Comments

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  Hélène Janover July 22, 2010 at 1:29pm

  I'm with Andy on the "Just do it" advice. But I do think you are right that it is necessary to have your equipment working properly before you can do auditions from home. If it is an audition you really want to do - you could also try finding a commercial studio somewhere nearby that doesn't cost 300 per hour. If I remember correctly you are not living in a major metropolitan area. :) But alot of times musicians have or use practice studios that are certainly audition quality. And in terms of feeling ready -- just go in "the booth" and record. If you do not like your audition you don't have to send it in! But record and record and record. Then decide. Also look at why you may not want to send it in - is it the acting, the sound quality, the mic technique? Then go back and record again.
  There are also various coaches and audio folks out there who offer feedback or audition assistance (sometimes for a fee of course) and just some voiceover folk who will be happy to have a listen before you send something out. I am sure others in this group would be there to help and also might have some names of those who offer this service.
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  Darla Middlebrook July 22, 2010 at 9:04am

  Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Right now, I have a few equipment woes that are influencing my confidence. Some of you may have seen my discussions about these woes. Things are still not quite up to snuff. I really do not want to start trying to audition until I can be confident with my studio components AND with my skills. Your encouraging words will, however, be first in mind as I continue to sort out the studio woes. {{{HUGS}}} to all of you.
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  Andy Boyns July 22, 2010 at 6:36am

  Nike (for all their recent avertising woes) didn't come up with the slogan "Just do it!" by accident. This is good advice.
  
  One of the things which surprised me at VOICE what how self-deprecating some folks were... so what if you're new... start to believe in your ability. Be professional about how you approach everything, and go for it.
  One of the things I've loved about interviewing folks for my blog "The People Behind the Voice" has been the revelation that sometimes the well-known artists don't book a job, or they still feel nervous.
  and @Darla what are you *** talking about - that session with Nancy will continue to haunt you until you "Just do it!"... all the best :-)
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  Alexis Serrano July 20, 2010 at 3:35pm

  Odesk or sites like it are a good way to get started.
  
  In a way the low pay of some of the gigs makes it less intimidating. For some reason I get more nervous if an audition (or the job) seems 'big'
  
  But its still work and once you do a few of those you will be much more confident.
  
  My dad says to check out Craigs List too, in the GIgs section. There is a site called Search Tempest that lets you search all of Craigs at one time without having to go to each city individually.
  
  
  Alexis
  
  P.s
  My dad told me to tell you to go for it, he made lots of excuses not to audition, waiting for the next class to go to or the next book he had to read. He said doing auditions and listening to them taught him more than paying for "workshops"
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  Dan Harder July 20, 2010 at 3:22pm

  Susan Berkley calls this all-to-often scenario the "Getting ready to get ready syndrome." I guess I was to dumb to know that wasn't ready to start auditioning when I got started with V123. It was only a week later I got my first paid gig and I was absolutely HOOKED!
  
  Go get 'em!
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  Darla Middlebrook July 20, 2010 at 3:13pm

  Thanks Alexis. I have read many of your contributions to the VU forums and never considered you to be "just a kid". In my previous incarnation as a Speech Pathologist, I worked with many "just kid(s)" who were wiser than the adults around them. You have been at this for 3 years longer than I have, so you are more wise than I. Thank you for your encouraging words. Yours are among several that I have received telling me to start auditioning. I guess I should start listening to them, eh? And stop making excuses. Maybe soon...
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  Alexis Serrano July 20, 2010 at 3:03pm

  Dear Ms. Middlebrook,
  I have only been doing vo for about three years, but I think your demos are really good and you are better than you think you are. You have soothing voice and give a warm personality to the subjects you read.
  
  If I waited until I was 'ready' to audition I would still be waiting. I did so many vo and on camera auditions before I got any work, but they helped me get better.
  
  My dad was on V123 for two years and got nothing but a lot of practice auditioning. He got his first job from Odesk.com in a few weeks and its free.
  
  Some of the jobs are ridiculously low paying some pay ok. But my dad says even the low paying jobs are "paid practice" and they give you experience, and client contacts and reel material. Also he used the feed back he got from clients on his site.
  
  I noticed my dad got a lot more confidence after he got his first gig on Odesk. Then more followed. He started using Dan's advise from this forum an called the producers of police training videos (he is retired from law enforcement) and he is working a lot now.
  
  I know I am just a kid so I hope you don't mind me telling you about my experience. I hope that helps
  
  Alexis
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  Darla Middlebrook July 20, 2010 at 2:17pm

  David - I just finished reading your blog regarding P2P sites. This was good info to pass on. Seeing as how I am just starting in VO, I need all of the help that I can get to learn how best to market myself. Being a "guest" on sites is where I am at right now, because I do not feel that I am ready to start auditioning. The info from your blog will help me in my search when I am ready. I think I speak for other newbies when I say, "Thanks again".
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  Dan (Daniel Eduardo) Hurst July 20, 2010 at 2:03pm

  Hey David, Good article on P2P sites - and very fair.
  
  Thanks!
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  Alexis Serrano July 20, 2010 at 1:38pm

  Mr. Brower,
  I noticed that Baldago wants payment in Eros, do they have American clients or is it mostly European clients for European voices?