Dan Friedman

It was long overdue. Sound4VO.com desperately needed a new look. However, that wasn’t what I was thinking the day I called my friends at NYS3, Asheville’s new premier acting school, for recommendations on a photographer. I thought I was just going to get some head shots. I ended up with so much more.

When I met Megan Brown of MeBeImagery for the first time, we connected immediately. Her professionalism was undeniable. She took a genuine interest in the voiceover business, my “raise the bar” message and she was especially interested in my career goals. As I was mentally preparing myself for getting some new pictures, I was thinking, “I’m in voiceover… when it comes to photographs, I’ll just need something simple”. Megan had a different idea.

Megan is more than a great photographer. She is a talented web designer with a background as an actress. She understands the needs of performers. She had done her research and was excited to help me with more than just photos. She presented a plan to transition Sound4VO.com from something boring, simplistic and ineffective (my words) into something dynamic, sophisticated and… 1000 times better.

As I shared my thoughts, Megan was finishing my sentences. She not only knew what I wanted, she knew what I needed… often before I did. There are many website designers who can build a site, help you develop your brand and who can and will do a great job. Megan is local to me, which I felt was a huge advantage. But more importantly, I feel that Megan “got me” and her enthusiasm for the project is reflected in her work. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

You simply cannot be in business without a website. No matter who does your site, be sure to find someone you connect with and who understands and believes in you. I highly recommend Megan at http://www.mebeimagery.com.

Sound4VO is a brand new site where I can proudly display my work. But even better than that, it is a place where anyone in the voiceover industry can come to buy a copy of Sound Advice – Voiceover From An Audio Engineer’s Perspective, read the blog, ask questions and get answers. Do you have some technical questions? Need a second opinion on your studio sound, a demo or audition? Need additional help, direction or production? Let me know by using the “Contact” page.

Sound4VO has a companion site, Dan4VO.com. Dan4VO is an additional resource for people searching for a unique voice that can help deliver their message. Need a hip, youthful, energetic voice? How about someone cool and conversational? Perhaps a sound that is intelligent or even a bit quirky? Want someone who is efficient in the studio and experienced on both sides of the glass? Think Dan4VO. I want to help you communicate your message by bringing your words to life.

FaffCon 5 reached the finish line, as all FaffCon’s have, in spectacular fashion. I can honestly say, I think this was the best FaffCon to date. This is a VERY BOLD statement, because every FaffCon has been absolutely amazing.

In the past, following each FaffCon, I have written blogs about my experience and thanked many people for specific things that they did or what effect they had on me while we were there. I will do that here, but to a much lesser degree than in past blogs. It is simply getting too difficult to remember everyone for everything they do to make FaffCon what it is, or to express how deeply I care about everyone who touches my life before, during and after each event.

FaffCon5 was special for many reasons.

The Omni Hotel was very nice and convenient to everything. I loved getting coffee with soy milk delivered to my door every morning.

The mix of great VO people and their talent was undeniable. Their energy was electric. The fact that many attendees had experienced at least one past FaffCon, allowed everyone to get in the groove and begin faffing without hesitation. Those new to FaffCon caught the vibe as to what this event is all about and joined in quickly. For everyone, it was safe, familiar, comfortable and fun.

The fact that so many people arrived a day early to spend as much time with friends as possible, is indicative of how welcoming the crowd is at FaffCon and how close many of us have become. I went to bed after 2AM each night (3AM on one night) just so that I could spend as much time as possible with old friends and get to know new ones. Sure, I was tired every morning at 7AM, but I would not have wanted to do it any other way.

Organizationally, as a member of the “Pit Crew”, I believe we are getting pretty good at this. As a simple example of how good… words really can not express what a pleasure it was to be able to sit in the lounge area with Amy Snively and watch her actually mingle with everyone. I don’t recall ever seeing that during a past FaffCon… she never had the time. Much of this is due to the tireless efforts of Lauren McCullough, who kept all of us in line and on task. She did so with a sweet smile, a calm nature and heaps of positive feedback. Lauren ROCKS!

