Friday At A Glance
NOVEMBER 19th
FRI NOV. 19
10 AM PTANIME IN AMERICA: WHAT VOICE ACTORS NEED TO KNOW TO GET BOOKED
Moderated by Azusa Matsuda - Senior Director, ANIME EXPO
The growing world of the Anime Biz is misunderstood by American voice actors. Understanding what is truly required for Anime, and how it differs from other forms of animation, is exactly what you need to train properly and land jobs. Azusa Matsuda is Senior Director of the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Anime and the highly acclaimed ANIME EXPO. She is one of only a few global experts who know what it takes to thrive as an Anime voice actor. The others are from the award-winning team of Eric Sherman (CEO, Bang Zoom Studios), the much-lauded Mami Okada (Director of Operations and Casting Director at Bang Zoom Studios., and Tony Oliver (Voice Director, Voice Actor, Writer). These four titans of the industry will show you how to open new doors of opportunity in your voice acting career. If you want the deepest possible understanding of ANIME opportunities in America and elsewhere, this is where you begin. We promise you will not be disappointed.
FRI NOV. 19
11 AM PTACTING FOR VOICE ACTORS II
Moderated by Marc Preston, VO Coach and Voiceover Actor
Voice acting is encompassed in the world of traditional acting - an invaluable skill that supports your artistic growth, and your understanding of script and character analysis. It also enhances the voice actor's contribution to the creative process. Once you learn acting, it’s yours for life. Join host Marc Preston and some of the most respected teachers of our time: Denise Woods (various methods), SpeakItClearly.com, Matthew Corozine (Meisner), MatthewCorozineStudio.com; Pat Fraley (various methods), Pat FraleyTeaches.com; and Tim McNeil (Adler Technique), Stella Adler Academy. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español para todos los paneles.)
FRI NOV. 19
12 PM PTSOVAS and Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre Scholarship
Moderated by John Jack Rogers, Executive Director, Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre
SOVAS™ and the Stella Adler Academy are offering exclusive Actor Training Scholarships, presented by Executive Director John Jack Rodgers. The scholarships are valued at $5700 dollars, for two (2) deserving attendees of That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo 2021. Anyone with a ticket to That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo 2020 was eligible to apply. Winners receive a certificate for three semesters, encompassing Adler Technique Levels I, II, and III. Each semester is 6 to 8 weeks long, with three 3-hour classes per week, conducted online. Apply here: SOVAS.org/stella (Traducción simultánea disponible en español para todos los paneles.)
FRI NOV 19
12:20 PM PTSONIC DIVERSITY: CASTING VOICE ACTORS AND THE SOUND OF COLOR
Moderated by Roger Gehrmann, Executive Creative Director, Pandora
The world of voice acting is now front and center in the diversity conversation. It's a movement that's picking up speed and drawing everyone into its orbit. Don't look now, but you're hearing more voices of color narrating your favorite commercials, promos, documentaries, and audiobooks than ever before. The movement portends a more fair and equitable extension of employment opportunities through enlightened minds. Learn what will inform your life and career in this no-holds-barred dissection of what's so today, and where the movement goes from here. What exactly has changed? How does it affect job opportunities? Are you part of the problem or the solution? Join the conversation with host Roger Gehrmann (Executive Creative Director, Pandora), Tiffany Golden, (Director of Community Programs/Producer, W+K), Ania O'Hare (SVP, TV Casting and Talent Relations_DreamWorks Animation TV), Jill Kershaw (CEO, Sound & Fury), and Rudy Gaskins (Chairman and CEO of SOVAS). (Traducción simultánea disponible en español para todos los paneles.)
