Random Thoughts for Newbies

[Scott Pollak]

Random thoughts. …
Feel free to add your own.

I’ve been toying with the idea for a while now to compose a sort of general, all-encompassing, J.S. Gilbert-esque pontification on this business that may provide some eye-opening clarification for the many newcomers to this business who happen onto this forum.

We often see many of the same remarks on these threads over and over from first-timers:
“I’ve been told I have a nice voice…”
“I’ve always wanted to do this…”
“My customers tell me I have the most pleasant voice…”
“I’ve been told I should be on the radio…”
“I’ve never really done this before…”

Now, before I get into this, please understand that everyone in this business had to start out at the beginning, so my goal here is NOT to discourage newcomers. It’s to provide stark honesty and clarification from someone who has been knocking around in professional broadcasting and voiceovers for over 30 years.

1) Being told you have a ‘nice voice’ or you ‘should be in radio’ doesn’t qualify anyone to do voiceovers for a living. There are, quite literally, tens of millions of ‘nice voices’ in the world and, quite literally, WAY too many radio voices (that most clients do NOT want any more). There are tens of millions of super nice looking people out there, too, but only about 1/1000 of 1% of them are models.

2) If you have absolutely no experience, know nothing about the technical or business side of voice work and/or voice production, have had no training in acting or delivering copy, then you need to get some. You may ultimately be able to make a dent in this business, but not without experience and training.

3) If you post a read or a demo here and ask for a critique, be prepared to receive it. Everyone here, and I mean EVERYONE, pulls for everyone else. This is the most supportive group of professionals you’ll ever meet in any profession, bar none. Heartfelt and QUALIFIED feedback will come to you from folks who know, from professionals who make their entire living doing this stuff. If you really DON’T want to hear it and learn how to get better, then please don’t ask for the feedback.

4) This is a business. It requires hard work, skill, the right equipment, training, business acumen, savvy, and relentless determination. If you lack any single one of those elements, the odds are heavily stacked against you.

5) While this is a tremendously fun career to be in, it’s not something to be taken lightly. If you happen to mess around on your home computer and make funny sounds or a great impersonation of George Bush or Sylvester Stallone, we’ll all smile with you as we listen. But please don’t think that it will gain you entry into this business. It won’t. Just because it can be fun doesn’t mean it’s not serious. You would never, EVER, walk into the offices of Smith-Barney and expect them to hire you as a stockbroker simply because you can balance your checkbook. Like it or not, the same is true in voiceovers (and pretty much any other legitimate business out there).

6) Most people will fail at this business. Here is where I acknowledge the many excellent posts by my friend J.S. Gilbert who has – time and again – shared the stats of the cruel realities of this business. The vast, VAST majority of people will make no money doing voiceovers. Most will, at best, make a few thousand dollars. As in other ‘entertainment’ types of fields (e.g.: acting, singing, dancing), a tiny, tiny few will make a career at this… some making just enough to pay the bills, and even less making a very comfortable living. The sad truth is that this is an extremely hard business to make a living at.

All newcomers are welcomed with open arms. We love to hear from you, talk to you, listen to what you have and provide feedback and suggestions, but you have a responsibility, too. You must be honest with yourself as to whether you should be attempting this. Aunt Sally and Mister Pipkin and your regular customers telling you what a nice voice you have means nothing. Ask those in the business who know… those you’ll find trolling these forums… and they’ll tell you whether they think you have the chops or not. You’d be smart to listen to them.

Do everything you possibly can to learn about the business. Buy books and read them! Take classes: voice classes, voice acting classes, acting classes. When the time is right and the budget allows, get the right equipment (it doesn’t have to cost a fortune… you can have a GREAT set up for under $1000). Learn how to use the equipment and software properly. Be humble and really know and believe that none of us – NONE OF US - ever knows it all or ever reaches the top or ever hits a place where we can’t get better or learn more.

From the bottom of my heart, if you’ve read this far, I hope this helps clarify where you are and what you need to think about and do (or NOT do!). Welcome to the wonderful world of voiceovers and best of luck.

[JoeActor]

Good post, Scott - it is now a "sticky" in the forum...

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

[chrisslone]

Scott,

I'm new to this site. I've been in radio for quite a while, doing voice work and production. There's not a single thing you've said on here that I don't agree with. I'm new to voice acting, and I've spent quite a bit setting up a home studio and receiving voice acting lessons. I certainly can tell you, there's a difference. A BIG difference. I'm here to learn, and hopefully to help. All the best to everyone for success and learning.

[ranalanricard]

Well said indeed.

I'm new to this business also and have assumed the mindset of vacuum cleaner. Upon completion of my professional VO courses, if I haven't learned anything else, I've learned to "shut up and learn --- so I can speak up and earn" (Oh how I scare myself when I begin to wax poetic :help:)

Though I've been blessed (stress the blessed part) ... and am getting a real start with a three audio book deal (that is if the first is accepted well) ... that contract will ultimately be filled and I'll still be a rookie. So it's practice, practice, practice ..... listen, listen, listen .... learn, learn, learn ... until you turn off your mic for good.

Well there you have it ... all the 'sage' advice this rookie can muster.

Ran Alan Ricard

[Gaialvr]

Scott,
This is from the reply to an email I wrote to an established VO talent asking how to break in, how much to spend on lessons/training, gear for a home studio; etc.
This is the reply....
Beware of those who would take your money in this business. They are many and varied and will have little to offer other than taking your money. I thought about making some "easy" money by offering some training classes, but thankfully I was too busy actually working. Besides, the only people that tend to teach in this business are those who can't do much themselves.
Teaching somebody to do voiceovers is mainly unnecessary; if you have the chops, things will happen naturally. I know you're excited about entering the business, but be prepared for a lot of disappointment and very little income for several years at least. The odds of someone successfully breaking into the business are extremely small. The competition is fierce and the good jobs don't go to those with the most experience, the best studio or the most talent. They go to those who sound best and read best. Period.
I would strongly suggest always pursuing other work and making sure V/O is a sideline, a hobby and a secondary means of income. Start by offering your services to those who produce on-hold messaging or something like that and see how you do.
That is pretty well all you need to know. I've just saved you some money. Get a mike, paste some promotional copy from any web site(s) and start practicing.
The people who charge you to "train" you won't tell you this, but it's the truth. I think the only thing you deserve is the truth; it's a tough, dirty, mean and ultra competitive business and anybody who tells you different is not telling you the truth. A good voice is worth about 25 percent; the rest is business savvy and various other intangible qualities. I hope I didn't discourage you, but who knows, I might have done you a favor if I did.

Scott, how much of the above is true and how much is just wasted negative energy?
Thank you for your time and attention,
Steven Garrett
gaialvr@att.net

[Scott Pollak]

Hey Steven,

I don't know how long your question has been hanging up here in cyberspace as I tend not to notice the Newbies forum that much, so I'm sorry if it's taken a while to get this response.

For starters, don't hang your hat solely on my opinion. I'm just an average v/o guy who happens to be making an average living doing this, with my own set of opinions and thoughts. I will try, as best as I can, to respond, but I'd also invite the MANY other extremely knowledgeable v/o 'experts' that frequent this forum to chime in, most of who are more qualified than I to respond.

Nonetheless...


Beware of those who would take your money in this business. They are many and varied and will have little to offer other than taking your money. I thought about making some "easy" money by offering some training classes, but thankfully I was too busy actually working. Besides, the only people that tend to teach in this business are those who can't do much themselves.

Yes, beware, but don't avoid them. For one thing, none of us can ever self-teach ourselves everything we need to know. We never stop learning. Or at least we shouldn't. And how do we learn? Primarily from others. That being said, do diligent research before taking a class. Learn about who the teacher(s) is/are and their qualifications, experience, background. Consider other learning environments as well, in particular theatrical, especially improv classes. Yes, there ARE unqualified charlatans out there who will gleefully take your money while giving you little of any real value. But there are also many excellent instructors who can help you hone your skills in ways you could never do yourself.


Teaching somebody to do voiceovers is mainly unnecessary; if you have the chops, things will happen naturally.

