We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joan Baker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joan below.
Joan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I’ve ever embarked on is still unfolding: That’s Voiceover! Career Expo. What began as a modest three-hour event in 2009/2010 in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, has evolved into the longest-running VO conference and expo in the world, an epic three-day event in Los Angeles. The seed for this journey was planted when I started writing a book in 2003-04, initially titled Room with a Voice and later renamed Secrets of Voiceover Success. This book, which features a forward by David Hyde Pierce, originated from a seminar I attended on leadership and community service.
In an unexpected twist of fate, my father’s passing due to complications from Alzheimer’s, an illness not widely recognized at that time had deeply impacted me. I was heartbroken, and my grief became a powerful catalyst for channeling my emotions into something meaningful. This sadness transformed into a profound source of inspiration, which led me to turn my personal loss into a platform that makes a difference for others. My proceeds from the book go to The Alzheimer’s Association.
BUT WAIT: I could not have advanced this vision without the undeniable support of my husband, business partner, and CEO of Society of Voice Arts in Science, Rudy Gaskins. As an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and director, his undeniable support, vision, and partnership have played a pivotal role in amplifying our impact and making a significant difference in the world. Our profound love for each other and what we’ve built together has changed my life.
Now, back to making a difference, I created a business plan and set out to gather some of the top voiceover talent in the industry and secure a publisher. Both goals were achieved. The book was published in 2005, accompanied by book signings and seminars. By 2006, we hosted our first ticketed event, hosted by the late Alan Kalter, longtime on-camera show announcer for Letterman’s ‘Late Show.’ This was the first event of its kind in the voiceover world, complete with a step-and-repeat and press photographers. The proceeds from the event went to the Museum of the Moving Image and the Alzheimer’s Association.
What started as a heartfelt tribute to my father and a gesture of gratitude to the voiceover community that welcomed me from the start has blossomed into the illustrious That’s Voiceover! Career Expo. This event has become a shining beacon of inspiration, offering unparalleled opportunities for education, career advancement, and meaningful connections within our industry.
This year, we’re excited to host the expo at The Los Angeles Airport Marriott, featuring the iconic, Nancy Cartwright, the voice behind Bart Simpson, as our keynote speaker. Attendees will experience a variety of highlights, including The CBS Audition Spotlight, generously sponsored by CBSLA, and our dynamic Speed Dating event where talents present their demo reels to leading industry professionals in quick, impactful five-minute meetings. These sessions will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and English-accented variations. We’re also thrilled to offer auditions for paid jobs in Audio Description and with Pandora. For more details, visit our website at sovas.org and navigate to the AUDITION tab. Additionally, we’re awarding scholarships totaling over $25,000.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our extraordinary sponsors who are integral to the success of That’s Voiceover! Their support, whether onstage, in booths, or through significant contributions, includes NBCUniversal, DreamWorks, Telemundo, Pandora, Audible, Backstage Magazine, CBSLA, Sirius FM, United Airlines, Meta, Deluxe, Nickelodeon, Neumann / Sennheiser, and many more.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Imagine a bi-racial girl growing up in Marin County, California, during the civil rights era, trying to make sense of a world where people often projected their fears onto her. It left her feeling bewildered. Despite these challenges, she held onto a dream of connecting with people from all walks of life through her passions for acting, dancing, and spreading love. She envisioned a future where she could visit homes, share personal mementos to remember them by and create a special space to celebrate these interactions, a room embodying the essence of genuine connections.
Today, that dream has become a profound reality. Through the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, an arts and education non-profit that oversees That’s Voiceover! and our recognition program, the Voice Arts Awards, which I co-founded with my husband, Rudy Gaskins, I’ve had the honor of engaging with thousands of esteemed voice actors from around the world. Our Voice Arts Awards, now celebrating its 11th year on December 8th at the Beverly Hilton, stand as a testament to how far this vision has come.
