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Betty I. Lougaris on How to Succeed in Show Business

betty Hall of Fame Photo 8 18 2012 saved 11 22 2012
Betty I. Lougaris is a successful voice-over actress and talent coach. She was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame this year!

Betty Ioanna Lougaris has been working in the entertainment industry since the age of ten. After being “discovered” by a local radio station in Reno, Nevada, the second generation Greek-American never looked back.

The actress, producer, director and soon-to-be documentary filmmaker, has kept busy with a successful career in the business. Having over 1,000 voice-overs under her belt, a past role on the daytime soap opera “General Hospital,” and directing a film in honor of her late father, it’s hard to understand how Lougaris has time to also run the non-profit organization she founded, Media Guilds International, which helps talent gain recognition in the industry. A SAG/AFTRA member and Emmy judge, she was recently recognized herself with an induction into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in August.

Greek Reporter chatted with Lougaris about how she got started in the business (her Greek roots were an added bonus in helping it along), her past, present and future projects, and any advice she has on those looking to pave a similar path to the one she’s taken in her long-running career.

How did you get into show business?

It was a long journey that started when I was ten. A local Reno radio station, KOH, needed a “kid” to work with the on-air host for an educational topic. When the host came to the school and asked if anyone was interested in talking on the radio, I must have waved my arm in the air very hard, as I was selected. After that, I was on-air not only for school projects, but also interviewed other kids. I interviewed two young members of the Anasstasatos family, Maria and Spiro, who had just arrived from Greece; because of my ability to speak Greek, I could translate the interview. I also performed on-air in radio commercials. I loved it.

When was the last time you visited Greece?

I was last in Greece in 1992, and find both the mainland and the islands most charming. I have relatives in Athens, as well as Zakynthos and Thessaloniki, but most of my relatives are in the U.S., especially California. I have cousins in the Bay area. My cousins on my mother’s side live in the Sacramento area. My relatives in Greece include the Papadoupoulos / Stassinopoulos family of Athens, Monte Carlo, and London.

My interest in Greek history and the ancient works of great beauty are at the top of my list. I also have relatives in Athens I enjoyed visiting. My travel after that was focused on Australia as my son, John, and my granddaughter, Athena, lived there for a few years.

Did your parents encourage you to get into entertainment, or did you know working in the industry was something you always wanted to do?

At age three, I knew exactly what I wanted to do – act, dance, sing, and write. I don’t think my parents took it all that seriously, but when I was nine, I started studying piano and dance and my parents and grandparents realized that whatever it was, I had some talent! My parents paid for my training, but the person who constantly encouraged me was my beloved yiayia, who was a very talented singer and comedienne. Although she was not a professional, she always sang at family gatherings and kept us all laughing.

I graduated from the Pasadena Playhouse, got married to Eli (Jack) Soldo, and became the mother of two wonderful sons, John and Mark. They were under 10-years-old at the time, and I was producing and directing fashion shows, and by having them model boys clothes, I could keep them close to me. During that time, I graduated from California State University at Fullerton with a BA and MA degree. It was a handful, but “back in the day,” I had boundless energy and determination. I was so blessed to have wonderful parents and a grandmother who was supportive. In addition to voice-overs and commercial work, I started a writing career as well, using my experience in the fashion industry in Southern 51U7A7hyLVL._SL500_AA300_California, New Haven, Connecticut and Reno, Nevada as the basis of my first book, “The Inside-Out Beauty Book.” I co-authored with my brilliant and talented sister-in-law, Mary Drahos, formerly a writer for Playhouse 90. Mary is now deceased. The publisher scheduled me for quite a few interviews to promote the book, but through this I still recorded voice-overs for commercials as well as documentaries, business films and videos, and medical training and information productions. I recorded many scripts for Kaiser Permanente at that time, and continued with radio commercials and voice-overs for TV commercials. I was also on “General Hospital” for two years, coming back later in another role.

Is there one aspect of the industry you enjoy doing more than the other, i.e. producing over directing, on-camera vs. voice-over?

I love voice-acting because it gives one a chance to create characters, interpret scripts and entertain at the same time. There is no limit to how one can use their talent and skills.

On the other hand, writing allows me create the words an actor speaks, and in doing that, you are reaching, helping and informing the audience. Directing is also highly creative, as one can set the tone and style of the production, and I enjoy that as well. Producing is a lot of responsibility and hard work. I have produced, directed, written and hosted three TV productions.

What commercials have we heard your voice on?

I’ve recorded over 1,000 voice-overs, but the latest voice-over that I just completed here in Las Vegas, is the voice of a character for a video slot machine game titled, “Mystery Bingo.” The character is a grandmother who loves to play Bingo – they called her Bingo Betty, but that was purely coincidence – and sometimes wins and sometimes is close to winning. It’s a lot of fun. Among my many voice-overs, a few name brand commercials include Honda, Fredericks of Hollywood, Stop ‘N Go Market chain, Bank of America, Los Angeles Times, Zacky Chicken, Fizgeralds Hotel & Casino, Women’s World International, Tri-Light Corporation, Point of Sale videos for cellulite products and cosmetics for Macy’s.

When did you decide to start teaching voice-over and acting for television and film?

During my years in Southern California living in Garden Grove, I did coach privately and teach workshops. At one point I moved back to Reno and ran a small advertising agency there for several years, and continued my voice-acting and advertising. When I moved to Las Vegas in 2000, I continued coaching private students and accepted a position at the College of Southern Nevada teaching Voice-Acting and Entertainment. I feel it is important to share my knowledge, skills and experience with other talented people who wish to become part of the entertainment world. What many people do not realize is that although there are those who become truly famous celebrities in their particular field, whether it is voice-acting, or film and TV, writing, or directing, there are many people who successfully work in the business; one could call them the unsung heroes, talented, and knowledgeable in acting, directing, writing, or producing. Yet, the average person may not see or hear about them on celebrity television shows or [in] People magazine. But they are out there, working and contributing.

Let’s talk about the organization you founded, Media Guilds International. When did you form MGI and what was the inspiration behind it?

I founded Media Guilds International (MGI) in 1995 as a 501 C 3-an organization of voice-actors, on-camera talent and writers. It was briefly affiliated with the International CINDY Competition Awards; “CINDY” is an acronym for Cinema in Industry.

MGI became an independent organization when I moved to Las Vegas. I wanted the lesser known broadcasters, voice-talent, on-camera talent, and writers who are, as mentioned earlier, the “unsung heroes,” to receive the recognition and acknowledgement they truly deserve.

Here in Las Vegas, MGI members use their talent to give back to the community by recording Public Service and Educational Messages to assist other worthy charities in their public information projects. This is all done at the expense of MGI and the actors and writers accept no fee for their talent for their on-air PSA messages.

How does someone join MGI?

If [someone] has an interest in this organization, they can contact [me], the Executive Director, at blougaris@mediaguilds.com. MGI sponsors a weekly workshop to provide a venue for members to learn and study new techniques and skills, and participate in recordings. And, MGI does refer member talent.

You’re currently directing a documentary about the founding of the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center in Reno, named after your father. How did it come about that the center was named after him?

My dad, Ioannis A. Lougaris, was born in Zakynthos, an island in the Ionian sea, in 1887. He immigrated to America in 1907, and joined the army in 1917 [during] World War I. During combat in France, he suffered from poison gas, was shot, and contracted tuberculosis. He somehow survived being transported back to the States, and was given three months to live. He ended up in Reno, Nevada, did not die, became an attorney and a dedicated and strong Veterans advocate. He married my mother, Athena Topol, in 1945. He and other Vets fought very hard to convince the powers in Washington to build that VA Hospital in Reno, and against very difficult odds, that hospital was built. [My father] is the only American that was an immigrant that had a Government VA Hospital named after him. He is also one of very few civilians to have this honor, and he was of Greek origin. I think Bob Hope is the other person who was honored in this way. He worked tirelessly, and even after the hospital was built in the 1930’s, he continued to be certain that the hospital continued to grow. From a small building with 32 beds, it is now a beautiful huge facility that serves over 250,000 Veteran patients a year. My dad passed away in 1988 just over a month before his 101st birthday. My mom, Athena, passed away 6 months later, just before her 70th birthday.

Can you give us some details about the documentary and when it will be completed?

The documentary will be primarily about how this hospital grew into the fine facility it is today, and will inculcate the history of the founder, Ioannis A. Lougaris – [the] “A” stands for Anastassios. The initial filming of the VA facility in Reno, Nevada is complete, as are some interviews of older Vets and people who knew my dad. There are about three more interviews to complete, as well as recording voice-overs and some on-camera scenes. The editing will begin in January. I am estimating about another year before completion.

What has been your greatest professional achievement?

I don’t know if I had a “greatest” achievement, but I was very thrilled and surprised at being inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame. I was also very thrilled over the publication of my “The Inside-Out Beauty Book” by Fleming–Revell Publishers. I was also very happy and elated over the completion of my pilots. However, they were not picked up by the networks, or PBS. I truly feel my coaching and teaching others is a very outstanding achievement. Perhaps it is the anticipation of the completion of the documentary that I feel will be my most outstanding achievement.

Did you encourage your children or grandchildren to work in the entertainment business at all?

My first son, John, is in Sales and Marketing. His daughter, Athena, is studying Music Management in Melbourne, Australia. My second son, Mark, is a Quality Assurance manager at Boeing, and also a published author. His son, Andrew, is studying Business at Arizona State University.

I would encourage them if they had a burning desire to be in the entertainment and media world. However, John, was more into business and Sales and Marketing. Mark did record a few voice-overs, but preferred Computer Science and writing.

What advice would you offer to Greek-Americans interested in getting into acting or becoming voice-over talent?

In years past, many Americans of Greek heritage who were interested in acting or voice-acting were discouraged by their immigrant parents. Our parents and grandparents struggled to survive, and they were afraid it was too difficult to succeed in the field of the Arts. A sure thing like going into business was considered a better choice. Today, those ideas are no longer perpetuated. The most important thing is to have the natural talent for voice-acting, then study the art and business of voice-acting. Learn as much as you possibly can, get as much experience as you can and don’t quit your night job until you get a contract!

For more information on Lougaris, and on Media Guilds International, visit the website at www.mediaguilds.com

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