VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[indymandy]

If that's true (about only reading text books), then I'll just reiterate about checking with your local PBS station. I know that at ours, they have myriad options: the daily newspaper (live and cold, like Greg mentioned), teen magazines, coupon mailers, the local business newspaper, books, poetry, AARP, Oprah, and Time magazines...too many things to mention, really.

Plus, the Library of Congress is another (paid) venue. I leave you with a Q&A from their website:

How can I become a reader/narrator?

Many local libraries and agencies use volunteer readers to record materials for local use. You may link to a directory of such agencies, Sources of Custom-Produced Books: Braille, Audio Recordings, and Large Print (2001) or you may contact us to request a print copy. Production studios that are awarded NLS contracts recruit and hire paid professional narrators.

The e-mail address for the reference section is nlsref@loc.gov. The address, phone, and other contact information for NLS is on the contact page linked at the top of this and every page on our site.

[ccpetersen]

I read over their web site (RFBD) and they are not just text books. They have a wide variety of literature. I guess I'll find out more at the orientation and let you know.
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[Audiogal]

I'm not familiar with the organizations mentioned so far, as to whether they are mostly textbook or not, but will share my experience for what it's worth.

Several years ago, I wanted to donate my time for such a service, but there is nothing local. Actually, I wanted to volunteer to start a program to read local magazines, local lifestyle papers, etc. Community stuff, if there was an interest. The Association for the Blind here didn't seem to understand my inquiry & just said "we don't have anything like that."

So I decided reading books would be a more logical choice. I expanded my search via the internet & found Radio Talking Book in Minnesota. They have readers all over the country. The pronunciation test was so hard I thought surely I had failed it. Lo & behold, I passed...and they said only about 30% of those who take it actually pass.

Anyway, at the time, they were NOT digital, so they sent me a reel to reel machine! I read several non-fiction books for them over the course of the next year. But there were others who read fiction, textbooks, or periodicals. Super nice folks; easy to work with.

Do your homework & check out various avenues. IMHO, it's a worthwhile use of your gifts.
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Mary

[glittlefield]

[Chrissy]

There is a group in Watertown MA. RFB&D. They had a training session with their equipment which was very basic. They wanted a two hour a week committment preferably at the same time each week for at least six months. You couldn't choose what to read. You had to read whatever was needed from literature to technical stuff.

One can work on building up endurance. In this case they didn't want a dramatic read since there may be a few different voices completing one project.

It does sound like the groups vary.

Chrissy

[melissa eX]

If you're in the NYC metro area there are a couple of other organizations and they can help you hone different skills. I volunteer with "In Touch Networks" which is an international reading service broadcast on the internet, closed circuit radio and satellite. You read from newspapers and magazines, each show is an hour and it's recorded live which means it's a great place to hone your cold reading skills. Most shows are straight reads but there are some where you get a chance to comment and chat with your reading partner and show some personality so it's good for improv as well. You have to edit out "unacceptable language" on the fly so it's also good for keeping the brain agile enough to edit without missing a beat. This is a natural for people who come from a radio background.

I also volunteer with the "Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book library", recording books. That is GREAT training if you want to get into Audiobook Narration. When I recorded my first book with them I found it's one thing to record an Audiobook demo and quite another to record an Audiobook! Better to make your mistakes there while you get up to speed than with the producer who won't hire you again.

You have to audition for both places and if you pass they'll set you up with a schedule - usually once a week or whenever you can do it. Aside from the benefits of having a steady weekly gig (albeit unpaid) where you can strengthen your skills - or at the very least your vocal stamina - you're also doing a good thing - it feels good to give back something tangible.