Heidi Rew

Voiceover Atlanta Conference

March 25, 2025 by Heidi Rew

The biggest voice over conference in the world, VO Atlanta or Voiceover Atlanta Conference just wrapped for 2025. A thousand voice actors from literally around the world fly into Hartsfield-Jackson airport for almost four days of breakout sessions, panels, X-sessions (smaller, more in-depth training) and voice over camaraderie.

This is the second year that Atlanta Voiceover Studio has been a sponsor of VO Atlanta or the Voiceover Atlanta Conference. We had a booth set up in the vendor area, so we mainly spent the conference meeting voice actors and saying hi to ones we’ve met before.

Although, Mike Stoudt (co-owner of Atlanta Voiceover Studio, fellow voice actor and my husband) was on the Atlanta panel, along with ACM’s Jeffrey Umberger, lead generation course creator Nadia Marshall, Jennifer Bolla of Formation Agency and promo voice Donovan Corneetz.

I led a breakout session on DIY Branding and other Atlanta Voiceover Studio instructors, Steve Henderson and Dan Friedman also led sessions.

Besides my heart being full seeing voice actor friends that I don’t get to see a lot, there were THREE main lessons I walked away with from the Voiceover Atlanta Conference and they don’t have to do, specifically, with voice over.

LESSON 1: Personability = Memorability

There are set questions thrown out at the Voiceover Atlanta conference: How long have you been doing it? What made you get started? What has been your favorite session?

BUT with so many people at the conference, the answers to those questions quickly fade in your memory. Pretty soon you can’t remember who was from Boston and who was from Seattle OR who started in radio and who just randomly searched online.

At the Atlanta Voiceover Studio booth, we had people answer a conversation question to receive a water bottle. While we didn’t have the droves of people from last year (we included a puzzle piece in each participant bag to bring to the table and put the Atlanta skyline puzzle together), we did have much more meaningful conversations.

Sheri’s card asked, “You’re planning the next family vacation. Where would you go?” These were a “family conversation card” pack, so we had to improvise on some questions. Sherri’s response? I’ll plan a vacation for us three (myself, Sherri and Carrie). She started off by taking us to Italy to drink wine, then to Paris where we tasted different chocolates and more. It was so fun and I will never forget my conversation with them.

The more personable we can be with others, the more memorable.

Ironic because I think most people want to go into a voice over conference yearning for people to know they have a great voice and are a great voice actor.

LESSON 2: Camaraderie is Motivating

I love working from home as a voice actor. I can be so much more productive.

But there is something really powerful, motivating and inspiring about being with other people who have the same dreams and goals as you. You look around and feel that it’s possible. You look around, see others doing something you may have been afraid to do, but it gives you the hope that maybe you can too. You look around and see others getting exciting about learning new things and it makes you excited too.

Connect with others doing what you’re doing and it will motivate you to keep doing what you’re doing.

LESSON 3: Everyone is a Teacher

You go to the Voiceover Atlanta Conference to learn from presenters and speakers BUT everyone is teacher. Whether someone has been a voice actor for two decades or two months, you can always learn from others.

I learn from students that come through Atlanta Voiceover Studio all the time. There’s always a passion and fire I see in them. It’s a reminder that I had that at the beginning of my career too. There is always a hill to climb and the longer you’re in the industry, the steeper that hill feels sometimes. You constantly move the mountain top as you grow your career.

Everyone is a teacher and everyone has something to give.

Now…to get back to VO business. I had two sessions the day after and trying to catch up on everything.

Taylor Swift Audiobook

December 4, 2024 by Heidi Rew

LONG LIVE: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift audiobook

I recently narrated the audiobook of a Taylor Swift book called Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift by Nicole Pomarico. It was just released this past week.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR CONFESSION

True confession: I wouldn’t have called myself a Swiftie. I’ve never been to a Taylor Swift concert. I do have a few songs of hers downloaded. But if we are judging a true fan on the sliding scale that is Taylor Nation? I’d slide right off.

When I booked the audiobook narrator for Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift, I was thrilled. You don’t have to be a fan to be excited to talk about the biggest pop star in the world.

One thing that most people don’t realize about audiobook narrators is we have to read the WHOLE book first before we record it. If it’s fiction, we need to understand the characters and their arc. If it’s non-fiction, we need to familarize ourselves with the material and make sure we understand it, so we can sound knowledgeable.

