his voice profile (as announcer, newsreader, narrator and occasional character) was raised across television and radio, both in and between programmes, for contractual reasons further commercial work had to be politely declined.
Now, with the recent freeing up of the marketplace, he is permitted to service other clients as before… and he cheerfully welcomes all interesting projects. He has established his reputation when narration demands 'warmth', ‘gravitas’ or ‘authority’. However, he also enjoys ‘character’ work (you can take the Boy out of Performing, but…) and welcomes opportunities to do more of the same in animation and gaming. For ethical reasons he will not promote alcohol.
Credentials
Education
James trained in Acting at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now The Scottish Conservatoire), from 1974, graduating in 1977 with a CDS (with Distinction), and in Theatre Arts at Glasgow University from 1975, graduating in 1978 with a BA (Hon). From 1978, he taught Speech and Drama and Theatre Studies at Bankhead Academy and in 1980 became Head of Drama at Mintlaw Academy, along the way finding himself in demand as a professional voice over artist.
Studio
Microphone
Rode NT2A
Computer & Software
Pro Tools
Delivery Methods
CD, YouSendIt
Turnaround Time
Under 24 hours for scripts with fewer than a thousand words, 24 to 48 hours for longer reads. Audio Books in 5 working days.
Service Description
Email your script to James and he will turn around the recording within a few hours, recording and delivering in the format of your choice via E-mail of YouSendIt. Also, If you like James' delivery why not bookmark him for next time by hitting the heart symbol?
Testimonials
Extraneous Noise - Boston MA
“James was a pleasure to work with. We reached out to him on very short notice with an extremely tight deadline, and he was able to turn around the voice over super quickly.
And most importantly, his performance was fantastic and really improved the overall project. Definitely hope to work with him again. We highly recommend him.”
John Tomma, October 2012
Peter Worrall
"James delivered a great performance and gave the script the really chilling flavour I was looking for."
Peter Worrall, author, January 2013
AltSpace - Moscow
"James is a great professional, he works fast and is always ready to provide assistance. His remarkable voice gave our script the tone and spirit we were looking for. We highly recommend James and look forward to working with him again."
Olga Kosova, February 2013
Client List
Aberdeen Actors
AIR (UK Airport Information Radio Services)
AltSpace Moscow Russia
BBC Radio Two
BBC Radio Three
BBC Radio Four
BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC English Regions Television
BBC One Television
BBC Two Television
BBC Alba
BBC Choice
BP (formerly British Petroleum)
British Airways
British Caledonian Airline
BSB (British Satellite Broadcasting)
Cinécosse
Exxon Oil (Esso Europe)
European Union Commission (Agriculture and Rural Development)
European Union Commission (Climate Action)
European Union Commission (Energy)
European Union Commission (Humanitarian Aid)
Extraneous Noise Boston MA
Heart Independent Radio Group
Kinematagram UK
Manx Radio
Marathon Oil
NSA of the Bahá’is of the UK
Radio Clyde
Radio Forth
Radio Moray Firth
Radio Northsound
Radio Tay
Robert Child Associates Philadelphia PA
Scottish Government
Scottish Office (UK Government)
Shell
Sky Television
Scottish Libraries Association
STV North (Grampian)
STV South
Total Oil Marine,
UK Call Centre Association
WGBH Boston MA
Yorkshire Bank
… and a few hundred hardy small advertisers over the years whose names I can no longer remember. God bless them!
Payment Terms
Hire James for voice over work. Payment is made through Voices.com SurePay, an escrow service that guarantees your work is done to your satisfaction. Send payment securely by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal through Voices.com then download your files from the website.
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