Voice Talent and Actress Becca

Thank you for taking the time to visit last weeks edition of Asia Pacific MIX.  Melanie, Paola, and 15 other Female Tagalog Talent got the record for number of hits to date.  So let’s take a look at  LA based Filipino Voice Talent Bernardo;  and 11 other awesome male VO artists from such diverse cities as Manila, Toronto, New York, and of course Los Angeles.  They are available for Voice Over via inexpensive SKYPE, PHONE, or ISDN Digital Patch anywhere in the world.

Since being introduced to Bernardo a year ago, The MIX has gone on to link up with a diverse talent base  for Tagalog, English with a Tagalog accent,  and Taglish.

Actor, Comedian & Voice Talent Bernardo

Bernardo has been to The MIX on many occasions, mostly doing radio spots for Verizon Wireless.  He was recently recognized by Filipinas Magazine as one of the top ten Filipino Achievers of the Year, in “recognition of the accomplishments of the advocates, role models, and movers and shakers in the Filipino-American community.”

As a triple treat HOST, SINGER and STAND-UP COMEDIAN, Bernardo continues to wow audiences in a series of concerts in Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Juneau, Las Vegas and New York. His wit and wicked repartee sends up the wackier quirks of Pinoy Ghetto Glam USA.

Cast Members of "Voyage"

Bernardo_Tagalog_M_LA_Verizon.mp3

Bernardo_1stVox_Eng_Verizon_LA_Demo.mp3

Bernardo_English_DTV_M_LA.mp3

As a STAGE ACTOR, Bernardo and the cast of “VOYAGE” were featured on the front cover of AMERICAN THEATRE magazine  in the cover story “FRONTIER DREAMS, The Alaskeros Tell Their Stories.  Bernardo appeared as lead in two successive Perseverance Theatre productions: as Ben Cantil, the nostalgic Merchant Marine in “VOYAGE,” a play based on the lives of four generations of Filipino immigrants in Alaska; and, as the despicable cannery foreman Conrado, in PT’s world premiere musical, “THE LONG SEASON”.  Currently he is heading up a theatrical effort to raise money to pay for damages by typhoon “Ketsana”.

BrianML_Tagalog_Taglish_M_Philippines_Sprint.mp3

JayQ_Tagalog_M_LA_McDonalds.mp3

BrianA_English_w_Tagalog accent_Anncr_M_Verizon.mp3

RomneyP_Tagalog_M_NYC.mp3

JoseM_Tagalog_M_NYC.mp3

RandyB_Tagalog_M_LA.mp3

RandyB_Man_Verizon_LA.mp3

EdL_Taglish_M_husband_LA.mp3

Manny_Taglish_Dad_Verizon_LA.mp3

Augie_Taglish_Hawaian_M_HI.mp3

GeorgeB_Tag_M_demo_toronto.mp3

All of the talent mentioned above can be auditioned and booked for sessions anywhere in the world.  Many are available for On Camera spot work, and I would be happy to pass along any any audition requests.

Warm Regards;

Ted Lobinger

We Are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Filipino Slang

While there is a solid Tagalog talent base living in LA, we are also working with Tagalog talent in other parts of the US and Canada, and the Philippines. The talent featured here, if not LA based, are easily accessible via SKYPE or an inexpensive ISDN Patch.

Melanie in the Studio

Melanie started in Voice Over while living in Paris, where she performed voices on a friend’s music track. The track became an overnight sensation in the Paris electronic music dance scene. 
 Melanie loved the experience, and
when she returned to the US, she signed up for private coaching lessons with Marla Kirban, a well known general market VO artist working in New York.

Melanie at home in New York

“I’ve been working in the marketing world for five years, mostly on the agency side. Working directly with brands and brand development has allowed me to understand how important the voiceover element is in any marketing, advertising, and promotional outreach” stated Melanie in a phone interview.

Melanie_Tagalog_DTV_F.mp3

Melanie_English_F.mp3

Voice Artist Paola

Like Melanie, most of Paola’s Voice Over work has been in the general market. She comes to Voice Over work as an actress, performing mostly on stage and on camera. I was so excited to find out that Melanie spoke fluent Tagalog, and had a chance to interview her:

Paola_English_F_LA_Demo.mp3

Paola_Eng w Tagalog accent_F_Wife_LA.mp3

Ted: Most of your VO work has been for the General Market. What’s it like for you to do Taglish?

