A plan to break into voice-over
Earlier this week, as often occurs, I received more e-mails from people wishing to break into voice-over. I endeavor to respond personally to everyone who writes to me, but I rarely get an acknowledgement. I don't know whether the information I provided was helpful. I don't know if they received my reply since I send it from a different e-mail address than is shown on my web site. Sometimes I think people can't be bothered to say thank you to people who help them along the way. I'm honest and sometimes blunt; I tell people what they need to know, which may not be what they wanted to hear.
One of the e-mails this week was from a person who wrote lines typical of so many messages that I receive:
my entire life I've been told that I should do something with my voice....I can also emulate just about any language, dialect, or style in a very short amount of time. I'm getting more and more curious about doing voice over work.
The person wondered if I would be interested in working with him. While I'm flattered when people ask me this question, I don't teach or hire others to work with me. I'm a voice talent who is actvely marketing myself. Occasionally, I need to recommend a fellow voice artist for a role to work with me or as a contact for a job that I need to pass on. However, I have a short list of talent in that category.
At this time, I do not mentor anyone
outside of any help they may receive from my blog entries and the Advice and Links section on my web site. Since voice-over is a business, you need to have a business plan consisting of education, demo, marketing, MORE marketing, gigs, on-going education and maybe an agent....in that order. I hope that people are using this blog as part of their education, so I refer newcomers to these particular posts:
Voice-over books on my bookshelf
Before you do anything else, I recommend that you pay the $49 to download the teleclass titled Your Voice Over Business at www.BreakIntoVoiceOver.com. Nancy Wolfson is an incredible LA instructor and casting agent; Anna Vocino is an established v-o talent. They thoroughly know the industry and give you a business plan, which starts with the right education.
If you decide to study privately with Nancy, please tell her that I referred you. I have chosen her as my new coach, and I would get a free session with her for the referral. I also highly recommend my former coach Susan Berkley, who has terrific teleclasses and boot camps. I wrote about her inner circle program in this post:
Susan Berkley's inner circle and upcoming masterclass
She also sponsors masterclass opportunities in New York for such wonderful teachers as the amazing and delightful Pat Fraley.
Another person wrote to me this week about a particular company's workshop "package". This company offered package price for a workshop on DVD, production of a :60 demo and hosting of the demo on their site for 6 months.
If I were spending my money for training, I would look elsewhere. For any company offering to host your demo, my answer to them would be "so what?" Are they also involved with casting? What kind of stats can they provide to you about searches made on their site and traffic patterns to it? In other words, what benefit does the talent receive from hosting a demo there?
If you don't have your own web site -- which is yet another necessity of doing business -- I would want to have my demo on-line where it might actually be heard by a someone casting a project. Of course, having it hosted by this company would be better than nothing. I am only pointing out that you need to research your options, any other providers and actual service/benefit received before investing any money.
I thought that that the aspiring talent in this instance was really paying for a DVD of undetermined length that doesn't provide you with individualized instruction and practice. A DVD might be a good start, but you really need both individual direction and practice before creating a demo.
This company advertised that they will send music and scripts for your demo. However, you don't know whether that same copy and music is used for other talent. You want your demo to reflect what is UNIQUE about YOU. You can't get that sound from what appears to be the voice-over industry equivalent to a diploma mill, where they don't know your individual strengths and vocal characteristics and tailor a demo to match them.
A couple of the producers listed on this site have only been voice talents for the last 2-3 years. They have had great career success and developed extensive client lists due to their own talents and marketing. However, I'm not sure about their experience on the production and casting side. I would wonder if they could provide enough guidance to make a competitive demo that showcases my individuality and strengths.
My first voice-over teacher was Paul Armbruster. He had about 20 years of experience at the time I studied with him. He made it clear in the first session of his 4-week intense workshop (24 hours of insruction and practice) that he would make recommendations at the end whether a person was ready to produce a demo. Only 25% of the participants in my workshop group earned his recommendation for demo production. In addition, he was selective about whether he would produce a demo for someone. After all, his name and reputation were being attached to the newcomer's demo.
Know that you will always need training, and you will always need to make new demos if you want to have a thriving voice-over career. In the end, you must take responsibility and make all decisions about your path, including your training, as it is your money, your business, your goals and your life at stake.