Well, I started reading Long Live: The Definitive Guide to the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift and I couldn’t put it down. Nicole takes you on a journey through all of Taylor Swift eras. She includes stories, fan accounts, headlines and fun facts that make the experience almost immersive.

AM I a SWIFTIE NOW?

By the time I’d finished, I would’ve proclaimed to any Swiftie that I have mad respect for them and the entire Taylor Nation. I learned about clowning, the origin of the friendship bracelets and just how many easter eggs have been planted throughout Taylor’s career. Nicole takes you on a walk through Taylor’s relationships and how that inspired her songs. She helps you understand Taylor’s relationship with her fans.

I learned SO much about Taylor Swift narrating this book. When you know that much about someone, most of the time, they lose their luster a little bit. You may want a little break from hearing about or from them.

Ironically, the OPPOSITE happened for me. I searched for any Taylor Swift documentary and interview I could find. I wanted to listen to her music on repeat. I adopted cats. Okay…just kidding on the last one.

But after reading Long Live: The Definitive Guide of the Folklore and Fandom of Taylor Swift TWICE, I still wanted more. I think it’s a combination of Nicole’s great writing and concept AND the brilliance of Taylor Swift.

Swifties, please accept me in your circle. I really tried to do this book justice and add a slight nod to the way Taylor talks when it comes to her quotes.

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK and AUDIOBOOK

If you’re interested in purchasing this book for you or another Swiftie, you can find the hard copy HERE and the audiobook version HERE.

A big thank you to Nicole Pomarico for choosing me to narrate the audiobook version. Thanks also to Hachette and JMM.

To hear more of my voice over samples, go here.

And to hear some of the other audiobooks I’ve narrated, go here.

Gossip Girl Voice Sound-a-Like

September 23, 2024 by Heidi Rew

HOW IT STARTED

I went viral on Tiktok a few years ago. I got almost NINETEEN MILLION VIEWS on our Atlanta Voiceover Studio Tiktok page for doing a commercial VO challenge. Everyone thought I was the “SPOTIFY” girl (the next 30 minutes of music is ad free..) or the GOSSIP GIRL narrator.

The narrator is actually a “little known” actress Kristen Bell (Frozen, The Good Place and many, many more). But I became known, on Tiktok, as the Gossip Girl Voice Sound-A-Like.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Heidi Rew | Voice Over, Actor, VO Studio Owner (@heidirew)

What’s funny is that a recent National Commercial I booked for Instacart called for a Kristen Bell/Aubrey Plaza mashup voice on the breakdown.

Kristen Bell, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler are all voices people have likened my voice to.

It helps to have these references for voice over clients, internet searches and online casting sites for people to get an idea of the sound and essence of your voice.

Thanks so much Kristen Bell for doing such a great job on Gossip Girl and thank you for everyone for trusting me as a “knock off” voice of KB.

CUSTOM GOSSIP GIRL MESSAGES

More and more people started reaching out to me to ask if I could record a personalized Gossip Girl Voice for them. I’ve gotten requests for a wedding video, a message to a girlfriend, small business promotion and even a dog’s birthday party (see below).

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A post shared by 🎀ℂ𝕠𝕔𝕠 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕝🎀 – Nicole Wheeler (@mini_coco_chanel)

HOW TO GET A CUSTOM GOSSIP GIRL MESSAGE

Because I was getting so many requests, I decided to charge a small amount. I charge $25 for a short message. If you want me to improv or help craft your message, it’s $75.

I set up Cameo so people could request messages but they only allow video messages. I needed to be able to send audio files, so now people just email me directly and pay via Venmo OR credit card.

If you’d like to get a custom Gossip Girl message, just email me at: Heidi@HeidiRew.com (or through the contact page)

You can also scroll down to the bottom of this page and find the contact form.

An example message would be:

Hello upper east siders, Gossip Girl here!

Today is the big day at Chateau Elan because our girl Chelsea is gettin hitched. Is she destined to be a Trad Wife or will she be presenting a postnup in due time?

That’s one secret I’ll never tell.
You know you love me.
xoxo… Gossip Girl

Political Advertising Season

October 10, 2023 by Heidi Rew

Tis the season. The political advertising season that is. I know this causes groans for most people but for voice talent, the season is one of opportunities.

Here’s a look at a political ad I voiced recently…

https://youtu.be/Zb72HtuBbwk

Clean Up Her Mess Political Voice Over (https://youtu.be/Zb72HtuBbwk)

My voice in political ads isn’t the hard-hitting, deep voice many are familiar with in these types of advertising. Mine is the empathetic, trustworthy, friendly voice. Typically, Republican political ads prefer my type of voice. I am agnostic to a political party but more concerned with sharing the message in the most authentic, connected way possible.

