I’m going to write this with the mildly certain presumption that “most” folks reading this have not even been to the American Film Market, annually hosted by the Loews Hotel, down by the ocean. So with that premise in mind, I do highly recommend that at some point in your career, you take the time to attend…at least for a day. I also recommend the same thing in regards to Sundance, but with a STRONG warning. Continue reading
Yes, I’ve been busy remodeling the TAN studio, and other such key aspects of the organization, but along the way this very important aspect of our careers…came back to me. Take it to heart, and learn HOW to do it, because it can make or break your career.
This subject, all on its own, tends to send shivers down the spine of most actors. It is absolutely understandable, especially when working or pursuing a career in Los Angeles. We know as actors that folks on the “other side of the desk” tend to want to control when we are spoken to and when we are allowed to speak. While I understand the reason for this, as a general mutual respect and business concept, it is not particularly empowering, nor effective, when it comes to your career. Continue reading
Trying For An Agent Too Soon
I know that getting an agent is a big goal for most talent, as well it should be. And I’m not going to deny the importance of having a really great agent for one’s career. But I notice that for most voice over talent, getting an agent is an obsessive pass time–heck, the same goes for most on-camera talents, too! Yes, we need agents. We need good to great agents who have access to copy so that we can have access to copy so that we can book jobs.
How soon is too soon to get an agent? Continue reading
Last post, I discussed the dangers of not practicing aloud EVERY SINGLE DAY.
This week’s biggest mistake to make in VO:
NOT WATCHING TV OR LISTENING TO THE RADIO.
Well, that seems silly, right? Why would anyone want to get a job in television or radio and not have a working knowledge of what is being broadcast in media these days? You’d be surprised.
I’ve heard many justifications for why people don’t listen…they can’t afford cable, it’s a waste of their time, it’s intellectually beneath them, that reality stuff is “junk” or “noise,” they can’t stand the commercials…
Well I just finished covering this subject at The Actors’ Network, but wanted to blog about it in a slightly different fashion. We use phrases like “Monday morning quarterback” and “Hindsight is 20/20″ to remind ourselves that when it is over or past…it is easy to know Continue reading
In this multi-part series, I’m going to address the biggest mistakes we make in voice over. I articulate these mistakes because I’ve made them, and I’ve seen others shoot themselves in the foot, not even realizing that they’re making mistakes they can so easily avoid.
Biggest Mistake #1: Not Practicing Aloud EVERY SINGLE DAY
If you are not practicing every single day, you are preparing to fail in voice over. A week without auditioning makes me rusty, so I can’t even imaging staying sharp if I’m not doing this work each and every day. Continue reading
It has officially begun, even if well, it isn’t so official…or professional rather. Recently I received an email from, a Hollywood talent agency accepting new talent for those, “Seeking Representation.” The agency is called H-V-N Talent So here is a little story by an actor regarding this new “LEGIT – Licensed” agency. In the words of the actor: Continue reading
Vocational training. Yes, you heard me…vocational training. Here is another one: apprenticeship. There are lots of ways to say, or discuss, education…but at the end of the day when it comes to ALL forms of knowledge you are either an intellectual who simply discusses things…or you have UNDERSTANDING…which means you’ve experienced them. One of the hardest, and most painful elements of our careers as performers in Hollywood is trying to UNDERSTAND…casting. Continue reading
A few months ago, my wonderfully talented colleague Doug Turkel asked me to be a part of an eBook that has been begging to be written for years now. He managed to finagle almost 30 of today’s top voice over talent to contribute their advice and secrets to success. When he asked me to be a part of it, I was absolutely thrilled. Continue reading
Here we are only days away. Days away from what you ask? Well, from the avalanche, the tidal wave, the thunderous running with the bulls of Hollywood known as…Fall TV Season. However, isn’t it ironic that the title given has nothing to do with the actual season we’re in, and that is the absolute big issue at hand. Because for some unknown reason going back Continue reading
