REVIEW Voice-Over For Animation

[Julie Williams]

Here is where you may review the new book, Voice-Over For Animation.

This section is for people who have either won the book, or bought it...and want to let the world know what they think of it.

Thanks for taking the time to let us all know your opinions!

Julie

[ANTNY]

Wow, What an honor to have been given this opportunity!
I have been interested in getting into Voice Over since 1989 and my dream is to get into Animation!
I have read many books on voice overs and this one BY far is the best as it actually takes the reader step by step through what it takes to be in animation in VO!
Jean Anne and MJ take the reader and the listener (because there is a fantastic CD that MJ produced, included with this book) through all aspects of the VO in Animation field from deciding if this is really what you want to setting up your VO Business.
The details that are included in the book blew me away! This is EVERYTHING you need to know about Animation VO! I recommend it to everyone who wishes to be involved in the animation world of VO!
Four thumbs up ( including my big toes--lol)

[JoeActor]

Book Review: Voice-Over for Animation (with included CD-ROM)
Written by Jean Ann Wright and M J Lallo

Reviewed by Joe J Thomas at www.JoeActor.com

Voice-Over for Animation by Jean Ann Wright and M J Lallo provides a valuable, in-depth view for voice actors at a beginning to intermediate level. It's also a good source of information for those with more experience in other voice-over areas who may want to expand their scope into animation, games, and cartoons.

The book starts off with the basics of Voice-Over from very real-world perspective. It provides detailed descriptions of much of the day-to-day world of a working voice actor. Links to additional information sites are provided throughout the text. These help to provide the reader with additional, up-to-date material. The references also allow for individuals to discover the specifics for their geographic area, specialization, etc.

The CD-Rom that comes with the book allows the reader to hear many of the topics covered by the book. It makes some of the concepts presented much more clear, and also introduces a more personal, one-on-one feel.

Although I found both the book and the included CD-Rom of great value, I did wish that the two were better tied together. As they stand, either one could be sold as a stand-alone product. Perhaps in a future revision, a bit more coordination between the two could be provided.

For those interested, I would suggest visiting Amazon.com and previewing the chapters included in the book. There is a lot of ground covered, yet the book flows nicely and is an easy read. I know mine has a series of dog-ears and bookmarks on sections I want to re-visit.

4 out of 5 stars.

Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com

[jsgilbert]

Let’s just get it out of the way. Would I recommend this book? The answer is simply yes!
There are parts I must say that seem very simplistic and almost out of place, such as a few paragraphs on tooth disease and preventive measures. And there are also some very heady topics that even many working character actors seem to not know much about, such as IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). In between and all around, there is a ton of information and I doubt any actor at any level wouldn’t be able to take away at least a few good ideas for improving themselves.
The book is accompanied with a CD, and at a list price of $29.95 is a bargain. The book itself only has a couple of illustrations and the text is dense and spans 262 pages. Other instructional books with this much information would typically span 350 pages or more, thus making this even a better value.
What I also like about this book is that its author Jean Ann Wright doesn’t approach the book from the standpoint of being a voice actor, but as a professional who has written and directed and produced an enormous body of work. It is clear that input for this book came from many sources, including some voice actors, but Ms. Wright keeps their egos in check and manages to provide us with the pearls from these actors and discards their shells. Many of the voiceover books seem to be not much more than a giant detailed resume for their actor writers. It is refreshing that this book for the most part manages to avoid all of that.
While I have no experience with Ms. Wright and quite frankly had never heard of her prior to receiving this book, I also discovered she has written another book called Animation Writing and Development, in 2005. From all accounts she is a sound source for this information.
Co-author of the book, M J Lallo, who it is explained took charge of the CD, is someone I do know. Years ago, I had both the pleasure of working with M J as co-voice talents on several character projects and in 1996, she voiced several characters in an award winning game I produced for Mattel, called “Mother Goose’s Farm”. I’ve kept tabs on Ms. Lallo over the years and she has built up quite a respectable body of work, as well as the admiration of many individuals with whom she has counseled. Besides her contributions to the CD, there are numerous places in the book where you can see M J’s input.
The CD, in my opinion could have been a completely separate item, or the pair of the book and CD could easily have been priced at $59.95 and still been competitively priced for what you get. It certainly helps greatly when you get to hear someone performing the exercise, discussing character building, elements of a good character demo and so forth as presented on the CD. WHile the Cd is an excellent companion to the book, it doesn't actually "synch up" with the book. It might have been nice if it mroe directly related to some of the specifics covered by the book.
If I have any issues with Voice-Over for Animation, it is that the book seems to be rather slanted towards the Los Angeles scene and way of doing things. Most of the input appears to be from L.A. and it might have been nicer to get a broader sense of how the mechanics change when you are located elsewhere. There also is a bit of cookie cutter approach in the book. It certainly works some places, but with regards to getting an agent, hardly anybody I know has landed one in the past 5 years by simply submitting a demo, resume and return address envelope. The author does get somewhat creative elsewhere, so I can only assume that this wasn’t an area where she received the most creative of input. Much else in this book is very applicable and will probably stand the test of time.
I would very much suggest that people also look into her other book to gain perspective exclusively from the writer/ producer side. I have already ordered mine from Amazon. I would also suggest that no book is a substitute for working with people. Improvisation classes are found almost everywhere and are usually reasonably priced and fun. Committing to taking standard film or theater acting classes will also allow you to develop the great skills of storytelling and developing characters.