VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:16 am Post subject:

thanks bob!

OH - and i remembered a great thing - voicecon*/st. paddy's day/my birthday/VO unintentional sleepover at pam's in chicago** - (2012 or 2013) --- bob souer taught me how to make perfect scrambled eggs!***

* not an actual event
** actual event
***making eggs this morning made me think of that.
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Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 577 Location: SoCal

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 965

So, let me discuss the value I get out of vo conferences. And I have been going off and on since VOICE 2007 in Las Vegas. I don't attend to further my vo career. I get to see how the other half lives. I just didn't know there was another half (or more) until I attended these cons.

I've been teaching out of town weekend workshops since around 2000. My first few were in the major markets of NY and Chicago. Pretty similar caliber of talent I would see in Los Angeles. Union performers seeking to work in animation.

Then as others expressed interest in other markets I booked workshops outside these major vo market: St. Louis, Denver, Dallas, Boston, Columbus, etc. These were my first experiences with actors not interested in working union. Now, my first impression was that these were just isolated groups of 10-15 in each class who just didn't understand/know the benefits of working union. Not their fault. You cannot know what you don't know. So I made a point to spend quality time in each class discussing the benefits of working union.

In 2000 we were still in the age where a single National Class A commercial paid enough to qualify for health benefits for an entire family for a year. As well as a pension credit. Most represented union vo actors had 2-5 national spots under their belts each year. I just could not understand why anyone would not demand every vo gig came with P&H and residuals. Especially since they were studying animation, which was (and still is) 95% union. Plus, they did a lousy job of explaining and (or) justifying their preference of working non union.

Then, I attended VOICE 2007 in Las Vegas. Now, I do not remember much of it as I had double pink eye and bronchitis and was on so many meds much of the trip was a blur. (I performed my one man show one night and have no recollection of doing it) But it was this con where actors from all over the country began to better educate me on their reasons for working non union.

*How out of reach they felt union work was.
*How they don't relate to the business model of working union.
*How the concept of residuals sounds nice, but not something attainable.
*How they rarely see enough union opportunities to even qualify to join. And if they did, they could not abandon a career they have begun to build and grow.

Attending agents from around the country shared with me as they saw union opportunities dwindle, the union ignored their cries for help.

Now, I listened. But I still didn't buy what they were selling. Neither did any of the other professionals from the major markets who were flown out to this first con. I had dinner with Don LaFontaine who was disappointed that this con was attended by so many "amateurs," and how they were encouraged to keep pursuing this non union road.

I believe it was at this con (might have been subsequent years) where I first heard of this forum and the amazing Deebs, whom I still adore more than peanut butter. The value I have in knowing DB makes attending these cons worthwhile.

I was invited to attend more and more cons. And with each one, I was more and more educated on this thriving community of voice actors. And, with more time and more distance from the union it became very clear that the majority pursing vo today do not value what the union has to offer as it is too removed from their day to day. The honest ones still say that they would love for their work to be union as they value the benefits. But the generation gap has gotten too vast, and the union too antiquated.

Attending these cons over the years has allowed me to be a double agent. I have the value of understanding and knowing both sides of the fence. I'm co-Chair of the Hollywood VO Committee, and I am hands on involved in this non union vo community who over a 20 year journey now owns 80% of the vo industry. I have served on the SAG, AFTRA, and SAG-AFTRA boards. I admit, it took me years for this this non union community to sink in. But I get it.

And, attending these cons has granted me the education and ammunition to author a union proposal that would bring in more union vo work with more vo talent joining and pursuing union vo, while still being able to retain their non union career and buyers. (Don't hold your breath! I doubt this will get board approval as leadership is as removed from the non union vo community as they are to union leadership. But I will go to my grave knowing I tried)

Covid aside, my out of town weekend workshops resulted in about 2-5 people a year taking the plunge and moving to LA to train and pursue animation vo. Just a small handful achieved success. But that is relative to the statistics of those who live here and pursue. It is far easier to break into animation today than it was when I did in 1982. But the cream floats to the top. Always has, always will.

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 10:13 am Post subject:

two things, bob ...

thanks for this

Frank F · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:20 pm Post subject:

Well Bob,

Thanks to both you and Todd for remembering VOICE 2007, it was a "spur of the moment" project which I had felt was needed and desired. You were GREAT!

VOICE 2007 was the start of many things for the VO Community as a whole. I chose NOT to make it a habit and did not wish to have multiple events or a million years.

I had planned on it being an event to bring both seasoned pro's and newbie's together to further our mutual love. It worked and it didn't.

The best thing I got out of the event ---- (wait for it) meeting some fabulous people who are still a BIG part of my world. Yes, you included Bob.

What changed with VO events after this... the focus. Will there ever be another VO event like the first one - NO.

Enough said.

Frank F
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George · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 4:31 pm Post subject:

i've been to a variety of conventions large and small - some that started small and eventually became bafflingly huge - and the one trend i have found throughout all of them is that the most value that i garner from them is the time spent with a small circle of friends.

having not yet attended any of the large scale VO conventions and not presently planning on doing so while still knowing people who get a tremendous amount of value from them, i know what works for them and i know better what works for me. camaraderie is a vital part of any event. a strong part of my reluctance to participate in the larger conventions is the lack of personal knowledge of folks who are likely to be there.

when it's safe to be traveling again and lockdowns are lifted and vaccines are flowing like rivers through our veins, while some folks are anxiously awaiting the next VO Atlanta and the like, i'd personally rather just drive to portland and meet some of the locals from here at a bar or restaurant and squat for a few hours. for me personally, better use of time and quite a bit less expensive. (:

Kim Fuller · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:25 pm Post subject:

Portland is a great target for a post-Covid visit.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:04 am Post subject:

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 6:11 am Post subject:

me too.
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melissa eX · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:48 pm Post subject:

You have to come through NY State to get there. If you detour south at Albany for about an hour or so to New Paltz, I can head north 2 hours from the city and Liz can head east for a bit from her place.
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm Post subject:

sounds like a plan!
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who's/on/1st?

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 1:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks to this here thread I have found my brand!

YAY GO ME!

https://vimeo.com/481403555

Karyn OBryant · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 1:55 pm Post subject:

Moosevoice · Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2024 5:27 pm Post subject:

look at me coming in hot...4 years later!

On the topic of conferences, what would be the one to attend? If, let's say, you were only going to go to one of them every 5-10 years or even just one.

I've never been and would like to at least experience one.
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