Archive for May, 2009

A Voice Never Forgotten!

Posted On: Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 am | By: David
Related Category: VO News | 8 Comments »

Voice Coaches would like to pay tribute to one of the most talented and well-known voice artists in the world, Wayne Allwine, who passed away due to complications from diabetes on May 18, 2009.

Mr. Allwine is best known for playing the voice of Mickey Mouse for over 30 years. After Walt Disney retired from the role in the 1940s, the voice of Mickey was taken over by Jimmy MacDonald, who eventually trained Allwine in the 1970s, making Allwine only the third person to portray Mickey Mouse on a regular basis. He is survived by his wife, also a prominent voice actor, Russi Taylor, who has portrayed Minnie Mouse since 1986. The couple was well known for not only voicing Mickey and Minnie Mouse, but also embodying all the best characteristics of the pair. They were both awarded a Disney Legend award in 2008, and it’s well known among the voice acting community that Wayne Allwine was an extremely kind, warm, and very well-liked gentleman who was delighted to take time out to be interviewed about his craft.

An acclaimed sound effects editor, Mr. Allwine inherited the job as the voice of Mickey in 1977. In his role as Mickey Mouse, you’ve heard Mr. Allwine in Disney movies and TV shows such as The New Mickey Mouse Club (1977-1978), Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), The Prince and the Pauper (1990), A Goofy Movie (1995), the Kingdom Hearts video game (2002), Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004), and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006-2008), among other things. He also continued his sound effects work well into the 1980s.

It’s been a tough couple of years for the voice acting industry. It was just September 1st of last year that we lost Don LaFontaine, the voice behind thousands of movie trailers and probably the single most well-known voice actor around. Now, with the passing of Wayne Allwine, another voice acting legend is has stepped away from the mic. Fortunately, Mr. Allwine’s passion for his work will live on for generations to come in the form of the numerous Disney cartoons, movies, and television shows that he provided Mickey’s voice for.

Rest in peace, Wayne. You will be missed.

CNN Has It Right!

Posted On: Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 8:22 am | By: David
Related Category: VO News | 5 Comments »

CNN Knows What’s Cool!

During my fairly ordinary morning routine of reading the news on CNN online while installing a bunch of new software the folks at Sweetwater just sent me, I noticed an eye grabbing story:

10 Jobs That Are Cooler Than Yours!

I quickly clicked on the link thinking to myself, we’ll see what these overly informed news-types consider to be “cool”.

Well, right there in the list somewhere between Food Critic and Video Game Tester, was Voice Actor! CNN somehow decided that our of every possible vocation, Voice Acting was one of the top 10 for cool factor.

They went on to suggest that an average Voice Actor earns $47,000.00 annually… more if an individual has a unique voice.

And keep in mind, most successful Voice Actors accomplish this in far less than 40 hours per week!

Now THAT”S cool!!

Check out the story at CNN.

I’m off to have a super cool day!

Cheers!

David at Voice Coaches

Thank You Everyone!

Posted On: Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 am | By: David
Related Category: Education, Effective Marketing, VO News | 3 Comments »

Technology + You= Opportunity , Voice Coaches 2009 Advanced Marketing Expo, came to a close last night at 5:15pm. With attendance close to 200, this event was a tremendous and empowering success.

Attendees from across the US and Canada joined some of the most influential professionals in our industry for a day-long series of presentations, expert panels, and one-on-one advice.

Though many former and current Voice Coaches students were in attendance from as far away as California, New Mexico, Arizona, Georgia, Texas, and Florida, we want to give special thanks to Voice Coaches Student turned professional voice actor Jonathan Stull, who traveled all the way from Wasilla Alaska to attend the event!

Presenters and panelists included Legendary Voice Actor Rodney Saulsberry, Voices.com founders Stephanie & David Ciccarelli, Award winning audio book producer Dan Bostick, Home recording expert Mark Magdich, Television, film, and voice actor Evan Farmer, Super agent Billy Serow, Visual marketing expert Dan Dinsmore, Producer and trainer Dave Goldberg, Communication and marketing expert Jay Silverman, and more.

In addition, experts in vocal health, visual marketing, social networking, home recording, and conventional marketing, were on hand along with Voice Over Xtra founder and former student John Florian, and representatives from Voices.com to answer questions during seminar intermissions.

Attendees enjoyed catered breakfast, snacks, lunch, and beverages all day provided by our exceptional friends at Mallozzi’s Catering.

For the first time, we formally invited one of our charities, the SPCA to join us. I am proud to say that Voice Coaches students and friends raised more than $2000.00 for the group in less than 8 hours.

Anna and I were fortunate to have a late post-event dinner with most of our presenters and I am delighted to say that every single one of these professionals were very impressed by YOU our students.

After an exhausting month preparing for this event… We are a bit sad that it’s over! We do want to sincerely thank our entire team at Voice Coaches, and all of our special guests and presenters who were willing to invest their own valuable time to share information.

Most of all however, we want to extend our most sincere thanks to our clients across the US and Canada for trusting us to assist you. You make it possible for us to do something that we truly enjoy… and we are dedicated to doing the same thing for you!!

Until next year… Thanks!

David and Anna Bourgeois

Voice Coaches

Voice Coaches Expo Is ON!!!

Posted On: Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 am | By: David
Related Category: Education, Effective Marketing, VO News | 2 Comments »

Today, the Voice Coaches Advanced Marketing Expo is happening in Schenectady NY with attendees and experts from across the US and Canada. Nearly 200 voice professionals were in attendance as Voice Coaches President David Bourgeois kicked off the event this morning.

Marketing and Communication Expert Jay Silverman spoke about personal traits in effective marketing. The group then overwhelmingly welcomed award winning audio book producer Dan Bostick from Full Cast Audio. After Dan’s presentation, Visual Marketing Expert Dan Dinsmore, president of media firm Overit Media spoke about emerging opportunities that advances in technology have created in our field.

Next up are Voices.com Co-Founders Stephanie and David Ciccarelli.

Look for video podcasts at Voice Coaches TV later today!!