Is this a new Low?

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

David J. Lawrence --

Good words to stay sane by. Thanks!

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Read between the lines version!

We're casting for YOUNG, HIP, TECHNOLOGY-SAVVY MALES for a History website-based Computer Game review. Looking for guys aged 16-24. Please don't apply if you're older (or sound older) than that range.
{Young or young sounding people might be stupid enough to take this job}
The gig is for voice talent with their own home (or full access to a) studio. The rate is a hard and fast {Like the high pressure guy at the time share place} 4 cents a word and this is a non-union, non-residual gig {You will never get paid again. As a matter of fact you will be required to bug me for three months to get paid at all} for a website {I'm dreaming of making Google dollars}. The length of the article is 1200+ words which won't make you a ton {Ounce} of money but ideally {No way in hell} we'll be using you a lot in the future as we record more and more {Zip} pieces for this website {Blackhole Moneypit}. (Think volume!) {Please don't think at all}

Incredibly it has already been answered by ten people. I hope if anyone from the board answered this lead, I haven't offended you. I really believe we need to start giving these type of people the brush off. I do like the new V123 disclaimer. It is worded a little more strongly than before.

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Hey George,

You've got a great idea here.

We should require "between-the-lines" text in all job postings!

Certainly makes things clearer to me Wink

,
Joe

Colin Campbell · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007, 15:36 (GMT) Post subject:

I for one have started deleting posts like that. I used to answer EVERYTHING but no more. If it feels at all queezy, it's DELETE. Just about anything under $100 goes too. Then the ones that look good get more of my attention. Sometimes though there is the other end of the spectrum. I've seen things like 100 words $500. How can that be?

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

delete de-lead.
It's fun.
It's all the rage.
Do it today. You'll be glad you did.
Wipe Out!

David Lawrence · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 117

George,
There are always people plumbing new depths around here. The reverse auction bid demo that they want in 30 seconds is also a speed reading contest--can't be done well in a 30 sec spot IMHO.

I'm coming to the conclusion that V123 is a great place to force yourself to audition, and to share with other pros. But as an income generator, it just isn't, save for perhaps a very fortunate few.

I was at a voice class in Santa Monica earlier this week, attended by such vo luminaries as Joe Cip, Don L, Bill Ratner, Cedering Fox, Dave Fennoy (and other "behind-the-glass" power brokers). The message they consistently offered is that luck and time/persistence are vital ingredients to this biz, and that it takes a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time to get any traction. Also, the idea that you can live outside a major metropolitan area (NY, LA, SF) and make it in this biz is also pretty much a stretch. (Don't believe me? Read the FAQ section from Beau Weaver's page here. Warning: can be pretty sobering.)
http://www.spokenword.com/home.htm
I have my commercial demo at some of the biggest talent agencies on the West Coast; almost without exception they say "check back in 6 mos" or "we're not taking on new clients." And it is a decent demo with a referral from one of the most venerable voice casting houses in LA. Which is fine: I'll still be here banging away. Heck, Bill Ratner said he took VO workshops in LA for 6 years! Yikes!

Sorry for the rant. It's easy to get PO'd at the rubes who often masquerade as "voice-seekers" on this site. Take V123 for what it is: a (relatively) cheap place to audition frequently, and a place to share thoughts/ideas with seasoned vets. If you manage your expectations in such a way as to conclude that V123 will never result in a plugged nickel for yourself, you might be less prone to frustration (at least, that works for me Smile

)

djl

Anthony Williams · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

David ,

Thanks for that insight

George ,

I'm like Colin ,

Anything under a $100 its got to go

Thanks Guys

Chuck Douglas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 50

Agreed. Maybe my demos really suck as bad as everyone has told me in the recent past, but after nearly 300 auditions, not even a hint of a gig. It is like I am invisible here. I really wonder if anyone is getting these jobs.

Thanks for the new disclaimer, BTW. I am still posting on those $ 50 jobs, but not the particular one listed here. I want to see if I can get at least one gig in my first year here, even if it barely pays for my subscription at least I can justify it.

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

That is the problem Chuck.
You would need to get FOUR $50 gigs to pay for your membership.

John Bigl · **Voice Talent** Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 905

hello, george and chuck...

here in General Chit Chat, Anthony Reece opened a very informing thread:
"auditions verses actual gigs landed concerns"
very informative...

Be Well

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

There are some advantages to being in LA or NYC, as certain projects will only be cast there.

That being said, Nikki's right. You have to define "making it" for yourself, and there are many more venues for VO work today than there were just 10 years ago...

On the third hand (yes, I'm a mutant), some people still like face time, even with the amazing inter-web.

6-of-1, 1/24th gross of another,
Joe