I could NOT possibly disagree more. What are 'the chops'? A nice voice? A sound that happens to be in vogue? Some acting skills? I don't care who you are, no one goes into this business with nothing but pure skill out of the box and makes a go of it. This goes right back to what I talked about above. There are TONS of things EVERYONE still needs to learn and they have to learn it via any number of venues/teachers/opportunities/experiences. And as far as things happening 'naturally', experience tells me MOST folks don't have that innately built into them.


I know you're excited about entering the business, but be prepared for a lot of disappointment and very little income for several years at least. The odds of someone successfully breaking into the business are extremely small. The competition is fierce and the good jobs don't go to those with the most experience, the best studio or the most talent. They go to those who sound best and read best. Period.
I would strongly suggest always pursuing other work and making sure V/O is a sideline, a hobby and a secondary means of income. Start by offering your services to those who produce on-hold messaging or something like that and see how you do.

Yes. Mostly true.


Get a mike, paste some promotional copy from any web site(s) and start practicing.......it's a tough, dirty, mean and ultra competitive business and anybody who tells you different is not telling you the truth. A good voice is worth about 25 percent; the rest is business savvy and various other intangible qualities. I hope I didn't discourage you, but who knows, I might have done you a favor if I did.
Again, yes. mostly true.

[Gaialvr]

Scott,
I posted it a few hours ago, and it was quite the internal battle for me to do so.
My background is in sales, everything from Ginzu knifes to $300,000 dual engine 34 foot long floating peices of....fiberglass, called Magic Power Boats.
The VO industry doesnt seem anymore cutthroat than any other biz; and much much less so in so many ways. For example, I asked DB Cooper for advice on training and instead of sending me to an associate of hers for training, or, trying to sell me some training, she recommended that I search through the VO blogs, websites, MessBoards, (are there still 'newsgroups' out there?) read some VO books, etc, which cost her time and energy and she made not a skinny dime off of it. Same with a few other people. Pat Fraley has almost a dozen mp3's posted just for free and just for us newbies. We are all a product of Nature; beautiful in our own unique way, struggling with survival the best we know how, but it's not always beautiful or pretty. The newborn gazelle, in the middle of the African savannha, trying to stand up on it's shaky legs for the first time, but, to no avail. A lion comes by and snatches it up in her jaws, takes it to her cubs and rips it apart for them to eat. Not pretty at all. Nor would the lion cubs slowly starving to death be a beautiful sight.

[ChrisMezzolesta]

I think the fact that there are so many on here who give of their time and talent pretty much for the camaraderie, speaks volumes for the kind of VO folk populating this little corner of the business (here and the other "bb" mentioned) - these are good folks and luckily there has been no (that I know of) visit from anyone of the snake oil variety to these forums...So I would give a lot of credence to what the folks here say. It's clear as water to me. Pretty much a revival of old style values.

Sorry, I had to go there :-D

[connieterwilliger]

I posted this recently on another forum and it was suggested that I post it here in the Newbie section...

You need 4 Basic Skills these days...

1. Talent - know what you have and where you fit
2. Technology - the ability to capture good clean professional sound
3. Business Skills - Negotiation, Bookkeeping, Invoicing, Collection
4. Marketing Skills - this could be the most important thing of all.

This is the Final Evaluation for the 16-week Introduction to Voice Acting Class I teach at San Diego City College.

Self-Evaluation Step 10: Final Evaluation

Carefully review what you have learned over the semester and give yourself a critical self-evaluation in both the talent and the business side of the voiceover business.

1. Do I have a unique or unusual “voice”? If so, what makes it unique or unusual?

2. Do I truly have the ability to read and interpret copy using my unique “voice”?

3. Do I know how I compare to others with similar range and abilities? (Do you truly believe that you can compete?)

4. Am I prepared to spend the time and money required to attend classes and workshops to learn the basic techniques of voiceover or acting in general?

5. Am I prepared to spend the time and money required to produce a demo that compete? Do I know when to even attempt to do a demo?

6. Am I prepared to invest the money required to outfit a small digital studio?

7. Do I have enough technical ability to make my digital studio work on a professional level?

8. Am I prepared to invest the time and money required to market my abilities and operate as a business?

9. Am I prepared to do audition after audition without landing any jobs?

10. Am I prepared to land one job and then no more for three or more (perhaps many more) months?

11. Am I prepared to survive financially during the time it takes to establish a reputation and start earning regular money?

