VO Buzz Weekly

EP 27 Billy West: Voice of Fry, Doug, Ren and Stimpy

Great advice for getting to the next level in the voiceover business.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, Billy West continues to lay it all on the line. He shares what other kinds of jobs he had before becoming a full-time voice actor. Hear how he defines success, where he feels inspiration, creativity and the ability to improvise come from and how to tap into it. Billy openly reveals more about how getting sober and treating chronic depression changed his creative process.

Billy’s love for music is demonstrated in stories about playing music with his hero Brian Wilson, Roy Orbison along with a powerful encounter with Jeff Beck. We find out how the events of 9-11 impacted his life as well as what he learned from a Monkeys album cover. He also tells us some of what he wants to do in the future and gives some great advice for getting to the next level in the voiceover business. Billy ends the episode by sharing from the heart some principles he lives by in life.

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EP 26 Billy West: Voice of Fry, Doug, Ren and Stimpy

From abusive childhood and addiction to voiceover stardom.

VO Buzz Weekly is being watched in more than 80 countries and Stacey proves that point with a viewer email from Nigeria. Chuck delivers another priceless “Tip of the Week” addressing the essential format of voice over demos that meet the industry standard.

The fun begins right away with voice actor guest, Billy West performing many of his famous characters and then getting “cozy” with Stacey. He openly reveals details about his abusive childhood, overcoming addiction, and how his love of music and playing in bands saved his life.

Hear how he got his start on the Howard Stern Show complete with impersonations of Howard Stern, Lucille Ball, along with many others. Billy explains how he can play so many different characters at one time and gives a stunning demonstration of how he taught himself to do the voice of Popeye.

Find out why he believes that anyone has the potential to do voices and get pointers from Billy for creating a world of characters of your own. The episode closes with some brilliant advice for getting started in the VO business and how a cell phone and YouTube can help your skills.

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EP 25 VOICE 2012 Convention

highlights from VOICE 2012 Convention at the Disneyland Hotel.

Hosts Chuck Duran and Stacey J. Aswad celebrate the 25th episode of VO Buzz Weekly by sharing highlights from their day at VOICE 2012 Convention at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Event creators and VO Buzz Weekly guests, James Alburger and Penny Abshire take a moment to express their feelings about having it all come together after many months of planning.

Before Chuck speaks on his panel about demos, Chuck and Stacey get the opportunity to tour around the Exhibit Hall. They chat with the hilarious, Pat Fraley as well as VOICE 2012 attendees from around the world who all have their own reasons for being at the event.

Technology experts from Sennheiser, Airturn, Apogee, Blue Microphones and Vocal Booth 2 Go discuss their newest gadgets and voice over gear. Chuck and Stacey finally get to meet John Florian and his family from Voiceover Xtra and joke around with the web hosts from East West Audio Body Shop, George Whittam and Dan Lenard.

Here’s looking forward to the next awesome event that will reunite the global voice over family once again. A great day and lots of amazing memories!

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EP 24 Chris Borders: Video Game Director

Tips for voice actors who want to break into the video game business.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly with Chris Borders, you get even more priceless information that you absolutely can’t afford to miss. He talks about how voice actors without an agent can get into video games and the reasons why having an interactive demo is an essential tool. Hear Chris’ hysterical story about commuting from Orange County to Los Angeles and his adventures as a musician which includes meeting some of his idols.

Chris shares his philosophy for building a successful career in voice over and what he likes most about the process of creating a new video game. Find out what he feels is the future for the video game business and how they have changed people’s lives. Chris concludes by giving honest advice and valuable tips for voice actors who want to break into the video game business and the voice over industry.

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EP 23 Chris Borders: Video Game Director

Get the inside scoop on the audition process for video games.

Stacey is sporting one of the custom designed VO Buzz Weekly t-shirts and Chuck is sharing yet another valuable “Tip of the Week “ about making your commercial demo great! Meet guest Chris Borders, video game director of mega-hit titles like the Gears of War trilogy, Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate, Need for Speed and many others, shares how he paid his dues to become one of the best video game directors in the business.

