The main topic is the restructuring and reinvention of the core mentorship vertical within the World Voices Organization (WoVo). The organization's mission is fundamentally "actors helping actors."

• The Problem: Previously, WoVo's mentorship was often unstructured, serving mainly as a "troubleshooting" or one-time advice service rather than a cohesive program for growth.
• The Goal: The new initiative aims to provide structured, supportive help to both experienced actors and, most crucially, those with less experience to help the industry grow.
• The Team: The initiative is being led by Nikki Lulow (a 20-year industry veteran and problem-solver/former teacher) and Rebecca Howe. George Washington III praised both women for their dedication to helping others and bringing new energy to the program.

Nikki and George, Tim, and Barri, discussed the intentions behind the new, structured approach:

• Preventing "Unpaid Coaching": The program is designed to be a short, structured term (e.g., 12 to 13 weeks, once a week) to prevent the mentor-mentee dynamic from turning into an endless, unpaid coaching relationship.
• Focus on Solving Problems: It’s about "teaching someone how to fish" rather than just giving them a fish. Mentees will focus on one specific, agreed-upon goal to ensure progress. Mentors act as a guide to help deconstruct issues and find solutions.
• Symbiotic Relationship: Mentors gain significant insight into how others run their business, discover new software, and learn about different approaches to the industry, making the relationship mutually beneficial.
• Vetting and Safety: The leaders stressed the importance of vetting mentors to ensure high standards and that mentors are not just selling services. They aim to create a "safe space" where mentees can be vulnerable and ask for help.

The mentorship program is a perk of WoVo membership (available to both Pro and Associate levels).

• Rollout: There will be a slow, hand-selected rollout of a small group this fall to test the structure before it is widely implemented.
• WoVoCon: Listeners were encouraged to attend the upcoming WoVoCon conference in New Orleans to meet the leaders and discuss the program in person.

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This is an episode of the official Wovo podcast, hosted by Tim Powers, Barri Tsavaris, and George Washington III, where they discuss career paths in the world of voice acting. They address the transitions or "pivots" in a voice actor's career and how these can be unavoidable due to life circumstances. The episode also emphasizes the importance of staying connected with the acting community despite having to take on alternative jobs to support oneself.

#VoiceActing #VOPods #VoiceoverCareers #CareerPivots #TheVOCommunity

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This episode of the Still Unnamed WoVo podcast explores the crucial role of opportunity in the voice acting industry, emphasizing the hosts' belief that luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity.

Tim Powers, Bari Savarris, and George Washington III share personal stories of finding work through unconventional ways. George booked a job narrating documentaries about the

Rosenwald Schools after singing at a family friend's funeral, demonstrating that work can be found in unexpected places. Bari, after a chance conversation at a church celebration, was hired to voice the automated phone system for a landscaping business. Tim details his "detective work" strategy of finding decision-makers in non-traditional media. By relentlessly tracking down the hiring manager at a car dealership and following up with a box of donuts, he secured a long-term client for whom he now records 30 spots a month. Bari also shares that simply making sure people on an LG commercial set knew she was a voice actor (in addition to being the on-camera talent) led to her being hired for the voiceover on the spot)

The hosts offer actionable advice for finding work:

• You must tell everybody all the time about your voiceover work once you are prepared.
• Leads are everywhere. If you leave the house without a business card, you're not helping yourself.
• Volunteer at local colleges with animation, sound design, or video game coding programs. The students you help now will be the decision-makers five or six years from now
• Regarding working for free: go ahead and do it for
• student projects or for a not-for-profit you believe in, but don't work for free so that other people can make money

The episode concludes by promoting WoVo (World Voices Organization), a peer-to-peer learning and support organization for voice actors12. Membership is $99, and their annual event, WoVoCon, will be in New Orleans in mid-October

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This episode episode of the Wovo podcast offers a revealing look into the real world of the voiceover industry. Hosts Tim Powers, Barri Tsavaris, and George Washington III share candid stories from the field, highlighting the less glamorous realities of the profession. The conversations range from uncomfortable work experiences to the challenges of adapting to client needs, with an emphasis on WovoCon, a collaborative event where professionals share knowledge and experiences.

Highlights 🌟

Stories from the voiceover day-to-day, including unusual experiences and cultural challenges.