MIX's Jessica Puri (L) with Bernardo and Paola

Paola: “Doing Taglish is fun! Switching accents and languages is a very conscious effort, but makes for a highly enjoyable challenge! I believe that knowing more than one language is a privilege and should be kept fresh in one’s memory by being spoken or practiced on a regular basis. Being given Tagalog and Taglish projects helps me do just that!”

More Tagalog Female Voice Talent

Marissa_Eng w Tagalog accent_F_AZ_Narr.mp3

Aileen_Taglish_F_LA.mp3

Becca_ATT_F_Olympics_LA.mp3

Becca_Eng w Tagalog accent_Wife_Verizon_LA.mp3

Becca_Taglish_F_DTV_LA.mp3

Czarina_Tagalog_F_demo_LA.mp3

Eileen_Tagalog_F_LA.mp3

Eileen_Taglish_F_demo_LA.mp3

Natasha_Taglish_F_LA_demo.mp3

Patricia_Eng w Tagalog accent_woman_LA.mp3

Patricia_Taglish_McD_demo_LA.mp3

BanaueM_Tagalog_F.mp3

DonitaR_Tagalog_F.mp3

JayneS_Tagalog_F.mp3

LeanneC_Tagalog_F.mp3

MarieA_Tagolog_F.mp3

MarmeeC_Tagolog_F.mp3

ReneC_Tagalog_F.mp3SibylR_Tagalog_F.mp3

Warm Regards;

Ted Lobinger

We Are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Los Angeles Based Actor and Voice Talent Toshiya

Toshiya has recorded several Japanese commercials at The MIX, inlcuding House Foods, AT&T, and JAL. Toshiya’s film credits include “Koroshiya – The Killer”, “Good Soil”, and “Letters from Iwo Jima”. Television Credits include Heroes, Reno 911, and The Last Mission. His sample is included below, along with Mayumi and more Japanese Voice Talent. Feel free to call me if you seek to hire Toshiya, or any of the other actors featured in the Asia Pacific Blog for On Camera work. I will refer it to their agent.

"Letters from Iwo Jima"

Toshiya_J_M_LA_Clarion.mp3

Toshiya_J_M_LA_Yamaha.mp3

Toshiya_J_M_LA_Asiana.mp3

Global One Music

Mayumi_J_F_LA_roleplay_mom.mp3

Mayumi_J_F_LA_narrator.mp3

Mayumi

Mayumi just finished a project call Global One Music: One song; Many different languages. She currently has 2 albums released: Bossa Nova No Cafe which you can check out atwww.last.fm/music/Mayumi+Kaneyuki, and a 2nd album readers can hear at Mayumi’s myspace:  www.myspace.com/mayumikaneyukimusic She plays Naomi on the web series Scary City, and has performed in numerous major motion pictures. And Mayumi is very much a part of the LA Music Scene, performing frequently around town. Please find the time to check out Bossa Nova No Cafe: Icy Cool and seductive Latin Jazz.

All of the talent presented here are Los Angeles based, and available for VO work on the growing Japanese TV and Radio media in the US. My motivation for writing this latest entry to my blog is to announce: Some really awesome Voice Talent are living in Los Angeles. Write a script, and they will bring life to it, and customers!

This author doesn’t know the market share of Japanese Broadcast media in the US, but there are some great TV and Radio stations broadcasting in Japanese, right here in LA and other major cities throughout the country.

