Truth or Fiction? James and Penny answer your questions

Julie Williams · 04-24-2008, 02:26 PM

Busting Myths with Truth
by James Alburger & Penny Abshire
Executive Producers—VOICE 2008

If you’ve read some of the voiceover forum discussions about VOICE 2008, you might just be wondering what’s really true. There are a few self-proclaimed “reviewers” of VOICE 2008 who claim to know what’s best for you and who are encouraging you to “pass” on what just might be one of the most significant events in your voiceover career.

Most of what you might read is either flawed logic, inaccurate information, or complete fiction. Keep in mind that NOT ONE of these “reviewers” attended VOICE 2007 and NOT ONE of them has made even the slightest effort to call us to get their facts straight. We think you deserve the truth so you can make an educated
decision about whether attending VOICE is right for you. We also want you to know that if you have any questions about the VOICE 2008 conference, you are more than welcome to call us! Our phone number is posted on the CONTACT page at Voice Over International Creative Experience - VOICE 2008. (Or post the question here. We have nothing to hide!)

“Those who can’t ‘do,’ teach.”

The premise of this myth is that someone who is not successful in voiceover will start teaching as a way of making money. The premise also suggests that someone who teaches is somehow less professional than someone who works in the business. The mere suggestion of this is an insult to anyone who teaches. Some of the best teachers in the world cannot “do” or choose not to “do” what they teach others to do. Experience is important, to be sure, but more important is the ability to communicate the information of how to achieve the desired results.

Every presenter at VOICE 2008 is a successful, qualified professional in their area of voiceover. Many of our presenters are at the “top of their game” as national voice talent with decades of experience. Every one of them is teaching at VOICE 2008 because they see an opportunity to “give back” and help their fellow voice actors to be better at what they do. These are professionals who do not see other voice talent as their competition. Rather, they recognize that in order to raise the quality of work for everyone, it is necessary to continue learning new skills. They have knowledge and experience to share and VOICE 2008 gives them an opportunity to do that.

“The Presenters are not being paid tor their appearance at VOICE 2008, so they’ll just be selling stuff to make money—not teaching.”

If you’ve been to any convention or trade show you know that there are
always opportunities to buy things. This is often the only way the exhibitors have to recover their costs for being part of the event. Although we don’t pay our VOICE 2008 Presenters a speaking fee, we do compensate them in many other ways, one of which is the opportunity to sell their products or services at their booth in the Exhibit Hall—but NOT during their breakout sessions. Some take advantage of this while others do not.

VOICE 2008 is a conference! It is NOT a convention, a trade show, or a
bunch of seminars. Generally, seminars will provide limited information and are often designed to up-sell products and services during the program. The VOICE conference is a place for the exchange of ideas and information and it is intentionally designed to provide as much hands-on training as possible.

All of our VOICE 2008 Presenters are donating their time and understand the value of presenting at this conference, or they wouldn’t be here! The truth is that there are very few events like VOICE that actually pay their presenters. In order to make it worth their time to attend, there must be some benefit for them. For some, that is the opportunity to sell their products and services. For others, it is the opportunity to teach what they love.

“An event like VOICE doesn’t have much to offer.”

Let’s see… 24 of the top voice talent from the US, Canada, England, and Sweden—all in one place, teaching you the techniques they’ve used to become successful. Add to that the opportunity to meet other voice actors, talk about common problems and solutions, a room full of vendors in the Exhibit Hall, discovering the newest technologies for home studios, attending a gala opening networking event with VO professionals from the LA area, enjoying an elegant banquet with entertainment and a special tribute—all in one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historic hotels… Whew! Not much to offer? What? Watch the Promo and VOICE 2007 videos on the website to hear what some Las Vegas attendees took away from the 2007 conference.

“The promoters are making a ton of money!”

This myth assumes that the producers of VOICE are greedy and are taking advantage of attendees by charging a “high tuition” and not paying the presenters. Somehow the purveyors of this myth seem to believe that making money from anything intended to help people is a bad thing. From the onset, VOICE was created to help bring voiceover talent together in an effort to raise the standards of our work and to create a community.