An honest discussion about the highs and lows of the profession.

Focus on the importance of controlling one's ego and serving the client's project.

Introduction of WovoCon, an event without main speakers, focused on collaboration and learning.

Keywords: Voiceover industry, Voice acting career, Voice artist, Podcast for voice actors, Voiceover tips, VO career challenges, WovoCon event, Voiceover professional advice, Behind the scenes voice acting, Voice talent stories, Creative professional career, Navigating the voiceover industry, Adaptability in voice acting, Continuous learning for actors, Cultural influence voiceover, Professional collaboration, Tim Powers, Barri Tsavarus, George Washington III, The "real" voiceover industry, Ego control for voice actors, Client relations voiceover

A unique opportunity for access to renowned professionals without direct sales pitches.

Key Insights 💡

The glamorization of the voiceover industry does not necessarily reflect the daily reality of professionals.

Versatility and adaptability are essential for success in voiceover.

Continuous learning and collaboration are fundamental for professional growth, as demonstrated by WovoCon.

Cultural and linguistic experience can enormously influence a voiceover career.

It's essential to value and recognize the unique contributions that each professional brings to the community.

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In the current episode of the Wovo podcast, the importance and impact of attending voiceover conferences are discussed. While not mandatory in the industry, these conferences provide significant benefits such as creating professional connections, agency representation, and learning new techniques. The episode compares large conferences, like VO Atlanta, with more intimate and personalized events like WovoCon, which is run as an "unconference."

• The episode addresses the role of conferences in the voiceover community.
• They create opportunities for making lasting friendships and getting agency representation.
• Conferences provide accessible ways to learn about new genres.
• The social aspect is a fundamental element of these events.
• WovoCon offers an intimate experience driven by the interests of the attendees.

• Conferences are an excellent way to get a "taste test" of different voiceover genres without a huge initial commitment.
• Smaller events, like WovoCon, strengthen community building and long-term connections.
• WovoCon, being an "unconference," allows for a dynamic exchange of knowledge based on the group's experience and interests.
• They provide an environment to build confidence and leadership skills, allowing attendees to become recognized experts in their fields.
• The absence of online components and hidden costs at WovoCon encourages a unique and authentic experience.

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The second episode of the Wovo Show podcast focuses on the challenges and problems faced by voice actors, particularly the scams circulating in the industry. The podcast hosts, who are members of the World Voice Organization, discuss the issue of payment scams and the threats associated with using voices for AI generation. They also emphasize the importance of community support and appeal to actors to communicate with each other. They also touch upon the topic of setting rates for work and building awareness of the value of their work in the industry. At the end of the episode, information on how to join the organization is provided.

Also, Tim's dog barks a few times.

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In the inaugural episode of "Between Two Takes," host Tim Powers, co-host Barri Tsavaris and WoVO President George Washington III introduce the WoVO organization, a supportive community for voice actors. They discuss the importance of peer-to-peer learning, share personal experiences, and highlight the value of mutual support in navigating industry challenges. The episode features a real-life example of members helping each other identify a scam, emphasizes inclusivity for newcomers and veterans alike, and outlines the benefits of joining WoVO, including mentorship, resources, and community events.

''George Washington III', '00:06:40', 'Watching the light go on in that room was one of the most inspiring moments that I have ever seen, where people opened up, came to their friends, and reached out for emotional support through a rough moment, recalling the things that all of us have endured or something like it.'

'Tim Powers', '00:08:14', 'It was impressive to see grown, mature, experienced veterans in the industry sobbing because they had a moment of vulnerability and clarity, and they weren’t sobbing because they were reliving past trauma—they were sobbing because of the relief that came from realizing that we spend all our time alone in a little room, but all of a sudden you’re in a hotel ballroom with 150 or 200 other people who are all fighting the same dragon every day, but we don’t know it.'

'Barri Tsavaris', '00:09:06', 'There were a few people that spoke about one story in particular. I won’t name names, but one woman talked about how she was offered the voiceover opportunity of a lifetime—her dream opportunity—but she had something happening in her family and had to make a difficult choice. The client wouldn’t wait 24 hours for her, and this is somebody that I look up to, who I thought had it all figured out. To just hear that she is also going through this made me feel so much better about where I’m at and the difficult choices we have to make about that work-life balance.'

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