September is National Voice Over Month

Not to be too dramatic about it, but it’s about damn time.

Almost every group, organization and/or species has a week or month named in honor of them. Often times it sounds like a joke when you hear some of their names and so too may the impression here now for some, but it’s not.

My friend and fellow Voice Over Talent Dave Courvoisier kinda mentioned the idea in passing when he noticed in his blog about a week or so ago</</a>b> h... Amy Snively’s</</a>b> Faffcon is taking place in Portland, Oregon on September 11 & 12th. Joan Baker’s New York City-based “That’s Voiceover” is taking place on September 22nd. These events in addition to the usual voice over seminar suspects like Pat Fraley’s regional seminar in Buffalo, NY on September 25th & 26th mean that the summer slumber has been shaken off.

Then Dave sent me an email Saturday (yes, just this past Saturday) saying this National Voice Over Month idea was gnawing at him and what did I think.

I copied him, Amy Snively and Bob Souer on my answer (because I feel it’s always better to cause trouble in a group); my answer was that Dave’s idea for a National Voice Over Month was the right idea and that we could pull it off in four days…and now we are.

Somewhere in there, Voice Over Xtra!’s John Florian and Voice Talent and Social Media Tour De Force Terry Daniel I believe also got roped into this and I think there are many others who are contributing to this month long event as well. I hope you’ll take time to acknowledge all their efforts when you see them on-line on blogs, podcasts, videos or social media outlets like Twitter or FACEBOOK etc.

Dave grabbed a domain and created a web site, Amy drew up a logo, I helped with some copy and we’re all still actively adding to the program – as a professional voice talent you are sincerely encouraged to participate in whatever manner you feel you want to…maybe comment on blogs, retweet #NVOM announcements, or maybe create a Voice Over meetup in your city where all the voice talents get together for a visit.

One of the more interesting things to see was how Dave (the true driving force of this idea) called for a hastily called weekend vote on Saturday from the board of SOVOA to endorse and support September as National Voice Over Month; by Sunday it was passed. Brilliantly executed and kudos to the Board for the response time.

Our goal, I think, is simple and openly self-serving– share with as many people as possible what Voice Over Talents do, who they are and where they can be found. Yes, we are trying to create awareness among potential employers for every voice over professional in this industry but I think we’re also trying build on the credibility we’ve established in the wake of our collective professional works this far.

I’m proud of my very small part in all this because I believe strongly not only in the art and industry of Voice Over but also in the men, women and children who perform within it around the world. We are a talented bunch and it’s not a bad thing that we say that ever so briefly…maybe once a year.

Will you celebrate with us? Let me know how you’ll be a part of National Voice Over Month.

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Comment by Peter K. O'Connell audio'connell on September 6, 2010 at 5:17pm: TJ

If our business can't be fun then why bother. I think its an awesome idea.

Best always,
- Peter

Comment by TJ Jones on September 6, 2010 at 2:34pm: As it happens, international 'Talk like a Pirate Day' is September 19, perhaps I'm not taking this seriously enough, but I would love for everyone to record one audition or piece of copy in full 'Pirate-ese' and share it among our fellow VO talents on the 19th. A silly idea to celebrate, but a fun one!

Comment by Bobbin Beam on September 2, 2010 at 1:06pm: I would have placed this into my client newsletter released about 10 days ago, but the celebration of started after that, so I'm doing a blog post today. Hooray for us!

Comment by Debbie Munro on September 2, 2010 at 12:47pm: What so this means I have to launch my own Country crusade? LOL.......
I just always assume I'm one with you out there in the U S of A.....LOL

Well I am celebrating and spreading the word....unless someone is giving us a paid holiday, we can celebrate much the same.

Yes I was also going to mention the VoicesofVision.ca event Sept. 23-25 *have a few workshops of my own as well coming up....in a few Canadian cities.....Sept is definetly here and it was a very busy Aug...

Hope you are wonderful Peter....

I look forward to our INTERNational month (Self proclaimed of course for now)

Deb

Comment by Peter K. O'Connell audio'connell on September 2, 2010 at 8:47am: Hi Deb,

Because we did everything so fast (idea to launch in about 5 days) we thought - depending on first year success - we'd add INTERnational next year...but know that the SPIRIT if not the name of the event is totally international. Canada is like America's Irish cousin...no blood relation but as much a member of the family as your Mother.

To wit, Jodi Krangle just pinged my blog to remind me about Voices of Vision this month- which we hopefully will be adding to the NVOM calendar today.

Best always,
- Peter

Comment by Debbie Munro on September 2, 2010 at 12:19am: Happy Voice Over Month EVERYONE
Congrats Dave, Peter, Amy and the rest of the gang.....So proud to claim this as VO Month - on so fitting on my birthday month - perhaps it was named just for that reason - LOL - JUST KIDDING - JUST KIDDING

I'm so honored to be a part of such a wonderful celebration of accomplishment and will spread the word!

InterNational VoiceOver Month - Where our Voice is Heard!
Or perhaps
InterNational VoiceOver Month - A celebration of creation!
or perhaps
International VoiceOver Month - Where a bunch of big mouths get to celebrate!

Feel so behind in contribution, I want to contribute something....
All my best
Deb Munro

Comment by Peter K. O'Connell audio'connell on September 1, 2010 at 8:43pm: Great stuff guys. Glad your willing to support it and I hope its a tool to help build your business this month.

Best always,
- Peter

Comment by AL B Conahan on September 1, 2010 at 7:23pm: I'm in. I posted a link on my website to NVOM. www.albcvopro.com Hear the voices heard round the world.
A nice way to celebrate.
AL B Conahan

Comment by John Melley on September 1, 2010 at 6:26pm: This can be a great marketing opportunity with our clients and prospects for all of us. I just posted a video asking people to share how they're going to celebrate National Voice Over Month.

I'll put all the different ideas together from everyone and post it on my blog. It should generate a lot of great ideas and we can all use it as a resource to market our businesses!

Here' s the link!
http://www.johnmelley.com/_blog/John_Melley%E2%80%99s_VO_Blog/post/...