VOICE 2008 - A Corollary

Caryn Clark · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1000

Bob, I for one do not find your comments divisive at all. Matter of fact, I think this is the first thread in which you've participated where there's been any conflict, and hey, it's all a matter of opinion! Everyone has one and is entitled to one.

I hope you do not stop posting your excellent advice here and elsewhere. You really are so kind, inspirational and helpful!!!!

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Hey, how about those Montreal Canadiens, eh?

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

Peter Ganim · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 115

...............

Lance Blair · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008, 21:57 (GMT) Post subject:

James Alburger · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 3

Some of those posting on this forum are spending a great deal of time positioning themselves as the "watch dogs" of the voiceover community. Some of their comments are worth considering. Many others are not.

Expressing personal opinion from an informed and educated point of view can be valuable and useful in helping others who may be undecided to form an idea or develop their own opinion. However, many of the public comments regarding VOICE 2008, primarily on this forum, border on libel and slander, are based on ignorance, include inaccurate and fictitious information, and are written with an obvious attempt to manipulate, dissuade, or at worst, destroy. These comments create confusion and are often perceived by intelligent readers as "negative" and divisive. These authors pose opinions and questions that cannot be responded to within the context of the forum, simply because any sort of a response will ultimately result in fueling the fire. To quote a well-worn axiom: "Don't get into a pissing match with a skunk." In spite of the author's claims, their comments, and the very length of some of their missives, reveal them for who they truly are.

The judgments being made against VOICE 2008, its producers, and those who have chosen to participate either by presenting or attending are being formed in a complete vacuum. It is worthy to note that NOT ONE of the authors of any of the posts on any of these forums has made even the slightest effort to contact the conference producers to get their facts straight - and our phone number is not hard to find. In spite of what some of them may imply, NOT ONE of them has even the slightest idea of how the conference is being produced or any of the costs involved in mounting the event. Further, the credibility and integrity of the producers and those who will be presenting at the conference is being brought into question, despite the fact that most of those who will be presenting at VOICE 2008 are well-recognized in the business and have extensive careers as industry professionals, authors and coaches.

From the onset, the stated position of the VOICE conference has been one of helping to bring the voiceover community together, to raise the standards of voiceover work for experienced pros and beginners alike, and to help those who are just getting started to understand the realities of the business. Only the individual can place a value on what they will (or might potentially) learn and the experience of attending an event like VOICE 2008. If that value to them is not worth the cost of admission, then so be it.

We encourage and value an intelligent dialog. However, when the dialog turns from one of being constructive to one bent on destruction or tearing down something that has only good intentions, it's time to bring it to an end.

We have, and always will, keep an open door to those who are seriously interested in working with us to help benefit the voiceover community as a whole. We appreciate constructive comments, but we have no interest in judgmental criticism coming from jealousy, ego or ignorance. We have also made no attempts to conceal who we are or make ourselves difficult to reach. Our contact information and office phone number are extremely easy to find on our website at www.voice-international.com.

This will be the one - and final - reply to posts on this forum from the producers of VOICE 2008. Those who disagree with the concept of a voiceover community or an event like VOICE will likely continue their diatribes. Choose to believe the "nay-sayers" if you like - or don't. But whatever you choose, base your beliefs on accurate information. For those who have doubts or questions about who we are or what the VOICE conference is really about, we invite you to call us.

James Alburger & Penny Abshire
Executive Producers, VOICE 2008

Peter Ganim · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 115

Alright-
I'm done.

Though I remain quoted within other posts, I have removed my originals.

As I have earlier observed, it is nigh impossible to present any observation of any intellectual rigor in these forums without being advised to "lighten up" or, rather, being characterized as a bitter "vampire".

I do sincerely wish everyone in this business the very greatest success as well as personal satisfaction.

But-
No matter the effort I made to be clear in my intent, I was nonetheless consistently misinterpreted...and that begins to be tiresome and not much more.

Great good luck to everyone this summer and beyond-

PG

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Totally off the subject of course, but just wanted to bring a little bit of beauty into my fellow voice-over friends evenings....with a lovely picture of England.

And to express my sentiment that every day above ground is a great day and that every single day we have on this planet is a gift from God. That we need to remember that every conversation we have, may be our last, so let’s let it be a good one that uplifts others.

Let's hold each other up into the light and nurture other’s ambitions, even though they may not be our own. And choose to see the light inside each person we encounter, no matter what else is going on around us.

Let us choose to believe in positive intent. That no matter how we all express ourselves, there is positive intent behind it all.

I love my voice-over career and I am so grateful for all the amazing people in it that have touched my life. Whether it was the truly incredible experience of hearing Michael Rhys live on mic at Voice2007, (an experience like no other), listening to Bettye Zoller's presentation that knocked my socks off and gave me true inspiration, the wonderful friends and cohorts who support me and inspire me every day on these boards, or the fact that I am in control of my destiny....I am so grateful for finding voice-over and for all the amazing people that have come into my life as a result.