So here is the rest of the Japanese Female voice talent:

Sachiyo_F_J_LA_Marukome_SaladDressing.mp3

Chie Y_J_F_LA_hostess_TV.mp3

Hiroco_J_F_LA.mp3

Yumi_J_F_LA_3.mp3

Yumi_J_F_LA_2.mp3

Yumi_J_F_LA_1.mp3

Warm Regards;

We Are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Ted Lobinger

]]> http://asiapacificmix.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/15-los-angeles-based-voice-talent-parts-3-4-featuring-toshiya-and-mayumi/feed/ 0 asiapacificmix Toshiya Agata iwojima Male VO Male VO Male VO mayumi world graphic female vo female vo Mayumi female vo female vo female vo female vo female vo female vo TheMixLogoLg_white Photo 35 http://asiapacificmix.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/15-los-angeles-based-japanese-voice-talent-part-2-featuring-kazumi/ http://asiapacificmix.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/15-los-angeles-based-japanese-voice-talent-part-2-featuring-kazumi/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:59:41 +0000 asiapacificmix http://asiapacificmix.wordpress.com/?p=696 ]]>

Kazumi, at The MIX

Kazumi on the Set of "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Kazumi is an LA based actress, martial arts expert, artist, translator, simultaneous interpreter, and Voice Talent.  You can hear her voice on “Letters from Iwo Jima”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Memoirs of A Geisha”, “The Last Samurai”, “The Terminal”, “Fast and Furious 3 Tokyo Drift”, “Grudge 2”, and many many more.  Here she is pictured on the right recording VO at The MIX.

Kazumi_J_F_LA_AT&T.mp3

Kazumi_J_F_LA_Demo Reel.mp3

Michi Y_J_M_LA_teacher.mp3

Michi Y_J_M_LA_chef.mp3

Michi Y_J_M_LA_anncr.mp3

Akira K_J_M_LA.mp3

Hideo_J_M_LA_cartoon.mp3

Hideo_J_M_LA_1.mp3

Hideo_J_M_LA_2.mp3

Warm Regards;

We are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Ted Lobinger

Fusako narrates "I'll Be There"

The MIX, preparing for an upcoming casting for spots that will air on Japanese Media in selected US markets,  reached out to Japanese Media Outlets, theatrical agents,  dubbinggroups, and local repertory groups to find 15 remarkable Voice Talent.  They include some well established LA based voice talent, like Fusako, who works as an ADR director and script supervisor, Japanese linguist, and translator.  Fusako was trained in Japan as voice actress, and started out in LA delivering the news on KSCI LA Channel 18 for a Japanese broadcaster.  Recent projects include directing English ADR for two Japanese Anime Hits:  Leave It To Piyoko and Di Gi Charat.

ADR by Fusako

Fusako_J_F_narr_LA.mp3

Fusako_J_F_LA_Marukome_boy&anncr.mp3

All of the talent presented here are Los Angeles  based, and available for VO work in the growing Japanese TV and Radio media in the US.  My motivation for writing this latest entry to my blog is to announce:  Some really awesome Japanese Voice Talent are living in Los Angeles.  Write a script, and they will bring life to it, and customers!

This author doesn’t know the market share of Japanese Broadcast media in the US, but there are some great TV and Radio stations broadcasting in Japanese, right here in LA and other major cities throughout the country.

Masashi_J_M_LA_roleplay.mp3

Masashi_J_M_LA_narration.mp3

Masa_J_M_LA_father.mp3

Masa_J_M_LA_roleplay.mp3

Masa_J_M_LA_anncr.mp3

Toshi_J_M_LA_narr.mp3

Toshi_J_M_LA_monologue.mp3

Check out soon a big spread of International East Asian Indian and Hindi Voice Talent!

Oh Yeah!  And Robert Jia is back in town!

And stay tuned for Parts 2, 3, and 4 of 15 LA Based Japanese Voice Talent during the week.

Warm Regards;

We are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Ted Lobinger

Star Talent Voice Actors Present and Future

Everyone knows Bing Bing, LA based Mandarin VO talent and the voice of JCPenney to Chinese living in America .  But there is quite another dimension to her talent.   In 2005, Bing Bing started kids Voice Over training classes, to prepare Mandarin speaking kids for commercial auditions and cartoon voice over roles.  She needed kids for her internationally renown radio show:  Bing Bing’s Magic House.   Bing Bing believes: “development of children’s eloquent speech and communication skills should begin early.  With adequate training, you can see the difference in children when compared to peers of the same age who had never received any guidance”  Bing Bing, and her Star Zone associate Peggy Wu, firmly believe that bilingual communication skills will support children to succeed in their future endeavors.

