My baby is a superhero. Honestly. I was REALLY nervous about flying with him. All for not, he slept the whole way to TX. Not to say that I didn't inwardly freak out every time he made a peep, just awaiting his inevitable freak out...that never came. The secret really is nursing on take off and landing, keeps their little ears from popping, and then they knock out from being what I like to call "milk drunk."
Once we got to the airport in TX there was a very nice driver waiting for us with a sign and everything! I felt very fancy :) Hasbro put us up at The Omni Hotel, Dallas. It is BRAND spankin' new, and really beautiful.
I have heard my whole life of "southern hospitality." It always seemed like some abstract defunct term used to describe sweet old women who baked pies that cooled on window ledges. Coming from SoCal, I'm a BIT more used to the "I'm not really a waitress I'm an actress, waiting for my big break, so I'm going to halfway ignore you the whole time while I get your order half right and still expect at least a 20% tip," kind of service. But, not in TX. Everyone we met was so pleasant. Concierge, bellhops, doormen, waiters, waitresses, drivers...everyone was quick with a smile, and ready to point you in the right direction. Dallas is a really beautiful city, the skyline at night is beautiful, and it all seems SO CLEAN. LA is a DUMP compared to Dallas. Really. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I know it wasn't that. I truly enjoyed my experience in the Lone-Star State.
Once we checked in and got settled, we headed over to the Hyatt. I always love walking into "Con" venues. You instantly know you're in the right place, people rocking TF shirts, discussing which "Prime" is their favorite, and commiserating about the under-appreciation of Dinobots. We were meeting up with Rik Alvarez from Hasbro, who has become a friend since I met him at last years BotCon. We met up for drinks in the hotel bar, where I was shocked to recognize so many returning people from the year before. The great thing about a convention the size of BotCon is the familial feeling one gets when you become a returning attendee. You recognize faces, fans, and, at the risk of sounding cheesy feel kind of at home with your fellow geeks :) I was introduced to Kelly Vero, head writer of the upcoming Transformers Universe, who has quickly become one of my favorite people. She is a riot, and rocks some amazing super blonde spikey hair that I'd always secretly want, but never have the balls to carry through with. Rik is the one who made the amazing tribute video for my father, (which we will talk more about in Part 2: The Hall of Fame).
All in all, day one of our travels was great: great flight, great service, great food and great friends. I can't wait to tell you all about the HOF ceremony. I just need a couple days to get all of my feelings in place. It was a beautiful and emotional night. What I can say is that it was unforgettable and I really know how loved my father still is, nearly 18 years after he left us.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Packing for BotCon...with an infant.
For those of you who know me personally, you know I'm a bit of a last minute person (understatement). I am not so much the "plan ahead, pack the week before, make sure the tickets are printed," kind of gal. But now? I have an infant.
I've been packing in my head for two weeks now. I've been making check lists for one. What can you bring to make an infant happy on an airplane?! Nothing. Well my boob, but I don't really have to think about that. But he's at an age that is mostly for my entertainment. He is too young to have a favorite toy; he is too young to be distracted by a tv show or movie, and he's JUST this side of too OLD to guarantee he'll sleep the whole time. So I'll strap him in the front pack, and board the plane, with a wing and a prayer not to be "that mom" with a screaming baby (sorry Alison, if you're reading this. I know it may bring up recently traumatizing events).
Some things I AM sure I'll pack: his binky, his small cow blanket (thanks Great-Aunt Cass!) and a few thing unique to BotCon: his "Starscream's Grandson," and COBRA onsies. Also probably his batman outfit, and comic book Converse.... (man this kid never stood a CHANCE at NOT being a geekling)
With all this to think about I have barely had time to think about the REASON I am being flown out there. My dad. Chris Collins (Latta) is being inducted to the "Transformers Hall of Fame," and I am going to accept the award on his behalf....unless he decides to come out of witness protection, which is what my grief addled 8-year-old brain put him when he died. It's a huge honor. I have been trying to come up with the right words to thank his fans, but I feel like I keep coming up short... But, I'm gonna jot a few things down here, in case I forget when I step up and accept.
Thank you for loving my dad. He had a rough go sometimes, but at his core he was a good, hard working man, and an amazing father. I think he would be in shock if he were alive to see what Transformers has accomplished, and how iconic the voices he created have become. It makes me smile to know most of us grew up listening to his voices together, and being inspired by his work. So just thank you for the honor of accepting on his behalf, he is lucky to still have such amazing fans, nearly 20 years later.
