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Well folks, it's time to return to our regularly scheduled programming :)
Share your news by adding a comment!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/Anna Bryukhanova
At the end of the day, we were treated to an expert panel Q&A session featuring Rodney Saulsberry, Billy Serow, Evan Farmer, Heather Frenz, David Ciccarelli, Dan Dinsmore, Jay Silverman, Jenny Marcotte, and David Bourgeois.
Get some fabulous insight and then some here on VOX Daily.
Q: What kind of steps did you take as a fledgling artist?
A: I saturated the market and made a lot cold calls, if you want the top guy or girl, call late close to 5 or 6. You need to know the name of the person you’re calling so do your homework. Get their name right. Know who you’re calling and be fast on your feet.
Q: Should I put non-paying vo jobs on my resume?
A: Absolutely, pro bono (no pay) is a good way to get your feet wet, but you can start practicing voice overs over the air to the blind and visually handicapped. Organizations that offer these opportunities exist everywhere.
When you go to do a pro bono piece, make sure that you get a CD of what you have done so that you can put the recorded material on your demo. Pro bono work shows professional growth and you certainly should include it in your letter. It's a great way to get started and build your reputation.
Q: Should I join as many marketing sites as I can?
A: Just as Rodney said, saturate the market and get your name everywhere you can. Get on social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.
Before you sign up with any sites that require you to pay a membership fee, make a call to their office to speak with them to see if their service is a good fit for you. Be sure to note the quality of their customer service. Compare competing sites and get comfortable with a service before making a financial commitment. Look for testimonials, read up on the company's latest news and ask colleagues about their experiences.
Q: How long does it take to get visual branding done?
A: The process varies and is dependent on the interaction between the designer and voice over artist. On average it takes about 2 weeks to get a brand together and fulfillment.
Q: Should people who are in the union go non-union to get work?
A: If a member of the union who declares themselves Financial Core, they lose the right to vote (among other privileges), however, with Fi-Core status you can audition and procure both union work and non-union work.
The stigma attached years ago to the status of Financial Core and prejudice against talent who were Fi-Core is not as great as it once was. Tough times call for greater understanding of the choices voice actors are making to go Fi-Core.
Q: How do you feel about the unions?
A: We support the union but understand that many of you are in smaller markets will not become members of the union. For more info on AFTRA, check out the literature at the back of the conference workbook.
Q: Can women who have families make a successful living working in voice overs?
A: Women with families can make time for voice over and it is a good career if you can make it work for you. I have a family myself. Oftentimes there is little amount of work for big return.
Q: How do you get work?
A: When you are looking for work, you've got to be in the hunger category; I would pursue all the jobs I could and my entire approach to the entertainment industry was to get work. I came to New York City to get work, and I found myself doing everything that presented itself to achieve my goals. One of my first character voice acting gigs was voice acting on the MTV program “Daria”. I joke that I booked my first job in a towel because I got the call about it fresh out of the shower.
You need to approach everything with the purpose of getting work, a hint of desperation, and a little more enthusiasm than the next person. You can get out there and get work if you are more prepared and more motivated to get the work than your competition.
Q: Are talent given the opportunity to pick a time slot when they have a session?
A: Sometimes flexible we're flexible and can work around someone's schedule but if we need you in for a session immediately or have booked all other time slots, it's important that a talent respect the schedule and take the session that is available.
Q: Were there days that you wanted to pack it in? How did you react?
A: There are days when we all experience those kind of days, but I have faith. If you have a lot of auditions you don’t worry about any specific one. Once I was out golfing with Denzel Washington and one of his friends. We had lunch, and when the whole thing was over, Denzel said to his friend, "He sounds just like Pick (James Pickens Jr, actor on Grey's Anatomy), doesn’t he?" to which his friend replied "Yes he does."
Later on I had an audition for Grey's Anatomy. When auditioning for this role, I wanted so badly to tell them that "Denzel thinks…" but I made the decision to make it on my own merit. As I was waiting for my turn, I was told “If they’re looking for somebody to act it, you’re probably going to get it”. I got a call saying "The people at Grey’s Anatomy want to know what your availability is for a given day."
You've got to take every opportunity that comes your way. I'm encouraging you to join Voices.com, get auditions and get out there.
Q: Is there such a thing as overdoing follow up calls?
A: It’s funny, Heather and I were talking about this and she believes in every 6 weeks to follow up, I believe that you should follow up every 3 weeks. If you pick a time frame between 3-6 weeks, you’ll be in the right ballpark. Be assertive and don’t be obnoxious. Say what your business is and what you want to do, express interest, and always leave a phone number.
Q: Who gets the gig?
A: Sometimes it is the easiest person to go to who is hired. Not every demo is listened to even though it would be great to be able to sit in a soundproof room and listen to everything. Remember that the most difficult job to get is the first one.
It takes 60-70 percent more effort to get an initial job with a new client than more work from someone you’ve already done business with. Always be looking for the next work opportunity in an established relationship.
