Vox Daily

I would be interested in knowing how Bryan found his voice agent in Atlanta.

The agent issue is a continued source of frustration with me. I'm repped by VOX out of Toronto, but that's it - and I can't find a literary agent, for the writing side of my career, to take me on.

Everyone is hoarding their current list, or waiting on the periphery to pounce on the next big literary star to become disenchanted with his or her present representation....

I think it's great that Bryan got that opportunity to audition. And very industrious of him to have found himself an agent who can promote his interests. That motivates me to get busy doing that myself. I've thought about getting an agent but I haven't done that yet. I guess this is what can happen if one has an agent.

I'm interested in voicing video games. How do I get started?

I have some thoughts on the comments from above.

-- If you need an agent they are not hard to find on the web. Just type "talent agents, voice" and hundreds all across the country pop up. Offer them money. They'll take your money gladly. A good starting point BUT with some mistakes that will be made by you -- but ya gotta start somewhere if you never did this before.

-- GETTING proper representation and WORK is another story. Some agents are very picky about their talent, their biz relationships, regions etc. Most know who is a talent and who is a wannabe. Why should they rep someone whom they won't make money off of? It's all about the money anyway. Every time, even though people say it's not about the money -- it most certainly is!

-- For our literary friend, send out your stuff! Via e-mail, regular mail, JUST send send send your stuff out to as many lit agents, newspapers, book publishers and blogs you can. Please don't complain that "it costs money to do that!" Everything costs money! (See above)

If you have "it" someone will take notice.

FROM THE FREE IDEAS SECTION...

-- Here's a better idea for you writers -- publish your own book, market a website, put it in local stores -- BETTER IDEA -- I recommend getting your book etc out to the Hamptons here on Long Island -- readers are always looking in bookstores there for a good summer read, and guess what? These are the Who's Who in Everything that comes out here to vacation and schmooze in the summertime.

-- I don't like when people ask "How do I get into that? What exactly do I need to do?" I see a red flag -- no one told me.

I just researched and found out what I needed to do to get in, get better and the first thing you need is a little drive, not a babysitter who is willing to pull you by the hand through every step.

Here's what I did: I made tapes (back in the dayze), then I made CD auditions and sent them out. I called stations that I wanted to work on and found out information on them (this was before the websites came out, you used the phone, anyone remember that?)

I did this along with my other wannabe friends -- thought we were all big time talent. I got to the number one station, they did not. Why? Were my tapes / CD's over the years BETTER EDITED? Did I get the right information from someone who told me "how" to do it?

No.... I was told I had "it" and the others did not. I sounded better than they did. Period. The PD like me: What I said, HOW I said it. Talent? Maybe -- I say I just understand it better. I understand what the task is -- and I try to nail it every time.

-- It's like anything else -- If everyone had a "How To Do Everything" manual we'd all have the same job, make the same money etc.

It's how you get yourself out there, how you dig for opportunities and those who have talent will rise to the top.

Did they tell you everything about how to be a success or failure in school? No it was time to let you out and ponder it for yourself.

-- "Inspire, perspire or retire." That's my motto.

Hi Rob,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the comments for this post.

I have one question that I appreciate receiving your clarification on.

You said in one of your points about voice talent agents that people should offer them money and that they would gladly take it.

From what I have heard and from research conducted by others in the field, talent agents should not be paid to start a relationship with / represent a voice actor because agents are compensated when they get their clients work.

Generally, the need to pay an agent in order to represent someone is viewed as a red flag. The agent should be taking commissions from the jobs that they procure (whether from the job or a plus 10 on top).

As was also mentioned, the talent agent will only take on individuals who will make them money. That being said, there shouldn't be a need to pay them beforehand if they know that they will profit from the vocal talents of their prospective client.

Do you have any experience or research in that area that you could share to help support your statement for paying voice talent agents for representation or consideration?

Thank you for your thoughts on this matter.

Looking forward to your reply.

Best regards,

Stephanie

Stephanie,

As you can tell, Rob will not be replying to you because what he says is, if you will pardon the expression, a steaming pile of elephant excrement.

Your take on the matter is 100% correct.

Only a moron or a psychopath would give an agent money BEFORE they ever did anything for them.

Yes, Rob, it's all about the money, but perhaps you should keep your twisted notions on money to yourself.

One might get the impression you were leading young talent into a situation where they could be taken advantage of.