Sure, we’ve all got lovely voices – but imagine if your voice was EXTRAORDINARY. What if every time you spoke, people properly paid attention? What if really, truly, no one else could do what you do? For this episode, we have a lovely chat with Ralph Ineson and Krystal Dockery about how their lives and careers have been shaped by their exceptional voices. ALSO - In this episode’s Panic Room, Nic takes us through a few exercises to explore different parts of our pitch ranges – do join in and let ...
Jul 01, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 31
The One Voice organisers call us up to report some serious shuffling of the diversity deck for One Voice USA since we had a big chat about it in episode 30. Also, since it turns out everyone spent the 90s watching Eurotrash in their bedrooms with the volume turned right down, you'll be glad to hear that this episode also features ten minutes with the extremely fantastic Kate Robbins. Sign up to the newsletter at www.thevosocial.com Follow us on Twitter @thevosocial Email us at listen@thevosocial...
Jun 13, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Come with us behind the scenes at One Voice 2020! We’re bringing you a rather frank chat with the organisers about the tribulations involved in shifting the entire thing online, their response to concerns that there wasn’t enough diversity among conference speakers and some ground-shaking predictions about MASSIVE changes in the VO industry. We’ve also jammed together some of the best bits, including: How to “go faster but sound slower” Why “What voice do I use for this audiobook character?” is ...
May 31, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 30
We're having a bit of a soirée round at ours, so fling on your best outfit, grab a nice drink and marvel at the extraordinary voiceover party tricks our talented listeners have sent in. With immense thanks to: Chris Clarkson , Emma Stannard , Kenny Blyth , Liz Drury , Marni Penning Colema n, Sara Starling , Simon Jackson and Simon Naylor Please do leave us a review if you can! We would really like that. Also, sign up to the newsletter at www.thevosocial.com Theme tune written and performed by Ma...
May 14, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 29
And now on The Voiceover Social… Some of Britain’s most recognisable continuity voices (including the ultimate reassurance-delivery-system Zeb Soanes) tell their tales of high drama and general catastrophe. Also, in the Panic Room - Nic lays out how to use breath control to organise your shattered nerves. Infinite thanks to Philip Banks, Amanda Carlton, Trish Bertram, Sara Starling and Pete Nottage for your wonderful contributions. We really truly love you. MORE: www.thevosocial.com Theme tune w...
May 01, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Here it is! The breakdown of the Mid-Atlantic accent we've been promising you for MONTHS. We have nailed down exactly what the term used to mean versus what it means now, as well as how to do it - and why it might be time to consider adding it to your repertoire. Huge thanks to the ear bogglingly informed accent coach's accent coach Erik Singer for his contribution, as well as super-pros Juliette Gray, Julie Ann Dean, Peter Baker and Patrick Poletti for sending us their interpretation of the Mid...
Apr 01, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Leah made an appearance on the very funny podcast Drunk Women Solving Crime earlier this year, so we've nicked the clip of four comedians solving the mystery of her missing car to play to you. Other mysteries dealt with in this bonus episode; the curious disappearance of Leah's Manchester accent, and Nic on the difference between an "a" and an "a". Get your free ticket to the live recording of the VO Social on 25th April 2020 HERE ! And we've made it into a "Top 20 VO Podcasts" list! Check it ou...
Mar 14, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 27
One of the most famous promo voices in America lives in a tiny Scottish seaside village, an hour and a half north of Aberdeen. We went to see him to find out what life is like if 30 million people hear your voice every day – but none of them knows your name (it’s Philip Banks, by the way). Also featuring a very tolerant Doric-speaking farmer, James, who let us record him and his excellent dialect. More information than strictly necessary at www.thevosocial.com Theme tune written and performed by...
Mar 01, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Coco Mbassi is a VO from London, but is originally from France and has lived in Cameroon... niche, you might think. But her story will be disconcertingly familiar to any non-native voiceover... how do you get out of that pigeonhole - and do you even want to? If you have something to add to this conversation, we'd love to hear from you! Send your comments and views as an email or MP3 to vosocialnorth@gmail.com, or use the "send a voice message" link below Theme tune written and performed by Marti...
Feb 14, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Are all Americans voiceovers these days? Does being British there make it easier or harder to make a living? And what the bejinkers is a Mid Atlantic accent anyway?! The VO School podcast host (and indisputable Brit) Jamie Muffett joins us from his US studio to answer all our questions In the Panic Room... How To Stay Present: tackling copy with one eye on mindfulness, with input from actor and teacher Daniel Bradford Click HERE for Nic’s Masterclass Click HERE for Dan Bradford’s Mindful Acting ...