Comments
hi,
i discovered your website while i was searching for voice over jobs in the animation industry. I just whether there is any way someone that is not in America can get work in animation. I really would love to do voice over work. Could you give me some advice?
Posted by: Mart | June 25, 2007 9:37 AM
Hi, Mart. Thanks for the comment. My question to you is:
You said you really would love to do voice-over work, so what's stopping you?
Any answer that you would provide to my question (no money, no time, no knowledge, no contacts, etc.) would all point back to the same thing -- fear.
The steps for getting started in voice-over remain the same whether you're in America, the UK or anywhere else. I have given no shortage of advice in this post alone, not to mention in the rest of my blog.
No shortcuts exist when starting any new career. It's up to you to take the first step and to keep taking them. Remember, you have to learn to crawl and then walk before you can expect to run.
If you really would love to do voice-over work, you'll find a way to make it happen.
Best wishes for your success!
Karen
Posted by: Karen | June 25, 2007 9:24 PM
Karen,
you mentioned on your blog that many people do not thank you for your advice.
Thank YOU!
I never asked you directly for advice but I've received a wealth of excellent information from your website and the range of topics and quality of information is worth much more than a simple "Thank You", however for now that will have to suffice.
Thanks for caring enough about our profession and about those of us who are entering or in my case, re-entering the industry to provide such a tasteful and enlightened resource.
Again, Thanks
Jim
Posted by: Jim Lawyer | June 28, 2007 2:33 PM
Wow, Jim, thank *YOU*! You made my day! I don't think or expect that people will write to me just for reading my blog. My comment was meant where I have answered someone in e-mail. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you writing your wonderfully kind note to me.
Thanks again so much for sending me this note, and best wishes for your continued success!
Posted by: Karen | June 28, 2007 2:39 PM
B-I-N-G-O.
(and thanks.)
-Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Wolfson | July 17, 2007 12:10 AM
Karen--
Because you write this blog, I have a wonderful resource to refer people who email me asking me the very same questions. Thank YOU! And thanks for the Break Into Voice Over propers.
BTW, my very first VO teacher was Paul Armbruster...love the ATL!!
Posted by: Anna Vocino | July 18, 2007 11:32 AM
Nancy and Anna,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I enjoyed the teleseminar you both created and know that others will find the information to be useful in their careers. I'm learning much with every private session with Nancy. She's giving me a new way to think about the copy so I can make better choices in my interpretation.
Thanks, Anna, for the nice comments about the blog. I think we all receive similar questions, and I'm always happy to know when other voice talent direct people to this blog for some answers.
Best wishes to both for your continued success!
Karen
Posted by: Karen Commins | July 18, 2007 10:36 PM
I want to thank you also. Your website has been very helpful. I appreciate all of your efforts to enlighten, eudcate and encourage us.
Posted by: Kelli Henderson | August 10, 2007 12:23 AM
Hi,
This post has great advice. I have tons of questions so I'll be reading your blog archives (probably aloud) for more information.
Thanks.
Posted by: Andrea | September 7, 2007 10:57 PM
Hi, Kelli and Andrea. Thanks so much for the kind words. I am happy to know that I have said something that may be useful to you as you start your careers. Only you can live the life of your dreams, so why not get started today?
Best wishes for your success!
Karen
Posted by: Karen | September 10, 2007 1:53 PM
Ginna Brody and I have exchanged a few e-mails on this subject. She gave me permission to quote the following part of her message:
Dear Karen......HOLY COW BATMAN!!!! Thank you for the time you took to answer my email. I feel a little naive. Had I known that you get these emails on a consistant basis.....I never would have bothered you. You must be thinking "oh no.....not another one!"
I replied:
Ginna, thanks for writing to me. I don't consider query e-mails
from newcomers as a bother. I prefer to think of them as reminders
about how far I've come in this career I love and my desire to be
grateful for my many blessings! :) I think that what you put out in
the world comes back to you. If I can help someone on their path,
somebody will help me on mine.
I wanted to post that snippet and my reply here because it applies to this topic. I no longer have time to write in-depth answers to individual questions, so I usually refer people to an article here on the blog.
I really do appreciate the interest from people. I sincerely hope that the wealth of information on this blog and my web site is helpful on your journey.
