VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 945

Well, here's my last bit O advice, my friend. You are not demo ready! Don't look at investing money and time on better demos. A bad demo closes more doors than a good one opens.

Now, if your goal is to dabble in vo, with a philosophy that any lil nibble or gig that comes your way is fine, then by all means follow your gut and go with your flow.

If your goal is to have a career in vo, stop marketing or even thinking about demos. Get thee to a great acting class. Find a technique that connects with you. Get a solid acting foundation. Study improv. Then, study vo. Observe and research the working actors of vo. It's easy to weed through the BS. Go to the best in the biz. You will find them on Voicebank. Connect with them. Study their marketing. Get a feel for what professional vo demands and expects. When it's demo time you will know it. The confidence is like a slap in the face. Then make those demos, invest in the home studio, get that website. Be ready, be brilliant. This business craves brilliant. They have no need for mediocre. And even the brilliant have no guarantees. But their odds are better than the mediocre.

Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 2:01 pm Post subject:

*sigh*
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heyguido · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 2:51 am Post subject:

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Don Brookshire
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paulstefano · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:16 am Post subject:

Are there any coaches on the board? Especially those that would be looking for new students?
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kevinpowe · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 6:27 pm Post subject:

I'm not much help with Audacity questions, but I can give you a suggestion on that question, Paul!

I'd highly recommend Scott Burns (http://bookscottburns.com/#classes) - he's based out of Seattle, but provides coaching over the web as well. Jeffrey Kafer introduced me to him back in 2010, and I've gone all the way from Melbourne, Australia to Seattle three times now to create demos with him. He's fantastic.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:50 am Post subject:

You need a "coach" with credible acting experience, credible acting training and credible acting credits.

I know or am aware of lots of truly delightful people in this business who offer coaching and demos. Whilst these people know marginally more than their students that's not saying much.

Essential "new to VO" skills.

BS detectors set to 100%
Set solid, achievable financial targets and then get help from those who have demonstrable proof of moving people towards them. "Woot, he was awesome and I learned so much" is nice but MEANINGLESS "2 years after training with Maresh Vindaloo I have cleared all my debts and my wife is busy running up more" IS MEANINGFUL!
When someone tells you to do something, do it. Debating is for college.
Comprehension is a must. Listen to what people say as more often than not they say nothing of value. When you ask a question ensure you get your answer not a reply.

Last year in New York and LA I spoke to around 50 people. The topic was designed to double their VO income in 2 years using proven, tried and tested methods which were both tried and tested and proven. Most didn't listen, even more went away and did nothing except book themselves on the next VO event which would take their careers to the next level. Couldn't help? No they wouldn't be helped. The upside is that thanks to the money I lost on the events my tax bill was $2.78 for the year. HOORAH!

First rule of voice over work - Ensure you are not intellectually deaf, lazy or just plain stupid. Trust is fine, blindly trusting someone with your future will never work.

Deirdre · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 7:09 am Post subject:

Noting the post from the previous page:
Thank you Bailey. I've just excised the offending material.

Paul— DO NOT QUOTE WHOLE POSTS.
Read the rules— Bailey posted the link.

And "Fake it till you make it" does not work in a profession that requires actual skill.

I haven't read this whole thread— kinda lost the will to live— so I will tell you this: You have 4-7 seconds to impress me when I am casting. I can smell a rat straight out of the gun and I have no time for fakery. I will ONLY EVER choose people I trust, even if it's just for exertions in a game.
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todd ellis · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 7:20 am Post subject:

what db said --- usually it doesn't even take 4 seconds.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:23 am Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 10:38 am Post subject:

paulstefano · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 11:51 am Post subject:

[quote="Jeffrey Kafer"]

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 2:35 pm Post subject:

I don't think you're understanding. Being hired for a 6 hour book and expected to deliver a retail product is not the time to cut your teeth and see if you like it.

Audiobooks are a completely different beast and listening to your demo, you're not ready to work in that arena. You've got some work to do in your narration AND the technical side of things.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:04 pm Post subject:

See above - There's a reason Jeff has narrated around a couple of hundred audio books and I have done to the nearest decimal point 0 ! It's a "tough room" and not to be under estimated.

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:44 pm Post subject:

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit