Professionalism on Both Sides

A professional voice actor is used to rejection. They might do at least a dozen auditions daily that don't get accepted by potential clients. It's part of the game.

You do your best to interpret the copy and the copy direction, record, edit and submit. After that, as one of my cohorts said "submit and forget". You've done your best, there's no sense dwelling..move on.  If you get a callback, that's super!

However, recently I encountered a different situation. An ad agency liked my audition. They retained me, sent me the copy, which I recorded. There were some issues in my submission; some were my fault (pronunciation of some words) and some were copy revisions. I rerecorded and submitted.  I got an email from the agency saying all was well.

Late that evening I received an email from the agency saying their client wanted a new recording and they wanted to phone patch the session. I immediately responded with an affirmative and told them to I was available in the morning.

I was up and ready to go at the time I specified. No call. Then, maybe two hours later, I saw the exact job/copy I'd been working on posted on a P2P site. When I saw it I sent the agency an email asking if I was no longer a part of the project.  No response.

I can understand that a client might not approve what their ad agency has prepared. Having worked on that side, I've had it happen numerous times. But for the agency to leave a talent hanging, to seek other talent without any notification ("the client decided to go in another direction") smacks of unprofessionalism.

I can take rejection...I get it every day. However, after a few reads, I'd at least expect the common courtesy of an email informing me of their client's decision. To me, that's the professional way to conduct business. 

Maybe I'm just too old school.

Voicebank/VoiceRegistry

There seems like there are tons of websites for aspiring Voice Over artists.  Most promise you big bucks (if you pay them big bucks) or "insider' secrets you could have found on your own if you Googled.

One site that has done a lot for me and some of my friends in the business is VoiceBank.net and it's attached sister site VoiceRegistry.  This isn't a site for beginners.  This is a site for those that have been at it a bit, have professionally produced demos and a few spots under your belt. 

Through this site some of my friends and me have landed agents as they have a huge data base as part of the site, with contact emails and website URLs.  A key point made by a friend is don't just click on the email address and send away.  The best plan of attack is to click the company's website URL and see what submission process they have (most agents have it listed, along with exact exact submission instructions). That way your email isn't deleted or you're not black-flagged for the inability to follow directions.

One outstanding aspect of Voice Registry is something they call Weekend Workout.  You have to be a paying member ($10 a month or $84 for a year) to participate.  Each Monday afternoon they'll post a few scripts and announce the "guest reviewer" which is always a top agent or producer.  You pick a single script, do your best job recording it and then upload it.  The deadline is the following Thursday at Noon, so you have plenty of time.  Then, the next Monday, there will be a page with all of the submissions and a personalized "review" of each effort. 

The review usually is only a sentence or two...but always some valuable information from the "judge" on what they heard right and/or wrong with your effort.  Solid information to improve your craft from someone truly in the know.  Recently, the site had the judge actually record a personalized review for each participant instead of a typed response.  Pretty cool.

And, while very rare, participating might actually land you an agent.  I've seen past reviews where the "judge" ended their review with "if you're seeking representation....".  And, I'm pleased to know, first hand, a good friend that recently landed with a very prestigious agency by participating.  Sort of like the "being discovered in a drug store" movie star story.  True, it's rare (there is probably 120 or so submission each week) but I know it does happen.

Of course, the reviewer may not volunteer interest but could look you up as the site provides space for you to upload your demo(s), head shot and resume.  You never know.

To me, this site is great and I highly recommend it.  $84 for a year of weekly exposure to the top talent agents and producers is nothing to sneeze at.

YouTube - Part Deux

In my previous blog, I showed how to add a cue sheet to the beginning of your Voice Over demo video.

I did fail to mention one other annotation you can add.  At the end of your video you can add an annotation to your website, another demo video, etc.  Just slide the annotation box to the end...and enter the correct link (a video link, page link, etc.).

Now, there are a few things you can do to your YouTube channel to enhance your marketing.

First off, in the description of your video place the URL to your website.  It should include the full HTML (http://www.mysite.com).  That will make it clickable.

Now, click your name at the top left corner of your channel page.  Now in the top center you'll see the word "About".  Click that and now you can add:

• A description of your site
• Add a link to your webpage
• Add links up to 4 other social media (sorry, LinkedIn isn't there)

Once you hit complete, all of those links will appear on the header (oh yeah, don't forget to personalize your channel with artwork.  No need to add your picture, as Google/YouTube will do that automatically.  YouTube has instructions as to sizing and uploading your Channel header artwork.

Now your Video channel has all your links as well.  I'm certain doing so will enhance your SEO. 

Voice Over Video Demos - Get A Cue

I wrote recently about the importance of having a video demo.  Recently I discovered a little trick you can use with YouTube to put a cue sheet at the beginning of your video.  This allows a prospective client to jump right to a specific point in your video.   The only drawback is once they jump, the cues disappear so they would then have to manually move the marker back to the beginning.

Here's what it looks like at the beginning of my video:

The potential client would then click onto one of the product names and it'll jump right to that portion of your demo.

Here's how I did it:

1.  Edit your video to add about 15 seconds to the beginning of your video.  It can be blank or use a title card as I did.  NOTE:  YouTube only gives you two choices for the text - black or white - so choose your background accordingly.  (NOTE:  While you're editing, jot down the start time in the video of each Product..it'll make things easier for you later)

2.  Upload your new Video but mark it "Private" for the time being to allow you to edit.  Soon, YouTube will email you a link to the video and go there.  Now (this is important) click "Video Manager" that's located on the bottom right.  Now you'll see all your videos.  Click the name of the video you just uploaded..it'll take you to it again.  Copy that URL because you're going to need it later.

3.  When you open the video, you'll see some icons under the play time bar.  Arrow over to the "Voice Bubble +" (Annotations) and click.

4.  Now click "Add Annotation" and select "Note".

5.  Type in the Product Name (keep it short)

6.  Now you'll see a box pop up below your video screen and see a box below your video.  That's the new cue you're starting to create.  Now to the right you see "Start" and "Stop".  Set the Start at 0:00:00:0 and the end at 0:00:15:00.

7.  Click the  Link checkbox and, to the right,  you'll see a drop down box.  Click the down arrow and select "Playlist"

8.  Paste the URL to this same video (remember I told you to copy it?)

9.  Now you see a place that says "start linked video at"  Now, I happened to jot down the times of the place each "Product" started on my video when I was editing (that's the best option as you can be a bit more exact).  But, if you don't you can slide that little circle on the play bar to the right to get the start time.  Enter that start time (it's Hour:Minutes:Seconds:10thSecond).

10.  Last step for this Cue is to place the Copy for it on your screen.

You see in the upper right of the picture above the box that says "A Cue".  Just slide it down to a position you want on your title/cue page.







That's it.  As you see I had 9 products, so I went back up to the top, clicked "Add Annotation" again and added the next.  Scrub, rinse, repeat.



Once you're done adding all, click Publish at the top right of the page.  Now go to your Video Manager and make your new "Cues" Video Public.

Make a Video Demo

Recently I read about how video was making more of an impact in voice over.
So, obviously being behind the times, I thought about making a video with my demo as the soundtrack.

I say "behind the times" because after my project was completed, I found a ton of voice over pros had already done the same thing. So much for being "cutting edge".

I use Windows, so I chose to use the free Windows Movie Maker. It has a great deal of effects, relatively easy learning curve and makes it easy to upload to YouTube. I chose YouTube as my "host" primarily because, as best as I could determine, its playable on any browser.

I completed my video (with a lot of trial and error) and uploaded it to YouTube. A few minutes later YouTube sent me an email telling me my video was ready. You'll see a "share" button and a lot of options. Since I wanted to put it on my website, I selected "embed" and up popped the HTML code. You can (as I did) change the size of the video to fit the space you have allotted on your site.

In my opinion the video, if it's not overloaded with too many effects (making it too busy), can "hold" the listener/viewer longer as their mind is occupied with both sound and sight.

Under my video, I still have an html5 audio player for those who might want to use it. Also there is a link to allow the potential customer to download the demo mp3. I think this is very important as I can't think of a potential client wanting to download a video.

I honestly think a "video demo" is a great way to make your demo "come alive" for potential clients. You can do it for free, host it for free (via YouTube) and add that little extra that might capture a new client.

