Ask The Voice Cat

Find out if you should send demos as dry voice files or if you should add a music bed to them.

Hi Cat,

You have some great advice for v-o talent.

'Have voice, will travel'
vpage.voices.com

Van, your comment is very true.

Regarding your question, music should be used appropriately under copy. It shouldn't be placed under your auditions unless specifically requested.

For your V-O demo, some elements should be mixed with music, but not all.

Your demo needs to have a balance of elements containing copy only, copy with music or copy with SFX. And it should never overpower or distract from the sound of your voice.

Thanks again for your questions, and please let me know if I've been helpful with my answers!

Sincerely,

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.

Cashman Commercials © 2006

If you're finding that you aren't getting as many voiceover jobs as you might like, there could be a very good reason for it.

"I'm stunned I'm not grabbing more work from this service. I know there's a ton of competition but is there a sure fire way to stand out from the crowd? I know my work is good and my turn around time is good. I'm kinda surprised." - Anonymous

Hi,

I listened to your online demos at Voices.com, and I'll be honest with you:

The reason you're probably not booking as much as you'd like to is because you have the dreaded "Radio voice"-- the voice that thousands of other DJs across the country have.

It's that smooth, resonant sound that cuts through so well (that's why the stations hired you), but sounds the same on everything you do.

If you listen objectively, all your demos sound alike! There's no variation. No sincerity. No emotion. And therefore, no believability.

I don't know if you've ever taken voice acting classes before, but if not, you're a good candidate.

I've worked with Radio guys a lot over the years, and believe it or not, with all the mic technique and cold reading skills they have, they are the hardest to turn into true voice actors.

If you decide to try to jettison your Radio voice and take some classes, I strongly suggest that when you enter the booth to perform, that you don't put on your headphones. Don't listen to your voice (like you had to do all those years at the stations). That's a surefire way to sink back into the habit that got you into this situation in the first place!
Thanks again for your questions, and please let me know if I've been helpful with my answers!

Sincerely,

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.

Cashman Commercials © 2006

For those of you considering a career change and training to be a voice actor, this post is for you.

"Doing voice-overs has been a desire of mine since I was a kid. In addition, I did not know how to get into the business. Furthermore, I have no real personal experience. I would like to know what I need to do to get started and be successful in this business. Would I need to buy equipment right-off? Do I need to get technical training or otherwise? Because, I would like to transition out of my present career and ultimately work from home." - Stuart Brown

Stuart, thanks for writing in.

Following your dream of doing voice-overs is admirable, and many people have been able to make the transition from their "straight" job into the fulfilling world of voice-acting. And that's a key point: it's mainly voice acting, not voice-over. Even if you have a great or unique speaking voice, it's usually not enough to sustain a successful career in this business.

Professional voice actors need to be grounded in all the techniques that go into voice-acting, such as breath and vocal control, eye-brain-mouth coordination, a solid sense of timing and pacing, proper articulation, understanding how to analyze scripts, knowing how to take direction, acting believably, and many, many other skills. In order to get started and be successful in this business, you don't need to buy any equipment or get any technical training right now.

What you do have to do is take a voice-acting course that'll give you a good foundation in these techniques. Usually by the end of the course, if it's taught by a knowledgeable instructor, you'll have a pretty good sense of whether you've got the talent for this line of work. If you do, and you pursue it as a labor of love, eventually you could realize your dream. I hope this answers your question.

Good luck!

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.

Cashman Commercials © 2006

Want to know how to find work and get an agent? Auditioning tips straight from the Voice Cat.

Hi Voice cat (Marc),

Thanks for your time. I have a few questions for you.

First, as far as Voices.com goes; do you think it's better to send each client their script recorded for the audition? I have been mostly sending my demo or a recent commercial that I did but am not getting many responses.

Meridith, thanks for your inquiry. Absolutely, whenever requested, send an audition of the script (or a portion thereof, if it's lengthy), with a watermark for your protection.

Make sure your mic set-up sounds good (email yourself your audition first, to hear if it's good enough for submission). If it's a timed spot (i.e., a :30 or :60 commercial), don't worry if your read goes slightly over that time. Just submit a great performance!

Also, I have been in the business for a little less than a year. I have tried to get an agent, but I live in South Florida and the v/o market isn't big out here, so I work freelance with a couple. Do agents not like to work with out of town talent?

You're right, there aren't many V-O agents in your neck of the woods, but there have got to be some nearby!

I'd suggest a diligent internet search to round up some more candidates. A number of V-O agencies around the country work with out-of-town talent, but most want them to be local. It's not that they don't like to work with out-of-town talent; it's just that they prefer home-grown talent, and are selective about working with outsiders.

What else can I do to try and get jobs on my own? I am a Voices.com member, send MP3's out to agents & advertising agencies all the time. I do have a gig working for two NY radio stations, so that's good, but how do I get the big accounts? Any advice??

First of all, start submitting auditions instead of sending your demo. If you're talented, you'll start booking soon.

Second, get a professional analysis of your current V-O demo to determine if your voiceprint and the production is competitive. Consider packaging as well as content. If you're working for radio stations (I assume doing Image spots), you may be sounding too "Radio-ish," i.e., not commercial. V-O agents usually don't sign actors who sound like they just finished their shift at the local Radio station.

Thanks again for your questions, and please let me know if I've been helpful with my answers!

Sincerely,

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.

Cashman Commercials © 2006