The Voice Committee strives to expand professional opportunities for ACTRA Toronto’s world-class voice performers. As industry business models are constantly evolving in reaction to new production technology and distribution models, it has never been more important to communicate the ACTRA Advantage to new and experienced engagers.
Co-Chairs
Ana Sani
Ana Sani has lent her voice to many TV shows, commercials and video games including Izzy Moonbow in My Little Pony: Make Your Mark as well as Strawberry Shortcake in Berry in the Big City. She’s a two time ACTRA best voice performance nominee and was Canadian Screen Award-nominated for her work as Strawberry. Her involvement with the IPA bargaining committee gave her insight into the negotiations of ACTRA performers and motivation to continue speaking up for and with ACTRA voice performers – especially in the era of AI. Ana is also an animation writer (Go Dog Go!) and content creator. In her free time, Ana enjoys gaming, photography and video editing
Anthony Sardinha
Anthony Sardinha is a voice actor, writer, and improviser. Anthony has lent his talents to shows like Hamsters of Hamsterdale as Kendrick, PAW Patrol as Travelling Travis, and other titles such as My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, Camp Lakebottom, and Totally Spies!
Before joining ACTRA, Anthony worked as a voice actor, writer, director, and showrunner for various video games, animations, and web series from creators all over the world for over 10 years. When Anthony isn’t working, you can find him performing sketch comedy and improv on stage around the city
Emily Stranges
One of my first credits as an ACTRA Member was for a voice project. Since then, I have dedicated many years to honing my craft and staying informed about the ever-evolving voice industry.
Given the current concerns about the impact of A.I. on the voice industry, I am eager to amplify our voices and advocate for the protection of our craft and voices.
I am excited to join my Voice Committee Co-Chairs in helping strengthen our voice community and keep our members both informed and inspired.
Initiatives
Report on Vocal Stress in Video Game Voiceover Survey: The survey is the first quantified survey regarding vocal health in the industry. The key findings examine how voice work in video games can be taxing on performers’ voices and potentially impact their vocal health.
Audiobook Initiative: ACTRA Toronto’s Voice Committee identified a need to develop Canada’s audiobook market following attendance at an audiobook workshop in California where it was revealed the majority of audiobook work was U.S.-based. Learn more about our progress in this important and fast-developing market.
Resources
Voice.ACTRAonline.ca is ACTRA’s online searchable database of Professional Voice Performers. ACTRA Toronto Voice Performers can create a profile and upload resumes, demos and other information. The Voice Committee is working hard to make this database the preferred casting tool for engagers. Do you part by creating a profile and ensure it is up-to-date.
Vocal Health for Extreme Voice Performance: a best practices guide that provides advice for performers, producers, agents, and casting directors who are involved in voice over projects that include vocal extremes that lead to vocal stress.
Source Connect Primer & FAQ: Working from home? ACTRA Toronto Voice Committee member Paul Popovich created this handy Source Connect Primer & FAQ to help you set up and use the industry standard Source Connect software.
Public Lending Right (PLR)Program sends yearly payments to creators whose works are in Canada’s public libraries, and this includes audiobook narrators. The PLRP is a fund that is similar to a “royalty” for audiobooks that are in a lending library catalog and is distributed equally among audiobook title holders.
Webinars
ACTRA/NAVA AI Webinar (August 16, 2023): Learn more about the opportunities and ethical dilemmas surrounding the creation, training, and storage of Al and Synthetic Voice models and systems. Protection of the data needed to create this technology has become more important than ever. This is especially true for the companies which deal directly with sound files containing recordings of the human voice. See the ACTRA/NAVA AI Webinar Slide Deck in PDF format.
Public Lending Right Program for Audiobook Performers (March 16, 2022): This ACTRA Toronto webinar session features special guest Peter Schneider, Manager, Public Lending Right Program/Executive Secretary, Public Lending Right Commission, in discussion with ACTRA Toronto member Braden Right. Peter explains how the Public Lending Right program works, and how audiobook performers are eligible for payments.
Canadian Audiobook Publishers Panel (June 15, 2021): Ann Jansen (Penguin Random House Canada), David Caron (ECW Press) and Matt Williams (House of Anansi Press) discuss the tremendous growth of the industry in Canada and why they choose to work with professional, unionized performers to narrate audiobooks. The discussion is moderated by ACTRA member Braden Wright, head of the ACTRA Toronto Voice Committee Audiobook Subcommittee.
All About Animation – ACTRA Voice Performer Panel (September 29, 2020): Hear ACTRA Toronto members Deven Mack, Ana Sani, Stephany Seki and Nicole Stamp speak with Voice Committee Chair Cory Doran about their experience in the industry and why they love this engaging and challenging work.
The Canadian Audiobook Industry & Narration Work for ACTRA Members (June 23, 2020): ACTRA Toronto members Grace Lynn Kung, Miles Meili and Ana Sani joined host Braden Wright to discuss what attracts them to audiobook work, the challenges in this type of specialized performance and the joy of audiobook narration. Attendees also heard about member experiences becoming self-signatory to the Audio Code.
PRH Ahab Webinar for ACTRA Toronto – Reference Transcript (April 28, 2020): Ahab – Penguin Random House Audio hosted this webinar to talk about Ahab – its online performer database for audiobook narrators. The publisher hosted this webinar specifically for ACTRA Toronto audiobook narrators and talent agents thanks to outreach work done by the Audiobook Subcommittee of the ACTRA Toronto Voice Committee.
Working in Audiobooks (April 23, 2020): In this “perfect session for experienced voice performers who are looking to break into audiobook narration,” ACTRA Toronto Member and seasoned audiobook narrator Braden Wright talks about the difference between audiobook narration and other types of voice work, shares a list of 10 useful resources, discusses research and preparation for the role and gives tips on self-directing when working in a home studio.
How to Set up a Home Studio (April 15, 2020): ACTRA Toronto Member Tony Daniels walks you through the basics of creating a recording studio in your own home. From the different type of microphones available to the software needed to record and connect, Tony explains what is required to set up your home studio. See the How to Set Up a Home Studio Slides.
Connect with us
Email us
Have a question? Got an idea for a project we should be working on? We want to hear from you! Please e-mail us at voicecommittee@actratoronto.com.
