ATTENTION NEWBIES!!! The art of LISTENING!!!

[Scott Pollak]

Okay, I ordinarily wouldn't post this, but dammit, I'm aggravated right now.

Almost DAILY I get e-mails from aspiring and wanna-be voice talents and I take a LOT of time to respond and offer suggestions. But if you don't want to listen, don't ask. Read thru the following and at the end, tell me if you think this guy was willing to really listen and take into account all my time, thoughts, suggestions, ideas:

1) (From aspiring talent)
I'm new to this voice talent thing. I do impersonations and was advised to try for voice acting however I don't have a budget for studio and atmosphere and equipment to record any of my voices. But I work at Walmart as a cashier and have a lot of public contact. The local consensus is my voice talent combined with popularity with the children I should do well in the Childrens Entertainment. I've been trying to get someone to record or interview me or at least drop in to my Walmart and hear my voice impersonations. I'm asking you to look at my talent page so you can get an idea as how to best help me. There must be a way for a person with low or no budget to get a start. This is something I hope you will be able to help me with. Here's the page: (link to his 'talent' page)

I read you have been in the business since 1975 so even if you yourself can't help maybe you know someone.

I'm willing to work out a commission deal if somehow I can get a decent contract. I'm told by locals that my Scooby Doo impersonation is better than the new movies. My impersonations are based on the Original 1969 series and am accepted by parents and children. Ask the local Walmart patrons about Scooby and they'll point you to me.

I appreciate whatever help you can render.

Thanks, (name)

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Scott's response:
I appreciate you taking the time to contact me. After reading your note and checking out your site, I think I need to help you plant your feet firmly on the ground with the realities of what it takes to make it in the v/o business.

For starters, why not start visiting and hanging out at this forum:

http://www.voice-overs.com/forum/

In particular, view this thread for starters: Random Thoughts for Newbies

Another good v/o forum where you'll find a lot of info:
The VO-BB :: Index

And since you're into impersonations and character voices, go here:
Bob Bergen Official Web Site: FAQ

The stark truth is that impersonators are a dime a dozen, if even that. The world doesn't need another Scooby Doo. It already has one. I do a killer Sean Connery, but so do 27,000 other people.

Read the thread above about "Random thoughts for Newbies" and then take it from there.

Participate in the forums, read, learn and then see what you need to do next. I think you have a lot of the harsh realities of what is really required to even make a dent in this business still waiting for you. I do wish you luck, truly, but you need to see if this is really even an option for you. Best wishes.

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2) (From aspiring talent)
Is there someone you can hook me up with that could at least help me get my voice out there? I do know a quality recording is a minimum. Getting someone to listen is another. Finding someone that has the need is again another thing. I do want to get into Childrens Entertainment although I would consider other options. There must be someone who knows people. I hoped it would be you or someone you may know. I'm just asking for a chance. I'll do the work I'm not asking for a handout. Just a prayer. I believe in myself my talent and wouldn't bother you or anyone else if I didn't. Believe me I don't like bothering anyone but if I don't nothing will get done. I just would like a fair shake. I know if someone will work with me I have a lot to offer and believe me the locals here confirm this EVERYDAY. What's more is I really love doing this. You should see those eyes light up and the BIG smiles on the little faces. I'm always being sought after. So like I said if someone had the right connections this could work out well for all concerned.

I appreciate all the help I can get.

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Scott's second response:

(name), as far as getting a quality recording, you have only two options:

- get into a local studio or find a local musician or voice artist who has a home studio and can record you, or
- get the gear yourself and record yourself, but of course that requires an investment of money and some expertise

Obviously you can't do a long-distance session unless you have access to ISDN. And I don't have ISDN either, so I can't help you from here.

If your heart is set on getting recorded, and you don't know of any friends, musicians or studios locally who can do it for little or nothing, try placing an ad on your local Craig's list under the creative section. But to get someone to record you, you're gonna have to pay them SOMETHING. No one other than a friend will be willing to do it for nothing.

Finally, let me offer this thought: You have mentioned several times about the joy you get from working with the kids, which I admire and think is wonderful. With the realization that getting into professional voicework is extremely difficult, AND the fact that if you did make it you wouldn't have direct contact with the kids, then why not instead orient your career goals into a direction where you can physically interact with the kids and use your talents?

I have a friend who is a professional juggler and magician (yep, really: Todd Key: Comedic Juggler and Stiltwalker - Todd Key Juggles.com )
During the summer he's often hired by the local library system to perform for the kids who come there for summer camps and what not.

Here in the Atlanta area we also have an all-puppet theater: Center for Puppetry Arts_Home
See if there's anything like that in your area you can become a part of. Even the local theater that I personally am involved in (Welcome to Newnan Community Theatre Company) has a summer camp for kids.

Work on doing MORE than just a couple of voices. Start learning some basic, simple magic tricks and build out a complete act. I have a very good friend who is a mechanic for Delta airlines. About 5 years ago he began to learn magic. He's also a pretty good artist and taught himself how to do caricatures. Now he gets hired almost every week to perform for business functions, parties and so on, PLUS he works the local Renaissance Festival every year, doing caricatures for the attendees, and he makes a few hundred bucks a day doing it.