Q: Can you just stop in anytime to follow up or say Hi?
A: Remember that people are in business and make appointments out of courtesy for those whose work you are disrupting. By making an appointment, you're showing consideration for both your time and the client's, and they'll appreciate that greatly.
Q: How important is branding for voice actors? Does it affect whether or not you hire?
A: You want to have consistent branding on your website, CD packing, and so on. I receive anywhere from 10-15 demo CDs a month of potential talent looking for work in commercials and ad campaigns.
Usually I will throw away 50% of packaging that I get based upon professionalism and looks because I need to present my clients with something professional. You are selling yourself to an agency or network for work and your product needs to look professional. This is a business and anything that doesn’t look professional will probably get tossed.
We have worked with numerous artists and one woman would call every so often. She sent a gift once that I still keep in my wallet (gift card). Every time I open my wallet it makes me think about that individual because I have a piece of her branding with me at any given time. Once I use the card, that'll be that, but for now her branding is with me everywhere I go. To reiterate, make sure that you have a professional package to represent your business.
Q: How do you feel about packaging?
I listen to every demo that is sent to me because it's a piece of someone's heart, now that being said, it might just be for 10 seconds or so. Bad packaging? I've seen it all, including CDs that have names written on with sharpie pens. Most CDs with poor packaging end up in the circular file, and sometimes I want to see how bad it will be (or will it be a surprise?); more often than not it lives up to its expectation. Success in voice over has everything to do with your talent and voice and nothing to do with your appearance. My greatest pet peeve is people putting picture on a CD.
Don’t put your pictures on your CDs.
One woman sent an incredibly beautifully designed CD along with a crystal (she paid pretty good money for it because I went on the Internet and checked). As I do with each CD, I listened to it and liked it regardless of the crystal. I called her up and said I'd like to bring her in for an appointment, but only on one condition -- that I could give her gift back to her. I told her that bribery is inappropriate and the CD stood on its own merit. She did graciously accept the crystal and because of her talent ended up getting signed.
Q: When you’re an on-camera host do you have more input in to what your voiceovers should be?
A: It depends on the producers. When I started While You Were Out, they dictated a lot of things, including hair, to which I argued "You hired me based upon who I was in the audition". In the early days I didn't have as much influence but as the show progressed, more and more of my suggestions were implemented and I felt more like myself. If you have a good relationship you can negotiate certain things.
Somewhere down the road if you have an ongoing gig, you become the person that they’re hiring. By the end if you put the first show up against 372 show, there’s more Evan input than in the beginning. With regard to voice over hosting, the work was very technically derived. I had to squeeze in 3 words per second and had a limited amount of time to hit marks. In the end though, creativity won out and had full reign.
On Evan's participation on While You Were Out
A: The While You Were Out people did ask Evan what he thought later. Producers are counting on you to walk in as a collaborator. If you give more creatively it’s easier to turn it down rather than try to pull energy out of you. Once, we recorded 2 episodes in 40 minutes.
Q: Is there any one quality that you are looking for in a voice talent?
A: Professionalism, politeness, and personality. Please show up for appointments.
Q: There are so many talent out there. How does one stand out?
A: Give a unique headline as description for your voice and use graphic design to help solidify your brand. Only include your best work on your demos. Keep things current culturally as well as relevant to the calendar year. For instance, don't have a Christmas theme demo on your page during the summer.
Q: Do you know of any ways to help someone relax immediately in the booth?
A: Adrenaline is good. I was nervous today and I’ve been talking before people forever. I don’t think it’s a problem. If you miss you have to be good because the competition is good. Embrace nervousness because it’s energy and you need energy. When you get to the job you still have to get it right. Take some deep breaths.
There is no technique for immediately getting rid of nervousness. Be prepared and that will help to make you more comfortable. Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. Preparation cuts some of the nervousness because you know what you’re doing.
Adding to Rodney's comment
A: Think that everyone there wants you to succeed. That's how I maintain composure if I am nervous. Everyone wants you to have the best performance possible. Their success depends upon your comfort level and performance.
Further comments on being nervous
People who are nervous are worried about if it is right. It shouldn’t be your concern – that’s someone else’s decision. Read aloud, be aware and be open to suggestion. Creatively approach the copy. You have your best possible performance and worse possible performance – hit for upper middle range.
On pressure continued
A: Pressure that makes you nervous is that if you screw up you don’t get the job. The worst thing I ever did was walk into the room when you were still making decisions – clear your head – you’ve done the work – there’s nothing you can do in the last half hour before the audition. Get it out of your head – it’s the best thing you can do. It makes your performance that much more natural because you are connecting with the casting director.
Your confidence makes casting directors less nervous and more receptive to your audition.
Q: Since I’m not in or near a major market what can I do to market my talent?
A: You can be anywhere today but Billy makes a good point. Big jobs are in major markets and residuals come with the union. If I were somewhere else in today’s times, I would still make it in this hussle. Yes, you can be anywhere but union work is mostly in NY or CA.
