Have you called Amtrak system? I think the lady there (Julie) is a lot more efficient in getting infomation from customer.

My wife used to work for a company that would set up the automated response systems for different companies. She always had to record the same lady. She said that this woman (I don't know who she is) makes her living by being the voice person for all kinds of companies and systems. My question - how does one break into this industry? I pretty sure she was well paid.

[This message has been edited by TexAAs (edited 01-23-2003).]

When I was at Cambridge in Emmanuel College, rumor had it that the voice announcing the floors in the elevator in the Queens Building is actually Princess Diana. Supposedly HRH (when she had the title) was visiting Emma and one of the students dared her to do it as a joke (this would fit her personality). Anyhow, my friends and I spent several hours riding the elevator, listening, and compared the voice to recordings. It is a pretty good match! If you're ever in Cambridge give it a try-- the building is public access if you can sneak past the Porters!

From what I know (a friend does this part-time), voice-over work does not pay that well, unless you have some of these major contracts. Much like other show-biz type roles, you have to make audition tapes, send them out, give auditions (both live and over the phone), and then hope you are selected for the particular role. These roles range from TV and radio spots to the automated messages systems and even the recorded voices at museum displays.

I remember a show, some documentary on these types of folks, many years ago, that talked about her, but I forget her name. I believe she lives in the San Jose, CA area, unless I'm totally mistaken.

CF

Here's another. 1-800-TruGreen.

Same lady.

I was on a Sydney Train from Central to Chatswood a few weeks ago and the bloke announcing the stops sounded like the engineer. He mumbled so bad that he could have well been Bob Carr!

She's also the "Audix" voicemail attendent for our system at work.

CF

Call Aer Lingus (US) if you wann hear a "lovely" voice.

All very accurate. I did voice-over work in college when I was working in radio. Lots of advertisers would request a specific "type" of voice. I have a somewhat unusual voice (particularly on the radio) and would always get to do these "sultry" types of recordings. Definitely interesting but it paid next to nothing!