Do the ground work, (name). Create a full blown act that's really good. Just as a stand-up comedian can't get up on stage and get hired if he only has 3 jokes, you'll need more than just a small handful of impersonations to make it, and honestly, you'll probably have a much better chance of success if you consider some of the alternative routes that I've suggested above.

Good luck, and please let me know how it goes.
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3) (from aspiring talent)
I'll do what I can but I'm hoping you will at least pass my info to someone that can help me get recorded I know maybe some radio stations can use a voice. but If you will help and maybe have access and know a few agents / managers with good resources I can work out a deal with them for a percentage. I really like the performance and would know that little ones nationwide will be watching especially the ones who know my locally and word will get around. If you know of an agent or talent scout. I do know there will be plenty of Scooby projects and I have a million ideas for a new animated series. There must be talent agents that want talented people in many genres. Childrens Entertainment is just one. So TV stations have studios where children are part of the studio audiences. Like I said I can only do so much in such a small town. But agents travel worldwide.

If you have the contacts maybe you could be my manager / agent. Or if you don't have time maybe like I said you may know such agent managers. I don't have to have direct contact with the kids. Just knowing I've put a smile on their little faces is special. I know the little ones here will want to watch if I happen to be on a TV or Movie. I've been told by plenty if I was the voice for the New Scooby Movie they would definitely watch. It will also give some of them hope to look fwd if they want to go into acting. It will give them real encouragement to see someone they actually know make some successes even if they are only limited successes it is something.


It is at this point that I quit responding as obviously this fellow doesn't want to listen or be honest with himself or do the work necessary to try to get a toe into this business.

I'm not happy about all the time I wasted on deaf ears.

[chucktaylor]

Did you say something?

Just Kidding! I hear you Scott! I think you did more than necessary, this person just doesn't want to face reality. At what point do you stop being nice and say listen you ain't got what it takes?

And for those like the person in Scott's post, I know you want to be a star, but so does everyone else. There only so much room and not everyone gets to get there. I have a 6 year old daughter who wants to be a star like Miley Cyrus or Demi Lavato...She's been around the entertainment industry all her life, but that doesn't mean she'll ever get to be a star. Do I encourage her? You're darn right I do, but I also teach her that anything worth having is worth working for and if she wants it bad enough, I'll help her with singing classes, acting classes, whatever it takes...if she wants to work for it. (and she does by the way, she writes her own plays and songs all the time...they're the kind of plays and songs that a six year old writes, but she has the passion and the drive.) Notice though that I tell her she needs to work for it, that phrase is very important, because that's what the person Scott is receiving emails from is not getting. Scott's first reply to this person clearly lays that out and yet the person wants a handout...everyone tells me I'm good, so I must be good, I don't need to work for it please help me, I know if you just hook me up I'll be a star because people tell me I'm good.

***Harsh Reality Alert*** I don't want to be negative here and I haven't heard this person, but sometimes people tell you nice things because they don't want to hurt your feelings, because you are such a nice person. ***End of Harsh Reality***

I guess what I'm saying is pursue your dream, dreams are worth having, but they're also worth working for. If you ask someone as talented and as nice as Scott for advice and he tells you to do the research and work that is required to see if you have what it takes to make it, don't keep asking for a handout! If it's not worth working for, then you didn't really want it in the first place, you just want the attention that you think it will bring you. Everyone who's made it in this business has worked hard to get to where they are and continue to work hard to get to where they want to be (with few exceptions)! You want an example of this and inspiration for how hard work and determination get you to where you want to be, read this story of inspiration about one of the members of this forum, and someone I truly admire and respect even though we've never met in person Bob Bergen Official Web Site: Bio
That is where hard work and determination gets you!

As Scott says if you want advice, be willing to listen to the ANSWER good or bad.

Chuck

[JoeActor]

Hey Scott,

Sometimes the seeds we sow fall on rocky ground. You did good. Time to move on...

Now, about this "talent":

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

But I work at Walmart as a cashier...

Uh, strike one?

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

I'm just asking for a chance. I'll do the work I'm not asking for a handout....

Translation: he's asking for a handout.
Strike two.

Originally Posted by Scott Pollak

I believe in myself my talent and wouldn't bother you or anyone else if I didn't. Believe me I don't like bothering anyone...

"Believe in one hand, and spit in the other... see which gets wet first!".
Strike three - you're outta here!

Part of giving back is running into folks who really want the prize without doing the work. You have given him a lot of good information. If he matures to the point where he actually reads and follows some of it, good for him. If not, he'll still be doing Scooby at Walmart.

Off to dust my rubber mask collection,
Joe

[Mike Sommer]

As dad once told me --right after we poured a few old fashion's-- he said, "Mike my boy, water seeks it's
own level." That was about it... I don't remember much after that, except, "don't make the next batch so
sweet," or something like that.

Walmart seems to be a wise career choice for this chap with stable, steady, easy work.

It's an old story really --I've seen these kinds before-- they want to go straight to the top with no investment,
no dedication, no hard work.

You did fine Scott, just wash your hand of this person, and don't let him bring you down.