Looking forward to hearing your feedback!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Rodney Saulsberry taught people more than a thing or two about how you can bank on your voice at the Voice Coaches Advanced Marketing Expo and Conference.
Discover some tips that will more than get you on your way and light a lively fire beneath you in your voice over career.
What do the movie trailers “Waiting to Exhale”, "How Stella Got Her Groove Back", "IronMan", Twix chocolate bars, the Zatarain's Jazz Man commercials and Dominos Pizza all have in common?
They are all voiced by Rodney Saulsberry, celebrated voice over artist, author and voice acting instructor.
You might recognize the following:
“Need a moment? When you need a moment, chew it over with Twix”
That's Rodney Saulsberry!
One of the reasons why I love hearing Rodney Saulsberry speak (and reading his voice acting books) is because he is so down to earth and is genuinely interested in helping others succeed and meet their potential.
Rodney firmly believes that we all have a path in life and that hard work and determination pay off when the right opportunities present themselves.
Isn't it nice to know that you've arrived at this stage in your career for a reason?
Voice over isn't just talking, it's acting. Rodney advises that all aspiring voice actors take an acting class. Also, consider improvisation (improv) classes and singing classes as voiceover is analogous to music.
It’s not how you sound, it’s how you interpret the copy. That’s the way you get the work.
Remember that beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Upon making that critical realization, you'll learn not to take rejection personally and be better for it.
Many years ago, Rodney got an audition for a show called “Happy Days”. Although he wasn't cast for the show, this ambitious talent from Detroit, Michigan wasn't going to pack up and go home without dropping some resumes!
While making the rounds, Rodney stumbled upon a rehearsal for the show "Taxi" starring Tony Danza.
Tony saw Rodney and purposefully pushed him. Rodney, always being the actor, decided to reciprocate and a light boxing match took shape right there and then. As soon as Tony had seen enough, he motioned to James L. Brooks and told him to hire Rodney on the spot to play the role of Carl the Boxer.
See what creating opportunities and taking risks can do for your career?
The trend today is to sound like a “real person”.
While that may sound easy enough, you'd be surprised at how much work goes into sounding real without sounding contrived or fake.
During his presentation, Rodney graciously shared the floor with a handful of participants who were asked to read for him using some advertising copy he had prepared. The energy in the room was fabulous, being a theatre and all, and the voice actors really gave it everything they had.
The performances were noteworthy but what the genius of it all came out through some very carefully worded direction that turned a voice over read into a believable voice over performance. Big distinction.
Rodney asked his volunteers to perform and insert his name at key points in the script so as to create an atmosphere where it wasn't just a voice actor talking to the wall but to a real person who they could converse with and relate to.
Even people at Rodney's level in the voice over biz are students.
With the industry changing fast and furiously, it's hard not to be a student, and if you aren't still learning you'd be surprised by how much things have changed!
In the past, people like Rodney in sunny California used to hop in their car and drive all over Los Angeles --just to audition. Of course, the majority of the work was also done on-site at recording studios, but with today's technologies (Internet / ISDN), there's significantly less commuting which happily makes for cleaner air and less money spent on gasoline.
It also used to be more common that talent would get bookings based upon their demo. Not so in recent years. Top talent also need to audition nowadays according to the new realities of the voice over marketplace.
• Say your name before you read audition copy and state it nice and clearly.
• Don't enhance your voice in auditions at home. You need to live up to your demo in person.
• Send MP3 files instead of WAV files when auditioning.
• Celebrity soundalike work is big business. Match the key they speak in, their timing and breathing.
• Once you find your signature voice, stick with it. Your signature voice makes you the most money.
• It all starts first with hard work. If you work hard, how can you not be successful?
Ask yourself:
Which voice gets you the jobs?
Which voice makes you happy?
Which voice are you most comfortable with?
If you work hard and you also have talent, the sky’s the limit.
• Read copy.
• Cereal boxes, sides of buses, and so on.
• Turn on the radio. Repeat right after the announcers.
• Listen to other voice talent.
• Notice their phrasing and voice over style.
• Listen to timing.
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Big League VO is where some of the meatiest, most lucrative voice over jobs are acquired, but the latest news out of the traditionally union-dominated Manhattan voice over scene may surprise you.
Find out how the US economy continues to take a bite out of union work.
One year has passed since we last met with Super Agent Billy Serow and heard him speak on the topic of Big League VO.
While the man and the agent are still the same, the way the game is played has changed considerably.
For those of you who don't know Billy Serow, Billy started out as an actor who later moved to the other side of the dinner table to work as a casting director, followed by becoming a voice over agent working at William Morris representing celebrities.
Although William Morris paid the bills, Billy's heart was set on developing talent more than further lining the pockets of established personalities. He enjoys making people stars, not servicing stars, which led to his current position as a voice over agent at Abrams Artists Agency where he has been for the past six years.
The Abrams Artists Agency voiceover department has 6 agents. They make money for their talent in every possible venue using the human voice.
