VO hubs

[vintajo]

Hello-
It seems there are certain cities where there is more VO work..I hear a lot about LA. I live in NYC and I know there are many opportunities here as well. Are there other major hubs that we don't hear about as much? What about smaller cities? Is it possible to be a big fish in a smaller pond in this profession? Or is there almost no work in smaller places? Thoughts anyone?

[Lizden]

With the 'Net there really is no limit as to where your work can come from.
I live just outside of NYC, but most of my clients are all over the US, Canada & even Europe. If you have your own set-up to record with & deliver files, the WORLD is your pond :-)
Best of luck!

Liz

[jsgilbert]

regardless of distance work. It is fairly weel accepted that the best and most opportunities go to Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, for English speaking v.o. opportunities. While this is changing, the perception i the marketplace is that the "actors" live in Los Angeles. New York and Chicago are major markets for numerous reasons.

As an actor in San Francisco, even with access to Voicebank auditions and other markets, I might actually only read for a union national t.v. gig once every two months (if lucky). Represented talent in New York and Chicago might read for union national t.v. commercials once a week or more often.

I would also point out that the previous response here is from someone who indicates they are bilingual talent - a totally different ballgame

[Bob Bergen]

It all depends on what you mean by "hub."

You'll find VO work everywhere. But most smaller markets outside of LA, NYC, CHI, and even San Fran, will be mostly non union. So if your "hub" of choice is to do union work, you not only need to be in the larger markets, you need an agent. And most agents in the larger markets won't rep unless you live in that market.

[Jodi Krangle]

Strangely, I'm getting a lot of calls from folks in the Vancouver, BC area lately ... Not that I'm complaining! At this point, I'll take what I can get!

[Lizden]

Good goin' Jodi!

Oh...and js...you're right I AM a bilingual talent, but the clients that I get from all over are not necessarily all for my French.

Many of my Canadian & European clients just want my English speaking skills (I actually got contacted today by a French company that wants me to record in English - go figure!).

Yes, the fact that I DO speak a second language is a HUGE asset to me, even beyond my VO career, but in terms of where I get clients from, I still stand by my "the world is your pond" statement!

And Bob, of course, you're right, if you are union, going after union work, your "hub" will be different than what I am describing as a non-union talent.

Onward & upward!

Peace!
Liz

[Jodi Krangle]

Thanks, Liz. If I get anyone calling me for bilingual work, I'll point them in your direction. :) (I, sadly, am not bilingual.)

[Claired]

I strangely get a lot of work from Atlanta, from different clients. Maybe one person heard my voice and now everyone there wants me; but it looks like there is a nice size market over there.
I work in French though, so it may be different, but most of my US work comes from New York and Atlanta.

[Jodi Krangle]

The wonderful thing about the global economy is that certain "sounds" seem to be "in" at certain times in certain parts of the world (within North America, for instance). And the even MORE wonderful thing is that if you saturate one market, there's always another to be heard in. Congratulations on your success, Claire!

[Julie Williams]

Dallas has some pretty good work, as does Atlanta.

And, strangely enough, I have a friend who got a lot of good union work in Kansas City. Wal Mart and Sprint, etc.

I live in Sacramento, CA... a decent sized city... with little work... and when there is work, it's typicaly a commercial for $175 or $200... hardly worth going to a studio for. So I focus on online marketing...where I can make more, and get paid a LOT faster, wtihout even leaving my home!