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2020 Vision!

 
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11046
Location: Portgordon, Scotland

PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 1:30 am    Post subject: 2020 Vision! Reply with quote

See what I did there?

For some time I've been testing the knowledge base in our business and have concluded that there doesn't appear to be one. I use the word business advisedly because I want to exclude craft and tech.

Craft - Take acting lessons.
They may help with something but probably not your business as anyone waiting on tables in LA and New York will tell you.

Tech - Buy a Neumann U87 and a Avalon M5 pre.
Fabby kit but, like a computer GI-GO.

Now let's get down to business.
Option 1 - Run your voice over business like a business.
Option 2 - Get a Business Manager and pay them to do it.
Option 3 - Place your trust in serendipity.

Best option? 1
Most popular option? 3

What about 2? Here's the deal. They get paid on results. You work as a VO and at the end of the month your business manger sends you your fees less their percentage.

In exactly 2 months it will be the 30th anniversary of my first paying radio commercial job, the fee was about $85 and was the result of my first demo which cost me $130 to produce.

2020 Vision? Turn off the noise by simply concentrating on Option 1. Our business is now so full of noise and nonsense it's not only the right choice, it's the only option.
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scottnilsen
King's Row


Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1170
Location: Orange County, CA

PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like it.
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Well, that and mimes.

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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for clarity. I am a #1 type person. Have been that way since I recorded my first paying commercial.

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com
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Jack Daniel
Cinquecento


Joined: 23 Jun 2016
Posts: 574
Location: SoCal

PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:24 am    Post subject: Re: 2020 Vision! Reply with quote

Philip Banks wrote:
2020 Vision? Turn off the noise by simply concentrating on Option 1.


Despite having a business background, I once dabbled in Option 3 for The Feelz. Or perhaps, more accurately, for the denial of Feelz that were not warm and fuzzy.

A Pawn Stars fan, I enjoy it each time shop-owner Rick acknowledges that feelings and business rarely mix well. As a Regular Person, I've noticed that the adage "Hope makes a fine breakfast but a poor dinner" is chock full of truth.

All businesses attract Feelz-targeting predators, but perhaps because VO requires our heart and breath, it becomes easier to push honesty and circumspection aside. Precisely when they're most needed.
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Jack Daniel
Narrator / Man About Town
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Dan-O
The Gates of Troy


Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 1636

PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Option 2 is incomplete.

Focus on your craft, find advocates for your product and accountants for your business

My dad once said to me "One day your business will overtake your art."

After dabbling in commercial acting for ten years, in 2005 I went full-time into VO. I ran it like a business and it was successful financially speaking. I primarily focused on customer service. (It's stunning how many talent are passed over simply because they are unreliable or take their sweet time to turn around a project.)

Around 2010, however, there was a sensation of wanting more. But it was the "more" that I couldn't define. As I grew as a talent and was shifting from car ads towards scripts that needed internal reflection I came to realize my art would define my business.

In the following years, I slowly started to bring into the fold others to focus on the daily business chores, while I solely focused on the product of that business and its direction. And that's when the rubber met the road; coastal reps, national/international brands, TV shows, promo, trailers, and Jack Daniel all came into my life.

Creatively speaking, I am fed well almost every day. Projects have moved me to tears, while others produce goosebumps. I'm brought on to entertain, educate, scare, and elevate audiences to an emotional high. And I can't separate myself enough to be able to put a price on that. But, I now work with people who can and do.
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todd ellis
A Zillion


Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10479
Location: little egypt

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
(It's stunning how many talent are passed over simply because they are unreliable or take their sweet time to turn around a project.)


this. this. AND this.

actually, it's all explained pretty well in this short business tutorial from 1985.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Moh7DXMk8g
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13016
Location: East Jesus, Maine

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Part of running my business like a business is getting the hell outta Dodge.
I'm moving (really for reals) to Columbus, OH in the spring.
Comminuty, Opportunity, Afforability.

I'm eager to see what happens next. 2019 was a disaster.

This is a decent article, and gives me the satisfaction that I'm making the right decision:

Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think
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todd ellis
A Zillion


Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10479
Location: little egypt

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

w00t! here's to 2020!!!


and - you're less than 7 hours from the farm!
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Bruce
Boardmeister


Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7921
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Regarding a "Professional Decline" in our later years...

Voiceover is one of the few professions where age matters a whole lot less. There are plenty of busy voice actors in their 60's, 70's is not unusual at all, and there are some stalwarts in their 80's. Look at Peter A. Thomas Sr. still cranking out narrations and Burger King ads in his late 80s's. He's gone now. Died with his pop screen on though.

There's hope for me yet as I head in that direction. One of the reasons I got into acting was watching all the great old actors on Carson's Tonight Show. They were lively, bright, and interesting. I wanted to be that way too when I got that old.

I can't play 20's anymore in fact I haven't for some time and 30's are a stretch, but there's beaucoup work for mature announcers. You just gotta go get it, in any mixture of Philip's 1, 2, or 3 plans of action you fancy.

B
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JohnV
Been Here Awhile


Joined: 25 Feb 2016
Posts: 230
Location: Md/DC

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FIRST.. a remarkable article... thank you

SECOND... when I hit his mention of being a french horn player little bells were ringing in the back canyons of my mind,,, something...

after finishing the article they were in focus and I found why I KNEW about this guy... he has a TED TALK , as a political conservative, about getting ALL of us together and TALKING about stuff TOGETHER... here, have a listen:
https://www.ted.com/talks/arthur_brooks_a_conservative_s_plea_let_s_work_together



Deirdre wrote:

This is a decent article, and gives me the satisfaction that I'm making the right decision:

Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think

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SoundscenesDC, main talent and production offices just 385k km up the gravity well in LuNoHoCo Center, old satellite studios still bookable at the future site of Johnson City!
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13016
Location: East Jesus, Maine

PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bruce wrote:
...but there's beaucoup work for mature announcers.


There's beaucoup work for mature MALE announcers.
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13016
Location: East Jesus, Maine

PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

todd ellis wrote:

...and - you're less than 7 hours from the farm!


Plinkapalooza 2020 Here I Come!
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11046
Location: Portgordon, Scotland

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Y'know Philip Banks is doing so much better than me, dontchya?"

THEY know no such thang!

I've set no voiceover business goals for 2020, I first did this in 2019 and it changed my world. Lack of ambition? No. My business has one purpose only. It must pay for itself and leave enough to supply my needs. Good idea for 2020? Get off the greed and envy Roller Coaster.

Here's the key. Only attempt things you know you have a reasonable chance of influencing the outcome, walk away from everything else.

Late October 1987 stock markets around the world collapsed. Late October 1987 D Day +1 and for a week or so thereafter every day my life was get up, throw up, go to work. Why? Philip Banks was trying to influence the FTSE, Dow Jones, Nikkei Dow and Hang Seng. I wasn't able to do it! WHO KNEW!
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Mandy Nelson
MMD


Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Posts: 2895
Location: Wicked Mainah

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was going to just thank Philip for his reminder about business and carry on my merry way but then there was a lot of other great stuff in this thread. THIS is why we come here. And for the love. Kiss Kiss Kiss
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006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband
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Bruce
Boardmeister


Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7921
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

We love you indeed Ms. Mandy. ❤️


B
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I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .
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