BECOMING A VOICE PERFORMER: WHAT IS MY FIRST STEP?
Whether you are a veteran of stage and screen or if you are a new-comer, you will benefit immensely from voice training workshops. Not only do you get a chance to develop your craft and learn how to market yourself, but you also get to network with your peers. You never know who you will be sitting next to in one of these workshops. Willmott Communication Services specializes in voice performance workshops; Dan Willmott (former ACTRA Alberta member, now ACTRA Toronto member) instructs these courses and has extensive knowledge of our local industry and the global industry. Visit the website at www.voicespotwcs.com to view their newsletter and course schedules. Please note – there are production houses and studios in Alberta that do provide voice training workshops from time to time. Please contact ACTRA for more information.
BECOMING A VOICE PERFORMER: VOICE DEMOS
Please be aware that ACTRA is not responsible for the quality of services provided by any of the companies listed on this page, rather we supply the information conveniently but it is your obligation to check these companies out independently before you commit to anything.
The most important tool that you have to market yourself as a voice performer is your demo. Your best bet is to cut your demo on a CD; it is the most supported format on the market. If you have a style range, make sure that your range is reflected on your demo. For instance, character voices, narration demos, commercial demos, jingles, etc. Just make sure that you have a track list on the CD as well as on the jewel case (we all know how often jewel cases get misplaced, so make sure the CD has all of your relevant info on it). There are a few reputable studios in Alberta that work with ACTRA on a regular basis that you can contact to record your demo:
CALGARY:
The Forge Audio Company Inc: #308 – 1235 26th Ave SE Calgary, AB. Call Brad to book your appointment or for more information at (403) 265 – 9339.
Six Degrees: #305, 822-11 Avenue SW Calgary, AB. Call Juan to book your appointment or for more information at (403) 290-1115.
The Rainmakers: 224 – 13 Avenue Ave. SW Calgary, AB. Call Glenn to book your appointment or for more information at (403) 264-7400.
Sync Spot Digital Audio Post: #20, 234 – 5149 Country Hills Blvd NW. Call Frank to book your appointment (403) 228-2199
Twisted Pair Sound: #360, 7220 Fisher Street SE Calgary, AB. Call Pat to book your appointment or for more information at (403) 258-0207.
EDMONTON:
Wolf Willow Sound: 9336 – 49 Street, Edmonton, AB. Call John to book your appointment or for more information at (780) 448-9653.
Once you have your demo, it is important to get it to the right people for exposure. In Calgary, voice casting is done by the studios, so send your demo to all of the above. You can also find a listing of other production companies in Alberta on the Alberta Film website.
If you keep your voice fresh and continue to develop in new ways, you will find work in voice performance. One way you can do this and cut your costs is to get together with a group of other voice performers and rent out a studio for an hour every so often. Bounce ideas off of each other – your colleagues will be an invaluable resource to you.
CHINOOK ANIMATION AND CLAC (CHRISTIAN LABOUR ASSOC. OF CANADA)
Who is CLAC you ask?
It’s an organization known as the Christian Labour Association of Canada and is not a Union recognized by The Labour Movement and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) as it is considered to be employer-dominated.
In Alberta, ACTRA is concerned about the relationship between Chinook Animation and CLAC. Established in 1999 by a producer that was signatory to an ACTRA contract in BC, Chinook Animation certified with CLAC and signed an agreement offering fees and conditions inferior to ACTRA standards.
ACTRA and EQUITY members are strongly advised not to work for Chinook Animation or any other Engager who is not signatory to an ACTRA Agreement. Under the ACTRA National Constitution’s governance and the ACTRA/ CAEA Reciprocal Agreement, ACTRA members and CAEA members are prohibited to work for non-signatories in our own and each other’s jurisdictions.
This means that ACTRA members and CAEA members must only work for Engagers/Producers who are signatory to ACTRA Agreements and CAEA Agreements. To do otherwise is a violation of the Reciprocal Agreement and is conduct prejudicial to the welfare of both organizations and as such will be subject to discipline.
Some non-signatory producers will try to convince you otherwise. They will tell you that you have the right to work wherever and for whoever you choose to, regardless of union affiliation. In some cases, they may even offer to pay your legal fees to challenge your union if we discipline you for contravening our most fundamental work rules and membership obligations.
The truth is, unions have rights; the right to protect and defend our jurisdiction for the protection of our members, and the right to discipline members who participate in conduct prejudicial and who contravene our work rules. ACTRA believes that a Labour Board would be particularly disinterested in any challenges to unions with respect to these rights and how they may be applied in the case of a member having been disciplined for working for a non-signatory producer.
If anyone has any questions or information about the information presented herein please feel free to contact ACTRA Alberta at alberta@actra.ca or (403) 228-3123 or Toll Free 1 (866) 913-3123. You can also find more information about CLAC at www.thetruthaboutclac.ca.
