6 Sep, 2008
LOS ANGELES - The omnipresent baritone and gravely bass undertones of Don LaFontaine's distinctive voice had the unique ability to seamlessly embellish big-screen kisses, slice through over-the-top explosions, perfectly pair with robust musical scores, glide alongside car chases and effortlessly co-star with any A-list talent in Hollywood.
"He was the originator of the modern voiceover for movie trailers," said voiceover artist Jim Tasker. "He is the standard for which all other voiceovers for movie trailers are measured. For the past 30 years, his voice has been the gauge for all of us in the industry."
LaFontaine, who died Monday at the age of 68 from complications in the treatment of an ongoing illness, was the world's most recognizable announcer, thanks to his deft diction and a popular 2006 commercial in which he melodramatically retells a customer's mundane account of dealing with her car insurance company - all while standing inside her kitchen.
"The truth is there's only about 15 to 20 guys in the country who can do this," said voiceover artist Tom Kane. "They'll do their best to fill his shoes. It's funny. You can hear it in their voices. To one degree or another, they're all doing their best Don LaFontaine impersonation."
story and image courtesy of www.news.yahoo.com
Do You Know His Voice?
Don LaFontaine, Voice of 5000 Movie Trailers and Nearly 350,000 Commericals, Programs, Files and Other Presentations, Dies
John 10:1-5
I Am the Good Shepherd
10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about knowing His voice?
In John 10 we see and hear Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd and us, his followers, his sheep.
Several phrases jump out ...
The sheep hear his voice (v. 3) ... God wants us to hear His voice calling out to us. In order to hear His voice, we must take the time to know His voice. Knowing His voice can only come through an "Abiding" relationship with Him.
He calls his own sheep by name (v. 3) ... In order to call the sheep by name, the shepherd had to know their names. God knows our names. God knows us better than we even know ourselves.
He leads them out (v. 3) ... Just as the sheep submit to the leadership of the good shepherd and follow him, we must allow God to lead us in our daily life by submitting to Him.
There is a thief (vv. 1, 29) ... There is an enemy who wants to "snatch" us out of the Father's hand. We must be prepared for voices that try to distract us from hearing and following the Good Shepherd's voice each and every day.
How can we connect God's Story scripture to our lives?
The voice of Don LaFontaine has entered our homes more times than we can count. We knew his voice without ever knowing him.
Our Heavenly Father has also entered our homes more times than we can count. And He wants us not to just know His Voice, but to know Him. How can we know Him more?
- Read God's Story regularly and hear His voice speaking to you through His written Word.
- Ask God for His protection from the noise of this world that wants to snatch you out of the Father's hand.
- Flee from the voices of this world that would draw you away from your Heavenly Father.
- Be Still this weekend and listen for God's still, small voice.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story, and our story to others?
- Help your friends and family hear God's Voice by sharing His word with them.
- Let others see you following the Good Shepherd in practical ways.
- Lead others into the presence of Jesus so they can begin to know His Voice.
- Call Others By Name, just as the Good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name. Don't just say, "hello." Use names! You'll be surprised how much that will mean to someone! It may even open a door to share more of your story or God's Story.
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