The Astronomical Success of Animation Video Voice Artist Stephanie Southerland

By Keith Brunson

Today we meet one of the voices behind the video game “Genshin Impact.” https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/en/home The game is the third biggest-earning video game worldwide in the last 12 months. In China alone, the game has earned $577 million and $2 billion worldwide, according to App analysis Sensor Tower. And one of the voices behind it is Stephanie Southerland. “It’s very humbling.” Says Stephanie. “I had no idea when voicing that I was involved in a show that would become a worldwide success.”

Stephanie Southerland provides video game voice acting
for the wildly popular Genshin Impact video game.

https://www.stephaniesoutherland.com/

Stephanie started in voice-over just like anyone else. Following college, the 35-year-old BFA graduate in musical theatre with eyes on Broadway departed that dream and went to Los Angeles. The relocation to LA gave Stephanie an “at-home feeling” because of the creative environment LA offers talented people. But no amount of positive imagination can predict THIS kind of success. It’s a video game phenomenon. At this writing, Genshin Impact ranks as one of the most profitable games in the world, and Stephanie is a key player. “But you aren’t aware of it, AS it’s happening,”

Being a part of a megahit video game is like winning the lottery for a VO artist. The popularity leads to a lot of attention, but the sheer fact of being a part of a worldwide hit game is so rare that only the very few can say their voice is on such a game. “I know my sound, but I would have no idea that my voice could generate what it has with Genshin Impact because it keeps expanding,” Stephanie tells me, “it just continues to grow in popularity.” Comparable to Genshin Impact would be the 2016 game “Clash Royal,” which grossed over $2 billion. Any way you look at it, Stephanie herself is now part of a formula in video games that has created a buzz for the A-List voiceover actor. “And work begets work,” she says.

Good voice acting has a dramatic effect on the success of a video game. In 2000, the producer accepted bad voice acting. But producers learned that a convincing voice would attract more of an audience. And that makes the voice behind the scenes vital to the game’s success. Now with the industry fully matured, casting the perfect voice can affect not only the popularity of the game but its’ bottom line as well. The perfect voice increases the power of storytelling. It attracts More of an audience, so the audience can immerse themselves into believing what they are seeing and hearing. So, to tell a believable story, the choice of voice casting determines how well the user will believe the game and tell others about the game they found.

These elements of success were first discovered with “Minecraft,” which sold 238 million copies across all platforms. It was first released in 2009 by Swedish game developer Mojang Studios. Since then, it continues to be a world leader in revenue with new editions. Here are some of Stephanie’s other credits in the video game genre.

But video games were not where Stephanie’s success began. Being trained in musical theater, Stephanie used her gift of singing and grabbed work in singing. Her work is impeccable, and just listening to it, one can easily see her talent in singing coming to life.

“I always loved music,” she says, “and voiceover allowed me a chance to thrive using my ability to sing.”

Singing led inadvertently led to narration.

And narration led to animation, which excelled on all levels.

This led to voice imaging or promo voice work which stung the listener with a memorable impression.

But back to video games. Stephanie is acutely aware of how she comes across. “I know my voice.”  This translates to an upfront understanding of where she can succeed and how to do it. “I found my voice through vocal classes, which I continue to take once a month.” Continuing education is a barometer of how Stephanie can improve and never become typecast. “I absolutely remain involved with formal study at least once a month. I get rejected 20-plus times a month, but I continue to grow in all voiceover genres, from narration to famous video games.”  There are ups, and there are downs, “but in voiceover, you can excel at ANY genre when you study,” There’s no doubt Stephanie concludes, “In voiceover, the world truly is our oyster.”

The Medical Narrator

By Keith Brunson

Whether you've read the New England Journal of Medicine or a medical brochure, you've seen the complexities of medical jargon and how complicated it is. Narration for this topic is typically very difficult to understand. That's because many of us are not educated in the complex dialogue that sits on the page to explain the medical topic at hand. But medical terminology, like any literature, requires that words we rarely use as part of the explanation. It can sometimes be difficult to understand. And that's where voiceover entrepreneur Anne Ganguzza comes in. https://www.medical-narration.com

Anne Ganguzza is a voice over artist, voice coach, and medical voice-over specialist.

