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Expert: Roland Parliament - 1/29/2009


Question
To be honest, I really have no knowledge of this, and am looking to surprise my boyfriend who is an actor. He has done plenty of plays and musicals in Guatemala City, Guatemala and some voiceovers children books in Los Angeles, CA. Since he moved to New Jersey, he’s become distressed in not being able to continue his acting. Is there any way you could help me out or direct me in the right way? For either acting or voice-overs...

Answer
Hi Jessica,

If your boyfriend has worked in Guatemala City & L.A., he should know you have to integrate yourself into the new scene. That means having a reliable local agent, attending workshops and auditions and generally getting to know the lay of the land,

New York would seem a better center for him to be in, and it's close to Jersey.

I'm in Canada so I can't offer much advice about contacts in your area, but the local SAG or AFTRA union offices should be able to help. Also the internet should be a useful tool in getting info about the local scene.

Your boyfriend's English may also be an issue - is he fluent and does he have a command of local idioms? 2 books that may help are "A Pronouncing Dictionary of American English" by John S. Kenyon and Thomas A. Knott and "Speak With Distinction" by Edith Skinner. Both should be available in your local theater book stores.

I hope this helps.

Roland

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Roland Parliament

Expertise

I can answer any questions regarding voice-over work in commercials, animation, dubbing and narration. I can coach actors in audition technique, performance requirements and demo tape preparation. I can help break down sides for all of the above.

Experience

I have directed 55 episodes of the hit anime series "Sailor Moon", several other dubbed series and one theatrical release animation entitled, "Ferretina" (release date to be announced). I have voice-acted in over 2,000 commercials, several animation series and a number of narration productions. I have been sent by ACTRA to St. John's, Winnipeg and Halifax to educate and produce demo tapes for ACTRA members.

Organizations
ACTRA, AF of M, SOCAN

Publications
I am currently writing a textbook and instructional CD for voice performers.

Education/Credentials
I am an award-winning graduate of the Radio & Television Arts Program at Ryerson University, Toronto (1971). I have completed several acting courses at George Brown College (Toronto). I have taught voice in the Theatre Program at Ryerson University (1990-2002) and am currently teaching voice and dialects in the Acting For Film & Television Program at Humber College Toronto. I taught for 7 years in ACTRA's Apprenticeship program.

Awards and Honors
Over 75 international awards for advertising music plus the Don Hudson Award for Creative Excellence at Ryerson

Past/Present Clients
Advertising: Rowntree-MacIntosh, GMC, McCains, Coca-cola, Swiss Chalet, McDonald's, Ford Motors, Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Blood Services, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Royal Bank of Canada, Zellers, etc. Animation: DIC Productions, Nelvana, Avianca & Associates, etc. Narration: The LongPen, Audience Productions, INCO, etc.

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