I’m learning how important it is to be flexible in business generally speaking, especially in VO. We all (customers too) have fixed expectations, as we ‘know’ how this is supposed to go. “THIS” as in any transaction. But when you deal with off-shore clients in different cultures, or even just a new customer, that doesn’t know your niche, some hand-holding is expected. But are you flexible? Do you make it easy to do business with you?
It’s too easy to stand here in my studio and read lines.
We forget “who” we are. While “doing characters” is part of this, for all the character work I do, whether #videogames or just a script say for a #cowboyvoice, I’ve found that getting the physicality of the character helps!
Are they hurt? Happy? Cold? Scared? and 100 more questions. In video games characters are in scenes, usually interacting with other characters.
May I record some characters for you?
More demos here: https://tinyurl.com/My-Demos
I worked in restaurants for over 10 years.
In the slowest of the slow to some where I occasionally had 25 or more people on the clock. Yet I’ve always boiled it down to: “Hot food hot”; “Cold food cold”; in a reasonably accommodating atmosphere.
The challenge? There’s a million ways to screw that up.
General business and VO have specific challenges, but how you manage systems and orders and- well, it’s kinda all the same. Do you such at systems and managing your time? Watch!
ANY industry “common” terminology isn’t common until you know it!
Today’s episode is about the difference between a Demo, a Sample and an Audition. As with any technical lingo, there are cross-overs here, but this should help you a bit.
Had a great experience with a new voice acting coach. My family traveled my entire formative years in a Chevy Suburban. I just did a demo using a Chevy Suburban script (partial). Feeling I’d possibly missed the mark on delivery, she asked if I knew who I was talking to. I told her about my dad and his buddies that towed trailers.
My coach, a very successful 40-something lady, said, “what about me?” “ummmm…”
She proceeded to remind me there’s HUGE market of “soccer moms” out there that need to fill the back end with “stuff” and will never tow a trailer.
So the energy is in talking to the soccer mom and everything follows. More in the video! . What can I record for you? .
I talked yesterday about being intentional in our work and work week. It’s one thing to say “I’m being intentional about expectations”, but quite another to do something about it!
This episode is pretty much motivation to put your head down and keep working on your craft. Get coaching. Practice, audition. repeat!! .
We are asked to do many things as #voiceartists and creating a #soundscape as it were. I include three examples!
Well you’ve done the hard work! Now we stare at the phone and wait for it to ring. We’re moments away from that big corporate contract for a national ad!!!
Or not.
Now its about finding the work. Now we do more hard work. We work to find customers. Find talent agencies, media production houses, etc. We call and ask if they’re accepting demos (more next week on demos). Make a list of those that are. Send kind emails with the demo they might suggest or links to your files you’ve stored somewhere like Dropbox or a Google Drive.
But you’re still waiting on that phone to ring. Another choice is digital delivery platforms like Fiverr, UpWork, ACX, and many, many others. Some like Fiverr and UpWork are free to join, but take a percentage. On ACX you work it out with the rights holder. Many others you pay to join. There’s a TON of information on all these out there. Do some research and see if they work for you!
For a while now, I’ve been calling various production businesses to discover if they might be taking demos for new artists. I was amazed at how many (apparently) operating businesses had
It might be time to hire a professional #voiceartist to record the message on your system. Customize for specials or directing customers! And if you’re in a different country or need a female talent, let me know! I know people!! .
Let’s talk! What can I record for you?
Long long ago in a faraway land, I spent 10 years in the restaurant industry. Over that time with transfers, vacation coverage and promotions, ended up working in 13 different locations with the same company.
Sorta like banking, but not.
One day (day off) a friend and I were having the “where do you want to go to lunch” conversation. I believe this is universal around the globe:
“Where you wanna go?
“I dunno. Where do you wanna go?”
–Repeat ad infinitum.
I always wanted to start a restaurant named, “I Dunno” I figured I had to capture SOME market share!
The point is that it is theoretically possible for everyone to decide NOT to visit my restaurant, your card shop, her boutique, his auto repair, etc. The point of all this is: What are doing to ensure THAT doesn’t happen? ..
