The V.O. Episode with Brent Allen Hagel

In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Brent Allen Hagel, a professional voiceover artist known for his work in movie trailers, network promos, and commercials. Brent shares his journey into the competitive world of voiceover, the evolution of trailer narration, and the craft behind delivering compelling voiceovers that captivate audiences.

What We Discuss:

• How Brent transitioned from working in kitchens to becoming a full-time voiceover artist.
• The importance of training, mentorship, and workshops in voice acting.
• The history and evolution of trailer narration in Hollywood.
• How voiceover plays a role in storytelling and marketing.
• Insights into the business side of trailer voiceover work.

Episode Highlights:

⏳ [00:01:00] – Brent shares his early love for voiceover, inspired by radio programs and old-time announcers. 🎭 [00:03:00] – The art of narration: method acting vs. technical delivery. 🎤 [00:07:00] – Breaking into the voiceover industry and the challenges of making a name for yourself. 📢 [00:15:00] – The impact of legendary trailer voices like Don LaFontaine and Percy Rodriguez. 🎬 [00:26:00] – The shift from narration-driven trailers to modern storytelling techniques. 🧑‍🎤 [00:37:00] – The rise of diverse voices in voiceover and how AI is beginning to impact the industry. 🎙 [00:52:00] – Brent performs a live promo read for Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 💡 [00:58:00] – Advice for aspiring voiceover artists and breaking into the industry.

Featured Quotes:

🎙 "Trailer narration is the fastest way to tell an audience what a movie is about." – Brent Allen Hagel 🎙 "I trained for seven years before I got my first gig with NBC. It’s a long game, not a quick hustle." – Brent Allen Hagel 🎙 "Editors work until 2 AM; if they need VO, I knock it out in 15 minutes—because they need it now." – Brent Allen Hagel 🎙 "Find your five heroes in voiceover. Study them. Learn from them. But don’t just copy them—make it your own." – Brent Allen Hagel

Resources Mentioned: