Performers who specialize in voice work have some unique challenges. Anne Ganguzza, founder and president of VO Peeps as well as a VO artist and nationally recognized trainer, knows that many are struggling. Anne created the concept of a career education scholarship fund specifically for q
ualified members of the voiceover community and along with Tim Keenan of Creative Media Recording (below) brought it to the LA/OC Chapter of MCA-i.
At the September Board of Directors meeting board members were very enthusiastic. So enthusiastic, in fact, that MCAi and VO Peeps are currently working out the details to make the scholarship fund a reality!
In broad terms, the scholarship fund—to be administrated jointly by MCAI and VO Peeps—will respond to a number of both need and merit-based requests from existing members of the professional voice acting community. Some provisions may be made for student level scholarships as well. Scholarships may be granted in the form of equipment, software, training and mentoring services as well as cash.
Here's how we can help... The board of directors’ decision to leverage our tax exempt 501c3 status and use our members’ expertise to raise money to produce media for the benefit of Southern California nonprofits was announced at the August meeting by past LA/OC chapter president, Grace McKay. So the chapter has formed the Media Center for Nonprofits.
This month, the LA/OC Chapter elects our Officers and Board of Directors for the coming year—the folks who steer our chapter into the best position to serve our members, the professional media community and the community at large. We'll be voting at the BBQ meeting on the 13th and we're looking for more media pros to serve on the board. The rewards for service are intangible but very valuable…
OC Sound Stage, http://www.orangecountysoundstage.com a premier studio with large green-screen cyc acts as the semi-regular home of the monthly OC/LA Chapter meeting. Located in Irvine, the heart of Orange County, OC Sound Stage is just minutes from John Wayne Airport and a favorite studio of producers and directors from all over So Cal.
The MCA-I has taken a bold step forward this year in reducing membership dues to just $80 annually for an individual membership. This national professional organization formerly known as the ITVA is seeing new growth in 2011 and wants to make it easy for everyone to join.
International Board Member, Brian Page, told the LA/OC Chapter that, effective January first 2011, MCA-i dues have been cut in half! The new low $80 fee is due to the lean overhead since the organization went to self-management in 2010. “Now, there’s no excuse for any media professional not to join,” he said.
We are the LA/Orange County chapter of Media Communications Association-international (MCA-I.) Our members gather to help each other in business by networking and offering monthly programs that help us stay at the top of an ever-changing, highly competitive industry. Our regular monthly meetings feature industry experts sharing cutting edge information in technology, creativity, business marketing, etc. As a non-profit association (registered 501(c)3 corporation) of professionals working in every area of the media, our mission is to serve members, the regional media community and society at large through various events, the internet and other initiatives.
The LA/OC Chapter, one of the oldest in the organization, has been a leader with, among other examples, being the first to produce MCAI’s signature event, MediaProCamp. Our respected website, www.mcai-oc.org offers industry news, information and opinion which results in 10,000 average unique hits per month. Our Chapter’s monthly newsletter, the BLAST reaches almost 1,000 professionals across Southern California with a minimum of 22 issues a year.
To Contact Our Chapter:
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Or:
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Chapter website: www.mcai-oc.org
To join MCA-I go to our international website: www.mca-i.org
Mailing Address:
MCAI-OC
c/o South Coast Media Center
17518 Von Karman
Irvine, CA 92614
MCA-I LA/OC Chapter Officers and Board of Directors for 2011-12
President: Mark Alexander
Mark is a producer, videographer, editor and the major domo of Alexander Video Productions, http://www.alexandervideopro.com AVP produces videos for a wide range of clients including manufacturing and service businesses, scientific and engineering firms, non-profit groups, law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, documentary film makers and special interest video producers. Mark served as the chapter's Secretary for two years before becoming the president. Mark was also the force behind our 2010 Media Industry Survey.
Vice President: Brian Page / Program Committee / International Board Member
A voice actor and owner of Vocal Images for over ten years, Brian performs in commercials, does industrial narrations and more. He is also an audio editor with many years background as a national radio program producer. As a stage actor he has performed in more than 50 productions over the last 15 years and has found time to appear in two films. Being around the theater has led to doing sound design for many productions as well. Brian also serves on the MCAI International Board of Directors starting a two-year term in 2011. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Treasurer: Art Kirsch / Program Committee
Filmmaker Art Kirsch is the founder of OCShowbiz. As well as a producer, he is a business manager, and ardent supporter of the entertainment arts in Orange County. Art serves on various Boards of Directors including: MCAI-OC/LA; Media Alliance of Orange County; and OC Screenwriters Association. He is also active with the OC MultiMedia Association.
Secretary: Marilyn MCLeod
Marilyn McLeod, aka Coach Marilyn, http://www.CoachMarilyn.com is a respected executive business coach, sought after speaker and the author of 11 books. http://amzn.to/MarilynMcLeod Her titles include “Social Media Overview: Stategies For Small Business,” http://amzn.to/cmSocialMediaOverview “Social Media for Beginners” and “Recession or Plenty: 7 Steps to Success in Business and Life.”