12. Am I prepared to face the fact that I may never be able to compete in the industry?

13. Am I prepared to face the fact that I simply don’t have what it takes to be a free lancer wondering from day to day if I’ll be working?

The reality of the business is that very few people will make a living doing VO. And as each day passes the ones that will, must have a good grip on those 4 Key Skills.

[Lee Gordon]

Great stuff, Connie. I don't know if this is a separate point or merely an addendum to item #10, but I would suggest "Do I understand that even if I do a killer audition and 'knock it out of the park,' I am not the only talented VO artist out there and somebody else's audition could be just as good as mine, resulting in their landing a job I was perfect for?"

[Scott Pollak]

I may actually have been the one who asked Connie to post that everywhere a 'newbie' was likely to wander and I'm so glad you did here, Connie. Thanks so much. GREAT stuff!

[Morningstar]

I just love this post (meaning the very first one) Scott, thanks for sharing.
Claire

[Titanium Tone]

I'm new to the business too and I personally DON'T CARE how difficult it is or about the ones who fail, they aren't me. I'm too busy thinking about the jobs I WILL be getting and not worrying about the people who won't work. I'm not getting into this business to fail and I don't take it lightly and everyone else who's in it needs to think the same way. I'm also not focused on how much money I'll make, I'm focused on being the best voice actor I can be for ME, the rest is just the fruits of the labor that come with the hard work determination. I will ALWAYS practice and take classes not because it's what they tell me to do in class but because I LOVE what I do. I have been doing this in one way or another since I was seven and I have no intentions of stopping now. This is only the begining. :afro:

[MarkCSmith]

Was referred to this thread off my first post, great info, thanks!

[kiwiborn]

There are some very good points in this thread.

[paulstrikwerda]

My blog entry "Busting 5 voice-over myths" (http://nethervoice.com/nethervoice/?p=327) deals with the same issues.

This discussion reminds me of the time I started my own training business in The Netherlands. When people saw me teach a seminar, they thought that this was all I did. The truth was that the actual teaching only took up 15% of the time.

Running one's own business includes many aspects that are less than glamorous. People forget about the time spent keeping the books, doing countless auditions, constant self-promotion, investing in equipment and trainings, memberships of voice-over sites.... and the money spent on health insurance, car insurance, rent/mortgage, basic needs etcetera, etcetera.

Some people are attracted to our line of work because they believe it's "easy money". After all, what could be simpler than talking into a microphone, promoting products? Almost 40% of professional voice-overs makes less than $25,000 per year, even after having been in the business for 10-25 years. Over a quarter make less than $10,000 per year (see my blog). That means they're not even making minimum wage. So, if you're new to this business, you better have a partner who's supporting you, or a nest egg you can use, or you have to find a steady job to make ends meet.

In Harlan Hogan’s “Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor”, Harlan quotes Dick Moore of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFTRA. Moore says that of the eighty thousand members the union represents, no more than a hundred people do most of the voice work.

So, if you're thinking of becoming a professional voice-over, think again. Just because others say you have a nice voice, doesn't mean you're ready for the Metropolitan Opera. Just because you take nice snapshots, doesn't mean your pictures are ready for National Geographic.

It's great to dream. It's fantastic to pursue your heart's desire. And it's also a lot of hard work, sometimes for 18 hours a day.

As they say: it can take many, many years to become on overnight sensation!

[Scott Pollak]

Paul,

Excellent article. I saw a few comments in there that looked very familiar to what I wrote, so at least we're on the same wavelength.

I'd LOVE to post a link to that blog on the Voice123 forums, but I'd bet they wouldn't leave it up there since it tells such stark truths about the industry AND mentions competitors' names.

[paulstrikwerda]

Mike Gomez of voice123 told me the following:

"We have around 4,000 active Premium subscribers on the site and these are the stats we keep regarding hirings:

50% - book at least 1 a month
30% book between 1 & 5 a month
20% book more than 5 a month"
Of course there's no way to independently verify these numbers. It's easy to understand why pay-to-play sites paint a rosy picture of the possibilities and potential of the industry. They need subscribers to grow, and painting a grim picture of voice-over land is not going to get "desperate hopefuls" to sign up for their service.