If you’re in need of a female political ad voice that can lend an authentic, friend delivery, you can contact my manager, Jeffrey Umberger (404) 372-1680 or email: jumberger@acmtalent.com

Heartwarming Publix Commercial

February 23, 2023 by Heidi Rew

Be honest. How many times have you teared up a little from a heartwarming Publix commercial?

They have a way of just getting you.

At the end of 2022, I was booked in one such Publix commercial. Actually, this one was more of an “AWE” or an inspirational poster personified.

I’m just the “Mom” in the commercial. The story really centers around a Dad and his son. They are throwing the football outside and the son gets frustrated he’s not doing well. His Dad reminds him it’s okay, it’s just a game.

Fast-forward to Dad, Mom, their son and a bunch of friends over at the house to watch football. They of course have an impressive food and drink spread thanks to Publix.

While watching the game, Dad starts getting really frustrated. His son reminds him that it’s just a game…and it’s really about the food anyway. Well, he didn’t say the last part.

https://youtu.be/Gamu5YS8kEQ?si=fpCYgogPot2aOoHa

Publix "Togetherness Wins" Commercial (https://youtu.be/Gamu5YS8kEQ?si=fpCYgogPot2aOoHa)

The agency that produced this spot was Trade School. Really enjoyed working with everyone from the agency as well as the other actors. Christian was the son and he was so cute. It was far too tempting to grab a finger full of icing from the cupcakes between takes.

There was one disappointing part of this shoot. They wanted to get a shot of “Mom” adding mustard to the brats. Have you ever felt the pressure of being filmed while trying to “draw” on perfect mustard squiggles?? I didn’t take one breath through the whole shot. I knew that if I messed up, it’d take awhile to reset because the food stylist would have to wipe off the mustard, possibly bring in another bun and restage everything.

In the words of my toddler-age Goddaughter, “I did it!”

Here’s the picture of those exact squiggles.

I also had to eat one of those chips loaded with cheese dip. That is hard to do without cheese dribbling down your face.

Thanks so much to the great creatives at Trade School for creating such a wonderful spot, for People Store (my agent), for Brian Beegle Casting and for Publix for being one of our favorite grocery stores!

Honeybloom for At Home

October 17, 2022 by Heidi Rew

One of my hobbies is interior design. We just finished a huge home renovation and it has been so fun to design all the new spaces. That’s why I was soo thrilled to be the Honeybloom for At Home voiceover. Honeybloom is an At Home exclusive line. Below is a dining room moodboard I put together showing some of the products they have…

I love putting together mood boards and have recently been loving rust colored decor. For this table, I’d get 4 of the rust colored chairs and use them as dining room chairs.

The pedestal and top are sold separately of the table above, which I actually love. I’ve been wanting a side table for our living room like this, but every side table is too small and dining tables way too big. I’m gonna try and buy the base, then find a small top to create the side table. The trickiest part will be matching the stain to the base.

And for any dining area, I always like to have a console or dresser that could double as a drink station or for dishes.

Honeybloom for At Home Sources: Rug | Chair | Pedestal Dining Table | Art | Console Table

HONEYBLOOM for AT HOME – VOICEOVER SPOT

The audition for Honeybloom said they were looking for a female voice that’s “Bright, Cheerful, with a slight smile in their voice and southern accent.” Check out the spot below…

https://youtu.be/MQrYhi4Uf2Y

Honeybloom At Home Stores Voice Over Heidi Rew (https://youtu.be/MQrYhi4Uf2Y)

Growing up, when I’d travel, everyone would say, “You’re from Georgia? You don’t have a southern accent!” As I’ve gotten older, certain southern accentisms definitely come out. I’ve never been proud of that because I’ve always tried to do a neutral accent. For some reason, I thought of myself as less than doing a southern accent. That has changed, however, over the past several years. More voiceover projects are open and desire accents/something unique in your voice.

Day to day, I still don’t have a huge southern accent but I can definitely reach into my Atlanta Georgia upbringing and go as “slight” or “heavy” as you want.

For this Honeybloom spot, At Home wanted a slight southern accent. Overall, they directed me to be smiley, bright and warm.

I love sharing the message of any of my clients but it makes extra fun for me when I get to do that with a brand I resonate with.

Thanks At Home!