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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:11 am    Post subject: Establish your creds Reply with quote

We all pontificate when asked by Noobs to launch their careers or olbz to help relaunch. How kind we are. I feel that as it is vulgar to talk about money (e.g the fact that I earned over $11.35 last week - WOOT! Praise Jayzuzz and his happy band of Wizards!) that we Pontius Pontificators should answer the question "who are YOU to be so wise in the ways of science?" In our case, the science of this wonderful world of Overs what we call Voice.

Me first.

First Class Degree Law and Economics Merton College, Oxford.
Specialist in house Investment Management training.
Can fly an aeroplane a bit.
Able to play Bass Guitar, Flugel Horn/Trumpet or at least I have played one on TV.

Acting training - None.
Voice Over training/coaching - None.
Stage craft training - None.
TV training - None
Audiobook training - None
Radio presentation training - None
On screen acting training - None
Copy writing/production for commercials training - None
Audio Engineering training - None
Acting for Animation training - None
Acting for Video games training - None
Acting for narration training - None
Acting for corporate training - None
Acting for talking toys training - None
Border Collies - 2
Hats - Several
Married - Once
Children - 0
Working pancreas - 0
Myers Briggs Type indicator - INTP
Astrological Sign - Pisces
Most likely to say - "I'm so sorry she's American! It really IS frightful!"

Evidence of my long term ability to Flugelize ...

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todd ellis
A Zillion


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I earned over $11.35 last week



bragger.
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who's/on/1st?

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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I spent it all on riotous living!

Being able to fly an aeroplane a bit counts as networking.

"So, what exactly is that for a job you are doing if not a Pilot you are?" asked an official at an airport I will not name.

Later ....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSPC2LxgPzk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl9_czl-u9w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaAKK1uVLtg&index=3&list=PLbt4NGq6G9U7Uih5T30z5bDGmajK02mRD
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paulstefano
Backstage Pass


Joined: 22 Sep 2015
Posts: 411
Location: Baltimore, MD

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll play

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication, Towson State University, Towson, MD

5 years in IT
2 years practicing as an investment advisor (poorly)
5 years working for a professional sports team.
8 years in Higher Education

Able to play piano, clarinet, saxophone and a little flute (not a piccolo, a regular flute, to a small degree).

Acting training - None.
Voice Over training/coaching - Edge Studio ABC program
Stage craft training - 3 credits in Undergrad
TV training - Undergrad classwork, and campus TV station work.
Audiobook training - Sean Allen Pratt
Radio presentation training - College campus AM and FM Deejay. Intern for WIYY FM Baltimore
On screen acting training - None
Copy writing/production for commercials training - None
Audio Engineering training - Undergrad
Acting for Animation training - None
Acting for Video games training - None
Acting for narration training - None
Acting for corporate training - None
Acting for talking toys training - None
Mascot Training- 2 years as a giant stuffed Tiger
Dalmation-1
Married - Currently
Children - 3
Number of Youth Sports teams Coached- Over a dozen
Working pancreas - Questionable
Myers Briggs Type indicator - ISTP
Astrological Sign - Aquarius
Most likely to say - "I didn't do it"

Evidence of my long term ability to annoy people with the clarinet.
[img]https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rwjs3q1tvd8wav/20160328_102804.png?dl=0[/img]
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http://www.paulstefano.com
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Mike Harrison
M&M


Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 2029
Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My wafflelications include:

– Reading at the 7th grade level in the 4th grade
– High school graduate; no college
– Demo tape that landed my first radio job (writing and producing commercials) was a simple promo produced on a consumer open reel machine then hand-wound into a broadcast tape cartridge
– Hired away from first radio job and made in-house narrator and audio producer by local corporate multimedia production house
– Co-founded small ad agency; wrote, voiced and produced spots that aired scores of times weekly on the top NYC radio stations
– More stints in corporate communications and radio followed

– Can play drums but never have professionally
– Self-taught typesetter
– Acute hearing: can sometimes hear ultrasonic motion detectors in retail stores and low frequencies like those of approaching helicopters (friends called me Radar).

