 Dee Shipley is an Emmy-nominated Voice Director and Casting Director who founded Dee+Company in 2003 with just one production, a number which has grown to over 50 series, dozens of commercials and numerous merchandise items. Read more about Dee here.
There's been a lot going on that we can't wait to tell you about!
|
|
Funny Man
Last November I had the knee-slapping pleasure of Voice Directing the animated portion of Russell Peter's CTV Christmas Special "How Russell Saved Christmas" at Cuppa Coffee Studios. You know, he is a pretty funny guy! It was his first time doing voiceover for animation and he handled it like a pro.
I, on the other hand, was a little hesitant every time I suggested to the reigning King of Comedy, "Uh..., Russell? I think it would be funnier if we...". After he was done laughing, he took direction like a pro, too.
If you missed the special at Christmas, you can see it here on vimeo.
Toronto Animation Arts Festival International
I am proud to have been involved in Voice Directing the animated short, Typesetter Blues, that has been selected to screen at TAAFI next month.
Typesetter Blues is narrated by Gordon Pinsent and is the brainchild of creative team Hector Herrera and Pazit Cahlon.
This is the first year for Toronto's new animation festival at the TIFF Lightbox July 6 - 8, and it promises to be a great inaugural celebration with a fantastic lineup, so come and support our industry's latest festival. You can learn more about the festival events and gala at www.taafi.com
Paying it forward
I had a couple opportunities this year to give back to our industry community which has been so good to me. In September I was a guest speaker at Humber College's School of Media Studies Television Writing and Producing Program. The topics I was asked to address were the casting process for television, and also the qualities of a great producer. Luckily after fifteen years working in television and film, I had lots of shining examples to draw from!
I also am a guest panelist tonight in a webinar for the American website voiceoverextra.com on the issue of union vs. non union - a biggie in our industry these days, and of paramount importance to actors facing this decision. The webinar is being hosted by Elley Ray Hennessey and Deb Munro, and you can read more about it at www.voiceoverextra.com.
On the subject of education, three of the preschool series I voice directed got a nod from the world of academia in the latest version of the widely used Early Childhood Education textbook, Empowering Children (Nelson Publishing, 2012).
Quote: "Children are bombarded with television and videos in their homes, much of questionable quality and educational merit, but they do remember and learn from well-produced television programs that challenge their moral development, memory skills, thinking abilities and imaginations. Some good examples are Canadian co-produced television series such as "Toot & Puddle", "It's a Big Big World", and "Mr. Moon", which challenge children's perceptual and pro-social skills and promote empathy and moral judgement. "
Although those of us who work in children's entertainment know that Canada is an international leader in children's educational television, it's nice to know that this is beginning to be recognized by professionals in other fields as well. We should all take a minute to pat ourselves on the back.
|
|
Meet......CBC Kids' LION!
|
|
Last fall I was given the very fun task of finding a voice for CBC Kid's new mascot...LION! Lion is a fun loving and curious feline, delightfully voiced by Shawn Meunier, who travels around the country and gets up to all kinds of interesting adventures. To meet LION, click here.
That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember you can always keep up with me on my blog or on my website, www.deeandcompany.com.
I hope that you are enjoying summer and getting out for some fun in the sun.
See you at TAAFI,
|