No matter what we do, write or say, there will always impressionable people who are ready to open their wallets and wait for the magic to happen. Charles Darwin already knew that only the fittest will survive. These days, it's the "survival of the smartest". But you know what? People have a right to stay uneducated and ill-informed. Wasn't Louis Armstrong the first man to walk on the moon? :shocked:

[JoeActor]

Mike Gomez of voice123 told me the following:
"We have around 4,000 active Premium subscribers on the site and these are the stats we keep regarding hirings:
50% - book at least 1 a month
30% book between 1 & 5 a month
20% book more than 5 a month"
Of course there's no way to independently verify these numbers.

Actually Paul, I can verify them quite easily. Not only are they improbable, they're impossible.

Let me elaborate:

1) They can't tell who really books a job - the information is not in their system.

2) I'm a premium member - I don't book 1 per month. According to this, 100% of their 4,000 premium members book at least 1 job per month.

3) The worst? These "statistics" just don't add up:
50% book 1/month (50% X 4,000 = 2,000 X 1 job = 2,000 jobs)
30% book 1-5/month (30% X 4,000 = 1,200 X 2 jobs = 2,400 jobs)
20% book > 5/month (20% X 4,000 = 800 X 6 jobs = 4,800 jobs)
Total jobs booked per month = 9,200 jobs
... which is really interesting since the average total jobs posted per month this year is less than 950:
•January(803)
•February(845)
•March(1023)
•April(982)
•May(933)
•June(1076)
•July(945)

Gee, they're only off by 90% or so!

Ok, to be fair, let's give them a larger benefit of the doubt.
Let's say they meant the following instead:
50% don't book any jobs - out of the remaining 50% that do book:
30% book 1-5/month (30% X 4,000 = 1,200 X 1 job = 1,200 jobs)
20% book > 5/month (20% X 4,000 = 800 X 6 jobs = 4,800 jobs)

That's still 6,000 jobs booked per month... just a tad short of the 950 jobs posted per month, no?

And that's not even taking into account the jobs that never see the light of day, ones that pay squat, or don't pay at all.

I wanna say that I've seen it all from V123, but they never cease to amaze me.

Shaving Cream,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[ChrisMezzolesta]

FWIW, I keep pointing Craiglist posters here who post like "Hi, I'm a new voice talent and I'll work for you for free to get some experience!"...I feel it's my duty as a pro VO to keep the record as straight as possible in regard to the realities of the newbie end of things and the potential pitfalls...the old "copy and credit" syndrome. Couple the "do you really have what it takes" with the "don't ever give it away and give hirers the idea that they can keep getting it for free".......Glad this thread is up here.

[paulstrikwerda]

Thanks for crunching the numbers, Joe. Steven Lowell (voice123) has joined the discussion on my blog and you can see his response in the comment section of this post:

Double Dutch » Are your auditions sucked into a black hole? (http://nethervoice.com/nethervoice/?p=759)

I would love to quote you in a reply, or even better, it would be fantastic if you could re-post your response as a comment to Steven's remarks. What do you think?

[JoeActor]

Thanks for crunching the numbers, Joe. Steven Lowell (voice123) has joined the discussion on my blog and you can see his response in the comment section of this post:

Double Dutch » Are your auditions sucked into a black hole? (http://nethervoice.com/nethervoice/?p=759)

I would love to quote you in a reply, or even better, it would be fantastic if you could re-post your response as a comment to Steven's remarks. What do you think?

Hey Paul,

Please feel free to quote my post in a reply.

I try to keep my own responses to the V123 staff infrequent, and only when absolutely necessary...

Cheers,
Joe

[paulstrikwerda]

Thanks, Joe. Your response has now been added to the string of comments to my article:

Double Dutch » Are your auditions sucked into a black hole? (http://nethervoice.com/nethervoice/?p=759)

Are you breaking even with your voice123 membership?:bye:

[JoeActor]

Are you breaking even with your voice123 membership?:bye:

... I will be soon. I'm letting it expire.
Zero In. Zero Out. I'm even!

