I didn't attend the Voice Over International Creative Experience 2008, but here's what I know right now about the conference...
A lot of people had too good of a time, got drunk and threw up in the lobby of the Hyatt......
Oh! Zing! The Canadian leads with a cheezy one liner.....
As the title "hints", I didn't make it to the conference. Yep. Wasn't there. No attendeah...ssss......eh? No show. Nada. Couldn't make it. Busy. Lot's goin' on......
That very weekend I was actually taking in a Tom Petty concert in Winnipeg, Manitoba in conjuction with a family visit that ended up with me attending a Winnipeg Blue Bombers CFL game! They lost :-(
On the bright side, I bought another suitcase to take home some City Bread rye, 10 pounds of Lake Winnipeg pickeral, some smoked Goldeye and a couple of Jeannie's cakes. Needless to say, there were some chuckles from the normally stoic security guards at the airport.....yes, we made them laugh. It happens in Winnipeg. Ahhh...nothing like a taste of home.
Anyway, I get back to Toronto....and what do I see...? Boatloads of e-mails from people asking why I wasn't there....and many, many requests to write something about the conference; sounds like a lot of people had a good time.... ;-)!
I'm inspired! The first thing I do is drop a note to James Alburger to request some details. He goes off like a 4th of July firecracker because I used the word "review" in my e-mail to him and subsequently, we enter the ring swinging. Apparently, "I didn't see the movie" so how in the hell can I write a "REVIEW???!!!"
Point taken. Easy, James. Chill. No biggie. I'll just ask a few people what they thought and we'll go from there.....
James replies: "Talk to the vendors" and "here's some of the complaints you're likely to hear..."
At that point, I didn't even want to put "fingers to keys" as this was looking like a can of worms left to ferment in some pork-chop fat at the back of the garage over the summer....yuck. And let's not forget the rumblings of "L.A." litigation thrown around like script changes at a non-union recording session following my last article on the conference......!
I digress.
So, what to write? Well, I thought the best way to approach it was factual. .....but that's really boring. Then I thought, what if I asked everyone to comment on the individual speakers, get as much info as I can and go from there...?
"Hmmmm......Litigation Society......in L.A. Newman!"
Then........a voice (from me olde grandpappy..) came down from the heavens and suggested....."Write What You Know..."
Giddyup.
So, this I know. A lot of people had too good of a time, got drunk and threw up in the lobby of the Hyatt....
OH! Zing! Another shot from the Canadian!
OK. This I know. 459 people attended @ $596.00 a pop = $273,564 in gross revenues....give or take a few thousand.....
(Insert SFX of low whistle from Male in medium size room....)
On the subject of money, my guess is that James and Penny will likely respond by saying "We were lucky to cover our expenses..." and "We're not in it for the money..." and "This was a lot of work....a labor of love..." and "We hope we can muster up the gumption to do it next year....."
Alas, mere assumptions. What I DO know is this: The show was a success from an attendance standpoint when we compare it to the smoke-filled debacle that was Las Vegas in 2007....this.....I Know.
So, in conclusion, Dear Reader, take these points into consideration:
1) Whacks o' people showed up and they all had a good time.
2) The rate (and attendance) was almost double from the previous year.
3) A truckload of cash was generated based on the attendance figures alone. With over a 1/4 Million at stake, look for another conference next year; bigger, better and therefore, more money and, I'll go out on a HUGE limb and say that the West Coast will be the preferred location - anyone living on/near the Eastern Seaboard will have to eat it and therefore pay stupid amounts of money to attend (It would have cost me about $4,000 for the weekend if I wanted to have even a bit of fun).
Merely a prediction, of course....because, well......I wasn't there.
If you were at the conference and you want, you can send me a note and give me permission to post it here. I'll give every note due consideration but please keep in mind that this (ahem) "article" does not exist for the purpose of advertising the VOICE2008 conference or it's participants (IE: attendees only, please). Thanks for reading.
Kind regards,
Todd Schick
A voice talent with 20+ years in the industry who wishes to remain anonymous writes:
"I should mention that poor Susan Berkely had to cancel because her father passed away and there was some strong opposition to the presentation that replaced her, which basically was James and Penny talking ad nauseum about the hotel they didn't use and how they selected the logo and a bunch of other stuff that had a few people thinking about refund.
The "cool guys" were pretty much always hanging out in the lobby and (that) many of the attendees could care less about the workshops, which were heavily geared towards buying products or services or voiceover basics than they were with meeting one another.
One attendee mentioned to me it would be better for all the online and other voice talent to simply schedule a couple of mixers that might correspond with something else more interesting than hearing the rehashing of Voice Over 101 as the speakers all competed for the role of savior and James demoting them all to junior apostle. Someone mentioned a cruise. That for $595 they could probably get 500 talents and charter a cruise and that would be fun.
It is preposterous to think that anyone could absorb much from 29 speakers in 3 days. Economically and career wise, much more could have been gained for less money by buying all of the voiceover books in the universe and working a program of practicing craft and learning the business.
This isn't about any person or persons making money, but a subsection of the many, many people who are indeed getting rich from voice actors."
Editors note: Remember this person has experience in the industry, like myself. Many starting out in VO view those who are experienced as being "negative" and "cynical." It's my thinking that these same people should shut their mouths and open their minds to the concept that maybe.....just maybe....those who are experienced....know what they're talking about. We're opening your eyes....be grateful and respectful of that.
John Spackman writes: "Was it a good learning experience? No, not really. You can only pick up a few nuggets of info from each 1.5 hour presentation - although the written material is worthwhile. Was it an opportunity to evaluate voice coaches and decide if you want to use their services and/or products? Yes.
And finally, was the networking aspect worthwhile? This is the key point, and the answer is a very big YES !
Editors Note: I submit that one could only "pick up a few nuggets" because the rest of it was for sale in the back rooms.
Diane Havens writes:
"I had the most wonderful time -- of course, there was some room for improvement on details, but nothing glaring. Feedback sheets were filled out after each presentation, and after the conference as a whole for us to give our suggestions for any improvements or for kudos on a job well done.
There was a real community feel, a supportive atmosphere -- if nothing else, it pumped you up and got you reenergized about your career. And I learned some things, made contacts, met with a dear client, and most delightfully, made real, live friends with whom I could share a meal or a drink, chat about busines and pleasure, look in the eye and laugh in the sun. (And who, by the way, were not acting like college frat boys or girls gone wild -- at least for the most part.:)
It was an enjoyable, professional experience, and I combined it with a family vacation, so worked out fabulously for my husband and son as well....."
Editors note: OK....then who was it that threw up in the lobby...? DETAILS people! (lol).
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