S.F.-NorCal Local Members Learn More About Audiobooks from Ann Richardson and Simon Vance

Telling a story is at the heart of the work for performers and broadcasters and, as San Francisco-Northern California Local members learned at the Sept. 5 audiobooks panel, recording a story requires an even more refined skill set. Award-winning narrators and SAG-AFTRA members Simon Vance and Ann Richardson shared the stage to explain their process, experience and expertise in building successful careers as audiobooks artists. SAG-AFTRA member and ABC7 News anchor Dion Lim moderated.

Vance and Richardson encouraged members to take the creative, technical and physical craft seriously by training, networking and establishing a framework that can repeatedly and efficiently produce publication-worthy reads. SAG-AFTRA National Director, Organizing, Steve Sidawi offered a broad scope of the publication landscape and noted that virtually all audiobook production is now covered under union agreements or can be converted under a one-production-only SAG-AFTRA contract for members approached by authors to record their books. The packed house at La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley brimmed with questions and enthusiasm to learn more about this steady source of revenue and pension and health contributions from those who have dedicated themselves to the art of audiobooks.

Top photo: Moderator, SAG-AFTRA member and ABC7 anchor Dion Lim with members Simon Vance and Ann Richardson and SAG-AFTRA National Director, Organizing, Steve Sidawi