Kevin Readdean - Voice Talent » VO Meter

Caedmon, the “Third Dimension for the Printed Page” Launches an Industry

Kevin Readdean — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:39:15 +0000

It was on this day in 1952, that what is considered to be the first spoken word recording session of a literary volume was held. Recruited by record industry entrepreneurs Barbara Holdridge and Marianne Roney recruited poet and writer, Dylan Thomas to record a number of his poems. Thomas began the February 22nd recording session at Steinway Hall in New York with “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” He then read a collection of additional works, including the then-obscure short story, originally published in Harper’s Bazaar, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” to fill out the B side of the long play record.

Building on the accomplishments of this recording, Holdridge and Roney formed Caedmon Records, named for the earliest know English poet. They went on to record spoken word titles for authors such as William Faulkner, e. e. cummings, T.S. Eliot, Katherine Anne Porter, and Tennessee Williams. The success of these records

An imprint of HarperCollins Publishing since 1987, the success of Caedmon Audio, dubbed the “Third Dimension for the Printed Page,” is considered the spark that ignited today’s 2 billion dollar audio book industry.

Hear an excerpt or purchase: Dylan Thomas:The Caedmon CD Collection Unabridged

Sources and more information:

Coke ‘Ads’ Life

Kevin Readdean — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:00:41 +0000

I would venture to say that there was about as much “Monday Morning Quarterbacking” going on today about the Super Bowl commercials as there were points of view floating around about the relative performances of the Colts and Saints in between station breaks. Media outlets, website, tweets, and the blogosphere are buzzing today about Doritios, Dodge and Denny’s, to name a few (see the VoiceCoaches Blog for a great overview). One of the best reviews to check out comes from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. The Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review provides a well respected annual analysis of Super Bowl advertisements based on a strategic ranking scheme. This year, Professors Tim Calkins and Derek Rucker and their team of students in the school’s Marketing Club gave their highest ranking to snack foods, car companies and Google. I have to agree with many of their points; these ads told entertaining and exciting stories and left lasting impressions. However, the two Coca-Cola spots which were my favorites from the big game, but didn’t make Kellogg’s list.

Coke’s “Hard Times” spot featuring the broke and downtrodden Mr. Burns getting a pick me up from friends and a Coke is quintessential Coca-Cola. It linked two prominent brands (The Simpsons and Coca-Cola) with the themes of fun, escape and jubilation. By featuring a lively and catchy tune along with the chance to see all of our favorite Springfield residents, the ad was pleasing on many levels. The creators even threw in some gags like Bart setting up Homer to be sprayed by his Coke when he opened it, and geeky Milhouse (voiced by Pamela Hayden) hitting the Coke bottle while airborne in his kite. This ad reinforced what we love about these two brands: “Have a Coke and a smile.”

The “Sleepwalker” ad again linked the Coke brand to the happiness benefit in a far-fetched but entertaining way. The lone character survives a wild sleepwalking safari on a quest for a Coke that can’t be satisfied as a dream alone. It ends will us laughing right along with the hyena.

The spots were developed by the creative masterminds at Wieden & Kennedy-Portland. See the W+K blog for clips of these spots and list of the creative teams involved in the productions.

I believe these ads succeed because they offer exactly what the country is looking for now: diversion from reality and delight in the simple things, and perhaps a better way to drink ourselves out of the Great Recession. “Coke Adds Life.”

So, at the end of the big game, the voice-over guy liked the ads with the least amount of voice-over in them. Go figure…

Smarter than the Average Bear

Kevin Readdean — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:12:15 +0000

On this day in 1961, that fun-loving bear from Jellystone National Park sprang from his supporting role on The Huckleberry Hound Show , to become the star of his own animated series, The Yogi Bear Show. This classic Hanna & Barbera cartoon featured the legendary Daws Butler voicing Yogi Bear, in a nod to Art Carney’s Ed Norton character from The Honeymooners, Don Messick providing the voice of both Ranger Smith and Boo Boo Bear, and Julie Bennett voicing Cindy Bear.

The television series was sponsored by Kellogg’s Cereals. Here’s a classic Kellogg’s commercial featuring Yogi. Note how Yogi corrects the voice-over announcer’s pronunciation of the word “crispier.” Could he be “smarter than the average voice-over arrtist” too?

Can’t get enough of Yogi Bear? He’s coming to the big screen in December 2010 in a live-action 3D movie. For this one, Dan Aykroyd steps up to the picnic basket as Yogi with Justin Timberlake tagging along as Boo Boo. This film should be an enjoyable flashback to the classic.

Sources: Toontracker, Wikipedia

A few more links: Saturday Morning Blog, Gordon and the Whale

Who said TV is not educational?

Kevin Readdean — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:12:40 +0000

On this day in 2002, Thirteen/WNET in New York launched the animated, educational program Cyberchase, a math mystery program designed to inspire a love of math and problem solving in kids while teaching everyday math principles. This Emmy award-winning show has been at the heart of the PBS lineup ever since as one of the only educationally focused animated kids program on television. The cartoon is an entertaining and engaging watch as a team of three kids, Matt, Jackie and Inez, along with their cyberbird, Digit, use their math skills to save Cyberspace from the villainous Hacker.

The Cyberchase voice-over cast includes headline actors such as Christopher Lloyd and Gilbert Gottfried, as well as Novie Edwards, Jacqueline Pillon, and Annick Obonsawin. This video from Thirteen/WNET provides an inside look at the show and offers a glimse of the voice actors at work.

Cyberchase is a show that parents can enjoy with their kids and then continue to reinforce the learning during everyday teachable moments. Who said there is nothing educational on TV?

Cyberchase Trailer:

Other links of interest: iLearn Technology, Austin Children’s Museum, The STEM Blog

Got MLK?

Kevin Readdean — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:55:33 +0000

This third Monday in January brings us to the 10th celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday, across the county, in every state in the Union. MLK Day was first observed in 1986 after the long awaited bill recognizing the day was signed into law in 1983 by President Regan. Initially, some states defied holding a holiday in honor of Dr. King, joining the day with other holidays or calling it other names. The King Holiday was formally observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Was there any greater orator? Inspiring millions with the themes of justice, compassion, service reconciliation, and peace. Was there any greater orator?

So however, you observed this MLK day – with moments of silence, service, celebration, rejoicing or remembrance – I think the key is to let the holiday, and King’s spirit, live on somehow in the world, beyond this day. I think I’ll start with learning more about the Reverend by listening to his autobiography, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. which is edited by Clayborne Carson and narrated by LeVar Burton. This is the project for which Burton won the Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Award for in 2000. Burton is also well known for portraying Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Michael Mann film Ali. In addition to these and other on camera roles, Burton has an extensive voice-over resume, with characters in several animated projects including Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Family Guy, Gargoyles, and The New Adventures of Captain Planet to name a few.

Make it a good MLK Day… and beyond.

Television Quits Smoking

Kevin Readdean — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:12:04 +0000

The Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969 banned cigarette advertisements on American radio and television beginning on this day in 1971. Passed in 1970, this law also launched the infamous Surgeon General Warnings on cigarette packs. The legislation marked the beginning of the on-going regulation of tobacco product marketing and the end of decades of cigarette manufacturers being the primary sponsors for television shows, including cartoons. For example, Winston’s was a major sponsor of The Flintstones in the 1960’s. At the end of each episode, Fred and Barney were seen using and endorsing Winston Cigarettes. Here is a clip with Golden Age of Animation voices, Alan Reed (Fred Flintstone) and Mel Blanc (Barney Rubble) promoting Winston Cigarettes.

In another example of an animated cigarette commercial (Chesterfield Kings, 1957), Daws Butler (know for characters such as Quick Draw McGraw, Yogi Bear, Snagglepuss, and Huckleberry Hound) voices the Chesterfield King. You’ll recognize many of the other voices from cartoons and cereal commercials of the time.

In the four decades since the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act, much tobacco advertising has disappeared, replaced by anti-smoking public service announcement such as this Star Wars PSA from the early 1980’s. In this clip, as in the movies and related series, C-3PO is voiced by Anthony Daniels.

Follow this link for a Collection of Anti-Smoking TV Ads.

Follow this link for assistance with quitting smoking.

Carrey vs. Curry – Bah! Humbug!

Kevin Readdean — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:12:21 +0000

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being A Ghost Story of Christmas (full title) was first published on this day in 1843. This classic has been adapted to every publishing and performance medium imaginable. If you haven’t seen the latest movie adaptation of this classic, Disney’s A Christmas Carol (Robert Zemeckis, 2009), I recommend you pass on this one and watch the 1992 Disney/Henson version of the story, The Muppet Christmas Carol. In brief, Michael Caine is a much better Scrooge than Jim Carrey; and who can resist the musical genius of Paul Williams and Miles Goodman?

