ISSUE #4 - How to Voice: Dog

That's right. You're not crazy, you read it correctly. Dog. Cartoons don't always use real animal noises. Most of the time, they'll hire voice actors and actresses to do the animal noises for them. Frank Welker, Dee Bradley Baker, Bob Bergen, Richard Horvitz, they've all voiced dogs. And now you'll know how to voice one.

How to Voice: Dog


Step #1: Open your throat and make it a little raspy.
Step #2: Breathe in hard through your vocal chords instead of your lungs.
Step #3: While breathing, bring the pitch of your voice low.
Step #4: Form your mouth to say classical dog words such as: Ruff, Bark, Bowwooooowooowoo, or Bowowowowow. Yes, there is a difference between the last two.

Questions? Concerns? AIM me at: vatribune/vatribune@aol.com

ISSUE #4 - Text Interview with Jeff Doucette

Speedy: Hiya viewers! This week, I'm here with well known general actor, and cartoon and videogame voice actor, Jeff ! How are you, Jeff?

Jeff: I'm great, Speedy. 

Speedy: Awesome! Are you ready for the interview?

Jeff: I'm ready.

Speedy: Alrighty!

Speedy: First question: How and why did you get into voice acting?

Jeff: I used to do some voice work in Chicago when I was starting out.  My comedy partner and I would right and perform in a whole slew of commercials for local magazines, and other merchants.  When I came out to LA, I made a voice tape with a friend in Santa Barbara, and gave it to Ginny McSwain at Hanna Barbera, and she loved it. She passed it on to a wonderful agent, and that agent signed me immediately.

Speedy: Amazing! What a stroke of luck!

Speedy: And talent, of course.

Jeff: Yeah.  I guess I didn't realize how competitive it was out here, and so I just naturally thought people out here would love me.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss, and is a blessing.  If I would have known the difficulties that lay ahead, I probably wouldn't have had the guts to try.

Speedy: I'm glad you did have the guts. You're an inspiration to all of us.

Jeff: Thanks.  

Speedy: No problem!

Speedy: Second Question: What recording equipment do you use in your home studio if you have one?

Jeff: I have a little snowball mic that I hook up to my computer.  It's not a big deal, but it gets the job done.  I also go into my agent's office to do most of my auditions because they have state of the art stuff, and it's great to see all the other voice talent.  It's really a close knit community, and usually everyhone is funny and kind.

Jeff: sorry about the spelling.  I'm typing too fast.

Speedy: It's perfectly fine

Jeff: Sometimes it's like a big party at the agency.

Speedy: Very cool!

Speedy: A snowball, huh? I used to have one. Traded it in for a Yeti. 100x better for $50 more

Jeff: I'll look into it.

Speedy: Haha, alrighty!

Speedy: Third Question: Who is your biggest voice acting inspiration?

Jeff: Who else?  Mel Blanc.  He is the Mt. Rushmore of voice characterizations.

Jeff: I also loved Daws Butler.

Speedy: I loved Mel Blanc, and Daws Butler was also amazing.

Jeff: Don Messick took over a lot of Daw's characters.  I worked with Don many times.  He's amazing as well. 

Speedy: He's awesome too! So many amazing voice actors!

Jeff: Yes there are.  Frank Welker is also one of the best. WE've known each other since the mid seventies when we were both doing stand-up. 

Speedy: Mr. Welker is fantastic. His vocal range and animal sounds are incredible.

Speedy: If I ever meet him, I'll probably scream like a little girl. I don't usually do that unless I'm voice acting.

Jeff: I first saw him do a chorus of twelve ducks singing at the Comedy Store in 1976.  Amazing.  There really were twelve distinct voices in one.  

Jeff: It will give you good practice at your little girl voice.

Speedy: At least I'll be able to find out if I can do it or not anymore.

Jeff: maybe it will become your screaching beast voice.

Speedy: Oh trust me, I got that down. ;P

Speedy: Anyways, you ready for the 4th question?

Jeff: bring it on.

Speedy: Very well.

Speedy: Fourth Question: What have you been working on lately, if you're allowed to say?

