Look, Voiceover prophecies aren't in my job description, OK?

Chamber of Cinema Holiday edition

2012-01-06T11:08:00.001-05:00

HI ho, I wanted to post about my appearance in Doc Despicable's Chamber of Cinema Xmas episode - as Sgt Staccato, of course. This was a quick script-your-own-parts and share project and my compadres came thru brilliantly. Listen here: http://chamberofcinema.com/2011/12/24/doctor.aspx

10 week voicover Challenge: update 1

2011-11-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

Like some other voiceover folks, I took up the 10 Week Voiceover Challenge , which means we had "ten weeks to contact a charity of their choice, donate their service and then blog about it."
I learned about the Lanterman Center through a link from James Alburger's email list - and the ability to help them by donating voiceover services.
I sent them my audition and received an email back stating " I will review your audition and reply with a suitable script shortly. Thanks again for your offer of assistance."

So I hope to report my mission accomplished soon! Stay Tuned...

Not Dead Yet!

2011-11-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

Rumors of my voiceover demise have been greatly exaggerated! Ok, there aren't any rumors about me one way or the other, but if there were, I probably started them.

My latest gigs have come thru postings on sites like fiverr.com, freelancer.com and guru.com. Have any voiceover, graphic or other freelance talent had any success posting to these sites?

Upcoming Night Terrors

2011-03-26T23:21:00.002-04:00

I am very excited to reveal the projects in the works for Darker Projects' series "Night Terrors", which I have had a hand in resurrecting. Here's what to expect in upcoming weeks/months:

The Rosetta Noise - by Alasdair Stuart. The aftermath and reflection upon the deployment of a doomsday weapon, which works by altering sounds... everyday, ordinary sounds.
Pitter Patter - by Mike Stuart. Little Suzi has a spider in her closet. A BIG spider.
Tuesdays With Lucifer - by Charles Pratt. A heavenly tale of sorts.
The Other Half - by Edward Carney - A man does his best to ignore the voice in his head, urging him to do all sorts of things he doesn't want to do.

The return of Five Minute Fears!

2011-01-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

Darker Projects Presents:
FIVE MINUTE FEARS
Series 2!

Five Minute Fears Season 2 Episode 1 - Lucky Guy

http://www.darkerprojects.com/fiveminutefears.php#02.01

Download (2:49, 2.69 MB mp3, released 2011.01.01)

Written by Paul Mannering

Featuring:

Dennis Cornelison as Santana
Jon Specht as McGee

Produced by Elie Hirschman

Sound Design by Rich Matheson

Sherlock Holmes Holiday Special 2010

2010-12-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

MOSH 301 - The Misadventure of the Sinister Noose

http://the4077th.blogspot.com/2010/12/misadventure-of-sinister-noose.html

"You follow me around like a bad cold, Mr Holmes; and you are similarly difficult to shake off."

Over three bright spring mornings in 1888, the kindly Reverend of the largest Parish Church in England is horrified to discover that the church is being desecrated with terrifying images of violent death.

Are supernatural forces at work? Why does Dr Watson want Mr Sherlock Holmes to refuse the case? What clues are to be found within a humble bramble bush and atop a mighty fifty-foot oak tree?

In hot pursuit of secrets buried deep in the past, and a man who can foretell destiny, Sherlock Holmes must descend into London's deprived East End to find the answers.

But does the true horror lie in the contents of Dr Watson's stomach?

The Misadventure of the Sinister Noose

Starring Jeff Niles, Elie Hirschman, Wayne Heyward, Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard, Dave Weaver, Jon Morss, Catherine “the Boo” Stadon, and Lilly Spiller.

Written by Vince Stadon, Produced and Directed by Jeff Niles.

Music by Alain Morin, First Comm, and Jeff Niles & Iggy Pop.

Executive Producers: Jonithan Patrick Russell (for Dream Realm Enterprises), Wayne Heyward and Valina Cutler (for the 4077^th).

With thanks to: AAP, Kae Woo, the remastered “Abbey Road” album, and special thanks to Kat Waterflame.

PodCastle 128: Something Wicked This Way Plumbs

2010-10-31T20:02:00.000-04:00

PodCastle 128: Something Wicked This Way Plumbs

by Vylar Kaftan

Read by Elie Hirschman (Voice Actor for Hire)

Originally published in Shimmer. (Read the text here!)

It happened last year. I’d come into the office early, because I was on deadline–and a month behind on bills. To make things worse, my girlfriend had the flu, and I’d promised to be there by 5 to take her boys trick-or-treating. So here I was in the men’s restroom, at 7:30 on Halloween morning. I shook out a few drops, zipped my pants, and went to the sink. It’s one of those two-faucet deals with handles on each side and a wide central spigot. I turned the cold water tap.

Candy streamed out of the faucet like the entrails of a slaughtered piñata. The sink filled with Skittles, candy corn, and jellybeans. They rattled against each other as they spilled over the basin’s edge. Startled, I turned the faucet off.

I hoped someone was playing a Halloween prank, because the alternative was disturbing. Or maybe I wasn’t awake yet. I glanced at the mirror. In dreams you’ve always got weird things about your face, like snakes crawling from your eyeballs. But I looked normal. A bit scruffy, and my sleepy eyes were bloodshot. Neither of these were a problem for a freelance writer–in some circles, they might count as street cred. I looked at the sink. Still candy.

I went to my office for a paper bag.

Rated PG: Contains tentacles, and a whole lotta candy

Tales From The Museum: Bloody Haven

2010-10-17T21:33:00.003-04:00

Tales From The Museum 3.02: Bloody Haven

http://www.darkerprojects.com/tales_from_the_museum.php#03.002

(24:15, 22.4 MB mp3, released 2010.10.17)

Written by Charles Russell

Nash's quiet vacation in the Tennessee Woodlands is interrupted by a call from the Museum - Dr. Mancuso has disappeared from those very same woods while doing research for a local college. Has she met the same fate as the others who have mysteriously vanished from that site? More importantly, are the fish biting today?

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Amanda Fitzwater as Dr. Helene Mancuso
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Shane Harris as Pappy
M S Garcia as Deputy Lisa Hendrick
Gwendolyn Jensen Woodard as Hilda
Steven Scott as Marx
David Smith as Captain James Robert LeFontaine Haven, CSA

Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and Kevin MacLeod
This series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production work by Greg Wilkinson

The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

Hardboiled, hardheaded cop Sgt. Staccato kicks butt and forgets names!

2010-10-03T21:42:00.004-04:00

Huzzah!
The long-awaited premiere of Streets Of Staccato has HAPPENED!
go to http://streetsofstaccato.com/
and subscribe- These are 5-minute long podcasts, and they'll come atcha fast n' furious!

Be sure to also check out the following links - some old faves, some new stuff!

Also, look for the new FoF "Movie of the Week"- not sure where that's hosted, but here's the lowdown:
http://blog.zombieastronaut.net/2010/09/11/the-fof-movie-of-the-week.aspx

Update: Ah - it's here, then:
http://frequencylite.com/

Staccato is coming!

2010-09-21T09:28:00.002-04:00

On October First, There will be a new name in Crime-Fighting audio drama:
The Streets of Staccato!
Stay tune to this Blog and to http://blog.zombieastronaut.net/ for more info!

Streets of Staccato Update

2010-05-08T22:22:00.002-04:00

Some of you may have heard me as Sgt. Staccato in the Zombie Astronaut's Frequency of fear - a particular favorite episode of mine is "Severence of the Limbs" - and now we'll be spinning off that character into his own series of web shorts, entitled "The Streets of Staccato!"
Details come from the blog of producer Victor Gates:

THE STREETS OF STACCATO- the upcoming weekly 5-minute spin off audio series from The Frequency of Fear MOVES AHEAD! I just sent off scripts for the first 12 episodes to all voice actors involved. Master voice thespian Elie Hirschman stars as Sergeant Staccato, who, with his crack team of fellow cops, fight crime without the benefit of brains or guts...only TWISTED HUMOR! Coming soon to an internet near you!

The final season of Tales begins now!!

2010-04-29T11:45:00.000-04:00

Tales From The Museum 3.01: The Trouble With Jane

Download (23:31, 27.1 MB mp3, released 2010.04.29)

Written by Charles Russell

Casey tells Nash and Dr. Mancuso about Jane - one of the ghosts who appears at the museum - and how she came there because of him. The problem is that someone else now appears to be interested in Casey... and Jane.

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Amanda Fitzwater as Dr. Helene Mancuso
Eleiece Krawiec as Anna
Rebecca Thrasher as Jane
Cap'n John Tadrzak as Dr. Stein

Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and Kevin MacLeod
This series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production work by Greg Wilkinson

The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

The National Transportation Safety Board advises motorists not to pick up hitchhikers. Especially ones that glow.

New listing on voicepunch.com!

2010-03-03T15:01:00.002-05:00

Check out my listing at http://voicepunch.com/detail-430-elie-hirschman-artistic-voiceover-talent.php :

Elie Hirschman is a talented voice actor, announcer, narrator and presenter in the New York/New Jersey area. He's been called a "vocal chameleon" - With a flexible voice, clear diction and wide range, he is able to fit a large variety of voice-related needs. Elie's voice tones range from serious to casual, with an array of character voices, accents and dialects. Professional, fun, and easy to work with- Whatever your voiceover needs, Elie Hirschman has the voice and artistic touch you want.

Here's what folks are saying about Elie:

When you listen to Elie Hirschman read, you believe every single word coming out of his mouth like it's your favorite uncle telling one of his famous stories.

One of our most reliable and versatile narrators is Elie Hirschman, whose impeccable interpretations and lively voice acting make even a relatively dry piece really come alive and engage the listener.

Elie is really a great guy to work with. He is personable, flexible, follows instructions well, and provides a fast turnaround. The quality of his work is excellent and I will be using him again in the near future. Highly recommended!

Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes continue

2010-01-22T11:03:00.001-05:00

The Misadventure of the Stalking Death - Part 5 is RELEASED!!
(Yup, it's the season finale'!!)
A murder/mystery- conspiracy theory-action/adventure-romantic comedy audio play for Christmas! Written by Vince Stadon!

It is Christmas 1887, and as Her Majesty Queen Victoria celebrates her Jubilee Year, death stalks the streets of London.

In Part Five: The enemy has infiltrated the Royal Palaces, and Mr Sherlock Holmes must prevent England from entering into a bloody war.

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P5.mp3

***

Sherlock Holmes is Arthur Conan Doyle's baby, and Dream Realm Enterprises are very happy to help change his nappies.
The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes – Elementary Comedy.

Sherlock Holmes...... Jeff Niles
Dr Watson ...... Elie Hirschman
Inspector Gregson ...... Wayne Heyward
Carrie Redmond...... Cookie Colletti
Annie Oakley ...... Lisanne Heyward
Queen Victoria ...... Kae Woo
Mycroft Holmes ...... Jeff Niles
Wilkinson .... Jonithan Patrick Russell
General Francis Millen ..... David Ault
Fletcher ..... Shane Harris
Kaiser Wilhelm II ..... Jeff Niles
Charles Brookfield ...... Perry Whittle
Ronson ..... Darrell Looney
Gwendolyn ..... Gwendolyn-Jensen Woodard
Royal Maid ..... Kat Waterflame
Cartwright ..... Jon Morss
Barman ..... Elie Hirschman
Mrs Hudson ..... Lisanne Heyward
Charles Dickens ..... Wayne Heyward
Inspector Lestrade ..... Craig Cooksey

Crew:

Written by Vince Stadon

Sound Design by Wayne Heyward & Valina Cutler, with lots of help from
Jeff Niles and Vince Stadon, no longer shouting at his computer. They
have agreed to disagree.
Music by Alain Morin/First Com
Christmas Carols performed by The Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir (http://www.concertchoir.co.uk/)
Produced and directed by Jeff Niles

This ALL NEW special episode is available NOW for FREE to download at DREGold.net! So, go to the website, or follow the link provided to download it right now! Visit us on the web or follow the link provided below (or copy and paste into your web browser):

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 5:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P5.mp3

Also still available...

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 1:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P1.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 2:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P2.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 3:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P3.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 4:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P4.mp3

- - -

Night Terrors 16: Roadside Castle

2010-01-17T15:59:00.002-05:00

Darker Projects Presents:

Night Terrors 16: Roadside Castle

Download (15:44, 21.6 MB mp3, released 2010.01.16)

Two American Tourists driving between Aberdeen and Glasgow..The middle of the night... A Rainy Scottish night... And the Scottish Moors... Why does this all sound so... Familiar?

Written by Arman Borghem

Featured in the cast were:

Laura Post as Vanessa
Elie Hirschman as Rupert
Jim Barbour as Andrew
and Mark Bruzee as your host, Harbinger

The episode is produced and directed by Elie Hirschman
The series producer is Mark Bruzee
Post-production by Michael Hudson
Original music by Soundsnap and Kevin McLeod
The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - Season 2

2010-01-13T20:35:00.003-05:00

Dream Realm Enerprises Presents:

The Misadventure of the Stalking Death - Part 4 of 5

A murder/mystery- conspiracy theory-action/adventure-romantic comedy audio play for Christmas! Written by Vince Stadon!

It is Christmas 1887, and as Her Majesty Queen Victoria celebrates her Jubilee Year, death stalks the streets of London.

In Part Four: The British Secret Service has been crippled and the Government cannot be trusted - the fate of the nation lies in the hands of England's greatest Consulting Detective.

***
Cast:

Sherlock Holmes...... Jeff Niles
Dr Watson ...... Elie Hirschman
Inspector Gregson ...... Wayne Heyward
Carrie Redmond...... Cookie Colletti
Annie Oakley...... Lisanne Heyward
Charles Brookfield ...... Perry Whittle
Mycroft Holmes ...... Jeff Niles
Queen Victoria ........ Kae Woo
Royal Maid ............. Kat Waterflame
Ronson .................... Darrell Looney
Flannagan the Cabbie ..... Kyle Borcz
Sally ........ Sally Wiget

Crew:

Written by Vince Stadon
Sound Design by Wayne Heyward & Valina Cutler with lots of help from Jeff Niles, and a fair bit of shouting at his dying PC by Vince Stadon.
Music by Alain Morin/First Com
Christmas Carols performed by The Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir (http://www.concertchoir.co.uk/)
Produced and directed by Jeff Niles

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 1:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P1.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 2:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P2.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 3:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P3.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death" - Part 4:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P4.mp3

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - Season 2

2009-12-31T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Misadventure of the Stalking Death - Part 2 is RELEASED!!
A murder/mystery- conspiracy theory-action/adventure-romantic comedy audio play
for Christmas! Written by Vince Stadon!

It is Christmas 1887, and as Her Majesty Queen Victoria celebrates her Jubilee
Year, death stalks the streets of London.

In Part Two: The hunt for a mysterious law firm leads Sherlock Holmes and Dr
Watson into dangerous waters. Or get more info from the trailer! See below...

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death"
- Part 2 Teaser/Trailer:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P2-Trailer.mp3

***

Sherlock Holmes is Arthur Conan Doyle's baby, and Dream Realm Enterprises are
very happy to help change his nappies.
The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes – Elementary Comedy.

Cast:

Sherlock Holmes...... Jeff Niles
Dr Watson ...... Elie Hirschman
Annie Oakley...... Lisanne Heyward
Inspector Gregson ...... Wayne Heyward
Carrie Redmond...... Cookie Colletti
General Francis Millen ...... David Ault
Mycroft Holmes ...... Jeff Niles
Charles Brookfield ...... Perry Whittle
Bakir Mandirali ...... Paeter Frandsen
Mrs Hudson..... Lisanne Heyward
Fireman ...... Teg Gray

Crew:

Written by Vince Stadon
Sound Design by Wayne Heyward & Valina Cutler
Music by Alain Morin/First Com
Christmas Carols performed by The Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir
(http://www.concertchoir.co.uk/)
Produced by Jeff Niles

This ALL NEW special episode is available NOW for FREE to download at
DREGold.net! So, go to the website, or follow the link provided to download it
right now! Visit us on the web or follow the link provided below (or copy and
paste into your web browser):

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death"
- Part 2:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P2.mp3

Also still available...

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Misadventure of the Stalking Death"
- Part 1:

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH-TSD-P1.mp3

The Twa Corbies

2009-12-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Podcastle 82: The Twa Corbies

December 16, 2009 · Filed under Podcasts, Rated PG

by Marie Brennan

Read by Elie Hirschman

In all the fairy stories, when the hero is magically gifted with an understanding of the speech of birds, it actually does him some good. A robin brings him a message from his true love, or a bluebird tells him about buried treasure, or a starling warns him of a traitor among his companions. It doesn’t really work that way, though — not in real life. Birds mostly talk about seeds and worms and the breeze and nest-building and the state of their eggs. I should know; I’ve been listening to them for seven years.

In all that time, they’ve only ever said one thing that interested me, and that one almost got me killed.

Rated PG: For Hungry Ravens, Corpses, and Curses (Not the Profane Kind)

DRE Holiday Preview Show

2009-12-03T09:29:00.002-05:00

There's snow falling at http://www.dregold.net, so that must mean...

The DRE Holiday Preview Show

is RELEASED!!

Join ROTC's Credator as he hosts our exclusive behind the scenes look at DRE's upcoming holiday programming! Hear exclusive clips from the DBL, Botz & Holmes holiday specials! Plus, hear an exclusive interview with the CEO, Jonithan Patrick Russell. You won't want to miss this first glimpse of these amazing shows! Check it out...

http://www.dregold.net/ROTC/DREHolidayPrev.mp3

Colonial Audio Theater: Perry Mason

2009-07-26T16:12:00.001-04:00

I'm in this:

NEW PERRY MASON RELEASE!

For the first time - the original Perry Mason novels by Erle Stanley Gardner are dramatized as full cast audio dramas in this exciting new series starring Jerry Robbins as Perry Mason, with Diane Capen as Della Street and J.T. Turner as Det. Paul Drake.

In THE HOWLING DOG, Arthur Cartwright (Kevin Cirone), an anxious man, goes to Perry Mason (Jerry Robbins) to have his neighbor arrested for his vindictive and noisy dog. He is under the belief that his howling is an indication that somebody has been murdered in the neighborhood. He demands that his will be written bequeathing the estate to the lady living at the neighbor's house. However, the will is mysteriously altered by an unknown person and Cartwright goes missing, along with the lady. It is up to Mason to investigate.

With Shonna McEachern. Hugh Metzler. Joseph Zamparelli. Diane Lind. Scott Giangrande. Phyllis Uloth. Shawn Maguire. Quent Risher.

Dramatized for Audio by MJ Elliott. Produced by Jesse Zoller. Directed by Jerry Robbins. (2009) Running Time: 77min
http://www.lulu.com/content/multimedia/perry-mason-and-the-case-of-the-howling-dog/7440176

Pseudopod 152: Hometown Horrible

2009-07-25T16:50:00.001-04:00

Newly posted:

Pseudopod 152: Hometown Horrible
http://pseudopod.org/2009/07/24/pseudopod-152-hometown-horrible/

By Matthew Bey
Read by Elie Hirschman
“So much stays behind when a man dies,” Bestlonic says. “You could rebuild Finch from what we have left of him.”
Together we walk the three blocks to downtown Chippewa Falls, and he tells me why Finch is the greatest writer who ever lived.
We talk mainly about the “Biter” series. It doesn’t take much to get Bestlonic raving about these stories. The most cited story in the series, the eponymous “Biter,” tells the tale of a man who finds a note in his jacket pocket that prompts him to eat his own extremities, methodically avoiding blood loss and undue trauma in the process. The story is nearly 30,000 words long, surprisingly little of which is gruesome depictions of auto-cannibalism. The bulk of the text concentrates on the “unthinkable horror” written on that slip of paper. Finch never states outright what that might be, presumably because it would cause the readership to imitate the hero’s compulsive mutilation. He merely reveals that the phrase is twelve words long, and we should be very careful what we read.

Night Terrors #15

2009-07-15T18:43:00.001-04:00

AT LONG LAST... THE RETURN OF NIGHT TERRORS!!!

Night Terrors 15: The Choice

http://www.darkerprojects.com/nightterrors.php#NT0115
(14:13, 19.5 MB mp3, released 2009.07.15)

It's a beautiful day for a walk in the park. A day full of possibilities. The only problem with so many possibilities, is that ultimately, you make have to make... A CHOICE.

Written by David Ault

Featured in the cast were:

Mike Lyons as Robert Morgan
Garry Cobbum as the old man
Kim Gianopolous as the boy
and Scott Wentworth as the rapist

The episode is produced and directed by Elie Hirschman
The series producer is Mark Bruzee
Post-production by Jon Specht
Original music by Kevin MacLeod
The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

How do I get started in Voiceovers - part 2

2009-07-06T23:05:00.004-04:00

I had another person ask me how to get started in voiceovers. Here is what I posted back:

I've sent my "how I got started" story to a few people, this is basically what I tell them:
I've always liked doing voices and acting and the like. My dream as a kid was to be in a cartoon.
I never really followed up on that dream as the years went by.
I saw an ad in a local community newspaper for a night class that was all about using your voice to make money, and it definitely peaked my interest. So I went out for it - it was 2 hours, $35 and it course was interesting. I could definitely see myself doing that. So I signed up with the instructor for one on one lessons, did 5 hours of voice training course over the next few months, recorded my demo, went to a marketing seminar, and got myself some business cards, made myself a website and CD labels. I also joined every single Yahoo and Google group and forum I could find that had to do with voiceovers and voice acting. I trolled Craigslist looking for vo jobs, and was able to get a few paying gigs over the years that followed. I also bugged personal friends (like the guy who started Gaslimit.com - high school buddy), acquaintances and family members, some of which materialized into paying gigs. Darker Projects and Dream Realm help me keep in practice and confident behind the mic. SO there it is - CHASE YOUR DREAM!!

