Bobbin's Blog

One Union Website is now live

Bobbin Beam — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:07:00 GMT

There's been a flurry of information about the upcoming proposed merger of SAG-AFTRA into one performers' union. Ballots will be mailed to paid up members February 27th. Here's the latest communique:

The SAG-AFTRA One Union website is now live at www.sagaftra.org — click the link to get full details about the proposed merger of AFTRA and SAG.

SAG-AFTRA Merger Docs & More Links

Bobbin Beam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:31:34 GMT

Here is the latest from the union:

Dear AFTRA Members:

We apologize for the previous flash that had incorrect links to the merger documents.

As you know, merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about Feb. 27 – but all members of both unions now have access to the complete merger documents online. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter along with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision. Please click the below links to view the SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement, SAG-AFTRA Constitution and the P&H&R Feasibility Report.

PLEASE NOTE: Ballots were sent on Monday, Jan. 30 for the AFTRA Network Television Code. Merger ballots will be sent on Feb. 27 after the conclusion of the Network Television Code ballot deadline of Feb. 22.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA MERGER AGREEMENT.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA CONSTITUTION.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE P&H&R FEASIBILITY REPORT.

As a reminder, watch for the launch of the new joint website to provide members all the information they will want to consider before casting their votes. The website will include complete merger details, FAQs, and a comprehensive calendar of events to alert members nationwide to informational meetings and other opportunities for learning about the plan. Watch your email later this week for details of the website launch.

More on SAG-AFTRA Merger

Bobbin Beam — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:15:33 GMT

Thank you my talented male voice talent friend from Chicago, Jack Shaw, for providing the following information for those interested in learning more about the upcoming vote to merge SAG-AFTRA into one performers union.
===============

You can find full discussion of the merger issues in several places. You
can find the documents for the merger agreement, the new constitution
and a feasibility study report at either AFTRA. org or SAG.com.

For discussions try SAGAFTRANext. com or the facebook pages "AftraNow,"
"Screen Actors Guild," "SAG," or "SAG-AFTRA Merger."

Urgent: Commercial Extras needed tomorrow

Bobbin Beam — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:00:52 GMT

Here's a job posting I received from an agent in Baltimore for some non-union extra work happening tomorrow in Baltimore, MD.

Please feel free to pass this email along to people you know who might qualify.

We're looking for non-union actors to work background on some commercial spots shooting tomorrow, Wednesday 2/1, in Baltimore. Approximate call time is 6:30am and the shoot will be a full day. The rate is $250 flat.

If you are available ALL DAY tomorrow and would like to be considered, please email julie@taylorroyall.com with the following:

Subject: 2/1 BG work

Name

Phone #

Age Range

Attach a current headshot/photo

We will be in touch later today with more details if you are selected. If you are not available all day/evening, please don't submit.

SAG-AFTRA Merger: Will 3rd time be a charm?

Bobbin Beam — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:36:10 GMT

I've voted in favor of merger the last two times in which it failed. To say I was disappointed and incredulous at the time is an understatement. So I am inclined to think, "Here we go again."

Will the third trip to the altar make it? Here's the latest communication from the unions on events that took place over the weekend.

I will scrutinize every word of the ballot and attend member meetings to make a fully informed decision this time around. Times have changed since the last ballot. Or have they? Let's watch and see.
==================

"To Our Fellow AFTRA and SAG Members:

This weekend, the SAG and AFTRA National Boards took a decisive step to strengthen our future by overwhelmingly endorsing a plan to merge the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild. If members approve the merger, the new union will be called SAG-AFTRA.

The vote of the unions’ National Boards came after more than a year of focused effort to hear from members about their needs for stronger union representation and to develop a merger plan to meet those needs. With the enthusiastic approval of our boards, the decision now rests in the hands of AFTRA and SAG members.

Merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about February 27 – but all members of both unions will have access to the complete merger documents within the next couple of days on the SAG and AFTRA websites. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision.

We’re also excited to announce that on Friday, February 3, we will launch a new joint website to provide members all the information they’ll want to consider before casting their votes. The website will include complete merger details, FAQs, and a comprehensive calendar of events to alert members nationwide to informational meetings and other opportunities for learning about the plan. Watch your email later this week for details of the website launch.

After more than a year of intensive work, we are extremely proud to bring you this historic opportunity. We also want to acknowledge the ceaseless dedication of the AFTRA and SAG members and staff who came together as the Group for One Union (G1) to produce this remarkable plan. We look forward to sharing all the details and answering any questions you may have. Finally, we are confident that SAG and AFTRA members will embrace this singular chance to harness the true power of unity, and that SAG-AFTRA will protect members and shape the entertainment and media industries for decades to come."

