That’s Voiceover! Career Expo: Defining
Nearly Two Decades of Excellence in Voice Acting
By Joan Baker, 10/7/2023
In 2005, the voiceover industry witnessed a momentous turning point that has left an indelible mark on its trajectory. It was a modest gathering of 300 people. At the time, no one realized that it marked the beginning of a transformation for the industry; newcomers assumed they had stumbled upon something that had always been available. It becomes apparent only when we look back through the years that we can see the subtle revolution that was underway and continues to this day.
It all began with the publishing of a book called “Secrets of Voice-over Success: Top Voice Actors Reveal How They Did It.” It wasn’t the first book to discuss voice acting, but it held a special place in my heart as a way to honor the recent passing of my father due to Alzheimer’s Disease. My guiding light for this book was to create something rooted in my community, the world of voice acting. There was very little interaction with other voice actors back then, except for brief encounters at auditions (all in person at that time) and talent agency Christmas parties. So, it took a herculean effort to start knocking on the doors of the best in the business to ask for their help. Remarkably, every single person I asked said yes.
What made “Secrets of Voice-over Success” especially unique was that it was the first book to illuminate this topic from the perspective of a variety of voice actors who had found success in very different ways. The missing link for newcomers was finding a unique path that would work for them, based on where they were in their lives and careers. Another distinctive aspect of the book was that the contributors were true stars of the industry, and each of them shared their stories of struggle, sacrifice, and success with unflinching honesty.
“Secrets of Voice-over Success” was a practical, comprehensive guide that provided aspiring voice actors with priceless, real-world insights into the craft and business in a way that had never been done before. Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, it planted the seed for what would eventually become the “That’s Voiceover Career Expo,” marking the beginning of the voice acting convention era. Fortunately, my husband Rudy Gaskins, an Emmy Award-winning TV producer, knew a thing or two about organizing events. We were already partners in all things, but this opened the door to a whole new commitment that completely changed our lives.
It didn’t hurt that the foreword to the book was written by 4-time Emmy winner David Hyde Pierce, another staunch advocate for a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. That support was immensely valuable. The book quickly became a cornerstone for voice artists throughout the United States and even found its way to other English-speaking countries. For me and all the contributors, it was a thrill to know that one hundred percent of the royalties would benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
The first inkling of what was to come was the line outside Barnes & Noble Book Store when we had our first book signing. Within 20 minutes of opening the doors, the store manager approached me, wide-eyed with surprise, to inform me that they hadn’t ordered enough books for the audience. That was probably the first indication that we would need to produce private ticketed events, not only to accommodate the number of attendees but also to delve deeply into the details of breaking into the craft and sustaining a living.
Our first ticketed event was a 5-hour seminar titled “Make Millions With Your Voice.” It was conducted in partnership with an American education company called The Learning Annex, with whom we produced events in New York City and Los Angeles. In 2006, Rudy and I ventured deeper into philanthropy with our first privately funded conference, with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association. This time we changed the name to “Voices Behind the Scenes.” The event took place at the Museum of The Moving Image in Queens, New York, uniting, as always, a diverse array of the voiceover talent featured in the book. Each participant stood as a shining example of the industry’s immense talent pool, including the legendary Don LaFontaine, affectionately known as “The Voice of God” for his iconic presence in countless movie trailers.
As the concept for “Voices Behind the Scenes” took shape, I had my mind set on an exceptionally talented voice actor and show announcer who I wanted to be our exclusive co-host. It was Alan Kalter, voice actor and in-show live announcer for the Late Show With David Letterman. Filled with excitement, I composed a heartfelt, handwritten note expressing my aspirations and personally delivered it to Alan’s office in the iconic Ed Sullivan Theater Building. I would later learn that, like my late father, for whom I wrote and dedicated “Secrets of Voice-over Success,” Alan’s mother was also suffering from the disease’s crippling effects. It was a sad and familiar connection that I discovered I had with many voice actors. To my utter surprise, Alan not only received my message but also wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity. Alan confided that he was eager to become more engaged in the voiceover community, and the Alzheimer’s cause, which we were supporting, held a special place in his heart. This marked the inception of a remarkable collaboration, with Alan hosting not just one, but an impressive four more events with us. Alan’s unique voice and captivating stage presence had already endeared him to late-night television audiences, and he carried that same infectious energy onto our stage, leaving an indelible mark on everyone in attendance.
Though the panel discussions were inspired by “Secrets of Voiceover Success,” Rudy and I wanted to reveal as much about the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business as possible. That meant incorporating talent agents and casting directors and having audience members participate in a live audition process with a prize on the line. These chosen individuals had the opportunity to read provided copy, receive coaching, and valuable feedback from the panel and host. This unique addition proved to be highly beneficial, not only for the participants but also for the watching audience and the esteemed panelists. This would later become what we know today as the “CBS Audition Spotlight,” where hundreds audition from around the country, and the winner books a job with CBS, talent agent representation, and incredible prizes from Neumann and Sennheiser.
The discussions held during the panel were deeply rooted in the intricate facets of the voiceover industry, offering invaluable insights and emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. This event provided a significant platform for industry luminaries to generously share their wisdom and experiences with aspiring voice actors while also highlighting the humanitarian aspect of giving back to society.
In 2009, we renamed the conference “That’s Voiceover! Career Expo,” always focusing on the exploration of the inner workings of the voice acting industry. It features real-world jobs, enlightening panel discussions, cutting-edge presentations, and prestigious awards that recognize top talents, agents, casting directors, teachers, and influencers. Additionally, as That’s Voiceover! Career Expo now features programming in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, the event provides high-impact networking opportunities, speed dating sessions, auditions for work, intensive training sessions, and inspired keynote speakers. Ten years ago, we introduced the Voice Arts Award, which is a story for another time, but suffice it to say it has shone a light on what is truly a global community.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue this incredible journey, which stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of “Secrets of Voiceover Success” and our unwavering commitment to elevate and honor the world of voice acting.
We invite you to join us in this remarkable journey of That’s Voiceover! Career Expo and claim your role in this growing contribution to the history of voice acting on an international scale. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting event! Register now using the code “coachjoan23” for a 25% discount on your tickets. For tickets, the full schedule, group hotel rates, and discounts on United Airlines tickets, go to https://sovas.org/schedule-tvo
Joan Baker is Vice President and co-founder of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS), a nonprofit organization in support of voice actors, and co-creator of That’s Voiceover! Career Expo, an annual conference for voice actors, and the creators of the Voice Arts Awards — the premier acknowledgment platform for voice actors worldwide. Joan is also the author of the best-selling book Secrets of Voice-over Success and a voice acting coach with a unique penchant for getting to the heart of what inspires her clients to succeed.
From the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences
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