Agents?

Jay Richardson · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006, 21:13 (GMT) Post subject: Agents?

Hey everyone. Nice job on the forum guys. I can see this being a valuable resource.

Now then....to the point.

Does anyone have experience with representation by an agent? How much did it cost, was it worth it in your opinion, did you see lots of work? Any suggestions on who's good, or who will even represent a voice talent in the first place (most of the ones I've seen so far only do actors or musicians.)

Any feedback would be welcome!

J

Chip Hinshaw · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 04:09 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm not allowed to discuss my agent deal, but I'll offer you this advice based on my experience:

The agency with the flashy website and huge talent roster is probably the wrong way to go. You want (especially in the big markets) the crusty old-school agencies that are older than God and hardly know how to move a mouse let alone double-click. THOSE are the agents that are tied into the clients in your area. They're married to them.

Also, if you know anyone on the production side of the biz, find out which agencies they turn to when seeking talent. Nine times out of ten they all pretty much use the same small set (like three) of agencies and NOBODY else.

Also, unless you're a huge winner for your agent you will very likely find yourself changing agents somewhat frequently (and whether you want to or not).

Not to discourage you, but prepare yourself for some brutal honesty as you embark on this career path. It ain't pretty at all.

Pia Guerra · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 07:57 (GMT) Post subject:

First off, the only costs you should be paying up front is for a professionally produced demo. Anyone charging you for filing or administration fees in order to rep you is for real you.

Agents get paid a percentage of what you make, anywhere between 10 and 15 percent (sometimes more but that's the average). Along with the representation you get someone who will make sure the clients are reliable and that payments are collected. This also means they get to be very choosey over who they'll represent (unlike some websites *ahem*). Why pound the pavement for someone who won't make them any dough? You'll want to invest time and money into a good demo and this may mean finding a class or workshop to hone your skills and learn more about the business.

I've taken a look at Voice123 and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed by the set up. Basically you're competing with thousands of people, and not all of them know what the heck they're doing. The only criteria for being seen on the talent list is based on money and not actual skill. Over time as more people pay out to get on the list the harder it will be for clients to sift through it all. This will result in more low ball offers and more clients for real talent. There's just no oversight or protections involved.

Go get a list of your local agencies and send in a good demo, you'll have more luck that way.

Freddie Molina · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 15:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello everyone,

I agree with you. The most important thing is an excellent demo, this way you can start searching for local agents to represent you. It is not easy to find a good agent, but it is worth to try.

Regarding Voice123, we are aware of the amount of talents replying to leads and competing can be quite frustrating.

this is why Voice123 will soon release their "Voice123 SmartCast", among the options in this new system we will see the possibility for clients to choose how many talents do they want to audition, a more personalized ranking and auditioning tool where quality, budget, feedback and many other factors will be taken on to consideration.

These changes have the purpose of making of Voice123 a more specialized service for professional voiceover talents.

Todd Belcher · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006, 22:56 (GMT) Post subject: I've got a few reps

Hi Jay,
Looks like there's good advice already posted for you. But if it helps, I'll give you my take.

I'm a non-unioner, hooked up with several reps in different markets, but only get auditions sent by a few--they each send me two or three auditions per week. I've been using reps for a year now, and I've had minimal success in landing jobs through them. I'm never quite sure who gets the jobs on these auditions. Of course, I'm sure they're people who give better auditions. But I seem to get the idea that the big national gigs go predominately to voice talents hooked up with the New York and LA "old school agents," like the other posting here mentions. My auditions come from reps in markets like Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Rochester, NY. Even though I have my foot (or voice) in the door to getting these bigger jobs, there's still a large pool for each job, as casting agents usually call on several reps to provide auditions for one particular role. And each agent might submit 10 or more voice talents to audition--adding up to possibly a hundred auditions for one job sometimes. Again, I think the casting agents lean toward experienced NYC and LA talents through their reps much of the time, but maybe not ALL the time. Breakthroughs happen I guess.

I would be less ambiguous about this if I talked more on the phone with my reps. They're very busy people, and I know I need to schedule some "quality time" with them to get a better feel for how they work and what my real chances are of landing a really big job through them.

Anyway, perhaps other talents who are more experienced with reps can understand what I mean, and help us both out.

.........By the way, my biggest jobs have come through my own marketing efforts. Just plugging away through email databases and phone calling. In fact, my three biggest national/network jobs came these ways (without agency reps):

1. Through Voice123: I just recorded national/network radio spots for Avacor that came without even an audition. They just heard my demo through a v123 search.

2. Through an audition I posted through Voice123's main competitor, who shall remain nameless!!!

3. Through a direct email marketing contact that come from my own monotonous days in front of the computer!

I hope my rambling helps you here.....good luck.

Todd

Chris Holcombe · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 00:05 (GMT) Post subject: Re: I got a few reps

Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "Reps"?

How do you get in touch with these Reps?
You also mention databases, and Direct Email lists; do you have particular company's you use for these resources?

I guess I have been doing this the hard way by using google.

Todd Thank You for your input, and I look forward to future contributions you may make.

Chris. Mr. Green

Todd Belcher

Hi again Chris,

No problem. Good questions and happy to try to help.

"Rep" is just another word for "Talent Representative" or Talent Agent. I usually say "rep" instead of "agent," just so there's no confusion with a "casting agent," who contacts certain talent reps and sends them the sample scripts and breakdowns of what a particular part or VO job entails.

The best way to contact them is to Google them. key words like artist or talent representation, artist management, etc. Then learn according to their website whether they handle voiceover talent. Some handle all kinds of actors, models, and talents of all sorts. More and more are adding us VO people to their reportoire, and are setting up demo webpages so prospective production clients can hear demos.

