VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JBarrett · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:47 am Post subject: Jumping the gun?

I couldn't think of another one-line way to lead into this other than "jumping the gun", so here come the gory details...

I want to work! I want to work now! Yes, I'm impatient, but based on my past experiences, I believe I can get work. However, there are a couple problems in my way, and I'm trying to think through possible solutions.

1) No demo
I know that to get an agent and/or get people to find me via my own web site or one of the lead services, I need a demo. However, should I let that stop me from auditioning for stuff anyway? I've been thinking about joining Voices.com (with their free membership for starters) with the hope that I could still audition for gigs here and there and get practice and such. Is that a bad idea? All the VO work I've done so far has been through auditions, but then again it's all been through people I've known. Should I be a patient little talker and wait 'til I have a proper commercial demo? Is there any problem with going for the occasional audition here and there if I don't have a full demo yet?

2) So-so home equipment
I've got a cheapo setup at home ($50 dynamic mic, $50 mixer, pop filter, laptop, and quiet walk-in closet) that I believe might be passable for recording auditions, and I've made arrangements with the folks here at work (where we have a couple professional recording suites) to record stuff if I get any gigs, but again...am I jumping the gun? Should I hold back on even auditioning until I have better gear at home with which to record the auditions? I plan on posting a quick audio sample in the Gear forum soon to get feedback on the current sound of my stuff. I KNOW my current stuff is no match for pro gear, but all I'm looking for at this point is audition quality, not final quality.

When I got into animation after graduating from art school, my alumni counselor kept telling me that I would have to get in on the low end and work my way up. I refused to accept that, kept pushing hard, and ended up getting a great first job. I'm feeling that same fire and determination about voiceover. I swear, that acting bug is biting me so hard I want to SCREAM, and I don't want to let a little thing like lack of a demo or not-quite-professional home gear stop me from doing anything. I believe there's stuff that I can do now, and I'm eager to do it. But if my current demo-less-ness or low-quality gear are real concerns, then please tell me. Thanks!
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

just wanted to mention that the free version of Voices.com does not let you audition for leads. You might want to do the $19.99 per month route for a little bit to see if it works for you.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Frank F · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject:

Justin,

Let nothing limit you. If you have the "bug" (and it seems you do), get your voice heard in the market. I do not know where you "work", but it seems if there are studios available - use them. Make your demo and get it out to those who desire your services. Marketing is an amazing thing.

As for your "home studio" - if the quality is not what you desire - buy the right equipment for your budget and your sound. Price is not always a qualifier in the world of audio. Some $50.00 microphones sound good, some sound horrible - which do you own?

The really simple answer for you is: branding and marketing. Create your own identity with your brand and style of voiceover artistry. Market your services to as many people who need your talent for their project as possible.

Good luck and Toodles

F2
_________________
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

JBarrett · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject:

Jeff: Thanks for the heads-up about the free account. I might give the low-end package a whirl. While most of my spare funds right now are going toward VO coaching, I think I can squeeze that. Smile

Frank: My home microphone is a Sennheiser e815S. I hope to have time to record a sample before the weekend, and I'll post it in the Gear forum for more feedback. I work at Reel FX Creative Studios, where we have full audio and video production facilities in-house. Thanks for the great insights!
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Lizden · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:38 am Post subject:

Justin,

I echo what Frank-the- Great said. Don't let anything stop you.
If you really want to pursue VO, then start!

That said....it willl take some investment.
- YES, do the Voices.com month by month and audition for anything you think you can pull off. It will get you heard and it will get you practice
- Don't be discouraged of you don't get jobs right away....sometimes 100's of custom demos later you may still be in the audition stage,...then again, you may book a job quickly 'cause you have just the sound that the client is looking for!
- Pick Frank's brain about a good/less expensive mic (don't you love how I volunteer you Frank!) there are also several threads about mics in the archive, search them out, read them & learn!
- You will hovever need a demo probably sooner rather than later, simply because people want to hear what you can do....not necessarily WHAT you have done, but what you CAN do. If you are taking classes, then talk to the person coaching you about this.
- Don't worry about an agent just yet.
- Attend VOICE 2008! - Going to VOICE 2007 was one of the the best investments I have made in my career. The people you'll meet, the stuff you learn will be invaluable to your progress. Put in for the vacation time now!
- Keep on keepin' on!

That's it from me for now....gotta go voice some stuff! Smile

Liz
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

donrandall · Guest

Frank F · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:10 am Post subject:

Thanks Liz?! cool

You DO know I love you anyway. Wub

I will help where I am able, however, a search here on the VO-BB is the proper way to begin. Geek

F2
_________________
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

Moe Egan · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:13 am Post subject:

Hey Justin,

I completely empathize with your position....was there myself not too long ago. Demos are soooooo important. If you have your company's blessing to use their studios after hours....start there. It sounds like they would also have good ears to help in critiquing any demos you put together. Your demo is your calling card...really important to have a decent demo...you can borrow other studios and build a better one at home as you go...but you want a kickbutt demo to leave as your calling card.

If you can't afford the pay for play sites- don't worry. You're in Tx, yes? Very busy place for VO from what I hear. Start local....you've got the energy and drive....make them cold calls baby- agencies, production houses, etc. Build from your local area out, network like crazy...plus, if you're working locally you have a better chance of being called into someone else's studio to do the gig....which gives you more time to work on your own studio.

I think it was Joe on another thread who said work begets more work....so true...so tackle the local opportunities right in front of you,.they'll help get you to the next level...at least that's how i did it...hope this helps.

By the way...i totally love your avitar...makes me giggle every time i see it.

Laugh

_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

Lizden · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:09 am Post subject:

Saw this quote today, and thought it was appropriate!

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."
– Frank Lloyd Wright

L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:40 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject:

I'm sure I'm not the first to break it to you, but you do have to pay in order to receive....

You pay with your time in classes or theater or volunteering at schools and libraries and practice practice practice,

or pay money for classes, training, studio time, better and better equipment,

or most likely some combination of the two.

Another option might be to work for someone who has all the equipment and on-the-job training such as radio or television stations or networks. Let them provide the equipment and a paycheck. But even then you're going to have to pay to get a good demo together to impress them with your abilities.

May you turn your desires into clever and positive actions, grasshopper.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

JBarrett · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Bruce. I know some of this probably comes off like I'm trying to skip steps and take the easy way in, but that's not the case. I'm fully aware that there is payment (of various types) needed, and I'm fully committed to doing what it takes. I'm simply trying to see what I can realistically do now given my current circumstances and resources. I haven't fully spelled out my plan here in the forums, but I do have a plan based on everything I've learned by studying the ins and outs of this business through various channels, and I'm working it the best I can.
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

JBarrett · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:50 am Post subject:

Well, after doing some recording tests over the weekend, I've pretty much eliminated my current home mic for auditions. Not sure if it's the mic itself or the signal chain (mic to Behringer mixer to line-in on MacBook) or some of both, but there's some ambient noise in the recordings that I'm not happy with, and which I don't feel would present my work favorably in an audition.

On the plus side, I've received the go-ahead to record auditions in our suites at work. Until I get better gear at home, this is where I'll end up recording the final products anyway. I figure it's best to present the real deal so clients know what they can expect.

Thanks again for all the advice and input!
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Lizden · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:56 am Post subject: