Is it a must to get an agent?

[rneldable]

Hello folks,

Need a little help here.

Is it a must to get an agent if you're just starting building your career in the voice over industry?

Thanks in advance

RnelDable

[PierceVoice]

From recent observations.... no. I know plenty of very successful talents who handle their own business, marketing, and job hunting. And that's really where you'll start. Whether or not you see the legwork worth the time after success comes and the option to join with an agency opens is up to you.

BUT, if you want to get into certain areas of v.o., you'll need contacts that agencies have built up over time. That's the big benefit of having access to a rep who believes you can get the job.

I've come to the conclusion that this whole "agent" thing is 85% industry stereotype, 15% reality. They aren't Jerry McGuire. They aren't even Arliss. They ARE much like record label "scouts" who make it their bizness to seek out successes-in-a-can and sign them up to make money for the firm. It's not about impressing them with what you CAN do, but what you're already doing. If they can get in on that $$ action, better off for this holiday shopping season.

Don't get me wrong-- there are really good people doing this stuff. I'm just saying that it's up to YOU to get going. Like "I need a car to get a job but I can't get a car until I get a job". Sometimes, you're just gonna have to walk.


Chadd

[rneldable]

Thank you Chad that was really insightful. I guess I'll focus more on mastering the craft, only then I could pursue the business side once I'm ready selling my stuff.

[Jodi Krangle]

I found that a really helpful observation too, Chad. Thanks for sharing! I'm still looking into this whole business of agents myself ...

[Emorgan_Voiceovers]

As a person who has representation in different regions of the country, I can tell you that Chadd is correct. don't get me wrong, I appreciate the representation and what my agents do for me, but the bottom line is I have gotten 99% of my work on my own. I am working very hard to master the craft and feel very good about the progress I have made. With that said, you have to be willing to put a ton of time into practicing, marketing, networking, taking classes(acting/improv, voice coaching) and many other things. Time however is not all it takes. It takes money, albeit less than some businesses, but it takes money. It is a business. Classes, coaching, marketing, demos, equipment, memberships, etc. all figure into this. If you are willing to understand that it is a business and invest the time, effort, and money, you can make some money back, IF you have the talent. I say IF, not knowing whether you do or don't as I haven't heard your work. Hope my rambling helps some. Welcome to the journey!

Eric

[jsgilbert]

The top 5% of earners in this industry have at least one agent and many have several. Most of the people who claim that it is not important to have an agent are the ones who can't get one.

Can you survive without one? Yes Can you make a decent living without one? Well, giventhat most people lie about what they make and that less than 2% ofthe people who say they are voice actors ever make $5,000 per year, I am guessing that unrepresented talent making enough money to be self-sustaining definitely are inthe smallest part of the minority of all working talent.

A talent agent doesn't get you work, but simply shares opportunities with you. The talent/ agent relationship is a very complicated one and I can tell you that if you are a voice talent making $5,000,000 per year (like the Cuba Gooding character), your agent will most certainly have a relationship with you like Jerry McGuire.

Most talent simply demand alot and don't offer much in return.
No, it's not a must to have an agent, but most of the smart actors wouldn't be without one. The more important question is "Am I ready and do I have what it takes to get an agent?" This is a totally differnt thing.

Based on certain persons abilities, temprament, geographical location, marketability and othe reasons, it might not be in their best interests to have an agent, just as many of us have difficulty having a boyfriend, girlfiriend or any other complex relationship. It takes a lot of work to make it payoff for both parties.

[SeptemberDay]

Great post JS! And also network your butt off with other VOs and remember them when you come across an audition for a voice that isn't your style or if you have a project that needs a second voice. It's amazing the amount of work you can get from your connections!

[Claired]

yes, well said SJ!
I think that one can make a living without an agent, but if I'm honest 80% of my income comes from jobs booked through an agent, and it represents only 20% of the effort/time.
Without the agent, you'll work harder for less money. The agents get you the higher end jobs and that's why they are worth their 10% :smiley: (or possibly 17,5% + vat if you are in the UK:()

[MattScan]

Is there an agent or agents that anyone recommends...? I am posting my demo mp3s online in the next day or so... and have no problem doing the legwork to get jobs... but I see the benefit of having an agent...

[Robert Jadah]

It is indeed important for us to have an agent, rn.
The problem is that it's not as important for an agent to have us, which makes 'em very hard to land.
In small markets, very few of them will rep an unknown on spec.

I believe your best bet is to run up a bit of a track record first; to be able to walk into a prospective agent and say, "Listen, I've made $31,625 in VO in the last six months, and thought I'd like an agent."

They are very adept at calculating 15% of any number.

This math wizardry will also incline them to steer you to auditions for $1,000/day jobs. You still need to win them, though...which is incredibly difficult, meaning you will still need to trawl for the little gigs from Unkle Frank's Bait and Used Tire Shop.

Ramblingly Yours,

[rneldable]

Hey Rob, That was a brilliant take you got there. Thank you...

[jsgilbert]

Hey everyone I just became spokesperson for Uncle Frank's Bait and Used Tire Shop. Thanks to Robert Jadah! I would never have thought to contact them. I sent them my demo and they fell in love with the read I had done for Morty Weiss Music Emprium and Reupholstery Center. You may remember the tag line "FLuff em, stuff em, buff em."

I love Uncle Frank's newe tag line If your fishing or your Nascar needs a little more pop, come to Uncle Frank's Bait and used Tire Shop"

RObert, you better be careful or I may steal that Saskatchewan ROughriders annoncer gig from you.

[JoeActor]

Hey JS... sweet gig - kudos, man!

So, this wasn't thru an agent. It's good to be connected, yes indeed ;-)

Cheers,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[ranalanricard]

Thank you Sir Robert of the Frozen Tundra.

I'm new to the biz ... have taken professional lessons ... had a CD produced ... continue to practice, study, practice, study ...and audition on V123 (for the moment), and have submitted my demo to numerous agents in the S. Florida area and have only had one that showed any interest (albeit very little).

Your advice makes sense. It seems the agents (at least in this area) aren't going to give you much of a 'shake' unless you've already developed a bit of a track record of success.

I've just recently contracted for one and possibly three audio books. If they're a success, then perhaps that will impress an agent to take a closer look.

Ran

[Scott Pollak]

Might as well toss my hat into this ring here.

EVERY AVENUE that can possibly bring you business is important. That includes agents, personal contacts, website presence, membership in online sites, etc.

Having an agent, though, typically requires some degree of prior success. Agents are flooded with more wanna-be starry-eyed mediocre talents than dogturds in the petwalk area at the rest stop. Combine that with the downturn in the economy and many agencies aren't even currently taking on new talent.

I had to spend several years building up my own success via the online sites, personal contacts, local work and so on. Once I began to achieve decent success, work and income, agents were MUCH more interested in me. I'm currently with three agencies; two here in Atlanta and one in another state. I get a moderate amount of leads, and a little bit of work from them. The work I HAVE landed has paid extremely well, but overall comprises only a tiny fraction of where my overall work comes from.

So actively pursue all available means of generating business, but know that no one really cares as much about your success as you do, therefore you will be the one working hardest to bring the jobs in. Having an agent is definitely icing on the cake.