Member At Large: Walter Davis
Walter Davis, CEO of Walter Davis Enterprises, http://www.walterdavisenterprises.com/ is a business entrepreneur, new media production and marketing guru and host of talk shows on radio and cable. He has been a popular highlight presenter at our MCAI MediaProCamps and is recognized as a generous teacher. He's made a successful business with the same techniques and tools that he has generously shared at our events.
Member at Large: Anne Ganguzza
Voice Artist, Anne Ganguzza, has recorded for a long list of clients including ad agencies, production companies, corporations and government entities. She is the founder and doyenne of the networking and talent support group, OC VO Peeps. In that capacity Anne also administrates the MCAI-OC/VO Peeps Education Scholarship Fund, which she created. Currently, in between recording sessions Ann travels the Western States as Voice Coach and Producer for Such A Voice http://www.suchavoice.com/ a nationally known training organization.
Other Members Active in Committees & Activities:
Webmaster: Grace McKay
Grace is the CEO of Electric Pictures, www.electricpictures.tv/ Electric Pictures offers professional Telecine transfers to almost every digital format from 8 to 35mm film.
Communications: John Coleman
John is the President and Executive Producer of Twin Oaks Communications. www.twinoaks.tv A producer, director, writer and media consultant for over 25 years, he works in all media. Twin Oaks serves businesses’ needs with everything from newsletters and video press releases to web-based marketing and sales support communications, for companies large and small. The company also serves as developer of television programming for syndication, cable and the internet.
Meetings/Events: Larry Goldsmith
Larry runs Starlight Video Productions http://www.starlightvideoproductions.com/ and also manages the OC Soundstage www.ocsoundstage.com which hosts many of our chapter’s meetings. Starlight has been producing high quality, custom-edited event DVD's and VHS tapes for the past 20 years, specializing in theatrical events, dance shows and competitions as well as private dance school recitals.
Membership: Tina Wilson
Voice over artist Tina Wilson is also a fine vocalist who started singing at 2 years old. She has performed with jazz bands, country music bands, duos and trios and as a soloist with my guitar. Very often she can be found crooning with Rick Sherman of Sherman Sound Suite. Tina feels blessed to have done a wide variety of voiceover work including characters on the documentary, “Voices of a Never Ending Dawn.” Samples of her work can be heard at: www.tinawilsontalent.com
Charity Committee: Curt Byk
A talented Voice Over artist and savvy businessman with many years in advertising. To hone his ability to develop characters for client's projects, Curt performs with an Improv group. He also believes in giving back and recently began volunteering his skills and time to the non profit organization, “Recording For The Blind And Dyslexic.” Samples of his work can be heard at www.curtbyk.com
ABOUT: The Media Communications Association-International
Our parent organization, Media Communications Association-International, www.mca-i.org is the leading global community for media communications professionals. The association seeks to drive the convergence of communications and technology and provides a global forum for communications professionals to advance the art, craft and business of visual communications. There are over 20 chapters in cities across the US and Canada as well as many members in a virtual chapter all around the world including, New Zealand, Germany and Asia.
MCAI Members include: producers; directors; writers; performers; cinematographers; web designers; public relations, advertising and marketing execs, educators and more. Commercial members include equipment and service suppliers and members of allied industries that support visual communications. The organization’s uniqueness, and its greatest strength, lies in its diversity of talent. Members find common ground in their commitment to high-quality and effective visual storytelling.
Membership in MCAI offers a number of benefits including access and registration in a powerful searchable worldwide industry database, “Find-A-Pro.” Besides the courtesy of member-to-member discounts, Association members enjoy DISCOUNTS on a long list of both Production and Business services including insurance services, professional training, production tools and audio and video stock footage.
MCA-I serves as a vital NETWORK for members to find resources. This network helps members cultivate new business and professional opportunities on the local, national and international levels. The association provides members with MARKETING training and opportunities, and discounts on services they need to do their jobs better, faster and more cost effectively.
MCA-I delivers PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT opportunities through local and regional workshops and joint ventures with various conferences and trade shows across the country.
MCA-I offers the RECOGNITION that professionals deserve. The centerpiece of the recognition program is the Awards in Media Excellence (or AiME)- formerly known as the Golden Reels. The Awards in Media Excellence recognize excellence in the production of visual communications programs, including associated crafts such as lighting, scripting, editing and sound design.
MCA-I was originally founded as ITVA and has been serving media professionals for over 40 years. It is a registered 501(c)3 charity and run by its members. MCA-I accepts charitable donations which are generally tax-deductible by the donor. For more information on the international organization, its benefits and to join MCA-i go to our website at www.mca-i.org
The International Board of Directors of MCA-I www.mca-i.org will again have a member of the LA/Orange County chapter helping to lead the 43 year old association. Actor Brian Page will be taking a seat as a Member-at Large while producer John Coleman completes his two-year term on the board. “Even though chapters are not required to have representation on the IO (international organization) board I think it’s symbolic of our chapter’s leadership position,” said Mark Alexander, chapter president.
The other day I received notification that my MCA-i membership was up for renewal. These days every purchase or expense leads me to evaluate it just a little closer. I wanted to take a moment and consider what value and benefit this membership was to me. So I did a little plus/minus column exercise.
Help guide our international organization into the future! The MCAI Nomination Committee is searching for candidates for International Office Board positions becoming vacant in 2011.
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