Licenses held: FCC Third Class Radiotelephone Operator Permit; NJ Automobile
Acting training for any genre - None
Stage experience - On a cold reading, won the part of the Sheriff in a local production of "The Rainmaker," 2008
VO training for any genre - Minimal, general
Radio presentation training - None
Copy writing/production for commercials training - None
Audio Engineering training - None
Pets - Likes cats, currently has none
Married - Never
Children - None
Prostate cancer survivor
Myers Briggs Type indicator - ISTJ
Astrological Sign - Virgo
Most likely to: have very strong feelings about right and wrong; be misunderstood when not direct and to misunderstand that which isn't made abundantly clear, and most social cues
Realistic and literal: There is neither egg nor cream in an egg-cream. "Spin" is a politically correct word for bullshit. Discuss.


(edited to fix a couple of typographical issues)
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

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Bob Bergen
CM


Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 937

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, here's the deal. The vastness of the industry, which is a byproduct of the internet, has brought the charlatans out of the woodwork. Twenty years ago there were fewer out there teaching, making demos, etc. And those that did were not shy about turning students away or refusing to produce a demo for those who were not demo ready. Your reputation as a coach or demo producer had value.

Today, anyone with a $99 mic and one vo gig under their belt call themselves a pro. And as such, feel they are qualified to judge and guide. Worse, the vastness of the internet has clouded who truly qualifies to chime in.

The other issue with the vastness of the internet is the feeling that everything is created equal. It is not. And it's not just union vs non union. The major markets demand different from talent, from the length of a demo, to the styles of the read.
* LA demos are gold in NYC.
*NYC demos don't do well in LA.
* As a union LA actor I'm often asked for vo career advice, which doesn't apply to many who ask, especially those who are pursuing in Middle America.
* I've seen many blogs and threads online on various sites with vo advice only to find out the talent giving the advice lives outside the US, where the entire game is so vastly different much of the info is obsolete here.

To me, one of the worst byproducts of the vastness of the internet is the desire to make money at vo. Or the end result teaching, promising, or encouraging to make money at vo. This brings with it premature demos and ill prepared talent. This used to be the rarity, but it's become the norm.

But it shouldn't be the norm. The vastness of the internet also brings with it the ability to reach out to the best of the best. From Facebook to Twitter, every top vo actor, producer, casting director, etc., is a click away. And it is very rare to find one who is not willing to advise or network with. The superstars of vo tend to be really generous!

Pick the vo genre: animation/games, narration, promo/trailer, imaging, commercials, etc. It's simple to research the vo actors at the top of their game in each genre. Pop em a note and pick their brain! Who did they study with? Who did their demos? Who is their agent? Etc.

One of the things I teach my LA animation students is to create a career flow chart when they are ready. Ready doesn't mean trained with a great demo. You cannot work in animation unless you are union and have a top agent. It's just not gonna happen. Who you know, and who knows you are as important as what you do at the mic. More of the flow chart later.

There are terrific workshops in LA where actors can get face/mic time with agents and buyers.
http://www.voiceactorsnetwork.com
http://voicesvoicecasting.com/events/

The brilliant actors are getting representation and jobs left and right at these. The premature actors are closing doors with each class. The lesson there is, do NOT showcase or put your talent out there until you are ready. Second chances are hard to impossible.

Actors need to be specific and strategic with all of this. This works with every genre of vo, but for the sake of discussion I'm going to use animation as my example.

So, let's say your goal is to work on the series Clarence on Cartoon Network. And you are well trained, have a great demo, you are in the union, etc. But you haven't secured an agent yet. First thing you do is check out Clarence on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3061050/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

There you will see all the players: the cast, writers, producers, casting director, etc.
1) Go to Voicebankhttp://www.voicebank.net/app/promoList.do;jsessionid=71E6C54C1939724DA9E1D9AE01C792DD?CLR=-1 and cross reference who represents those in the Clarence cast. You will see the same agents over and over: Atlas, DPN, CESD, SBV, etc.

OK-logic tells you that these are the agents you need to be with as they are the ones being called weekly to book their talent on this show. You now have a very specific goal, which is to get with one of these agents!

