Mike Barlow

Voice Description

A warm, 'trustworthy', 'scene setting' and relaxing voice which is easily turned to sinister and haunting atmospheres and then easily transformed again to welcoming, familiar and trustworthy.

I posses an intriguing texture, which can create 'electric' scenarios for productions which DEMAND an indescribable presence or quality to the timbre and tone of the voice.

If your project requires 'presence', 'suspense' and 'atmosphere'....you'd give yourself a great insurance barrier by asking me to audition for you.

Beautiful narration style, which really paints a picture, for young and old listeners alike.

I especially enjoy narrating for children's stories, fairy tales and modern literature....it probably brings out the kid in me, no doubt!

A variety of character voices and accents, also rich in timbre and tone befitting of most any production.

Scottish, Irish, American and Italian accents without stereotypes and without 'over-egging the pudding', subtle and convincing accents, when needed. Comedy accents and voicing is an area of expertise, particulalry good for cartoons and animations of all denominations.

Whether you require announcer, narrator, movie trailer, TV trailer, corporate, DVD voicing, computer game, promotional, animated or cartoon voicing why not consider a voice which stands out from the crowd? One that makes your production very saleable, very listenable and utterly compelling? One that adapts and is adaptable, one that understands WHAT you need and WHY you need it?

Voice Genders and "Ages" I Can Perform

• Young Adult Male
• Middle Age Male
• Senior Male

Language(s) of Which I Am a Native Speaker:

• English - British

I Offer my Services for these Recording Purposes

• Promos
• IVR, voicemail, phone systems, and on-hold messages
• Audiobooks
• Videogames
• Documentaries
• TV shows and movies
• Movie and game trailers

Jobs I Am Willing to Take (Union-wise)

• Non-Union Jobs

• Jobs for British Equity signatories

My Union Affiliations and Memberships

• British Equity

My Recording and Delivery Capabilities

• I will go to any designated studio in my area
• I can record and then deliver the audio files via Email
• I can record and then upload the audio files via FTP
• I can record and then deliver the files by regular mail

Pre-, Post- and Production Services I Offer

• I can deliver edited and finished voice tracks
• I have a music library and can add music to any project
• I can add special effects to any project

My Home Base

Cheshire, United Kingdom

Accents, Impersonations, Characters and Dialects

Northern UK, Southern UK, Scottish, Irish, Cockney, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Scouser.

My Voice Experience

Movie, cinema and TV trailer and advertising are areas in which I now thrive, in that most clients are attempting to sell the atmosphere and emotional aspect of their productions, and that is where my voice lends itself remarkably well. It is not just a case of "deep, gravelly" performance....it is about adding an extra dimension to your production, and utilising my experience to get inside your head and listen to the voices you are hearing perform the project.

I add an extra dimension to your work and can create a feeling of " This is unmissable" to your production, right from the start.

Of course, you can choose somebody else, but you'd no doubt be choosing from the so-so and mainstream, when you could be choosing magnificent and charismatic [and modest].

A great children's book narrator and audiobook narrator, I compel the listener to await every moment of the story.

An accomplished and experienced voiceover, I take directions readily and with no personal agenda nor ego....it is YOUR project, YOUR money and YOUR neck on the line. Ergo, it is MY concern that I get it perfect for you, too.

My Training

Experience has taught me well, over many years; however, I haven't actually attended any classes, this is a natural talent that I have actively pursued and honed and have treated my work as a passion, as well as a paying career.

Previous work involves voicing audio books, narration and documentaries for the BBC [Roald Dahl, Scrooge, Christina Rossetti], The History Channel, Usborne Books, and imaging for Kerrang Radio [National and regional] , national BBC Radio 1 and many more besides.

If you need an unusual, unique, standout 'read', I am your voice!

My Studio Equipment

Ooohhh...there's lots and it's all expensive. I prefer not to mention, as I like to maintaina competitive edge to my fellow VO's :O)

Additional Skills

A good understanding and ability for 'comedy' reads, lighthearted to surreal!

I have excellent appreciation of comedy voices and would welcome your invitation to audition for any form of projects in this genre.

Versatility to take directions and adapt the read to suit the client's needs.

Radio imaging and TV/Cinema trailers and promo work are particular areas of strength and expertise, which would be advantageous to an employer.

I have a 'British' voice, in more ways than one, that can mimic, parody and enjoy the job in hand.

Recent work has involved narrating children's books/child audiobooks/children's audiobooks/kid's books/kid's audio books/children books, childrens fairy tales, modern children literature [Harry Potter, etc]....kids like intriguing voices, even more than adults, you know!

Further recent work includes voicemail, voice mail interactive commands, greetings messages and IVR commands/message, video and computer game character voices, Playstation game command voices and mythical character voices for an in-development Xbox 360 game.

My clients are based globally, and include but are not limited to: Britain [ The UK], United States of America, Europe, Australia, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe, Canada and Ireland.

Payment Methods Accepted

• PayPal
• Credit cards
• Wire transfers

Online Payments Via PayPal

Contact Information

To contact Mike Barlow by email or phone, please click here.