Acknowledged by Good Morning America as the “Oscars of Voice Acting,” and created in partnership with RS Owens, the same company behind the Oscars statuette. These awards are more than just accolades; they are treasured symbols of the deep bonds formed through the art of voice. We feature 120 categories for voice actors, casting directors, producers, and copywriters. Throughout the year, we receive heartfelt messages, thoughtful gifts, and social media recognition from talented artists, creating a vibrant global network. We also have special awards honoring The Voice of the Iconic, The Voice of Social Justice, The Voice of the Environment, The Voice of a Lifetime, and Sciences. Past honorees include: James Earl Jones, Mark Hamill, Viola Davis, William Shatner, Sigourney Weaver, Ken Burns, Erin Brockovich, and Lily Tomlin, to name a few.
Thinking on this journey, it’s truly remarkable to see how a girl who faced daily struggles and prejudice in her youth has grown into a connector of hearts across the globe (as I dreamed). This evolution is a powerful reminder of how dreams can transform into realities that exceed even our wildest imaginations.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I was in fourth grade, I started a two-girl dance company. I dedicated countless hours and weeks to playing popular records, coming up with choreography, picking costumes, and giving recitals in the backyards of neighbors. I even changed my name because I thought that’s what you did. So, Dixie Jay was born. My best friend, who was a year older, didn’t feel a pressing need to dance, but she was fully supportive of the duo dream I had for us.
Determined to take our venture to the next level, I knew we needed a manager. Inspired by all the TV shows I watched, I called every number in the phone book under Theatrical Agents/Managers. After a lot of phone calls, I found a theatrical management company that seemed interested. We exchanged several conversations by phone about representation, and I was filled with hope and anticipation.
On the day of our interview, my friend’s mother drove us to the address, only to find ourselves on a desolate, dead-end road. My heart sank. Don’t ask me why, but instead of feeling disappointment, the experience ignited a fire within me. I was more determined than ever to push forward.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I first moved to NYC, I was awarded a prestigious scholarship at Alvin Ailey, worth $3,500 a month for two years. My days were filled with intensity: five classes a day, five days a week, studying ballet, jazz, two types of modern dance, and African dance, not to mention the rigorous night schedule. Coming from Marin County in the ‘80s, where dance opportunities were limited, walking into that Ailey audition was a jaw-dropping experience. I was number 720, among a sea of around a thousand hopefuls. I felt out of place and doubted my chances, believing I lacked the “competitive mindset” needed to stand out.
But to my amazement, I was selected as a scholarship student, and my life changed dramatically. I poured every ounce of my energy and determination into that scholarship. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. Two years later, as I sought new ways to excel in the greatest city in the world, I came up with the idea of creating a mock-up of Interview Magazine, created by the late Andy Warhol. I dropped off my mock-up at the Interview Magazine offices, which led to a real profile in the magazine. The pictorial featured photos of me channeling the real Josephine Baker (unrelated to me). While researching for the photo shoot, I met Jean-Claude Baker, Josephine’s late son. When I walked into his newly opened restaurant with the Interview Magazine stylist, Jean-Claude, with his distinct French accent, exclaimed, “YOU ARE JOSEPHINE!”
Jean-Claude not only assisted with inspiration for the shoot but also collaborated with me to create a Josephine Baker act that thrived for four years at Chez Josephine and other hotspot clubs in the city. However, as time passed, I realized that despite some successes in dance and performing, I needed to pivot. The reality of not being able to sustain a living through dance felt like a deep personal loss. There were nights when I walked the streets, crying about leaving this part of my life behind, unsure of my next steps and fearful of a future without a career in showbiz.
This crossroads eventually led me to discover voice acting, setting the stage for a complete transformation in my career. Life was about to take a 360-degree turn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sovas.org
- Instagram: @joanthevoice
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joan.baker.792/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-baker-467984/
- Twitter: @joanthevoice
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SOVAS
- Other: For Tickets and Schedule to That’s Voiceover! https://sovas.org/tvo-schedule-2024-1/
Image Credits
Courtesy of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences