Where my narrative journey began

From an early age I have been into music, first listening then playing guitar to singing. Whether listening to or playing music in what ever form it can be very therapeutic. The spoken voice can also be therapeutic. Now without going through the whole story, I will leave that for another time, I would like to share with you where my voice over/narration journey began.

In the summer of 2011 one of my good friend Chris Bishop who I met through an OMD (online music distribution) site that he ran called Project Overseer (he is a film maker HD Visuals), came to visit me and my wife for a week. With him was another good friend Lisa his wife and baby son at the time. He also brought his filming equipment. Over a few days we traveled round the Lake District and Chris took allot of film footage, that he was going to put together for a Landscape channel.

After they went home after a wonderful week around the Lake District, he proceeded to edit the footage together. He put some music to it. Then another now good friend, a poet called Maricet wrote a poem inspired by Chris' video "Moments In Time". He loved it and asked me to record the poem as he liked my voice. Except I had to put on a bit of a northern accent, sounds more like Newcastle though..lol.  Well the rest is history and I have been on this journey ever since. It's not the easiest career paths by no means, but its a one I love and glad I am on.

Anyway here is that video I have been rabbiting on about. Enjoy!

So what does a voiceover person actually do?

So what does a voiceover person like myself do? I get asked this question quit often, usually accompanies with a bemused face. Well technology has come a long way over the past 5 to 10 years, so there is not much that a voice artist can do with his voice. The audiobook industry is booming so that one area covered.

Then there are a few more options like these:  Computer and Console Games, Websites, Cd-Roms, Interactive DVD's, iPad, iPhone and Android Apps, E-learning courses, Podcasts, Interactive children's storybooks, meditation CD's, toys with embedded sound chips that speak, museum and exhibition guides, pre-recorded announcements on transport, public information services, in-store commercials, theatre shows that require pre-recorded voice, infomercials, shopping centre announcements, film dubbings for foreign film, Answer phone messages, interactive on-hold messages (I’ve done that too), corporate presentations, promotional updates for websites, YouTube videos and external pitches to clients, to name a few. .... The list goes on.

Keep your ears open and listen to all the voices you hear, including your sat nav and smart phone.

Here is me in my studio narrating a poem for my latest audiobook Silence and Darkness