My gratitude can't fit in a suitcase. But hopefully all these diapers will...
I've been packing in my head for two weeks now. I've been making check lists for one. What can you bring to make an infant happy on an airplane?! Nothing. Well my boob, but I don't really have to think about that. But he's at an age that is mostly for my entertainment. He is too young to have a favorite toy; he is too young to be distracted by a tv show or movie, and he's JUST this side of too OLD to guarantee he'll sleep the whole time. So I'll strap him in the front pack, and board the plane, with a wing and a prayer not to be "that mom" with a screaming baby (sorry Alison, if you're reading this. I know it may bring up recently traumatizing events).
Some things I AM sure I'll pack: his binky, his small cow blanket (thanks Great-Aunt Cass!) and a few thing unique to BotCon: his "Starscream's Grandson," and COBRA onsies. Also probably his batman outfit, and comic book Converse.... (man this kid never stood a CHANCE at NOT being a geekling)
With all this to think about I have barely had time to think about the REASON I am being flown out there. My dad. Chris Collins (Latta) is being inducted to the "Transformers Hall of Fame," and I am going to accept the award on his behalf....unless he decides to come out of witness protection, which is what my grief addled 8-year-old brain put him when he died. It's a huge honor. I have been trying to come up with the right words to thank his fans, but I feel like I keep coming up short... But, I'm gonna jot a few things down here, in case I forget when I step up and accept.
Thank you for loving my dad. He had a rough go sometimes, but at his core he was a good, hard working man, and an amazing father. I think he would be in shock if he were alive to see what Transformers has accomplished, and how iconic the voices he created have become. It makes me smile to know most of us grew up listening to his voices together, and being inspired by his work. So just thank you for the honor of accepting on his behalf, he is lucky to still have such amazing fans, nearly 20 years later.
My gratitude can't fit in a suitcase. But hopefully all these diapers will...
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Group Therapy
Reunited and it feeeeels so gooood! I got to return to my VO Pro workout group this week, and MAN did it feel great to get back in the booth!
What's a workout group you may ask? WELL! It is a pretty unique experience, a group of us crazy VO peeps get together every two weeks at the home studio of a fantastic man and talent, known hence fourth as: R.A. and we play by what he has established as the "Rule of Three:" bring 3 pieces of copy, get 3 takes, get 3 people's responses. That's the simple explanation, which doesn't do it ANY justice so I'll launch into the longer one.
3 Pieces of copy: This part is pretty awesome, not only do we bring the copy we want to work on, but we all bring in 3 additional pieces so that we have a kind of stockpile. We use this stockpile when we need something new, something fresh....something we wish our agents had sent us out on...or just want a challenge! It can really give you a chance to play with reading something you would normally say "wasn't you." For example: I sound like a 12 year old girl when my "normal"speaking voice is recorded. Needless to say I don't get handed a lot of Promo Copy...BUT with the stockpile, I can try anything! Car commercials, beer commercials, bank promos...other things where all the specs say 35-40 year old man! It gives you a chance to stretch, and when we stretch, we grow!
3 takes/3 responses: These go hand in hand. You take your copy, you go in the booth, you take your best shot. Then 3 of your other fantastic brethren of VO talents give you feedback, all in a positive light! What you can punch more, establish the "who" of who your talking to, weather to be more conversational or to really "promo it up." Then you go back in, take what you liked about the feedback and apply it to your read, then you get MORE feedback, more things you can do to really stand out from the vocal crowd! Then you go BACK in the booth for one final shot, where you take what you liked, leave the rest, and, hopefully, knock it out of the park. Then when you finally exit the booth, you get roaring applause! Seriously! It's so fun :)
"Why?" You may ask? Because VO can be really isolating. Just you, and your mic in a 2ftx2ft space, recording and listening back to the same 30 sec. spot 200 times wondering whats good about it, and whats bad about it, then deciding the whole thing is crap and recording it for the 54th time before you hit submit. Honestly, it can be hard. So this group gets us out of our closets, and out of our heads and IN to some amazing talent. It gets us talking, reacting, and establishing a connection with people who WANT you to succeed. We cheer for each other when we "book it," and we commiserate together when we don't. It is a unique place to learn and grow. It is my bi-monthly group therapy, and I'm so happy to be home.
