One of my goals for this year was to triple my freelance income from voice-work. Who knows if I’ll make it but it guides my efforts and keeps me focused on doing the best at all of the auditions I submit. From crazy old southern ladies for cartoons to straight-laced corporate spokeswomen, I’ve been getting a shot at it all.
This year I’ve realized my dream of voicing a political attack ad. I’ve actually done two, exposing the alleged weaknesses of the same Senator! I’ve played shoppers, done fake testimonials, voiced things for radio, television, the Internet, video and live events. Not all jobs are easy to figure out, though. This is an actual voice description I received recently:
“Humble, energetic, enthusiastic with restraint, inviting, childlike excitement, conversational, authoritative but comfortable.” Uh-huh. That’s a dead giveaway of a client who doesn’t know what he or she wants! So you give it your best shot and move on to the next audition.
Most clients are reasonable and grateful for a job well done. I have one absolute gem who has become a long distance pal and happy enough with my work to devote part of a page to me as the voice of his company, Flight One Studios.
Eric Marks is the exception but that’s what makes him special! He is the gentleman who sent the package that took its time to weave its way from Charlotte, NC to “at Canada” in the words of UPS.
Some clients treat you like a servant. Others expect the moon for a dime. It’s a business like any other. You have to love the process or there’s no point in doing it at all.
I’ve found a couple of terrific guys who share their know-how. Jonathan Tilley of Voice-Over Garden releases a video every Monday. I’ve obtained at least a nugget of something valuable in every one. Jonathan has an engaging personality and he doesn’t take himself too seriously but his advice is helpful. Sign up here: http://www.voiceovergarden.com/
Dave Fennoy is the Hulu voice guy. He’s terrific and down-to-earth despite being one of the most sought-after voice artists on the continent. He also shares his knowledge on his website: http://www.davefennoy.com/ Like Jonathan, Dave still auditions every day and only books 5-10% of the audition-to-job ratio. This guy is making a tremendous living on voice-work only and he’s in the same boat as everyone else! “My job”, he says, “is to audition. I have to let the work take care of itself. I send an audition and I let it go and move on to the next one.”
Now excuse me, I have to go portray a crotchety old woman who doesn’t want to use her walker until she eventually realizes how much it’s going to improve her life!