VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

“Hello. My name is Marv’. I’m a voice talent and a victim of bullying”. So go the introductions around the room at the most recent meeting of Bullying Victims Anonymous or BVA. In LA there are groups specifically for voice over artists. Believe me? Of course it’s untrue but it ought to be true because the number of victims in the voice over world is huge. Combine insecurity, ego, desperation with a sprinkling of sycophancy and cowardice and you have the perfect target for a bully.

Make it your goal not to be a victim or a bully and watch yourself for declining standards of behaviour.

Here’s an example. An agency sends you an audition for a job but you notice that the fee is neither here nor there and that it’s a cattle call. You delete the audition and contact the agent requesting that they only contact you with jobs or when a client has specifically requested that you audition. Now, how many of you as you read the example started saying “ah but it doesn’t work like that” or “I don’t want to upset the agent” or “an audition is good practice”? Take a black marker pen and write VICTIM on your forehead, it’ll save people time. To quote Julia Robert’s character in Pretty Woman “I decide who, I decide when, I decide how much!” Look in the mirror and say it out loud.

The pay to play (audition) voice over web sites tell talent how much, when, where, how to but they pay talent NOTHING! Talent pays a site and then allows it to set the agenda. For $100, $200, $300 or more the site works for the voice NOT the other way around.

“I’m a voice over professional and I understand the way things are done”. No you don’t, you’ve just fallen into line. Try this line in the mirror “Oh no, I’ve become a coward” can you bear to repeat it? I hope not.

I’m certainly not saying become an arrogant, pompous moron but I am asking you to think about the way you behave and the way you are perceived. It is possible to stand your ground, let people see things from your point of view, don’t let people waste your time, money or talent ALL with a smile on your face and with an agreeable manner.

It's worth mentioning that this was written to be read as a sort of "pause for thought" and the comments made are based on some tough lessons I had to learn a few years ago.

Good luck for 2008

[bobsouer]

Philip,

Thank you for these words of hard won wisdom. May your New Year be filled with much success, also.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

[mcm]

Philip, this really resonates with me.

I have a few agents and a few who can't seem to make up their minds if they're my agent or not. The first agent I got sends auditions to tons of people, all listed in the To: line of the emails. I've sent dozens and dozens of auditions and got one gig - which was for a nice non-profit whose references to budget were so pathetic I waived the fee. The agent is still talking about getting a check out to me and doesn't seem to listen when I say I waived the fee and indeed doesn't seem to listen to much of anything. I haven't done anything with the audition announcements I've received in the past few weeks and the only difference it makes in my life is that I have more time for other things.

The lesson I've learned recently, and I'm embarrassed that it has taken this long to learn it (if indeed I really have learned it ) is that if somebody asks me to "demo" their script, they only get one iteration of takes (I might read it a couple of different ways right off the bat - and of course only part of the script). If they start asking if I can do it this way or that way after I've sent the initial take(s), then I need to put a stop to it and ask them to commit to hiring me or go away. Those people seem to be the ones most likely to just disappear anyway. I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and policies.

As for the paying sites, I've never tried them. Most of my work comes from my own pounding of the payment. I appreciate your comments Philip, and take them to heart.

[tackerman]

As of yesterday I've completely severed ties with the pay to play sites. Checking for new leads became a bit of an obsession and definitely a distraction. I did get some work through both but the time and effort invested in constantly sending auditions and quotes into the void was not worth it, IMHO. I am now working on fostering new relationships with clients that are interested in more than the bottom line.

Success to all in '08! Slow and steady winds the race and I've got the slow part nailed down.

[KaraEdwards]

Philip- very wise words...thank you.
_________________
Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

[Diane Maggipinto]

[Deirdre]

"The Year of the Spine".

I like that.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com

[Moe Egan]

Polite Golf claps and a nod of appreciation to our Board Sage. Excellent words to start the new year off with Banksey!

VO is not a career choice for lemmings. However, there are many who would lead you to a precipice for fun or profit or out of insecurity. And there are plenty of sharks waiting to eat you up at the foot of that cliff.

Another reason why this place is so amazing. Here, signs are posted about common cliffs and if someone does go over the edge, someone else is here to pick them up and help them get up that hill again. ... God bless us everyone - especially DBs

_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

[Bailey]

Stand your ground... or you'll have no ground to stand on.

_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[Yoda117]

[Brett Mason]

[Ed Gambill]

A Capitol idea, Mr. Bankes, something to work toward.
_________________
Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES

[Mike Cain]

Once again Mr. Banks has put into words a credo we can all use.
From now on the VO-BB will stand for Voice Over-Back
Bone.
Thanks Philip
_________________
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

[paddyo]

Philip,

I always love reading what you bring to this board. Thank you.

Paddyo
www.radiotheatrenyc.com

[Jeffrey Kafer]