Voiceover

Taylor Swift Audiobook

December 4, 2024 by Heidi Rew

LONG LIVE: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift audiobook

I recently narrated the audiobook of a Taylor Swift book called Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift by Nicole Pomarico. It was just released this past week.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR CONFESSION

True confession: I wouldn’t have called myself a Swiftie. I’ve never been to a Taylor Swift concert. I do have a few songs of hers downloaded. But if we are judging a true fan on the sliding scale that is Taylor Nation? I’d slide right off.

When I booked the audiobook narrator for Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift, I was thrilled. You don’t have to be a fan to be excited to talk about the biggest pop star in the world.

One thing that most people don’t realize about audiobook narrators is we have to read the WHOLE book first before we record it. If it’s fiction, we need to understand the characters and their arc. If it’s non-fiction, we need to familarize ourselves with the material and make sure we understand it, so we can sound knowledgeable.

Well, I started reading Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift and I couldn’t put it down. Nicole takes you on a journey through all of Taylor Swift eras. She includes stories, fan accounts, headlines and fun facts that make the experience almost immersive.

AM I a SWIFTIE NOW?

By the time I’d finished, I would’ve proclaimed to any Swiftie that I have mad respect for them and the entire Taylor Nation. I learned about clowning, the origin of the friendship bracelets and just how many easter eggs have been planted throughout Taylor’s career. Nicole takes you on a walk through Taylor’s relationships and how that inspired her songs. She helps you understand Taylor’s relationship with her fans.

I learned SO much about Taylor Swift narrating this book. When you know that much about someone, most of the time, they lose their luster a little bit. You may want a little break from hearing about or from them.

Ironically, the OPPOSITE happened for me. I searched for any Taylor Swift documentary and interview I could find. I wanted to listen to her music on repeat. I adopted cats. Okay…just kidding on the last one.

But after reading Long Live: The Definitive Guide of the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift TWICE, I still wanted more. I think it’s a combination of Nicole’s great writing and concept AND the brilliance of Taylor Swift.

Swifties, please accept me in your circle. I really tried to do this book justice and add a slight nod to the way Taylor talks when it comes to her quotes.

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK and AUDIOBOOK

If you’re interested in purchasing this book for you or another Swiftie, you can find the hard copy HERE and the audiobook version HERE.

A big thank you to Nicole Pomarico for choosing me to narrate the audiobook version. Thanks also to Hachette and JMM.

To hear more of my voice over samples, go here.

And to hear some of the other audiobooks I’ve narrated, go here.

Gossip Girl Voice Sound-a-Like

September 23, 2024 by Heidi Rew

HOW IT STARTED

I went viral on Tiktok a few years ago. I got almost NINETEEN MILLION VIEWS on our Atlanta Voiceover Studio Tiktok page for doing a commercial VO challenge. Everyone thought I was the “SPOTIFY” girl (the next 30 minutes of music is ad free..) or the GOSSIP GIRL narrator.

The narrator is actually a “little known” actress Kristen Bell (Frozen, The Good Place and many, many more). But I became known, on Tiktok, as the Gossip Girl Voice Sound-A-Like.

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A post shared by Heidi Rew | Voice Over, Actor, VO Studio Owner (@heidirew)

What’s funny is that a recent National Commercial I booked for Instacart called for a Kristen Bell/Aubrey Plaza mashup voice on the breakdown.

Kristen Bell, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler are all voices people have likened my voice to.

It helps to have these references for voice over clients, internet searches and online casting sites for people to get an idea of the sound and essence of your voice.

Thanks so much Kristen Bell for doing such a great job on Gossip Girl and thank you for everyone for trusting me as a “knock off” voice of KB.

CUSTOM GOSSIP GIRL MESSAGES

More and more people started reaching out to me to ask if I could record a personalized Gossip Girl Voice for them. I’ve gotten requests for a wedding video, a message to a girlfriend, small business promotion and even a dog’s birthday party (see below).