To be serious, I do make money from my V123 subscription. It's just not enough to put up with SmartCast, ratings, below par service, rampant propaganda, and a system that is designed to inspire paranoia. My time and money are best spent elsewhere.

One Voice, One Vote,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[EConnor]

A couple of weeks ago I registered (for free) for V123, just so I could see what the calls for auditions looked like. I'm not ready to post a demo (yet) or anything. They keep sending me messages like I'm a procrastinator or something.

[JoeActor]

A couple of weeks ago I registered (for free) for V123, just so I could see what the calls for auditions looked like. I'm not ready to post a demo (yet) or anything. They keep sending me messages like I'm a procrastinator or something.

Buyer beware: The auditions you see now will be drastically reduced when you become a paying member. Right now, you're seeing all of them. Once you pay them, SmartCast (tm) will only invite you to certain auditions based on mysterious and secret proprietary algorithms. And these auditions (which may or may not be suited to you) will only be available for a limited time before expiring. I'm sure if you search in the reviews area you'll find lots more information about this topic...

To each his own,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[dpvoice]

OK, so here is a random thought FROM a newbie, both to VO and to this site.

I hear alot of this type of stuff..."VO is a tough, dirty business. You probably won't even make enough to eat for several years! It's so so hard, and you probably shouldn't do this unless you are ready to suffer for a long time." ...from folks who are in the business, talking to new people, who are basically competition. Now everyone I've talked to one-on-one in "the biz" has been extremely nice and helpful, but I can't help but think when I read something like that..."What is this person's motivation?"

"Be ready to work really hard, and stay motivated, no matter what!" And this is different from any other profession how, exactly? Granted, I suppose there are people out there that have to be warned that they may need to work hard. Scary, hunh?

[Bob Bergen]

Hey dpvoice!

VO is a tough business. Dirty??? Not sure about that. But it is tough. All acting pursuits are tough. Hey-that's show biz!

By the way, law is tough. So is medicine. School teachers are under paid. Restaurants rarely succeed.

Etc.

Now, the realities are that success in VO is hard. But let's define success. (and forgive me if I'm being redundant from previous threads...might repeat myself....but that just means I'm due a residual for the rerun!) If you put a dollar sign on success you will never feel successful. If ya go into acting for the money you are making a huge mistake. Those at the top of their game have off years. Often many in a row. Shows get canceled. Contracts don't get renewed. Unions go on strike! EESH!!

This is why God created the day job. ;-)

About 10 years ago I was coming off a 5 year contract as the voice of Disney Channel. My agent was informed Disney wanted to renew my contract for another 2 years. SO-I went house hunting. Found a house, entered into a 30 day escrow. Thirty one days later, Disney changed their mind and didn't renew me. Here I am with a huge mortgage and no job I was relying on to pay for it.

BUT WAIT-there's more!!!!

A few months later SAG/AFTRA go on a commercial strike for 6 months.

SO-I had a house with no furniture. Just decided to go without until things leveled out a bit. It then dawned on me how fortunate I was. I had a house I could sell. Many of my friends were month to month renters with no savings to speak of. Hell, that's the majority of actors. I was able to stay in my house by the skin of my teeth! I was, and am, a licensed massage therapist, which brought in enough income to pay the bills. I had savings. I even inquired about going back to Universal to do the tour guide thing. I had options. But better yet, I had a positive outlook. No matter where you are in your career, a positive outlook, drive and passion, will always work in your favor.

As for the ever popular "everyone tells me what a great voice I have" that comes out of many newbie's mouths, it does make many of us cringe a bit. There's no such thing as a good voice. There's also no such thing as a bad voice. There are only good actors and bad actors.

As for "suffering," that's all in your power. Some people thrive on suffering. If there isn't any conflict, they aren't happy. Many see the glass half empty. "Man, I keep getting callbacks, getting down to the wire, and I'm always the number 2 choice!" Uh, in my book that's pretty damn good! It just means you are doing something right. Keep it up! Your time is around the corner. In the meantime, pay your bills with a day job and keep on keeping on with VO.