Also, I sent them this Q&A I had with a friend overseas:

Q:i would imagine geographic locations to not be relevant in the international marketplace. am i wrong? can't the stuff be done anywhere to anywhere digitally transmitted?

A- You're right - for the most part. But Voiceovers is a business just like any other, and there are plenty of clients who will only do things in person and face to face. But you can indeed do a lot from the comfort of your own home or private studio. It's also the best way to keep in practice.
But the other downside to doing it "anywhere" is to make sure you don't end up with background noise, humming or buzzing in your finished audio, or just lousy audio due to using equipment that is inferior to what you might get in a professional studio. As long as you are conscious of quality, you can accomplish a lot, and make money... from those who are willing to pay and are accomodating of this system.
If you are knowlegeable, flexible, reachable and professional, you can pretty much do it all. But it also takes a lot of time to be/become all of those things.

Bloodmoon episode 3

2009-06-12T10:52:00.001-04:00

Darker Projects Presents:
Bloodmoon
Episode 3 - Denial

http://www.darkerprojects.com/bloodmoon.php#003
(19:24, 26.6 MB mp3, released 2009.06.12)

Sam's refusal to accept the shocking news of his transformation is wearing thin as he notices more physical changes: the night doesn't seem as dark as it used to, Sam can smell things his colleagues can't, and can hunt perps in the dark like.. well, like a wolf. But what further changes lie in store with the approach of the night of the full moon?

This episode featured the voice talents of

Mark Kilfoil as Detective Sam Packer
April Sadowski as Erika Elkins
Perry Whittle as Earl Parker
Cathy Rinella as Paula Mckee
Eric Busby as Brad Bracken
Jeff Robinson as Tony Verrano
Mary Alice White, Perry Whittle, Elie Hirschman, and David Ault as Other Cops
and Kim Gianopolous as Marjorie Woods
Additional voices by Scott Stronack and Riece Ptolemy

Your announcer is Jon Specht

Produced by Waleed Ovase
Directed by Elie Hirschman
Sound Design by Matt McLaren
Original Music by Matt McLaren and James Taye, additional music used under license

The Announcer voice

2009-06-04T14:42:00.003-04:00

I thought there was a general trend in voiceovers these days towards hiring more natural voices for commercial reads. Less of the traditional "announcer type" associated with the 1950's radio broadcasts and more of the Everyday Joe types selling you stuff on the radio. (My voiceover coach stressed this, and I think I remember specifically reading something about this in the book There's Money Where Your Mouth Is)
But lately, I am hearing all sorts of "classic" announcer voices being used - most notably in my mind:

the Joseph A. Bank commercial, with the oh-so-over-the-top and exuberant delivery
The relatively new sweeper announcer on WCBS 880
Several commercials with (what sound to me like) artificially deepened voices

This is disheartening to me, because anyone who has heard my voice knows it's NOT your typical announcer voice, and I have run across people who were so accustomed to the typical announcer voice that they couldn't understand how I was in the VO business.
Is the trend swinging back the other way? I hope not.

Escap Pod Flash Read By Me

2009-05-30T22:48:00.000-04:00

Escape Pod Flash: Betting the Family Farm

http://escapepod.org/2009/05/19/escape-pod-flash-betting-the-family-farm/

By Wenonah Lyon
Read by Elie Hirschman

It had originally thought the goal was to hit the two small creatures in the distance. They appeared to be identical to the three creatures whom he had joined in the game.

First approximation: separated by some distance, one attempts to down the group ahead of one using one of many metal-tipped sticks (called ‘clubs’) to ‘drive’ a small, hard ball. Those behind would, presumably, be attempting to hit one. So, one dodged and drove.

Rated PG for frequent golf horror

Website rejuvenized

2009-05-21T15:07:00.002-04:00

Due to multiple factors, I had to move my website files to a different server. This means that I reverted back to the previous template, which I liked better anyway (because I wrote it... partially). Everything should be operational, but if you spot anything amiss, please let me know so I can tidy it up right quick.
Thanks!

http://www.eliehirschman.com

Escape Pod Flash Story 2

2009-05-06T21:47:00.002-04:00

Escape Pod Flash: Get Me to the Job on Time

By Ian Randal Strock
Read by Elie Hirschman

“Maybe it’s what you’d do with the knowledge that determines whether or not you’ll discover the secret of time travel.”

“What?” I asked the old man.

“I know for a fact that time travel is possible. I knew the man who discovered it. And you’ll never guess what he used his discovery for.”

Well, I didn’t believe that old man any more than you believe me, but we’d been waiting in that airport for four hours, so I humored him.

“All right, I’ll bite,” I said. “What did he use time travel for?”

“Wally didn’t need to see the pyramids getting built, or sail with Columbus, or even watch JFK’s assassination. What Wally wanted to do, more than anything, was get to work on time.”

An introduction like that demands a story, so I sat down and let him tell me.

Escape Pod Flash Story

2009-03-24T20:44:00.003-04:00

Escape Pod Flash: Beachcomber

By Mike Resnick Read by Elie Hirschman

Arlo didn’t look much like a man. (Not all robots do, you know.) The problem was that he didn’t act all that much like a robot.

Rated PG. Contains hopes that will never be fulfilled.

http://escapepod.org/2009/03/23/escape-pod-flash-beachcomber/

Tales 2.02

2008-12-15T23:08:00.002-05:00

Darker Projects Presents
TALES FROM THE MUSEUM

Season 2, Episode 2: Haunting Pierpoint

One of the museum's greatest mysteries is its director, the aloof Julius Pierpoint. Rarely seen or heard from, he's the last person you'd expect to believe the rumors that ghosts haunt his museum... and you certainly wouldn't think he'd fall in love with one.

Tales From The Musuem, Season 2, Episode 2: Haunting Pierpoint

http://www.darkerprojects.com/tales_from_the_museum.php#02.002
(29:03, 26.6 MB MP3, released 2008.12.15)

Written by Charles Russell

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Amanda Fitzwater as Dr. Helene Mancuso
Bruce Busby as Julius Pierpoint
M S Garcia as Mala Monroe
April Sadowski as Adrienne and Angie
Abner Senires as the Telephone Voice
Eleiece Krawiec as Mona
And
Melissa Johnson as Claire

This series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post Production by MJ Cogburn
Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and and Kevin MacLeod

The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby
This has been a Darker Projects production

To Purchase "The Complete History of Blake's Ferry: The Civil War's Forgotten Battle", by Ambrose Montgomery, please visit the gift shop of the Johnson City Regional Museum.

Happy Holidays from Holmes and Watson

2008-12-14T17:21:00.003-05:00

Christmas, 1887.

As England freezes through the most bitter winter for over a century, a series of controversial medical trials sparks a shocking train of events that leads to Dr John H Watson taking a straight razor to his impressive military moustache, and Mr Sherlock Holmes giving up his favourite chair.

Will either man survive the bleak winter, a crisis of identity, and the attentions of a very determined killer?

Dream Realm Enterprises presents:

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes -CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2008

The Misadventure of the Five Watsons

by Vince Stadon

WHODUNNIT?
Mr Sherlock Holmes Jeff Niles
Dr John H Watson Elie Hirschman
Mrs Hudson Lisanne Heyward
Inspector Gregson Wayne Heyward
Jemima Winterton Cookie Colletti
Atkinson Paul W. Campbell
Stackhouse Jim Barbour
Charlotte Jones Kat Waterflame
Reverend Jeff Niles

Theme music Alain Morin
Incidental Music Alain Morin
Additional music First Com
Sound Design DRE
Executive Producer Jeff Niles
Exec. Producer for DRE Jonithan Patrick Russell

PLUS a bonus scene!

Pseudopod 116

2008-11-17T23:15:00.001-05:00

Pseudopod 116: Sick Day

November 14th, 2008 12:01 am

By Michael Chant

Read by Elie Hirschman

http://pseudopod.org/2008/11/14/pseudopod-116-sick-day/

And the reviews are in!

"The story was frickin awesome. It would never occur to me to pull a stunt like this, but I get what the author is driving at. And I agree with him totally that people are WAY too serious. (Including me…)
As to Elie Hirschman, everyone over at Darkerprojects deserves an Oscar as far as I am concerned. Thier work is so reminiscent of the golden days of radio that it’s scary. And then there is the consistantly good stuff coming from Escape Artists. Alasdair and Ben, please keep ‘em coming!"

Echo Night

2008-09-22T10:33:00.002-04:00

ECHO NIGHT:

Sept 22nd: Fred Greenhalgh, Elie Hirschman, and Nikkita Bradette

LISTEN AND ENJOY:

http://www.echofiction.com/titles/echonight/e001.php

:-)

Bloodmoon Premiere

2008-09-21T21:40:00.003-04:00

Darker Projects presents:
B L O O D M O O N
written by Robert W. Tinsley

http://www.darkerprojects.com/bloodmoon.html

Meet Sam Packer. As a Police Officer in Colorado, he has seen it all. He has been in drug busts and car chases, he has chased criminals down the darkest alleyways in the darkest part of town. But he has no idea what is going to happen to him, nor how it will completely turn his world upside down. On a forced vacation to Canadian woods with his wife, his destiny is decided following a brutal attack by a mysterious wolf-like creature. After he returns to Colorado, he finds himself stronger, quicker, and very different. Meet Sam Packer, werewolf.

Episode 1: Moonstruck

(20:28, 18.7 MB MP3, 2008.09.21)

Sam and Monica Parker seem to have found the perfect spot for a romantic getaway: remote, secluded... quiet. But strange noises at night - added to vague warnings from the old caretaker - threaten to spoil the mood. What is a "loup garou", anyway?

This episode featured the voice talents of

Mark Kilfoil as Sam Packer and Louis Levesque
M. Sieiro Garcia as Monica Parker
Bruce Busby as the Old Man
Byron Lee as RCMP Constable and the Loup Garou

Produced by Waldo Ovase
Directed by Elie Hirschman
Sound Design by Byron Lee
Original Music by Kevin MacLeod and James Taye, additional music used under license

How do I get started in Voiceovers?

2008-09-11T21:05:00.003-04:00

OK, I got asked the inevitable question:

How do I get started in voiceovers?

This was my answer back:

Read up first: http://blogs.voices.com/ might have some good stuff.
http://www.voiceovers.com/yourvocareer.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/Voice-Over
http://davidhoustonvoice.com/blog1/2006/08/getting_started_my_take.html

and maybe a book:
http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Money-Where-Your-Mouth/dp/0823077020

Next, get yourself some recording equipment - best move is to get a USB microphone for your PC. But you can also use an answering machine or voicemail for this.
Record something - anything - and listen back to it, with headphones. Turn it up a bit and pay attention to every detail. Listen to your voice, notice any sounds that don't belong, background noise, pops or clicks coming from your mouth. Notice if you breathe too hard on P's and B's, if you mispronounce any letters or words. Do you have a noticeable accent? Consider if you want to try and hide it by talking a little "flatter."
Basically, you want to teach yourself to be totally in tune with your own voice and be able to be hyper-conscious of all these things when you are recording. Obsess.