Viewers get the inside scoop about the video game business plus priceless information every voice actor needs to hear about the audition process and what skills a voice actor needs to be successful in the VO business. Find out why the video game business has huge opportunities for voice actors and learn about the process of creating and recording a video game. Get ready to take notes, this is a “must watch” episode, especially for anyone interested in video games.

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EP 22 Bob Bergen: Voice of Porky Pig

Priceless guidance from over 25 years of teaching experience.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, Bob Bergen continues to share his truth with career advice that he still uses today, how he keeps his voice healthy and some of the things he just can’t live without.

Anyone who wants to break into the voice over business will get priceless guidance from the man who is celebrating twenty-five years in teaching this year. We learn why Bob teaches, what he loves about it and why his no-nonsense approach works with his students.

As a longtime union advocate, Bob shares his perspective on the SAG-AFTRA merger and its impact on the industry along with how his one-man show came to be. Hear poignant stories about a very special award he received, his visit to the White House and the importance of his family.

The episode closes with candid reflections on his early career years, what he believes has helped him become so successful and his hopes for the future.

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EP 21 Bob Bergen: Voice of Porky Pig

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Voice of Porky Pig shares how to became a successful voice actor.

Hosts Chuck Duran and Stacey J. Aswad share the “Tip of the Week” about perfume and voice over, and happily announce their healthy sponsor from NAJLAS.com called the Body Good Buzz Bars. Bob Bergen, award-winning voice actor and voice of Porky Pig since 1990, openly shares the inspiring story of how he became a successful voice actor, which includes a phone call and personal encounter with hero, Mel Blanc.

Learn from personal examples how his training, focus and fearless attitude have helped him achieve his ultimate career dreams. Bob demonstrates amazing teaching techniques for creating characters that are memorable, and proves why he is such a sought after voice acting coach.

He does the voices of some of his favorite classic characters and gives incredible advice for what you can do to advance your career using his “backwards thinking” philosophy and social media.

EP 20 James Alburger and Penny Abshire: Voice Trainers

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Sound advice on how to find the right voiceover teacher or coach.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, viewers get the inside scoop on how and why the bi-annual VOICE Convention started from creators, James Alburger and Penny Abshire. They share a touching story about Don LaFontaine who attended the very first VOICE Convention and how many successful voice actors like Joe Cipriano, Bob Bergen, Dave Fennoy and Pat Fraley continue to support the event.

Learn about the benefits, specific events and how to attend the VOICE 2012 Convention at The Disneyland Resort in June and hear how it has changed people’s lives and voice over careers. James and Penny give new and established voice actors sound advice to propel their voice over careers in the right direction, as well as tips to find the right voice over teacher or coach. Penny shares what she still hopes to achieve in her life and James comes out of magician retirement to end the episode with a special magic trick.

EP 19 James Alburger and Penny Abshire: Voice Trainers

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Things you need to know to be competitive in the VO business.

Hosts Stacey J. Aswad and Chuck Duran’s “Tip of the Week” uses Beyer Dynamic headphones and they share viewer emails from people who enjoy and appreciate the shows. The San Diego-based teaching team of James Alburger and Penny Abshire share how their diverse backgrounds lead them to where they are today, best friends and business partners. They discuss their unique teaching approach and why it’s so effective.

Find out what a voice actor has to have to be competitive in the voice over business today, ways to use social media, networking and marketing to advance your voice over career and get ideas for starting a home studio. James discusses his critically acclaimed books - The Art of Voice Acting, The Voice Actor’s Guide to Professional Home Studio Recording and How To Get Jobs For The Voices In My Head. Penny talks about her passion for teaching and the Positive Thinkers Unite movement she started on Facebook.

EP 18 Sandie Schnarr: AVO Talent Agent

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Agent shares a wealth of knowledge you won't get anywhere else.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, voice over agent Sandie Schnarr continues to deliver her wealth of knowledge that you don’t get to hear anywhere else! She shares things a voice actor can do to get signed by a talent agency and comments on if it’s ever too late to get in to voice over.

We learn the role of a booth director in the commercial and animation audition process and why starting an on-camera commercial department at AVO Talent can help the voice actor in their career. Hear her opinions on the SAG-AFTRA merger and what she hopes will change in the voice over industry.

We talk about the celebrity factor in the voice over business and the episode ends with Sandie revealing why she is so passionate about being a voice over agent.