My friend, the great Canadian voice talent and singer Jodi Krangle, will lead an all-star group of presenters at the first ever Voices of Vision event for voice actors September 23-25 in Toronto (yes, my favorite city in the world).

Backing up Jodi (who didn’t ask for this star billing but I’m giving it to her anyway and SHE can explain it to her fellow presenters ) are Deb Munro (another of my favorite Canadians – it was at her seminar that Jodi and I first met), M.J. Lallo, Pat Fraley, Bill Holmes. The event will be hosted by Elley-Ray Hennessy.

I hope if you have the chance that you will attend.

Maybe I should be more specific.

Two weeks until the end of the world for voice talents who want to enjoy the amazing discount on the FIRST EVER voice over unconference: Faffcon.

Two full days of voice over learning, growing, troubleshooting, connecting, and faffing about for just $149–how awesome is that?

Sure, you can always go next year– but dontcha want to be one of the cool kids who was there at the very first one?

If your not sure what it’s all about, I’ll refer you to this post I wrote about Faffcon a while back. I hope you’ll attend.

True to his word, George Whittam recorded the entire opening last night.

If you weren’t there (and most of us weren’t in spite of generous invitations) here’s what you (and I) missed. The ribbon cutting takes place at about 19 minutes in.

Thanks George.

Thanks Don.

Tonight at 7PM PT/10PM ET, co-founder of the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab, George Whittam, has announced they will stream the opening ceremonies. Here are the details from George’s email.

The grand opening of the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab is finally here! After working tirelessly for over 6 months on this incredible project the world will finally get its first glimpse of what George Whittam, Joe Cipriano, Paul Pape, and the SAG Foundation dreamed up to honor the legend of Voice-Over.
So far over 300 people have RSVP’d to attend the big night Friday June 25th. For those of you who are unable to be there in person tune into the Live Stream from the ERS website to keep tabs on the party! Visit this link Friday June 25, 2010 from 7-9pm (PT).

With the completion of VOICE 2010, I decided I should update my voice over photos that I have been posting on Voiceover Universe. Besides this blog, I couldn’t think of another place where sharing such photos made since (Flicker is too general).

Well, I started to update those pictures when I realized I hadn’t put ALL my voiceover pictures from this blog on the site. Now I have (I think).

ALSO, I updated all the blog posts entitled “audio’connell in….” where I post about all the voice talents I’ve personally met. If you look at the categories section on this blog, you’ll see voiceover meet-ups (or just click on that link) and you can see the post and the pictures from all the voiceover friends I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with.

Some of the early posts don’t contain pictures because I didn’t get good at that until about summer of 2007. I’ve been pretty consistent every since and now with video…well, bar the door Katie!

Voice Talent Joe Cipriano

Editor’s Note: Having had the pleasure of meeting and briefly speaking with Joe Cipriano for the first time last week at VOICE 2010, I was very happy (and not at all surprised) to hear he has received this award in recognition of his voice over work and his efforts on behalf of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab within the Actors Center at the SAG Foundation offices. Here’s the official announcement from PromaxBDA and Brief Magazine:

PromaxBDA and Brief Magazine are proud to present the 2nd Annual Don LaFontaine Legacy Award to Joe Cipriano. Created collectively by PromaxBDA and Anita LaFontaine to honor the name, memory and defining legacy of one of the world’s most famous voices, the Don LaFontaine Legacy Award recognizes a voice of impact as determined by a specialized industry committee. Through the criteria filter of character, longevity, talent, professionalism and the passion for giving back, this year’s recipient embodies much of Don’s defining legacy.

Joe Cipriano has worked on the air for the NBC, ABC, FOX and CBS Television and Radio networks, and has been the live announcer at high profile events including the Grammy Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards. Cipriano has more than 20 years of voice talent experience.

He is the co-founder of the newly launched Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the SAG Foundation Actors Center. The Lab and all of its programs, dedicated to educating and inspiring young up and coming voice over talent, will be offered free to the public.

Don LaFontaine, whose immediately recognizable voice was featured on more than 5000 promos and trailers over a period of more than 30 years, passed away last year. Cipriano will accept the Award at the 2010 PromaxBDA Promotions and Marketing Awards scheduled for the final night of the three day PromaxBDA Conference.

The Don LaFontaine Legacy Award was introduced for the first time at the 2009 Promax Marketing & Promotion Awards celebration as part of the 54th annual PromaxBDA Conference. The PromaxBDA Awards competition is dedicated to celebrating excellence in marketing, design and creative content in the entertainment industry.

These are my friends, old and new, who were at VOICE 2010 and I’d like you to virtually meet them if you haven’t had the pleasure to meet them personally. Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures with ALL of my friends there so there are some glaring omissions for which I apologize.

I am grateful for the friendship of each and everyone one of them.

