Creating Best Practices for Kids in Voiceover: Insights from Industry Moms

This episode of The NAVAgator Podcast by the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA) discusses the development of the Best Practices for Kids in Voiceover. Host Carin Gilfry, with guests Jennifer Sun Bell, and Laya Hoffman (all mothers of young voice actors), share their experiences, challenges, and insights into working with children in the voiceover industry. They cover the nuances of protecting children's futures and voices, highlight crucial guidelines for auditions, directed sessions, and rate usage, and emphasize the importance of creating a safe and empowering environment for young voice actors. The episode serves as a valuable resource for parents and industry professionals working with child voice actors.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

01:41 The Origin Story of Best Practices for Kids in Voiceover

04:51 Challenges and Solutions in Kids' Voiceover Work

07:15 The Importance of Best Practices and Guidelines

08:43 Breaking Down the Best Practices

15:26 Audition Guidelines and Turnaround Times

20:16 Musical Auditions and Challenges

22:00 Directed Sessions: Best Practices

23:47 Parental Advocacy in Sessions

31:50 Rates, Usage, and Legalities

37:40 Final Thoughts and Resources

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In episode six of The Navigator Podcast, Vice President Karin Gilfry speaks with Maria Pendolino, hailed as an expert negotiator in the voice acting industry; and Graeme Spicer. They discuss strategies for standing up for oneself in business dealings, drawing on Maria's career transition from finance to voice acting. Key topics include navigating negotiations, understanding client needs, setting fair rates, managing relationships with agents, and protecting oneself against potential AI misuse. This episode offers practical advice for voice actors on effectively managing their careers and ensuring fair treatment from clients.

00:00 Introduction to Negotiation for Voice Actors

00:50 Meet Maria Pendolino: The Queen of Negotiation

02:35 Maria's Journey: From Corporate America to Voice Acting

06:16 The Art and Commerce of Voice Acting

08:45 Practical Tips for Negotiating Rates

16:54 Handling Client Relationships and Quotes

22:25 Working with Agents and Managers

27:02 Contracts and AI Concerns

36:49 Conclusion and Contact Information

www.voicebymaria.com

Maria Pendolino is an award-winning voice actor who began her performing career scream-singing Broadway musicals like Phantom of The Opera and Les Mis in her basement, while dragging her parents along to community theatre auditions. Today, Maria works across voiceover genres like commercials, promo, animation, games, industrial, imaging, documentary, politicals, telephony, and more.

As a voiceover industry educator, Maria often presents classes and webinars that focus on topics like thinking like a business, negotiation, marketing, building a solid business foundation, and taking your income to the next level.

Maria lives in Buffalo, NY with her husband Eric and their tuxedo & calico cats. She proudly serves on NAVA's Advisory Board and is active with the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. She was also a founding member of the Disabled Voice Actors Directory (DVAD). Her fun fact is that she was on an episode of HGTV's House Hunters. You can see more about Maria on her website, voicebymaria.com.

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Protecting your Voice Data: The Fair Voices Pledge & AI in Voice Acting

In this episode of The Navigator podcast, host Matthew Parham, along with Vice President Carin Gilfry and President Tim Friedlander, discuss the Fair Voices Pledge with Rolf Veldman, CEO of online casting site Voice123. The episode delves into the initiatives behind the Fair Voices Pledge, which ensures companies handling voice actor sound files agree not to use or sell these files for AI training without consent. The discussion highlights the importance of legislative protections for biometric data, the evolving role of AI in the voice acting industry, and how voice actors can safeguard their work. The panel provides insights from both the voice actor and company perspectives, emphasizing the need for transparency and the ethical handling of voice data.

00:00 Introduction to AI in Voice Acting

01:13 Overview of the Fair Voices Campaign

03:26 Voice 1, 2, 3's Role and Ethical Practices

07:19 Addressing AI Job Concerns

10:31 Legal and Ethical Implications of AI

16:23 Fair Voices Pledge and Industry Impact

22:20 Future of AI in Voice Acting

28:03 Conclusion

For more info: https://navavoices.org/fair-voices/

Rolf is CEO of Voice123, a signatory to the fAIr Voices Pledge www.voice123.com

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