Take It from the Top!: How to Earn Your Living in Radio and TV Voice-Overs

by Alice Whitfield

Comprehensive guide through the art/business of radio and television commercial voice-overs. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0963104802
• ISBN13: 9780963104809
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Ring-U-Turkey
• Length: 209 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Nice Overview

New York-based Alice Whitfield has collected her thoughts and experiences from 25 years on both sides of the microphone, combined with numerous interviews with agents, casting directors, aspiring talent, and legends like June Foray and Mason Adams. Throughout, the reader senses that Whitfield cares about the aspiring voice-over talent like a mother hen -- at times one expects her to reach right out through the pages of the book and pinch one's cheek. She tries to be both nurturing and brutally honest in describing the challenges ahead, providing numerous "slice of life" vignettes to illustrate what goes on in the voice-over world, and not hesitating to take stands on issues she considers important.For example, in chapter 7, she describes the "committee" that may materialize in the control room during a recording session -- agency people, client people, and others. "Sometimes a commitee can turn a simple two-hour session into an all-day and sometimes all-night affair," she writes. "It's important that you, the talent, remain unflappable and pleasant. The next question is, who's in charge? My answer is, by definition, the producer. But the reality is, everybody's got a different opinion on how the copy should be read. Your job? Simple. Please everyone! Kidding aside, I'm not kidding." Elsewhere she speaks of whether to do non-union work ("don't"), when to create a demo reel ("not until you can consistently audition as well as the samples on the reel"), whether to quit your day job ("don't"), and whether to contact the author with questions ("do" - contact information given). Although this book was written in the early 90's and some of the technical specifics have become outdated, it remains useful as a tool for learning more about the people side of the voice-over business. As the author says, "Without question and at all costs, maintain your sense of humor. This should be a fun business. I mean look at what you get to do. As a grownup, you sometimes get to make silly sounds with your voice. You can create characters, give life to inanimate objects. Make people laugh. Make people cry. It takes about an hour. And you get paid well for it! It's not so bad. It's also not the answer to world hunger or a cure for cancer. So, keep things in perspective."

Makes it seem achievable, but it's not easy...

After reading the book, I found myself still interested in attempting a voiceover position. But I knew there was still alot to do and prepare for in "the business." Alice does not mince words, nor does she make you think anyone can just walk off the street, make a quick copy on their cassette or tape player, and run into a recording studio to make money hand over fist. She is honest, sincere, and knows what she is talking about. I realize I have many things to do, including getting a professional tape and professional training.