So is it okay to be a newbie?

LeeAnn Benavides

Seriously...after browsing through this thread I am so intimidated by you all. You all are so wonderful, and here I am new and alone in this vast talented arena. Shocked

But let me introduce myself. My name is LeeAnn and I have zero, I mean zero experience. I have read all thats been posted about practicing, and reading up on here, which I plan to do very earnestly but I just want to say that this is a part time, stay at home, let's see what happens thing. I am by no means looking to get rich, or even reach celebrity status.
Is it okay to be here, and to learn the most that I can in order to be successful in my own way? I hope so. I eagerly look forward to getting to know each of you better.

Thank you! Have a wonderfully talented day! Very Happy

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007, 12:56 (GMT) Post subject:

LeeAnn,

of course it is ok!! We were ALL newbies at some point, many of us just didn't have the privilege of having such marvelous resources like this forum or others at our disposal! Very Happy

You do, and you should take full advantage of it; suck in all the info and advice, ask questions and then go practice, practice, practice!

Good luck, and welcome!

Claire Dodin · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007, 18:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi LeeAnn,
as Jacob said: we all had to start somewhere! So yes, it's ok to be a newbie!
Welcome to savvy!
That said, as you've started reading the forum, you know the general advice one could give you.
Here's one a little more specific: I think you should remove the demo you've got on your page.
It's the first thing a client will listen to and it's not a voice-over demo, it's more a quick snap of what you do on radio, it is the wrong kind of recording for here I think.
You say on your profile that you are versatile and can do all sorts of voices from narrations to commercials, well, that's what your demo should show.
But I'm sure you've read one of the most important rules: don't record a demo until you are ready. So don't jump on it, keep reading, listening and practicing!
good luck! Very Happy

Joe Rodriguez

Ken Balme · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007, 14:16 (GMT) Post subject: Newbie here as well

Hi All. New to the VO talent industry as well. I've been working for over 10 years as a professional communicator in the computer software industry that has me in constant contact with the general public. On more than one ocassion, I've been told I had a great radio or phone voice. So recently I felt moved to get my VO career in gear.

Kim White · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007, 01:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Leann & Ken,

Welcome! I'm a fellow newbie, too. If I may suggest, you'll learn a LOT by reading and reading and reading posts. In just a short time, I'm amazed at the information available here. There are some wonderful and helpful folks who can help you on your journey.

The greatest 2 things I've learned here in the past 4 months:
1. Don't demo too early.
2. NEVER give up.

Blessings to you!
Newbie one can you be!

Allison Scussel · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007, 05:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007, 13:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison makes her usual great and valid points. Let me chime in, too.

Above Allison Ken remarked that he's been told he has a great phone voice. By the way, Ken, honestly... the LAST thing the world needs is another 'radio' voice.

There are approximately 475 million great voices in the world. There are also approximately 900 million average to crappy voices. Having a great voice helps, but is by no means whatsoever any barometer of success. Listen to some of the great voices you hear in animated films and hawking stuff on commercials. It's not that they have clean, clear, perfect-diction voices (my gosh, listen to Bobcat Goldthwaite!). The reason they're successful is because:

- Their voice is DIFFERENT, recognizable, unique. That doesn't mean you have to be famous, you just need something to make you stand apart from the 14 million other voices you're competing against. I'm not famous, but have been told my ever-so-slight Southern accent makes my sound 'unique'.
- They can bring a script alive. This is where actors have a HUGE advantage over everyone else. Anyone can talk. But it's the rare few who can take a sheet of paper and breathe life into it! Allison mentioned acting courses in her response and she is dead on. Also take voice-acting courses.

So to all newbies (and yes, we ALL started there!) I wish you well. Just be prepared to be honest with yourself as to whether you have what it takes, are willing to put in the time and work to get to where you need to be, and can accept an almost endless stream of rejections. I'm not kidding... the most successful talents on this site only land one out of every 60-100 auditions they send in. And that's the MOST SUCCESSFUL TALENTS HERE. So be prepared. It's a tough, tough, hard-as-nails business that you will NOT succeed in if you go into it lightly or frivolously. It IS a business, like any other, not a game or a whim.

But if you have the gumption, the tenacity, the humility to study, learn, and accept criticism, and you can grow as a talent AND learn how to market yourself, it can be a great career to be in.

Kim White · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007, 13:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott,

WOW! Can we make this post a 'sticky' at the top of the newbie thread? A dose of realism that's not chased by intimidation.
applaus