If you want to make it into a business, you'll need all the things a good business needs: a website, a phone line, business cards, marketing supplies (postcards, stationery, Keychains with your name on it or somesuch) and you'll need to find people to contact and send this stuff to. You should also market your vo biz online.
Most importantly, like any business, you need a product. The product is your voice, but you need a way to present that in a tidy package people can check out at their leisure. This would be your demo. Read up on that, see what people have to say about VO demos.
I would say ideally, you should get VO training too. That can get expensive, but sometimes you can make a deal on these things.
Good luck! Any further questions, ask away!
-ESH

RIP Don La Fontaine

2008-09-02T12:08:00.002-04:00

The Voicover King is dead... Long Live the Voiceover King!

From Entertainment Tonight:

Voiceover Master Don LaFontaine has died. He was 68.
LaFontaine, known as the "King of Voiceovers," died Monday afternoon [1
Sep] at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. LaFontaine's agent,
Vanessa Gilbert, tells ET that he passed away following complications
from Pneumothorax, the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity,
the result of a collapsed lung. The official cause of death has not yet
been released.

Over the past 25 years,

LaFontaine cemented his position as the "King
of Voiceovers." Aside from being the preeminent voice in the movie
trailer industry, Don also worked as the voice of Entertainment Tonight
and The Insider, as well as for CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition
to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network. By conservative estimates, he
voiced hundreds of thousands of television and radio spots, including
commercials for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke,
and many other corporate sponsors.

He recently parodied himself on a series of national television
commercials for

Geico. At last count, he has worked on nearly 5000
films, including appearances as the in-show announcer for the Screen
Actors Guild and Academy Awards. Based on contracts signed, he has the
distinction of being perhaps the single busiest actor in the history of
SAG. Don is survived by his wife -- singer/actress Nita Whitaker, and
three children: Christine, Skye and Elyse.
__._,_.___

My Audio Setup

2008-08-11T11:58:00.002-04:00

I've been asked several times about the equipment I use to record my crystal-clear audio in my home studio.
First, the basics: make sure there is no major humming going on from any appliances or machinery in the vicinity. This includes the attic fan in my house, which sends a fantastic hum through the walls of the whole house. Also, since I record on PC, I make sure the mic is facing away from the PC and as far away from it as microphone cables will allow.

As to the actual equipment used, I'm pretty low-tech and low-budget-
Mic:Samson C01U Condenser USB Microphone
Mount:Samson SP01 Shockmount for C01 and C03 Microphone
Stand: OnStage Tripod/Boom Mic Stand
Pop filter: RaXXess Stoppit or some generic thereof
(All except the pop filter purchased from zzounds.com)

The mic is direct to USB, so no mixer involved, which of course can be a negative, but there is a "softPre" program that came with it, which I have used with mixed results.
In terms of soundproofing, I played around with the "portable soundbooth" concept (see here: http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2008/01/01/my-portable-sound-booth.aspx ) but got no improvement out of it, so I drape a blanket directly over the mic, filter and stand, leaving just a small window of the mic visible and facing me. Seems to work for now.

On to software:
I use the Goldwave program to record, and I am extremely happy with the way it works. I had used Dexster (very buggy) and Audacity (great for multitrack mixing, but crashes when you open more than 5 files or so), until one day the great Chris Snyder turned me on to Goldwave. Someone is trying now to get me to use Reaper, but it seems much more than I need for my humble porpoises.

So there you have it. Feel free to copy my setup as you wish.

FoF yet again

2008-07-08T21:51:00.002-04:00

I'm in Frequency of Fear again- not just in the main story podcast, but also the mini "Flights of Fright" contained therein.

Episode 0.035: Gardening Gore On Aisle Four
(43.3 MB; 1:34:37 MIN)

When Doctor Despicable goes shopping for lab coats, he usually drags me along. This time, he manages to take the store out while he's at it. While we try to escape uneaten by the local plant life, you get to listen to episodes of Sleep No More and the Vanishing Point, as well as an excerpt from William Castle's Halloween novelty album and a brand spanking new Flights Of Fright.. Taliesin fills us in on the plant life used to incapacitate a bloodsucker, courtesy of Taliesin Meets The Vampires.

"Gardening Gore On Aisle Four" was written by KC Locke and W Ralph Walters

Brent Hinks - Dr. Wilheim Von Martinez
Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard - Sheila
Bill Hollweg - Bob Wolfenbridgen
KC Locke - Steve Martin
Elie Hirschman - Sgt. Staccato
Colin Snow and W. Ralph Walters - the Glendale Police Department
Doctor Despicable appeared courtesy of Victor's Secret Push-Up Wonder Briefs
W Ralph Walters - everything else

Tales From the Museum: episode 7

2008-07-06T21:01:00.002-04:00

Darker Projects Presents:
Tales from the Museum
Episode 7: The Amulet and the Scroll

(24:15, 33.3 MB MP3, released 2008.07.04)

Written by Charles Russell

Dr. Stein has a secret past he's been reluctant to share with anyone. Now, as an old foe closes in, Stein tells all to his co-workers - a story of smuggling, dark magic and Nazis. Can his friends from the regional Museum help him stand strong against those who would stop at nothing to reclaim the artifacts he possesses?

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Amanda Fitzwater as Dr. Helene Mancuso
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Captain John tadrzak as Dr. Stein
Chip Joel as Morton the security Guard
David Alexander Macdonald as the computer voice
David Ault as Jergen Werner
Chris Williams as Curt Blutbad
M S Garcia as Hotel Clerk
and
Jules Ismail as Detective Hogan

This series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post Production by MJ Cogburn
Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and and Kevin MacLeod

The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby
This has been a Darker Projects production

To learn more about milking snakes, contact Dr. Stein c/o the Regional Museum, Johnson City, TN

another appearance on FoF

2008-04-30T19:10:00.003-04:00

This Zombie Astronaut fellow is one talented nutter...
http://frequencyoffear.com/2008/04/27/episode-0030-vengeance-beyond-the-grave.aspx

Episode 0.030: Vengeance Beyond The Grave
(39.6 MB; 1:26:30 MIN)

Bernie's Video Rental has a horror rarity I've been looking for, but when I get the wrong movie everybody assumes because I'm dead I've returned from the grave to seek vengeance. The nerve! While I try in vain to convince everybody I just want to get my movie and go home, you get to listen to tales of real vengeance beyond the grave. Checkout these tales from The Inner Sanctum, Lights Out and The Strange Dr. Weird. Also check out the first in a sporadic series of interviews with sci-fi and horror musicians as I interview Pete Kellers of No They Do. Taliesin talks about vampiric vengeance, courtesy of Taliesin Meets The Vampires.

"Vengeance Beyond The Grave" was written by KC Locke, Brent Hinks and W Ralph Walters

Therese Chevas - Marsha
KC Locke - Bernie, Steve Martin
Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard - Customer #1
Brent Hinks - Customer #3
Elie Hirschman - Sgt. Staccato
W Ralph Walters - everything else

Pseudopod 87

2008-04-25T14:21:00.001-04:00

Pseudopod 87: A Place of Snow Angels
By Matt Wallace

Read by Elie Hirschman

Joshua was seven when he saw the white city.

It was his first deep trek across the Mojave tundra with Dedimus, hours spent listening to the snowreaver’s hover jets pulverize powder and ice, his tiny nostrils filled with the tonic ozone smell of its ionized plasma engines and he could barely move in the half-dozen layers of insulation Mida added to his parka., and somewhere under all of that Dedimus preaching, always preaching, about Joshua’s bond to the ever-growing winter, his future, his responsibility. By the time they reached the Santa Monica coastline, Joshua’s ears were ringing and he was hungry, and despite the arctic chill he found he was sweating.

They stood on the shore and looked west. At first there was just the ocean, slow moving and rough-hewn gray, like unfinished sheets of steel. The frost shifted in heavy curtains above them. Then morning broke and the tide changed. Twenty miles off the coast, the white city blazed as pure and broad as the horizon itself. There were walls rising higher than any structure Joshua had ever seen. There were parapets. There were stalactite spires that stabbed the frosty fog billows.

Joshua never saw anything like it, not in pictures or among the small holographic images Mida used to teach him.

“Who lives there?” he’d asked Dedimus.

“No one,” the old man told Joshua. “That is the fata morgana, an illusion created by the cold. Like any worthy opponent, winter tricks your eyes, draws you into falsehoods.”

2008-04-14T15:00:00.001-04:00

WOO HOO! Special appearance by ME on Zombie Astronaut's Frequency of Fear Podcast!

Episode 0.029: Him, Robot
http://frequencyoffear.com/2008/04/13/autosaved-60132-pm.aspx
(45.7 MB; 1:40:01 MIN)

Robots drive me crazy! All I wanted to do was order a pizza and what happens? A robot goes crazy and tries to kill me. To top that off, killer robots from the future travel to the past to save me or kill me, depending on which one you're talking about. While I attempt to avoid being invalidated, we listen to killer robot tales from Theater 5, Dimension X and 2000 Plus, as well as listening to robot songs from Bent Bolt & The Nuts and No They Do. Taliesin talks about vampirism and robots and what crappy movies they make, courtesy of Taliesin Meets The Vampires. Doctor Despicable isn't in this one. Nope. Wasn't invited.

"Him, Robot" was written by KC Locke and W Ralph Walters

Todd Young - Metagalactic Pizza Guy, Metagalactic Pizza Robot
Elie Hirschman - The Invalidator
KC Locke - also The Invalidator, Daleks
Doctor Despicable - Future Dictator Doctor Despicable
W Ralph Walters - everything else

2008-04-10T20:12:00.002-04:00

I've been doing a bunch of work for JTV Productions, a video firm with whom I have contacts in common. I've now done 2 school diner video voiceovers, 1 biography and 1 bar mitzvah intro. So far so good.
I haven't had to do any post work for this - if I did and needed music, I would probably visit this site:

Partners in Rhyme - Royalty Free Music and Sound Effects "Download the music and sound effects you need for your multimedia project today at Partners In Rhyme."

Having some good music behind your words can work wonders for a podcast, trailer or other production.

Alive inside - new episode

2008-03-16T15:01:00.001-04:00

ALIVE INSIDE

Season of the Dead #1
Written by Eric Busby and Donald Copp
Based upon the novel Alive Inside by Eric Busby and Donald Copp

The human race? Forget about them. Laid waste by the great catastrophe, the remnants of humanity fight for survival in a world scarred by a plague that causes the dead to walk again. Now the Zombie hordes add to their infernal ranks with ever fresh victim. This is the dawn of the Season of the Dead

"Alive Inside" is a serialized, full-cast audio horror tale. Available for free download in .MP3 format, or as a Podcast.

iTunes Link
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=119828703

Download
http://www.darkerprojects.com/aliveinside.html

Featured in the cast were

Elie Hirschman as Adam
Jon Specht as Lyle
Jeanine Yamanaka as Kelly
Laura Post as Beth
Chris Williams as The Chief
Mike 'Dr. Pus' West as Doctor Lee
Bruce Busby as the Radio Dispatcher
Eric Busby as the Man from Columbus
Eleiece Krawiec as the CNN Reporter
And Terry Williams, Gwendolyn Jenson Woodard and
Alexa Chapman as the zombies

This episode was produced and direction by Eric Busby

Audio engineering by Eric Busby

me on Pseudopod

2008-03-01T22:34:00.000-05:00

Pseudopod 79: Ice

February 29th, 2008 12:01 am

By Heather Hatch

Read by Elie Hirschman

Johnson looked out at the glistening white expanse, glad for the barrier between him and the snow covered ice. He noted the research ship’s position and speed in the log book – along with the calm emptiness of the Antarctic wasteland – and turned to Ivers, the man at the radar.

“Still no sign of Dr. Fenton?” Johnson asked.

“Nope. Nothing from Saunders – how much longer are we waiting out here?”

Johnson shrugged. “Captain says another day.”.

There's something about school videos

2008-02-13T00:12:00.001-05:00

Now that the word is out that I did the Westchester Day School video voiceover, apparently all the schools want me. Ezra Academy, in Queens, will be featuring a voiceover of mine in their dinner video. Who's next? Please form an orderly line.

Westchester Day School

2008-02-07T00:09:00.001-05:00

VO Work update: I recently did the voiceover for a video commemorating the 60th anniversary of Westchester Day School.
The only way you'd be able to hear it is if you shelled out a bunch of money to attend their dinner, which I encourage you all to do. (Dunno why, it's not like I get residuals....)

And it looks like there's more VO-for-video on the way (please please please no whammy no whammy) so stay tuned...

Update: Bzzzzzzzzzzzzttt!! WHAMMY!!! maybe the next one...

happy bday to me

2008-01-31T21:44:00.000-05:00

I am now 31 years old (as of yesterday)!!

My co-workers decorated my desk with all manner of silly decorations, including a pic of me as "Ah-nold " (they say it's my best impression). Then we chowed down on a cake with a picture of me as Lion-O on it - nothing like visualizing your dreams, and then eating them!

Easily one of my top three birthdays of all time.

I'm a reader for pseudopod!

2008-01-02T23:45:00.000-05:00

Flash: Garbage Day

January 1st, 2008 12:01 am

By Russell L. Burt

Read by Elie Hirschman

Kenneth was twelve when the significance of garbage day first struck him. That’s when it became his job to patrol the household’s trash bins, bag their contents, and then toss the bags into the huge plastic garbage can outside his kitchen door. Well, now it was a huge blue can. Back then it had been a couple of smaller, metal cans. But superficial differences aside, the result was always the same. The detritus that had accumulated over the week was gone, disappearing while you slept, as if by magic.

Sherlock Holmes Premiere!

2007-12-22T13:44:00.000-05:00

I write this from my vacation (Israel with the in-laws again) but I just needed to inform the world of the long-awaited premiere of Dream Realm's "Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes" - in which I play the beleaguered Dr. Watson. This series was pitched (or so I heard it pitched) as a parody, but over the course of the 6 (or was it 7?) scripts I read for it, it turned into a tightly scripted, touching tribute and continuation of the beloved series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes 101 "The Disgruntled Physician"
written by Vince Stadon

Jeff Niles as Sherlock Holmes
Elie Hirschman as Dr Watson
Dani Cutler as Miss Violet Spedding
Lisanne Heyward as Mrs Hudson

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSH101DP.mp3

More info at http://dregold.net/Holmes.htm

ST:LF in the top ten!

2007-11-25T18:15:00.000-05:00

If you have iTunes installed, this link will take you to the top ten downloaded podcasts by day.

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?id=20112&popId=3

As of this writing, Star Trek: Lost Frontier (by the fine folks at Darker Projects) is the #9 downloaded podcast!
Way to go fellers!

P.S. Gifford's new book

2007-11-21T19:46:00.000-05:00

P.S. Gifford is a horror writer I have just recently become aware of.
I'm now making my way thru his horror archive.

I hear he has a new book out - more info is at http://www.psgifford.com/curious2.html

But an annoucement like that needs a little more... pizzazz.
So here's another link to it:

Well... that might be hard for some folks to read. Try this:

...but some would say that's a little too plain and boring. So here's a bit of sparkle whilst staying legible:

Enjoy!

NEW TRAILER - THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

2007-11-12T19:31:00.000-05:00

Soon to premiere on DREGold.net: The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes!

http://www.dregold.net/Holmes/MOSHolmes-FullTrailer.mp3
Starring
Jeff Niles as MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES
Elie Hirschman as DR. JOHN H. WATSON
Series Created by Vince Stadon

From Dream Realm Enterprises

Tales episode 4 and more!

2007-10-31T01:08:00.000-04:00

Darker Projects Presents: Tales From the Museum
A Miniseries Written by Charles Russell
Episode 4: Beneath the Foundation (24:22, 33.5 MB mp3, released 2007.10.30)

On a cold, full moon night a peculiar gathering takes place at the museum. This is the Second Annual Haunted Museum Mystery Tour. when psychics, mediums and fans of the occult pack into the museum for an overnight program packed with supernatural activity. As with much of what goes on in the regional museum, it's all fun and games... until the ghosts show up.

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Amanda Fitzwater as Dr. Helene Mancuso
M. Sieiro Garcia as Mala Monroe
April Smith as Angie Monroe and Adrienne
Additional voices by Colin Snow, Zack Fester, MJ Cogburn and Paula Cartwright

Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and Kevin MacLeod
This Series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production by MJ Cogburn

...oh, and this nonsense too:

What was once CUDDLY
Becomes DEADLY....
Beware the
CAREBEARS of SATAN!

http://eliehirschman.googlepages.com/grind_carebear.mp3
(It's my last Halloween trailer, I promise!)

Another Halloween Movie Trailer!

2007-10-29T23:10:00.001-04:00

They're cute... they're cuddly... they'll eat your Brains.
ZOMBIE KITTENS FROM HELL!!
http://eliehirschman.googlepages.com/kitten_grind_mix.mp3

HORRORS!

2007-10-28T20:49:00.001-04:00

In a world... where beautiful insects can kill...
Check out the trailer for "Monarchs of Death", the upcoming Halloween thriller!

http://eliehirschman.googlepages.com/grind_mix.mp3

2 things I'm in and something you should check out

2007-10-02T20:59:00.000-04:00

1.
DARKER PROJECTS PRESENTS :
STAR TREK: THE LOST FRONTIER #4: ESCAPE FROM KORSAVA 4

Trapped on the surface of prison world. The Enterprise away team make
a desperate attempt to escape. But just how much can they trust the
mysterious Mister Jezek? And just what will it cost them in the end?

"Star Trek: The Lost Frontier" is a serialized, full-cast audio
adventure with a new episode the first of every month. Available for
free download in .mp3 format, or as a Podcast. Currently ranked #3
among all Performing Arts podcasts in iTunes! Now available
exclusively at Darker Projects via the following links:

iTunes Link
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=260979915

Download
http://www.darkerprojects.com/lostfrontier.html#0104

Featured in the cast were:

Mark Bruzee as Rupert Trask
Laura Post as Kathrin Niles
David Ault as Andrew Winfred
Elie Hirschman as Zog
Ben Harmer as Liem Kincaid
Lucien Dodge as Sid Kirk, Ivan
Jeanine Yamanaka as T'Loc
Bill Hollweg as Mogga
Jon Specht as Krayt
Mark Kalita as Mister Jezek

Credits read by Seth Adam Sher

This episode was written by Mark Kalita and Eric Busby
Directed by Eric Busby
Post production work by Eric Busby

2.
Something I contributed to a long time ago, but finally can hear the results of:

PODENSTEIN!!

Podenstein is a social media podcasting experiment.

This project is based on an original script by Ron Ploof. But many fabulous people were involved in making it come to life.
The original core came from the Orange County Podcasters group. Additional talent was found in a variety of realms, including blogging, podcasting, videocasting, film, radio, cartoons and just regular folks. The Spare Parts assembled into Podenstein are each noteworthy and valuable, and Podenstein would be nothing without the involvement of so many patient and generous souls.

Hear the result here: http://www.griddlecakes.com/index.php/article/griddlesode_s3_002/

Please visit the ‘Credits’ page for a detailed listing of the contributors.

http://www.griddlecakes.com/index.php/article/griddlesode_s3_002/

3. Lastly, a good friend of mine, Avi Kunstler, has turned his music into musicals:
http://www.soulsearchingamusical.com/
If it's showing in your area, go see it. It's all good!!

2 new releases from Darker Projects

2007-09-19T18:36:00.000-04:00

Tales from the Museum, Episode 2: The Curse of the Wolf
http://www.darkerprojects.com/tales_from_the_museum.html#002

(19:30, 26.8 MB mp3, released 2007.08.23)

Written by Charles Russell

The Bannon family of Louisiana carries a curse that is passed from generation to generation ... and an artifact belonging to that family is on its way to the Regional Museum. Keith Nash must find out what this artifact has to do with a series of grizzly murders in the Tennessee area. But in carrying out his investigation, he has to be careful, or he may bring upon himself the Curse of the Wolf.

Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Amanda Fitzwater as Helene Mancuso
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
M. Sieiro Garcia as Jenna
April Smith as Marcia
Zack Fester as Holland

Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and Kevin MacLeod
This Series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production by MJ Cogburn

No werewolves were harmed in the recording of this episode.

Star Trek Lost Frontier : 01.03 Prisoner
http://www.darkerprojects.com/lostfrontier.html#0103
(37:30, 34.5 MB, released 2007.09.01)
The Enterprise responds to distress signal and is surprised to discover it may have Romulan origins. Meanwhile an away team is sent to find a prisoner being held by the faction of the One True Federation.

Written by Mark Kalita and Eric Busby.

Featured in the cast were:

Mark Bruzee as Rupert Trask
Laura Post as Kate Niles
David Ault as Andrew Winfred
Elie Hirschman as Zog
Ben Harmer as Liem Kincaid
Lucien Dodge as Sid Kirk, Tungsten and the Mutant
Jeanine Yamanaka as T'Loc
Craig Cooksey as Canyon
Jim Barbour as the Bartender
James Leeper as The Thug
Mark Kalita as Mister Jezek

Direction and post production by Eric Busby

Robotz Season 4 coming soon!

2007-09-19T18:33:00.001-04:00

Promo at
http://dregold.net/Robotz.htm !!

Voiceover: The Play

2007-08-18T21:40:00.000-04:00

Voice Over
by Norman Spinrad

http://www.brokensea.com/VoiceOver/VoiceOver.htm

Talk radio shows are always a source of interesting characters, sometimes originating from the most unexpected places. But amiable, unflappable talk show host Bobby Edwards gets more than he bargains for when his airwaves are suddenly hijacked by a strange cast of callers from beyond the stars.

Featuring the vocal talents of:

Mark Kalita as Bobby Edwards
Elie Hirschman as: The Announcer, Debbie, Caller #3, Electronic Voice, Daffy Duck, JFK, Groucho Marx & Ma Bell
Chip Joel as: Mr. Spock, Porky Pig, Rod Serling, Orson Welles & Bert Parks
Doug Manllen as: Caller #2 & The Director

Directed by Mark Kalita
Post-production by Paul Mannering
Music by Scott Shannon -- podsafeaudio.com

Visit Mr. Spinrad's Website at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/normanspinrad/

LOST FRONTIER ep 2

2007-08-01T23:21:00.000-04:00

DARKER PROJECTS PROUDLY PRESENTS

STAR TREK: THE LOST FRONTIER

Episode 2 - And a Star to Steer Her By....

http://www.darkerprojects.com/lostfrontier.html

The safety of the Yorktown is at risk as the Assassin Guild's ship closes in. Captain Trask must take a deadly gamble if he is to save them. But will it cost his new crew their lives?

Featured in the cast were:

Mark Bruzee as Rupert Trask
Laura Post as Kathrin Niles
David Ault as Andrew Winfred
Elie Hirschman as Zog
Ben Harmer as Liem Kincaid
Lucien Dodge as Sid Kirk
Linda Townsend as Chief Henlaur
Captain John Tadrzak as Guildmaster K'Rok

Credits read by Seth Adam Sher

This episode was written and directed by Eric Busby
Post production work by Eric Busby

About Tales

2007-07-24T23:49:00.000-04:00

So I've already posted that the 5-episode miniseries I've been working on, "Tales from the Museum", is coming out on DarkerProjects.com. What I haven't yet spoken about was the experience.

I have to say that producing a miniseries can be tough, but I couldn't have asked for a more painless experience, and with such wonderful results. First of all, the author is an angel (not a man, and ANGEL) for waiting on hold for a year before we were able to get to his scripts. I loved these, but they didn't fit into any pre-existing series we had going on Darker Projects - so the wait time before we could address a new series was considerable. Still, he hung in there, was glad and helpful when I finally called him back saying it was a go, and even had another script to throw into the mix for me. He also approved, carte blanche, any edits or changes I wanted to make for continuity, etc.

Next, my actors were all amazingly talented, professional and most of all - responsive. Perry Whittle in particular was such a pro, firing retakes when necessary with hardly any turnaround time. All actors involved deserve a big hand.

Most of all, MJ Cogburn, who did the mixing (post-production) deserves a huge hand. She did a terrific job (even tho I forced her to start without having all the music she needed), worthy of the pros like Eric Busby and Chris Snyder. Without her, the series just would not have sounded as perfect as it does.

So check it out-
http://www.darkerprojects.com/tales_from_the_museum.html
Check back and comment with your thoughts on the series!

Tales episode 1

2007-07-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

Darker Projects Presents: Tales from the Museum
http://www.darkerprojects.com/tales_from_the_museum.html

An audio theater mini-series written by Charles Russell

The Regional Museum in Johnson City, Tennessee has been the site of some strange goings-on ever since it was first built. Legends surround the place: tales of murders, mysterious disappearances, and bizarre religious orders. Some of these were "documented" by a PBS special, but most are passed on by word of mouth. Most of the staff there doesn't believe a word of it ... but Special Services coordinator Keith Nash? He's starting to think ... well, he doesn't know what to think.

All in all, the museum is an interesting and challenging place to work ... and things keep happening to make it more interesting all the time.

Episode 1: The Cult of Serpents

(20:56, 28.8 MB mp3, released 2007.07.21)
Written by Charles Russell
The mysterious poisoning of a graduate student brings Keith Nash and his colleagues into a confrontation with a sinister cult. Their intentions are unclear, but the threat they pose is certain and immediate. Will Nash, Dr. Stein and Dr. Mancuso be overcome to danger of the Cult of Serpents?
Featured in the cast were:
Perry Whittle as Keith Nash
Amanda Fitzwater as Helene Mancuso
Alasdair Stuart as Casey
Captain John Tadrzak as Dr. Stein
David Ault as Argus
Original music composed by Joey Stuckey and Kevin MacLeod
This Series is produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production by MJ Cogburn
No snakes were harmed in the recording of this episode.

Problems?

2007-07-10T12:53:00.000-04:00

I've noticed that the blog doesn't display properly in Internet Explorer - the list of links and archived posts appears way down at the bottom instead of immediately to the right of the current posts.

It seems that the culprits causing the problems are the posts with long links (like the ones to Night Terrors). Somehow it's all shifting too far and forcing the links to the bottom. I'll look into making it right- or converting the whole world to Firefox.

DP- ST:LF

2007-07-05T00:07:00.000-04:00

Darker Projects Presents:
Star Trek - Lost Frontier
Episode 01.01 - Hope (27:05, 25 MB, released 2007.07.01)
It's the dawn of the 25th century..... And everything has changed.

Written by Eric Busby

Featured in the cast were:
Mark Bruzee as Rupert Trask
Laura Post as Kathrin Niles
David Ault as Andrew Winfred
Elie Hirschman as Zog
Ben Harmer as Liem Kincaid
Lucien Dodge as Sid Kirk
Linda Townsend as Chief Henlaur
Captain John Tadrzak as Guildmaster K'Rok
Robin Carlisle as Tammy

This episode was written and directed by Eric Busby
Post production work by Eric Busby

The 60 second pitch

2007-07-04T23:52:00.000-04:00

My friend Stephanie Ciccarelli of Voices.com sent me an email about a contest they're running starting this Friday called "The 60 Second Pitch Contest" - here's the details:

What is a 60 Second Pitch? A 60 Second Pitch is just what it sounds like. For 60 seconds, you'll be pitching your services, letting everyone know who you are, what exactly it is that you do and how your product or service can make a difference in the lives of other people and positively affect how others do business.
There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes worth over $4000.00 (full details here) and this contest will prove to be one of the most exciting and educational events that the voice over industry has seen in quite some time.
Entrants can be from any niche of the audio field (voice actors, podcasters, voice over coaches, voice talent agents, etc.) and are invited to submit an MP3 60 second pitch about who they are, what they do and how their business can serve others.
To learn more about the 60 Second Pitch, click below:

Suffice it to say, I'll be entering this contest. That'd be nice to win.

Gaslimit and me

2007-07-04T23:42:00.001-04:00

I've been hired to do some voice spots for the folks at Gaslimit.com -In fact, if you go there now, you'll see a little talking head on the front page. I do the voice for that guy, as well as the audio in some upcoming sales presentations and website demo CDs.
FOr more information, go to GasLimit.com.

Vox Talk 31

2007-06-05T22:38:00.000-04:00

Audie Awards on June 1st in NYC and Hillary Huber nomination, The Voice Acting Hub at Facebook.com, Webinar with Voice Coach Deb Munro, Elie Hirschman Chats about Radio Voice Syndrome, Colin Campbell Fires up the Old Phone Patch, Hillary Huber MP3 and Debbie Munro Mic & Me Workshop in the VOX Box.

http://blogs.voices.com/voxtalk/2007/05/vox_talk_episode_31.html#more

People Against Censorship

2007-05-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

In light of today's highly sensitive and reactionary world outlook, we in
the VA community need to be concerned about censorship impinging on our way
of life.

How would we all feel if an ultra-religious group decided that our dramas
are unacceptable to their way of thinking? They could band together in a
special interest group and shut us down, as they are doing to various radio
shows across the nation.

Whether you agree with what I have put forth here or not, please check out
People Against Censorship (http://www.peopleagainstcensorship.com) and if
it's something you feel you can get behind, please do so. We can make our
voices heard and we can make a difference.

Thanks.

More Stuffs

2007-05-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

Vote for Ryan H. "Orko" Nelson to be on the next "Real World!"
http://realworldcasting.com/people/Ryan

I'm on VOXTalk again!
http://blogs.voices.com/voxtalk/2007/05/vox_talk_episode_27.html

3 things from Darker Projects

2007-05-03T08:59:00.000-04:00

The Section 31 Series Finale!
http://www.darkerprojects.com/section31.html#0307Invasion4

Autumn: episodes 5 and 6
http://www.darkerprojects.com/autumn.html

The end of an era....

2007-05-01T09:19:00.000-04:00

http://www.bastionaudio.com/S31Final.mp3

I'm on VOX Talk again

2007-04-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

VOX Talk #24 - April 12, 2007
http://blogs.voices.com/voxtalk/2007/04/vox_talk_episode_24.html

Don LaFontaine on Jay Leno, VOICE 2007 articles online, Bettye Zoller audio book release with Simon and Schuster, Elie Hirschman on learning accents, Adam Fox and Humble Beginnings, Voice Cat Marc Cashman’s advice on picking a voice acting class.

The Horror!!

2007-04-06T10:50:00.000-04:00

Come hear my masterful non-verbal (and non-human acting skills) in...
THE HORROR OF CARTMOOR ABBEY!
http://www.darkerprojects.com/nightterrors.html#NT0114

Tonight, we take you back to Edwardian England. When man's thirst to understand the natural and supernatural was at an all time high. It was on the quest for such knowledge that a telegram was sent to Arthur Samuels of London University. A telegram which lead him to investigate ... The Horror of Cardmoor Abbey.

(31:18, 31.8 MB mp3, released 2007.04.05)

Written by Paul Mannering

Featured in the cast were:

David Nagel as Arthur Samuels
Gareth Preston as The Station Master
David Ault as Doctor Earnst Hauber
Elie Hirschman as the Homunculi
Laura Post as Susan
Shane Harris as Jonathan

The series is produced and directed by Mark Bruzee
Co-production by Chris Snyder
Postproduction by MJ Cogburn
The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

Elie featured in VOX Talk on Voices.com

2007-03-14T09:52:00.000-04:00

Vox Talk #20 - March 13, 2007

http://blogs.voices.com/voxtalk/2007/03/vox_talk_episode_20.html

Spanish Simpson’s actors threaten boycott of Simpson’s Movie, Stand Up in Kandahar on the CBC, Meteorite?, Elie Hirschman on voice acting rehearsals via Skype, Colin Campbell discusses interfaces and surfaces, and your thoughts in the VOX Box.

Autumn, Part One

2007-03-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

Darker Projects in association with Infected Books presents David Moody's vision of apocalyptic horror
Autumn

(24:06, 44.2 MB mp3, released 2007.03.10)
Audio production, written, and directed by Paul Mannering.
Post production by Matt Mclaren.
Original music by Devin Anderson http://www.devinanderson.com
Based on the book Autumn, by David Moody.

Autumn featured the voice talents of:
David Ault as Michael Collins
Rebecca McCarthy as Emma Mitchell
Mark Kalita as Carl Henshawe
Shane Harris as The Narrator
Elie Hirschmann as Philip Evans
Clym Angus as Stuart Jeffries
Steve Anderson as Garner
Colin Snow as Ralph
Fiona Conn as The Teacher
Zack Fester as The Boy
Miles Reid as Jack Bynam
Joan Hovey as Sandra
Laura Post as Jenny and Kate

2 Days Till Autumn

2007-03-08T21:17:00.000-05:00

The most disturbing audio production ever made is going to be released in two days.

Autumn will be released in its entirety but will be available for download in sections (5 parts, approximately 25 minutes each).

Available at http://www.darkerprojects.com and http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk.

