Search Results

Appreciating the talented vocalist Samara Joy Lately, I've been listening to the entrancing melodies of Grammy award-winning vocalist, Samara Joy. Her voice is truly a delight to the ears, and it's incredibly refreshing to hear a talented performer who has it all - not just a good voice but also a genuine passion for music. Her performances are a breath of fresh air, and she truly deserves all the recognition she's receiving.

Navigating the Challenges of Home Recording Before the pandemic, voice over actors had a normal routine of auditioning and recording in person and at home. Our own recording booths were only used about half of the time. In early 2020, there were promising career opportunities, a swanky new office location for one of my agencies as well as regular socializing with agents, actors and other creative professionals a few times a week. However, everything changed to say the least and here we are over three years later. It seems like it was yesterday. While this has allowed for greater privacy and the ability to be one's true self, it can also lead to feelings of isolation and unease, especially when you're used to being in a studio surrounded by other creatives. However, as voice actors, we can use this vulnerability to our advantage and enhance each read/performance. By tapping into our emotions and creating a deeper connection with the characters we're portraying, we can bring authenticity and depth to every project. In addition, it's important to use our time at home wisely to avoid being stuck in one place all day. Taking breaks, exercising, and finding ways to interact with others are great ways to make the most of it. But it takes patience, determination and a love of what we do. And lastly, never losing sight of the fact that even though we may be physically alone, we're still a part of a supportive and creative community.

Bonding with Dad over the Rails Growing up, I didn't have the typical childhood experiences of playing little league or traditional sports. Instead, my dad and I shared a special relationship that revolved around music and trains. We played catch, but our real bonding occurred over our shared passion for locomotives.
 In 1989, I discovered a National Geographic documentary called "Love Those Trains," and it had me hooked. Living in New Haven, which was a hub of rail activity, allowed me to witness everything firsthand. Dad was my guide, taking me to train crossings, stations and showing me the ins and outs of that world. During this time, VHS was also becoming popular, and my dad had one of the earliest camcorders. He often filmed at family parties, events and, you guessed it, crossings so I began to take my micro-cassette recorder to capture the audio. Recently, I stumbled upon wumzeke's channel on YouTube, a fellow railfan, which showcases old Amtrak footage. Watching some of those videos brought back fond memories of Dad and I experiencing the magic of trains together. The sound of the classic F40PH locomotive, Amfleet passenger cars and the horn had an indescribable majesty that still resonates with me today.

Nick Offerman the actor, writer and wood shop owner If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss out on The Last of Us on HBO (Omg that was so two months ago). Although I never played the game, I've heard that the adaptation and storytelling are top-notch. Episode 4, in particular, features a beautiful on-camera love story that has captivated audiences worldwide, and the two actors responsible for its success are Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett of White Lotus. Offerman, best known for his portrayal of the stereotypically masculine Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec, proves himself to be a multi-talented individual who knows no limitations, breaking through genre and performance barriers to create memorable work. But, that's not all. He is also a gifted writer and proud owner of a wood shop, Offerman Woodworking. Nick Offerman is a positive presence in a chaotic and uncertain world and that inspires me.

Subscribe for more trains & such >> The perfect spot to catch trains in both directions Join me at one of the most picturesque spots along the Hudson Line: Irvington Station. Situated between Ardsley-on-Hudson and Tarrytown, this location is a favorite of mine for rush hour train-watching. Although these videos were taken on two separate visits, both were on rainy days. Thankfully, Irvington Station is unique with its trackside coffee and ice cream shop, Brrzaar, where I was able to stay warm and dry. You'll also enjoy the charming architecture of the homes along the Hudson River. The station services commuters traveling to Croton Harmon and Poughkeepsie, with the added bonus of Amtrak trains passing through regularly – a truly breathtaking experience. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Subscribe for more trains & such >> Capturing magic of trains in the moment As a resident of Queens, I enjoy capturing trains on camera all around New York City. In this video, we visit the Woodside 61st Street station, which is a busy transit hub serving Long Island Rail Road and 7 train commuters. The station is active 24 hours a day, and in this footage, I showcase trains during two separate times: once during evening rush hour, and once in the afternoon. Each time of day has its own unique atmosphere. At night, the station is peaceful and calm, free from the anxiety of bustling commuters. However, during the day, there is a sense of frenzy and excitement, and I try to capture it all on camera. This is what makes trains so captivating around large cosmopolitan areas like NYC – the constant motion and energy is a thrill to witness. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Revisiting Barbra Streisand's live recording The setting: November, 1962 NYC. The famed Bon Soir, a popular night club in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, is abuzz. Crowds gather outside in the crisp Fall air, eager to be let in to hear a young, relatively unknown singer from Brooklyn. Little do they know, the audience is in for something legendary... A few introductory announcements from the singer's manager, a slight name correction from the singer and the minute she opens her mouth to sing, the audience gets pure, raw talent and energy unlike anything they'd ever heard before. "Live," from my living room right now...

Lake Bell's new audiobook uncovers a fascination with sound Actor Lake Bell is no stranger to the world of voice - she does a lot of them. Her 2013 In a World gave us a fascinating (and satirically witty) look at the Voice Over industry, and shone a light on VO inner workings - some of which get rather murky and grindy. Here, she's amassed a wonderful knowledge of the more technical and personal depths of vocal art as a whole since then as well, creating an audiobook experience on how the simplest of voices can portray a sense of self unlike any other form of expression. What a joy to listen to!

The Essex Steam Train - three decades later! As a kid growing up in Connecticut with a serious passion for trains, I would beg my parents every chance I got to visit the Essex Steam Train, a tourist attraction for families both local and out of state. As an adult, I recently got the chance to ride the train again, nearly 30 years later. What a thrill it was!

Determining Diagnosis via Voice Recognition A.I. technology has been impressing me more and more over the past few years. In just a short amount of time, developers around the world have been able to recreate voices of past celebrities and voice actors - a pipe dream only five years ago. Alongside these amazing breakthroughs, creators have also taken aim with their A.I. recognition software towards another big issue: the medical industry. A fascinating article published to NPR recently has explored the possibilities of diagnoses via A.I. vocal data - detecting serious illnesses with just the sound of your voice! Long term, iPhones or Alexa could detect changes in your voice, such as a cough, and advise you to seek medical attention.

Subscribe for more trains & such >> I made it to Grand Central in 12 Minutes On January 25th, after many long arduous years of expensive construction and planning, Grand Central Madison finally opened its doors to the public. As part of MTA's East Side Access project, LIRR trains will now arrive at Grand Central Terminal, freeing up congestion at Penn Station. While I was not there for the momentous grand opening, I did make it the next day. Took the LIRR from Woodside, Queens to Grand Central Terminal. What a sight! All I can say is the people of NYC asked and the MTA delivered. As you'll see, the layout is quite impressive. Glad I was able to witness this moment in train history. Christian is a Voice Actor & Narrator who loves trains, travel, coffee, and all things audio. Follow along ❤️ on Instagram + YouTube

Cruising the railway towards Rhinecliff A big hobby of mine has always been a nice relaxing train ride. I know, it might seem a little mundane when compared to the many amazing things to do in New York City, but there's nothing quite like setting aside an entire day to experience the love of travel, in one of its most accessible forms. On many occasions, I bring along a camera, to film some great footage of my favorite stations and locomotives. Rhinecliff Station in particular has caught my eye recently, with a nice open design and neighboring view, it makes for a spectacular scene.