Naomi and Rachel finish 3rd in the competition

StarTalent Voice Over classes are available to all ages.  Kids who have taken the Star Zone classes have gone on to act in radio and TV spots for AT&T, Wal-Mart, State Farm, and Bank of America.  StarTalent has even trained cartoon VO for mainstream Mandarin kid’s television.  All of the winners of the 2009 ETTV Little News Anchor constes were trained by Star Talent.

Star Zone Entertaiment: Star Zone is the main player in concert promotions that link China, Hong Kong,  and Taiwan to the United States.  Bing Bing solicits celebrity endorsements for the full range of products advertised in our market;  JC Penney and 

Bing Bing (L) and Amei (R) at recent LA Press Conference

McDonalds, just to name a couple.  She finds celebrity VO talent, actors, and actresses  from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan for Asia Pacific commercials that get shot both in Asia and the US. Here is a short list of services Star Zone can provide:

Bing Bing with Hong Kong actor Simon Yam

‧ Concert show productions

‧ Marketing and promotion events

‧ Creative Television and Radio advertising productions

‧ Media buy and analysis

‧ Cultural exchange activities

‧ In-flight music program productions

‧ Artist/Performer Broker

Warm Regards;

   We Are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

    Ted Lobinger

Taiwan is 15 hours later than Los Angeles, so early evening sessions are the norm from LA.  Rates are comparable to Toronto and include talent coordination in Taipei, and remote Taipei recording studio and connection fees.  

Following is an extensive PinYin directory of selected talent, including their VO demos.  Casting Mandarin in Taipei Part 1 only looks at Male VO.  Part 2 will take a look at Female VO talent.  There are even some options for recording kids.

Future blogs will index local Los Angeles and New York talent options for Mandarin, as well as Toronto, Shanghai, Beijing and other cities.

