Heather Foster

So, what exactly is promo? Basically, the promo is advertising for entertainment using voice-over to promote television, radio, news programs, podcasts, and movies. People are also needing voice talent for internet ads, book trailers, and podcasts.

Of all the different types of projects that Heather works on, promos are the most challenging but the most rewarding! Promos are all about great acting. It can be one of the more difficult genres of voice over in that so much is conveyed in so little. The fewer words, the more acting skill the voice talent needs to have. One of the key components of this is confidence, confidence, and more confidence. Your viewers/listeners need to know with 100% certainty that the person telling your story LIVES it and LOVES it!

Heather is a super fan of movies and always makes sure to be at the theatre a little early so she doesn’t miss the trailers. Who doesn’t love the trailers? A well-crafted trailer can leave you with goosebumps or tears-pretty amazing to do in around 2 minutes. The powerful voices that hold us captive during these trailers are a big part of the experience. By far, the best-known movie trailer/promo voice of our time was Don LaFontaine. You may know him as the “In A World” guy. He was instrumental in changing the landscape of what we have come to expect when we see a trailer or even other types of promos. Heather grew up in those cool, dark theaters dreaming of those other magical worlds, and Mr. LaFontaine was an idol of hers. Today, most trailers in movie theatres no longer have the trailer voice or “voice of god,” but television, streaming, and radio still enlist voice actors. A few of the current hot voices that are shaping the promo genre belong to Mark Rider, David Kaye, Gabriel Kunda and Randy Thomas.

Don LaFontaine explained that he was bringing his own personal take on the script and putting that into his reads (with his incredible pipes!). Isn’t this really what it’s all about? Telling the story of your show in an authentic, connective way to make them want to watch or listen. There are different ways to convey this interest but, ultimately, you want it to connect and sound great.

And while many promos still use the “Voice of God,” a traditionally deeper voice with authoritative gravitas, the trend, like in every other area of VO, is going more conversational and connected. Luckily, Heather is versatile and can do both because she actually is the “gal next door” who just so happens to have a VOG (Voice of God or Goddess, if you prefer.)

Who says women can’t be the voice of a sports show? Heather brings her fresh, hip, edgy voice to the Houston Sports Show in her beloved H-Town. Houston Sports Show is a fun, informative show that brings sports insiders into your living rooms each week and Heather is proud to be a part of it.

2017 and in 2020 Heather was honored to be a finalist in the That’s Promo Voiceover Competition. It’s a little like the voiceover world’s The Voice or American Idol. It was an amazing experience, auditioning live in front of the voiceover world’s heaviest hitters, including the one and only Nancy Cartwright (aka Bart Simpson!).

Renowned voice over talent and coach, Marc Cashman, says: “Heather’s got the perfect promo voice–the alto needed for drama and the muscularity needed for this kind of V-O copy. This is a great showcase for her voiceprint.”