Another way to get your Dickens fix would be to read or listen to the original novel. There are numerous audio book versions of A Christmas Carol. I recommend the version narrated by actor Tim Curry (perhaps best know as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show). Curry’s natural English accent plays well for this 19th century classic. Curry’s variation on the different characters brings Dickens’ prose to life, while chronicling Scrooge’s inner turmoil and ultimate redemption. Curry captures the essence of this classic, injecting wit and enthusiasm throughout and ultimately inspires the generosity of the season.

So if you’re looking for a new way to enjoy Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this year, I recommend Curry over Carrey. While both are exceptional actors, listening to Curry will provide a more authentic Dickens experience.

“Plus there’s more” – Scrooge-like misers can get a free version of this audio book if they are Audible subscribers and Applegazette readers.

Bah! Humbug!

Walt and Mickey

Kevin Readdean — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:12:15 +0000

On this day in 1966 the world lost animation and amusement giant Walt Disney (1901-1966). Disney’s contributions to the world of entertainment are numerous and extend over multiple formats. This twentieth century icon is probably best known as an animation film screenwriter, director, and producer and, as such, his importance to the world of voice acting cannot be overemphasized. Thousands of voice actors have contributed to Disney magic over the years. Here are just a few honorable mentions:

Kathryn Beaumont – Alice in Alice in Wonderland and Wendy in Peter Pan
Hal Smith – Goofy in Mickey’s Christmas Carol and Owl in Winnie the Pooh
Jim Cummings – Ed in The Lion King and Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger
Jack Wagner - One of the primary voices of the Walt Disney World Resorts, also known as the Voice of Disneyland. Listen to some of Wagner’s work and you’ll be transported back to a past Disney vacation.
Then there is Walt himself. He was, of course, the creator of Mickey Mouse, but what many don’t realize is that Disney was also the original voice of Mickey. Beginning with Mickey’s first speaking role in The Karnival Kid (1929), his ninth cartoon short, Walt provided the voice-over for Mickey Mouse until 1946 when Jimmy MacDonald took over the part. The clip below from Vault Disney shows Disney at work reading a Mickey part along with Billy Bletcher voicing Pete the train conductor.

For more information about Walt Disney see: The Disney Family Museum and Biography.com

Voice Actors in the News celebrates 10 years

Kevin Readdean — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:20:48 +0000

This month, singer, actor, voice talent, and blogger, Craig Crumpton celebrates a decade of providing voice acting news for industry talent and fans. Originally published in 1999 as an e-zine devoted to animation voice-acting, Voice Actors in the News has had its home with ToonZone.net, The Voice-Actor Appreciation Society (Yahoo Group) and now is a must-read voice-over blog with over 2000 subscribers.

Congratulations on the milestone Craig - keep up the good work!

The Ad Council is Born

Kevin Readdean — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:28:05 +0000

It was on this day in 1941, during a combined meeting of the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies, that James Webb Young gave a passionate speech which inspired the creation of the Ad Council. Young stirred the assembly with themes of social responsibility and advertising for the public good. By the end of the meeting, groups were formed to coordinate the development of the Advertising Council to carry out Young’s vision. Three months later, in February 1942, the “War Advertising Council” was incorporated to organize the advertising industry’s support of the war effort. The council’s first public service campaign was the support the sale of US Savings Bonds, or War Bonds, as coined by the campaign. The early focus on supporting the war effort ended with the end of the war, but the Council rebranded itself by expanding into safety, health, education and a number of other social issues.

Over its sixty-five year history, the Ad Council has coordinated the development and distribution hundreds of memorable public service campaigns. We’ve all learned a lot for the Crash Test Dummies; cried over environmental pollution with Iron Eyes Cody; and taken a bite out of crime. But, perhaps one of the most memorable is the forest fire prevention campaign led by Smokey Bear. Created in 1944, the “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,” has been the longest running Ad Council campaign. Smokey Bear has been voiced by Washington DC radio personality, Jackson Weaver, voice artist Jim Cummings, and Los Angeles radio personality, George Walsh. The most current Smokey campaign, introduced in 2008, is voiced by actor, Sam Elliot.

In celebration of the anniversary of one of the best ideas created by the advertising industry, here’s a glimpse of a classic Smokey Bear campaign…