Anne is a medical narration expert. Her job is to communicate the topic, voice highly technical words and not be overwhelmingly confusing to the listener. "But to do this, you have to have compassion for the listener while demonstrating clinical knowledge at the same time," says Anne, "And for me, it didn't happen overnight; it took ten years."  

In a medical narration scenario, the narrator's objective is to convey complex information so the listener, who knows very little about the subject, can understand. "You become the voice of knowledge, and you must be authority oriented," says Anne. "Care and compassion are in the back of your mind as you narrate." In summation, "you don't want the medical narration to sound like white noise, so you have to be the voice of reason and understanding." And that means "you can't sound robotic using all of those complicated words, without being engaging."

Anne was initially exposed to the medical industry by working for Stryker, an orthopedic supplies company. Stryker supplies hardware needed for surgeons in orthopedics. So it was in corporate America that Anne learned this voiceover specialty. "Care and compassion are necessary to do well at medical narration," says Anne, "and serving as the patient's voice of reason is your primary goal." You also need to truly care, "and that's where the care and compassion for others comes in."

Many terminologies come into play, "but you have to portray to be a person of authority," she says. "You don't want to sound robotic; you must be more empathic to relate to the listener." And to illustrate that, have a listen to Anne's work. https://anneganguzza.com/medical-voiceover 

In addition to narration, Anne is a well-versed narrator for medical videos. It's an advanced type of narration.

"My goal is to communicate authority in a relatable manner. And that's why video helps. Here's Anne playing the part of a wife in a video about a vasectomy reversal. Here, the producer uses animation with Anne's voice to make the patient understand the complexities of reversing a vasectomy.

The art form is complex. "It's a combination of creativity and technology," says Anne. Narrating medical explanations is not for just any voiceover artist. Terms and jargon encompass the medical narrative process. The real key is communicating highly complex topics into understandable information that the patient can understand.

But Anne's specialty in medical narration became a niche she developed while working in other genres. https://www.anneganguzza.com  She teaches and assists other people in the learning process. But being versatile is what Ganguzza's career is all about. Here is Anne narrating familiar topics. https://www.anneganguzza.com/demos   

Medical narration is not for everybody. It isn't easy to execute. It's a tongue twister to handle. But a corner in the voiceover market is wide open if you love creativity interfaced with science. At The Voice Shop, classes are taught remotely or in a classroom setting. Voice-over education on how to deliver this type of narration can be accessed at www.voiceshopcoaching.com

"I love it because it IS technical while being creative," says Anne. "and so, when I left orthopedics, I went into CAD software, and medical narration allowed me to be technical and creative and use it fully in voiceover."

Anne's career has developed over the years into a fully operational organization of voiceover artists who network, learn from each other, and share their knowledge. It's a unique career Anne has carved out for herself, and it continues to thrive.

The Voiceover Artist That Makes Things Quiet

By Keith Brunson

Imagine you have problems when recording your audio. The barking dog. The lawnmower. The bird just outside your window. The baby crying. The thunderstorm. All of those distractions. All of those sounds that bust your good take. Think about it.

Now imagine all of that sound going on, and there is silence inside your home recording studio. All of the sounds that are unacceptable to your recording; silenced!

Enter Keith Dwyer from Park City, Utah. A voice-over artist that has changed that negative dynamic. Keith has developed a home sound booth that omits most unwanted sounds that ruin your good take. "It's not guaranteed, but it'll knock down the sound distraction by 30 decibels," says Keith. "It'll allow you to record in complete quiet, "most" of the time."

Use code VOICESHOP at checkout at https://www.voicesuite.net for a free upgrade to 3-inch Acoustic Interior Foam on any booth ($110 value)! This offer is exclusive to the Voice Shop and can be combined with other Voice Suite promotions!

Voice over artist Keith Dwyer showcasing
a custom-made sound booth.

Devised after having problems overcoming noisy distractions himself, Voice Suite is a portable, modular recording booth created in Utah and then shipped to you for in-home assembly. And Keith talks you through the assembly. "It's built sort of like a LEGO in that it snaps together with (6) screws in the back, (6) screws in the front, and (4) on the roof," he says.

Voice Suite sound booths are made to order and feature high-quality construction and easy setup.

