VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Dan-O]

Bob Souer has written an excellent article titled Packing It In. It is a strong reality check for beginners and frustrated VO talents.

Very well done, Bob.

[bobsouer]

Dan,

Thank you for the link. I hope it's helpful.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Bailey]

Great article Bob. I just called 1-800-GOTJUNK to come over and haul away my computer... mixer... and microphones. (just kidding)

Actually it is a very good... up front... in your face... what your momma wont tell you... truth about the VO business. And for those of us who want to put the cart before the horse, you'd better remember to feed the horse... or the cart aint going anywhere.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
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AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[TheVoiceOfBob]

Excellent words Bob. One thing that always impressed me while working in the radio field was the ability some talents had of being able to go into a production room with just the barest of information about a commercial and create something unique and well put together. There is so much more to the business besides a good voice and some equipment. Even an average voice produced well would beat out a great voice represented poorly.
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Try to imagine a world where there is no such thing as hypothetical situations.

The Voice of Bob

[tackerman]

Well said Bob!

[Dave]

Way to go Bob... you've created an outstanding 'reality check' for newbees and veterans alike.
_________________
. If at first you don't succeed, then bomb disposal probably isn't for you.

[jrodriguez315]

Bob,

That was a great article. I think you are a damn good writer.

David Zucker, who was involved with the making of such films as Airplane, Scary Movie, Naked Gun and many others, when asked for advice about succeeding in the movie business, often responds with the following:

"Quit now, you'll never make it.”

After watching the person's reaction, he follows with:

“If you disregard this advice, you're halfway there."

So, while I like your article, I don't think I'll pack it in just yet.
_________________
Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog

[bobsouer]

[Dan-O]

This lesson came back to me while waiting on a client to arrive at a studio, today. The engineer and I were chit-chatting and he asked how business was. I said "the last two months have been very healthy, but not overwhelmingly busy. I'll do a big job, and then have a couple days off. On those days, I market myself. I mean, 90% of my job is getting the next gig." He returned with "That's why you are working and others aren't." He asked if I knew "Sam." And then explained that, Sam, who was a major talent in my region, is now a manger at a local retail store, because he didn't know how to market himself and keep up with the changes in the industry. Sam was a huge influence in my early days of VO. I strived to be like him. Now, it seems, that because of my persistence and passion for what I do, I have surpassed a mentor of mine.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Calvin Coolidge

[Rob Ellis]

The article is a nice little jolt that we all need from time to time. I am well-acquainted with rejection and failure from my years in radio and in sales, but hey we're all human at the end of the day and occasional discouragement(hopefully only occasional) goes with the territory.

I finally started making calls about three weeks ago,(even though I still don't have a demo but am working on it) and from the calls I am getting at least a few auditions whereas previously I was getting none.

[Charlie Channel]

Good advice. The article nails down an important perspective. But, Banksey put it out there: Give it a year. If the money ain't rolling in, take the clue.

For me, the experience of launching my own business has been exciting. Actually, things are still moving but in uncharted directions. Despite hard work in VO, I found money rolled in from other directions. So, I just decided to let it flow.

As for VO, I'm making almost the same as before. However, I'm not spending too much time chasing those dollars. That's the wierd part. I've got a check on my desk right now from a repeat client. But, my bank account is truly positive from other work. So much so that I can now afford more VO toys.

Ultimately, I think life presents us with all sorts of opportunities and we've got to decide what it is we really want. For me, it's playing music and being a musician. VO was a way to support that addiction. And, to an extent, it worked. But, the other gifts I have are paying better. And, with the money I'm getting, I bought a new bass. So, I know where my priorities are. I guess that's my $0.02. And, no, I' m not rocking the charts as a musician, either, although a few pennies come in from that gift, too.

VO is still good. And, I know that it will play an important part in cash flow. Moreover, I also know that doing narration is a service that I enjoy providing -- even for not-for-profit entities, like Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. And, I'm very much aware that time changes all things. Perhaps in a year or two, VO is all I'll do. But, somehow, I doubt it. I just figured out how to attach two routers together (making one a switch), so that I've got wireless, plus 100 mb feeds to all my other computers, including my DAW. I got rid of my 10 mb hub. That's what I mean when I say it's exciting.

The big principles apply: Take care of yourself, your family and your work, in that order. That's the best advice I was given by an old timer. He said if I didn't take care of myself, I couldn't help anybody else. And, he's right. So, now it's time to get some exercise!

May you have a peaceful giving thanks for it all.

CC