FRI NOV 19
1:20 PM PTThe Voice Arts® Legacy Award
Presented to Scott Brick
Celebrate one of voice acting's brightest stars, and sit down with him for a personal, one-on-one interview! Scott Brick is an American actor, writer, and award-winning narrator of over 800 audiobooks, including popular titles such as Washington: A Life, Moneyball, Cloud Atlas, A Princess of Mars, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, Atlas Shrugged, Sideways, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (filmed as Blade Runner), I, Robot, Mystic River, Helter Skelter, Patriot Games, Bid Time Return (filmed as Somewhere in Time), In Cold Blood, the Dune series, Ender's Game, and Fahrenheit 451. He has narrated works for a number of high-profile authors, including Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Michael Crichton, John Grisham, Clive Cussler, and Stephen J. Cannell. But we're just getting started. Presenting this honor, from Penguin Random House Audio, is the incomparable audiobook producer Dan Musselman. Dan is well known for sweeping awards shows with an arm full of shiny hardware, but he is best known for his penchant for spotting stellar talent, drawing out quality performances, and producing some of the best audiobooks that will ever cross your ears. After the presentation, these two extraordinary talents will sit down for a heart-to-heart about career, creativity, success, and legacy. It's a conversation that promises to inspire you and to bring your dreams and aspiration ever closer to reality. To date, Scott has won five Voice Arts Awards, 60 Earphones Awards for his narrating skills, five Audie Awards, and a Grammy nomination. After recording 900 titles Audiofile Magazine named Brick, he was proclaimed "the Golden Voice," and the WALL STREET JOURNAL sealed the moniker with a front-page article. We celebrate Scott as a talent, a legend, an example of excellence, and a faithful voice in the pursuit of artful living. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español para todos los paneles.)
FRI NOV 19
2:20 PM PTPANDORA: Mastering The Listening Experience
Moderated by Steve Pogatch and David Cuetter
Pandora is a leading music and podcast platform, reaching 70 million users and producing 1500 voiceover promo spots monthly - an oasis of opportunity for voice actors! But what is that Pandora brand, and how does a voice actor learn to master it? Get the answers directly from the Pandora decision-makers: Steve Pogatch (Lead Audio Producer ), and David Cuetter (Sr. Bilingual Audio Producer). They'll tell you exactly what they're looking for; they'll also be conducting live audition training and taking your questions. Plus, Pandora is offering That's Voiceover!™ attendees an exclusive audition that could earn you a spot on the Pandora voiceover roster! Both the live training and audition are available to Spanish and English speaking voice actors.
FRI NOV 19
4 PM PTTHE STATE OF VO & THE ART OF THE VOICEOVER DEMO REEL
Hosted by Marc Guss and Joan Baker
The voiceover demo reel has been described in many ways; resume, business card, cover letter, elevator pitch, the equivalent to an actor’s headshot, and the face of your brand. Most notably, it is considered the only conceivable way for a new voice actor to be taken seriously, and one of the very few ways for a seasoned VO pro to remain relevant. Finally, as any voice actor seeks to expand their brand by adding to the repertoire of VO genres they can perform, the demo reel is the most efficient tool in your toolbox. This panel will empower you to make smart, informed decisions about what makes an effective demo, and how to interview a prospective demo producer/director. It will also empower you to know when you’re truly ready to deliver an “agent ready” demo performance without undue dependency on coaches and teachers to give you the green light. Your hosts, Joan Baker and Marc Guss will bring together a tantalizing group of award-winning producers: Chuck Duran (DemosThatRock.com), Donna Grillo (DonnaGrillo.com), Cliff Zellman (A-MazingDemos.com), Mary Lynn Wissner (VoicesVoiceCasting.com), and J. Michael Collins (JMCDemos.com).
Saturday-At-A-Glance
NOV 20
SAT NOV 20
10:00 AM PTPERFORMING COMMERCIALS & PROMOS: THE CREATORS SPEAK
Moderated by Wes Stevens, CEO and Founder of VOX, Inc.
Content creators bring together brand strategy, audience research, and problem-solving when creating commercials and promo messaging. They are visionaries, not for art's sake, but for the sake of business, commerce, and competition in the marketplace. Voice actors are often left guessing as to what the creators want. This is especially evident during the audition phase, when descriptions are lacking, and one doesn’t have the benefit of the creator's direction. The actor must therefore engage in a variety of performance gymnastics to be prepared for whatever comes their way. Learning to tap into the creator's vision is a path to success and longevity. Their vision is the one that counts when everything is at stake. Wes Stevens, (CEO and Founder of VOX, Inc) draws out the practical creative insights that will give you a deeper understanding and confidence when analyzing a script and applying your unique point of view. Wes is joined by a slate of award-winning creatives: Miranda Patterson (Sr. Supervising Producer, NBC Universal), Larissa Kirschner-Chaney (Freelance Creative Directrix, and former VP, Publicist), Christopher Smith (Principal/CCO, Plot Twist), and Sharita Peterson, (Sr. Creative Director, MTV Entertainment Studios). This panel gives you a remarkable, inside view you will rarely find anywhere else. It is not to be missed. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español para todos los paneles.)