Believe what you will, but our prime motivation has never been to make a ton of money—we just want to cover our expenses and have a bit left over as compensation for a full year of our time as we literally put our voiceover careers on “hold” in order to make the conference the best we can for you.

It takes an unbelievable amount of time money to put on an event like
VOICE. To imply otherwise reveals a tremendous lack of knowledge. To
suggest the producers are greedy, running a scam, or are not entitled to

their due is not only short-sighted, but completely unfair.

If you have any reservations about VOICE 2008, please do not hesitate to contact us. Misinformation abounds and that helps no one. It doesn't help us, and it may cost you one of the most incredible experiences of your voiceover career!

THIS THREAD POSTED BY JULIE WILLIAMS, BUT WRITTEN BY JAMES AND PENNY, WHO WILL REPLY TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

edradio · 04-26-2008, 10:01 PM

I guess I also used the term convention, and yes it is much more. Convention from Convene, or to gather, and Conference from Confer, actually I think it is a lot of both. Convening with others is part of the comraderie isn't it! Confering with the speakers etc. is the learning part!

I am an instructor at a broadcasting school, and I sit in on all of the classes that I do not instruct. Why not learn from the others who are instructing?

VOICE 2008 is EDUCATION! If someone thinks they don't need to further their education, that's some bad thinking!

EdRadio

bobbin beam · 04-30-2008, 10:54 PM

Thank you for this most clarifying post, Julie. I look forward to seeing you again this year!

rdsmith · 07-14-2008, 07:34 PM

Producing and promoting any event like this is a high overhead (think - high risk) proposition. The fees for this conference are well within reason. Look at the fees for similar events for people in the legal, accounting, finance, or medical professions (talk about sticker shock!). This one's a bargain considering the potential benifits. Wish I could be there.

