Okay, so who got this one?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 17:01 (GMT) Post subject: Okay, so who got this one?

I just got yet another "Thanks for responding, BUT......." reply from this lead:
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Each of us knows what it is to be limited.

And each of us dreams of moving beyond those limits. And in building our own individual characters, the effort we make to press those limits leads us to new standards, . .
. . . new heights.
We stretch ourselves and move beyond our previous perceptions, our current level of excellence.

And in each of those new heights, we see further possibilities we never understood before.

As we stand before those limits, we make a promise to ourselves to go beyond them, beyond our present sense of excellence, no matter how daunting.

And so, we grow in character,
we learn greater value,
In excellence we define ourselves, not only as individuals, but as an organization.
We are leaders who provide value and excellence to patients; we dare to go beyond who we are today to become even more tomorrow.

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I'd love to know who got it and hear the winning audition.

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 17:11 (GMT) Post subject:

I got a "thanks, but no thanks" e-mail for it also...
Joe

John M. Thomas · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 17:31 (GMT) Post subject:

I responded and got NADA!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 17:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Here's another one that just came in. Yet ANOTHER "thanks, but...."

And I thought it was one of my better auditions, but what do I know?
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And, if you close on a home this year, you’ll receive a tabletop BBQ Grill. It’s just the thing to get you warmed up for the Roots ’N Blues ’N BBQ Festival.

Boone County National Bank.
Other banks have branches. We have roots.
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Who got it?

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 17:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott....at least your's are being considered......I submitted for both of those and thought they were pretty good, but didn't even get thanks but no thanks responses, so apparently I wasn't even in the running. Good job man, considering how many people auditioned for those....to be a runner up is pretty good.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah, Scott... I did the bank I know and I thought pretty darn well and no response whatsoever. Were you early in maybe and they got tired of sending them? I almost NEVER get a "thanks but no thanks." (...or any other type of response for that matter.) I did get an email over the weekend that was a "private lead" but all they could talk about is their old phone system and it's weird file requirements that no one seems to be able to figure out. I've had two situations like that recently. I had to tell a local guy that "I iam not a phone system technician." Geeze, talent be damned, can you figure out our PBX, if you can then you're in. Where's the glory?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:08 (GMT) Post subject:

I have absolutely no idea where I fell in the realm of early or late responders. I know today I was one of the earliest. On one I may have been the first response. I don't think that has a lot of bearing on these "Dear John..." letters from the clients, unless you're so late into the fray that they simply quit listening after the 4000th submission.

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:13 (GMT) Post subject:

I am always after the 125 mark, but usually after the 160 mark in my submissions.....a couple of times I caught a lead that only had between 70 and 80 responses, but by the time I submitted it had already jumped beyond the 125 mark. Oh well......I've heard of many people who land gigs having submitted at over the 200 mark. So, who knows.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Imagine listening to 200 auditions and I'm sure most are generic demos and bad (hence many who say "only custom auditions will be considered") ...and then finally hearing a decent one. That's another thing, if they find one say at 150 they like, I'm sure they stop at least at that piont. I can't see them thinking "there might be one just a little bit better."

Cira Larkin - Studio 53 · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:39 (GMT) Post subject: Anyone gotten this one?

Just curious if anyone else here has gotten this one. This guy called me at home and we briefly spoke about the project. He asked me to revoice my original custom demo (I watermarked it), and I haven't heard hide-nor-hair from him since. It may be that I've made the cut and he'll call on me when the time comes. Or my demo sounded really crappy the second time around. Anyhoo, here's the lead:

"Thank you, Cira, for your demo. You have been chosen as one of our potential voice talents. We had a terrific response and are now in the process of casting our final talent pool.

Please be aware that this is an on-going project and is expected to continue over the next 24 to 36 months. Initially there will be only a few scripts to read, but as we ramp up more and more the volume will increase. This means that although you may not be contacted immediately, you will be in our select group of readers and may be contacted numerous times during this period".

It's a little disheartening to have the carrot dangled in front of your nose, then yanked away. Crying or Very sad

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:46 (GMT) Post subject:

I like how they refer to talent as "readers." Yeah, most of us are literate.

Cira Larkin - Studio 53 · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 18:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Right, Colin---considering that us "readers" have to make their abysmal copy sound like music.

But, no, I'm not bitter, I'm not. Evil or Very Mad

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 19:05 (GMT) Post subject: Cira got one? Or not?

I wouldn't be too worried, Cira. At least you got a good look at the carrot, which is hopeful.
It doesn't sound shifty to me, and many productions run into an awful lot of technical and creative snags.
I receive a weekly message from a client who selected me back in November, pleading with me to remain patient..."we'll be doing it soon, I promise."
As if I'm going to refuse the job whenever it truly materializes.
As long as you watermarked and haven't given them any money, the worst that can happen is you get NADA. And we're all pretty used to that.
But I do wonder at so many clients mentioning "huge projects" and "many more down the line." That always sounds so self-congratulatory that it makes me doubtful.
But hey, just
Voice On!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 19:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Ciara, I got the same response and actually talked to the guy on the phone, if this is the same project. Is it for audio books? If so, I THINK it's legit, but who knows......

J.S. Gilbert

For those of you with agents, you may get the dreaded "Check avails". This means somebody is checking to see your general availability for a day, days, week, etc. The idea being is that if you get offered something else at that time, your agent or you will make sure that this portential client is notified. In my history of doing v.o., I can safely say that I have actually booked less than 10% of my check avails.

So why do this? Or why on V123 would you get "short listed"

Maybe you're second choice and since they have no history with first choice they're keeping you i the wings just in case. Is it possible to hire someone from here who had a good audition but suddenly can't put it together for the job? Yes! Do talents figure they'll send in an audition and if they get offered the job then decide to up thier fees? Yes! Perhaps the client has submitted to a couple of agents and also to V123 and is waiting for one of the agency audition reels to get back?

By the way, many of these clients have a eal crappy way of not releasing their talent from check avails. So you call your agent at 4:55 the day before your "check avails" day and your agent says "Oh I guess you were released."

The fact you were notified is darn nice if you ask me and it also tells you that you don't need to reinvent the wheel and perhaps only look at slight modifications that might push you over the edge and to getting the booking.

Is it right? Is it fair? Is it just another reason why we're all insane to want to do this in the first place?