Caitlin Sanchez - Voice of Dora The Explorer; Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon-AP

This is not the first voiceover contract battle nor will it likely be the last but Caitlin Sanchez family’s lawsuit now filed against defendants Nickelodeon, MTV Networks and Viacom International is a bit more high profile than most.

It pits Viacom, one of the world’s largest communication companies and owner of many media properties including MTV as well as Nickelodeon against the plaintiff Sanchez (and her family) who was hired in 2007 as the voice of Dora the Explorer for the wildly popular and profitable cartoon series of the same name. The family

According to the article in the New York Daily News, the suit claims “Defendants used Caitlin, unjustly enriching themselves of millions of dollars in profits from the series and branded products, which Caitlin preformed and promoted,” and that Sanchez’ Dora deal promised her more than $5,000 an episode and compensation in residuals and merchandising.

After negotiations between the parties failed the lawsuit, which the defendant’s attorney claim is “without merit”, was filed.

My take on these suits is always “we’ll see”.

Tags: animation, casting, character voices, commentary, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover // Comments Off on the voiceover fight is on: “dora the explorer” vs. viacom

Voice Talent & Audio Consultant Dan Lenard

I got a note from John Florian from VoiceOver Xtra! (maybe you did too) that the online pub is hosting a seminar with Dan Lenard in New York City on October 23rd entitled De-Mystifying Audio Recording & Editing.

It will take place at Studios 353, 353 West 48th Street, 2nd Floor in Manhattan from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is an early bird discount for those who book by October 15th.

For full details click here.

Tags: commentary, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice // Comments Off on be de-mystified with dan lenard

As of October 4, 2010 my Cincinnati-based agents at Heyman Talent, led by Lynn Heyman, will have new, (and I’m assuming snazzy) digs.

Their old address was:
3308 Brotherton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45209

Lynn has moved them to Heyman Talent’s new address:
700 West Pete Rose Way, Suite 434,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Their phone number and web site did not change

The address and phone number of the Columbus, OH office, led by Thomas McClure, also did not change (but I bet it got called on to help with the move!)

Tags: commentary, voiceover // Comments Off on heyman talent artist agency is on the move

Voice Over Talent Bill Roberts Brady

Bob Souer found this blog before me (but Bob’s more popular and people tell him stuff) ;).

No matter as a good VO blog is a good VO blog no matter where I found it. And now I am a subscriber.

Tags: blogroll, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover blog // Comments Off on welcome bill roberts brady to the blogroll

Because of my proximity to Toronto, I know of the Toronto-based social media author, broadcaster and blogger Amber MacArthur or Amber Mac as she’s known, maybe more than most folks in the states – although the web knows no borders.

I really enjoy one of her shows, CommandN and saw on her blog that she was recently featured in a video on a blog (also featured below). Amber has a new book out so she’s out hawking it like any capitalist author should do.

So I checked out the video and was blown away…not so much but the content which was fine but by the presentation of video which was unlike anything I’d seen on the web not produced by a network news department and re-purposed for the web.

Jimm Foxx and Rob Woodbridge have created an amazingly professional, interesting show that looks like it could be on a broadcast television network (any network) right now. It’s brilliant.

Why is this a big deal? Folks, I owned a video production company for many years and produced, directed and wrote more than my share of videos…it is a TON of work to get all the elements created and produced in such a way that it comes together looking so sharp.

Walking interviews, cut away, sit down interview with multiple cameras, motion graphics…it takes time and resources. Freshly produced video on the web is not new. For example, Amber’s CommandN show is nice Rebel Voice’s production takes the production quality standard to a new level.

So to see Rebel Voice on a web based platform should make you applaud AND wonder…what does this mean for TV, for broadcasting, for the tools we use to absorb media.

If a two man web operation can do this and make it look this good, this viewer friendly….obliterating the line (certainly in the consumer’s mind just by watching it) of broadcast media and web media…can they both coexist or does one have to die off? How quick a death?

We are the people for whom this information is being created and these web channels are the tubes through which they are sent – does it make you think about the media’s future or is it just another day in webville?

Rebel Voice Episode #3 Amber MacArthur from Rob Woodbridge on Vimeo.

Tags: broadcasting, commentary, community, social media, video // 5 Comments »

Two Time Radio Mercury Award Nominee - Voice Talent Bob Souer

This is a big freakin’ deal.

For the radio industry, the Radio Mercury Awards are the real deal.

Ad agency’s get to take home the prizes (don’t they always – but we love our ad agencies here, no bitterness ;). For the associated producers and voice over talents, such a nomination is a real honor – hardware or not.

Well my friend Bob Souer (and truth be told, he’s everyone’s friend – he’s not terribly particular about his friends which is how I made the cut) is the sole announcer in not one but TWO commercials that are nominated for Radio Mercury Awards this year.

Two things stand out in both spots: great writing (and that’s usually where everything begins) and wonderful voice over interpretations.

Bob notes it’s an honor to be nominated – it is, he should be and I’m hoping you’ll join me in offering great wishes for a big win for my pal (our pal) Bob.

Radio Mercury Award Nominee-Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (Bob Souer, Voice Talent)
[audio:http://www.audioconnell.com/clientuploads/mp3/Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation_Bob Souer Voice Talent.mp3]

Radio Mercury Award Nominee-Apex Pest Control (Bob Souer, Voice Talent)
[audio:http://www.audioconnell.com/clientuploads/mp3/Apex Pest Control_Bob Souer Voice Talent.mp3]

All commercials herein are copyrighted by their respective owners.

Tags: announcers, commentary, commercials, community, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover // Comments Off on bob souer is a TWO time radio mercury award nominee