Looking for work

Stephen Potter · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007, 22:54 (GMT) Post subject: Looking for work

I'm not sure if this is right room for this but since I am a VO newbie I figured I would ask it here. I am trying to get my demo in front of as many people as possible. I use V123 allot, but don't want to be limited here, I had sent allot of demo's locally last year to agents & ad agencies (had a couple of nibbles from the talent agents...but need more experience). I did not hear anything from the ad agencies (I did not have a studio at the time and feel that may have limited me). I now have a studio and am getting ready for my next blast and was wondering what the more seasoned professional does? Is sending to ad agencies a loosing proposition? I have worked in radio and would always push allot of demo's out when I was looking for work and am of the same thinking about my VO demo. I would greatly appreciate any tips, suggestions or anything that can increase my experience.

Thanks
Stevo

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 02:12 (GMT) Post subject: hmmmmm

The marketplace geographically is continually shrinking. Add to this the thousands if not millions of people who want to be voice actors and then scatter in changing technology and you can see how the task is tough.

Talent agents are like anybody else. If they smell moolah in your voice, then you're probably in. The way they smell moolah is not by having your demos drop down on their desk as part of the halestorm of submissions they receive, but for them to think that you are someone that they need to represent. Perhaps a director or producer or another talent hand delivers your demos with a glowing recommendation.

Maybe you've beaten out other actors they represent for roles. Maybe you got something the other guys aint got.

Start with the agents in your own neck of the woods, and if I may add, work on your skills. Think to yourself "Why would somebody hire me?" What do I bring to the table?

It's a challenge for an agent to represent somebody who is out of market. Representing somebody who is out of market, who is relatively new and doesn't bring coin to the party isn't much of a prize.

Work on the real guy stuff. I think it's your best shot. I'd leave the monster truck stuff to someone else. Listen to the radio, t.v. and get a gauge for the types of things you'd get hired to do.

Getting one agent and establishing a relationship is hard enough.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 02:14 (GMT) Post subject: Another thing

Most ad agencies will toss demos in the trash.

and just so you know, the agents here say they take on about 1 actor for every 200 - 300 demos they receive.

Paul Sleboda · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 03:09 (GMT) Post subject:

JS,
Thanks for your insight into this topic. I too have been striking out in trying to market myself at what I percieve as a talent. Your words are clear, stinging to those of us entering the market but none the less fair. As in any profession, experience is a learned trait and many hardships and disappointments will need to be overcome before things make sense. We all look for short cuts while in search of the almighty dollar but in the end we all know that good things come to those that wait, listen, practice and have the determination to stick it out.

Thanks for the dose of reality.
Paul

Stephen Potter · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 14:04 (GMT) Post subject:

I also send allot of swag with my demo's (pens, calendars, etc) but I hear you on the ad agencies. As for the talent agents the few that contacted me said they liked what they heard but it's policy that I need more experience and they tell me to resubmit in 6 to 12 months (this could be bs I don't know). I do know someone in a local ad agency maybe I will pick her brain. I will keep sending them out even if they toss it you never know (maybe they will at least keep the pen with my info on it).

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 16:12 (GMT) Post subject: A better approach

Here's a thought on spending your time more productively in 1 or 2 ways

1. Make a list of everyone you know. EVRYONE. Your corner grocer, your wife's hairdresser, your insurance agent, friends from grammar school, your parent's friends. Then write down as much information as you can about that person - their name, address, phone number, place they work, what they do, names of family members, birthdays, dog's name, EMAIL!!!!, etc. Then get somebody to cleverly make a postcard that states that you do voiceover and for what - commercials, voice mail and answering machines, whatever you feel suited for. go have one of those $99 for a billion postcards places make up postcards and send them out. On the postcard put a link to your website or where they can hear your demos. Then send them emails, call them, etc. The person you know probably doesn't hire voice actors, but someone they know in their company does - or their brother does or something.

I would caution you that if your demos aren't pretty good though you could be wasting a lot of your time and theirs. The bottom line is that if you can't get work from friends and relatives then you need to try welding or maybe being a mobile dj. I don't know. The simple truth 99% in this biz don't make it. Is it because of lack of trying or the wrong kind of trying or not doing their homework or not having marketable skills or living in the wriong zipcode or that there are 20,000 people available to do every little tiny v.o. job? Again I don't know. But what I offer here is some pretty good advice.

I would also suggest that those who know and love you should be coaxed into giving you their honest impression of the caliber of work you do.
You might also want to take a trip over to www.voicebank.com It is here that you will find manny agency reels representing a lot of working (and some not so working) actors in the country. Click on listen to agency reels and you'll find everyone from me to Don LaFontaine. You can search by name for your favorite v.o. people or stop by William Morris and CAA or Stars to get an idea as to what people who work in this industry have in the way of demos.

The second method for getting an agent is this - Call up the agent and ask if they have a v.o. booth operator. Most do now. Talk to that person and ask them if they teach, coach, do privates and/oir produce demos. Many talent agents also speak at workshops and classes. Attend one of those and you may be asked to submit after the class. Again, don't be disappointed if others are asked and you are not. It might just mean you got more honing of yoour craft to do.

Both of these methods should serve you and are pretty much what hundreds of actors used to pay me to teach them. This does work. It is how many others have built their businesses.

Stephen Potter · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007, 16:33 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks J.S , allot of good info there, I will do the post card thing (I had actually heard that elsewhere also). one thing I learned from all my years in radio is be prepared so before I put my demo together I took one on one classes (tutoring if you will) with a local professional and then had the demo professionally produced my a local studio that does commercials and narration etc (I think it was well worth the money). I also had a professional web site put together to showcase my demos. I don't trust my friends and family because I am the greatest thing ever to them so I have solicited an opinion from everyone in the industry I could find that would listen and response has been mostly positive.

I just need to keep pushing forward, stay positive and listening to advice of other in the field.

Cheers
Stevo