S31 Season 3: episode 6

2007-03-05T17:00:00.001-05:00

Star Trek The Section 31 Files : 03.06 Invasion, Part 3 - Warday
A conflict between the Borg and Daleks ignites and threatens to engulf the whole galaxy into war. Meanwhile Captain Dalonna attempts to recover her lost crewmates.
http://www.darkerprojects.com/section31.html#0306Invasion3
(25:14, 23.2 MB, released 2007.03.05)

Written and directed by Eric Busby

Featured in the cast are:

Lara Post as Captain Dalonna
Mark Kalita as Commander Mak
Judah Frieze as Lt. Freise
Elie Hirschman and Lt. Backus
Karl Puder as Chancellor Korg
Ben Harmer as Ensign Sovor
Mark Bruzee as Rook
Seth Adam Sher as Lt.Rekla
Paul Mannering as Ensign Fields
Bill Hollweg as Lt. Hawk
Eric Busby as Bishop
Matthew Kopelke as the Dalek Emperor and The Daleks
David Ault and Zack Fester as the Borg

This episode was produced by Eric Busby
Post Production work by Eric Busby

Credits read by Mark Bruzee

Far Horizons episode 1

2007-02-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Darker Projects Presents: Far Horizons
An original tale of science fiction created by Eric Busby.

http://www.darkerprojects.com/farhorizons.html

Episode One - Construct
Mankind makes first contact when an alien construct is discovered drifting in the asteroid belt.
(32:07, 44.2 MB mp3, released 2007.02.19) Written by Eric L. Busby Featured in the cast are:

David Ault as Nicholas Lancer
Mark Kalita as Artimus Kane
Laura Post as Donna Briggs
Elie Hirschman as Joshua Baker
Judah Friese as Max Howlett
Amanda Fitzwater as Susan Lockhart
Bill Hollweg as John Collins
Zach Ricks as Sam Reed
Eric L. Busby as Gareth Shaw

Music by Kai Hartwig

This episode was written, directed and produced by Eric L. Busby
Post Production work by Eric L. Busby

Behind DP episode 5

2007-02-14T21:48:00.000-05:00

Darker Projects presents: Behind the Scenes at Darker Projects
Episode 5- featuring Alexander Davis of Dreamseed, LLC
(18:16, 25.1 MB, released 2007.02.14)
http://www.darkerprojects.com/behind_the_scenes_at_darker_projects.html#005

Alexander Davis speaks about his new approach to audio theater and why getting money is better than not getting money.

Autumn in February

2007-02-11T10:43:00.000-05:00

1. AUTUMN MOVIE TO START FILMING IN 2007!

AUTUMN, an insanely popular series of zombie novels, is going to hit the big screen! David Moody made a big name for himself by allowing the first novel to be downloaded for free, then charging for each subsequent book in the series.

Filming of the movie is scheduled to begin towards the end of 2007. First details are available by clicking the link below and you can discuss your hopes and fears for the film at the David Moody message board ( www.davidmoody.uk/forum).

Interested in owning a piece of the movie? Click below for more information...

Link: http://www.theinfected.co.uk/AutumnMovie.htm

2. AUTUMN audio adaptation coming soon

We're extremely pleased to announce that Darker Projects' (www.darkerprojects.com) feature-length adaptation of AUTUMN will be available as a free download in March. Follow the link to listen to the trailer.

Link: http://www.theinfected.co.uk/AutumnAudio.htm

Robots love me

2007-01-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

From: "SoundClick Team"
Subject: Happy Birthday, Elie
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:55:48 -0500

Happy birthday, Elie!
May the best things you wish for all come your way!

Have you visited your member page today?
http://members.soundclick.com/eshbyesh

All the best from everyone at SoundClick!

Subject: Happy Birthday from Forums
From: "Forums Forums"
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:02:57 -0800

Hello ehirsch,

We at Forums would like to wish you a happy birthday today!

Subject: Happy Birthday from Al's Place Quantum Leap Online Community
From: "Al's Place Quantum Leap Online Community"
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:08:32 -0600

Hello ESHbyESH,

We at Al's Place Quantum Leap Online Community would like to wish you a
happy birthday today!

Date: 30 Jan 2007 05:01:19 -0000
Subject: Happy Birthday from Excel Help Forum
From: "Excel Help Forum"

Hello ESH,

We at Excel Help Forum would like to wish you a happy birthday today!

Subject: Happy Birthday from FLAVA / The VoiceActing.org Forums
From: "FLAVA / The VoiceActing.org Forums"
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:07:32 -0500 (EST)

Hello ESHbyESH,

We at FLAVA / The VoiceActing.org Forums would like to wish you a happy
birthday today!

date Jan 30, 2007 1:17 PM
subject Happy Birthday...

Dear ELIE HIRSCHMAN,

New York Blood Center would like to wish you a
Happy Birthday !

from TTLG Forums
date Jan 30, 2007 5:01 AM
subject Happy Birthday from TTLG Forums

Hello ESHbyESH, TTLG's fantastic server would like to wish you a happy birthday, but it is a machine, so it can't. Instead you'll have to settle for this automated birthday email.

Happy Birthday!
>From the TTLG Server

At least that last one was honest. Happy Birthday me!

Watson and Holmes

2007-01-21T16:40:00.001-05:00

Well, hey, here's something fun...
http://dregold.net/Holmes.htm

Dreamseed launches new site

2007-01-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

Alexander Davis has launched his new site for his audio company, Dreamseed, LLC at http://www.dreamseed.us
The site looks great and the first offering is already up and ready for purchase! In the words of Alex's press release:

Dreamseed LLC, an entertainment content company specializing in new and original audio theatre productions, has launched its new Web site at www.dreamseed.us with its first title, Buried in Falling Sand, available for purchase and download.

I play a small role in BFS, so please browse over and check it out!

Behind DP, episode 4

2007-01-09T14:34:00.000-05:00

Behind the Scenes at Darker Projects - Episode 4
http://www.darkerprojects.com/behind_the_scenes_at_darker_projects.html#004

Paul Mannering, our resident Kiwi, spins tales of sex and death on the farm, swimming over the edge of a continental shelf, and why babies and rats just don't mix.

Produced by Elie Hirschman
Post-production by Bill Hollweg

Museums are for FOOLS

2006-12-26T21:37:00.000-05:00

Remember the classic Simpsons Christmas episode, you know, the one that revolved around the creation of an overly-endearing fuzzy pal called FUNZO?
Well, there's a great line in there, where the corporate slimebags are secretly test-marketing Funzo to the unsuspecting students of Springfield Elementary. After watching Milhouse play with his favorite childhood toy, the male sleaze says , "Good for you, Milhouse- ignoring the recommended age."

Ahh, but we're not all forward-thinking visionaries like Millie and male corporate weasel. Most things that come with a recommended age SHOULD in fact be kept strictly for those age groups. Toys with small parts, for example, should not be given to small children or people dumb or hungry enough to put them in their mouths. Circular saws should be kept out of reach until the child enters the age of shop class.

But there are certain things which should come with a recommended age and are sadly lacking in such instructional packaging. The Museum of Natural History is one such example. I think a 6 and up label needs to be squarely plastered along the front of the entrance. I tried to take 2 kids, aged 2 and 4, through to see the dinosaur bones and the giant blue whale along the ceiling, and the experience of arguing with this one to look and dragging the other through his tantrum in the hallway has convinced me that there is an age that is too young for introduction into the world of culture and high-falutin society. So I think they should at least have it on their website (in place of the misleading and ill-advised " Children (2-12)" price) that perhaps you should consider leaving the kids at home, school, or daycare whilst you enhance your own mature brain.

Shame on me

2006-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

I see from my own blog that I am a lazy blogger.
I have tended to only post listings of Darker Projects productions that I like or that I am in. To be a true blogger, you are required to bare a bit of your soul in every post, and I have been sadly negligent in that duty.

In order to rectify my lapse in fulfilling my net-based duty, I offer you this:

a real blogger, funny and concise, written by a friend of my wife:
http://kolrina.blogspot.com/

Of course, I follow proper blog etiquette by linking on relevant (or even irrelevant) words. Though, according to this guy, I am doing that wrong too.
I just stink.

Ton of new DP stuff!

2006-12-24T22:03:00.000-05:00

Check out darkerprojects.com for tons of new stuff ! I'm even in one of them!!!

Also, for those who loved You Don't Know Jack, check this out: http://www.youdontknowjack.com/

Looking Glass Theater

2006-12-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

My sister Aliza is a director - her recent play was a smashing success, and in fact won the following awards:

Audience Awards
Week 3 Audience Award for FAVORITE SHOW- The Misanthrope
Week 3 Audience Award for BEST ACTOR- Bryan Wilson (Alceste)
Week 3 Audience Award for BEST ACTRESS- Julie Nelson (Philinette)
Overall Forum Audience Award for FAVORITE SHOW- The Misanthrope

Judges Awards
Forum Award for BEST DESIGN ELEMENT- Andrea Lenci -Costume Design for The Misanthrope
Forum Award for BEST PLAYWRIGHT- Aliza Shane & Meredith Kaunitz for adaptation & translation of The Misanthrope
Forum Award for BEST DIRECTION- Aliza Shane for The Misanthrope
Forum Award for BEST PRODUCTION- The Misanthrope

For full details go here: http://www.thelookingglasstheatre.homestead.com/ForumAwards.html

how nice!

2006-12-13T09:52:00.001-05:00

A comment has been made on my performance in "Five Minute Fears #8: Every Step of the Way"
(http://darkerprojects.com/fiveminutefears.html) by the author, Miles Reid:

"I cannot say anything about this story (for obvious reasons)

All I can really say is-

1- Elie is a Voice God.

2- I need to write stories starring more then two characters."

BehindDP_ep3

2006-12-08T11:52:00.001-05:00

Darker Projects Presents:
Behind the Scenes at Darker Projects Episode 3 - Mark Bruzee on the transition from stage acting to voice acting
Mark Bruzee, actor of stage and voice, delights us with tales of his involvement in Darker Projects and the roots of Night Terrors and the Harbinger. Have a listen and find out the answer to the burning question: What do underpants have to do with voice acting?
link:http://www.darkerprojects.com/behind_the_scenes_at_darker_projects.html
(15:55, 14.6 MB, released 2006.12.07)

Section 31 - Season 2, ep4!

2006-12-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

STAR TREK: The Section 31 Files

Episode 3.04- Invasion Part 1 - The Gateway

When all contact is lost with the Starship Defiant and Starbase Gateway, Section 31 is sent to investigate... Only to make a dark discovery.

http://www.darkerprojects.com/section31.html#0304Invasion1

Written and directed by Eric Busby.

Featured in the cast are:

Lara Post as Captain Dalonna
Mark Kalita as Commander Mak
Judah Friese as Lt. Friese
Elie Hirschman and Lt. Backus
Karl Puder as Chancellor Korg
Ben Harmer as Ensign Sovor
Mark Bruzee as Rook
Seth Adam Sher as Lt. Rekla
Damaris Mannering as The Founder
Paul Mannering as Ensign Fields
David Ault as Away Team Commander Leh'Ban and the Borg Drone
Fiona Conn, Amanda Fitzwater and Bill Hollweg as the Away Team
And Chris Snyder as The Daleks

Special thank to Rob Caves and the production crew of Star Trek - Hidden Frontier for use of the Defiant for this story.

