VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

Look back over the past 5 or 6 weeks and see what he/she/they did.

Here's me.
No auditions
15 jobs
One ... "Wow, really? Job" for Rolex

I fully accept that I'm lucky but it would be interesting to see what's going on in the VO world.

[Jason Huggins]

About 20-25 auditions
2 Jobs

No Rolex...but I did get a job for Boeing (a voice job...not a day job)

[Bob Bergen]

Look, everyone is different. Every market is different. Regional markets cannot compare to larger. And I have no idea how it's done outside the US.

But I don't think it's fair to compare. If you are in a major market, represented by a top agent, there aren't enough hours in the day to spew all that an agent does for you. Now, I'm also referring to a good agent and a working actor. I've also known actors with tiny agents making 6 figures, and actors with huge agents earning nada. But each scenario has reasons for why things are the way they are.

I read on a slow day about a dozen things. On a busy day, I'm up late and wake early to get it all in. And the auditions come in all day long. I'm in constant communication with my agents, via email and phone. Career strategies and tactics are a constant. And based on the amount of activity, I know that during those hours when there is nothing tangibly shared, they are pitching and selling, wining and dining on my behalf....FOR FREE!!! They only get paid when I work. And even then, I am paid their 10% commission on top of my negotiated fee. So, it doesn't even come out of pocket, and I can still write their commission off as a business expense.

I think a better question should be, if your representation doesn't reflect what I just described, why?? What have you done about it? Are agents in your market necessary?? If not, this is a moot point. If they are, and you aren't getting the representation you think you should be, do something about it. How brillant are your demos? Your website? Do you market? If so, how? How, where, when, why, and to whom you market is as important as what you market. Have you communicated with your agent specifically what you want out of your career?? Do you have a business plan you've shared with your agent? Does your agent know every job you've done?? Every audition? Every buyer you know?? Are you aware of whom your agent represents who has also worked with the same buyers as you??

The days of sitting around, waiting for the auditions, sending in with your fingers crossed are over! The business has changed. We have the ability through technology to be much more proactive and productive. What I use to spend 5-10 grand a year in marketing I now do for free!!!! And, the agent is a partner. You need to work with them. You must communicate your goals and expectations specifically and strategically. Vague goals bring vague results. And agents are not mind readers. For them to do the best job representing you, you must give them the tools, information, and leverage.

And, reach out to your agent just to say "thank you.". Most only communicate with their agent when they are bitching and complaining. In any business, this can be exhausting and depressing for the recipient. Let them know when you just had a fun audition. Remind them that if there's anything else they need from you, you are happy to do it. Gratitude goes a long way. Know and appreciate what they do for you beyond the auditions and bookings.

And, if this ideal agent client relationship doesn't exist for you, figure out why. And do something about it. But man, I would not have a career without my agents.

[Rob Ellis]

I agree that being proactive is the key and not waiting on an agent to make something happen. I have brought work to two of my agencies multiple times, and in return sometimes they get me hired without having to audition.

Not always, but it happens sometimes.
And the fact that in the back of their minds is that I have brought them business more than once, doesn't hurt I'm sure.

[Philip Banks]

Awesome!

[Dan-O]

...

[Philip Banks]

Or my all time favourite book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Get-Out-Work-Excuses/dp/1411661478

[Philip Banks]

[Jason Huggins]

Close...presentation voice for a CEO conference where they are pushing a new plane.

[Philip Banks]

On a serious note .. "what Bob said" is essentially we should be doing it all the time. I recently moved to another VO agency in London mainly because the snippets of info I gave my previous agency in order to help them sell me were never acted upon. No blame here, just fact. Good agents aim to try to feed us and as we all know from the quality end of the market when an audition arrives it is not a "forward to all" email it's either because the cleint requested the audition from you or the agent hand-picked you to audition.

The last handfull of jobs (most recent today) from my west coast US agent were simple, the client asked for me. Lucky. Oh that life could be so simple all the time!

A few years ago I spoke to an agency in London about a move. 3 partners listened to my stuff. One YES. One NO. One undecided. I said to them that i would have the casting vote ..Don't take me on. Wasn't be clever or arrogant I just knew that there was a high probability that the person taking a call from a potential client would never be batting for my team. Sometimes a good business decision is to walk away.

[Philip Banks]

[Bob Bergen]

Phillip, you are a smart man and a savvy business man. We need our agents to "get us" and represent us with the same enthusiasm and vision we have for ourselves. You weren't being errogant at all. You knew what you wanted and needed in your representation.

But most actors are so desparate to be represented when meeting with an agent, they are happy just to hear "yes." Huge mistake!

I suggest when meeting with an agent, come in with a vey specific list of goals. Include every buyer you've worked with, had a callback with, auditioned for. Let them know every casting director you know, every ad exec and producer. And if you've never kept track of those you've worked with or met, start now!!! This business is all about relationships. If you aren't able to present yourself to an agent with this kind of clarity and confidence, perhaps you aren't ready to be represented. But if you are ready, and you present yourself as someone worth representing, the agents will see value in that.

[Philip Banks]

[Bish]

When I didn't have representation I thought it was an desirable and achievable goal (note: not a holy grail). Those without an agent see it as a career landmark and, I hate to say it, some level of validation in what they are doing (we are all so needy). I now have multiple agents who do serve to open some doors that may otherwise be closed to me, but the vast majority of the doors out there (in my target areas) can be opened without these gatekeepers.

I was approached by another agent a month or so ago. It looked interesting... they said "these are our terms"... I replied with, "these are mine..."

... Crickets. But I feel so much better for having done it!
_________________
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.

[Dayo]

Good thing I don't depend on my agent. In April I did one audition and got one job.

It was quite a nice one though....

http://vimeo.com/user16584091/review/62853497/9d6046bb97
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Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk