Jock Bethune

52 years voice over narration experience... primarily as the "Voice of American Airlines" providing narration for: training pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other airline personnel..... Dial-AA-Flight automated reservations system.... airline terminal announcements.... computer-based training (CBT) and many other corporate communication projects. As a voice over talent, I specialize in educational and technical subject matter for learning (aviation, medical, industrial, software development, etc.) and have recorded voice overs and on-camera narrations for a number of companies and organizations in addition to American Airlines including but not limited to: Airbus Industries, AmEnglish, American Eagle, British Caledonian Air, CAE-Link Corp., Christmas Kitten Children's Book, Consulting Partners, Delta Airlines, DFW Airport Board, Envoy Air, FAA, Federal Express Corp., Hawaiian Air, Hughes Training Corp., Jet Exam, Jude Williams Public Relations, KERA -TV 13 (PBS), Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Lone Star Gas Co., McDonnell Douglas Training Corp., Metro Audio and Video, Multi-Media Learning, Unique Digital,Inc., Physician's Education Resource, Raytheon Training Corp., Regschool, Visual Eyes Inc, Simuflite Training International, Southwest Airlines, Zion Oil and Gas, several churches in my home area and Texas Health Resources. B.S. Television-Radio, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY Several classes and seminars relating to acting and voice over narration. I use a professional studio in the area to which I have ready access. On-camera talent/actor (commercials, film, television, corporate presentations) and emcee Still Photographer/Video Production Experienced in design and development of effective audio visual communication Tom Brokaw look-a-like! I used to do a skit with a Sarah Palin look-a-like! I'm the "straight man"!! 1950's rock'n'roll/doo-wop music aficionado REFERENCES: "Jock...has a unique ability to write and speak in a conversational ‘coaching’ style. I have been involved in teaching, research, production and consultation in video and interactive media for almost thirty years and it is no exaggeration that I have never come across a narrative style as effective as Jock's--especially for interactive media. He has a natural ability to sound like he's talking to you...warmly, with authority and experience...This is what is missing in most interactive programs where narrators sound like they're circus barkers or reading out of an encyclopedia. I saw first-hand how his colleagues and the pilot trainees at American Airlines regarded Jock when I visited there...it was as if he were the repository of knowledge and each person's best friend." "Technically, he can probably get media production work done better and faster than most other voice over professionals, but moreover, he can add that magic touch of true engagement with his audience. Jock is a true professional, a pleasure to work with, and a dedicated and highly ethical man." Diane Gayeski, Dean, Roy H. Park School of Communications, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY "Jock– You were and are the centerpoint of any training experience for a whole generation of American Airlines pilots. It’s a touchstone to hear your voice in the training–kind of sews everything together in a pilot’s career and it’s like having a friend on your side when in the throes of the struggle of tests and checkrides, there’s your friendly, reassuring voice. Many thanks to you for that!" Chris Manno - American Airlines Boeing 737 Captain- with over 17,000 hours of flying experience "Jock, You are the man. I loved hearing your voice as I went through the schoolhouse this week. Kind of like the smell of cooking in your grandmas house, is hearing the familiarity of your voice in training." Captain Robert H. Johnson Managing Director Flight Operations American Airlines "Jock, I'm sure it’s become somewhat of a cliche for AA pilots to friend you on Facebook. But we love ya. You’re like one of the team mascots. Enjoy the style with which you've delivered training to AA pilots over the years. We consider you one of the vital teammates in our careers. I was recently doing the "new & improved" recurrent training program as part of normal periodic refresher training but it's as riveting as listening to an AWOS/ASOS weather observation. Jock, the pilots of American Airlines miss your easy to listen to voice more than ever! We miss your personality and dignity, infused forever in the minds of thousands of American Airlines pilots!! You are part of the memories of so many pilots who flew for American. Your voice is embedded in all of our hearts. You are a unique and beautiful person. And we all feel you when we go to the schoolhouse, even though you are retired! Thanks for your special part in our special heritage. Steve Wiggins, Pilot – American Airlines "Your many contributions to the success of our training programs through your audio/visual expertise is greatly appreciated by both our Department and our customers - the crewmembers of American Airlines. The many commendations that you have received from almost every department of our Corporation are a further tribute to your dedication and professionalism." Capt. L.R. Schumacher Managing Director - Flight Training/Standards American Airlines Flight Academy "Jock Bethune has a prized strength that rounds out his abilities as a narrator and voice talent. In addition to excellent work in the general field of voice over, Jock has developed the expertise to interpret highly technical scripts flawlessly, through 51 years of work in the airline industry. His understanding of technical terms in aviation, his pacing and pronunciation, and his ability to "paint a picture" that explains difficult subjects clearly is a valuable asset to corporations that deal with technical scripts. Jock covers all of the bases, and he does the job extremely well." Captain John T. McCollister (ret) American Airlines, Boeing 777-200 "Who can forget Jock's melodious voice? Warm, conversational, authoritative, instructional: teaching the newbies what we needed to know! I can still hear it in my dreams! His voice is still in my head. Good thing! I'm teaching for Saint Augustine High School Aerospace Academy and also Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. How could I teach effectively if someone brilliant hadn't put that knowledge in my brain? Amazing voice! Well deserved remembrances of hard-won knowledge. Thank you, Jock, for making it all so much better! Captain Angela Masson (ret) American Airlines "Jock approached all of his responsibilities with professionalism and pride. His major strengths are his strong work ethic, attention to detail, experience in the aviation training area, and his knowledge of the unique aviation vernacular. Jock was consistently able to create audio products quickly and efficiently, providing developers with accurate material in minimum time that rarely required revision." O.J. Treadway Manager - Flight Training Program Development American Airlines Flight Academy "I have worked with Mr. Bethune since 1971. He is well known and respected throughout the aviation and audio visual industries. He never failed to provide me with courteous and professional support, regardless of the circumstances." Hank Wells, Manager - Simulator Support American Airlines Flight Academy "Jock has had an outstanding reputation with our company. His audio and visual training presentations have been highly professional and still open to innovation to optimize our training." Capt. Jim Stodola American Airlines, Inc. "I did not actually meet Jock until early 1985, but felt I had known him for years through exposure to his products. I consider Jock's services in the Flight Academy ground school as indispensible. He brings a level of expertise and cooperativeness that will be most difficult, if not impossible, to replace." Vernon L. Prather Boeing 757/767 Ground School Instructor American Airlines Flight Academy "Jock's work has always been consistent, concise, and reliable. As a multi-media producer, I would highly recommend Jock Bethune for any voice talent needs". John C. Mims Multimedia Manager KC-10 ATP Hughes Training Inc. - Training Operations "Jock, I am once again being instructed by one of the finest voice overs in aviation. Thanks for all of your hard work for us! So smooooooth! It is a warm fuzzy to sit at the computer and have a familiar friend talk you through the program. Just nice!" First Officer Chuck Denton on the start of his captain upgrade training at American Airlines Flight Academy "For many years, I developed computer-based training lessons for the 757/767 ground school at American Airlines. During that time, Jock was our narrator and sound engineer, and he was always eager to add his skill and talent to the mission at hand. In my association with Jock over more than 30 years now, I have never known him to be anything other than agreeable and hard working. Occasionally, with my strong attention to detail, I subjected him to criticism, coaching and corrections regarding his work.. In every case, he responded with agreeable acquiescence to the demands put upon him. The end result was always more important than any personal consideration and that is a perspective that I always deeply appreciated. Now that we are both officially retired from American Airlines, I am gratified that he and I remain good friends. Jock understands the subtle art form of true friendship – that you have to put forth the effort to be a friend in order to have friends. Consequently, his friends are legion." Steve Fielder Senior Analyst - Instructional Systems - retired American Airlines