Sound4VO News

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.

Although we have great restaurants and sky-high views, Asheville isn’t often considered a “hot spot” when compared to cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Fortunately, Asheville was just as hot as those cities this past weekend as it was home to the southeast Voxy Ladies Mixer.

I had a great time hanging out with these beautiful ladies as well as with the many friends, both new and old, who came to the Bywater for some food, fun and the opportunity to help children in need.  Boxes of books and school supplies were collected for BookPals and Eblen-Kimmel Charities.

Both in and out of the voiceover booth, these ladies do great work!