Feb 01, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 26
If you're an actor who's expanded from in-vision performance to voiceover, there are plenty of pickles you can get yourself into. You might have found yourself projecting so hard your mic is popping all over the place, or maybe you're phenomenal off book but your sight reading lets you down. In this bonus episode, Nic and Leah are joined in the panic room by a question from an actor about pauses - how do they change when the audience can't see your face? Things you can do: Get the newsletter: Cl...
Jan 14, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Doc Brown (AKA Ben Bailey Smith) is famous for being a rapper, comedian and actor among plenty of other things - but what many people don’t realise is that he’s also been working as a voiceover this whole time! In this extended episode (in honour of the arrival of 2020), we cover racism, classism, feminism and capitalism, Ben’s take on Multicultural London English and the flimsy flexibility of our moral fibre when it comes to turning down work. May all your new years be full of work and joy! The...
Jan 01, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 25
We've tracked him down! In our Child Voiceovers episode, Tracy Nampala (animation casting director) mentioned Louis Ashbourne-Serkis' extraordinary performance as Noddy, Toyland Detective (season 1), so we thought he'd be the perfect person to talk to about what being a CVO is actually like. Lucky for us, despite recently starring in The Kid Who Would Be King with Patrick Stewart and being up to his eyes in GCSEs he still managed to spare ten minute for a chat, bless him. Join the mailing list b...
Dec 14, 2019•12 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Ever wondered what being a child voiceover’s like? The kindly and wonderful animation director Tracy Nampala (Noddy, School of Roars, Ricky Zoom) shares how she gets the best out of the children she casts and top children’s casting site coordinator Joanne Lamb reveals the worst practice she’s seen from some surprisingly crap producers. Also - everything you need to know if you’re near a child who would love to join you in the booth AND it’s Soft Palate Day in the Panic Room, don’t miss it! Huge ...
Dec 01, 2019•37 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Once upon a time, there was a three year old who was puppet MAD. Warrick Brownlow-Pike watched them, drew them, made them, moved them and gave them great big muppety voices. Now he's a grown up major-league puppeting superstar - Gonger on Sesame Street, Dodge the Dog on the BBC, and The Chamberlain in Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance - so we've spoken to him about what makes a voice "muppety", how to make it more "monstery", and what happens when you have too much fun on live TV. Al...
Nov 01, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Our Leah was nominated for two VOX awards this year, but did she win them? Does it even matter? What’s the difference between awards in the UK and the US? And what if you have to pay to enter? Does that make it worth less? We bring you all the answers - or at least some vaguely researched pontificating - in our special bonus episode direct from VOX 2019. Featuring insider info from multi-award winners Rick Loynes, Darren Altman & Jack Oddie, and the super-talent that is Natalie Silverman. Th...
Oct 13, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 22
We’ve cornered studio engineers Tom Rowbotham , Kirsty Gillmore , Rob Bee and Rich O Donoghue and asked them what on earth they're twiddling with. Featuring: A fancy new(ish) way to get rid of mouth clicks Ten things you really need to know about studio etiquette Some truly heartwrenching answers to the question "What's been your most catastrophic session? A competition to win brand new Focusrite studio equipment worth hundreds of pounds! Get 10% off at https://store.focusrite.com for the whole ...
Oct 01, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Ladies and Gentlemen, this episode is about to begin! VOG specialists Katie Flamman and Lorraine Ansell tell us everything they know about getting the sound exactly right, Nic tackles a mysterious squeak in the Panic Room, and Equity's Audio Committee makes a big announcement! Got a voice question? Send it to the Panic Room using the “send in a voice message” link below, or email an mp3 to vosocialnorth@gmail.com . We’ll keep you anonymous! Like the occasional discount on useful VO stuff? Fancy ...
Sep 01, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 21
We’ve dragged ourselves out of a sluggish 38 celsius funk to bring you the sparklingly musical (and non-musical too) impressionist Jess Robinson. In this episode, Jess reveals who has the trickiest of all the voices to get right as well as which ones do her the most damage, and in the Panic Room - ARG I'VE FORGOTTEN HOW TO BREATHE Got a panic? Send it to us! We'll keep you anonymous, we promise. Click the “send voice message” link, or email an MP3 to vosocialnorth@gmail.com. PS: Kim Chandler’s F...
Aug 01, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Did you know there are VO Socials across the UK? Join us on a whistlestop tour round three of them – Bristol, Scotland and Hull - for advice on tricky clients, VO horror stories, and a surprising amount of nudity… Get involved in real life: NEWCASTLE 5th August at the Town Wall opposite Central Station from 7:30pm BRISTOL 21st August at Bambalan from 7pm (Happy 1st birthday Bristol!) SCOTLAND 1st September, most likely in Glasgow HULL 7th Sept at the Humber Dock Bar, 2-5pm MANCHESTER 28th Septem...
