Workshops

Come build your website with the free online website builder, WEEBLY.COM

NOTE: This is a THREE HOUR class beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET that will take place ONLINE.

The purpose of this workshop is to instruct SAG-AFTRA members on building a professional actor website using the free online builder, WEEBLY.  In this three hour session, members will learn how the site works and some of the basic functions provided. Some members may have a fully functioning web site completed within 3 hours. Most members will have about 50-80 percent of their site completed. 

This class is not an introduction on how to use a computer, so basic computer skills are needed.  No exceptions.

All members are expected to have a functioning website by the end of the workshop.

Members must have the following organized in a folder on their desktop for this class:

• At least 2 different DIGITAL headshots 
• 1 resume (PDF and/or DOC)
• 1 video link to Youtube or Vimeo (reel, short, etc – anything that you can use as an example)

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

In this 5-day voiceover course, performers will examine the personal life experiences that shape ones unique identity and voice.  Through honest and open introspection, the aim is to help unearth the signature sound  that are your own and undeniably distinct. Pivotal moments in your life are often layered with emotional context that lead to interesting new directions and performances. Learning to access those emotions can fuel your authenticity and ultimately improve your voiceover artistry.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Paul Pape

Paul Pape is one of the co-founders of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab. A 33-year veteran with over 7500 voiceover credits, he served as one of the main voices for the Presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. His diverse history of credits include brand names such as SONY Electronics, the Environmental Defense Fund, IMAX. Barclay's Bank, Lexus, AARP and Electronic Arts. A top ADR performer as well, he has worked on over 140 television series in addition to countless major films and animated features.

REQUIREMENTS

If the Waitlist is available, add your name to the Waitlist if you are interested in taking the course. Then, check your email for seating updates on Friday, November 5, 2021 and Saturday, November 6, 2019. Check frequently, as RSVP seating opportunities may change rapidly.

Performers must be able to attend all 5 classes in this course.  Check the dates and times carefully (see below).  Be certain that you are available to attend each of the 5 classes before adding your name to the RSVP or Waitlist.  If RSVPd, failure to attend any one of the 5 classes will result in a No-Show added to your user account.  Each participating performer is expected to complete the entire program.

The class dates and times are listed below, but are subject to change.  If changes occur, participants will be notified.

Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 (5-8 p.m. PT / 8-11 p.m. ET)

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 (5-8 p.m. PT / 8-11 p.m. ET)

Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 (5-8 p.m. PT / 8-11 p.m. ET)

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 (5-8 p.m. PT / 8-11 p.m. ET)

Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 (5-8 p.m. PT / 8-11 p.m. ET)

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

NOTE: This is a 3 HOUR class beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET

This 3-hour workshop is for members interested in learning how to build and edit their demo reel using Final Cut Pro X, a powerful video editing software that is currently FREE for those with a Mac. 

In this workshop, you will use your own video clips to assemble and edit your own demo reel. You must have the software in order to participate in this online class. You can download a free 90-day trial here: https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/trial/

Please Note: This class is not an introduction on how to use a computer, so basic computer skills are needed.  No exceptions.

Members must have the following prepared in a folder on their desktop:

At least 1 video clips in MPEG-4 (.MP4) or Quicktime (.MOV) format.

Requirements:

• Working knowledge of a Mac.
• Desire and ability to learn to edit digital video footage using Final Cut Pro X installed on their computer.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

If you have a few audiobook narration credits to your name, this workout provides you an opportunity to work with your fellow performers in a supportive space. Share your creative ideas with the group and get some instant feedback on your work. Be sure to read through your material before arriving for the workout and prepare to wow everyone you will be working with.

REQUIREMENTS

• Participants must be present for the entire program (Noon - 3 p.m. PT / 3-6 p.m. ET).
• Intermediate (and above) level audiobook narrators only (not a beginner level offering).  If you have several (3 or more) audiobook credits to your name, this is a good option for you.  Questions?  Email ashuford@sagafra.foundation.
• Depending on attendance, this workout may be separated into two groups.  Details will be shared once a determination is made.
• Two (2) FICTION (no children's books, self-help books, instruction manuals; etc.) book excerpts (that you are familiar with), each no less than 2 minutes in length (time yourself when practicing before the workout).  We would appreciate a digital file (PDF, Google Doc, Hi-Resolution Photo; etc.) of your excerpts, if possible, so we can all follow along.
• If you are completely new to audiobook narration (have never done audiobook narration) try our Beginner Bundle: Intro to Audiobook Workouts class before registering for this offering.  
• The Lab will not provide reading materials for this workout.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, watch this replay from Spring 2019 to become better acquainted with the rich diversity of talent available in our incredible community of performers with disabilities and hear from industry professionals who are working to cast and include the disabilities community.

 

Mic Technique. Copy Analysis. Decoding the Spec. Product Research. Point of View.  Breath Control.  Body Engagement.  The Music of the English Language. You can master all of these vital acting skills and yet miss the most important element of bringing words to life.  You—your heart; your mind; your life experience; you. How do we step into someone else's words with all of our tools and not leave ourselves behind? In this two-class intensive, Keri Tombazian will cover the basics of technique and her Music of the English Language to help you recognize and hold onto that which makes you unique, and how to take it to the mic, the stage, the camera. Whether voicing commercials, video games, narration, animation, audiobooks or on-camera, be ready to say, "Here I am."

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Keri Tombazian

Keri enjoys a robust spectrum of work built over decades as one of the top booking women in voice over. She is a lady of firsts: One of the first women to crack network promos. As a young artist, she was the voice of the computer on the first Mattel home video game, the first female to guest host for Casey Kasem's Amercian Top Forty, and the first Los Angeles based voice artist to sign with Atlas Talent when they debuted in LA. 