Sounds pretty normal so far, doesn't it?
Fact: The voice-over world is rapidly changing.
When Billy first got into commercials, 95% of national network commercial jobs cast in New York City were union jobs and 5% were non-union jobs.
Commercials are the mainstay in the union field.
In recent years that reality has dwindled. Non-union network voice-over commercial jobs in New York City now account for 38% of the work and climbing while only 62% presently remains union voice-over work.
For union talent (SAG / AFTRA), that's a tough pill to swallow -- for a franchised union agency, that's a wake up call.
The non-union sector is growing in leaps and bounds and uncertainty is ravaging the landscape, overshadowed by a thick cloud known as "New Media".
The new frontier of New Media is quick to move and the unions have yet to find a satisfactory and standardized way of handling work contracted for mediums and applications such as podcasts, DVDs, mobile devices, cell phones, viral marketing campaigns and Internet.
Let's be clear: There is no contract for “New Media”.
Example: A commercial that was on radio first and then re-broadcast online has additional fees.
Online use post-broadcast is billed at the equivalent of 3 session fees ( $400 per session ) = $1200 for 1-years rate
That being said, when the audio is procured initially for distribution via New Media and then subsequently applied to other mediums, there's nothing in place to charge for usage of the material.
If you think this subject sounds familiar, take a moment to remember the Writer's Guild of America strike last year and think ahead to the imminent discussions SAG will take part in with producers regarding issues of compensation for usage of broadcast material in New Media.
The US economy is in danger of entering into some murky waters and as a result union work is becoming harder to come by and negotiate each day.
Enter Financial Core.
Some people in the union struggle with the thought (and some with the reality) of taking non-union jobs just to make enough money to support their families. In most cases this would be impossible, but not where Financial Core is concerned.
In a nutshell, Financial Core is the only way for union members to do non-union voice-over work without being scrutinized or risk excommunication by the union. While work can still be pursued on both union and non-union terms, the individuals who apply for the status of Financial Core do lose some privileges such as the right to vote on union politics and attend union functions.
Several years ago, there was a glaring stigma associated with having Financial Core status in the union, but the stance held on the issue has become seemingly less stringent and more forgiving in recent months.
What happens now? Many are debating over whether or not to join the union considering the financial outlook, diminishing signatories who hire union talent, and increasing percentage of non-union jobs.
With living expenses on the rise, an uncertain economy, sparring unions, and fewer union jobs to go around, some people will need to make difficult decisions in order to get by.
Leave a comment sharing your thoughts.
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Mark Magdich from Fort Wayne, Indiana flew in and gave a whirlwind talk featuring audio recording equipment and basic concepts of home recording for voice actors.
Discover the benefits of investing in quality gear and learn about standard technologies you should have in your studio.
If there's anyone who knows the scoop on hardware and software for home recording, it's a hardcore rock musician, and the audience at Voice Coaches certainly had access to one of the most knowledgeable people in the business, Mark Magdich of Sweetwater Sound.
With the advent of new, more efficient technologies the costs associated with building a top tier audio recording studio have plummeted, making some aspects of the previously unattainable multi-million dollar studios of a decade ago available for somewhere in the neighborhood of a few thousand dollars today.
Now, you'll find that you can "plug and play" with the aid of simplified digital audio recording devices, specifically using USB microphones and cables.
• Microphone
• Audio Interface
• Pop Screen
• XLR Cable
• Music Stand
• Blank CDs
• Headphones
• Recording Software
• High-speed Internet Connection
Now, having the equipment is one thing, but understanding how it works is another.
Something you should be aware of is "Signal Flow" sometimes referred to as the "Signal Chain". The Signal Flow encompasses a series of steps that begins with your voice (reading a line) all the way through how your voice is recorded using recording software.
The Signal Flow operates as follows:
Voice -- Mic -- XLR Cable -- Audio Interface -- USB / Firewall Cable -- Computer
With proper equipment and studio setup, you'll get good, clean audio which is a very good investment if you are going to take voice acting seriously and work in this friendly yet competitive industry.
Mark elaborated on some basic recording techniques and practices including editing and exporting your audio, likening it to a word processor.
As he put it, there are many parallels such as:
• Creating data (Recording your voice / Typing words)
• Copying
• Cutting
• Pasting
The beauty of digital audio recording is that you can start and stop the process at your leisure and combine the best parts of each recording into your final take.
Once you're through with the editing of the file you'll want to export it from your recording program. Once exported, the audio is ready to send to your client via email or bounce down on CDs to mail out and promote your voice.
