VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

kberkery

This is a geniune question - no trolling intended Smile

So the P2P sites are fairly disliked. How else can a newbie get his or her foot in the door without using them? The only other path I'm aware of (as a newbie myself) is extensive training with a competent, connected professional and then have them help the newbie get an agent. Is there another path I'm not aware of? Or am I asking for trade secrets here?

Kristin
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"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou

www.thatvoice.me

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:12 am Post subject:

Figure out what you do well. Have a demo that showcases it. Get it into the hands of the people who want to buy what you have to sell.

This means marketing 101 and networking.

If it is a commercial demo, look for production companies and ad agencies and find out the person who is responsible for listening to talent. If a corporate narration demo, start working your way through the phone system at major corporations looking for people in departments such as training, video, corporate communications, public relations. Make friends with the gatekeeper and dig for information on who might use voice talent.

It takes time and an understanding of what we do and who uses our services.
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Adding three words to Connie's reply:

Hustle and perseverance.

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 966

Great advice from Connie and Dan!

Here's some advice I got when I was starting out. You are as good as the company you keep. And not all doors should be opened!!

One of the byproducts of the e-generation of vo is people go into it for the money. That's because everything online tells you its all about making money. But the real problem is those who rely on it for their income prematurely. If you are just starting out, don't rely on vo to pay your bills. Do that with whatever career you currently have. Save every dime you make in vo. If you are one of the fortunate few who eventually sees they are making a living at vo, congrats! But if it's all about money, you are more willing to open doors that have no career growth for the sake of making a buck..any buck.

I had day/night jobs my first 5 years pursuing vo. The last two of those years I made substantially more at vo than I did at my other jobs. When it came time to quit the last day job I had a good 2-3 years of expenses saved up. I also lived below my means and always, to this day, save and invest a good percentage of my income. This is not good actor advice, this is good any business advice. And even today I know I'm not above possibly needing another day job. I chose to be a professional actor, which means pursuing professional acting professionally and not settling for the world of P2P to pay my bills.

Now, there are many out there who don't have the same career goals and enjoy the P2P way. To each his own. But I found career growth in the word "no." Impressive people are only impressed with impressive work.

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:45 am Post subject:

"No" - Such a Life Simplifying word.

Bruce · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 1:20 pm Post subject:

Production houses and companies like Sun Spots and Procomm are worth applying to. You need ISDN but now that that's available through Ipdtl and alts like Source Connect you have a fighting chance. The jobs pay in between P2Ps and the real world.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:16 pm Post subject:

Pro Comm is all Source Connect these days.

(at first I said "...all Source Connect now" because they changed their requirements in January, but they aren't "all Source Connect NOW" .. they're only using Source Connect... so I changed my wording.)
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DBCooperVO.com

DougVox · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:15 pm Post subject:

Overly simplified suggestions:

- Decide who you want to work for
- Design your skill set, demo(s) and approach in order to appeal to those people
- Get their ears and eyeballs on your materials regularly
- Lather, rinse, repeat
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:27 pm Post subject:

Doug, some people may want to do something, but not have the right skill set, so number 1 and 2 might need a little tweak.

- Decide what you do well and who buys it
- Perfect your skill set, and design your demo(s) and approach in order to appeal to those people
- Get their ears and eyeballs on your materials regularly
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:21 am Post subject:

and buy one of these essential items

http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/laulhere-hats-authentique-merino-wool-beret-sangria-red/

Al Moulliet · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:05 am Post subject:

Guys, and Ladies,

Another question, If you have decided to do your own marketing, contacting production companies and such, If you are signed up with a P2P would it be wise to reference that in your material.
Just in case they are committed to P2P sites

Asking for a friend
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Create your own Great Life

Al Moulliet
www.moullietvoicepro.com

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:12 am Post subject:

If they do cast through V123, they will most likely tell you - in fact, ask you if you have a profile there.

One local company used V123 because of the ability to sort and get auditions to their end client easily. He would send me a personal invitation.

But I would rather they didn't use the platform and used my demos to either book me directly or at least only as a couple of people for a custom read.
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

Al Moulliet · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:17 am Post subject:

Thanks CT,

Always working at going direct seems to be the best approach.
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Create your own Great Life

Al Moulliet
www.moullietvoicepro.com

kberkery · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 8:14 am Post subject:

This is really helpful info for newbies Smile

Thanks all!

Kristin
_________________
"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou

www.thatvoice.me