VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks

If you trawl through voiceoversavvy.com you will find a thread started by a lady named Michelle and it soon becomes a public email exchange between her and Bob Bergen. Bob is his usual open, honest self; generous in both advice and spirit.

The interesting thing about the thread is that Michelle is a voice over artist represented by William Morris Agency "one of the top three". This major career breakthorugh has got her nowhere! How much work? As far as I can tell, in 3 years ..... Nothing (With apologies to Michelle if I am misrepresenting her in any way).

My point in briefly mentioning the thread is that the story does a lovely job of myth busting. When I move to LA ....When I get THE LA voice agent .... When I get THE coach .......When I get THE demo (for commercials, trailers, promos, imaging, pausing, braille) .............When I ................ Go on, you think of a few.

Here's the caveat - Within reason. Here's the tip - Go with what you've got. None of the above mentioned Voice Over clutter will do you any harm but just bear in mind that it is impossible to under estimate how much good they'll do.

Look at it this way. A great demo producer will send you out sounding hot for around $3,000. Will it really do you any good? Probably not. Statistically not. My new voice over agency based in LA, New York, London and Chicago is going to be called Pied Piper Talent. I wonder if anyone will take the hint Laugh

voicy1stef · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:21 am Post subject:

WOW! Thanks for posting this Philip. It's very inspirational and food for thought.

William Morris? and no gigs? I'd be over the moon if I ws signed by William Morris, so you certainly burst that bubble for me. But, you've given me encouragement and confidence as well. I'll certainly hold my head high and go forth working with what I've got.

Thanks for the much needed and appreciated shot in the arm! You've made my day... Rolls Eyes

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RayAnime · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:30 pm Post subject:

I would add, after going and finding the conversation myself, that it seems like some of her problem may lie in not--as Bob recommends--"treating it like a business." Something I've heard him say time & again is how proactive you have to be with your career, even once you have THE agent, THE demo, etc.

I think one of the most inspiring things about listening to Bob's stories has been seeing just how hard he's worked to be where he is. If you've listened to the clips on his website from him as a teenager, you know that he's someone who had an amazing gift from very early on--but he's also gone after what he wanted 150%, and that's probably the big lesson: that there's never a point that you can sit back and say "now that I have the agent, the demo the first big job, etc . . . I've got it made--the hard work is over."

Is it okay for me to post a link to the convo?

http://voiceoversavvy.com/sutra69454.html&highlight=#69454

It was really illuminating for me . . .In a way it's encouraging for me to be reminded that no matter how good you are (or think you are), you have to fight for this every day. It's nice to be reminded that the people at the top are there not just because they have great talent, but because they dug in and worked for it.

BenWils · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

The main thing I think most voice talent overlook is the fact that if they were to get accepted on with a "big" agent, the talent level of your competition goes up tremendously.

Once the paydays rise with the big gigs....the talent level of the people going for the prize becomes tremendous.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

Ben's right, which is part of the reason you don't want to get an agent until you can compete in the same level as the the other talent that the agent reps.
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Jeff McNeal · Guest

Where the rewards are greatest, the struggle is eternal.

The competition intensifies commensurate with the level of the game.

But God, what a great game.

bobsouer · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

Jeff,

I completely agree. Much better than working for a living.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:43 am Post subject:

We haven't had a single cliche for a few days so may I'd like to add.

Winners never quit and quitters never win especially when the climb to the top is tough yet the view from up there is wonderful. You've got to know when to fold and know when to hold them. All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. After all, there's nothing QUITE like a McDonald's.

On a serious note. A few years ago I was talking to one of the partners in a BIGGIE voice over agency.

"We're at the stage where one of us wants you, one of us doesn't and one of us is undecided."

"Ok" I said "Let me help with this, don't go with me as there is a potential for unrest. Things are tough enough without creating niggles between busiess partners." Imagine being represented by an agency in which only one in 3 is fighting your corner.

Here's a thought. Ask your agent to get you a job by the end of the month by using their marketing skills and contacts. If the response is "I can't" then they're a contract and finance administraters. Pay for that job? $50 per hour maximum.

Most of us really need more people who are "centres of influence". Someone who has real clout to speak up for us.

"We need a quality TV promo voice"

"Mmmmm, Jeff McNeal's the guy you need to get!" At this point the producer reaches for a pen to write down Jeff's number because the person who spoke up has a valued opinion as opposed to an opinion.

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

number one: i have been working on my new "pausing" demo for months ... can't seem to get it to the "next level".

b. although i have an agent or three, i still get the majority of the work i do through my own marketing efforts ... and through direct referrals from my friends ...
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JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

voiceofmichael · Guest

Man, I'm glad I did a search on this board.

I've been getting bummed about not hearing back instantly from the demos I've submitted to agencies, but now I'm not going to worry about it so much.

It sounds like, from what I'm hearing, agents are a great thing to have, but they're by no means necessary (until you have SO much work you need the extra help).

Big thanks to everyone who posted on this topic!