• Cakewalk Sonar
• Cubase
• Digital Performer
• Pro Tools
• M-Audio FastTrack
• Digidesign MBox
• Edirol AudioCapture
• Lexicon Lambda
• Audio Technica AT 3035
• Neumann TLM 103
• Shure SM-7B
• Rode NT1-A
For reference purposes, I've included the current US pricing (May 3, 2008) for certain items listed here courtesy of Mark Magdich's presentation notes as provided in the Voice Coaches 2nd Annual Advanced Marketing and Conference workbook:
• Cubase ($149, PC only)
• Garageband (Mac only but comes free with most Mac computers)
• Cakewalk Sonar ($100, PC only)
• MOTU Digital Performer ($500, Mac only)
• Digidesign Pro Tools ($295 for the MBox mini 2 audio interface with Pro Tools LE included, for PC or Mac)
One of the sweet things about Sweetwater Sound is that they have fanatical support and many of the products they sell have long warranties, long meaning 5 years of coverage!
If you are interested in purchasing audio recording equipment from Sweetwater Sound or learning more about how they can serve you, check out their website as linked in this sentence.
Best wishes,
Stephanie
P.S. That's Mark arriving in a limo with the lovely Anna Bourgeois as his personal welcoming committee. As I've said before, Voice Coaches does it up right.
Jay Silverman of Voice Coaches took his bulldog at the gate lecture to new heights with a baker's dozen of self-marketing tips specific to offline marketing for voice actors.
While these tips are based upon traditional marketing procedures elements of this presentation can also be applied for auditions online through the voice over marketplace.
1. REsearch the Internet and other directories. You'll be able to find job listings posted by prospective employers. Be sure to get their contact information right when you apply to work for them.
2. REvive past networking and business relationships. Keeping in touch with people you've met through business over the years will become advantageous to your career.
3. REwrite your cover letter for each job and be sure to personalize it as much as possible for the different kinds of recruiters you'll encounter.
4. REcap your strengths in your letter. Always capitalize on your strengths! Be sure to "hook" the reader and persuade them with your words to take notice of what you have to offer.
5. REview the letter. You want it to be polished and free of any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Remember that a person who is in a position to further your career will be reading it.
6. REalize that this letter (proposal) and the demo that accompanies it may be your only shot of getting the job.
7. REmember to tell the recipient that you'll follow up in a specific number of days from the date of the letter. Commit to this unless you hear from them first.
8. REach out to the "bulldog at the gate". Establish a relationship with that key player and develop a relationship with the gatekeeper to get him or her on your side.
9. REevaluate your letter and marketing methods. If you don't get some calls within four months, reconsider whether that prospect is worth keeping on your list of follow ups.
10. REpay your hard work by networking at advertising industry meetings. Don't be afraid to treat yourself to a meal and the company of other people. Be active in at least one professional organization such as an ad club, chamber of commerce, tech alliance, etc.
11. REexamine your goals if you have difficulty marketing yourself.
12. REconnect with your instructor for additional suggestions.
13. REcall that you're the only person who can self-market your talents. Outside help can teach you, train you, and give you time and expertise in the studio but you must develop the skills and nurture a desire to market yourself!
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/Jack Puccio
When it comes to blockbuster video games few companies compete with Vicarious Visions and Activision.
Are you ready to go inside the world of gaming voiceovers?
This article profiles Vicarious Visions' gaming VO Producer Evan Skolnick. Evan has worked as a producer and writer on games including Guitar Hero, Spider Man 3, Shrek 2 and numerous others.
At the Voice Coaches Marketing Expo, we learned how material is prepared for recording and how Evan works collaboratively with his team on both coasts, as well as celebrities like Tobey Maguire and James Franco to complete the job.
During his career, Evan Skolnick has been a writer and editor for a variety of media and was a member of the Marvel Comics team.
Currently, Skolnick Works for Vicarious Visions, a division of Activision. A couple of his credits include the wildly popular SpiderMan 3 and famed Guitar Hero.
The Video game industry has experienced exponential growth, raking in 18.5 billion dollars of revenue including both hardware and software.
In comparison, the US Hollywood box office during 2007 brought in a mere $9.7 billion, their best year ever, yet still half the sum of the booming video game industry whose products and culture is asserting its position in the mainstream and rivaling traditional forms of entertainment such as film.
Video games have become increasingly commonplace in our society. To give you an idea of just how commonplace, 72% of Americans play videogames either on a console, a PC or on a mobile device.
Do you remember the first games available for Atari? Does the name "Pong" ring a bell?
Since the early years of gaming (circa 1982), there have been some monumental improvements made to heighten the gaming experience including better graphics, gameplay, audio, character development and more engrossing plot lines with additional complexity.
As an example of progress heading into the mid 1990s, the video game Doom (1993) was recognized as a turning point and the beginning of a new genre called "First Person Shooter". Every game before Doom had the main character shown from the back looking down. Doom was the first game that the gamer got to experience playing the game while looking through the character’s eyes.
Although it was a step in the right direction, Doom was pretty basic and only featured music, gunshots and was lacking in the voiceover department.
In contrast, BioShock (2007) found itself competing directly with the movie industry. BioShock and games like it today give the player control of the characters and are more interactive thanks to cut scenes, compelling story lines and voiceovers.
How is this possible?
