Julie Williams
08-12-2007, 06:17 PM
Hi Guys,
I found this post on a forum... thought you might be interested in it.
It's a duck, right?
Posted by: "Mike Harrison"
Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:40 pm (PST)
It is partially scams such as these that make me sick of the many purveyors of voice-over 'smoke and mirrors.' Those calling themselves
'coaches' or 'trainers' who have, maybe, taken out a single book on
voice-over from their public library and skimmed through it just
enough to remember a few facts and statistics, and then hang out a
shingle and call themselves 'voice-over coaches." However, let me be
clear by stating that NOT ALL coaches fall into this category.
Those who teach that it takes only a couple of lessons before one is
ready to produce a demo (thereby theoretically leading the student to
believe they are legitimate contenders in this highly competitive
field) are, many times, the same ones that prod their inexperienced
students to build their own studio, thereby making it easier for them
to compete. This is clearly putting the cart before the horse, and
like buying a car with no gas tank.
When those with little experience (and, in many cases, even less
potential) vying to enter the field are enticed to pay several hundred
(or more) dollars, and are further manipulated into thinking that
joining the ranks of long established voice talent is as simple as
working the drive-thru window at the local fast food establishment,
they are the ones who wind up getting hurt, because they look for the
smaller, less-paying jobs to kick-start their career and wind up
getting burned by unscrupulous people and their scams.
If you're one of those 'Smoke-and-Mirrors'-type voice-over
instructors, save some oxygen for the rest of the planet, and keep
your miniscule experience (if, indeed, you have any) to yourself.
If you're one who's looking to start a career in voice-over, don't let
anyone tell you it's easy. First, it takes true passion: you have to
truly WANT this. Remember how hard you had to work for an 'A' in a
required school subject? Your passion is then followed by hard work,
practice, and listening to the competition to hear for yourself what
it marketable and what isn't. You must have some acting skills. At
least decent acting skills. You must be at least a good reader. You
must know how to come up with 'the backstory' and 'be in the moment.'
Maybe then it's time to make a demo that's marketable. Make no
mistake: Unmarketable demos that are sent to agents are thrown in the
trash without a single word. And THAT's the truth. And that also goes
for demos whose production values (music and sound effects) are
designed to over-shadow your voice. Those looking to hire voice talent
will be listening ONLY for vocal quality and are NOT fooled by
production value.
If and when you do reach the point where your demo is marketable (by
this time you've found a legitimate coach), and you do land an agent
(or more) and, ultimately, your first gig, you must know how to take
direction (translated: you will be expected to deliver what the
director/producer asks of you without questioning or throwing a
tantrum.) And there's more.
Yes, without a doubt, the work CAN be fun if and when you get the type
of jobs you want and like. But don't get picky too early in your
careeer or your phone will stop ringing, and you'll find it hard to
change that. ALWAYS remain a professional service provider. No
attitude, no ego. Be likeable.
But, above all, if you really want to pursue voice-over, be ready to
spend the time to learn and work to hone your skills. I grew up during
the 60s and 70s when the mantra was 'always question authority.' If
someone says they can get you started in this profession for just a
couple of hundred bucks, find out what makes them think they are
qualified to teach you. Pump them with questions about their
background, education, track record, etc. Ask to see diplomas and
certifications and, possibly, awards. Don't just throw your money away
on smoke and mirrors. Would you want to be operated on by someone who simply paid $1000 to become a surgeon? Think about it.
Sorry for what some might consider a 'rant.' I'm just so tired of
hearing about people being burned and having all their money taken by
pure, unadulterated phonies.
There. I feel much better now.
And here was my response to it:
MIke,
I hear what you're saying about producing demos too early... however, I don 't agree with all of it. I don' t like producing demos...as they take so much time, but I do them (only for those who take my workshop, if they elect a demo and I have time) and here's why,
No one can work without a demo. There is only so much improvement a talent can make without working... and with a demo they can join services like voices.com and accept whatever "bottom feeder" jobs come in...to get experience and a little income while learning. That said, I don't believe they should send beginner demos to agents... not till they're ready. But when they are ready, they can approach agents as an experienced professional.
Not every coach who is willing to produce a demo after one workshop is a scam artist. I did one for a talent who became full time within a couple of years... after taking the demo I produced and getting regular work at the Discovery Channel. Granted, she was a natural talent and a dream to direct. But by your standards, I was wrong to produce her demo! I disagree.
