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Great Portfolio Op for Aspiring Voice Over Artists

posted Dec 28, 2009 7:21 AM by Kevin Kirshner   [ updated Jan 16, 2010 6:42 AM ]
Here's an interesting idea for all aspiring actors, actresses...........well basically anyone in performing arts.  The website we're recommending is http://librivox.org.  It is a growing resource of out of date/out of print books and other previously published literary works -- short stories, poems, novels, non-fiction.  After browsing the catalog there is something for almost any interest -- fun to explore. 

If you currently do Voice-Over work, or have been told you have a great voice why not try...........here is your opportunity to share your beautiful voice with the rest of us, and do some good -- all at the same time.

As a listener it couldn't be easier, all you do is browse the Catalog, locate something of interest -- download the mp3 file -- load it onto your iPod or other MP3 Player.

We suggest just going ahead and exploring the website for yourself.  Besides just being a "depository" for literature -- it offers people an opportunity to volunteer our services by being a Recording Reader.  As a Rcording Reader you have the ability of not only serving this community, but also creating hosted tracks of your own voice on the web.

It couldn't be easier to get yourself setup and started -- while it may not be as sophisticated as working in a sound-proof, digital recording environment -- it demonstrates something else about yourself.  Here is all you need:
  • your voice
  • some free software
  • your computer
  • and maybe an inexpensive microphone
If hosting sample tracks of your voice were not enough -- Volunteerism is so vitally important.  Depending on your personal interests there are various ways that you can participate.  Literary works are given in different languages as well -- so we're not just talking (speaking of) English.  Here is a list that was copied from the volunteer page of Librivox.
  • collaborative: many volunteers contribute chapters of a long text
  • solo: one volunteer reads an entire book
  • short works (prose and poetry): short works and poetry!
  • dramatic works: “actors” record parts, all edited together.
  • other languages: projects in languages other than English.
The above list offers ways to showcase your individual talent, or work in a collaborative with others.

Actually Librivox is not just for performers -- the rest of us get the enrichment, entertainment, stimulation of listening to these forgotten literary works.

Heading over to the gym now to listen to some recorded Ghost Stories by Charles Dickens -- going to scare myself into shape.  And if you do volunteer your voice and services, send us the link so we can post it as an update to this blog-post.
 

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