    A Di (阿杕)_TW_Mand_M_carefree role playing.mp3

    Chang You_TW_Mand_M_low humorous dignified role play & anncr.mp3

    Chen Huang Dian (陳煌典)_TW_Mand_M_role play/anncr demo.mp3

    Chen Huang Dian (陳煌典)_TW_Mand_M_friendly reality sales.mp3

    Chen Huang Dian (陳煌典)_TW_Mand_M_excited sales promo.mp3

    Chen Xu Sheng (陳旭昇)_TW_M_Mand_Anncr Demo.mp3

    Chen Xu Sheng (陳旭昇)_TW_M_Mand_low calm_dignified Bridal .mp3   

    Chen Yu Xin_TW_Mand_M_energetic_film_trailer.mp3

    Chen Yu Xin_TW_Mand_M_excited sales promotions.mp3

    He Wei_TW_Mand_M_Demo_intellectual_reality sales.mp3

    Hu Xue Wei (胡學維)_TW_Mand_M_anncr demo.mp3

    Hu Xue Wei (胡學維)_TW_Mand_M_dimenional_sentimental.mp3

    Hu Xue Wei (胡學維)_TW_Mand_M_Ford_assured anncr.mp3

    Hu Xue Wei (胡學維)_TW_Mand_M_intellectual.mp3

    Jia Pei De (賈培德)_TW_Mand_M_genuine sincere.mp3

    Jia Pei De (賈培德)_TW_Mand_M_natural sincere.mp3

    Ji Xiang Chen_TW_Mand_M_warm dignified.mp3

    Ke Zhi Xun (柯至訓)_TW_Mand_M_humorous.mp3

    Ke Zhi Xun (柯至訓)_TW_Mand_M_humorous sell.mp3

    Ke Zhi Xun (柯至訓)_TW_Mand_M_demo.mp3

    Liang Gang Hua_TW_Mand_M_Anncr 25sec_fast energetic sell.mp3

    Liang Gang Hua_TW_Mand_M_friendly carefree relaxed.mp3

    Liao Jun Jie (廖俊傑)_TW_Mand_M_doctors wisdom secure.mp3

    Li Pei Wei_TW_Mand_M_intellectual deliberate.mp3

    Liu Bo Li_TW_Mand_M_assured professional.mp3

    Liu Bo Li_TW_Mand_M_awesome low tone_assured.mp3

    Liu Bo Li_TW_Mand_M_Low_ conversational demo.mp3

    Liu Chao Jian (柳超堅)_Mand_M_TW_reality sales_calm.mp3

    Liu Chao Jian (柳超堅)_Mand_M_TW_reality promo.mp3

    Liu Chao Jian (柳超堅)_Mand_M_TW_TaiwanBeerLite.mp3

    Liu Ming Xun_TW_Mand_M_bright_excited Anncr.mp3

    Liu Ming Xun_TW_Mand_M_demo.mp3 

    Liu Ming Xun_TW_Mand_M_role playing

    Li Wei De_TW_Mand_M_dynamic character_4 sec in.mp3

    Qiao Yu Long_TW_Mand_M_assured anncr.mp3

    Qiao Yu Long_TW_Mand_M_HP 25sec in anncr.mp3

    Qiu Zhan Wen (邱展文)_TW_Mand_introduction demo.mp3

    Qiu Zhan Wen (邱展文)_TW_Mand_LandRover_prestige sales.mp3

    Qiu Zhan Wen (邱展文)_TW_Mand_role playing.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_concert promo casual.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_cool intellectual.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_demo casual cool.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_excited hyper sales.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_Grammys Promo.mp3

    Ren Yan Guang_TW_Mand_M_naturally sincere.mp3

    Rui Qi (瑞騏)_TW_Mand_M_humorous character_role playing_demo.mp3

    Shi Zhao Cai_TW_Mand_M_hyper comedic.mp3

    Shi Zhao Cai_TW_Mand_M_hyper_exagerated.mp3

    Shun Yao_TW_Mand_M_intellectual_narration.mp3

    Wang Chao Ming_TW_Mand_M_gentle sentimental.mp3

    Wang Chao Ming_TW_Mand_M_HP Pavillion.mp3

    Wang Chao Ming_TW_Mand_M_narration demo.mp3

    Wang Chao Ming_TW_Mand_M_reality sales promotions.mp3

    Wang Dao Wei_TW_Mand_M_energetic sales promo.mp3

    Wang Xing Min_TW_Mand_M_7Seas.mp3

    Wang Xing Min_TW_Mand_M_powerful sales.mp3

    Wang Yu Wei (王育偉)_TW_Mand_M_dynamic texture.mp3

    Wang Yu Wei (王育偉)_TW_Mand_M_smart_quick_role playing.mp3

    Wei Li (威利)_TW_Mand_M_youthful voice of experience.mp3

    Wu Shao Jian_TW_Mand_M_National Geographic.mp3

    Wu Shao Jian_TW_Mand_M_professional assured demo.mp3

    Wu Wen Min (吳文民)_TW_Mand_M_demo_honest_powerful.mp3

    Wu Wen Min (吳文民)_TW_Mand_M_IPark_intellectual sales.mp3

    Wu Wen Min (吳文民)_TW_Mand_M_Toyota_fierce_dramatic.mp3

    Wu Zong Xin (吳宗信)_TW_Mand_M_excited_exagerated.mp3

    Wu Zong Xin (吳宗信)_TW_Mand_M_voice of business_sensible.mp3

    Xu Yong (許詠)_TW_Mand_M_youthful_dynamic_demo.mp3

    Yan Da Wei_TW_Mand_M_steady secure.mp3

    Yan Da Wei_TW_Mand_M_steady texture.mp3

    Yao Shun (姚舜)_TW_Mand_M_Austrailia Travelogue_documentary.mp3

    Ye Tian Lun_TW_Mand_M_Lexus tag_25sec in.mp3

    Ye Tian Lun_TW_Mand_M_Trailer.mp3

    Zhang Dong Guang_TW_M_Mand_Culture.mp3

    Zhang Dong Guang_TW_Mand_M_Demo.mp3

    Zhang Hao_TW_Mand_M_Microsoft.mp3

    Zhang Hao_TW_Mand_M_News Anchor.mp3

    Zhang Hao_TW_Mand_M_scientific sales.mp3

    Zhang Hao_TW_Mand_M_warm caring steady

    Zhang Hao Wei (張皓為)_TW_Mand_M_Demo.mp3

    Zhang Hao Wei (張皓為)_TW_Mand_M_Discovery Channel.mp3

    Zhang Hao Wei (張皓為)_TW_Mand_M_Movie Channel Promo.mp3

    Zhang Jing (張敬)_TW_Mand_M_demo.mp3

    Zhang Jing (張敬)_TW_Mand_M_professional_self assured.mp3

    Zhang Jing (張敬)_TW_Mand_M_soft spoken assured.mp3

    Zhang Shu Rui (張書睿)_TW_Mand_M_demo.mp3

    Zhang Shu Rui (張書睿)_TW_Mand_M_excited_restaurant anncr.mp3

    Zhou Zhen Yu_TW_Mand_M_concert promo.mp3

    Zhou Zhen Yu_TW_Mand_M_versatile demo.mp3

    Zhuang Jie Lun (莊介侖)_TW_Mand_M_assured_professional.mp3

    Zhuang Jie Lun (莊介侖)_TW_Mand_M_dynamic sales.mp3

    Zhuang Jie Lun (莊介侖)_TW_Mand_M_sentimental warm caring.mp3

Actress, Director, and VO Talent Cici Lau

A frequent guest talent at The MIX is Cici Lau. She mostly does TV, film, and commercials, but enjoys working as a Voice Talent and gets called for both Mandarin and Cantonese. Cici is a native Cantonese speaker from Hong Kong. In Cici’s words: “No makeup or hot lights, No wardrobe, and best of all; Not as much waiting around for your cue! ” Cici just wrapped the play “Joy Luck Club” at East West Players, and before that; wrote, directed and starred in the play “Hearts of Gold”. Over Memorial Day she directed the Mandarin play “Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter” and filled the 408 seat Performing Arts Center in Baldwin Park for 5 performances. There were kids acting in the play as well, which leads us back to casting kids for MCKVT spots in LA.

Tristan and Andy auditioning for a State Farm Radio Spot

Cici: “When you call on me to cast a 3 to 6 year fluent in Cantonese, I have to think twice. It’s quite a challenge, because a traditional casting with a big pool of actors won’t do. When the mom or guardian says they are fluent, often they are not. So I go to the nursery schools, and Community After School centers. Of course I know the owners. That level of trust is necessary to gain access. I myself have to first screen the kids, to get a feel for their level of language proficiency, and acting ability. Some of the kids are too bashful. And young kids cannot read copy, so I train them first. They are all little geniuses, and can memorize the lines fast, especially as a group. Last time, it was inconvenient for the kids to go to Santa Monica to record their casting, so it was great that Ted came to meet and record on location their voices. A couple of the kids didn’t work out.

Tristan, Andy, Sidney auditioning with Cici

One little boy who could speak both Mandarin and Cantonese seemed perfect, but would start speaking Cantonese with kind of a Mandarin accent. Then, the 3 year old I had been prepping was ready to go, but the minute you came in the classroom with your microphone she just stared at you, then her eyes swelled up with tears, and she couldn’t say a word. I think you scared her, but you’re such a gentle man. She hadn’t met anyone as tall as you, and she probably hadn’t been in the company of a Caucasian in such close quarters. But certainly it could have been much worse it this hadn’t been seen, and were to happen at your studio in front of all those clients.

Tristan, Andy, and Sidney: "Peace"

Casting as a group seems to work the best. The kids learn from each other. And they challenge each other, besting the others performance. And the remote recording equipment you bring to the casting sounds so good, it hardly seems necessary to have a final recording session.”

Yvonne Chan and Ada Lin at The MIX in April: Cantonese BofA Radio Spot

Ted: “In the end, our client chose one of the small boys we had auditioned with one of the “Dads” the day before at another child care center. Kaison did an amazing job at the session, performing in front of many new faces. I attribute this to the coaching he received from Cici during the session, and her coaching and training during the audition 2 weeks previous. I have worked with Cici for 6 years, and enjoy her unorthodox casting methods. She gets the job done, and it is always a lot of fun.

Cici with husband David Lau, a Montery Park City Council Member

Next MIX:    

Bing Bing starts a Voice School for Mandarin speaking children, making available Professional Mandarin Child VO Talent.  Her company StarZone also specializes in Mandarin VO casting, Chinese PR, and Concert Promotion. Thanks for reading!  

Warm Regards;

Ted Lobinger 

I have been busily preparing my next couple blogs, devoted to resources in Los Angeles for casting child voice talent. We are opening up some valuable avenues for casting MCKVT kids in LA, and I want to highlight the people that are making this happen.  We will follow this with a series devoted to casting in India, China, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, New York, and Canada.  Los Angeles is an incredible place to cast Asia Pacific talent, but increasingly we are being asked to supplement this great base with new talent exclusive to a single brand within a market segment.

CiCi Lau casting 3 youthful VO talent: Tristan, Andy, and Sydney

The 3 to 10 year olds need extra coaching, as do all children, but we are getting some incredible performances with the help of voice coaches,  like Actress/Director/Voice Talent Cici Lau pictured here. Vietnamese and Tagalog speaking kids are seldom scripted, but this is opening up as well. This all complements our efforts at The MIX to make LA a perfect hub for Asia Pacific Voice Casting and Recording. Lately we are being asked to obtain exclusive 1 year contracts for specific advertisers in our market, or to cast talent who are completely new for MCKVT in the US Asia Pacific Ad Market. Some agencies are looking to Seoul and Toronto as a single resource. We have a cost effective model now in place for making LA the hub and supplementing all of our LA talent resources with those of the rest of the world.

Source Connect Session links The Mix with a Toronto Studio

With the advent of new and cheaper technologies, casting and recording options are opening up in China, India, the Filipines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Massachusettes, Vancouver, Pennsylvania, and New York. We are now negotiating one year exclusive contracts for the US with talent based in Shanghai, Toronto, and Singapore. Mix Solutions:

Source Connect ProTools Interface

MCKVT: We found a great studio in New York to help us cast and record for the modest fee of $250/hour. You will be amazed at some of their great MCKVT talent.  Add $50/hr for them to ISDN dialup.

TAGALOG: Also in NY, I am now working with Melanie M, better known for her VO work in the general market, but available for Taglish and Tagalog from her home studio. She is an awesome VO talent.  Add to this at least a dozen new LA based Tagalog actors, singers, and radio hosts available now for VO sessions.  As impressive now as the new options for MCKV in LA.

MANDARIN: In China, an American has created a state of the art facility, and made available to The MIX the top neutral Mandarin commercial VO talent in China. ISDN, SKYPE, PHONE PATCH, SOURCE LIVE, SOURCE CONNECT SPOKEN HERE!

HINDI: Now available in various Canadian cities, New York, LA, and India. Many Hindi talent have home studios, or have access to professional facilities with Phone Patch and SKYPE.

KOREAN: We continue to get medium to poor sound quality files from the various casting and record resources in Seoul, but with the incredible old and new LA based Korean talent, I think that casting and recording locally is more than ever before a viable option.   Here is a short primer on recording internationally; various technologies used together for facilitating client approvals and producer decisions.

Primer on the new methods of recording without boundries in Asia, Canada, and the United States:

Skype: We use skype mostly when we record in China and Toronto. Computer to computer, there are no charges incurred, and the signal is better than a phone patch.  Preview quality.

Broadcast VO anywhere

Source Live: Pro Tools software that enables to stream the session to ITunes and Quicktime installed on any computer in the world. Clients and producers then can communicate to us via a Phone Patch. Sometimes we use this software even to get approvals from agency creative teams assembled in their conference room, and other remote language coaches

Shanghai

Source Connect: Any 2 Pro Tools studios can exchange files in real time anywhere in the world. For instance, talent in Shanghai records in real time right onto our armed Pro Tools track in Los Angeles. Over the internet.  Was buggy, but now ready for Prime Time.

XSTREAM/APT

Digital Patch: In use since 1990, allows any 2 studios in the world to receive and send over dedicated phone lines. This is now an option for Canada, China, Singapore, and other international locations.  It is the most tried and true solution, but it is not the cheapest, especially when used internationally.

