The Art and Business of Acting for Video Games


Book Description

The video game industry has experienced explosive growth over the past decade, and with that, opportunities have increased for actors to work in the medium. But these new opportunities bring up questions -- Where do you start? How is the process different than acting for film or television? What are casting directors and developers looking for? What skills do you need to focus on to succeed? Julia Bianco Schoeffling, a voice and performance capture casting director, has seen the industry from every angle, and knows exactly what can make or break an actor's career in games. She pulls from over a decade of experience working on iconic franchises like Call of Duty, The Last of Us, Gears of War, and more to give you a blueprint for navigating this lesser-known industry. You'll learn everything you need to know to break in, including: - The history and the basics of the video game industry - The ins and outs of unions, contracts, and NDAs - Basic gear to get started on a home studio - Best practices for your video game demos and auditions - The process from audition to booking - Tips on performance and motion capture Written in an approachable and informative style, The Art and Business of Acting for Video Games gives you the skills and tools that will set you apart in the audition pile. This first-of-its-kind guide is perfect for actors who want to take their craft into a new, exciting world.




The Art of Voice Acting


Book Description

Are you just starting in Voiceover? Do you have some experience, but aren't getting booked? Are you a working pro who wants to expand to new areas of VO work? The Art of Voice Acting is a must read if you are serious about a profession in voice over and looking to maximize your efforts for success in the business. Packed with basic acting techniques in The Art of Voice Acting, you will discover * All new scripts * 20 more pages of new and updated information * A completely new chapter of studio stories and 'tricks-of-the-trade' from professional voiceover talent around the world * Updated information for voiceover demos and marketing * A comprehensive index that makes it easy to find what you're looking for * More voice and acting techniques * Contributions from some of the top voice talent in the world * Audio content with the actual audio for every script in the book, http://voiceacting.com/aovaextras/ * PLUS: exercises, demos and more! Written in an accessible and engaging style Alburger shares his experience as a performer, producer, director and performance coach to give you a clear no nonsense introduction to the business and art of voice acting. Audio content and images from the books are available at http://voiceacting.com/aovaextras/




Video Game Addiction


Book Description




The Greatest Art Form


Book Description

During the last half century, and for only the second time in over two thousand years, technology has given way to a new groundbreaking and limitless form of artistic expression: the video game. While our society is barely beginning to digest this new medium and redefine our understanding of artistic expression, video games are continuing to evolve and define the medium as the art world's most expressive, dynamic, and evolved art form. All art forms provoke us to reflect, to ponder, to feel, to engage in ideas, to challenge or invoke our strongly held beliefs and biases. They ask us to share and experience the lives, thoughts, and sentiments of others. With video games, for the first time in the history of artistic expression, we are now asked to choose, to explore, to make determinations, to take decisive action, and to follow our choices to their conclusions. We are now world explorers and decision makers, individuals acting on, with, and against the art itself. In The Greatest Art Form: Video Games and the Evolution of Artistic Expression, ideas are explored through the ways in which the video game form's most groundbreaking attribute, interaction, has allowed the video game to become the most malleable, dynamic, expressive, organic, and authentic art form in human history.As part exposition, part summary, and part critical analysis, The Greatest Art Form provides a detailed analysis and conversation about the countless ways video games have come to communicate with audiences through new and profound methods, in order to provide a new lens by which to digest and understand this new medium so full of wonder and potential. It contains content that includes critical analysis and dissection of some of the video game medium's most treasured game titles and series, including:* Silent Hill 2* Red Dead Redemption* BioShock* BioShock Infinite* Dishonored* Ico* Shadow of the Colossus* Flower* Journey* The Elder Scrolls Series* Fallout 3Explore the ways in which video games, more than any other art form, hold the most limitless potential to ask us to reflect, not only on the art itself, but ourselves.




Voiceover Masterclass


Book Description

Have you ever realised that your voice could make you money? Working as a voiceover artist can give you a good, solid income, doing a fun and rewarding job, mostly working from your own recording studio at home! You may find yourself a natural at documentary or corporate narrations, TV and radio commercial scripts or longer projects such as audiobooks or eLearning. Are you good at putting on "funny" voices? Then channel your talents into recording character voices for video games or animations! The world of media production is ever expanding, and there are opportunities for English-speaking voice artists of all ages and types of voices. This book also includes a link to a completely free video-based course on voice training and setting up in voiceover work. Written by broadcast industry veteran Peter Baker, this book aimed at both the complete beginner and also at the voice artist who has set up a studio but who wants to boost their income to the next level. Packed with countless tips and basic and advanced techniques on performing, editing, and marketing your services to new clients, Voiceover Masterclass is your handbook for future success!




Actors’ and Performers’ Yearbook 2025


Book Description

The 20th anniversary edition of this celebrated performing arts industry yearbook. This well-established and respected directory supports actors in their training and search for work in theatre, film, TV, radio and comedy. It is the only directory to provide detailed information for each listing and specific advice on how to approach companies and individuals, saving hours of further research. From agents and casting directors to producing theatres, showreel companies, photographers and much more, this essential reference book editorially selects only the most relevant and reputable contacts for the industry. Covering training and working in theatre, film, radio, TV and comedy, it contains invaluable resources such as a casting calendar and articles on a range of topics from your social media profile to what drama schools are looking for to financial and tax issues. With the listings updated every year, the Actors' and Performers' Yearbook continues to be the go-to guide for help with auditions, interviews and securing/sustaining work within the industry. Actors' and Performers' Yearbook 2025 is fully updated and includes a new foreword by Artistic Director and Chief Executive of The Big House Theatre Company, Maggie Norris, and four new industry new interviews, giving timely advice in response to today's fast-changing industry landscape.




Art and Business


Book Description

Analyzing the relationship between the arts and business, this book offers an in-depth perspective on the increasingly common art-based strategies adopted by enterprises in various industries, with a focus on luxury sector. Pursuing an exhaustive, systematic, evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach, it explores the limits of potential strategic collaborations between the two fields. In addition, the book provides a structure for this field of inquiry, offering a solid basis for future research and highlighting the benefits of art-based strategies for executives. Each research strand explored in this book is supported by a representative case study.




The Art of Voice Acting


Book Description

Now in its seventh edition, The Art of Voice Acting covers all aspects of the craft and business of performing voiceover. Starting with the basics of voice acting, every aspect of the craft and business of performing voiceover is explained in detail, including how to get started, performing techniques, setting up a personal recording space, voiceover demos, the basics of running a voiceover business, unions and much, much more. This edition is completely updated with all new scripts, discussions of the latest trends in voiceover and contributions from some of the voiceover industry’s top performers, casting directors and agents. The book provides a wealth of practical information that can be put to work immediately, as well as hundreds of references to websites and other useful resources. Anyone interested in acting, storytelling, any area of voiceover or simply improving verbal communication skills will benefit from this book. Although The Art of Voice Acting is a great learning tool for the beginner, it will also serve the experienced performer well as a reminder of performing and business tools that are essential in today’s world of acting and voiceover. Additional content, including scripts, audio files, and unpublished content can be found at www.AOVA.VoiceActing.com.







Craft Notes for Animators


Book Description

If Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs represented the Animation industry’s infancy, Ed Hooks thinks that the current production line of big-budget features is its artistically awkward adolescence. While a well-funded marketing machine can conceal structural flaws, uneven performances and superfluous characters, the importance of crafted storytelling will only grow in importance as animation becomes a broader, more accessible art form. Craft Notes for Animators analyses specific films – including Frozen and Despicable Me – to explain the secrets of creating truthful stories and believable characters. It is an essential primer for the for tomorrow’s industry leaders and animation artists.




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