VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Velfin]

Have any of you weathered jury duty? I just got tagged for it for mid-September.

My town is tiny and they have you call in each day to see if you're needed - so it's not a definite unavailable for two weeks, but this nebulous nature is nerve-wracking.

I don't want to miss out on two weeks of revenue & momentum nor leave a client hanging...so what to do?

Warn my agent? Mention it in audition cover emails? Cross my fingers and hope for the best? Claim to be a raving sociopath at my qualification interview?
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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

[Bish]

I guess it really depends on what percentage of your work is at other local studios during "business hours", home sessions that are directed during these same hours in your time zone etc. If a lot of your work absolutely depends on you being in a certain place at a certain time, then there is a chance of an issue.

However, if your stuff is mainly home-based on your own schedule, then there are no issues (just long hours to keep the same work-rate). The only thing that may screw you up is if you're picked for a meaty case and get yourself sequestered!

In my experience... everyone I know has been called for jury service... no one has actually had to go and do it. They've just called in every day and ended up with a "Thank you, obligation filled, we won't be calling you for five years."

Go for it and get it out of the way... in the grand scheme of things (professionally) this is no worse than getting a cold that puts you out of action for a short while... and this cold may have absolutely no effect at all! That being said, giving your agent a heads-up would be the right thing to do.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

[ConnieTerwilliger]

In most places, I think you simply let them know that it is a financial hardship - that you are a free lancer and do not receive a regular paycheck. As a single woman who is the sole means of support in my "family," I have been able to be excused. Perhaps is your are not the sole breadwinner, this excuse may not fly.

In San Diego, it is one day/one trial, so if you make it through the first day without being selected, then you are excused anyway.

And if you do get picked for the first step - there are a lot of other places along the road to actually being on a jury where you can be excused. If you get picked for a short trial - one day (there are LOTS of those), go for it. It is a valuable experience.
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Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

[ccpetersen]

I say roll with it. I've been called three times and served once. Where I live it's one day/one trial and two of the times I was called, I was dismissed during voir dire (which is where the opposing attorneys question you about your work, life, viewpoints, etc. to see if you're going to be useful on the jury). It's a good learning experience and you can file it away as one of those things that may stand you in good stead as an actor.
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[Velfin]

Thanks - so good to hear from experience. That's why I like it here.
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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

[CC Heim]

I also have to report for Jury Duty on August 29th. Last time I was called, I made it through several rounds. Then when the attorneys asked me if I could be impartial regarding the defendant being accused of a violent crime I said, "well it depends. What did he use, a knife, or gun or something like that?"

I was immediately dismissed

[Velfin]

Oh, I needed that laugh today. Between this and Bank's new "adult" video, I'm feeling much better now.
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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

[Michael Schoen]

In my latest jury duty adventure, I called each day for a week and was never needed.
But one thing about VO, a lot of the work can be time shifted -- and you can promise to have it for them the next morning, where that works.
The big time jobs, where you need to be somewhere or have to be directed in real time are quite a bit more difficult to time shift!
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http://MichaelSchoen.com

[todd ellis]

i usually let them know that i'm happy to serve, but i ask if i can wear my rush limbaugh t-shirt, my NRA hat and bring my bible.

they never call.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[CC Heim]

For a while there, my husband was getting called every couple months. Once for county, once for state, once for federal. I think he had like 5 in about a year and a half.

Also, I think the rule where I live is that if you don't *serve* on a jury, even after calling in and reporting, that you are eligible again at any time. Bullcrap as far as I'm concerned!!!

[Michael Schoen]

here in Rockland County, NY they told me I had a year before I could be called again.
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http://MichaelSchoen.com

[sounddguy]

When being questioned for a possible jury panel, be sure to stress that you are self employed...if you don't work you don't get paid. That alone will help.
Also think back, have you ever been victim of a crime? Ever been sued?

For me, I'm a white male, self employed, been sued, been a victim and I do work for the legal system. No body wants me.

Grand Jury escape took a little more work, but it worked.

[ccpetersen]

I was excused once from a jury because I was a working journalist at the time.
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420