SAT NOV 20
11 AM PTDenise Woods receives the Backstage Vanguard Award for Arts and Communication
Presented by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences
Denise Woods is known as the preeminent voice coach to the Hollywood elite. Classically trained in acting and opera at the Julliard School, she discovered her niche in the art and power of the human voice. She has honed her knowledge to help others, whether actors or people from more traditional walks of life, to empower themselves in career, relationships, and self-awareness by understanding how to heal personal traumas, through exploring the use of their voices as an instrument of reflection and healing. The work she does is nothing short of miraculous and groundbreaking. And it's the reason she is regularly called to coach some of the world's finest actors on one Oscar-winning, Emmy-winning, Golden Globe-Winning performance after the next. On this day, we honor her extraordinary accomplishments, her pioneering dedication, and her surging new book The Power of Voice, foreword by Mahershala Ali. Indeed, Mahershala Ali, himself an Oscar® and Golden Globe-winning actor, will do the honor of presenting the Backstage Vanguard Award to Denise on this auspicious occasion. After the formal presentation, Denise and Mahershala will sit down for an up-close and personal conversation/interview about the power of the voice to go beyond award-winning performances to change the outcome of one's life.
SAT NOV 20
11:50 AM PTSOVAS™ Academic Scholarship, Sponsored by J Michael Collins
Moderated by J. Michael Collins
Many who make the financial investment to attend the That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo do so on the promise that they will receive a best-in-class learning experience, inspired insights, professional networking, and real-world job opportunities. That is precisely what they get, and we applaud them for investing in their dreams. And for those who may be struggling to further invest in continuing education, demo reels, equipment, and marketing, we want to support you as well. This is why we created the SOVAS Academic Scholarship, sponsored this year by J. Michael Collins. If you had the wherewithal to get yourself to That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo, we want to help you go further. To apply for the scholarship or nominee someone you know, follow this link: https://www.sovas.org/sovas-scholarships/ No one knows the winner until the actual event. The winner will be selected and announced live. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español y inglés para todos los paneles.)
SAT NOV 20
12:20 PM PTTHE "HEART" OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Moderated by Michele Spitz
Audio Description (AD) is an exciting and growing voiceover genre serving low vision and blind audiences and represents new opportunities for voice actors to book quality jobs they can be proud of. Beyond that, AD work itself is among some of the most interesting, challenging, and fascinating voice work you will ever have the pleasure of doing. This group, curated by Michele Spitz, Producer/Narrator, and Accessibility Advocate, is as good as it gets. Join her along with Annie Leist (Associate Educator, MoMa), Rob Urbinati (Audio Description Narrator/Director/Writer), and Liz Gutman (Audio Description Writer, Narrator, Editor). You will never see voice acting the same way again. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español y inglés para todos los paneles.)
SAT NOV 20
1:20 PM PTOPORTUNIDADES DE LA INDUSTRIA DEL DOBLEJE ESPAÑOL, POST PANDÉMICA
Moderated by Isa Junca, Voice Actor and Directora, A Voz y del Festival Viva Voz
El doblaje de voz es una especialidad en auge para los actores de diversas lenguas y países. Aunque la pandemia por Covid generó grandes desafíos, la creciente demanda de doblaje de calidad creó aún más innovaciones y oportunidades. Por ello los estadounidenses y angloparlantes también encontrarán este panel especialmente valioso, ya que hallarán claves aplicables a su entorno. La actriz de voz ganadora en los Voice Arts Awards, Isa Junca, (fundadora de una de las más prestigiosas Academias y Conferencias de voz en Latinoamerica), combina su conocimiento único con la brillantez de Flor García (gerente de producción y doblaje); la experiencia de Pepe Toño Macías (Director y actor de voz) y Juan M Urbina (Director creativo de Venturia Animation), para ayudar a todos los actores de voz a conocer dónde están surgiendo nuevas oportunidades en este trabajo tan preciado. *(Traducción simultánea disponible en español y inglés para todos los paneles.) *ENGLISH * Voice dubbing is a growing specialty for voice actors from various languages and countries. Although the Covid pandemic created great challenges, the increasing demand for quality dubbing inspired new innovations and opportunities. That is why Americans and English speakers will also find this panel especially valuable. They will learn more about how to secure work in America. Voice Actress Isa Junca, (founder of one of the most prestigious Voice Academies and Conferences in Latin America), combines her unique knowledge with the brilliance of Flor García (production and dubbing manager); the experience of Pepe Toño Macías (Director and Voice Actor) and Juan M Urbina (Creative Director of Venturia Animation), to help all voice actors know where new opportunities are emerging in this precious work. (Simultaneous translation is available in English and Spanish for all presentations and panels.)