The sound booth is constructed of ¼-inch plywood, laminated glass, 2" acoustic foam, 1" architect foam, and KILMAT, a proprietary sound deadening material that prevents sound waves from entering the enclosed space. Sizes range from a 2 X 3, 4 X 4, 4 X 3 and 6 X 6. And prices start at $1,900, with free shipping. It prices a full $1500-$2000 lower than the competition. Each booth is built to custom order. And the client can expect in-home delivery within 3-4 weeks.

A voice actor utilizes an in-home sound booth to get the best take without noise distractions. 

But the sound booths are not just for voiceover artists. Buyers have also included podcasters, singers, students of music, and autistic children who need a quiet place to calm their thoughts. "It's super quiet once installed," says Keith, "and because it's modular, you can move it to any place in your home, or to an office, or to a garage…so it is not permanent construction."

Keith started the business in June of last year, and the runaway business idea has taken Keith from working alone to a team of (6) employee craftsmen who work out of a warehouse. "And that's a big move from starting alone, in a storage shed, believe me." So far, he has constructed over a hundred, and business is brisk. "I was in the hospital when the first order came in two weeks into the website posting, and the next day I had another order," says Keith, "It just took off."

Each Voice Suite sound booth is hand-constructed and then
shipped directly to customers for in-home setup and use.

Keith got started because "I always loved woodworking and using my hands," he says, "so this evolution of me going from voice over to construction for voice over artists was a natural thing to take place." His wife advised him to try and sell the booth he built for himself, and the first customer appeared in two weeks.

So, if you're encountering a sound problem and would like to learn more, contact Keith at his website. There will be no voicemail, no receptionist, no assistant, and no secretary to answer your questions. You'll be talking directly to Keith.

And Keith returns phone calls and emails, In most cases, on the same day. This I can attest to because that was my experience, and I'm just a writer. 

Use code VOICESHOP at checkout at https://www.voicesuite.net for a free upgrade to 3-inch Acoustic Interior Foam on any booth ($110 value)! This offer is exclusive to the Voice Shop and can be combined with other Voice Suite promotions!

Voice Actor Brandon Eells’s Zany Voices

By Keith Brunson

It’s probably difficult to grow up in the shadow of a sports broadcasting legend. And Brandon Eells would know. His father, Paul Eells, was the voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the sportscaster in Nashville and Little Rock.

Paul Eells (left), Father of Brandon Eells (right).

A sensory overload for a little boy who witnessed the adoration of his Father by the public no matter where they went together. “He was known by everyone, and It had an overwhelming effect on me,” says Paul. And so, this experience would alter the course of Brandon’s life. “And still does, because It helped me realize I wanted to be an actor.”

Things moved along quickly for Brandon. Brandon began his voice acting journey in the ninth grade and noticed a strong resemblance between his Father and himself. “We were both using our voice to pave our way,” says Brandon, “and it gave me the confidence to take further steps.”  Attending a Catholic school for boys was Brandon’s light bulb moment when he realized that being born into voice privilege would help him for the rest of his life.

Fast forward years later, here’s Brandon as the voice of Meow Mix.

https://vimeo.com/178400780

“Cats may ask for the product by name” as is part of that advertisement, but it was Brandon who began to be requested because of his unique and noticeable delivery of words on a page. Listen and view a different Meow Mix commercial and the tonality of Brandon’s signature voice once again.

https://vimeo.com/178400781

As a full-on departure from Meow Mix, Brandon demonstrated an ability to voice an entirely different kind of voice, as you’ll hear here in this television ad for Capri Sun.

https://tivoads.com/watch/capri-sun-roarin-waters-tv-commercial-viking_mcN37jEctT7mESt.html

His professional image was taking shape as a voice of variety. Notice in this commercial for the same drink company, the voice at the end, that’s Brandon.

https://tivoads.com/watch/capri-sun-organic-tv-commercial-pet-dragon_53Nzqd4Sz39bJrW.html

Soon came the video game industry. The need was for a voice-over actor to play DRAX in the Marvel video game. Here is Brandon’s performance.

