016 NAVAgator podcast - Audio Description with Roy Samuelson

016 NAVAgator podcast - Audio Description with Roy Samuelson

NAVAgator host Graeme Spicer talks with Roy Samuelson, a leading audio description (AD) performer with credits for Netflix, HBO, Disney, and A24. They explore the nuanced art of audio description, why it’s a delicate “high-wire act,” how to match tone and genre, AI’s role, and why accessibility and great storytelling go hand in hand. Guest: Roy Samuelson Author of A Voice Actor’s Guide to Audio Description Performance & Founder of The Playback Lounge Timestamps * 00:00:00 – Opening clip: The high-wire act of AD * 00:00:49 – Welcome & episode overview * 00:02:18 – Introducing Roy Samuelson * 00:02:43 – What is Audio Description? * 00:05:22 – Common frustrations for blind audiences * 00:06:31 – Roy’s personal story that sparked his passion * 00:08:12 – The High-Wire Act: Balancing performance * 00:10:50 – Adapting to different genres (horror, comedy, action, kids) * 00:13:00 – WALL-E vs. Aaron Sorkin-style scripts * 00:14:25 – Writing his book on AD performance * 00:16:50 – The Playback Lounge: Practice community for voice actors * 00:20:15 – How to tell if AD is working * 00:21:35 – Studio & platform differences * 00:23:38 – AI & synthetic voices: Pros, cons, and ethics * 00:28:11 – Business realities and rates * 00:30:34 – Bridging the gap between studios and blind audiences * 00:33:09 – Accessibility and artistry reinforce each other * 00:36:28 – Wrap-up & resources Links * Roy’s Book: A Voice Actor’s Guide to Audio Description Performance https://roysamuelson.com/book [https://roysamuelson.com/book] (https://a.co/d/0fARhcUh) * The Playback Lounge https://roysamuelson.com/ad-playback-lounge [https://roysamuelson.com/ad-playback-lounge] * Website & Newsletter: RoySamuelson.com https://roysamuelson.com/blog [https://roysamuelson.com/blog] * BONUS - AUDIO DESCRIPTION FREE GUIDE - https://roysamuelson.com/mastering-ad-performance-guide/ [https://roysamuelson.com/mastering-ad-performance-guide/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

015 NAVAgator podcast - The Origin Story of LAVA — with Memo Sauceda

In the season two premiere, Graeme Spicer sits down with Memo Sauceda to trace the journey from a WhatsApp group formed at the OneVoice Conference in Dallas to the formal launch of LAVA as a committee within NAVA. Memo shares how a viral manifesto video, a pandemic, and the rise of AI voice cloning galvanized Spanish-speaking voice actors across 34 countries to organize — and why joining forces with NAVA was the right move. Timestamps: 0:00 — Cold open (Jordan Peele / Obama deepfake) 0:41 — Introduction & episode overview 2:12 — What was OVU and what sparked it? 4:57 — Early advocacy: the viral manifesto video 5:55 — The talking points that predicted everything 7:22 — OVU's biggest challenges & why a partnership made sense 8:29 — Reaching out to the NAVA board 12:37 — Transitioning from OVU to LAVA inside NAVA 13:34 — Why a committee model vs. independent affiliate (CAVA comparison) 16:16 — Servicing 34 culturally diverse markets 16:53 — Budget realities & country-specific rate guides 17:21 — Professionalism gap: US vs. Latin American recording standards 20:59 — AI legislation differences across Latin America 21:43 — Membership fees & economic fairness 22:21 — Pricing decision: $99/year (discounts available) 24:54 — LAVA membership vs. NAVA membership benefits 26:07 — AI voice threats unique to Spanish-speaking talent 26:29 — The Amazon anime AI dubbing controversy 30:04 — Memo's vision: What does success look like for LAVA? 32:52 — Paying it forward: mentorship & community 35:57 — Outro & how to get involved Links & Resources: * NAVA / LAVA membership: navavoices.org * OVU manifesto video: Instagram @ovu * Podcast theme music: The Urban Renewal Project — urpmusic.com * Key Quotes: > "We say that we want to have a seat at the table on the decisions of what's gonna happen with our voice." > > "When you want to be better, you get together with people that are better than you." > > "If we make people understand that it's important to read the contract and really make an informed decision, then we are winning." > > "My life wouldn't be what it is right now if it weren't for the people that helped me at the beginning." ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

014 NAVAgator podcast - the NAVA Gala

OVERVIEW Carin Gilfry, NAVA board member and gala organizer, discusses with Graeme Spicer the December 2025 NAVA Gala in Los Angeles - the organization's signature fundraising event that raised $80,000 for the NAVA Foundation. 0:00 - Opening 1:12 - Introduction and episode overview 1:36 - "Gala" pronunciation debate and setting the scene 2:42 - Karin's childhood circus party story and the first NAVA Gala 3:53 - Gala origins and financial success - $80,000 raised this year 5:30 - NAVA Foundation vs NAVA: 501(c)(3) vs 501(c)(6) explained 6:32 - NAVA Foundation programs: scholarships, contract reviews, emergency funds 7:53 - 2025 Award Winners 8:19 - Voiceover Service Provider Award: Kristin Paiva (Paiva Productions) 10:06 - Be Brad Award split into two awards 11:00 - Be Brad Award: Jeff Burns 11:47 - Voiceover Community Award: Nerds Vote 13:49 - Vocation Curaçao conference (April 23-26) 15:00 - Voiceover Icon Award: Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy and Pluto) 16:39 - Powerline dance flash mob details 17:26 - Red carpet and event atmosphere 18:29 - Ticket sales: sold out in 10 hours (300 tickets in 4 hours) 20:45 - 2026 Gala Date: Friday, December 11, 2026 21:30 - Virtual gala component and closing thanks KEY TAKEAWAYS * 450+ attendees at 2025 gala (up from 350 in 2024) * $80,000 raised for NAVA Foundation * Four awards presented * Event sold out in 10 hours * Virtual component available for remote attendees * Tickets typically go on sale July/August ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

013 NAVAgator podcast - NAVA Demo Best Practices PT 2

In this episode of The NAVAgator, the official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors, host Graeme Spicer finishes his exploration with Tim and Carson about the essential guidelines and best practices for voice actors when working with demo producers. The discussion emphasizes the importance of transparency, trust, collaboration, and integrity in the demo production process. They address key topics like rate clarity, turnaround times, defining relationships, payment terms, and the necessity for voice actors to be demo-ready. The conversation also delves into avoiding scams, ensuring good communication, and the issue of using real brand names in demo scripts. 00:00 Introduction to Part 2 of Demo Best Practices 01:10 Understanding Producer Rates and Turnaround Times 02:12 Building Trust and Collaboration 04:09 Defining Relationships and Payment Terms 05:47 Clarifying Services and Acting with Integrity 08:33 Recognizing When You're Demo Ready 10:22 Avoiding Scams and Promises 12:15 Effective Communication and Feedback 18:55 Final Thoughts and Common Misconceptions ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

012 NAVAgator podcast - NAVA Demo Best Practices PT 1

Crafting Effective Voiceover Demos: Insights and Best Practices In this episode of 'The NAVAgator,' the official podcast of the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), host Graeme Spicer kicks off part one of a two-part series on the role of voiceover demos. Featuring insights from Carson Beck, a successful voice talent and producer, and Tim Friedlander, a renowned voice actor and president of NAVA, the discussion covers the importance of demo integrity, how to distinguish reputable demo producers, and the various purposes a demo serves in different stages of a career. The episode also touches on the significance of 'overproduction', the reality of building rapport with demo producers, and the potential pitfalls of DIY demos. This podcast aims to equip voice actors with the right questions to ask and considerations to make when venturing into the world of demos. 00:00 Introduction to Voiceover Demos 01:12 Meet the Experts: Carson Beck and Tim Friedlander 01:31 Navigating the Demo Production Landscape 04:17 The Role and Purpose of a Demo 07:17 The Importance of Authenticity in Demos 09:15 Avoiding Overproduction and Unrealistic Expectations 12:16 The Subjectivity of Demo Needs 22:15 DIY Demos: Pros and Cons 29:08 Conclusion and Next Steps ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.