VO Buzz Weekly

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.

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

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.

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

EP 21 Bob Bergen: Voice of Porky Pig

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

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

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

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

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

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

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

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.

EP 17 Sandie Schnarr: AVO Talent Agent

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

Want an agent? Watch this episode and prepair to take notes.

Hosts Chuck Duran and Stacey J. Aswad mention the trailer for a voice over documentary called, I Know That Voice and Chuck’s "Tip of the Week" uses a Sennheiser microphone. VO Buzz Weekly’s first agent guest is Stacey’s animation and video game agent, Sandie Schnarr of AVO Talent.

Anyone who wants to have an agent and be a working voice actor needs to watch this episode and take notes. Sandie tells how she rose from a being a receptionist and surviving cancer to becoming a powerhouse talent agent and agency owner.

She raves about business partner/VO agent, Peter Varano, and their new promo/trailer and on-camera commercial agents at AVO Talent.

Viewers get to hear a top agent’s detailed perspective about demos, why having an acting background is a must, what is current in the voice over marketplace, what agents like and dislike, what voice actors need to market themselves and the essential elements for a successful agent-voice actor relationship. Sandie Schnarr is a “must watch guest!”

EP 16 Tara Strong: Voice of Twilight Sparkle

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

Voice of Twilight Sparkle shares advice that helped her career. Watch

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, Tara Strong who is known for her character Twilight Sparkle in My Little Pony, expresses love and appreciation for her legion of fans who call themselves, Bronies.

We learn why she loves social media, the internet and Comic Cons so much. Hear about new projects she has booked like MJ in the new Spiderman series for Disney XD as well as several others.

A devoted mom to her kids, Tara shares valuable advice she got early in her VO career that has gotten her to where she is today. We discuss the benefits of having a home studio and a background in music.

Tara gives us a sneak peek into the next chapter of her life which includes creative projects and a new invention and business. The show closes with a little relationship advice and more expressions of love from Tara.

EP 15 Tara Strong: Voice of Twilight Sparkle

 Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

Advice about how to get into VO and what it takes to succeed.

Hosts Chuck Duran and Stacey J. Aswad share their recent projects and recommend reading the Dan Friedman book, Sound Advice: Voice Over from an Audio Engineer’s Perspective as well as attending the VOICE 2012 convention in June.

They comment on emails from viewers around the world and start their interview with Tara Strong, the Canadian voice actor who knew she wanted to be a performer since she was a child. Tara gives specific advice about how to get in to voice over and what it takes to succeed.

While commenting on misconceptions about voice acting, Chris Rock and comments he made on the Oscars broadcast keep coming up. Tara tells a story about working with her childhood idol then shares which characters are her favorites and most like her true nature.

Viewers get to hear from Timmy Turner, Ben 10, Bubbles and Raven and find out what Tara does to prepare her voice for sessions. We learn about her latest obsession and what she loves about working in animation. The episode ends with a story about her first job in LA and how her talent blew them away.

EP 14 Scott Brick: Audio Book Narrator

Watch exclusive episodes at http://VOBuzzWeekly.com

How to create an audiobook demo that meets industry standards.

In this episode of VO Buzz Weekly, Scott Brick, Publishers Weekly Narrator of the Year, talks about the weirdest and funniest audio book job of his career and shares a hysterical story you have to hear. We learn why he started teaching workshops and what motivates him to help aspiring voice actors.

He gives important information on how to create an audiobook demo that meets industry standards and humbly reports on his literary conquests like completing his first novel, and an educational book that every working and aspiring audio book narrator will want for their library.

As the pride and joy of Random House Publishing, Scott candidly shares the things you should do to become an audio book narrator and closes the interview stating he is a regular viewer of VO Buzz Weekly.