His voice acting continued to attract the attention of big advertisers. VALSPAR made contact for the voice of an iguana, and with total believe-ability, Brandon created his imaginary voice of what he thought a lizard would sound like. Here’s what he delivered.

https://tivoads.com/watch/valspar-tv-commercial-chameleons_vNham8PpuGHEIEX.html

The voice worked. This provoked a return performance, and here is the work.

https://tivoads.com/watch/valspar-reserve-tv-commercial-mess-proof-paint_RBhB3xTNHkxQljR.html

Taco Bell was yet another hallmark. Noticing Brandon’s voice as a good fit, the fast-food chain used him for a new product they were debuting. I think you’ll agree he morphed into the action hero perfectly.

If “variety is the spice of life,” Brandon evolved into a voiceover artist that could handle just about anything. From Italy came Alfa Romeo. In this case study, Brandon sounded nothing like his character credits. Here he voices a campaign from DDB Worldwide, a prominent ad agency, to handle the sex appeal and flash needed to carry this client directly into introducing a new product. It sounded nothing like him. But it sold cars, and Brandon continued his journey toward outstanding performances.

“I guess I’ve now done about 2,000 commercials,” says Brandon, “And every time, it’s a pure sensory experience that reminds me of how childhood taught me to be versatile.” And so, Brandon continued his journey with no destination. He studied voiceover, and he kept the same goal. “You have to find the magic,” says Brandon, and you do that “with your imagination.”

You can find your imagination when you choose to study your voice at The Voice Shop. Voice classes are offered remotely in a group or privately. You can start your voice acting career there or fine-tune it there. The operation is headquartered in New York City, but the class location is wherever You are. https://www.Voiceshopcoaching.com

At the time of this writing, Brandon is doing a theatrical production of “Our Town,” a classic play produced worldwide for audiences to enjoy. “And theatre allows me to remain grounded,” says Brandon. But the commercial world pursuing his very unusual voice persists beyond the tradition of community theatre. Here’s Meet Alex.

And his versatility continues to dominate his voice-acting career. Listen here to the chocolate Frosted Flakes commercial.

So, for the inspired reader, Brandon advises you to master the audition process. “It’s the audition that determines your success,” he says. “You’ve got to learn to be in the moment.”  https://www.virtualbrandon.com

Arianna Ratner – Video Game Voice Over Actress

By Keith Brunson

Before we begin, you've gotta hear this.

 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLAxJu/

That is Arianna Ratner. In studios since diapers, Arianna was literally born into the voiceover business.

Few people have every single inch of their life well-groomed and absolutely manicured. But Arianna Ratner is the exception. As an A-list voice-over artist, Arianna's life story reads like a textbook of perfection. She's known as one of the most dependable and versatile voice over artists in the gaming industry. The monster success of Blizzard Entertainment is one of many game producers that hire Arianna.

 Arianna Ratner is the voice of Brelshaza in the Lost Ark video game.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZ5VDlGj_t_/?utm_medium=copy_link 

"To do video games, you have to be a really good actor first, because everything you say you have to imagine in your mind is all around you, yet nothing is there."

Arianna applies her acting skills to portray “Sorbet Shark Cookie”
a character in CookieRun Kingdom video game.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVqI8rsJr4t/?utm_medium=copy_link

Arianna grew up in a sound booth as she watched her Father voice acting. "And I knew as a child what I wanted to become," she says, "and from day one, I discovered that my ambition was absolutely in line with my potential." https://www.ariannaratner.com

Well composed, Arianna demonstrates the epitome of success. Versatile in character voices, Arianna is a constant work in progress. To this day, she continues her study of the voice despite years studying privately with some of the best voiceover teachers in the country. "I think that it takes training; no one just jumps straight in," she says. "But if you love acting, you can apply it directly to a voiceover career."

Another Arianna Ratner video game voice over for Geomancer Persephone,
a character in the game SMITE.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVbazOUjew_/?utm_medium=copy_link

The video game industry is highly specialized. Superb execution of animation. Excellent storytelling. Cutting-edge entertainment. The type of entertainment that requires everyone involved to be a top-drawer personality. "It takes years," says Arianna, "and it's not just talking." Skills needed are not only a home studio, "because luck is involved." That unknown can intimidate people. "And that's what instruction does. It prepares you for the future."

Arianna is also a voiceover teacher. "And there are roles for every type, every soul out there, so a beautiful voice is no longer all it takes to be hired." One thing that is a craft unto itself is the audition process.