Jul 14, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
EXPLICIT CONTENT! Be warned. This interview with radio commercial producer Adders from LBS has absolutely zero bleeps in it. That’s despite it containing an extraordinary, previously unbroadcast recording of one of voiceover’s most famous mavericks raunching up a car dealership, and TWO whole OTHER swear words as WELL. If you feel you can manage all that, you'll also hear: Why SEO is worth troubling yourself over What the heck is a “non-voice” voice (and why you should care) How to keep your ree...
Jul 01, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 19
It’s the One Voice Conference 2019 in podcast form! Featuring keynote speaker Hugh Bonneville, voiceovers from all over the world, and the Northern winners from the One Voice Awards. Don’t forget to leave a review, and send your questions to our brand new Panic Room by clicking on the "Send Voice Message" link below (or by emailing listen@thevosocial.com if you can't see it) Theme tune written and performed by Martin Stirrup under this Creative Commons license.
Jun 01, 2019•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
It’s a bonus episode! Join Nic, Leah, Paul Brown and special guest Natalie Silverman for a quick jaunt back in time to find out if things really were better in the olden days of commercial voiceover. Plus, find out how YOU could be the proud owner of the preposterous number plate A1 MVO! Also, the oooonly time we could find to record this bonus episode was on the fast (loud) train home from the One Voice Conference. Thank goodness for the amazing Rob Bee! He saved the day with his magical noise ...
May 14, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Paul Brown is one of the most well known radio commercial voices in the UK. He’s been at it since the 70s, and now works from his home studio near Macclesfield for a floor-moppingly long list of huge name clients. We popped round his gaff to find out what he knows, and have a nosey at his great big fancy booth. Ooh it is posh though. Theme tune written and performed by Martin Stirrup under this Creative Commons license ....
May 01, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This time around, we have an avant-garde bash at getting the levels right and then expert In-Store Radio producer Toby Huggins from KVH Media takes us on a trip all over this under-lauded industry. He also reveals the details of a party he's planning in the aisles of a high street store near you, AND we launch our competition! You can win TWO brilliant prizes (info in the podcast), and all you have to do is write a review of our show in iTunes then email us on vosocialnorth@gmail.com to tell us ...
Apr 01, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode we chat to Judith from Manchester/London voice agency The Voiceover Gallery about how being based up North makes a difference, current casting trends, and what to do if your client's "being a nob". There's an absolutely lovely chap featured in Show Offs Corner, and Nic tells you how to get tickets for the ridiculously brilliant guest coach she's shipped up North for a workshop. SEND US YOUR STUFF for Show Offs Corner via listen@thevosocial.com, and follow us on twitter @thevosoci...
Feb 02, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The North played a blinder at the VOX awards 2018, with a load of nominations and an outstanding TWO wins by Cumbrian lad Jack Oddie, so we called him up to get his perspective on regional accents taking over the commercial mainstream. Also in this episode, Manchester based video production company Bearded Fellows smash through some frankly savage home truths about how they cast voices, and Leah gives Nic a terrible Christmas present. Theme tune written and performed by Martin Stirrup under this...
Dec 04, 2018•28 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Boz talks in this bonus episode about casting, music, sound design, authenticity and purpose in Holy Mountain's "Billie Homeless Dies At The End", "Saving The Blue", "Hay El Matar" (back on BBC Radio 4 from November 19th) and "The Good Listener" (which is being repeated on BBC Radio 4 on 12th September 2018) Episode 14 of the podcast will be published in December - send your VO work to vosocialnorth@gmail.com to be considered for Show Offs Corner! Theme tune written and performed by Martin Stirr...
Oct 01, 2018•9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Here, have an interview with the man from Holy Mountain; Leah's favourite creator and award winning, industry disrupting megatron, Boz Temple Morris. The most Northern of our VO Social attendees features in Show Offs' Corner, and there's a clip of one of the Guardian's "Best Shows To See" at the Edinburgh Festival at the very end... for reasons that will become apparent. Send us your contributions for Show Offs' Corner to vosocialnorth@gmail.com, and sign up for a session at Nic's Northern Voice...
Aug 22, 2018•25 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This VO Social meets… episode features major UK animation casting and voice director Dave Peacock (who says some frankly astonishing things), a bag of shiny voxes from the One Voice Conference 2018 AND we introduce our new segment, Show Offs Corner. Send VO related MP3s of stuff you’re proud of to vosocialnorth@gmail.com, also email us to get your name added to our newsletter! AND you can follow Nic @NicRedmanvoice, and Leah @Leah_etc if you fancy it. Theme tune written and performed by Martin S...
Jun 21, 2018•26 min•Season 1Ep. 12
