Viv used to operate the logistics of everything here at A1 a little before my time, and still maintains a good working relationship alongside A1 VOX through her current role as voice over agent.
Viv is about to clock off from the busy London scene to give birth to her first sprog. It was great to take some time out from the office with all the gang, enjoy the Soho sunshine and stroke baby bump. We wish you all the best with the new arrival Viv.
First through the doors of A1 last week was Louis Mellis who went to the same drama school as resident voice artist Mark Straker. Whilst they went through some thespian nostalgia in the Green Room we made sure that everything was ready for his booking.
Session completed Louis left but after a hurried convo with the clients it seemed they had changed their minds and needed to re-record. Louis being the very down to earth professional that he is came right on back to the studio and we went for round two. Mission completed!
Along with David Scinto, Louis wrote the screenplay for the 2000 film Sexy Beast (see the picture below) and the 2009 film 44 Inch Chest.
Louis has since signed on to write The Princess Gangster based on the true story of Princess Margaret's affair with gangster John Bindon in the late 1960s. It seems this Mafioso scriptwriter is set to continue with his favoured theme. No messing.
Mid week it was the turn of one of our best-loved guest voices to make an exceptional, happy and music filled entrance. Introducing........Mr Tom Clarke Hill!!!! "He’s Grrrrreat!"
A little clue there as to one of the many character voices that Tom is famed for – Yes indeedy, the UK voice of Tony the Tiger of Kellogg’s Frosties fame.
Versatility and rock solid performance......Tom Clarke-Hill continues to do it all! Film trailers, character voices, animation, e-learning, wildlife and sports narration, radio and TV ads, computer and console games, corporate reads and post production lip sync. His arsenal of character voices are best described as “Deep to Squeaky, Straight to Freaky”! GAWD love him...we certainly do!
California bass man Tom is also known for his musical prowess and has played with the likes of George Shearing, Tal Farlow, Art Farmer, Joe Williams, Mel Torme and many more. Tom continues to juggle work as a jazz bassist with his extremely busy role as a voice over artiste, actor and presenter. He has got it going on!
But it is due to his in depth study of jazz, blues and rock that he is the “bro in the know” and has hosted engagements like the Sun Alliance Jazz Awards at Ronnie Scotts.
This goes some way to explain why last Wednesday the office was transformed into an afro-tastic music fest as Charles and Tom reminisced whilst listening...and singing.... to The O’Jays (Backstabbers....”what they do”) followed by a re-creation of The Hustle. Let me tell you, it was a delightful 15 minutes of seventies heaven where all that was missing was the glitter ball and cheese and pineapple on sticks – heavy on the cheese.
It goes to prove that I really don’t work in a conventional office and as Jazzy DJ met Jazz musician a delightful combo was created....slightly disturbing, yet very entertaining!
Joe Crowley is Inside Out South’s presenter and he found the time in his busy schedule to pop into A1 and reel off a quick V/O for The One Show.
Whilst waiting for that elusive first presenting job Joe trained as a broadcast journalist at City University in London. He was lucky enough to get onto the BBC News Sponsorship scheme which helped him through his studies and enabled him to get a placement working for Newsround.
Joe says of his job on Inside Out as “simply the most fantastic first presenting gig”. It means he can use his journalism and even his history degree to tackle a huge range of compelling stories and tricky issues.
Some of these stories include some stomach-churning stunts in helicopters with the Army Air Corps, camping in the woods with dread-locked freegan protestors and even swimming with a German Shepherd dog in the name of hydrotherapy (and trust me, dog hair gets everywhere!).
It seems Joe is one man very content with his lot and it was a pleasure meeting the fresh faced presenter for the first time.
Well the World Cup may have finally come to a close but one presenter will be looking forward to a much deserved break after covering the tournament in ‘James Corden’s World Cup Live’ show on ITV.
Yes ...before James jets off to LA he will be making a whirlwind visit to VOX Towers and I am very excited to meet him and maybe have a chinwag, one Essex peep to another. I will of course try and subtly drop into conversation the fact that I was brought up in Billericay, the setting for the Essex side of award winning Gavin and Stacey which James wrote with co-star Ruth Jones.
It could go either way and I might bottle it all together and just ask for a picture. You will have to wait till next week’s blog to see if this Essex girl can walk the walk. Gavlar!!!!..........................................
SOHO NEWS:
Shock, horror – no food item this week but a theatrical insight instead.
Young girls have been going Soho crazy as Nick the youngest of the U.S pop sensation, ‘The Jonas Brothers’ has been treading the boards at London’s Queen’s Theatre where he has been playing the part of 'Marius' in Les Miserables.
He had the backing of older bro’s Kevin and Joe, his parents and younger brother Frankie who all jetted into the capital to cheer him on.
His stint in Les Miserables will see fans packing into the theatre for a glimpse of their idol, with some arriving early to see him and his brothers arriving backstage.
Nick said that he wasn’t worried about the theatre being packed of screaming girls and said “I believe they will be respectful and they will know the code of conduct at the theatre. Even if they do scream it will just add to the excitement of the night”.
Hmmmmm, not so sure your fellow cast members would agree with this ‘scream every time Nick is on stage’ theory but I guess The Queen’s Theatre will break records for having the largest London audience at an average age of 16!
So ends another raucous ride through VOX Towers.
Tune in next week to see who wins the 'Clash of the Essex Titans' and maybe Tom Clarke Hill and Charles can attempt to re-create another era in the A1 VOX office – Glam rock anyone?
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