"And that for the gaming industry voice requires excellent cold reading skills," says Arianna. "You walk in; they hand you the script, and you're evaluated from your ability to make something come to life you have never seen." And that, as she explains, having the ability to ACT is the most important skill you can have. "There are no props, no people, no environment, just you and the page in front of you." So, learning how to convert words on a paper into a believable character translate into whether you'll get hired or not."

Vampiress Amaterasu features a dark and evil voice over from Arianna Ratner.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CS5NZDqJz4T/?utm_medium=copy_link

To see the unique way that Arianna teaches, here's an example of how to do a little boy's voice. Watch how she explains the vocal mechanics.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdfLyME8/

Having the ability to emulate a voice and understand what is happening is important and Not for the beginner.

Another option for you to learn instead of a private voice over lesson is to study with The Voice Shop. You can know nothing and begin your studies from your home on the computer you're using right now. Remote voice-over classes are offered nationwide. All you need is the ambition to find your voice. You do that through study. www.voiceshopcoaching.com

"I have students with high-pitched voices that work," says Arianna, "because just a deep male voice or a sultry female voice is no longer what the voice artist is about."

Arianna has been acting since she was five years old. She's been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since childhood. She's taught roughly five hundred students.

So, if being a voice for the video game industry attracts you, expect an understanding of the voice and how to use it is all part of the journey.

And unlike Arianna, you do not have to have grown up in the voiceover business. Although being fundamentally a good actor will make this profession a lot easier.

"I'd say being able to do games is all about your ability to be an actor first and a voiceover artist second," says Arianna.

Arianna's next step will be to move into video game directing, "and that would never be possible if I wasn't a consistent student of the voice and have years of experience portraying people in productions that I am not."

So, if you're just starting out or well into the journey, see video games as a destination, not an entry point. We all realize how sophisticated the production of a video game is.

Now picture yourself IN that game. That'll happen, Only after you have paid the price and booked your first job.

Arianna is well on her way. And she should be. She's been in the profession of acting and voice for thirty years.

What Is Vodcasting And How It Benefits Businesses

By: Nate Myers

"I'll believe it when I see it," the common phrase goes. A feat that's impossible to overcome with a podcast. Because podcasts are audio-only, they cannot SHOW or illustrate the point to the listener—however, vodcasting can. 

Vodcasting, also known as vlogging or video podcasting, is the next step beyond podcasts, and they have cemented themselves in many daily and weekly routines. Whether the content is informative, entertaining, inspiring, or educational, people have favorite shows to follow or check up on from time to time.

Vodcasts can be subscribed to and downloaded to a mobile phone the same way a podcast can. Users can choose when and where to view it, allowing them more convenience than regularly scheduled television programs.

 Vodcast examples and vodcasting services from Creative Media Design.

https://www.cmdnyc.com/video-live-streaming

 Why Would a Business Vodcast?

The primary benefit is that it steps up the amount of digital content your business has online. A company must often pay for even 30 seconds of someone's time. A vodcast can be as short or as long as content allows. Businesses with a complex product or service will appreciate having more time to tell their story. More exposure to explain the "why" behind their message.

Vodcasts can also be sliced and used as social media content. Video content is most engaging on all social media platforms. The addition of video, reels, and stories to popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a testament to that reality. Taking it even further, Tik Tok, one of the fastest-growing social platforms, is 100% video. Having a vodcast gives you the building blocks you need for increased presence, exposure, and success on all social media platforms.

Vodcasting also puts your business on platforms people spend the most time on, like the Apple Podcasts app, YouTube, etc. If your vodcast is relevant content to these consumers, they will come across your vodcast through organic exposure or exploration. On top of that, people on these platforms come to spend more than a couple of minutes. If the content is good enough, they will come and stay!

 The Voice Choice is a new vodcast series produced by Creative Media Design.

https://thevoicechoice.tv/

 What Are the Challenges?

As mentioned, if the content is good, it will succeed. But businesses struggle to get to that point. The critical point here is RELEVANCE. Your vodcast needs to deliver on one of the primary motivators for vodcast consumption. These include learning new things, entertainment, keeping up to date, relaxation, or inspiration. Many businesses succeed because of incredible products, ideas, or developments. That doesn't mean that the average person will care about those things, and there can be a disconnect there.

