My name is Andrew Wehrlen and I am an audio book narrator. I have a love and passion for telling stories as well as hearing them. I use quality equipment and personal care to bring your words to life because no movie ever made can match the story you see in your mind.
Website: https://www.abwvoiceovers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABWVoiceOvers/
Twitter: @ABWVoiceOvers
Audible: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_c8_1_srchPg?searchNarrator=Andrew+B.+Wehrlen
ACX: https://www.acx.com/narrator?p=A1WERKLXLIKDBL
Here's a sample of his narration:
Narrator Interview:
1) How many books have you narrated?
73 and counting (doing this part-time for exactly 5 years this month)
2) Out of them, have you a specific genre you like best?
Post-Apocalyptic and sci-fi (anything adventure)
3) How do you choose the books you want to narrate?
Sometimes they choose me, but if it's something I'd like to read/hear then it's likely something I'd like to narrate.
4) Take us through a typical audition that you do? How do you prepare?
I scan what's out there in my "per finished hour" rate zones first and then scan the royalty only books, looking for things that interest me. Then, I will do a little research on their sales ranks at Amazon for the royalty only books. Once I settle on one or two I read over any writer comments and read the sample they've provided with the voices I think work best. then record, send off and wait. I do this part time, so I try to choose carefully as my time is limited.
5) How do you keep track of the different character tones/voices?
Two ways. I am actually pretty good at remembering them as I go, I generally do only one book at a time. The other way to keep samples of each voice in a folder within the greater project folder.
6) Do you read the book before starting the narration or fly by the seat of your pants?
You should read the book first so you can get a feel for the story and the characters, plus it would really be bad if you get to the end to find out that a character you voiced in a standard english dialect was supposed to have a British accent or something! If I am doing a series, I may not read through as thoroughly. I read through it first, mark it up on the Ipad so I know who is who and such. I will skim very fast through the continuation of a series though. When I started this, I did the fly by the seat way or as some will say, organic. Probably not wise and as they say--you live and you learn.
7) Best and worst thing about being a narrator?
BEST is that I get to bring other worlds to life and entertain folks in a quasi-anonymous way.
WORST- it can be VERY tedious, the recording alone, the editing and the mastering of files. It is a pretty solitary gig unless you hit the big time and get to a studio with directors, producers and engineers.
8) Who's your favourite narrator/s?
R.C Bray, Bronson Pinchot, Kevin Pierce and Andi Ardnt
9) Is there any narrator you'd love to work with?
Hard to say...certainly any of my favs.
10) Any tips for aspiring narrators?
Keep at it and don't expect fast money and success. Get used to rejection. I am by no means done learning things so get coaching (acting lessons), read the various forums and Facebook groups to learn about the craft; not just the acting but the biz side. And do NOT spend a ton to start this. I spent all of $500-600 bucks to start; audio interface, mic, used PC and acoustic foam. As I started to do well, I have upgraded over the past 5 years to much higher quality equipment and software. And finally, go to Youtube a watch this video: https://youtu.be/NPzPi-_0Xi8
This is NOT a get rich or famous job.
Some get to know you questions:
What do you like to do when you're not narrating?
Watch TV with my wife and kids and enjoy good beer!
What’s the best vacation you ever had?
Funny you ask, just came back from the Turks and Caicos (2nd year in a row) and it was likely our best vacation ever. Here is a video (one from 2016 is there too): https://youtu.be/b1gJtkHDLC0
What’s your favourite rainy day movie?
Wow! That is hard!!! I could watch Battlefield LA anytime...silly I know but I was a Marine so...
If you could be any age again for a week, which would you choose and why?
None....I love where I am (45). I am as fit as I have ever been. Life is good, great wife, great kids and at no point has life been better.
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would it be?
Would have loved to have seen Queen at Wimbley Stadium in '86.
What's you favourite place to read?
At the pool, on the Kindle with a beer close by.
When you walk into a book store, where do you head first?
What's a book store? HA...When I do visit one (which is rare, sadly) I usually head to the sci-fi/horror sections.
If you had a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would buy?
An house or condo on a tropical island someplace.
Thank you Andrew for stopping by!! So guys, hope you enjoyed the interview!! Don't forget to enter the giveaway :)
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