SAT NOV 20
2:20 PM PTCBS Audition Spotlight
Hosted by Michael Winslow (America's Got Talent) and Joan Baker (Voice Actor / Author / VP, SOVAS)
From hundreds of contestants, forty made the second-round callback. On this night, the final six finalists step into the audition spotlight to see who takes home the coveted prizes: a paid booking with CBS Los Angeles, Neumann TLM 102 STudio Microphone and NDH 20 Studio headsets, Talent Representation with ACM Talent, the Kaotica Eyeball, and two tickets to the 2022 Voice Arts Awards! Meet your judges, Lisa Farmer-Lane (On-Air Promotion Manager, CBS2/KCAL9), Mike Mass (Executive Producer, CBS2/KCAL9), and Marc Guss (Founding Partner of ACM Talent). It's the biggest voiceover audition stage in the world. To see it is to feel the thrill of putting everything on the line for one's art. It is to know the talent, heart, and courage it takes to be a voice actor. There is simply nothing else like it. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español y inglés para todos los paneles.)
Sunday At A Glance
NOVEMBER 21
SUN NOV 21
ATOMIC VO COACHING
Casting Directors, Talent Agents and Managers hold the keys to the relationships that can ignite your career in voice acting. Are you craving next-level knowledge from the pros? Well, here they are. You are guaranteed to walk away with a fresh new outlook, and practical steps you can take to further expand your opportunities as a voice actor. (Traducción simultánea disponible en español y inglés para todos los paneles.)
Terry Berland, Donovan Corneetz, and Dr. Joel Snyder, PhD are your award winning, expert insiders who will guide these extraordinary conversations.
Commercial and Radio
Moderated by Terry Berland, Casting Director, Terry Berland Casting
Robin Armstrong, Voice Actor/Coach
Tina Morasco, Head of Casting, Sound & Fury
Animation and Dubbing
Moderated by Terry Berland, Casting Director, Terry Berland Casting
Mami Okada, Casting Director/Coach
Everett Oliver, Voice Actor/Coach
Promos and In-Show Announcing
Moderated by Donovan Corneetz, Voice Actor/Coach
Dave Walsh, Chief Strategist/VO Coach
Jodi Gottlieb, VO Director/Producer/Coach
Branding and Marketing
Moderated by Donovan Corneetz, Voice Actor/Coach
Celia Siegel, Branding/Marketing/Management
Rudy Gaskins, Chairman & CEO, SOVAS
Audio Description
Moderated by: Joel Snyder, AD Producer/Narrator
Roy Samuelson, Audio Description Narrator/Producer
Colleen Connor, Audio Description Consultant/Coach
Audiobook Narration
Moderated by: Joel Snyder, AD Producer/Narrator
Robin Miles, Audiobook Narrator/Coach
PJ Ochlan, Audiobook Narrator/Producer/Coach
SUN NOV 21
SPEED DATING WITH YOUR DEMO REEL
Casting Directors, Talent Agents, Managers, and producers hold the keys to the opportunities that can ignite your career in voice acting. Don't miss this opportunity to present your demo reel to the pros and let your voice be heard! (Speed Dating is by special application only. Only those who apply are eligible for consideration. Apply on our website at: https://www.sovas.org/speed-dating/ )
Joan Baker (English) + Vicky Tessio (Español)
Vicky Tessio
Joan Baker