I found this post on a forum... thought you might be interested in it.
It's a duck, right?
Posted by: "Mike Harrison"
Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:40 pm (PST)
It is partially scams such as these that make me sick of the many purveyors of voice-over 'smoke and mirrors.' Those calling themselves
'coaches' or 'trainers' who have, maybe, taken out a single book on
voice-over from their public library and skimmed through it just
enough to remember a few facts and statistics, and then hang out a
shingle and call themselves 'voice-over coaches." However, let me be
clear by stating that NOT ALL coaches fall into this category.
Those who teach that it takes only a couple of lessons before one is
ready to produce a demo (thereby theoretically leading the student to
believe they are legitimate contenders in this highly competitive
field) are, many times, the same ones that prod their inexperienced
students to build their own studio, thereby making it easier for them
to compete. This is clearly putting the cart before the horse, and
like buying a car with no gas tank.
When those with little experience (and, in many cases, even less
potential) vying to enter the field are enticed to pay several hundred
(or more) dollars, and are further manipulated into thinking that
joining the ranks of long established voice talent is as simple as
working the drive-thru window at the local fast food establishment,
they are the ones who wind up getting hurt, because they look for the
smaller, less-paying jobs to kick-start their career and wind up
getting burned by unscrupulous people and their scams.
If you're one of those 'Smoke-and-Mirrors'-type voice-over
instructors, save some oxygen for the rest of the planet, and keep
your miniscule experience (if, indeed, you have any) to yourself.
If you're one who's looking to start a career in voice-over, don't let
anyone tell you it's easy. First, it takes true passion: you have to
truly WANT this. Remember how hard you had to work for an 'A' in a
required school subject? Your passion is then followed by hard work,
practice, and listening to the competition to hear for yourself what
it marketable and what isn't. You must have some acting skills. At
least decent acting skills. You must be at least a good reader. You
must know how to come up with 'the backstory' and 'be in the moment.'
Maybe then it's time to make a demo that's marketable. Make no
mistake: Unmarketable demos that are sent to agents are thrown in the
trash without a single word. And THAT's the truth. And that also goes
for demos whose production values (music and sound effects) are
designed to over-shadow your voice. Those looking to hire voice talent
will be listening ONLY for vocal quality and are NOT fooled by
production value.
If and when you do reach the point where your demo is marketable (by
this time you've found a legitimate coach), and you do land an agent
(or more) and, ultimately, your first gig, you must know how to take
direction (translated: you will be expected to deliver what the
director/producer asks of you without questioning or throwing a
tantrum.) And there's more.
Yes, without a doubt, the work CAN be fun if and when you get the type
of jobs you want and like. But don't get picky too early in your
careeer or your phone will stop ringing, and you'll find it hard to
change that. ALWAYS remain a professional service provider. No
attitude, no ego. Be likeable.
But, above all, if you really want to pursue voice-over, be ready to
spend the time to learn and work to hone your skills. I grew up during
the 60s and 70s when the mantra was 'always question authority.' If
someone says they can get you started in this profession for just a
couple of hundred bucks, find out what makes them think they are
qualified to teach you. Pump them with questions about their
background, education, track record, etc. Ask to see diplomas and
certifications and, possibly, awards. Don't just throw your money away
on smoke and mirrors. Would you want to be operated on by someone who simply paid $1000 to become a surgeon? Think about it.
Sorry for what some might consider a 'rant.' I'm just so tired of
hearing about people being burned and having all their money taken by
pure, unadulterated phonies.
There. I feel much better now.
And here was my response to it:
MIke,
I hear what you're saying about producing demos too early... however, I don 't agree with all of it. I don' t like producing demos...as they take so much time, but I do them (only for those who take my workshop, if they elect a demo and I have time) and here's why,
No one can work without a demo. There is only so much improvement a talent can make without working... and with a demo they can join services like voices.com and accept whatever "bottom feeder" jobs come in...to get experience and a little income while learning. That said, I don't believe they should send beginner demos to agents... not till they're ready. But when they are ready, they can approach agents as an experienced professional.
Not every coach who is willing to produce a demo after one workshop is a scam artist. I did one for a talent who became full time within a couple of years... after taking the demo I produced and getting regular work at the Discovery Channel. Granted, she was a natural talent and a dream to direct. But by your standards, I was wrong to produce her demo! I disagree.