Can I Hear You Now?

I'll admit I am very hard of hearing.  I lost almost all my highs with a combination of years of wearing headphones while a DJ and a later illness that zapped whatever highs I could still hear.

I wear "open-fit" hearing aids.  These sit on top of your ear, with a little tube carrying the sound inserted into the ear canal.  For the most part, they work perfectly.  Until yesterday, when I was in a studio session and found headphones and hearing aids don't mix.

I was excited about this session.  It was a mini-seminar with one of the top "promo" agents in the business.  This is a field I really feel I can excel and was eager to "show my stuff".  But, aside from my nervousness and inexperience in this environment (which contributed highly), my failed hearing failed me.

When recording a promo, the music bed and "sound bites" of characters are already laid out.  Your job as a VO person, is to drop in a word or sentence or two in the appropriate. Here is one from the great Ernie Anderson from the early 80's as an example:  

Timing is crucial.  As well as emoting emotion, excitement, etc.  And, judging from my own personal as well as a dozen of my peers attending, it's not a single take proposition.   You listen for a specific "cue" to trigger when to say the copy...a cue that can be a spoken sentence, a sound effect or a piece of music.  Here's a (somewhat profane) video of Ernie doing just that...by trial and error. (Start at about 1:30 into the video).

My issue (it's produced differently now) was I couldn't hear the bed.  I tried taking out my hearing aids and wearing the headphones and I got a mish-mosh of sound which didn't allow me to hear to all important cues.  My next few "auditions" I tried with the headphones over my aids, which resulted in feedback and distortion.  So, once again I couldn't pick up the cues. The engineer tried to help, but time was of the essence and we couldn't dwell on my individual issue with others waiting their turn. It was the most frustrating day I've every spent. And, extremely disappointing.

I'm now focused on a solution.  First stop will be my audiologist.  Maybe there is a setting on my aids that can be programmed to reduce the feedback.  Second is a headphone trial. I'm going to head to professional audio stores and test various sets until I can find one that can reproduce sound without feedback and distortion.  Third, I want to reach out to the agent and see if I can't give it a second shot...to show I can do it.

I wanted this day to go perfect....and fell flat on my face. But I'm resolved to make whatever corrections I need to make this aspect of the voice over industry a solid part of my portfolio.

Whoas of P2P Sites

I'm a member of a few P2P sites.  Some are good, some I have to wonder about after a few months.

First, while I've always been fascinated with automation of websites, it gets frustrating to receive "invitations" to work my voice is not at all suited.  I recently received an invitation to audition for a spot calling for a "natural sounding Spanish accent".  I have trouble ordering at Taco Bell!  And no where in my voice profile is the word Spanish mentioned.  My only worries is that the site's automation will now categorize my deletion of the audition as a "doesn't play nice" and slows down the auditions it send to me.

One site annoys me in that their email states "you've been invited" yet it's automated and hundred of others also got that same invitation.  Not exactly an exclusive, that's for sure.  That same site also made a big deal about curtailing "talent" from uploading their generic demo when the client specifically has asked for a custom demo.  Yet, at least a dozen times yesterday, it was apparent some "talent" did exactly that.  I happened to be on the site when a new job appeared.  Less than 30 seconds later 4 "auditions" had been uploaded.  I wish I could record, edit and upload that fast.

I really understand budgets. I had a long career on the "other side of the mic" in advertising so I know all about number crunching, etc.  But I really don't get clients that submit a"job" that is far below even "discount" Voiceover site levels.  Asking for a 15 minute read "that sounds like Morgan Freeman" with a budget of less than $200 is, in my opinion, ridiculous.  I blame that, in part, to the P2P sites not taking the time to educate the client.  True, clients have budgets and they have to stick to them.  But, P2P sites, you need to address this, somehow.  Honestly, I think it would do both the client and the talent justice if set fees were established and that's it.  A rate card with a bit of flexibility for the client but doesn't "rob" the talent.  Yes, that might scare away a few potential clients that want to leave on the cheap...but in the long run the site will be known as delivering quality product at reasonable pricing. 

OK, done ranting.  Have a great day.