The work to be done is to identify adjacent but still relevant content. For example, if your company sells musical instruments, the content should be related to what people want to DO with those instruments, not the instruments themselves. This approach will help your brand connect with people who benefit from the content, who will be more likely to consider your company for their next purchase. Delivering value, education, etc., is what puts your brand in good standing with them. It's a longer-term investment than your typical bottom-funnel advertising. But the possible benefits far outweigh any cons IF you can create good enough content.

Other challenges companies encounter are more physical in nature. Where will we record? What will we record? Who will we record? What will we use to record? Camera? Microphone? These are the common obstacles to getting started. Creative Media Design (CMD) can help if there isn't a clear path forward.

We provide exceptional vodcast and studio services for all kinds of companies looking to tell a story. We offer ISDN, Source Connect, and Phone Patch capabilities for remote guests or stars. Cleanup, editing, mixing, we can manage that too. We also have accommodations for video or photo shoots and package deals for ongoing shows. On top of that, we can help identify the right person to narrate your vodcast. Naturally, this isn't easy to entrust your company with, but we're here to make it easy and provide a plentitude of options.

If you're interested in learning more about CMD's vodcasting services, email us at info@cmdnyc.com.

Finding The Right Voice Talent For Your Company Message

By: Nate Myers

Creative Media Design (CMD) was founded in 1998. We were one of the first voice talent agencies to upload voice-over samples to the internet. Since then, we have grown and accumulated the best of the best voice actors. The absolute cream of the crop when it comes to voice talent. No matter the tone or personality of your marketing message, we have a pool of hundreds of talented artists.

But how did CMD accumulate the best voice over roster in the business? First is the diversity of categories.

 Creative Media Design’s website features a wide variety of voice over samples. www.cmdnyc.com

Over the decades, we have identified the most common voice archetypes desired for marketing messages, audiobooks, animation, commercial voice-over, and more. These voices include:

·         Male

·         Female

·         Foreign Languages (We have 80+)

·         Accents

·         Promo

·         Urban

·         Medical

·         Kids

·         Animation

·         Fashion & Fragrance

·         Narration

·         Video Games

Now, of course, your specific business need may not fit perfectly into any of these voice categories. And that’s okay. The demand for voice-over talent is nuanced, unique, and varies often. CMD didn’t simply check all the above boxes but has an expansive roster to accommodate any need.

Secondly, CMD constantly refreshes its voice-over roster through its sister company, The Voice Shop. The Voice Shop is the premier provider of voice over training in all categories. The voice classes taught and guided by industry experts expose us to the best upcoming talent, filling a unique niche in our roster. If the fit is right, these aspiring students can be added to our roster and allowed the opportunity to give your message life!

 The Voice Shop provides voice classes for voice actors and students either in-person or online. www.voiceshopcoaching.com

Thirdly, quality is assured. Aside from knowing that Creative Media Design is a highly reputable company, you have the added layer of confidence that our consulting services provide the best voice over for your project. We will listen and understand your needs and then specify a condensed roster already catered to you!

Fourth, pedigree. CMD has worked with the most prominent names across virtually every industry. The NBA, NFL, Nintendo, Song, WebMD, Fox, ESPN, NBC, Nike, MasterCard, Unilever, Mercedes Benz, TurboTax, and Telemundo, to name a few. These companies have chosen CMD to provide, record, and master commercials, radio spots, and more. This experience leads to our fifth point!

CMD is a full-service agency. We don’t simply connect you with Voice Over Artists and shake hands. We can manage the entire process (if desired). We can help write scripts, cast the right talent, and record their voice using the latest, professional equipment. We can also mix/master the recording to bring out the subtleties of the Voice Over Artist to grab your ear. You’ve heard our mixing in the past for the Super Bowl, TV commercials, radio ads, podcasts, documentaries, and video games. 

Our goal at Creative Media Design is to bring authenticity to your message. Suppose you want the lowest of lows, the sultriest, most announcer-like voice. We have you covered. But most companies these days are looking for a relatable, genuine, authentic voice. Their message shouldn’t sound like blatant advertising; it should sound like a recommendation from their best friend or next-door neighbor. That authenticity is what CMD strives to deliver for our clients.  