What's a workout group you may ask? WELL! It is a pretty unique experience, a group of us crazy VO peeps get together every two weeks at the home studio of a fantastic man and talent, known hence fourth as: R.A. and we play by what he has established as the "Rule of Three:" bring 3 pieces of copy, get 3 takes, get 3 people's responses. That's the simple explanation, which doesn't do it ANY justice so I'll launch into the longer one.
3 Pieces of copy: This part is pretty awesome, not only do we bring the copy we want to work on, but we all bring in 3 additional pieces so that we have a kind of stockpile. We use this stockpile when we need something new, something fresh....something we wish our agents had sent us out on...or just want a challenge! It can really give you a chance to play with reading something you would normally say "wasn't you." For example: I sound like a 12 year old girl when my "normal"speaking voice is recorded. Needless to say I don't get handed a lot of Promo Copy...BUT with the stockpile, I can try anything! Car commercials, beer commercials, bank promos...other things where all the specs say 35-40 year old man! It gives you a chance to stretch, and when we stretch, we grow!
3 takes/3 responses: These go hand in hand. You take your copy, you go in the booth, you take your best shot. Then 3 of your other fantastic brethren of VO talents give you feedback, all in a positive light! What you can punch more, establish the "who" of who your talking to, weather to be more conversational or to really "promo it up." Then you go back in, take what you liked about the feedback and apply it to your read, then you get MORE feedback, more things you can do to really stand out from the vocal crowd! Then you go BACK in the booth for one final shot, where you take what you liked, leave the rest, and, hopefully, knock it out of the park. Then when you finally exit the booth, you get roaring applause! Seriously! It's so fun :)
"Why?" You may ask? Because VO can be really isolating. Just you, and your mic in a 2ftx2ft space, recording and listening back to the same 30 sec. spot 200 times wondering whats good about it, and whats bad about it, then deciding the whole thing is crap and recording it for the 54th time before you hit submit. Honestly, it can be hard. So this group gets us out of our closets, and out of our heads and IN to some amazing talent. It gets us talking, reacting, and establishing a connection with people who WANT you to succeed. We cheer for each other when we "book it," and we commiserate together when we don't. It is a unique place to learn and grow. It is my bi-monthly group therapy, and I'm so happy to be home.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Back in Action
Well! I have been a little MIA for the last few months...I was super pregnant, and then actually HAD the baby, SO I've been a little busy. BUT I am about to hit the ground running for the second half of April! Liam is a month old, well he'll actually be 5 weeks tomorrow at 10:21 am..but who's counting? I am returning to my bi-monthly VO workout group tomorrow, which I cant TELL you how excited I am to go back to. It's not a class, but just an amazing opportunity to push your self to try new things and get feedback from some of the BEST in the business. Everyone is so supportive, and I get a good vibes high every time I leave :) BotCon it the last weekend of this month, and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you may be in the wrong place ;) BotCon is the annual Transformers Convention, and it is SUPER fun :) Last year was my first experience at BotCon and let me tell you, it was one I won't forget! I got to do a script reading panel with LEGENDARY voice artists that used to work with my dad! People like Gregg Berger, Morgan Lofting, Neil Ross, David Kaye....I had to continuously pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
This year, I was asked back, to accept my father's induction into the Transformers Hall of Fame. I really have no words to describe what that recognition means to my family and me. To know people still know and appreciate his work, 18 years after his death, is truly humbling. He is my biggest inspiration, and I was so blessed to call him my daddy. I will also be participating in another script reading panel! I will be reprising the part I did last year, Minerva, and I'll also be voicing Slipstream, who is roughly a female version of Starscream...so...no pressure there....
We're also converting our tiny, seldom used back bathroom into a recording studio!! I'm so excited to be able to just hop in there and play with different voices, while Liam naps :)
So this month, which also marked my 26th birthday, is one for new beginnings, and I hope you start (and continue) to follow me on this journey to find MY voice.
This year, I was asked back, to accept my father's induction into the Transformers Hall of Fame. I really have no words to describe what that recognition means to my family and me. To know people still know and appreciate his work, 18 years after his death, is truly humbling. He is my biggest inspiration, and I was so blessed to call him my daddy. I will also be participating in another script reading panel! I will be reprising the part I did last year, Minerva, and I'll also be voicing Slipstream, who is roughly a female version of Starscream...so...no pressure there....
We're also converting our tiny, seldom used back bathroom into a recording studio!! I'm so excited to be able to just hop in there and play with different voices, while Liam naps :)
So this month, which also marked my 26th birthday, is one for new beginnings, and I hope you start (and continue) to follow me on this journey to find MY voice.
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