Donna Grillo Casting, Voice Direction, Coaching and Demos

Here's some useful info for people who work with kids. And protect them! I copied this from the Minor Performer Alliance.

What Entertainment Professionals Need to Know

California AB 653 (Chapter 379): What Entertainment Professionals Need to Know

Late last year, California enacted Assembly Bill 653 to modernize child-protection safeguards in the entertainment industry. The bill amends the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) to expressly include talent agents, talent managers, and talent coaches who provide services to minors as mandated reporters. While the industry has long embraced strong protections for young performers, these changes reflect a recognition that the professional landscape around child talent has evolved.

Why the Change was Made
AB 653 was driven by the fact that child performers often spend substantial time with adults outside of traditional school or medical settings. Talent representatives and coaches are frequently among the most consistent adults in a young performer’s professional life and may be well positioned to notice warning signs of abuse or neglect. Prior law did not always clearly cover these roles, creating uncertainty about reporting obligations. AB 653 closes that gap.

How It Affects Specific Professions
For talent agents and managers, the bill formalizes an obligation many of you already take seriously. When, in the course of professional duties, there is knowledge of or reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect, a report must be made in accordance with CANRA procedures. Acting coaches, performance coaches, and similar instructors are now explicitly included as well. Importantly, mandated reporters are not expected to prove abuse. They only have to report reasonable suspicion.

Impact on the Entertainment Industry at Large
At an industry level, AB 653 promotes greater trust and professionalism. Studios, producers, and employers benefit from a clearer compliance framework and a shared standard of care across the talent ecosystem. By reinforcing early reporting and accountability, the change helps protect minors while also reducing long-term risk exposure for productions and representatives.

For industry professionals who support young talent, AB 653 should be viewed not as a burden, but as a codification of best practices already embraced by responsible representatives and educators. It strengthens the industry’s commitment to child safety while preserving the collaborative, supportive environment essential to developing the next generation of performers.



If you have any questions about how the new law may affect your agency, firm or production, please don’t hesitate to reach out to use at Minor Performer Alliance directly.

We lost an animation friend this week. My condolences to Guy Moon's family and wish them strength during the upcoming days.

'Fairly OddParents' Composer Guy Moon Killed in Traffic Collision | Animation Magazine Guy Moon, who composed for popular Nickelodeon animated series including 'The Fairly OddParents,' died in an accident at age 63.

Minor Performer Alliance is holding a Town Hall Series "A Perspective on Casting" for parents and their child actors. All actors are invited no matter your age but I'm thinking that some kid agents might be interested in attending or telling their kids and families about it. Here's the info:

I've watched over 100 animated cartoon features and tv shows in the past couple of weeks (I'm on a judging committee for an awards show). But what do I keep coming back to?.....
(There's a reason this show from the 60's just keeps playing every year. It's magic. It's honest. It has redemption. Everything I like in a cartoon.) So if you don't know this show find it and enjoy. It will bring a smile to your face.

Do I have one of the best jobs in the world? Why yes I do! My note for today on my "to do" list: Watch cartoons
Hope you love your job too. Watch more cartoons! Especially if you're a voiceover actor. Gotta know your business and your competition.

How to be a vo artist?
Had a blast with these three just getting silly.

EP 6 - Donna Grillo: Casting, Cartoons, and Other Things We Already Understand This week on We Know VO, we welcome Donna Grillo, one of the most influential people in cartoons and probably microphones. Known for Johnny Bravo, Dexter's L...

I was recently teaching a vo actor and I asked him to do a character like Ricardo Montalban. After the blank stares (don't blame him, he's only 20ish) I explained who Ricardo was and told the student that there was a time in voiceover world that EVERYONE did a version of Ricardo. A smooth, velvety voice with an accent that just made me swoon.... You might want to learn from this guy for when you're asked to do his kind of voice.

I shared this story on my other FB page but I wanted to remind all vo actors....Listen to your instincts.
For no reason whatsoever, I got a hit that Isaac would be perfect for a Peanuts character. I told his dad to keep his ears peeled for any upcoming auditions. Dad told Isaac's agent. A few weeks later Isaac was Linus!
The moral of this story....listen to your instincts. I had a gut feeling that Isaac was just right and he was. And I had nothing to do with this casting. I'm Isaac's vo acting coach.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRFNP0UFCKe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Interview with Isaac McKee: Part 1 I had the opportunity to sit down with Isaac who voices Linus in Snoopy and the Great Mystery Club from @gamemillent and the Peanuts Digital Advent Calendar from @americangreetingsdigital to ask about his experience bringing this beloved character to life! #linus #snoopy #peanuts #snoopyandthegreatmysteryclub #adventcalendar #christmas #videogame #actor #interview

The amount of character actors in this picture is stunning. If you don't know these actors - seek them out. Many of them are perfect voiceover character actors. Granny, etc. from Beverly Hillbillies, the Green Acres crew... The 60's gave us some unforgettable actors so watch these old shows and be inspired for your voiceover work.