[alexrain]

Scott,
I think you were more patient and offered more mentoring to this guy than a whole lot of people would have been. What - did he think you were going to write back and say, "Hey guy! Guess what? I called my direct line to the head of casting at Warner Brothers and told them 'look here, fella! I'm going to save you a ton of money on a professional talent who's trained with reputable coaches and delivered results on successful animation projects... Yes siree, Bob... I've been contacted by the Scooby Doo Savant at Walmart who is not only going to deliver slam-bang results at the box office with his built-in fan base, but he'll do it for song for just 5 percent of the residuals!!'"

Puh-leez.... some people there's no helping.

[Battlespeed]

As a newcomer to this forum, I must say I was wowed by the amount of time and quality of advice that Scott gave to this individual.

I've found that you build contacts from the center out, starting nearest to wherever you are right now and with whatever limited resources you have. The Internet offers a jillion ways to get your voice "out there", as he put it. Scatter enough seeds and some might take root. All you need is one.

One thing that occurred to me is that he could use Audacity and a fairly inexpensive but decent quality mike (Logitech, perhaps) to record short clips of his different voices on his own computer and package them as a zipped file for download from his web page. He can extend this by setting up pages on FaceBook and other social network sites, linking back to his download page.

Then, he sets up a blog (WordPress, etc.) covering his topic, which appears to be children's parties. He develops expertise on the subject of throwing a great kid's party by visiting other blogs on the subject (found with blog search engines), reading books from the library, relevant magazines, etc. to get ideas. Again, this blog links to his download page and to other good resources. Of course, he makes sure that his blogs are picked up by the search engines.

Once he has these "lines in the water", he goes to a local party shop and works out a reciprocal agreement. They steer people to him by handing out his attractively-designed cards (or brochure), and in return he puts an ad for the shop on his website, blog, social pages, etc. If he's real smart, he might also think about using Google ads or setting up an Amazon "book shop" on the subject of kid's parties. In this way he could "monetize" his blog, etc with a completely different income stream at least enough to help defray his small expenses.

Then, he visits local street fairs, etc. looking for artists in other media who might be good hookups. For instance, if he finds someone who makes unique toys or kid's clothes - is there a hookup there? Probably! Or he might see a magician or a cartoonist performing - hookup there. Etc, etc. Find people who have reciprocal interests or skills that complement what you do, and you'll find that they're usually as eager to know you as you are to know them!

How about local caterers? Event planners?

So far, he's probably spent less than $100.

Now, he keeps blogging about kid's parties, developing new material for his party act, adding to his social network contacts, finding party-related forums and participating on those, etc. When he does get a job, he gets some video (and permission, of course), edits it and puts that up on his site. (Contact the Media Arts Department of a local college to find eager students who need projects for their own portfolios. They'll often work cheap or even for free.)

Perhaps he creates a "theme" act that can be used in elementary schools to teach something like kid safety in a humorous way. This could be worth setting up a completely separate blog, etc., and it gives him an important entree to a whole community of people who work with kids. At some point, he could have the act professionally produced as a product distributed on CD to schools.

It's impossible to say what fish, or how many, he will catch this way but something positive is almost certain to happen. And it seems that these different efforts tend to have a kind of synergistic cross-pollinating effect that at some point reaches critical mass and begins to snowball.

My mother used to say "bloom where you are planted", and I think that's good advice for anyone. This guy doesn't have to spend a bunch of money to "get his voice out there". If he ever does need an agent, that day is a looong way off from where he is right now.

[Mike Sommer]

Battlespeed

That would take imagination and minimal effort. This guy wants handouts, or at the very most an easy job with maximum pay.

[Paul Plack]

There seems to be a pervasive impression, perhaps fueled by all the something-for-nothing advertising around us, that the only difference between a beginner and a master in any field is some secret trick, some bit of knowledge that unlocks the door.

More often it's a combination of raw talent, the right training and experience, and a willingness to bust your butt for years after most competitors have given up.

Tell that to a newbie like this one, and he thinks you're still just trying to hide the key to the door.

[Lori Furth]

Not just a bit of knowledge, Paul, but just getting the chance to be heard, then the world of BIG MONEY VOICEOVER will beat a path to your door! Forget work, blech...

Scott, thanks for sharing!

[Lee Gordon]

It's not even a question of work, or equipment, or even contacts. This guy has a very narrowly specialized "skill" that there may or may not even be a market for and Scott attempted to diplomatically suggest to him that he expand his horizons and add to his repertoire or, failing that, re-direct his focus toward something that may be more appropriate to his professed set of interests than voice over.

The problem is, the guy has absolutely no concept of how ill prepared he is to persue a voice over career and seems oblivious to Scott's subtle suggestions for making the necessary improvements. In other words, the guy suffers from the deadly combination of being a know-it-all who actually knows virtually nothing, so you can't tell him anything.

Once he learns a little more, maybe the light will go on and he'll start to understand how incredibly little he actually knows. Then, he may finally become open to suggestion. Or he could just remain steadfastly ignorant and grow miserable as he spends more and more years behind the cash register at Walmart, feeling that the world is conspiring against him.