Sure, Voice Talents communicate all day – but often to imagined listeners, while we are alone in our VO studios. Yes, we have facebook, skype, google + hangouts, twitter, e-mail and (oh yeah) the phone…but there’s nothing like gathering together, face-to-face, to learn, laugh, gather inspiration and revel in the collective energy of one of the most amazing work communities ever: voice over professionals.
Why do it? Why spend $$ to fly to California, spend nights away from our studios, maybe prepare a session to present, risk laryngitis talking and laughing by the firepit until 2 AM?
Here are some really good reasons, from VOICE 2012.
FUN – watching Disneyland’s World of Color with a bunch of other people who also pretend for a living is a blast. Children at heart. I almost cried three times.
CONNECTION – yes, other folks are crazy enough to give up a closet or a bedroom in order to talk into a microphone for a living.
INSPIRATION – How did others get where they are? What obstacles did they overcome? What keeps them inspired, professionally and personally? This is way deeper than e-mails.
with Joe Cipriano at the Garden Party playing “travel mic”
LIFE-SIZE connection – as much as I value my “online” friends, there’s still something about shaking hands, hugging, laughing, looking into someone’s eyes and having an in-person conversation.
SHARING – still the most gracious, respectful, fun, giving community I’ve ever been a part of. Where else do you get to hear folks give away the secrets that have resulted in their success?
LEARNING –
some tweet-worthy quotes from presentations and conversations – and when I download the audio from the other sessions, I’m sure there will be more.
Marc Cashman: always ask a question sincerely.
Trish Basanyi: Make tweets 70% business, 30% fun.
Pat Fraley …on copy analysis and acting choices: Before you perform, you have to be a professor. On prep…Protect your process. The engineer has a house because you take your time.
Stephanie Ciccarelli: Write your voices.com profile in third person.
Crispin Freeman: Acting is playing pretend. Do it so well they pay you to do it.
Bettye Zoller: If listeners know there’s a script, we’ve failed.
David Goldberg (Edge Studio) : Be relevant. Know the changes in the voice-over industry and react to them.
Bill Farmer: (voice of Goofy) You have to LOVE what you do!
International Panel: Australia has a standard VO rate card – we all use it.
and thanks to Mike Raphone, who tweeted this quote from my presentation, “The Script is a Treasure Map”: “If you don’t open your mouth for a reason, you’re just reading” -Randye Kaye
Still absorbing. Still following up with new and old friends. Still putting new info into action. Thanks to all – and I miss you already! But I can remember, when voicing that next script in my studio, I am not the only one talking to my imaginary friends and getting paid to do it.
Voice 2012 confirms what we already know: the Voice-Over Community Rocks!
Randye – great post. I’m still processing the energy, the ideas and the wonderful new connections. Meant what I said to you at the garden party –our quick coaching session (and your presentation) made a HUGE impact on how I’m thinking about scripts. Thank you so much for helping me add a layer of “better” to my work. 🙂 shireen
Thanks, Shirleen! my pleasure, and so great to meet you 🙂
Randy it was great meeting you and receiving constructive feedback from you. I love everything you have set out here in your blog.Right on! What a time we had. I’m still in the glow of the magic dust!! and reliving some of the moments through pictures and comments on FB!!!Wow!!
Thanks Jenn! It was quite an experience!