VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

chriswagner · Contributor IV Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 114

For more than a decade I have been working a full time job, and I have had enough VO work to be another full time job at points in the last decade.

I was laid off from my full time money making gig (non-VO) in August of 2013, and in May of this year, I landed a nice full time job with another company.

Now I have been thinking about retiring from the additional VO work that would come in on a regular basis. I have already quit working for a company that did Web Based Training for HP. Recently the only work I had been getting from them is small updates to projects I had already worked on.

I have also booked off with both of my agents TFN, being that we are trying to sell the house I had to take down my audio equipment and box it up, it doesn't help when there are wires all under the desk when I have a showing.

Maybe what I am asking is not should I retire, but is it the right choice?

I have been enjoying less stress and coming home from work; I have been able to just wind down and not have projects waiting for me.

I figured that if anyone could relate it would be this crew.

Best regards,

Chris

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:05 pm Post subject:

Chris,

I think you've all ready answered your own questions, haven't you?
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Bailey · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:12 pm Post subject:

That would be a big personal choice... and saying " I have been enjoying less stress."... speaks from the heart.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:18 pm Post subject:

My opinion is, unless it's dependent upon you to put food on the table and a roof over your head(s), if you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Conversely, if it makes your life BETTER by NOT doing it, as Bob said, you've answered your own questions.
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Bruce · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:51 pm Post subject:

Voice work is soul satisfying work for many of us. We love getting behind the mic and telling stories, or explaining a customer's product or service to their satisfaction. Some of us cannot imagine doing anything else for a living.

If you're not feeling the joy, and you've got a comfortable job elsewhere, I'd say kiss the voice work goodbye.

B
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

take a hiatus and see how you feel.

Frank F · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:05 pm Post subject:

"I retire everyday."

Choose your life going forward and make it easy by not feeling the stresses you do not need. All has been said by others in the post. If you do not "need it to pay the bills", then relax and smell the roses.

Good luck with your choices and may God bless.

Frank F
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chriswagner · Contributor IV Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 114

Thanks to everyone who has answered my posting, I know it's not the usual one of "How do I get work".

And honestly I do love VO work, but as I posted earlier, it has become a hassle and just adding to the stress.

I figured I had already made the choice, I just wanted to get a "Person on the street" kind of reply, you all haven't dissapointed.

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 940

I think Bruce nailed it. Acting feeds your soul, not your stomach. Getting behind a mic, on a stage, in front of a camera, should be your escape, not your stress.

This is why I've always preached you don't go into the arts for the money. It will never be enough. Like all actors have done since the days of Shakespeare, it's the day job (and night job, weekend job, etc.) that pays the bills. If you are one of the fortunate few who ends up making a living as an actor, you are in the minority. And good for you!!! I quit my last day job in 1987, but am always realistic and available to the possibility there may come a day I'll need another. I've never relied on acting to pay my bills. I've just been beyond blessed that for almost 30 years, it has.

Acting for the pure joy of it also allows you to create a more specific and strategic career road map. It gives you the ability to say "no" if the job isn't a good fit. It's seeing the bigger picture rather than seeing job to job.

Experience is not impressive. Impressive experience is.

Now, back to the original question. Follow your gut. It just sounds like the process and the journey doesn't fulfill you. When someone asks if they should go into acting, my response is usually if you have to ask you shouldn't. Do something easier and more achievable, like becoming The Pope!

Look, I get this same itch, usually in the summer months and usually when I'm having a stellar year. And it's usually because the work I've been doing isn't doing it for me. And the money I'm banking doesn't buy me creative fulfillment. So, I start following my own advice. I get more selective. I market to the buyers I want to work with. I might take a scene study class to get those creative juices satisfied.

Bottom line, YOU are the only person who can answer if you should continue with vo.

Lizden · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:32 pm Post subject:

Nothing is ever written in stone.
As Bob Souer, said, for now you have answered your question.

But who says it has be a permanent decision?
Unless you sell off all your gear, maybe taking a break is what you need.
True, then you'd have to start more concerted marketing efforts again....but as Bruce & Bob B. said, if it doesn't feed your soul, walking away is the right decision for you.

Best of luck! Laugh

(You're always welcome to stop by & make coffee, bring cake & feed the llama!) Wink

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Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:48 pm Post subject:

It took me years to come to the realization that I am a creative person. Any job that I've had that doesn't involve 'creating', as in writing, performing, producing, etc., I've achieved little success. With the aforementioned, I've had great success. IMO, if you don't have a job, that when it comes time to go to bed, instead of shutting down your tools to begin another day, you often find yourself getting back in the saddle because something is banging around in your head and you want to let it out to see what it does, then you're not finding the satisfaction that I have found in mine. And there's nothing wrong with that. That's just what makes us different.

Granted, there is tedium to everything, but overall, I consider myself so blessed to be able to make a living at what I do, that if I wasn't able to make money at it, I'd still find a way to do it as a hobby.

I think that's what Bruce and Bob are saying and I just wanted to amplify that thought. If it doesn't get you like that, and you can be happier NOT doing it, then that's exactly what you should do.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject:

And I would just like to add, that I realize that anything I post with any depth or meaning, is totally negated by the avatar that sits next to it. I'm totally aware of that and I should just end with, 'I yam what I yam... toot toot!' and be done with it.
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Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the Paramedics

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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:04 pm Post subject:

I used to play in a Brass Band, a Big Band and a Jazz and Blues Band, I no longer play any musical instrument. The music was about being with other people and about the joy of the performance. Life is about love, people, joy and the performance.

I enjoy my job very much, but it is just a job.

Your life is complete, it's impossible to make things MORE complete. Enjoy your next step.

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 4:08 am Post subject:

Rob's suggestion of a hiatus is a good one. Step back for a while and see how you feel. I can compare it to the day I left radio. I haven't missed it one bit.

Like most of the folks here, I'm asked about "breaking into VO" on a regular basis. One of the things I always say is "if it's your hearts desire...go for it. If not, find something else".
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chriswagner · Contributor IV Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 114

I love all of the responses, Thank you!

Part of the problem is that I love doing VO, I find it very satisfying. On the other hand I make a little more than twice what I made in my best year with VO.

And financially I need to have a more regularly well paying job. I like what I do in my "Clark Kent" job, so job satisfaction is not an issue.

It's just hard to pack it all up, lock the cabinet door and walk away for a while, or forever, or somewhere in between.