stories and pictures from the 2009 new york city voice over mixer
Some of the Voice Over Talents on the roster of Voice Talent Productions
If you count the smiles handshakes, hugs and flashbulbs from this weekend’s New York City Voice Over Mixer – there is no way to call it anything except a great success. One of my agents, Erik Sheppard from Voice Talent Productions, put this together for the 2nd time and it was a lot of fun. Knowing how these things work, specific thanks should go to Lindsay Reiss and September Day Leach for what I am sure was a lion’s share of the work.
And best wishes to Erik and Lindsay on their impending nuptials…engaged before the event, Lindsay was actually surprised by Erik at the mixer with the actual ring.
You know a party is going to be good when you close a club in the city and have to cap the guest list. I think we were at about 250 people for the event. It was packed.
Some of the members of the VO-BB.com - photo courtesy of VoiceChasers.com
There were two great joys attending this event (which I almost didn’t go to as daughter started a 24 hour bug on the way with the family to drop Da off at the airport…she’s perfectly fine now): seeing all my VO-BB friends many of which I know in real life but some of whom I had only known for years virtually; and then getting to meet so many familiar and new voice talents from around the country and around the world.
New York’s weather was not even in the vicinity of perfect as it poured rained with alternating snow most of the early evening (it was yucky). But that didn’t stop these voice talents from getting to their appointed destination. And as always with any good trip, there fun stories along the way.
The VO-BB gang, lead by the talented and generous D.B. Cooper, decided late Friday on line that we would have a pre-mixer get together at a place called Boca Chica on 1st Street in the village, near the mixer at 5:00 p.m. AT 4:50 p.m. while I am in a cab to the event, D.B. calls me to tell me the restaurant doesn’t open until 5:30 p.m. I figure, it’s NYC so there WILL be a bar nearby and I’ll make my way over to the restaurant at 5:30. D.b. also asked me to advise anyone at the restaurant of the same issue.
Voice Talent Lee Gordon (I swear it's him)
Well I got to my destination and standing outside -in the rain- in front of a bar right next to Boca Chica is my friend Lee Gordon, whom I promptly ordered out of the rain and into the bar he stood in front of, which was dry, warm and deserted. We had a very nice visit and were quickly joined by a fellow VO-BB Tony Impieri.
Voice Talent Tony Impieri
At 5:30, my good friend Doug Turkel pinged me to say that he, Bob Souer, Dave Courvoisier and Anthony Mendez had smashed the door down at Boca Chica to get seated and indeed when Lee, Tony and I made our way next door, the staff had to unlock the door for us. From that point on, I think the noise level in New York City hit a record high cause nobody shut up…we’re voice talkers for goodness sake, what could you expect.
Voice Talents Melissa Exelberth, Anthony Mendez and Peter K. O'Connell
This will sound a bit like a Mouseketeers roll-call but at the restaurant in addition to us seven guys were also D.b. Cooper (with her talented husband Dewitt Hardy) Mary McKitrick, Moe Egan, Liz deNesnera, Melissa Exelberth, Elaine Singer, Mandy Nelson, Pam Tierney (all lovely and talented), as well as John Florian from Voice Over Xtra. Likely getting the award for furthest traveled (England and Scotland no less) were Elisa Canas and Philip Banks (a terrific table mate – great insight). Truth be told, I think many folks on the VO-BB registered once Philip announced he was coming over because we all hold him in high esteem and has been a virtual friend for so long. Voice Talents Lee Gordon and Mandy Nelson
Voice Talent Moe Egan snaps some pics
So then it was off to the party which was in FULL swing when we all got there, met at the door with a guest list and everything. It feels like I met a million people and I know I am inadvertently and inexcusably forgetting some folks but here’s who I remember (and please add your name in the comments if I forgot you while you simultaneously accept my apologies: Linda Ristig, Diane Dimond, Terry Daniel, Michael Schoen, new dad Dave DeAndrea, “Uncle” Roy Yokelson, Michael Valentin, James Clamp (thank you for your kind words), Diane Havens, Tricia Basanyi, Ron Levine, C.C. Petersen, Bob Bergen, THE Patrick O’Connor, Tom Dheere, Mark Stewart, the great Bobbi Owens, my long time pal Stephanie Ciccarelli, Randye Kaye, and the very kind and talented Melanie Ehrlich.
Voice Talents Bob Souer and Pam Tierney try to figure out which camera to look at (that was a pleasant challenge for everyone all night long)
The O'Boys with Courvo- THE Patrick O'Connor, Dave Courvoisier and Peter K. O'Connell
Voice Talents Pam Tierney and Peter K. O'Connell
Voice Talents Peter K. O'Connell & Philip Banks - it was about 2:00 a.m. UK time for Philip when we took this picture but he was standing tall (which compared to me is relatively easy)
Voice talents Dave Courvoisier, Peter K. O'Connell and Elaine Singer
Voice Talents Peter K. O'Connell and the great Bobbi Owens
I thought I could summon the stamina of my youth but by 11:00 p.m. I was back at my sister-in-law’s apartment in my bed to catch some sleep before the car service arrived early Sunday. A terrific trip with new and old friends whose kindness and professionalism I cherish greatly. Thanks everyone.
P.S. The best looking man in voiceover, Dave Courvoisier, proved his talents expand beyond his voice talent abilities with an animoto slide show featuring a montage of many other pictures from the New York City Voice Over Mixer. Great job Dave, thanks.
P.P.S. I’ve now come across what I believe is the definitive compilation of pictures from the New York City Voice Over Mixer running over 8 minutes so it’s possible if you aren’t in one of these pictures…you were too busy taking pictures of other people to pose for one of your own.
Peter, I was greatly relieved to see you hop out of your cab on that nasty-weather evening.
And while it may be true I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I do want to at least partially dispell the notion that I’m too dumb to come in out of the rain.
The reason you found me in front of the bar next door to Boca Chica was they had an awning. And I was standing under it.
One good thing about the hours-of-operation discrepancy was it afforded you, me, and our new friend Tony the opportunity to have a pleasant chat in the relative isolation of La Linea (the place next door), which became even more isolated when our enthusiastic voice-overist chatter undoubtedly chased the only “civilian” patron from the bar, leaving the three of us as the only company for our friendly bartender Natasha (who kindly let you use her dongle to charge your iPhone).
Hahahaha, yes you were under an awning but I was sure it was going to collapse under the rain water deluge. It was a great start to my evening visiting with you and Tony and the only time all evening my ears weren’t ringing.
Best always,
– Peter
What a treat! Goes down as one of the best dinners I’ve ever enjoyed (and not because of the food – although that was great as well). Glad to see you had a relatively uneventful flight this time. Peace!
Thanks Anthony – it was a wonderful surprise to see you; so glad you came out. Bob Souer has that power over people – dragging them from the comfort of their homes kicking a screaming (just kidding).
Best always,
– Peter
[…] December 7, 2009 by Bob My friends Dave DeAndrea and Peter O’Connell have also blogged about their experiences this weekend in New York. (I’ll add additional […]
Peter,
In this case, I wasn’t the one organizing the thing; but I am so glad to have had a chance to sit next to you and your nose hairs for our dinner. And I’m very glad to know your daughter is feeling better.
Be well,
Bob
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Peter O'Connell and Liz de Nesnera, Ron Levine. Ron Levine said: RT @audioconnell: stories and pictures from the 2009 new york city #voiceover mixer http://ping.fm/ZCLCg […]
Hahaha, me and my nose hairs! You’re one of my favorite dinner mates Bob, and I’ll phone you up next visit to PIT!
Best always,
– Peter
[…] many voice talents and not enough time. Great night, more pics are here __________________ – Peter audio'connell Voice Over Talent Web: http://www.audioconnell.com Blog: […]
[…] friends Dave DeAndrea and Peter O’Connell have also blogged about their experiences this weekend in New York. (I’ll add additional […]
Great write-up Peter…what an honor to breathe the same air as you…uh…er…share the same space?…yeah! that sounds better…
I finally posted my summary of the day here: http://www.courvo.biz/2009/12/nyc-vo-meet-up.html
with some more pics, and a few fill-in-the-blanks… but you’ve said it all — a terrific trip!
CourVO
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by audioconnell: stories and pictures from the 2009 new york city #voiceover mixer http://ping.fm/ZCLCg…
Thanks for the mention Peter. I don’t remember the nose hairs but I certainly remember the smiles. Good seeing you.
James
Hi James,
That nose hair comment refers to a picture Bob Souer took of me quickly and happened to be from an angle looking right up my nose…pretty darn funny.
So glad you made it to the mixer. Continued success to you in 2010.
Best always,
– Peter
Hi Dave,
Loved the pics, sorry I missed lunch with you guys Saturday but I forgot to bring my ark to paddle through NY. 🙂
Glad you got home OK. Hope to see you again soon- really glad u made it to the party!
Best always,
– Peter
Hey – Nicely reviewed! – Had a great time and was nice to see you again and all the others new friends and old!!
Hi Bobbi,
Glad that you were there, terrific night. Also, I just posted a You Tube video to my original post with a slide show on the party created by Dave Courvoisier. I hope you enjoy it.
Best always,
– Peter
What a great evening!
We really need to do this more often!
It was great to see you Peter, as well as Bob and Dave and Moe and Philip………I feel like the woman from Romper Room!
Come back soon, y’hear? 🙂
Peace!
Liz
What a blast!
And what a great write-up Peter!
Had I not been lucky enough to recognize both you and Lee (from your avatars) through the steamy window of the bar next door, I would have missed my chance of spending some quiet time with 2 of the nicest folks in the VO business…(stress on the QUIET and NICEST)!
Glad to see that you both made it home safely.
Take care,
Tony
Hey Liz,
You know when I head back to the City all the locals will get together!
Great seeing you – glad you are doing well.
Best always,
– Peter
Tony:
I’m tellin’ ya, our pre-pre-event meet included the most sane conversations that I could actually hear that night. Thanks for taking the initiative to come in.
And now I’ve add somebody’s 8+ minute montage of what has to be damn near every picture taken at the mixer.
Best always,
– Peter
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Hi Peter!
I just came across your page and took a walk down memory lane. It was really fun to look at the pictures and remember the friendly faces and wonderful conversations from the Mixer. Judging from the abundant smiles, spirits didn’t seem to be dampened in spite of the horrible weather. I truly enjoyed reading this write-up, and wanted to wish you and yours all the joy and prosperity you deserve for this new year!
Kindest regards,
Linda
Hi Linda:
I’m really glad you found the page and no doubt the others on Facebook and other blogs.
With all the flashbulbs going off on me and others, it was like being famous. And I think my threshold for that is about once a year. 😉
Best always,
– Peter