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A post shared by 🎀ℂ𝕠𝕔𝕠 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕝🎀 – Nicole Wheeler (@mini_coco_chanel)

HOW TO GET A CUSTOM GOSSIP GIRL MESSAGE

Because I was getting so many requests, I decided to charge a small amount. I charge $25 for a short message. If you want me to improv or help craft your message, it’s $75.

I set up Cameo so people could request messages but they only allow video messages. I needed to be able to send audio files, so now people just email me directly and pay via Venmo OR credit card.

If you’d like to get a custom Gossip Girl message, just email me at: Heidi@HeidiRew.com (or through the contact page)

You can also scroll down to the bottom of this page and find the contact form.

An example message would be:

Hello upper east siders, Gossip Girl here!

Today is the big day at Chateau Elan because our girl Chelsea is gettin hitched. Is she destined to be a Trad Wife or will she be presenting a postnup in due time?

That’s one secret I’ll never tell.
You know you love me.
xoxo… Gossip Girl

Political Advertising Season

October 10, 2023 by Heidi Rew

Tis the season. The political advertising season that is. I know this causes groans for most people but for voice talent, the season is one of opportunities.

Here’s a look at a political ad I voiced recently…

https://youtu.be/Zb72HtuBbwk

Clean Up Her Mess Political Voice Over (https://youtu.be/Zb72HtuBbwk)

My voice in political ads isn’t the hard-hitting, deep voice many are familiar with in these types of advertising. Mine is the empathetic, trustworthy, friendly voice. Typically, Republican political ads prefer my type of voice. I am agnostic to a political party but more concerned with sharing the message in the most authentic, connected way possible.

If you’re in need of a female political ad voice that can lend an authentic, friend delivery, you can contact my manager, Jeffrey Umberger (404) 372-1680 or email: jumberger@acmtalent.com

Honeybloom for At Home

October 17, 2022 by Heidi Rew

One of my hobbies is interior design. We just finished a huge home renovation and it has been so fun to design all the new spaces. That’s why I was soo thrilled to be the Honeybloom for At Home voiceover. Honeybloom is an At Home exclusive line. Below is a dining room moodboard I put together showing some of the products they have…

I love putting together mood boards and have recently been loving rust colored decor. For this table, I’d get 4 of the rust colored chairs and use them as dining room chairs.

The pedestal and top are sold separately of the table above, which I actually love. I’ve been wanting a side table for our living room like this, but every side table is too small and dining tables way too big. I’m gonna try and buy the base, then find a small top to create the side table. The trickiest part will be matching the stain to the base.

And for any dining area, I always like to have a console or dresser that could double as a drink station or for dishes.

Honeybloom for At Home Sources: Rug | Chair | Pedestal Dining Table | Art | Console Table

HONEYBLOOM for AT HOME – VOICEOVER SPOT

The audition for Honeybloom said they were looking for a female voice that’s “Bright, Cheerful, with a slight smile in their voice and southern accent.” Check out the spot below…

https://youtu.be/MQrYhi4Uf2Y

Honeybloom At Home Stores Voice Over Heidi Rew (https://youtu.be/MQrYhi4Uf2Y)

Growing up, when I’d travel, everyone would say, “You’re from Georgia? You don’t have a southern accent!” As I’ve gotten older, certain southern accentisms definitely come out. I’ve never been proud of that because I’ve always tried to do a neutral accent. For some reason, I thought of myself as less than doing a southern accent. That has changed, however, over the past several years. More voiceover projects are open and desire accents/something unique in your voice.

Day to day, I still don’t have a huge southern accent but I can definitely reach into my Atlanta Georgia upbringing and go as “slight” or “heavy” as you want.

For this Honeybloom spot, At Home wanted a slight southern accent. Overall, they directed me to be smiley, bright and warm.

I love sharing the message of any of my clients but it makes extra fun for me when I get to do that with a brand I resonate with.

Thanks At Home!

