I Need Experience More Than Money Or a Job

Charles Gray

I welcome the oppprtunity to do any work (voiceovers) for talent seekers free of charge, for now. I am in college presently, and I am learning the business from the ground up. If interested please respond, As of now I don't have a demo, but I will in a week or two..

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 14:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Charles, I'm going to respond to try to help you and say what I'm betting a lot of us are thinking here, after having read a bunch of your posts.

You sound like a vibrant, enthusiastic guy with a great heart and a burning desire. Based on what I've heard of your story so far, I'm betting there are no obstacles you can't overcome.

But you're going to have to be realistic about what it's going to take to get into this business.

For starters, you ARE going to have to put a full-blown professional demo out for everyone to be able to judge what you can do. No one, and I mean NO ONE is going to hire you without hearing what you can do. Also, putting a post here on the voiceoversavvy forum begging for free work won't get you where you need to be.

If you need experience, you need to work around some radio stations and production houses. Learn the ins and outs of the hardware, software and VOICEware of this business. If you do not have the vocal talent AND the technical skills to meet the demands of the clients, you won't last day one here.

I admire your passion. Truly I do. I hope it propels you to where you want to be. But don't put the cart ahead of the horse. Here's a plan you need to follow and I really, really suggest you consider doing so:

- Contact every single production company and radio station within 100 miles of where you live. Try to get on in any capacity you can, whether it's interning, part-time, full-time... whatever.
- At the same time, seek out local acting and voice-acting/voice-training classes to learn the skills and tricks of the trade. You may find some at local theater groups or offered through local talent agencies.
- When you think you're ready - and be realistic here, it may not be for 6 months or several YEARS from now - go PAY to get a PROFESSIONAL demo produced.
- When your demo is good enough to catch the ears of some prospective clients, become a paying member of some of the internet voiceover sites AND market yourself locally to agencies, video production companies and so on.

I really look forward to hearing what you can do and I expect BIG things out of you. But please don't worry about begging for free work on voice123.com. That is NOT going to get you where you need to be, nor do I think a soul here would hire someone who is so desperate for the work they want to do it for nothing.

The bottom line in what clients want (with a few exceptions) is the quality of the voice, not how little it costs.

Victor Harris · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 15:16 (GMT) Post subject:

You know what the scariest part of his "work for free" offer is? I have no doubt that some freeloading scum talent seekers on here, will take him up on his offer!!!! Evil or Very Mad

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 17:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 18:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Charles - there's plenty of that kind of work on Craigslist ... let's try to keep it there.

Cameron Thomas · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 20:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Go for it! I recently offered a freebie as a good will gesture to a producer who sent some work my way. I'm always looking for ways to improve and a freebie here and there can't hurt. As in any trade, freebies can be a good way to start off....like they said, just don't get taken advantage of. I'm not sure if you'd get many hits off the forum. Experience is experience though.

Good luck!
Cameron

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 20:54 (GMT) Post subject:

I was turned on to a place that's perfect for actors of all types, including VO's.

Its perfect for those people willing to give up some or all pay just for some work to throw on their reels for experience.

It really is better for the people in the larger markets (NYC, LA, etc)

BUT, what really makes it even more cool, is that it gives you the skinny on where the free and low cost acting classes are going on in the cities.

mandy dot com

I hope this doesn't get deleted because its really no any competition to this site.

Be Well. Smile

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007, 21:44 (GMT) Post subject:

There are a ton of non-pay groups making fan audio out there.

Check out the Voice Acting Alliance (I think that's the name) for postings and info...

Google is your friend,
Joe

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 02:37 (GMT) Post subject: An offer he can't refuse

Hey Charles,
I'm wondering how much you'd pay me to hire you to do a job.

I was thinkging $150

Let me know

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 06:29 (GMT) Post subject: Re: An offer he can't refuse

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 06:44 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm gonna speak to Freddie about this. You lowballers are pissin' me off! J.S. 300 and you've got a deal. Shocked

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 06:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Crap- I hate bidding wars --- J.S. I'll give you $200 and a '78 Vega wagon. It doesn't run but it's got kick-ass Kraco speakers!

Allen Scofield · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 07:34 (GMT) Post subject:

I'll see your $200 Todd and raise you a 1973 Ford Gran Torino (runs great and has low miles).

Scott Nilsen · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007, 09:01 (GMT) Post subject:

$233 cash, a 60" long dining room table that doesn't fit in here, a used (but working) dryer, a card table, a collection of spoons from around the country, half a dozen baskets of varying sizes, a playpen, and a bowl of dead flower petals.

I just came from the garage, where I noticed that our association's community garage sale can't come too soon.