04-24-2008, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Julie Williams Administrator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California Posts: 615	Truth or Fiction? James and Penny answer your questions Busting Myths with Truth by James Alburger & Penny Abshire Executive Producers—VOICE 2008 If you’ve read some of the voiceover forum discussions about VOICE 2008, you might just be wondering what’s really true. There are a few self-proclaimed “reviewers” of VOICE 2008 who claim to know what’s best for you and who are encouraging you to “pass” on what just might be one of the most significant events in your voiceover career. Most of what you might read is either flawed logic, inaccurate information, or complete fiction. Keep in mind that NOT ONE of these “reviewers” attended VOICE 2007 and NOT ONE of them has made even the slightest effort to call us to get their facts straight. We think you deserve the truth so you can make an educated decision about whether attending VOICE is right for you. We also want you to know that if you have any questions about the VOICE 2008 conference, you are more than welcome to call us! Our phone number is posted on the CONTACT page at Voice Over International Creative Experience - VOICE 2008. (Or post the question here. We have nothing to hide!) “Those who can’t ‘do,’ teach.” The premise of this myth is that someone who is not successful in voiceover will start teaching as a way of making money. The premise also suggests that someone who teaches is somehow less professional than someone who works in the business. The mere suggestion of this is an insult to anyone who teaches. Some of the best teachers in the world cannot “do” or choose not to “do” what they teach others to do. Experience is important, to be sure, but more important is the ability to communicate the information of how to achieve the desired results. Every presenter at VOICE 2008 is a successful, qualified professional in their area of voiceover. Many of our presenters are at the “top of their game” as national voice talent with decades of experience. Every one of them is teaching at VOICE 2008 because they see an opportunity to “give back” and help their fellow voice actors to be better at what they do. These are professionals who do not see other voice talent as their competition. Rather, they recognize that in order to raise the quality of work for everyone, it is necessary to continue learning new skills. They have knowledge and experience to share and VOICE 2008 gives them an opportunity to do that. “The Presenters are not being paid tor their appearance at VOICE 2008, so they’ll just be selling stuff to make money—not teaching.” If you’ve been to any convention or trade show you know that there are always opportunities to buy things. This is often the only way the exhibitors have to recover their costs for being part of the event. Although we don’t pay our VOICE 2008 Presenters a speaking fee, we do compensate them in many other ways, one of which is the opportunity to sell their products or services at their booth in the Exhibit Hall—but NOT during their breakout sessions. Some take advantage of this while others do not. VOICE 2008 is a conference! It is NOT a convention, a trade show, or a bunch of seminars. Generally, seminars will provide limited information and are often designed to up-sell products and services during the program. The VOICE conference is a place for the exchange of ideas and information and it is intentionally designed to provide as much hands-on training as possible. All of our VOICE 2008 Presenters are donating their time and understand the value of presenting at this conference, or they wouldn’t be here! The truth is that there are very few events like VOICE that actually pay their presenters. In order to make it worth their time to attend, there must be some benefit for them. For some, that is the opportunity to sell their products and services. For others, it is the opportunity to teach what they love. “An event like VOICE doesn’t have much to offer.” Let’s see… 24 of the top voice talent from the US, Canada, England, and Sweden—all in one place, teaching you the techniques they’ve used to become successful. Add to that the opportunity to meet other voice actors, talk about common problems and solutions, a room full of vendors in the Exhibit Hall, discovering the newest technologies for home studios, attending a gala opening networking event with VO professionals from the LA area, enjoying an elegant banquet with entertainment and a special tribute—all in one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historic hotels… Whew! Not much to offer? What? Watch the Promo and VOICE 2007 videos on the website to hear what some Las Vegas attendees took away from the 2007 conference. “The promoters are making a ton of money!” This myth assumes that the producers of VOICE are greedy and are taking advantage of attendees by charging a “high tuition” and not paying the presenters. Somehow the purveyors of this myth seem to believe that making money from anything intended to help people is a bad thing. From the onset, VOICE was created to help bring voiceover talent together in an effort to raise the standards of our work and to create a community. Believe what you will, but our prime motivation has never been to make a ton of money—we just want to cover our expenses and have a bit left over as compensation for a full year of our time as we literally put our voiceover careers on “hold” in order to make the conference the best we can for you. It takes an unbelievable amount of time money to put on an event like VOICE. To imply otherwise reveals a tremendous lack of knowledge. To suggest the producers are greedy, running a scam, or are not entitled to their due is not only short-sighted, but completely unfair. If you have any reservations about VOICE 2008, please do not hesitate to contact us. Misinformation abounds and that helps no one. It doesn't help us, and it may cost you one of the most incredible experiences of your voiceover career! THIS THREAD POSTED BY JULIE WILLIAMS, BUT WRITTEN BY JAMES AND PENNY, WHO WILL REPLY TO YOUR QUESTIONS. __________________ POWERED BY CHOCOLATE Julie Williams "Voice-Over Chocolate" julie@voice-overs.com www.voiceoverchocolate.com www.voice-overs.com Currently on National spots for Eyeglass World; Narrations for US Steel, Point of Sale VO for Gutter Grip-- playing soon at a Home Depot near you! Julie will be heard nationally on a tribute to Ruth Bell Graham in December. Last edited by Julie Williams; 04-24-2008 at 02:32 PM.

04-30-2008, 10:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
bobbin beam User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California Posts: 214	Thank you for this most clarifying post, Julie. I look forward to seeing you again this year! __________________ All the Best, Bobbin Beam www.bobbinbeam.com blog.bobbinbeam.com #07021

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04-26-2008, 10:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
edradio EdRadio Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada USA - Baby! Posts: 2	I guess I also used the term convention, and yes it is much more. Convention from Convene, or to gather, and Conference from Confer, actually I think it is a lot of both. Convening with others is part of the comraderie isn't it! Confering with the speakers etc. is the learning part! I am an instructor at a broadcasting school, and I sit in on all of the classes that I do not instruct. Why not learn from the others who are instructing? VOICE 2008 is EDUCATION! If someone thinks they don't need to further their education, that's some bad thinking! EdRadio

07-14-2008, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
rdsmith User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 15	Producing and promoting any event like this is a high overhead (think - high risk) proposition. The fees for this conference are well within reason. Look at the fees for similar events for people in the legal, accounting, finance, or medical professions (talk about sticker shock!). This one's a bargain considering the potential benifits. Wish I could be there.