Stats? What for? They don't work!

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

I know we've talked about this before, but I'd be willing to pay twice the subscription price if there were more leads that didn't require custom demos. It's truly absurd to have to labor over a bunch of $100 auditions, on a time restraint no less, then choose a related demo anyway, yada yada. Time is money, and if you're busy with other marketing and other projects (or perhaps a day job?) this would be of enormous benefit. Even if you don't get many private leads.

Couldn't seekers just choose from some generic demos, then "call back" on those they truly like for a custom? That would save us from "low rankings", and, more importantly, lots of wasted time for both seeker and sought.

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

Even though I'm working in the NYC area now. I grew up in the south and my manners reflect that. If you want to insult how someone runs their house you don't do it at their house party......Even if you did pay $300 for the evening dress that you wear there.

I would hate to see Voice123 shut down these boards and they can and they might. Everyone is allowed to post on these boards....not just members. These boards can be a good tool for exposure of your demos and recordings. It should not be taken for granted.

If you think voices or some other site is better than v123.......why not express that opinion on their boards where it will sound like a positive statement. I'm not a moderator but......I feel that this negativity is only going to bring into your life more negativity. This is not directed to any one person by the way.

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

I am a moderator, I run this site, and I think Diane is right as usual.

Be nice.

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

Well I totally agree with using more generic demos.....I don't really audition for IVR stuff but, that is one place that I think a generic demo should be allowed. I also think that more use of generic demos would stop a lot of theft. My comment was not meant to reflect on Diane directly. I consider both Diane and her husband Robert to be my friends.

I did have someone who is rather BIG in the industry tell me that although Union casting people do not come to this site as often as we do they do come here. Agents and other important people occasionally read these boards and are turned off by the negativity that is on them and then brand the people as negative.........This person went on to tell me that I shouldn't even post my stuff on Reads and Leads. Pointed out that if the people who complain about not getting enough work are the same people critiquing my demo.....well.....why should I care what they think.........I don't feel this way.....and I respect everyone's opinion and I'm sure I will keep posting stuff although not as much as I have in the past.

So the only reason I bring up the point of trying to be more positive instead of just avoiding the thread....is because I want to help my friends.

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Thanks, Deby, but my husband's name is John, (Robert and I are just friends) and I have plenty of work -- I even had some from here. Just not enough of the kind I'm looking for has been posted at 123, so no need for concern. I was making suggestions for what I'd like to see on ANY PTP site, not just 123.

JC Haze · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 86

OK...so maybe my words were harsh.
That's my "Italian" coming out! It sounds like I have ruffled some feathers in the wrong places.(what? Actors...emotional??!!!)

I apologize for being a negative Nellie on this issue. I'm usually a very positive person. I was just very upset when I read the words printed about how "we don't matter." I'm not one of these people who spend their lives blogging and commenting in a negative fashion. Like life itself, message boards consist of people on BOTH sides of the fence...and some that never leave the middle. And that's fine...that's what makes the world go round.
But when I see an injustice, it is sometimes difficult to just sit idly by (see "Italian" comment above) Wink

Deby, I appreciate your reaching-out to your fellow VO's with sage advice. In the long run...our goals are probably the same.

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Hey, JC, man -- you weren't being negative. Tastefully dissenting, is all. You Italian too -- an Italian ACTOR? Me too! Funny our names -- Haze, Havens. You'd never know. You wouldn't be from New York, would you? I have to defend us New Yorkers again -- sure we can be gruff, but hearts of gold. Cynical sure, but mush inside. Just look how we pull together in catastrophe.

Sure we have our faults, who doesn't? But I LOVE New York -- it's my homeland. And, yeah, New Yorkers, too.

(You gotta problem with that?)

Have a beautiful, happy day! Very Happy

JC Haze · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 86

Let's just say the name I was BORN with ends in a vowel!
Gabish?

And how on earth did you figure out I was from NY?!!
Thanks for the reply. I'll PM You...because it seems we've HIJACKED this thread...

Deby Cedars · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 1482

I'm glad everyone has plenty of work. I myself have plenty of non union wage work. I think all of us could use some union wage work!!! I mean if you don't have ISDN or Source Connect wouldn't be nice to get paid so much as a voice talent that you could afford it and, that it would be a necessity. I realize that you people are not always negative. I myself have taken issues (like not getting paid for my work) to these boards. I think the best place to take these issues is to customer service.

Personally....I know that I work towards putting out a certain image. I want my avatar to say bright, happy, fun, a day at the beach or lake. I work hard at making my resume something that inspires people not just to hire me but, hire me at union wages or, at least good wages. I just think that it's important not to then ruin that work by posting something on the boards that makes people..... who may not even know how to access your demo.....not want to hear you.

Another words branding yourself as a voice123 reject just doesn't make good marketing sense to me. What if someone at voices-com was interested in hiring you and google searched your name and came across this thread.....would it help you get the job?

Also....It's very clear to me that the smartcast system is here to stay. So trying to change Alex's mind is.....basically a waste of time.....and to a voice seeker....who's never been on this end of it...... is just going to make you look bad.

If I didn't care about you and your career I woudn't bother to post such a long posting. I love NYC too. I'm there every week.

Greg Houser · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 174

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Oh, I definitely agree with you, Deby. I wouldn't want that either -- but unfortunately there could be hundreds of things we say here that might make people not want to hear you.

Maybe the seeker doesn't LIKE puppy dogs -- might be a cat person, or one's taste in music -- could HATE jazz, or may not like one's off-color remarks, or the fact one would do politicals or ads against one's belief system, etc. etc.

I don't think anything I have said ever on these boards has been offensive or inappropriate in the least. Sometimes, I'm just plain having fun with it. You gotta laugh when all else fails. I am merely throwing ideas out there. And I just decided not to renew here -- no one rejected me. And I didn't start a dramatic departure thread about it either. I just quietly did not renew. And I HAVE written more than once to customer service, not just at 123 but at other sites too. None is perfect by a long shot.

I wish you nothing but the best of success -- each of us will make our own decisions about how to get there. Because each of us defines success in a different way.

I certainly respect your feelings about this, and happy you love NY too -- we can be very nice here, as you know!

Peace,

Ron Reid · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 98

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Ron Reid · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 98

I said, "Right Mind" Wink

Greg Houser · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 174

yes, but that is a customer which they do not have any interaction with.

A shareholder, on the other hand is treated quite nicely.

It's all about perspective.