• Shared knowledge
• More attention to the story and character
• Increasingly savvy marketing / focus testing
• Hiring producers and managers and more experienced processors
Scope of VO in games:
• Movies have about 2000 lines of dialogue
• The average video game has 8,000 lines of dialogue
• Herculean video games have upwards of 70,000 lines of dialogue
In order to keep some variety, the voice actors are asked to record several versions of utterances or words that are repeated countless times throughout the game, for instance, when a character is hurt, screams or passes out, there needs to be a variety of takes that will be incorporated into the game to ensure that the gaming experience fluctuates and is less predictable.
During the presentation, we got to hear a couple dozen varying exertion sounds performed by Tobey Maguire in a row followed by a couple rounds of him passing out, demonstrating just how many different versions of the same lines are recorded to be used in the video game to entertain and satisfy gamers.
When the movie stars can't or aren't willing to record their roles in the game, their rights are signed over to a soundalike, that is, someone who can make their voice match the sonic quality of another person's voice, even their vocal mannerisms and style. Being a soundalike can be big business if you're voicing as a soundalike for a prolific or popular actor.
Some contracts require the celebrity to approve the soundalike.
When you have big-name games you usually encounter big-name voice actors. Some examples include, Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, and William Shatner. These games are certainly in the minority but they are interesting to discuss.
Developers of medium and high-profile games use lesser-known voice actors (union with either SAG or AFTRA) and developers of smaller budget games use non-union talent as a rule of thumb.
Want to get into gaming? Play the Games!
Interview with David Sobolov
Infinite Ammo : Peek Behind the Scenes of Videogame Production
Spider-man Web of Shadows Game Swoops in August 2008
Incredible Hulk Game in the Works, Celeb Voice Actors
Iron Man Video Game to Feature Robert Downey Jr.
LOST : Via Domus Videogame
Actors Score $500K for Video Game Voice-Overs
Have a comment? Let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
As promised, here starts the coverage of the presentations at the Voice Coaches Advanced Marketing Expo and Conference that was held in Schenectady, NY.
To kick things off, I'd like to share the Voices.com presentation with you and other articles will follow throughout the week.
Check out the Secret Playbook for Marketing on Voices.com and the Internet!
You can revisit this playbook once per year. Just like you would a business plan or doing an annual check-up at the doctors who looks for the same stuff year-over-year, it’s important to have a solid foundation for your voice acting career.
Even though you’re a freelancer, every person in business is supported by their peers and colleagues within the industry. Consider yourself a business person. Reality is that you are in business, and the service you provide is voice-over.
Your winning team will include:
• Voice Coach
• Voice Over Agent
• Peer Support Group
• People in Your Social Network
• Tech Guy or Gal and Web Guy or Gal
• Vendors and Partners
• Lawyer and Business Advisers
• Role Model or Mentor
• Spouse or Significant other
From the second string goalies to the captain of the team, everybody goes to training camp, plays the exhibition games and gears up for the season opener.
Going to events like this, or study privately or taking a course to improve your skill set. Just because you have decades of experience doesn’t mean that you don’t have to brush up your skills every so often.
• Annual Events
• Monthly Newsletters
• Weekly Podcasts (+100 Lessons Available FREE)
• Daily Blog Articles (+2000 Articles Online)
• Everybody goes to training camp.
Apply the techniques that you learned during training without being penalized during the regular season.
• Learn how to use your computer, recording equipment and websites
• Outline a workflow for how you handle an audition
• Set-up systems for how you going to manage your contacts, organize scripts, auditions and send invoices
Your Profile is your online storefront at Voices.com and is used to conduct business with clients from around the world if used effectively. An incomplete Profile is not representative of you and your body of work nor will it attract prospective clients or index much about your skills as results for search engines such as Google, MSN or Yahoo!.
One of the criteria that influences the rankings in the Voices.com Search Engine is "Profile Completeness". People who have completed profiles will rank higher in search results than those whose profiles are incomplete. You can measure your Profile Completeness in your account.
Solution:
• Fill out as much of your Profile as you can
• List anything and everything that supports your voice acting career
• Upload samples of your voice
• Use keywords that relate to your voice, studio equipment, clients, etc.
• Select voice ages, skills, years of experience and other criteria
• Add testimonials in your Experience area
One of those winning, but counterintuitive strategies in marketing is to be different. You can accomplish this by creating a visual brand that positively identifies you.
We've designed several new themes to help you personalize and brand your Voices.com website. There are 22 elegantly designed themes to choose from and they'll be available in your Profile section, under Themes.
Does your Voices.com website have a placeholder avatar where your picture, logo, or graphical representation could be? Without an image that represents you as a professional, it is hard to relate to you and next to impossible to see how you brand yourself and your voice acting business.
Solution:
Upload an image to your account, whether it be a professional head shot, cartoon image or corporate logo. This is a golden opportunity to brand your website! Let people know more about you visually to become intrigued enough to listen to your voice over demos. If you don't want to present a photo of yourself, you don't have to, but it is wise to have something to brand yourself with - just don't be a placeholder.
