Video Game Voiceover Actors
Who's door to knock on...
Just curious for all of us new-comers to the VO indy, ...if we have no agent or are non-union, who's metaphorical door do we knock on to land work?
Do we simply search out, then shotgun our demos to production companies' email addresses?
Is there a particular job title that listens to demos?
Should we flood video game companies' HR department with demos?
Every VO website I am a member of seems to be very reluctant to provide actual information for talent to find work. We all realize that work is getting thinner, but surely the industry will never fade away as we all know how horrible speech software is. Shouldn't we all help each other get their collective feet in the door and let our product determine the value to the client?
Everyone is so very helpful when it come to hardware and software, but rarely do I see a helping hand saying, ..."...here is a list of companies I no longer work for and here is the person's name I dealt with"...
We are all struggling out here. It's getting rougher by the week it seems. Imagine my situation, what do I do for a career after being displaced by the broadcasting indy after 20 years? I don't do VO work because I think it's cool or any other frivolous reason....I do this because I was gifted with a voice and acting skills that allow me to use this natural gift to provide a quality product. For years I was a studio photographer as well....now anyone with a camera phone is a photographer and it seems the world is content to settle for mediocrity in many fields...
I just need to know who's door to knock on....
Thanks all...
Do we simply search out, then shotgun our demos to production companies' email addresses?
Is there a particular job title that listens to demos?
Should we flood video game companies' HR department with demos?
Every VO website I am a member of seems to be very reluctant to provide actual information for talent to find work. We all realize that work is getting thinner, but surely the industry will never fade away as we all know how horrible speech software is. Shouldn't we all help each other get their collective feet in the door and let our product determine the value to the client?
Everyone is so very helpful when it come to hardware and software, but rarely do I see a helping hand saying, ..."...here is a list of companies I no longer work for and here is the person's name I dealt with"...
We are all struggling out here. It's getting rougher by the week it seems. Imagine my situation, what do I do for a career after being displaced by the broadcasting indy after 20 years? I don't do VO work because I think it's cool or any other frivolous reason....I do this because I was gifted with a voice and acting skills that allow me to use this natural gift to provide a quality product. For years I was a studio photographer as well....now anyone with a camera phone is a photographer and it seems the world is content to settle for mediocrity in many fields...
I just need to know who's door to knock on....
Thanks all...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adam Harrington on
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Hi Scott, being signed by a quality talent agent is your best bet for high end audition opportunities. Unfortunately most reputable agents rarely listen to unsolicited demos. My advice is to find a VO training school in your area that offers classes (or at the very least meet and greets) with local talent agents or even casting directors (agents would be better). Many of the higher end outfits will offer these as part of their curriculum. That's how I got signed. It will cost you, but is well worth the investment. Just make sure you shop around thoroughly to find one that gets you plenty of face time with high profile VO agents and/or CDs.
Found this one in Tennessee (I'm not endorsing them in particular by the way, just showing you what's out there):
www.actorsschoolusa.com/index.asp
Hope this helps Scott. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Scott V. Palmer on
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Adam,
That's a solid answer and I appreciate it. Is there a reason an agent is better than a casting agency? I am acting as an extra in a major motion picture filming here in Nashville and perhaps I should speak to the casting people locally to see if they can steer me in the right direction. I have contacted a local talent agency that is solid and established and they've asked for me to send them a CD and they'd see if there was anything available but they didn't really handle VO talent very often. I've been to acting school so I hope I'm not pressured to spend a fortune with an agency that is simply selling programs and not actual work scouting for existing talent. (I find scams and 'program package selling' everywhere I look.)
I'll check out the link you provided and see what's what. Thanks again for the helpful response!
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Rule of thumb for agent shopping: Any agent that requires ANY payment from you up front is NOT a true agent. Agents are there to get YOU paid and make a percentage of what you earn through the opportunities they find for you. Period.
If someone tells you that they want to rep you, but you must first pay a particular person for head shots or demos, you should consider this a red flag. These people just want your money, and will NOT get you any substantial work.
You should definitely use your networking skills on the movie set, just make sure you approach prospective contacts during down times on the shoot. Not when folks are busy working.
Good luck.
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