Keep the letters coming, as they may be material for a new entry! :)
Karen
Posted by: Karen | September 20, 2007 9:07 PM
Karen,
I would like to first start by stating that I don't know where you find the time to run this blog as a busy small business owner but I am grateful that you do. It has been both interesting and informative. I appreciate your candor and honesty in your posts and responses.
A bit about how i stumbled upon your page.... I was a nightclub DJ in Detroit for about 6 years. I got my first steady job in a club @ 16 years old. I was very good at beat mixing and programing a crowd to create both energy and atmosphere. I was also on my High School radio station where i was an on-air personality (as much as you can in 9th grade anyway) and was introduced into production. I would do PSA's (commercials for non-profits) and other voice over work for the station. This is where i learned the basics of cutting tape on real to reals, soundproofing, dubbing, etc. The station manager said I would make it Big in talk radio. This is the last thing I wanted to hear. I wanted to move to New York and be a superstar DJ. The aspirations of a child! Well I ended up spinning records @ night and doing sound system installations for nightclubs during the day and soon that led to computers.
I got involved in computer networking and then abandoned the music / radio business for the money of the Information Technology world. I now own a small computer consulting company specializing in Microsoft and Citrix technologies. Last year I did over 400K. I don't say this to brag but to lend credence to my next statement. I am board and loosing my enthusiasm for life. The money is not as important as it used to be. So I went out and bought a pair of CDJ-1000 MK3's and a Pioneer DJM 800 mixer. I found Serato scratch live and beatport.com. I always wanted to move from novice at vinyl scratching to the level of a true turntablest so I then went out and bought a pair of Technic 1210's (my old familiar) and the Rane SL57 mixer with a video from bearkleymusic.com.
Well to my point... I ended up wanting to do some personal music creation and production so I bought a Digidesign 003 and Pro tools LE. This has been a great escape for me and has got me wondering about voice over work.
You mentioned many resources for individuals looking to start a career in voice over work and again I thank you for the time that this must take to run this blog and I plan on checking out some of the recommend reading.
My question is two fold. First, is it realistic for someone like myself that currently runs a business to do some moonlighting in this field? Second, What is the average to above average annual income range of an individual in the voice over field?
Currently I am just inquiring and thank you for your time in both reading and future response to my curiosity.
Lastly, I would like to say that many "bloggers" on the internet are very happy with themselves and enjoy to read their own opinions. Your blog struck me as eclecticly genuine. As I went through the topics and comments, I noticed the amount of people both interested in your profession and those who are colleges leveraging your advice. This speaks volumes about your character and I wish you much success!
P.S. I found you blog by searching "how to configure a track for voiceover in pro tools". I was looking for recommend track configurations for removing room noise and maybe a good plug-in specific to voice overs. Im glad I stumbled into your page!
Brady -
Posted by: Brady | October 6, 2007 10:03 PM
Wow, Brady! Thanks for the wonderful letter! I apologize for the delay in my reply. My webmaster has been upgrading my blog software.
In answer to your questions:
1) Yes, it is totally realistic to begin in voice-over on a part-time basis. In fact, I think it would be completely unrealistic -- not to mention HIGHLY stressful -- to turn your life upside down by stopping one full-time job or business and starting another one. I think a lot of people have other jobs (either full- or part-time) that bankroll things like mortgage payments, health insurance and on-going voice-over training!
Like any business, it takes time to learn the skills of voice-over and start gaining clients. It takes even longer to make voice work your sole source of income. Some people can make the transition in a matter of months, while others never do, for a variety of reasons.
I can honestly say that whatever you are doing now will prepare you and have meaning for whatever is to come in your life. You may be interested to know that I also went on a long detour from my love of voice-over into highly technical positions in the IT industry. You will be amazed how your expertise will serve you in the future in ways that you never dreamed possible.
2) I really don't know the average annual income for voice talent. While we may talk among ourselves to decide how to price a job, no one really talks about their income. Like the IT field, incomes range all over the map and are dependent on many factors, like your skill level, your marketing plan and your time devoted to your business.
Brady, I hope this info helps. Thanks again for the nice note, and best wishes for your success!
Karen
Posted by: Karen | October 11, 2007 3:57 PM