Famous advertising executive David Ogilvy say “The headline is the ‘ticket on the meat.’ Use it to flag down readers who are prospects for the kind of service you are offering.”
When a client is looking through the Voices.com search engine or is visiting your website at Voices.com, the first textual impression they get of you and your voice comes from your vocal description. If a description lacks the appropriate adjectives that best describe your voice and an element of pizazz or originality, it makes it easier for a client to overlook your Profile due to lack of perceived information or detail upfront before they listen to your voice over demos.
What's an example of a weak description? Try this one on for size: Strong, great for all kinds of reads, can be old or young.
Solution:
Really and truly describe your voice. Three adjectives (unless they are extremely telling and succinct) aren't enough to whet an ad exec's appetite when they are looking for something that stands out from the crowd and gives them an immediate impression of your vocal capabilities.
Ask yourself "If I were a client, would I hire me based upon what I have on my website?"
Your vocal description should not only be a litany of complementary keywords about your voice but also a persuasive advertisement for your voice. Those who can describe their talents in an inviting and appealing manner will be listened to and hired.
Examples:
Your voice description provides a summary of your vocal qualities and abilities. Your voice description is also visible in the search results as well as on your website.
Sample 1: Jim's voice is quite versatile and has been referred to as genuine, charismatic, and hilarious. Ranging from characters such as the stereotypical football coach to a doting father, Jim is able to cater his performance into a voiceover that works perfectly for your project.
Sample 2: Annette has a wide spectrum of vocal capabilities. Trained as a classical singer, Annette's vocal elasticity and burnished tone color shines brilliantly through commercials, telephone recordings, and children's audiobook narration projects.
Sample 3: Richard's light tenor voice is caring, authoritative, and didactic. Richard specializes in recording for educational materials and has an impressive command of technical jargon for medical and scientific scripts.
No matter how you slice it, sometimes, interpretations can sound more like reiterations or regurgitations. The client doesn't want to hear theme and variation when they click on demos that are classified as being in completely different niches or for distinct applications.
Solution:
Make sure that your vocal style, interpretation, tonality, versatility, and range varies not only from demo to demo, but from spot to spot.
If you work in radio as an announcer, for instance, be sure that your voice is not stuck in a radio rut. Announcers and DJs, (sorry to pick on you!), do at times adopt the same delivery and vocal approach for voice over as they do when on the air. The trick to all this is to concentrate on voice acting and really interpreting a script, internalizing it, and giving the words their own unique embodiment using your voice.
When you go to a store and pick up a product, you likely read all of the advertising copy, the ingredients (if it's food), and once you've done so, are able to discern what it is that you may be purchasing. It's the exact same with demos. Simply giving your demo a category isn't enough when a client is looking for something very specific to their needs.
Solution:
Be sure to properly name (the "title") and label (the "tags") all of your demos in the appropriate field when you are in the process of uploading them. If you do that, you'll not only rank higher in the search results and be found in more places, clients are more likely to listen to your demo and hire you for work. Why? Because you've clearly identified the style, voice type, tone, and supplied other adjectives that describe your voice and the audio recording.
Don't make any assumptions - not everyone is a casting director by trade and most people will appreciate the extra details.
As a Premium or Preferred member, you have the ability to promote your voice in a variety of application specific categories such as TV Commercials, Movie Trailers, Telephone System Recordings, and so on.
If you aren't making use of the real estate being provided to you as part of your membership, you are missing out big time on clients finding you who prefer to search in this manner.
Solution:
When you are uploading your demos, be sure to check the box that says "Feature this demo". If you are a Premium member, you have unlimited categories to feature your voice in. As a Preferred member, you have 5 categories to feature your voice over demos in.
You can change which demos you feature and their respective categories at any time in the Studio section of your Profile.
When a new job that matches your preferences and skills is approved at Voices.com, you will receive an email from us with an invitation to reply to the job posting. Simply click through the "Reply to Job" button to audition right away.
Your jobs manager organizes all voice-over jobs in one central location. All job notifications are governed by your user Preferences in your Account and Settings area.
Simply put, you are auditioning or applying for a job online using the Internet, a medium that is available to you 24/7.
The Internet is generally a one-way medium wherein the person using it is able to move along at their own pace and fulfill a task with the help of their personal computer or hand-held device using an Internet connection.
As a freelancer applying for a job online, be sure that the person on the receiving end of your bid for the work is provided with all of the information necessary to make a hiring decision while they are reviewing your submission ONLINE.
Your Proposal Should Include 5 Critical Components:
1. Your name
2. Sample of your voice (or work)
3. Proposal detailing why you want the job
4. How long it will take you to complete
5. Quote
How effective are ads or websites that have no obvious call for action? Not very, but with a solid call for action or invitation, you'll see remarkable results.
Solution:
Invite and encourage potential clients to send you an email if they like what they hear so that you can further discuss their objectives and how you can work together.