This episode was produced by Eric Busby
Post Production work by Eric Busby

Behind the scenes with ME!

2006-11-17T00:42:00.000-05:00

Behind the Scenes at Darker Projects-
Episode 2 - Elie Hirschman on "He-man: The Parody!"
Elie Hirschman, producer and writer of He-man: The Parody! riffs about his life-long love of an animated series, and takes us through the steps that it took to turn tragedy into comedy into travesty.

(21:30, 19.7 MB, released 2006.11.15)

Halloween Olympics

2006-11-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my co-workers and I invented a game:
PUMPKIN BOWLING!

What, pray tell, is pumpkin bowling?
Well, first we had the accuracy event- roll it across the room, try to get it as close to the opposite wall as possible without hitting it.
Next came the distance event- see who can get it the farthest down the hall before hitting a side wall ( and of course, hitting the far wall disqualifies).
Last was the pins competition - regular old bowling, with cups stacked in a pyramid. Most knocked down in 2 rolls wins.

I won the distance event, but got a crushing double gutter-pumpkin to lose the final round of the pins event.

What does one win in this contest, you ask?
Prestige and honor, and the everlasting respect of one's co-workers...and your name inscribed on the pumpykin.

And then at the end, the boss walked in, wearing a Donald Duck costume and told us to cut it out.
Apparently, rolling a pumpkin across the floor in a carpeted office is generally frowned upon.

New FMF for Hallereen!

2006-10-31T12:08:00.000-05:00

Available for download at http://darkerprojects.com/fiveminutefears.html:
Five Minute Fears #9: Masks
It is a typical Halloween in a small, rural Illinois town. But when a pair of unusual visitors come looking for treats from a very ordinary couple, they get more than they bargained for.

(6:15, 6.7 MB mp3, released 2006.10.31)

Written by Mark Kalita

Featured in the cast are:

Garry Cobbum as Mr. Ted Griffin
Victoria Sampson as Mrs. Marjorie Griffin
Draven Schoberg as Kid 1
Caira Greenfield as Kid 2
Mark Bruzee as Radio Announcer
Elie Hirschman as Visitor 1
Chris Snyder as Visitor 2

Five Minute Fears #8: Every Step of the Way

(4:18, 4 MB mp3, released 2006.10.31)

Written by Miles Reid

Featuring the voice talents of Elie Hirschman as David and The Voice.

The series is created and produced by Paul Mannering and Chris Snyder
Post-production by Paul Mannering
The executive producer for Darker Projects is Eric Busby

Five Minute Fears #7: The Codger's Tale

(5:48, 5.4 MB mp3, released 2006.10.31)

Written by Paul Mannering

Featured in the cast are:

Emilie Leadley was Tina
Matt McLaren was Boyd
Josh DeLioncourt was The Barman
Timm Gillick was Charlie
Amanda Fitzwater was Rachel
Brandon Cole was The Codger
Damaris Mannering was The Waitress
Chris Thomson was Jimmy

S31: the Final Season Begins!

2006-10-27T13:47:00.000-04:00

Star Trek: The Section 31 Files
Season 3 (the final season) begins!
03.01 Escape from Rura Penthe, Part 1

Rura Penthe. The notorious penal planetoid. A harsh, cruel ball of ice inhabited by the galaxy's most hardened criminals. Apart from James T. Kirk, those who enter never leave and all who attempt to die trying. Takila Mak, [arguably] Section 31's greatest operative, discovers retirement from 31 is not an option when he finds himself abducted and imprisoned in this frozen hell. What powerful force can orchestrate even the legendary Novachron Sentinel's capture...and why?

(26:40, 24.4 MB, released 2006.10.25)
Written by Mark Kalita

Featured in the cast were
Mark Kalita as Mak
Dave Sobowjak as the Klingons
Paul Mannering as Orso
Elie Hirschman as Tom Backus and Gorm
Damaris Mannering as Suma
Dan Gorgone as Branus
Bill Hollweg as Korjeel
Shane Harris as the Klingon Judge
And Eric Busby as the prisoner

Directed by Mark Kalita
Produced by Eric Busby
Post production by Eric Busby

Kids these days

2006-10-25T10:11:00.000-04:00

Case Yorke speaks the truth. Kids are less active than ever these days - what with the world wired interweb and video games and tellyvision and all manner of newfangled inventions- and so limiting the ways in which they can actually get out and exercise is ludicrous. Kids can get hurt just walking! You can't shield them from all things, all the time.
For whatever reason - busy parents, increased lawsuits, increased incidence of allergies and the depletion of the ozone layer- kids are less likely to actually DO stuff. Especially OUTSIDE. Tagging on (pun intended) these rules about what activities are verboten is just going to discourage physical activity, which kids need. Stuff which is overtly dangerous, like fence climbing, rock baseball, or rolling down steep hills in rusty barrels, OK. That's common sense stuff. But, outlawing tag? What's next, banning Rock/Paper/Scissor because someone might get a bruise/a papercut/slashed?
Let kids play. Injuries will happen, but we can all just remember that kids heal remarkably well, and maybe take the lawyer off of speed dial. My son got bashed in the nose by a kid in his daycare yesterday- needed 2 stitches. But you know what? All kids take their share of lumps over the course of their childhood. I'm not suing the daycare - they do the best they can, watching all these kids. I'm not suing the parents - I happen to know them and they are fine people. I'm not going to have the kid arrested - she's 2, for the love of Eve!!

So once again, America puts another notch in the list of examples where we're just way too uptight. Maybe a nice rousing game of Kill the Carrier will mellow everyone out.

XM and Spoken Network!

2006-10-24T17:41:00.000-04:00

Hi Guys,
The horror anthology "Night Terrors" will be appearing on XM Satellite radio starting next week Wednesday through Friday, and then the week after Monday through Friday.
I have been involved in the writing, acting and producing of this series and am very excited to be featured on XM!

The times are East coast:
2:30AM, 10:30AM and 6:30PM.
On the west coast:
11:30PM (that'd be this Tuesday night,) 7:30AM and 3:30PM.
Here's the schedule of shows.

Channel 163: Sonic Theater
WED: NIGHT TERRORS - THE BUG DOCTOR - featuring me as Dr. Morris
THU: NIGHT TERRORS VOICES OF THE SOUL - written by me, featuring me as Nick Lebay and a lot of random voices
FRI: NIGHT TERRORS LAST CALL

Week 2
MON: NIGHT TERRORS BLACK LIST - featuring me as Jason
TUE: NIGHT TERRORS - THE HOUSE IN THE CLOCK
WED: NIGHT TERRORS BYRONS TALE
THU: NIGHT TERRORS AND GOD LOOKED - featuring me as Pa Grenaull
FRI: NIGHT TERRORS LOVE AND MURDER - written by me

I hope those of you who have XM or who have family and friends that have XM will tune in.

If you don't have XM, some of these episodes are available for purchase at
http://www.spokennetwork.com/list.aspx?catId=151

...or you could just look for the ones I wrote:
http://www.spokennetwork.com/list.aspx?author=Elie%20Hirschman

Elie interviewed by CVDG

2006-10-19T20:12:00.000-04:00

The interview I recorded with John Gallogly of Creative Voice Development Group is now up on their site. The interview was the first in a new series, entitled "Voice Coaches Radio."

Here's the description of the interview series:

Tune in to Voice Coaches' "Doctor Don" Bowers and John Gallogly as they share information about all things Voice Coaches. You'll hear what our staff and students have been up to, get some great tips and hear from some very unusual callers!

You can access the page at http://www.voicecoaches.com/hear.cfm/section/radio

Or, you can hit the MP3 directly at http://www.voicecoaches.com/audios/one.mp3

Behind the scenes at DP

2006-10-16T10:06:00.000-04:00

I've started a new podcast series, giving the world a peek behind the scenes at Darker Projects.

If you read this blog, you might already know that Darker Projects is one of the premiere sources of quality audio fiction on the internet. What you might not know is where a lot of these great ideas come from.

This podcast brings you the voices of those responsible for the great content you hear on Darker Projects. Hear interviews from producers, composers, writers and actors. Have a look behind the scenes... at Darker Projects.

For our premiere episode, we hear from Judah Friese on his involvement in Darker Projects and how the group came about.

http://www.darkerprojects.com/behind_the_scenes_at_darker_projects.html

Look, Voiceover prophecies aren't in my job description, OK?

Chamber of Cinema Holiday edition

10 week voicover Challenge: update 1

Not Dead Yet!

Upcoming Night Terrors

The return of Five Minute Fears!

Sherlock Holmes Holiday Special 2010

PodCastle 128: Something Wicked This Way Plumbs

Tales From The Museum: Bloody Haven

Hardboiled, hardheaded cop Sgt. Staccato kicks butt and forgets names!

Staccato is coming!

Streets of Staccato Update

The final season of Tales begins now!!

New listing on voicepunch.com!

Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes continue

Night Terrors 16: Roadside Castle

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - Season 2

The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes - Season 2

The Twa Corbies

DRE Holiday Preview Show

Colonial Audio Theater: Perry Mason

Pseudopod 152: Hometown Horrible

Night Terrors #15

How do I get started in Voiceovers - part 2

Bloodmoon episode 3

The Announcer voice

Escap Pod Flash Read By Me

Website rejuvenized

Escape Pod Flash Story 2

Escape Pod Flash Story

Tales 2.02

Darker Projects PresentsTALES FROM THE MUSEUMSeason 2, Episode 2: Haunting Pierpoint

Season 2, Episode 2: Haunting Pierpoint

Happy Holidays from Holmes and Watson

Pseudopod 116

Echo Night

Bloodmoon Premiere

How do I get started in Voiceovers?

RIP Don La Fontaine

My Audio Setup

FoF yet again

Tales From the Museum: episode 7

another appearance on FoF

Pseudopod 87

Alive inside - new episode

me on Pseudopod

There's something about school videos

Westchester Day School

happy bday to me

I'm a reader for pseudopod!

Sherlock Holmes Premiere!

ST:LF in the top ten!

P.S. Gifford's new book

NEW TRAILER - THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Tales episode 4 and more!

Another Halloween Movie Trailer!

HORRORS!

2 things I'm in and something you should check out

2 new releases from Darker Projects

Robotz Season 4 coming soon!

Voiceover: The Play

LOST FRONTIER ep 2

About Tales

Tales episode 1

Problems?

DP- ST:LF

The 60 second pitch

Gaslimit and me

Vox Talk 31

People Against Censorship

More Stuffs

3 things from Darker Projects

The end of an era....

I'm on VOX Talk again

The Horror!!

Elie featured in VOX Talk on Voices.com

Vox Talk #20 - March 13, 2007

Autumn, Part One

2 Days Till Autumn

S31 Season 3: episode 6

Darker Projects Presents
TALES FROM THE MUSEUM

Season 2, Episode 2: Haunting Pierpoint