2) Connect with every player on Facebook and Twitter. No long cover letter is necessary. Just a simple connection request. Don't gush that you are a fan, or a vo actor looking to get on the show. Just request to connect. Very few will ignore you. But if just 10% accept your request, you have now connected with 10% of the cast and crew of the series you wish to work on. And as you prove your animation vo career on social media, they will see your career PR, as well as many of their connections and network.

3) Research the vo showcase workshops. If you see the casting director of Clarence on the calendar, sign up! If you see any of the agents who represent the cast on the calendar, sign up! This is your opportunity to wow em!

******BUT YOU'D BETTER BE READY!!!!********

Let's say you were able to secure an agent from one of these showcases. Congrats! Now, let's talk about that flow chart. It represents the who/what/where/when of your animation vo career:
- casting directors you have worked with
- casting directors you've had call backs with
- casting directors you've auditioned for
- casting directors you've met
- actors your new agent represent and the cartoons they currently work on
- the casting directors working on the shows above

Now comes the strategy. You need to share all of this with your new agent. This is the tangible that you bring to the table for your agent. The more specific in your goals the more specific in the representation from your agent.

All of the strategic networking, preparation, and research you've done up to now:
- you researched the cast and crew of Clarence
- you reached out to them on social media
- one of your connections on Facebook is actor Roger Craig Smith who works on Clarence
- Roger's agent is Dean Panaro of Abrams Artists
- you signed up to showcase for Dean at a workshop, who was impressed and signed you (a referral from Roger would be helpful as well!!)
- you also showcased for Clarence casting director, Kristi Reed

Now comes your strategic gameplay with your agent.
-You tell your agent that when he is called by Kristi to book Roger on the next episode of Clarence to remind her she's met and worked with you at the workshop.
- Each time you audition for Kristi you ask your agent to remind her that she's met/worked with you.
- AND, you do this with every actor and every other show Kristi works on! Yes, Clarence is your dream show. But there are only so many guest spots on any show. And your strategic career networking might lead to booking a guest shot on another one of Kristi's shows. Book one of those and you have the chance to wow her at a series booking, which adds value to you the next time your agent pitches you for Clarence.

Etc.

This is your strategy for Clarence. Use this for every cartoon on TV with every cast, crew, casting director, etc. And do this with every genre of vo. Parts of the strategy needs to be adjusted from genre to genre, but it's all doable. No matter where you live, no matter what your goals, this business is all about relationships and a specific strategy. Your career goals need to be well thought out so your game plan can be specific.

But it all starts with being trained, brilliant, and having brilliant marketing tools.
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DougVox
The Gates of Troy


Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 1705
Location: Miami

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's more value (and more valuable education) in that previous post of Bob's than in the entire curricula of many voiceover "coaches."

Bob, you're an absolute mensch!
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good of you to menschUN it
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bob Bergen wrote:
******BUT YOU'D BETTER BE READY!!!!********


Hoo boy. This, this, a thousand times THIS.
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DBCooperVO.com
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HeatherMasters
Contributore Level V


Joined: 03 Sep 2015
Posts: 158
Location: Alaska

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

UM, I wanna laminate Bobs post and hang it up in my studio.

MIND BLOWN Gasp

And Mr. Banks, If you are going to post such a picture, I think it only fair you point out which of those budding musicians is you. Smile
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Heather

www.heathermastersvo.com
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On a serious note - Do not do what I did. Specifically, just blunder around buggering it up at every other step hoping it would sort of work out in the end.

Read and inwardly digest the post from esteemed colleague Mr Bergen several times.

Photo -Bottom row 7th along from left
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Lance Blair
M&M


Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2279
Location: Atlanta

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a degree in Voiceoverology from the Community College of VOBB.

Then interned at a media production studio and then worked there for a llllllooong time.

Thankfully, I no longer need to drive Box Trucks through Manhattan to gigs anymore. Smile Yikes!

And, thank you Bob!
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and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!
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Kristin Lennox
Flight Attendant


Joined: 30 Apr 2011
Posts: 858

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bob Bergen is completely made of awesome sauce.

Laugh
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Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

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todd ellis
A Zillion


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

with a side of more awesome sauce.
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


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

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Large shake with that t'go.
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