In unity,

Roberta Reardon, President
AFTRA

Ken Howard, President
Screen Actors Guild

VO Workshop

Bobbin Beam — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:43:26 GMT

I had a wonderful day yesterday. I got up early and drove into the city to attend a fine commercial audition workshop in Hollywood at the office of casting director Elaine Craig.

The intensive workshop had only 10 participants, all working pros.

We all read a number of radio and TV spots. We also got to see/hear the final reads that got booked.

Elaine was an agent at one time with the William Morris Agency, and also at Special Artists, which was where she decided her calling was being a "director".

Everyone had the chance to work out with plenty of mic time, and ask and share questions about the business.

Elaine shared some excellent tips about commercial voiceover auditions and how to connect with the copy for today's reads.

Now most voice talent who don't audition at their agent's office need to rely on our instincts at self-directing our auditions. We discussed techniques and choices to consider to set us apart from "the crowd".

The coolest exercise we did was one in which we connected with our core values and did some commercial reads to accompany to written part of the exercise.
The before and after reads were dramatically interesting, different, and textured.

I thoroughly enjoyed the workout and came home with a handful of golden nuggets to boot!

I can't wait to get my recordings with before/after reads.

The Way It Is...For Now (Att: Female Voice Talent)

Bobbin Beam — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:15:40 GMT

Yes, Movie Trailer voice work is mostly a male dominated niche, but hooray for my friend Melissa Disney, and thanks for the insight from Joan Baker, too.

Have you seen this latest article from the New York Times?

Why Men Always Tell You To See Movies

For Aspiring Voice Talent Solopreneurs

Bobbin Beam — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:29:33 GMT

I'm often approached by people for advice about "the voice-over business ". There are many resources available to new people, some excellent, others less than legitimate. These are just some random suggestions that are far from a complete plan, that someone will find useful.

To start, never, ever pay money for agency representation, and hang on to your bucks.

While being in business for yourself is clearly attainable, you must look before you make the leap, and map your journey in advance. It will certainly help to have certainly saved up about six months' to a year of living expenses while bootstrapping the new venture.

Ditch the Ego

If you're feeling a certain sense of entitlement, reconsider. Ego is rampant in show business. Yes, some ego is needed to be in business for yourself and inherent in the creative process But, Never take anything for granted in this economy and in this business. To succeed you can only count on hard work and persistence. A certain measure of ego is needed, but place your efforts into becoming useful and valuable. Rather than rehash and list things already out there, I’ll provide some of my own general tips which apply to most job seekers and sound business people.

Ask and answer the right questions. Remember, you'll be required to wear many hats, including selling yourself as a talent in an already highly competitive marketplace.

What hole are you going to fill? What problems are you going to solve? Who is your customer? How will you reach him or her? What are your rates? How many customers will you need to be profitable? Test your assumptions, execute the plan, and restate your goals, updating quarterly or as needed.

To Market to market

Being customer-centric is critical, and make sure you get out and meet some of them, face to face. There's a high likelihood that you'll find potential clients in your locale. The marketing portion of any business plan is most important. It'll be worth it in the long run to take your time to get it right.

Have the right Associations

Are you hanging out in the right places with the right people, or are you preaching to the choir? If all you do is chat with people who'll never provide a snowball's chance of offering legitimate voiceover work, you're wasting previous time. This goes for online and face to face connections. The most direct route to a job is to your associations. Think about it. Associations are not only singular peeps, but also organized groups. There are a number of the right places to not only join, but to become involved in, both virtually and face to face. You can market your services to everyone you interact with, but your chances are better in producers' associations and the like.

Seek your passion

In these interesting economic times, and lackluster employment rolls, many are opting to take control of their own destinies and release themselves for the prospect of the layoff by someone with the power. Train and/or find a mentor.

Be Realistic

Not everyone will be the next Pixar, or video game or commercial voiceover star. Focus on an area that best suits your vocal strength. Outfit your recording space with the best technology you can afford for now. Starting out simply is a good idea, especially when you don't have a lot of money to invest.

Most communities have small business development centers where you can get low or no cost help with your plan. If you don't plan, you'll plan to fail.

"Peter Pan" Audio Book Released

Bobbin Beam — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:20:57 GMT

Female Voice Talent Bobbin Beam, voices new audiobook version of "Peter Pan"

Cherry Hill Publishing has released the unabridged audio version of acclaimed Scottish novelist and playwright, James Matthew Barrie's "Peter Pan". Peter Pan is the story of a mischievous boy who can fly and never grows up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 23, 2012 - http://www.prlog.org/11779675-female-voice-talent-bobbin-beam-voices-new-audiobook-version-of-peter-pan.html

San Diego, CA: Cherry Hill Publishing has released the unabridged audio version of acclaimed Scottish novelist and playwright, James Matthew Barrie's "Peter Pan". Peter Pan is the story of a mischievous boy who can fly and never grows up. The new audio version is available for download at Audible.com, Amazon.com and iTunes and is formatted for use on most computers, tablets, audio devices and smart phones.

