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Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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 Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Rellis wrote: | | ... getting laid off from my corporate job helped too. |
Yep! Worked for me! 
L.
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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
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todd ellis
A Zillion
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10537
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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losing the day gig is great motivation.
has happened to many of us, i think ...
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?
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davidmonteath
Lucky 700
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 755
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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I walked with my head held high when they wouldn't let me leave 15 minutes early for a gig.
My outside interests (running off to do V/o work whenever I could) were agreed under my stipulated T & C of accepting employment with them.
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Lizden wrote: | Jeff, I get it.
You may want to talk to Bob Souer for some tips. |
Liz,
Jeff and I have in fact talked about these matters, especially when I've been there in his part of the country on business.
I've been our sole "bread-winner" since mid-1990 when Eric was born a year and 3 months after we got married. (Cinda has had a couple of part-time jobs here and there along the way.) This is the reason I'm working 2 full-time jobs, for the time being. The Dream (tm) is alive and well and yet I have to be careful and sensible for the sake of my wife and children.
Having Eric work with me for the next year is going to be a huge benefit; and will truly tell the tale of whether I can do all that's needed to make things go. More details and things fall in to place.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11082
Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Think positive, do you what you love and you will be rich? No, sorry it doesn't work like that or I've never seen it work like that. Selflessness works but selfishness is a long luxurious rope by which many eventually hang themsleves.
In following your real passion and not some delusion or get rich quick ideal you'll be fine and will manage on whatever money comes your way.
My friend Louise said to me a few months ago "You're a workoholic!"
"Not true, I only do the things people ask me to do". A living as a voice or sacks of cash from your passion? How much? What would cause you say, "yes that's fine thanks"? Not a greed number, real world.
Once you set your goal, your passion for what you do will take you further. But remember it must be your real passion and not some delusion or get rich quick ideal. |
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Yoda117
M&M
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 2362
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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As usual, Philip's hit the nail on the head.
The most successful VOs I've met aren't necessarily the richest people in the world, but they all had one thing in common.
They all love what they do, and couldn't see themselves doing anything else.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor
Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones |
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Bailey
4 Large
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 4336
Location: Lake San Marcos... north of Connie, northwest of the Best.
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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I must echo Gregory's comment... As usual, Philip's hit the nail on the head.
And I also noticed another nail that was hit...
| Philip Banks wrote: | | In following your real passion and not some delusion or get rich quick ideal you'll be fine and will manage on whatever money comes your way. |
This set me to thinking. All things being equal... How do you differentiate between a passion for wanting to become a Voice Actor, and a delusion for wanting to become a Voice Actor?
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"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." |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | How do you differentiate between a passion for wanting to become a Voice Actor, and a delusion for wanting to become a Voice Actor?
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IMHO the passionate less talented with a good work ethic will go further than an equal or greater talent with less passion and an inferior work ethic..... |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Rob,
That would be another nail struck squarely on the head. Thank you!
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
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BenWils
The Thirteenth Floor
Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 1324
Location: In a Flyover State
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Bailey wrote: | | How do you differentiate between a passion for wanting to become a Voice Actor, and a delusion for wanting to become a Voice Actor? |
Pretty easy I think...if you have a passion for VO and you advertise your service and people begin to pay you handsomely for it. Then you are on to something. You are the one that determines what "handsomely" means though. I know what my definition is.
If you continue to have to fight to get people to even pay you $50 or $75 for spots....it is possible you are slightly or completely delusional as a VO. Your voice may not be bad....just not what people are buying.
I know I am one who thought about VO since I was about 15 or so. I loved it. Other people my age didn't understand my love for using my voice for different things. I think people like me who have had a passion for VO for so long get angry when we see people that are looking at the profession/craft as a get rich quick scheme.
With all that said, some people just have specialty voices that they are trying to make a full career with. It probably won't happen for you. You may get some work....but not a career's worth. Some have no acting skills (or very underdeveloped acting skills)...some are just former radio voices that will never break the habits of radio.
