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Something fun I’m doing this year

General

With thanks to my friend Anthony Mendez for pointing me in the right direction, this year I’m providing the voice for the weekend highlights of the Princeton University football team. Here’s the report from week one.

Faffcon report from Amy

General

Tim Kennan interviews Amy Snively about Faffcon, the unconference for working voiceover pros. Excellent conversation. Even better memories.

      Listen!

Some of my thoughts are coming shortly.

Chris Fadala

General, People

The relationships we develop online can turn into real friendships, when the circumstances are right. Several of my dearest and best friends began through our mutual membership at the VO-BB. One such friendship began with a lady named Chris Fadala. Over time I learned that Chris was not only a delightfully witty correspondent, she was a wonderfully gifted actress.

Another thing I learned was that she was terribly injured a few years before I met her in an automobile accident. She recovered, but had to use a walker everywhere. She never complained. She just got on with her life. She loved her pet birds and her daughter, Delana. And acting. Because she couldn’t be on stage anymore, she chose to pour her attention to voice acting.

Then in December 2008, I needed a few more miles to make sure I would keep my priority status with US Airways, so I decided to take a trip to Boston for a day; which gave me the miles I needed and also gave me the opportunity to have dinner with a number of my friends in New England.

After a flurry of emails, a restaurant was chosen and a decent crowd gathered for a wonderful meal.

The food was excellent. The company even better. It was at that meal where I got my only photo with Chris.

After our dinner, I drove Chris and Delana back to their apartment and visited with them for a couple of hours. We talked about things she could do to improve the sound of her recording space and I gave her a few lessons on how to use Sound Forge more effectively. It was truly a wonderful evening with a lady I admired so much. Chris was such a determined woman. She had such grit and drive. She inspired me to be more excellent.

Sunday morning, the 12th of September 2010, Chris died after suffering a massive stroke a few days earlier. Even now, a few days later, my heart and head are still more than a little numb at this news. I learned this news as we were getting ready to start the second day of Faffcon. At the end of that day as we wrapped up Faffcon, we had a moment of silence in her honor. Even those in attendance who had never heard her name were wonderfully kind and respectful.

Christina Fadala, to give her full name, was a great soul and a wonderful friend. I hope I can be that kind of friend to those I meet along the way.

Rest in Peace, Chris. I do miss you.

Kevin and Rose

Career Advice, General, People

One of the very best things about Faffcon was the opportunity to get to know face-to-face a number of performers I’ve only previously connected with online. Mercedes Rose was one of those performers, a dynamic and positive ball of energy and talent who lit up every room she was in. Mercedes will be featured on a webinar hosted by Kevin Delaney on Thursday of this week, the 16th of September 2010. The topic is self-marketing, something about which both Kevin and Mercedes have a lot to say. You’ll find registration details on Kevin’s voiceover blog.

An unconference about voiceover

General

Faffcon is going on this weekend in Portland, OR. There is a group of about 55 of us voiceover folk gathered here, having a fabulous time learning and growing and helping one another in a way that is simply beautiful and amazingly invigorating.

Photos are going to have to wait until I can take the time to transfer them from my camera to my phone; but I wanted to share just few of the “golden nuggets” I’ve picked up so far.

First, remember that it’s not about you. It’s about your client and their story. It was so good to be reminded about this key fact early this morning.

Second, marketing isn’t just about attracting the right people. It’s also about avoiding the wrong people.

Third, don’t be afraid to be interesting.

Fourth, it’s important to know your limitations. What am I really not good at?

Fifth, borrow from as many others’ bags of tricks as I can; but in every case, it’s vital I make what I borrow my own.

Sixth, be positive and professional all the time.

Seventh, the social networking universe is built on a “gift economy.”

Those are just a few of the nuggets I gleaned from the sessions today. I’m very much looking forward to what’s in store for Day Two.

Quote of the day

General

From my manager and friend, Stacey Stahl comes this brilliant quote today:

 

“Confidence… thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations,
on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.”

— Franklin Roosevelt

 

Sound Advice

General

My friend Dave White sent me a message on Facebook today about a book soon to be released called Sound Advice, sub-titled Voiceover from an Audio Engineer’s Perspective. It looks very good so I wanted to be sure to pass the news along to you.