Just some questions...

Charles Chism · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Hello Everyone,

Just a few questions:

When auditioning are the scripts expected to be complete with back ground music and or sound effects?

What are some suggestions for watermarks? Simple voice statements, beeps?

Should more than one or two demos be submitted for a job (i.e. alternate readings)?

Thanks in advance!

Chas

Allen Brown · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007, 00:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Charles!

These subjects have been discussed at length on this board.

I'm sure some helpful souls will help you out here, but until they chime in, why not use the search function?

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007, 20:11 (GMT) Post subject: hmmmm

Hi Charles,
These are very good questions and they have not only been discussed throughout these forums, but debated. There are a lot of varying opinions regarding some of the answers.

I will offer you a little of my thinking.

I very rarely, almost never hand in an audition with background music and/or effects. As someone who also hires talent, I will often pull in auditions from numerous sources - agents, online services and direct through unrepresented talent. It's important to compare apples with apples. Additionally, the actor may not have my vision with regards to music and/or effects and processing. One of the "Pros on here" compresses his voice to the point where it pummels my speakers. I discussed this with him and he continued, unfortunately he can no longer be considered for my jobs. You'll also find several ofthe people booking talent are composers and you certainkly don't want to put music on a spot when they're trying to sell original compositions.

I should also say that I am represented by several talent agents". I have never, ever submitted a produced demo for any of the jobs. I have occasionally put an effecton a few words or played with a slate, but that's as far as it goes.

But more importantly, talent have it tough enough as is. It takes a lot of time to do an audition dry. Do we really want to set the bar even higher and say that it's alright for a talent to spend 2 hours on an audition that probably they won't get booked on. Even if it's a spot paying $350, consider the average for represented talent in L.A. is booking 1 out of 47 auditions, even spending 30 minutes to record and produce an uadition would mean over 22 hours to book that potential $350 job.

There are talented individuals on here who will argue with me on most of these points. There are also untalented individuals who will argue with me. There are also individuals on ehre who will argue with their undershirts. Get a feel for what you are comfortable with. AND - if the clinet specifies one way or the other, then obviously what they say goes. Another reason not to produce is simply that when you do, you get judged on not just whether you sound right, but also whether you can produce. 2 ways to get rejected.

I'd like to see it go the other way and have everybody get paid $10 per audition. I wonder how many people would ask for 150 submissions if that were the case. Ah, but I digress.

I hate watermarks. If somebody wants to steal my stuff, then I hope when I meet them in the great beyond, they will have a check waiting for me. Simply make sure that if you're reading for a 60 second commercial, you take 63 seconds and leave out 3 words. Similarly, if it's for a web project, just leave out a line.

Much better than the distraction of a periodic beep. Again, my agents don't watermark.

Usually, if the client has expressed 2 different ways that an audition could be done, such as "sincer, newsperson read" and "blue collar, real person", it's often okay to try it both ways, if you're suited to read both ways. Slate by saying your name then take 1. If it's a tag or something short, it's usually considered okay to present an A, B and a C read, again spearated by saying take 1, take 2 and take 3

That's my 9 cents (2 cents adjusted for inflation).

Good Luck,
j.s. gilbert

Charles Chism · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

I just wanted to say thank you to the folks that have replied. My concern now is that there doesn't seem to be an industry standard on the "right" way to do things.

Being a contracted type of business everything depends on what the client is seeking, which can account for the varied opinions and experiences.

The problem is that it seems one faux pas can ruin your reputation before it even gets started. Dry vs produced, to watermark or not, number of takes and a host of other issues involved.

Its all very confusing, but I'll keep trying. I've invested too much time energy and money to quit now.

I'm especially grateful that a talent seeker responded with his opinion here.
That helps a lot.
I'd like to hear from others regarding this issue if possible but I am aware that people do tend to tire of going over "old ground" and so I will continue to search the forums for older discussions.

Again I thank all of you who responded here and any who will do so in the future. Even though these discussions may be old to some it helps to keep them refreshed as opinions may change.

Thanks again,

Charles

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007, 16:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Charles,

J.S. is dead-on in every point he makes here. You'd be wise to heed his well-earned expertise.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007, 17:14 (GMT) Post subject: thanks

Thanks Scott,

I hope that my posts get people to think. In fact I learn quite a bit being here. And I enjoy when someone gets me to see something in a way that I have not looked at before.

As I have mentioned in other posts, I don't sell anything- no books, classes, etc. I gain nothing by being here and in fact maybe lose a few points due to some of my posts. I also encourage people to contact me directly at jsgilbert@pacbell.net and I will do my best to help and get back to them as quickly as possible.

There are a lot of people here who have points that are quite contradictory to mine and are also very valid. There are also a lot of opinions that come from individuals who have very little invested in this or perhaps any other industry. It's important to take lots of things into account before declaring anything as gospel.

good luck,

--js

Lance Blair · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007, 04:52 (GMT) Post subject:

I was originally going to post how dead-on accurate JS's post was, but I figured that someone else would do that, and I was interested to see who would.

Of course, it's good to see that it was Scott Pollak answering the call: another VOA who knows what they are talking about.

Oh, and yes I detest watermarks. I was lucky enough to go to schools that used the "honor system" for discipline. No locks on the lockers, etc. I'd rather get ripped off every now and then and feel free than live constantly under lock and key. If you get ripped off too much you don't need to beef up your security, you need to change the company you keep. The watermark route is far too uptight and defensive for me, but I respect the paranoia of others if they feel the need to use it. Certain people such as Royalty-Free music providers ought to use watermarks, but VOAs auditioning on internet sites don't need them: just follow J.S's advice.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007, 18:15 (GMT) Post subject: Faus pax

Charles,
I wouldn't think that one faus pax will hurt your reputation. If that were the case, I surely wouldn't still be around. If you always try to do your work from the postion of being a "problem solver", then you will contantly challenge yourself to get better at all areas, your craft, marketing, self-direction and so forth.

The only thing I do often advise people trying to make a go of it in this biz, is "The nicest thing about banging your head against the wall is stopping."

I suggest putting together a business plan with reasonable goals and milestones. It does nobody any good to go bankrupt trying to make it as a voice actor.

Good Luck,
j.s.