As I mentioned earlier in this post, in the past I’ve written an extensive list of “thank you’s”. My good friends, and you know who you are, already know how much each of you mean to me, how much you inspire me and that I am here for each and every one of you. I love you all. With that being said, I still have a few specific shout outs that I must make.

Joey Schaljo – It was a pleasure meeting you. I really enjoy working with you through Edge Studios. I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist Edge students and teach Home Studio Classes. While I always enjoy seeing David Goldberg… you are MUCH prettier. Sorry David! 😉

Dave White and Leslie Wadsworth – Thank you both for extending FaffCon 5 by another day. I was thrilled to be able to give you a tour of ProComm Studios and share a meal of the best shrimp and grits anyone will ever find (thanks also to Tupelo Honey Cafe).

Monk Schane-Lydon – Thank you for inviting me into your “Home Studio on a Budget” session. Besides learning a few things and getting to know you a little better, it is refreshing to know that there are people in this business who will go to great lengths and stop at nothing to make their home studios, sound like pro studios.

Jeffrey Umberger – Thank you so much for your humor, your time and your kind words. It was great to hear that when I send you an audition, it makes you “proud”. That makes me feel proud and so very grateful for all of your hard work on our behalf.

Tanya Buchanan – What a pleasure it was to shut down the bar with you for two nights. While we may have closed down that bar, it is clear that you share my passion for “raising the bar” for our industry. Please do not hesitate to let me know how I can help you with that effort.

Cliff Zellman – What can I say? Thank you for being such a great friend. I’m fired up about our ideas and I know we can bring a new level of awesome to the voiceover world. Thank you for dinner-to-go on Sunday night. When I got home… I ate it up. YUM!

Amy Snively – I’m not thanking you for making FaffCon happen. I’ve done that many times. I’m not thanking you for your friendship. I do that often as well. I am thanking you for the two word phrase you told me as we were sitting down preparing for everything to get started. I’ve got several two word phrases in response, “I can”, “I will”, “I am” and… “love you”.

Dan Hurst – I should hand over all of my golden nuggets to you immediately.
Brother, you have no idea how much you have helped me and how much your words have inspired me. Both my present and my future are brighter thanks to you. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

At the closing circle of every FaffCon, we fill out postcards with personal messages that get delivered to us prior to the next FaffCon. I’ve always written down a personal goal that is big, yet completely achievable with hard work, perseverance and a little bit of luck… or maybe its magic. I’m very proud to say that I have met each goal. There is no finish line when it comes to FaffCon. When the event is over, the faffing continues.

FaffCon… makes magic happen.

Ladies and gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!! FaffCon5 is less than two weeks away. For me, as it has been the previous three FaffCons (I’ve only missed the very first one), it couldn’t have come at a better time. Since Charlotte, NC is only about an hour and a half from Asheville, it also couldn’t be in a better place.

Over the last couple of years, my career has taken many twists and turns. Like everyone in this industry, I also travel the highways and confront the crossroads that are associated with a voiceover career. Marketing, branding, improving my skills, balancing work and family, setting goals, getting word out about my book, and managing my very unique needs, is at times… exhausting. Thanks to FaffCons 2, 3 and 4 and the people who’ve made them happen (that is you, the participants, by the way) I’ve discovered new paths, navigated around obstacles, achieved new goals and have been driven to keep moving forward. All of this, plus continuing to make amazing new friendships, is why FaffCon is a vital part of my career, as well as my life.

While FaffCon has become important to my career, what has been even more rewarding, is the satisfaction I’ve received from helping others along their path. From providing new opportunities, to offering technical assistance, it is deeply gratifying to know that I have been a part of the pit crew that has helped other voice talent be in the driver seat and keep their careers on track.

You simply can not get this level of peer-to-peer career assistance or motivation at any other event. Furthermore, you will not find a group of people who are more passionate about their careers, or the voiceover industry in general, than you will at FaffCon. Whether some part of your career needs refueling, or you are looking for new ways to keep racing forward, a weekend at FaffCon is a must stop for every working professional in the world of voiceover.

Look for me while you are at FaffCon5. Let me know how I can help you. I believe that sharing in the success of others, is a great way to make it into the winner’s circle.