The character of Peter Pan first appeared in a section of a novel written by Barrie for adults in 1902, "The Little White Bird". The Pan character was adapted for stage as a play in 1904, "Peter Pan and Wendy"' and then later in 1911, as the novel, "Peter Pan". The most widely known version of the story is the 1953 animated motion picture, "Walt Disney's Peter Pan".

The notion of a boy who would never grow up was based on J. M. Barrie's older brother who died in an ice-skating accident the day before he turned fourteen years old and thus always stayed a young boy in his mother's mind.

In the 1953 Disney adaptation and its 2002 sequel, Peter appears to be in late childhood, between 10 and 13 years old. (The actor that provided the voice in 1953 was 15-year-old Bobby Driscoll.) In the 2003 film, Jeremy Sumpter was 13 at the time filming started, but by the end of filming he was 14 and had grown several inches taller.

The new audio edition of “Peter Pan”, released in late 2011, is narrated by Bobbin Beam, a voice actress based in Escondido, California.

Bobbin Beam, who works as a full-time voice actress has been the voice behind many projects over the past 25 years which include national radio and television commercials for Disney, Citgo, Kellogg’s. Lifelock, and The Shopping Channel, to audiobooks, and television documentaries. For bookings, contact Solid Talent in Los Angeles, or visit www.bobbinbeam.com/ style="font-size: 12px;"> to hear more audio samples and demos of Bobbin Beam’s voice over work.

SOPA & PIPA and the internet blackout

Bobbin Beam — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:38:06 GMT

Yesterday was really bizarre when I went to Google and saw the black box over its name. The internet was in blackout mode to call attention to a huge, world-wide issue of intellectual rights.

Today a couple of related stories hit the web as this issue becomes more heated: How does any "body" stop online piracy, and who will be responsible for the ACT's enforcement?

From the Voice123 Blog, Steven Lowell takes some time to explain:

Why voiceover talent should be watching SOPA and PIPA

And the Hollywood unions, such as AFTRA/SAG which also include many voiceover people in its rank and file were blasting Google over PIPA.

LA Times article

How does and will this affect us as artists?

2012- A New Year, A New You

Bobbin Beam — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:09:48 GMT

So here we are, and it’s already mid-January. How are you doing with your resolutions/plans and goals for 2012?

Are you doing everything you can to get what you want (and deserve)?

I’m just coming off of my best year ever and am working to keep the momentum going. Every day I plan to make 2012 better than ever, and I’m going to share some of my methods and inspirations here for those who may be interested.

Applying the Pareto Principle

To stay on track, Pareto's Principle, the 80/20 Rule, should serve as a daily reminder to focus 80 percent of your time and energy on the 20 percent of you work that is really important. Don't just "work smart", work smart on the right things.

We’re always so busy, but on what? Many of us are undisciplined, and itis hard to gain any traction, much less momentum by multi-tasking and doing, doing, doing. It’s imperative to rid ourselves of the extraneous junk, unplug, and reboot our life!

Here are some tips from excellent thought leader John C. Maxwell about applying the Pareto Principle as a guideline to assist in decision making so the 20% will rise to the top of our to-do lists:

· What must I do

· What provides me the greatest return?

· What do I love to do, and what’s the most rewarding?

In order to make progress we must change ourselves. A little bit each day can compound into sweeping changes over time. One of my mentors, Lee Silber suggests the following approach:

Take a stack of index cards and on each card write down one task that takes up your time. Then on the back of each card in your stack put a heart if you love it. Put a star if you are good at it. Add a dollar sign if it makes or saves you money. Add a check mark if you must do it or else bad thingswill happen. Finally, put a plus sign if doing this makes a difference in the world. It will quickly become clear which things you do during the day are most important.

Change What you Can

Remember that you’re only as good or as successful at anything as what you did last time. So in order to change, you must be open, and proactive. For me, I want to become a better communicator, be a mentor and expand my own mentorship base, and effect change in my life and the lives of others. I won’t spend time trying to change things I cannot, and must therefore in essence walk away and tune out from about 90% of the noise “outside”. I must feel comfortable knowing that most of the answers to what I need to know to change lie within. I’ll read inspiring or educational articles first thing every day, and let the key points mentally “marinate”.

Words are your world, Your thoughts are your life

In voiceover, we work with words. They are our world. When we use our words effectively, we can become better communicators, and change the world in our work. When we receive a script, it is a gift. It is a way to take care of your customers’ needs. We are cultivating and preserving our relationships at the same time. We’re bettering our lot and that of whom we serve. For me, each script stirs my passion to create, which is a huge reward in itself.

Here’s an excellent video about the power of words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

When we keep in mind that results are our goals, we’ll automatically move in their direction. If we can capitalize on our successes by following the direction of our thoughts, we can and will change our lives.