And it all depends on where or how you want to work. From small paying local VO that feeds your creative side but doesn't interfere with your other career, to full time home studio residual paying union gigs, and everything in between.

Most actors I know who have "made it," those at the top of their game, all have the same outlook. They all had a "nothing will stop me/I will do anything in my power to make it to the top" philosophy. Statistics and odds are not a factor. Competition isn't a factor. They spend zero time invested in difficulties or obstacles. It's all about looking ahead, achieving goals and setting new ones. Most successful people, in or out of showbiz, have this same common outlook.

Now, most people pursuing acting are human. It's human to have self doubts. It's human to be apprehensive when it comes to commitment. It's also a choice. You can choose to live by statistics and the difficult odds, or you can dive in with a "nothing can stop me" drive. Long as you do it smart, have a way to pay your bills, etc.

You just have to love the journey. You need to have the same giddiness with every audition today that you had with your first. You need to be a good business person. Take marketing courses. The tools available to newbies today weren't there when I was starting out. On Voicebank you can research what agents are looking for in the way of good, competitive demos. You have forums like this one. You can work anywhere in the world! (a blessing and a curse that can be elaborated on in a different thread)

No one in this business needs another voice. Be it an agent or a buyer, they have all the voices they will ever need. What they don't have, and what they do need is you. Your sense of humor, your personality, that individual "something" that makes you you. That's a goldmine!! No one else can offer that!! You need to hone it, to own it. You need to sell it. You need to invest in it.

Now, here's the truth about folks pursuing acting. Most aren't that good! The cream does indeed float to the top. Most don't have the "it" factor. But some do. And you'll never know unless you dive in and try. Have fun!!!!

[Mike Sommer]

HERE! HERE! Bob! Another fine and thoughtful post by a fine and thoughtful man.

I needed this pep-talk today Bob. THANKS!!


No one in this business needs another voice. Be it an agent or a buyer, they have all the voices they will ever need. What they don't have, and what they do need is you. Your sense of humor, your personality, that individual "something" that makes you you. That's a goldmine!! No one else can offer that!! You need to hone it, to own it. You need to sell it. You need to invest in it I call this your "Unfair Advantage." You need to find it and exploit it.

[dpvoice]

Thanks Bob.

[basque13]

Hi Scott,
Just read your post Random Thoughts for Newbies. Thanks for the insights. I am Newbie. I hate to admit it, but I too have been told "You have a really nice voice, you should do something with it". "Do you sing? You sound like you should be able to sing". I realize that comments like these won't get me into the voice over business. Having a career of some sorts in this business has been a dream of mine for a long time, even before others made comments about my voice. In the past I have attended workshops and seminars sponsored by Dan Levine. I also had a voice evaluation with John Burr, of John Burr Productions. That went well, and he said that he felt that I had potential for the business but not without some training, practice, and some studio time. Scott, any advice for a Newbie with very few financial resources for training, etc. I do practice at home by reading out loud to my daughter, just reading anything out loud, especially when I'm home alone:smiley:. I am currently trying to save up some funds......
Thanks for any tips, etc
Basque13

[Mike Sommer]

Reading to your kids is great, more parents should do this. But don't just read, act it out, become the
characters, become the story. And don't be afraid to read aloud when people are home, this is a common
practice for everyone around my house.

You must get some sort of acting experience or training. Theater groups, local junior colleges, anything.

Finances are just an excuse, if you really want to do something you'll find a way.

Read through the Hotseat section here too, there are tons of tips that apply to Voice Acting.

[DeMoGal]

Thank you both, Scott who posted the original thread, and Bob who posted the recent inspiring piece. They were both wonderfully written and inspiring. I'm printing them both out so I can refer to them often.

- D

[MirandaShade]

Thanks for all the helpful insight. It was encouraging to read because I have never been told I have a nice voice. I've been told I sound like Barbara Hershey. But, I am the designated "reader" during long car rides. I recently read Harry Potter while acting out all the characters for two hours straight. That information had never left the car in fear that people might think I'm crazy, but I'm proud to admit it now.

Right now I'm just reviewing/auditing some classes. So, any help is much appreciated!