Dina Sherman: The Voice Behind the Annie Awards
Dina Sherman, a seasoned voice actor known for her work in animation, commercials, and video games, holds a very special role once a year at the prestigious Annie Awards. For the past 19 years, she has been the announcer for the awards gala, providing a unique perspective on the event. Positioned in the wings, just off stage, Sherman sits behind her music stand with her script and microphone, serving as the last point of interaction before presenters step onto the stage.
Sherman initially landed the gig in 2005 when she was involved in the animated series, 'Biker Mice From Mars.' Producers Tom Tataranowicz and Tom Sito, who were both members of ASIFA-Hollywood, the organization behind the Annie Awards, asked her to be the live announcer for the show. Little did she know that this initial opportunity would turn into a longstanding commitment. 'I did it that year, and then they called me to do it again. Then again and again, and here we are, 19 years later,' she fondly recalls.
Throughout the years, the Annie Awards have seen various hosting arrangements, but one constant has been Sherman's presence, even when the show had to pivot to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the show managed to proceed before the world shut down in March. The following year, with everything locked down, Sherman found herself on a green screen, virtually appearing as the announcer. 'They put me on a beach. You actually saw me!' she exclaims. The subsequent year posed additional challenges as the show had to be postponed and switched to a virtual format due to concerns surrounding the Omicron variant. Sherman, whose family was in Italy at the time, came up with a unique solution. 'They said, 'You want me to do it on location?' They said OK, then my son or daughter would film me with my iPhone and a lavalier mic. I literally got to open the show on a gondola in Venice and close the show at the Trevi Fountain.'
While Sherman is often unseen during the show, occasionally, she does make appearances when hosts or the script call for her involvement in bits. She vividly remembers the first time she took the stage at the Annies. It was 2010, and the iconic William Shatner hosted the event. 'William Shatner was the first person to bring me out on stage. It's the first time the audience saw me,' she proudly recalls.
As the announcer, Sherman must always be prepared for the unexpected. She receives the script the night before the show, and there are frequently last-minute changes. Backstage chaos is not uncommon either, as she remembers a particularly memorable incident where video equipment caught fire during the show at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. 'As I was sitting there, I look over at the guys running the video playback and they stand up like they're dancing, stomping their feet. Then I saw the sparks and the flames. Video Central had caught fire! The playback goes dark, and I heard the director say, 'Dina, say something,'' she recounts. Adhering to her professionalism, Sherman calmly addressed the situation, stating, 'Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing some technical difficulties. Please stand by.' The audience, unaware of the current predicament, believed it was all part of the show. 'They thought it was all part of the show,' she chuckles.
One of Sherman's primary focuses, as she prepares for the Annie Awards, is to ensure she pronounces everyone's names correctly. To her, this is of utmost importance because the sound of one's name holds great significance. 'The most important thing in the world to a person is the sound of their own name. It's their favorite word, right? For years, they would bring me people beforehand so that I have the phonetic pronunciation. I always make sure I say their name right as they're walking out on stage. To me, that's a really big deal.'
What makes the Annie Awards particularly special, according to Sherman, is that it honors everyone involved in the animation industry, regardless of their fame or status. From executive producers to storyboard artists, composers to writers, artists to voice actors, every single individual is recognized and celebrated at the Annies. In her words, 'These are our celebrities.'
Sherman's journey as a voice actor began long before her involvement with the Annies. She started her career as an on-camera actor, featuring in shows like 'Saved by the Bell' and 'Good Morning, Miami.' However, it was her knack for voices that truly set her apart. Even as a teenager, she would entertain friends with prank calls, and her talent was undeniable. In high school, she joined the speech and debate team, where she showcased her ability in humorous and dramatic interpretation. Little did she know that her innate talent for voices would eventually lead her down the path of being a professional voice actor.
While pursuing her studies at UCLA, where she majored in communications and theater, a teacher in sportscasting criticized her voice as too 'squeaky' for the industry. However, Sherman didn't let that discourage her. In fact, it sparked a fire within her, motivating her to explore the realm of voice acting further. As fate would have it, Sherman's path intersected with casting director Roger Mussenden, who recognized her potential and urged her to pursue voiceover work. Encouraged by his words, she embarked on her voice acting career.
Beyond her role as the Annie Awards announcer, Sherman keeps herself busy lending her voice to various projects. From animated series to video games, she brings characters to life through her versatile voice acting skills. Additionally, she started her own YouTube channel during the pandemic called 'Dina Sherman Stories and More.' Initially, her channel focused on reading books to children, a practice she used to do in classrooms prior to the COVID-19 crisis. Now, she uses her platform to offer a wide range of content, including videos dedicated to different holidays and their meanings. Through her channel, Sherman gives back to her community, utilizing her passion for voice acting as a tool to educate and bring joy to others.
Frank Gladstone, the outgoing ASIFA-Hollywood executive director and Annies producer, emphasizes Sherman's importance to the awards show. He describes her as a 'real spark plug' and believes that the Annies wouldn't be the same without her. Although Gladstone stepped down from his executive director role, he continues to serve as the producer for this year's event and will assume a consulting role in the future. The 51st Annie Awards is set to take place on Saturday, February 17th, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Recognizing excellence in 32 competitive categories across film, broadcast media, and juried awards, ASIFA-Hollywood aims to celebrate and honor the remarkable achievements within the animation industry.
Dina Sherman's longstanding dedication as the voice behind the Annie Awards exemplifies her commitment to the craft of voice acting and her passion for recognizing the talent within the animation industry. From her humble beginnings to her ongoing contributions, Sherman continues to make a lasting impact in the world of voiceover, enriching the lives of countless individuals through her incredible work.