Female PROMO VOICE FOR JERRY SPRINGER

June 17, 2022 by Heidi Rew

Never in a million years would I have thought these words would be said, “I am the female promo voice for Jerry Springer.” Me, Heidi Rew. The girl that grew up straight-laced, didn’t drink until after 21, never did drugs and didn’t even kiss a guy until I was 17. That girl is now teasing infidelity, mystery baby daddies and back stabbing. And I couldn’t be more excited.

https://youtu.be/_UELAePyK8c?si=6m6WLFHzFnGai7aV

I apologize in advance for the chant that will now be stuck in your head – Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

The reason I am so grateful Twist has given me the opportunity to voice this promo (and so many others for their network) is because it is so opposite my personality. We go into acting to be someone else but oftentimes we just get cast in the roles that are most “us.” The rare opportunities that we get to play opposite our natural personality is pretty exciting. Not to mention the fact that the Jerry Springer show was such an entertainment industry icon when I was growing up.

Over 4 years ago is when I finished my promo coaching and made my demo. Until I signed with ACM, I didn’t really have much opportunity to audition for promos – just a few here and there. The opportunity to be the promo voice of Twist came through an old contact. He offered me a chance to audition. I did, months passed and then they reached out and said I was one of the final voices they were considering. They had me re-audition with different direction and then months passed. I had almost forgot I even auditioned when they contacted me and said I was the official promo voice of Twist.

I’ve never felt like I had a strong voice…a voice you’d want to tee up something exciting or salicious, so I was surprised and honored. It’s now been a year and a half and I’m so grateful for Greg Osborne and the rest of the Twist team for letting me be a part!

That’s probably one of the parts of this industry I love – you never know what may come your way. You never know if you may just end up the female promo voice for the Jerry Springer Show.

2021 Commercial Trends

May 10, 2021 by Heidi Rew

For this years, VO Atlanta, I hosted two breakout sessions. The first was titled, “2021 Commercial Trends.” The second one was “What 4 Years of Not Booking Taught Me About Resilience.” I thought I’d share some of the insights about Commercial Trends.

We started off actually going back to the start of Covid.

HOW 2020 DISRUPTED ADVERTISING

It’s so interesting to see the different shifts in messaging and tone. I was actually really surprised I didn’t book more jobs at the start of Covid. I thought I’d be a good fit because my voice has a natural warmth & empathy to it. But companies needed authority with that warmth. They needed their customers to get a sense that they would figure out solutions to their problems. I leaned way too far into the warmth and empathy to exhibit any authority.

I saw 3 different waves throughout the initial stages of Covid in advertising –

1| ADDRESS CUSTOMER’S CONCERN

2| OFFER SOLUTIONS

3| IN THIS TOGETHER

Going forward through the rest of 2021, regarding messaging, we’re going to see more

FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

Increasingly, sustainability is becoming more important to customers, so brands will make sure they let their customers know it’s important to them too.

CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON STORYTELLING

A great way to leave a memorable impression without being salesy? Tell a story.

HOW COMPANIES CAN PROVIDE – ESCAPE, ADVENTURE, TOGETHERNESS & COMMUNITY

As we’re able to finally gather again, companies want to be there to help create these opportunities, support the gatherings and solve the need.

LIGHT-HEARTED, GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

It’s been a rough year. We all need a laugh!

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Messages and visuals will continue to include and showcase everyone!

1| NATURAL, REAL READ – Carli Silver, of Sound & Fury Casting, says 90% of the voice castings they send out are for the natural, real read.

2| SPOKEN WORD/SLAM POETRY – Amanda Gorman impacted us all during the 2021 inauguration. And that style continues to impact the advertising/commercial world too.

3| EMBRACING ACCENTS/UNIQUE VOCAL QUALITIES – The polished, smooth voice is out for national commercial spots. Everyone is asking for something unique…maybe even a little quirky.

4| LESS PULLED BACK VO (as in almost whispering in someone’s ear) and MORE KITCHEN TABLE proximity – This is still more intimate than in years past, but less hushed and more like you’re having a conversation with someone at your kitchen table.

Commercial trends are changing all the time – between the messaging and the tone. As a voice talent, it’s our job to keep up with how it’s changing so we can be informed while auditioning. It’s another piece to the puzzle that helps me give a client/casting director a great read.

If you’re a voice talent and would love to learn more about how to get to these reads, check out one of our many classes, workshops or private coaching at Atlanta Voiceover Studio and ProVoiceoverTraining.com.