Now, those are just ten of the most common mistakes. Here are some more that fall in line with what we've discussed but are further along in the routine chain of events.
Dear (Contact Name)
Thank you for the opportunity to present my custom demo to you and quote for your commercial project.
I have extensive experience recording for radio and television commercials and I confidently feel that my voice meets the requirements listed in your project details. I can deliver your audio within 24 hours via email or on CD.
My rate for a :30 national broadcast commercial recording is $.
Looking forward to working with you.
Best regards,
Voice Actor
“The ones that were the most succinct (but still had all of the info I really needed) were the most appealing” ~ Dana Detrick-Clark from Serious Vanity Music
BLOGGING
1. There are millions of blogs out there on the Internet (get recent stat)
2. There are now over 50 voice acting blogs on the Internet.
Getting involved
1. Discover a blog
2. Subscribe to that blog
3. Comment on articles
Comments add value to the conversation that’s already going on.
They should:
1. Be insightful
2. Validating
2. Carry Momentum
• Bloggers love to approve valid comments to share with their audience
• Comments can be reassuring to a blogger
• Comments validate what has been written
• Comments provide new ideas for the voice over community.
• Wonderful way to introduce yourself to other people
• Build links to your website
• Keep yourself involved in the conversation
Bloggers need to:
1. Promote their blog
2. Build an audience
3. Write consistently
4. Reach out to their readers
5. Help direct the conversation
PODCASTING
Podcasting is audio content on-demand, when you want it, where you want and how you want it.
Listening to podcasts is:
1. Fun
2. Educational
3. Community oriented
Most podcasts are accompanied by a blog. The blog often includes:
1. Synopsis of the show
2. Show notes with links to websites
3. An image or picture
4. Area for comments
5. Opportunity to submit audio feedback.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Social Networking can be an integral part of your marketing mix.
Connect with other people who:
1. Are in a position to further your career
2. Could become a client of your services
3. Network with as friends.
Popular social networking sites
• Facebook
• MySpace
• LinkedIn
Some tips when using Social networks are:
1. Use the same name and photo at all sites so that people can easily recognize you
2. Personalize your profile and list your business information
3. Upload audio samples if you can and link to your website
4. Keep any information that you want to remain private off of your profile
5. Add friends to network with and try your best not to become addicted!
If you found this presentation insightful, download the entire presentation as a PDF, then leave a comment below.
Stephanie and David
After seven hours of driving, we arrived in Schenectady, NY for the Voice Coaches Advanced Marketing Expo and Conference at the GE Theater at Proctors.
The energy here is great and everyone can't wait for what tomorrow will bring. Come join us by catching the latest news on VOX Daily!
I'm writing this post-soiree and am happy to share some information about the conference thus far.
We arrived shortly before 6 p.m. in beautiful downtown Schenectady after a long drive through Canada and New York state.
There are a lot of returning faces as well as some new ones which is always fabulous to see. While everyone hails from somewhere different they all have a couple of things in common including a passion for voice over and that they are an absolute delight to converse with (and easy on the ears to boot).
If you're reading this posting at home the voice conference will be covered on VOX Daily and you'll get to read articles about each presentation and featured presenter as well as a roundup from the expert panel.
There's a stellar lineup of speakers and topics so expect to hear and learn some useful things. David and I will updating the blog throughout the weekend.
Stick with us at VOX Daily and it will feel like you're here too :)
Best wishes,
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/Dmitriy Shironosov
What kind of voice over work did you do this week?
Let us know by adding your comments.
Whether the job was big or small leave a comment to let us know so that we can celebrate with you today.
LEAVE A COMMENT!
Best wishes,
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/muharrem öner
If you've ever been curious about my sign off on the blog asking you to comment below but you don't know how, read this post.
It will start to make sense, trust me :)
Today I was checking my email and saw a reply to a VOX Daily email from a subscriber who wasn't sure what my "comment below" phrases at the end of each post meant and where they could comment.
If you are reading this in your email, you are probably wondering where on earth you can leave a comment and how it's done.
I'm happy to answer this question because I know that there are many of you who read VOX Daily in your email who haven't commented yet and I really want to hear from you!
In order to comment on the article that you are reading right now, you'll need to click through the email on the main heading which is hyperlinked to get to the VOX Daily blog website on the Internet.
For this particular article, click on the blue heading near the top of the email that says "Comment Below!". You'll find it just below the Voices.com logo.
Click through the blue heading and you'll be taken directly to this article on the VOX Daily blog online.
Once you are there, you'll see the article and at the end of the article you'll discover a box that allows you to leave a comment and add your voice to the conversation.
Also, by clicking through to the blog, you'll be able to read comments that have been left by other people in our community.
If you want to get to the main page of VOX Daily right now, please click on this link.
I hope to hear from more of you that perhaps haven't commented yet. All it takes is one click :)
Best wishes,
Stephanie
©iStockphoto.com/Slavoljub Pantelic
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