Kara Edwards & Dave DeAndrea at VOICE 2010 Red Carpet Reception

Voice Talents Dave DeAndrea, Peter K. O'Connell and little Doug Turkel

Voice Talents Doug Turkel and Kara Edwards

Voice Talents Peter K. O'Connell, Kurt Kelly and VOICE 2010 co-host Dave Courvoisier

Voice Talents Peter K. O'Connell and Connie Terwilliger

Voice Actors Pat Fraley, Doug Turkel, Connie Terwilliger and Liz deNesnera

American Voice Talent Peter K. O'Connell and Austrialian Voice Talent Matt Cowlrick

Voice Talents Jeffrey Kafer and Peter - what's the deal with my hair - O'Connell

Seattle Voice Talents Jeffrey Kafer and Erica Risberg

Voice Talents Amy Snively and Pam Tierney

Voice Talents Pam Tierney and Peter K. O'Connell

The VO-BB Gang was adorned with the necklaces signifing we voice talents as dolphins swimming among sharks. The sharks were never identified as far as I know.

At VOICE 2010's first general session, the great Pat Fraley brought on special guest Brad Garrett who's comedic voice over abilities are amazing.

Fellow Buffalo Voice Talent Dan Lenard presenting a break-out session at VOICE 2010

Three broken bones in her leg couldn't keep Voice Talent Liz deNesnera from presenting during her Telephony break-out session at VOICE 2010

My friend Doug Turkel and I were given a private tour of the new Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab at the Screen Actors Guild office in LA Video link of the tour is here: http://blog.audioconnell.com/2010/06/09/audioconnell-in-los-angeles/

Michael Woodley, Administrator of the Don LaFontaine Voice Over Lab

The beloved Souer Boys, Voice Talents Bob Souer and Eric Souer

George Whittam's presentation on technology may have been one of my favorites. He's also the technical designer of the Don LaFontaine Voice Over Lab

Voice Talents Zurek - owner of Voiceover Universe - and Peter K. O'Connell

Voice Talents Meg McClellan and Bobbin Beam. Bobbin served again as Co-Host of VOICE 2010 with Dave Courvoisier.

Stephanie Ciccarelli from Voices.com and Voice Talent and owner of Voice-Overs.com Julie Williams at the Voice-Overs.com reception

audio'connell Voice Over Talent president Peter K. O'Connell presenting at VOICE 2010

Voice Over Xtra!'s John Florian with Voice Talents Peter K. O'Connell, Trish Basyani, Doug Turkel, Bobbin Beam and David Kaplan

Voice Over Master Don LaFontaine

Yup, I was at VOICE 2010.

Yup, that was almost a week ago and nope I haven’t published a darn thing on this here blog and that a’coz I had a trade show to attend in San Diego (where I am now) and have been busy and tired and making some money.

I have pictures and stories to tell about VOICE 2010 which will come in due time.

But the story that I want to share with you first is that of my visit to the new Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s Actor’s Center.

It’s scheduled to open on June 25, 2010 and its administrator, Michael Woodley, liked one of my blogs posts about the Lab so much, he invited me for a tour when I went out to VOICE 2010.

Here’s the tour:

I’m not sure if it’s cause I look old and decrepit or what, but when I go to professional events, people who know of me but who I don’t really know yet (except maybe sort of on line) often say “Hello Mr. O’Connell, my name is Ken and I’ve (read your blog / seen your videos / listened to your demos / got a warrant here for your arrest etc.)”

Mr. O’Connell?

It’s a sign of respect that I’ve offered to people as well and it’s certainly appreciated…but with me, it’s also unnecessary.

I noticed it a bit at the Voice Talent Production mixer and some other professional events…I’m not any type of hot shot but people know of me and that I’ve been doing VO for a while (a long, arduous while) and so they wonder if it’s OK to say hi to me.

It’s more than OK, it’s encouraged! I’m looking forward to meeting YOU!

And I cannot think of anyone at this week’s conference who should be considered unapproachable.

So as we approach VOICE 2010 and you see me in a conference room or in the hall way or on the corner selling pencils, don’t be shy, say hi.

Female Voice Talent Susan McCollom

As you may or may not know, VOICE 2010 starts next week in LA.

As you may or may not know, I’ve been asked to take part in a panel hosted by John Florian and featuring Doug Turkel, Trish Basanyi, and David Kaplan.

I’m talking about voice over marketing and the internet and here’s where my new friend Susan McCollom comes in.

Today I received an email from LinkedIn saying “Susan McCollom has indicated you are a Colleague at Voice 2010″. In her message Susan said:

HI Peter,

I just wanted to introduce myself and connect with you (albeit through cyberland) before the big event begins!! I’m looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your work through the course of the conference.

- Susan McCollom

And I of course accepted the invitation.

Folks, there can be no simpler example of how easy it is to market yourself on the internet than the professional exchange that Susan and I had.

There can be no better example of how to prepare for a conference and get in touch with people you WANT to me than what Susan did here. Sure, their will be tons of connections after the show…but to do it before shows her excellent ability to plan and prepare for the show. She will be getting the most for her money, I’m guessing.

I’m looking forward to meeting Susan. Who is looking forward to meeting you?