We all have to look at the signs the market is giving us. For some they are great signs...some not at all. But the dream remains alive for many. But for those where the efforts continue to outweigh the rewards....it is just a matter of time before these people say, this is not for me and move on.
Again, just my thoughts. I think you have heard enough from me on this. So for those of you destined to do VO, go get 'em!
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Ben
"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."
Last edited by BenWils on Tue May 06, 2008 8:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Man! This has been a GREAT conversation!
| BenWils wrote: | | I know I am one who thought about VO since I was about 15 or so. I loved it. Other people my age didn't understand my love for using my voice for different things. |
Ben, you are like my brother who KNEW that he wanted to be a doctor from the age of 7. That's ALL he ever wanted to do.
I can't say that. I did have a love of actors and acting, but was steered away from any such pursuits. I'm not "blaming my parents" at all, it's just that they didn't feel it was a viable career choice, and as long as I lived under their roof...well....that was that. And I fully admit, I didn't push it. I pretty much went though High School & college trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.....all I knew was that I loved listening to the radio & watched TV for hours on end.
When I moved out, you'd think I'd have jumped at the chance to do what I wanted to do....nope....I worked for the French government for 3 years....making great money for that time (& five weeks vaca right off the bat) Until, I FINALLY honored MY choices & at 25, I went to "Broadcasting School" & fell in love with Production & VO, quit that very lucrative job working for the French government, and THAT was that! That was 19 years ago. From there, the recording studio honed my skills & my voice over ears....and then 3 years ago...lay-off & starting my own business.
We all have our paths & roads taken. I am blessed to finally be on the path that I truly feel I am MEANT to be on.
| BenWils wrote: | | I think people like me who have had a passion for VO for so long get angry when we see people that are looking at the profession/craft as a get rich quick scheme. |
I agree with you wholeheartedly! 
Liz
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13026
Location: Camp Cooper
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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Dieter sez: Urgency trumps ability.
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DBCooperVO.com
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Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Is that sorta kinda like: Necessity is the mother of invention? 
Well...I MUST do VO...therefore I am inventing my life as I go forward!
L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
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Yoda117
M&M
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 2362
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Bailey wrote: | | This set me to thinking. All things being equal... How do you differentiate between a passion for wanting to become a Voice Actor, and a delusion for wanting to become a Voice Actor? |
I have a different take on this compared to some others. Those with the passion to be a voice actor are the same folks who are willing to learn all they can while not currently training, to think not just about what needs to be done today, but what they'll need to prepare for in the future. You can pretty much see it in most everything they do. "What have I done or can I do today to be better than I am?" seems to be their mantra. It's not a question of if, but of when they will achieve that next rung on the ladder to success. And what does that mean? It's not about the money, it's about proving to themselves that they can do it. If nobody ever knows, that's fine... they know. Regardless of the outcome, they never fail, they just learn what didn't work from the experience.
It's weird to explain, but to me it seems that the folks who have a true passion for being a Voice Actor have been moving towards it their whole lives whether they consciously knew it or not. Once it finally hits them, it's like watching a minor force of nature. It's not about them, per se, but about taking all the pieces and putting them together so that they can share it with others. The best VAs I've ever met got a true high, not just from being in front of the mic, but by knowing that their happiness would be shared in some way with the folks who heard their work... even if they never knew who did it.
I've said it before in another thread, but I'll say it again. It's always struck me that those who are truly passionate about voiceover are those who could never even think about being anything else. To those folks, voiceover is the same as air. They can't live without it.
But at this time of night, I could be confusing that with my current desire for some green tea and plenty of sleep.
_________________
Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor
Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones
Last edited by Yoda117 on Tue May 06, 2008 9:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jeffrey Kafer
Assistant Zookeeper
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4931
Location: Location, Location!
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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| BenWils wrote: | | I think people like me who have had a passion for VO for so long get angry when we see people that are looking at the profession/craft as a get rich quick scheme. |
Thankfully, people like that tend to fall off the radar after a month or two when they realize it isn't.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com |
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