VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:27 am Post subject: The results are in!

2019 research conclusion. The majority of people trying to sell "The Secret to voiceover success" have the same degree of authority as the "Do not tumble dry" label on a silk blouse.

George · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:57 am Post subject:

i was going to post something to that effect but you beat me to it. bravo.

is it my imagination or has the number of entities making their dimes from voice actors not actually utilizing their voice acting skills skyrocketed in the last few years? the secrets to this, the bible of that, classes, courses, seminars, monthly access to this person's this, one-time-only purchase of access to a totally unique and complete solution of a cookie cutter business building model offered by a whole mess of other entities, etc.

I probably shouldn't be surprised, but isn't voice over niche enough that there can't be that successful of a business making money off of the actors? or is it more along the lines of "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks?" applying to every single possible profession?

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:07 am Post subject:

Too many trying to fleece too many.

In a polite way I ask people who are trying to sell to me to demonstrate, prove or otherwise show their success. Whilst our "art" (and what I do ain't art) is an abstract, a concept, vague notions from people with cashmere sweaters draped over their shoulders shared with a dreary anecdote and a camp flourish, we need to pay our bills.

It's vulgar to talk about money! Fair play. You share and I'll decide if what you share is worth a small honorarium or a dismissive wave.

"Quentin, away with your nonsense, I do not care for it!"

Voice Over people need to be equipped to earn a shilling and those supplying the market are signally failing to do so. A plague on their houses and may the stench of a thousand Camels visit their tents during luncheon.

When people hire someone to record something they are uniquely generous, patient and uncommonly kind. When the "voice" doesn't know something or fails to understand they take them gently by the hand and guide them to the end result, then put a check in the mail.

We have come full circle. Late 1989 I started to blunder about buggering things up as I went along and people sweetly steered me to a living wage. 2020 the same approach appears to be, once again, the way to voice over Heaven.

Save your coins. Why?

As it ever was.

They either like you or they don't!

George · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:31 am Post subject:

to be fair

were I to NOT heed the "do not tumble dry" label on anything that belongs to my wife, there would be an excessive but appropriate amount of authority rendered.

my nod goes to the label.

Bruce · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 1:22 pm Post subject:

I offered my services as a voiceover coach/consultant in the first decade of this millennium. I'm a good teacher, an honest teacher. Probably too honest in that I gave every interested party a free half hour session in my studio to see what they could do with simple copy and simple direction. I turned 8 out of 10 away, encouraging them to try theater and theater classes or Toastmasters.

I don't have hard numbers in front of me but memory says I took on about 24 students/consultees in that time. I dismissed half of them after 2 or 3 lessons for not doing their "homework". I guess they fooled me enough to take them on, but they just weren't dedicated enough reach down and find their performing spirit. I couldn't take their money and then launch them into the world with "trained by Bruce Miles" on their résumé.

The remaining 12 completed demos (pretty decent quality if I do say so myself), I introduced them to people they should know and waited to hear back about their building success. Two, just two, found a fair amount of success. One of them has 17 books on Audible and is now a very busy producer of independent movies and television. The other loved the theater she came from even more and is busy living that life. Most of the other 10 faded away, just giving up.

So, if you care about being kind and honest, and making a living that way, voiceover training may not be for you!

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 2:50 pm Post subject:

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 4:02 pm Post subject:

it was moe egan who said "i want to be the voice in your head" - that's the sum total of it. the client has a voice in their head - sometimes you ain't it --- luckily --- sometimes you are.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

My first piece of advice to beginners is to avoid the YouTube gurus and buy the book below, read it, and get back to me. No one has ever gotten back to me. It's a little test to see how serious they are.

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

Kim Fuller · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:12 pm Post subject:

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Yur damn skippy I am.

Frank F · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:00 pm Post subject:

Ahhh, wax on, wax off.

Those who can do. Those who can't do, - teach, those who can't teach go into the military to learn how to "do", those who can't go into the military go into politics and then into teaching others how not to "do".

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com