Jeff: Nothing.  I'm unemployed at the moment.  My wife and I are raising money for a film script we wrote, and we have a series out there being sold as well.  I'm doing a lot of on camera work, which I've always done, film, TV, commercials, etc. 

Speedy: I'm sorry to hear you're not working right now, I hope you get more work in the future!

Jeff: Right now you can see me in a Chevy Volt commercial as Ben Franklin.  I'm also in a Target commercial as a college dean handing out diplomas to Pharmacy grads.  Next week I'll be shooting an episode of Disney's Zeke and Luther.  I have a recurring role as the bigshot in their little town of Gilroy.

Speedy: Sweet! I'll be sure to check that stuff out!

Jeff: So I'm not totally unemployed.  It's just that the voice biz is a little slow for me these days.  That's why I have so many avenues of expression going at all times.

Speedy: I'm happy you have so many things going for you!

Jeff: That's a good thing for most voice people to do.  There are so many people out there doing what you're doing, and you need to get a lot of other things going so you don't drive yourself crazy and into the poor house.

Jeff: All of showbiz is touch and go. You have to create a lot of your own work doing other things.

Speedy: How true! Thanks for the great advice, Jeff!

Jeff: You have to hear it sooner or later.

Speedy: I guess that takes care of the 5th question, also.

Speedy: Fifth Question: Any advice you'd like to give out to the aspiring voice actors reading this?

Jeff: Besides what I just said, I think if you're interested in a voice career, you should get out a lot, whether on stage doing stand-up, or in plays, or just hanging out with other creative types. It stimulates your imagination and forces you out of your comfort zone.  And that's definitely needed for creative voice acting.  Challenge yourself often.

Jeff: You never know to what heights you'll rise if you don't take the leap.

Speedy: Very inspiring, Jeff. Thank you for the interview!

Jeff: Your welcome, Speedy.  Good luck.

Speedy: Thanks! Good luck to you as well!

ISSUE #3 - How to Voice: Cookie Monster

Anyone who hasn't heard of Cookie Monster has not been a child. Cookie Monster is the blue, cookie-addicted monster from the children's show: Sesame Street. You have all seen him, but have you ever done his voice?

How to Voice: Cookie Monster


Step #1: Move the very back of your tongue and the entrance to your throat into a more open, circular shape. This causes your throat to open up a little.
Step #2: While still in this same tongue formation, tighten the circular shape until it feels as tight as it can get.
Step #3: Speak in a gruff, raspy voice to it's minimum, while still speaking at a normal volume.
Step #4: Lower the pitch of your voice. Hopefully, this will sound like Cookie Monster by now.


Questions? Concerns? AIM me at: vatribune/vatribune@aol.com

ISSUE #3 - Interview with Amber Hood

Hiya Readers! This week, I interviewed my long time friend and very awesome voice actress, Amber Hood. Take a look!

ISSUE #2 - How to Voice: High Goblin

If you've ever seen a cartoon, you've heard this voice. It's that high, annoying, squeaky voice that makes a kid character so young, or a nerd character so annoying, or a gremlin so creepy. Since there's no actual name for it, I have taken time and creativity to finally name it, "High Goblin." (/sarcasm)

How to Voice: High Goblin


Step #1: Move your voice's pitch up to your regular high. This takes care of the pitch, which can be changed after you get the hang of the voice itself.
Step #2: Partially tighten your throat and vocal cords. If you need help doing this, try moving as much of your tongue that you can higher, closer, and tighter. The indication that you have the throat formation is a little feeling at the spot where your adam's apple is/would be, meaning the middle of the throat. The only way to describe it is pressure and a lack of space.
Step #3: If you don't get the voice right away, try breathing in and out for a while in this mouth/tongue/throat formation for about half a minute. If you don't get it by then, try another half-minute. Hopefully by now, you've gotten the voice.

Questions? Concerns? AIM me at: vatribune/vatribune@aol.com

ISSUE #2 - Interview with Mike Pollock

Heya Readers! This week I did an interview with famous anime and videogame VA and awesome dude all around, Mike Pollock. Take a look!

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