Comrex DH20 Pro Phone Patch

Phone Patch: The old standby for gaining client and voice coach approvals. Together with the newer technologies, this remains a universally accepted method. Surprisingly, hardly any facilities in China and India make this available. At The MIX, we only work with facilities that allow constant communication with the engineer and talent.

Thanks for reading.  Email or call me if you want to know more, or need help casting and recording your next gig.   And the upcoming blogs about casting kids in LA are cute, as well as  informative.  Get ready to meet some amazingly diverse and creative, hard working talent in their own right, willing to mentor a whole new generation.

Warm Regards;        Ted Lobinger

We Are The MIX;  That’s What We Do!

Monica Dong

 It seemed odd to me that a radio personality in Los Angeles would be so recognized, but this DJ has a double-platinum record credit alongside  other former DJs at the wildly popular Hong Kong radio station CR2.  When Monica was at AM 1430, her ratings surpassed Howard Stern’s in the LA market, according to Arbitron ratings, now gathered for Asia Pacific radio stations.

Monica Dong is a unique voice talent, and her warmth and sincerity come from the heart.  Outside the studio she is a  very private person, and I am happy she was willing to share with us some projects she is currently working on, including the animal portraits from her book, displayed in this newsletter.

Mimi's Cafe Interview: Ted and Monica

Ted:  Let’s talk first about what is dearest to your heart; your work with abandoned animals.  Tell us about “Dogspell” and the accompanying song “I Didn’t Know” with your daughter Megan!

Monica:  As you know I have always loved dogs and currently have three dogs.  My main goal has been to educate the Asian communities in US, Canada, Australia, and NewZealand on proper and responsible pet ownership.  While Dogspell (English and Chinese) is a book telling people that every dog is an individual and has their own unique story; my infotainment website, www.chienchien.net, serves as an easy-to-navigate online aid (guide) for animal-lovers.“I didn’t know” was Megan’s first try as a composer.  We created the song to accompany the book launch in HK and LA.

"Dogspell" The Book and CD

The Alarm Clock - Yumi, Yorkshire Terrier

Ted:  I have known you as a Voice Over artist for…what….8 years?  But only recently did I come to find out that you and pop singer Sandy Lam not only were DJs at the same Hong Kong radio station  but you had a double platinum record with Sony.  The details!

Monica:  Before I left CR (Commercial Radio Channel 2, the radio station with the highest listenership), one of my jobs was to train Sandy as our full-time DJ. After I graduated from Maryknoll Sisters School, I was hired immediately and trained to host prime-time shows for CR2.   Our station was wildly popular attracting young audiences. Our DJ’s were branching out to other media such as hosting TV shows, doing concerts, and starring in movies.   CBS Sony decided to take a chance and invest on our LP (Long play) music album.   Since our CR2 team consisted of only 12 DJs and one producer, my boss named us  ‘6 ½ Pair’.   I guess our album went double-platinum .

The Dog's Meow - Annie, Samoyed

Throughout the last 30 years, Sony kept repackaging and selling 4 of the more popular songs in different compilation CD’s.   Mine happened to be one of them because the song’s melody is very appealing.   Due to our popularity, EMI had actually offered me a record deal, I passed because I left CR to further my education in Canada.

Ted: How can readers tune in to hear you these days!?

Monica:  I have a weekly radio show that airs in SF, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Australia, and New Zealand.  My LA audience can find those shows archived on my website, www.chienchien.net.

Ted: How do you like acting in commercials?   Asia Pacific Mix is targeted to Ad Agencies in the Asia Pacific Ad Market.  What interesting spots have you worked on recently.

Monica:  I am currently getting called quite often by Joanna at All In One to be a voice for Verizon Wireless.

Readers who want a demo of some of Monica’s recent ad work can call Jessica at The Mix (310-260-9838), or email:  ted@themixsantamonica.com.

Readers who want to hear Monica’s radio shows, order her book, or know more about this extraordinary personality can visit: www.monicadong.com  

Also visit  www.themixsantamonica.com