I am sending everyone blessings tonight. We are all one. Let’s all go to bed tonight, grateful for all the amazing blessings we experience every single day. Let’s go to bed tonight, grateful that we will wake up tomorrow morning, able once again to spend another day on this incredible planet. Let’s choose not to dwell on any negative thoughts, and just be grateful for our health, the love in our hearts, our pets, our cozy homes, the bountiful food in our fridges, our abilities, our potential.

We are all fellow humans that need to see the good in each other and support each other in any way that we can.

Maxine

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Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008, 06:25 (GMT) Post subject:

My three greatest fears -- vampires, skunks...and pom poms! Ahhhh! Run away, run away!!

(Nice pict, Max)

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008, 19:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Barry Trussell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 47

Voice is a wonderful awesome experience. I attended as a fully paid particpant and also volunteered on staff in 2007.

I am ever so glad to have had the chance to do that. I attended and/or worked from 7 am to 11 pm each night. I did what was asked...with a smile Very Happy

. Gosh it was a great fun experience!

Not only did I network with alot of people, but made wonderful new friends, picked up a mentor or two, and took away information in books, CD's and the like.

BUT...the information in the live presentations was the BIG key for me, and live script reads that get critiqued by Pro's! Did you or will you take copius notes, I sure did. I have my event book from last year with many, many pearls of wisdom from top people in the industry.... including The Don! He said, "You had better start believing what you're reading!" So simple, but so profound. Do you believe what you're reading in an audition? I do NOW!

I have used that, and many other pearls from the presentations and now I am booking gigs that pay money!!! Guess what, the cost is a tax write-off Laughing

Voice is another tool in my aresenal. Consider coaching at $100 - $130 (or whatever) an hour. I haven't found anything yet that can get that exposure, let alone in one location, to succesful, working, top pro's in this extremely competitive industry. You can literally rub shoulders (ok, well I rubbed elbows with Bergen) with the people from whom you want this information.

If ya can't go, ya can't go...no big deal. Here's what didn't keep me away from Voice:

Dabilitating sciatica, no cartilage in my right leg so I got bone on bone grinding away, diabetic, a kidney transplant going bad, an ankle that can't be operated on and that they want to cut off, and freckles (okay I got nothin on the last one but felt like I needed a button there).

Hey, I'm not cyrin poor me here....heck there's people in way worse shape than that, I am happy to be on this planet and DOING WHAT I LOVE .....VOICE ACTING Very Happy

And I'm really happy to have learned all this great stuff from VOICE and the wonderful people at it.

Take what you can from where you can, and then put it to good use, don't just stick it on a shelf Shocked

If you love what you do, the money will come.

Barry Cool

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi James and Bob ~

Just a little note to thank you both so very much for your thoughtful posts. I too was baffled by the persistent negative tone and repeated inappropriate questions. ("Where is the money going?") Those questions made me glad my documentary narration clients don't raise an eyebrow at my fees and say, "Maxine, what on earth are you going to DO with all that money we're paying you? Where’s that money going?" (A bit tongue in cheek there, but of course I'm from England and we're taught not to ask people how much they make...or even speculate, as it’s really none of our business.) I was saddened by my friend’s differing opinions from my own as I felt they were hurting my OTHER friends, and tried to understand where their negativity was coming from…..but I realize we all have our own viewpoints so all I can really do is state my own point of view, as they have.

I’m wondering where the “three thousand dollar ticket price” came from that was referenced early-on in this thread, as, from my standpoint, that amount seems perhaps a bit high. For example, my projected expenses for this entire trip (from Colorado), which INCLUDES the conference, round-trip airfare, hotel, parking, and the banquet on Sunday night come to a little under $1,600.00. And I’m sure if others can use airline miles, (as opposed to purchasing a plane ticket), or stay with relatives or in a smaller hotel, it would be even less.

As a once-a-year-event for me, (to attend a boot-camp, master-class, or voice-over event), that seems to me to be an incredible value, considering the sheer quality and depth of the learning experience. Not to mention the inspiration, motivation, and connection it will bring to the voice-over community as a whole. I am so happy to be participating again! This of course is just my opinion as a Voice2007 attendee, but I have only completely positive and enthusiastic things to say about my experience. And for you naysayer’s out there, no, I am not part of some “advertising campaign”….this is just Maxine expressing her enthusiasm and appreciation for such an amazing event and wanting others to share the wonderful experience.

Anyway, I'm so EXCITED about going to Voice2008 and I already know it's going to be great! I'm thrilled to see Bob's outstanding presentation again, as well as learn from James and Penny and all other presenters. I know that no matter how long I’ve been in the business there are always new things to learn and new perspectives to consider. I RUE the day I ever become jaded and think I know it all. Oh, and this time it's in L.A. so there won't be any smoke in the hotel. And there are beautiful beaches near-by! Yeah! And if you can’t make it this year, perhaps start to plan for 2009! It will be just as amazing then, too.

I hope that those of you who know me from the boards and will be in L.A. in August will look me up. It'll be fun to say hi and meet my fellow Savvy friends! (Kara, can’t wait to hear your amazingness on the mic again!!)

Have a wonderful Sunday and many blessings everyone.

xox
Maxine

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