If they represent voiceover talent, look for their submission/new talent policies. Some allow or even prefer email submissions, including info about yourself (your pitch) and your audio demo attached. Some prefer you submit a CD demo by mail. Some will not even consider you unless you have experience and are directly recommended by an established media producer or ad agency. Some will hang up the phone the second you call and say, "I'm a voice talent seeking repres.....hello?"

I submitted many pitches via email and CD until I started getting acceptance replies. It will probably take a while, even if you're experienced. They tend to go through submissions a few times a year. Even if you're real good and experienced, many companies will add you only if you fill a niche--if you have a particular vocal style that no one else on their list has.

As already mentioned by others here, do not sign up with a company that wants you to pay a signup fee. The really reputable agencies will sign you up for free, because they think you might actually make them money with your TALENT! Aside from those, only consider someone who might ask for a 20 or 30 dollar webmaster fee to upload your demo (and I'm still even a bit sceptical of some of THOSE!).

If you get on a rep's list, they SHOULD start sending you auditions from their production clients--even though some will simply keep your demo on their webpage and allow it to rot in cyberspace without ever contacting you about anything. That's why you want to avoid up front fees.

As for the database directories, look at the new directory Voice123 has just posted. Call them if you don't have a link to it....it's here somewhere! It seems to have the most useful directories listed. My own personal bread and butter has mostly come from video and multimedia producers listed on Mandy.com. Others have better luck with ad agencies, production houses, radio stations, or other types of producers.

Best to you again,
Todd

Chris Holcombe · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 17:16 (GMT) Post subject: Reps and more

Todd,

Thanks a whole bunch. Now I have my work cut out for me. Now to see if I can find that directory list that voice123 has published. I am looking for it but, at this posting still unable to find it.

Chris. Cool

Todd Belcher · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 18:24 (GMT) Post subject: link to directory

Just found it. It's mentioned on their main page, or just go directly to it at http://voice123directory.com

Good luck,

Todd

Stacey Byrne

Hi All.

First, what I know about agents is that if you want to work all the time, it's important to have one - this comes only from the couple of successful VO people I know. However, it is still a very highly competitive area. That said, they too market themselves even with an agent depending upon what else they are doing to supplement their income and how much time they have. I also was told that it's a waste of time to send a demo to an agent as like song shopping (I'm a songwriter) they won't listen unless it came referred. Best to get one of their artists or a contact to introduce you face to face to get them to listen and either sign you, or critic you which is also helpful if not somewhat painful. Also ALL agents want to see not just experience but education - it's important that they know you have worked to master your craft so even if it's expensive - sign up with the best classes or even one day workshops or one day professional coaching in your area - In LA there are many and worth it.

One question - Todd - you mentioned that you market yourself - I love to surf (the net that is) and am pretty determined. I am an AFTRA member from when I used to sing rock 'n roll but I would love to get commercial work singing jingles - I'm not proud - I just love to sing because I do it well and even if it's a dog food commercial - it would make me happy - I got over the 'want to be a star' thing at a very young age when I was signed to a record label and all they ever talked to me about was that I had to lose weight even though I weighed about 130 and am 5'7 - it really turned me off and I learned to hate the whole process.

OK so I'm rambling! Can you recommend what type of places to contact to get my name out there for those types of commercial singing jobs?

Thanks and have a great pre-holiday weekend - Time to put my Zorra suit on now for a party with friends. Smile

Stacey

Todd Belcher · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006, 02:00 (GMT) Post subject: jingle producer contact

Hi Stacey,

I don't know much about jingle production. Except a couple of things that come to mind.

First, I do VO for a radio production house, ORP International, in London, Ontario, via email and ftp (while I'm in Kentucky, USA). I'm pretty sure they do some jingle production. I'm not sure how they could use outside jingle talent from far away unless they have ISDN or something. If they can't use you, perhaps they can give you some leads. Man in charge is Darren Trudeaux. Their site is overnightradio.com. Very nice people.

Secondly, being a radio guy, I know the Mecca for jingle production houses is (or at least used to be) Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. Back when I was a program director, the big companies for radio station jingles were Jam and First Com. Anyway, if you google a jingle co. and they're in that area, they're probably big time. If you are specifically interested in TV and radio jingle singing (and perhaps they do other product jingles), also contact any large market radio station program director, and they can verify the dominant players and give you more leads.

Hope this helps, good luck, and protect those golden pipes!

Todd

Stacey Byrne · Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006, 20:13 (GMT) Post subject: Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info Todd. It will give me some place to start.

Stacey

Kelli Casey · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 06:56 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Thanks for the info

Robert Lee · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 13:30 (GMT) Post subject: Re: I've got a few reps

Todd Belcher · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006, 14:25 (GMT) Post subject: big jobs

Robert,

Best I can tell, you're right. The really big network and national jobs, from what I've heard, seem to go predominately to those who live in NYC and LA. The ones who live there have the most potential (among other factors) to do this full time.

But of course we don't necessarily have to pack up and move to the big city. Without trying to sound cliche, working hard and grinding it out, especially with self-marketing, along with persistent experience, and a good demo, VO talents can still get good work.

Two examples with me lately, I'm on a national network spot this week for Avacor (supposed to be on Fox Sports Radio, Rush Limbaugh, and other networks and big stations this week). And I'm in the running (among 4 or 5 auditioners) to narrate a History Channel show. Both of these came without any reps or agents. One came through hearing me on Voice123, the other by plugging away and making contacts.

I'm still doing auditions through rep agencies (none is NYC or LA), just in hopes that something could break through some day!

Best to you,
Todd