Keri is one of the rare voiceover artists who made the leap from radio. She spent years entertaining Southern Californians as the host of Night Grooves on 94.7 The Wave. Catch her now on TV voicing CBS Network promos, as Dr. Faith Carter in the #1SiFi podcast on Apple and Spotify—See You In Your Nightmares, and the branding voice for California Energy. Video Games include Paladins, Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption II, ADR1FT.

REQUIREMENTS

• If you participated in Keri Tombazian's Dear World, It's Me (2-Class Intensive) on April  23, 2021 and April 24, 2021, you are not eligible for this offering.
• Add your name to the Waitlist if the RSVP list is unavailable,
• This is  a two-class intensive, taking place on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 and Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 (see details below). Participants must attend both classes for this program.  If you are unable to attend both classes, please do not add your name to RSVP or Waitlist. Instead, take this intensive at another time when your schedule permits. 
• Class 1 on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 - 4 - 8 p.m. (PDT) / 7 - 11 p.m. (EDT)
• Class 2 on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (PDT) / 2 - 6 p.m. (EDT)
• There will be a meal breaks during each class.
• This class will have limited seating to optimize instructor/student interactions

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Two or more voiceover actors tackling the same copy at the same time in the same recording space is an exciting proposition.  It requires good timing and vocal dexterity to keep the dialogue sounding interesting, lively and conversational.  It's a bookable skill that takes practice and focus. We will introduce concepts and direction that will help individual performances mesh to benefit the collective  read. This program is specifically tuned for performers that are new to dialogue voiceover and copy will be provided by the VO Lab.

REQUIREMENTS

• Restriction: If you previously participated in a Beginner Bundle: Intro to Dialogue Voiceover, or Dynamic Duos: Commercial Workouts for Two (or Three), you are not eligible to participate in this offering. Instead, look for our next Dynamic Duos: Commercial Workouts for Two (or Three) and sign up.   
• There may be a limited number of designated readers chosen for this class/workout, depending on the number of performers and class time. Everyone on the RSVP and Waitlist will be notified about designated reader updates, prior to the class start time, when needed.
• Attendees must be present for the entire program Noon - 3p.m. PT / 3-6 p.m. ET

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

This class is for those that are new to voiceover and interested in narrating and understanding some of the performance elements involved when recording audiobooks. This class will also prepare you for participating in the VO Lab's Non-Beginner Bundle Audiobook Workout Groups and our Home Submission: Audiobook Edition Workout Groups.  You will touch on narrating, editing, software workflows, audiobook demos, types of payments, and pay rates.  

REQUIREMENTS

• This class is for beginners that are new  to audiobook narration and audiobook workout groups.  If you have previously attended Beginner Bundle: Introduction to Audiobook Workouts, as a designated reader or auditor or have  experience narrating and self-recording audiobooks, you are not eligible for this offering. Instead, you are encouraged to register for the standard VO Lab Audiobook Workout Group.
• Check your book shelf. Attendees must prepare one (1) book excerpt that is 1-2-minutes long. The excerpt needs to be fiction (no non-fiction, self-help, instructionals, erotica or children's books).  Readers will be selected randomly and the number of readers may be limited due to the number of attendees and time constraints.
• Attendees must stay for the entire class  Noon - 3 p.m. PT / 3-6 p.m. ET

Click here for details and to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

The Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Labor Community Services Program invites our SAG-AFTRA Hawaii Local members to a two-part Mental Wellness series presented by the Department of Health on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 from 10-11 a.m.

These are unprecedented and stressful times that sometimes make it hard to manage your mind. How you cope and manage your emotions and stress can affect your well-being, the well-being of the people you care about, your workplace, and your community. It is critical to foster good mental health strategies and take steps to build your resilience and manage stress.  

This is open to all and registration is required. Please go to the links below to register. Please note that  by registering for this event, you are providing your information to a third party. 

When: September 30, 10 a.m.

Click here to RSVP.

What you'll learn:

• How to employ psychological safety
• Increase your engagement
• Being comfortable with being uncomfortable
  • Practicing mental and physical wellness
  • Coping skills
• Anxiety feedback loop
• Filtering thoughts
• Cognitive reappraisal
• Radical Acceptance
• Dealing with Difficult People and Difficult Conversations
• De-escalation and other conversational skills
• Anticipatory anxiety
• Reducing Overwhelm
• Taking control by asserting some power
• Mindfulness – breathing and progressive relaxation with Dennis Williams

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

The Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Labor Community Services Program invites our SAG-AFTRA Hawaii Local members to a two-part Mental Wellness series presented by the Department of Health on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 from 10-11 a.m.

These are unprecedented and stressful times that sometimes make it hard to manage your mind. How you cope and manage your emotions and stress can affect your well-being, the well-being of the people you care about, your workplace, and your community. It is critical to foster good mental health strategies and take steps to build your resilience and manage stress.  

This is open to all and registration is required. Please go to the links below to register. Please note that  by registering for this event, you are providing your information to a third party. 

When: September 23, 10 a.m.

Click here to RSVP.

What you'll learn:

• How to employ psychological safety
• Increase your engagement
• Being comfortable with being uncomfortable
  • Practicing mental and physical wellness
  • Coping skills
• Anxiety feedback loop
• Filtering thoughts
• Cognitive reappraisal
• Radical Acceptance
• Dealing with Difficult People and Difficult Conversations
• De-escalation and other conversational skills
• Anticipatory anxiety
• Reducing Overwhelm
• Taking control by asserting some power
• Mindfulness – breathing and progressive relaxation with Dennis Williams

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.