In 1998 we started in a tiny, shared studio. Over the years, we flourished into an entire penthouse facility in downtown Manhattan NYC. With the pandemic disrupting workflows in more recent years, CMD has continued to evolve and deliver the same quality in every circumstance. That dedication to evolution, growth, quality, and most importantly- authenticity; is what makes us CMD. It’s the CMD difference.

Call us to review your voice project at 212.213.9420 or email us at info@cmdnyc.com.

Meet The Lowest Voice On Earth, Mr. Eric Hollaway

By Keith Brunson

Eric Hollaway will blow your mind. He has a voice SO LOW it sounds fake. It isn’t. Eric is an OKTAVIST.

Being an OKTAVIST means your voice is SO low; it sounds computer-generated. And in voiceover, Eric is often booked in as “The Voice of God, next door.” To explain it, Eric is one octave lower than E flat on sheet music. Very few people on earth have a voice this low. His voice is so Very low he can sing down to what opera singers’ term “contra b flat.”  https://www.oktavism.com/  If That confuses you, words can only describe something so well. Listen for yourself. https://www.erichollaway.com  “It literally happened overnight when I was 12,” says Eric. “It was shrill and annoying on a Tuesday, and I woke up Wednesday, and it sounded just like this at 12 years old.”

Voice actor Eric Hollaway deemed “The Voice Of God” due to his extremely low voice.

Eric is a worldwide enigma. There are only a very few OKTAVISTS globally out of 7.8 billion people on earth. It was first used in Russian opera. Eric uses his voice in voice acting typically for corporate films, commercials, and a slew of characters. And he uses his voice when he sings opera, which he does in Italian, German, and English. But his background has nothing to do with the voice he was gifted.

Ever wondered who is involved in building nuclear warheads? That was Eric’s assignment in the military. He worked directly on creating nuclear weapons. He has a top-secret clearance and is no longer active in warfare, and the military never took note of this vocal gift. But 15 years ago, Eric did. “The recession hit in 2008, and I decided, clear out of the blue, to do something with what God had given me.” And “That’s when he became a voice actor.”

“I realized then that I had to reinvent myself, and that was when I did something about my voice,” says Eric, and “everybody I meet, even in the grocery store, tells me my voice reassures them and calms them.”  To date, Eric has been the voice of CBS News, commercials, voice imaging for broadcast, and an extensive distinct list of characters. He is So popular, only last week, Eric signed on to Tic Toc for the first time and accumulated 142 followers after one day. One week later, there were 32,000 followers. That’s not a typo. He got 357,000 likes. At this writing, after only one day since I conducted this interview, Eric has 35,400 followers and 470,000 likes. Go to Tic Toc to see for yourself. https://www.tiktok.com/@thatbassvoice

Here is an example of his singing voice, which is Not Tic Toc.

Now that you’ve been introduced listen to Eric in a more commercially driven characterization.

This is the voice of the OCTAVIST, the RAREST voice on earth. “And I have never taken it for granted,” says Eric. “I have taken on extensive instruction and teachings beginning with Ted Webb, who discovered me,” says Eric. “I learned about the engineering of the microphone and remained in constant study.”

Eric is unique. One of the reasons he often misses opportunities in gaming and characters is that Eric does not use curse words. No “F” word. No “MF” word. No cursing on the microphone, “and that has forced me to leave a lotta money on the table.” Eric, the son of a preacher, never heard cussing until he was in the military. His father allowed him to attend no parties, so Eric was sheltered from society. “But I heard it in the military, and that was the very first time I heard it.”  Eric does not drink. Eric does not smoke tobacco. Eric has never smoked cannabis and never experimented with Any recreational drugs. “Not one time,” Eric explains. He is married to his high school sweetheart and has never had marital problems of any kind. Eric was not allowed to watch television, so he has No Interest or knowledge in sports because his father did not teach him sports. Eric likes to cook, likes music, and enjoys fishing in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. “I pray for creativity,” says Eric. “I had no idea who won the Superbowl; who did?”

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Eric lives with a philosophy that at 55 years old, “Life is hard, so why not make people smile?”  As for Eric’s aspiration, “I would like to be known as the man with the deepest, most interesting voice in the world,” he says.

Eric, we hear you!