VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

mythwoman · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject: From Texas to LA

I have looked over the countless topics under agents and can well imagine that the majority here are sick of others asking questions regarding them. But please give me a chance on this. As most of you know from GEAR I put together my home recording studio, and have already sent in to auditions to my agent in Houston. Texas is a good market for voiceovers, however, I, my parents, and professionals I've spoken to in the biz all pretty much agree that my voice is... well, young. I've been told that's a good thing for cartoons, anime, videogames and childrens products and yet those markets are rare occurences in Texas because the voice market is mainly commercials, sports announcements, political announcements, trailers, and so on. I have listened to all the women voice samples on my agent's website and while I like the fact that I sound different from most if not all of them, it is they who have the adult, mature voices that will likely get the jobs for car commercials, or narrations and announcements.

Now a majority of the advertising agents that I've sent my demo to here in Texas have e-mailed me saying that they like my voice but its young for what they are looking far and some have said that I should consider pursuing the LA market since that's where the jobs are available (and yes, I know its highly competitive) in cartoons, anime, and video games.

I have noticed that many voice actors live in one state but have agents in other states, even LA. Can you guys give me advice of whether I should pursue an LA agent from Texas?

I'd rather not move out there, though I am open to traveling there for jobs. Yet if there is soooo much talent over there as it is, I can't fathom why they would take a chance in me. I don't mean to be pessimistic, just realistic. And I value advice.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject:

Check out Marketing Mania-- http://www.mktmania.com/
They're looking for young-sounding voices.

I don't know how to persue an LA agent from Texas, but believe me, there's hot stuff in Anime going on in Texas. I was at an anime convention in Boston a couple of years ago and some of the most interesting and successful speakers were from Texas studios-- like in Houston and Austin.

Some dilligent Googling might land you in the right place.
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Hart · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:49 pm Post subject:

dhouston67 · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:58 pm Post subject:

Deirdre,

It's pretty much all in Houston (ADV Films) and Dallas (FUNimation Studios) now. Austin once had ADV and a studio called Monster Island, but both have moved or closed up shop within the last couple of years. (Just one of the reasons, no doubt, why local agents are telling me "you're great, but VO work is too slow to take you on right now"...but I digress.)
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Frank F · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:38 pm Post subject:

Different is GOOD! Enjoy being different and "younger sounding" - I wish at times I could do that.

Please remember, if you have no track record, your problably not going to get an "agent" to look at you. The reason: an agent is looking for the same thing you and I are... money. If you have a clientele, an agent will be interested. If you do not, an agent won't.

If you have the talent it does not matter what market you are in - you CAN make it work for you.

Celebrate your difference. Imagine this, "...make your commercial or narration or... stand out in the crowd of those solid, mature, deep, ominous - or for the female talent - sultry, mature, motherly, stable voice over talents you have been using for the past 30 years... I speak to the younger crowd, the age group where spendable cash is a way of life...".

I am in a market where there are nine million wanna-be's, and I'm one of them... but I get my fair share and then some... mostly due to longeviety and the fact that I hold the children hostage until they hire me for VO's... but I make a pretty good living from THIS market. I do have other markets I venture into when I crave my double mocha white chocolate latte with a kick... but that's another subject.

Find where your voice will make the difference. And, please - p-l-e-a-s-e... do not listen to relatives or good friends when making your decisions about the business... although well meaning, how many of them are running a successful business in Voice Overs?

This is not a business where you can become discouraged if you really want to make it in the business... you will have to work and work hard to make a buck, but you can if you are willing.

Frank F

Christopher French · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject:

I took a look at their website. I like it. Once I have a demo up, I think I'm going to send it to them.
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SheSpeaksCopy · Guest

I really don't know anything about agents. I do know that there is a very nice market in the Nashville-Murfreesboro area for new VO talent. Nashville has a huge market for audio books and tourism. There are also a lot of smaller radio stations looking for fresh voices.

Another thing you can do is market yourself directly to the companies who are heavily using radio advertising. You can research the demographics for several of the larger stations you want to work with. Record the spots that were getting peak airtime and market yourself to those companies. You need to revise the commercial spots a bit, record them and then shop yourself directly to those companies. Go visit these businesses, speak with the owners, play your demo for them (leave a copy) and market yourself as a "fresh voice" in the area.

Those business owners will be flattered! NOTE:When you leave that demo, it will be played many times (People love to hear their own advertising) They will be the "first XXXXX company to use your voice" Their ads will sound different then the competitions because they have "their own professional voice" to perform their spots.

The radio stations won't complain becuase they survive from their advertisers. When a deep pocketed advertiser decides to" bring in their own professional voice" NO ONE is going to tell them "NO." This is one way to get your foot in the door, be heard and have a heavy hitter business promote your voice. "Validation through Association" can be a wonderful tool for getting a career started.

Success is all about marketing. Rejoice in the fact you have a youthful voice. Target the businesses and organizations who would be the most likely to use it.

Sorry this was so long. Hope it helps you. Smile

Hart · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:43 am Post subject:

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

Good POV's here.

If you're looking to land an agent in LA you have to move to LA. The chances of a reputable LA agent signing out of town voice-talent is slim and although it might happen with VO's, it's usually the ones that have YEARS of experience plus their own ISDN line available at the drop of a dime that get the contract even if they're out-of-town talent.

Frank F is dead on when he says not to allow friends and family to guide you in making career decisions. They might mean well, but in the end it's YOUR career.

In terms of having a young voice - please don't pigeon hole yourself nor allow agents' comments to do the same. Young voices are used in many commercials, not just cartoons and video games. Read AdWeek to stay on top of current trends. Plenty of computer and ISP commercials are using young voices. When an agent tells you that you're too young, that probably means that they have someone like you already on their roster. Remember, if an agent has 100 voices on their roster, then they really have almost 200 voices (i.e., freelancers and side-pocketed clients). Or, they're just not interested but don't want to burn bridges just in case you gain experience. "You have a good voice, but" usually means they think you're too green.

There are two very good books on agents that I would strongly suggest you read:

How To Agent Your Agent by Nancy Rainford
Ask an Agent: Everything Actors Need To Know About Agents by Margaret Emory

They are very, very fun, entertaining, and insightful reads. Although they're sometimes anecdotal, but what book written by someone in the entertainment industry isn't?

Best of luck.
-Anthony

btw - here's an interesting article on moving to LA.

Hart · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:01 am Post subject:

I love LA. Never lived there but visited several times. I dream of moving there one day, but my wife can't stand the notion of moving any farther away from the Gulf Coast than we already are. Proves one of the points made in the article about "roots" and all that. It's not my thread, but thank you Anthony for sharing it.
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mcm · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:08 am Post subject:

What wonderful advice, all of it.

Anthony is so right about the pigeonholing thing. Whatever kind of voice you have, it's your voice and it is the right voice for many many kinds of reads. No need to lament that you don't have so & so's sound, nor tryto be everything to every casting director or agent. Be yourself and love that. And you'll go far.