VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[sandyg]

I've been attending workshops at my Voice-Over coaches studio in NYC for over a year. There's always a guest casting director or talent agent from one of the major agencies in the City who listens to the readings given by the attendees and offers a critique.

I've asked my voice-over coach how to go about getting an agent to represent me and he, naturally, says that this is accomplished with continued attendance at these workshops. I believe that this is certainly one method. However, I don't believe it's the only way of doing this.

I'd appreciate any input regarding this. I just cannot believe that there's no other recourse for getting representation.

Help!

Sandy G

[Deirdre]

Dear Sandy,

You find an agent much in the same way you find VO work. Load o' prospecting.
Find the agencies that are likely to represent someone of your level of expertise.
You can find many agents listed at VoiceBank.net.
Click on House Reels and you'lll find a list of all kinds of agents in all the major cities.

Check out their website, make query phone calls. Be ready to send a sharp-looking demo package, or direct (via e-mail) the agent or his assistant to your website.

If you do send a demo CD, you get to make a followup call a week later to see if it has arrived (but don't ask if they've listened) and thank them for their time.

If you e-mailed a link to your website, you may write a not a week later to say you hope they found the website easily and thank them for their time.

lather, rinse, repeat with other agents.

Then wait.
and hope.
And keep on working.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[sandyg]

Thanks for your prompt response!

For brevity's sake, I didn't mention that I've been sending out my demo reels weekly for a year +. I mail at least a dozen a week. I've not referred anyone to my websites (voice123, voices.com) simply because I've got no depth of work to show. I'm smothered by almost everyone else.

Usually, I follow up my demo reel mailings with a postcard about two months later. On it I request the agent's or director's e-mail so that I can send an MP3 file, just in case they didn't receive the reel itself.

I guess I'll just keep plugging.

Sandy G

[tackerman]

I hope you're not sending to the same agent that frequently!

I usually give it 4-6 months before I hit 'em up again. Good luck!

[Deirdre]

You shouldn't send an agent to a V123 or Voices website.
Get a website of your own before you use that as a marketing tool.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[sandyg]

I 've never sent a 2nd CD Demo Reel to any of the same offices I've already communicated with, for at least one year. As a matter of fact, I've only had my Commercial Demo Reel to send until now. Yesterday, I recorded another Demo Reel. This one is a Narration Demo Reel. When this is completed, I'll then begin mailings to those agencies I've previously sent my Commercial Reel to.

I'm open to suggestions on how to set up my own website, outside of voice123 or voices.com. I'm hoping that it can be easy to accomplish and as cost-effective as possible.

Incidentally, if I sound like I'm unfamiliar with some of this, it's because I am. Plus, if this means anything, I'm 72.

Regards to all who continue to assist.

Sandy G

[Chuck Davis]

Take a look at the websites of the membership here. You'll get a good idea of what you like and don't like...and what works for the folks that own the sites. Just ask around.

Getting it built can be very easy. I used elance.com. Simply posted what kind of site I was interested in having built and chose a site builder from all those who bid on the job.

The most important thing to have first though is your demos. Make sure they represent the best of your talent and are produced to sound absolutely professional.
_________________
Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com

[Bill Campbell]

Sandy G said...

"Incidentally, if I sound like I'm unfamiliar with some of this, it's because I am. Plus, if this means anything, I'm 72"

72 is the new 50! You should be able to use your age as an advantage for
VO jobs, unless you still sound 30. Go for it, full speed!
_________________
www.asapaudio.com

[asnively]

If you've been sending that many demos out every week for a year or more, and have gotten little response, are you sure your demo is up to professional snuff? You may wish to post it here for a critique and see if we can't help you find ways to make it more competitive.
_________________
grapefruit pics

[Yoda117]

I'm with asnively on this.

I think that if you're constantly running up against the wall, that there's got to be a reason. A quick critique of your demo is definitely in order.
_________________
Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

[sandyg]

Thank you very much for your kind responses, all you lovely people.

My Commercial Demo Reel was made at my voice-over coaching studio in New York City, "R Voice-Over Coaching", subsequent to completing a series of one-on-one voice over classes. I'm certain that many of you know of it if, indeed, you've not personally had contact with them.

I've no reason to believe that I wasn't getting my full value throughout any of this. As I've mentioned, I've since attended, and continue to attend, numerous voice-over workshops at this studio, attended by notable agents and casting directors from major agencies.

I've just completed recording, at the same studio, a Narration Demo Reel, which will take another week or so before I receive it.

I'd like to post my MP3 recording here to be critiqued. Please tell me how to do that. I can't find anything that says "attachment".

Sandy G [/img]

[Deirdre]

Sandy,

Read this:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB