Personal Development

Top Tips – Voiceover Casting Director

February 16, 2024 by Alan Shires

The Voiceover Casting Director

I was recently asked to work on a project which required a lot of very specific voice actors. I of course went to my usual pool of actors to facilitate this request, but I simply could not get everything I needed. In turn, I had to partner with some other talent hosting companies to complete the job. Overnight over 500 applications came in but what surprised me was how the 80-20 rule applied here. 20% of people consumed 80% of my time whilst 20% of people delivered 80% of the results. In this article, I am going to offer my top tips from a voiceover casting director perspective.

Unneeded Voiceover Samples

Having worked on both sides of the brief, I feel I have a unique perspective on this topic. From a casting perspective, I would often send potential voice actors a question regarding their set-up or accent. Often the answer could have been as short as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. What I regularly got in response was an essay beating around the bush with an attachment to the email showcasing what they can do. If you are asked to send a sample, then send a sample. If you have not been asked to send a sample, please do not send a sample… It just clogs up the inboxes, gets mixed up with submitted work and wastes time looking through requested and needed content.

Casting Director Brief Specifics

To my surprise, when applying for multiple roles some talent would be submitting content in one file despite the brief stating I needed two. One voice actor even suggested I split them on his behalf. As someone who has voice acted for years, my chin hit the floor… In fact, I still have not sufficiently got it back into position now as the shock remains great. If you are asked for two separate recordings, provide two recordings. When dealing with the end client, a raft of auditions and navigating successful work the last thing a casting director wants to do is boot up Adobe Audition and split up a file. Sorry, there is not enough time for a casting director to do their job and yours – so the odds are in that instance, you just lost out on work.

Voice Actor Questions

Questions are a part of life, and often good questions get asked and it is helpful to avoid future oversights. Short, to-the-point questions, they are great. However, this is not always the case, some of the questions on this project were bazaar. Even though the script was a monologue I was asked if I would like someone else to read in so the character could respond. The answer is always no, just read what is on the page and send me the file. I appreciate talent and want to make a good impression and go the extra mile. I appreciate there is a desperation to book work which leads to wanting to stand out from the crowd. Well, stand out from building a good strong relationship with casting professionals not by consuming their time with questions that deviate from the brief.

The Voiceover Casting Director on the Clock

Deadlines come around so quickly, and it can be a nightmare to manage sometimes. Late hours and early mornings are a norm in this field. So, when I open a file, I expect to hear the work. 10 seconds of silence is frustrating. Imagine hearing 10 seconds of silence 500 times. You just took 83 minutes of my life over the course of this project on silence. Fortunately, this was not the case for all 500 but I hope you understand my point. Moreover, we need to talk about slates! In today’s voiceover world if you are asked to slate, then slate. Perhaps sometimes briefs will say ‘no slate’ but if there is no information on the slate then take it that no slate is required. At worst ask the question but I can guarantee 99,9% of the time if it does not state to slate or not, then do not do it, it just wastes time. If in some scenario a casting director needed to slate and forgot to mention it on the brief, you can be sure to know they would be quick to request it and very apologetically at that.

Voiceover Keyboards

My recent brief on one of the portal avenues I shared stated that I was accepting submissions by email only and not to reply on the portal. 5% of people replied on the portal. Out of 500 people, 5% did this, which counted for 25 people in total. I needed to keep my portal inbox empty to manage other projects and clients. When casting asks talent to do something, there is usually a good reason. Please just read the instructions and follow them. The consequence of this oversight meant 24 people were not considered (I replied to the first one and then could not after that). The second thing on this is when you actually do engage with the casting director just follow the specs. I had one guy asking for examples, well… examples are just not always a thing. You get the brief and if you are lucky some stimulus to get you on the road, you are the example!

ALWAYS Be Professional in Voiceover

This one took me by surprise. 500 people applied for a number of roles available. The fee was on the brief from the on-set. One guy booked the job and decided he wanted more money. I still have a red mark on my face from where I face-palmed here. But wait it gets worse! This individual began arguing with me on this topic. Well guess what happened next, he soon realised there were a number of other projects I had available, and regret suddenly consumed him when he saw the rates. Why? Because he was so rude to me that he is forever blocked on my projects. All the voice actors were happy to work for the fee, which for the nature of the job was fair. It could have been a smidge higher; it could have been lower. You do not book the job under the agreed rate and then change your mind when recording. If you do not want to work for a specific fee, do not do it, that is fine! But if you agree to it, then do not waste people’s time and u-turn. If you misread the brief (which was the case in this scenario) at least own up to it rather than kicking off accusing casting that spec info was missing.

Top Tips – Voiceover Casting Director by Alan Shires

O1 Visas for Actors – Your Embassy Appiontment

October 14, 2023 by Alan Shires

So here we are, part two of the O1 visas for actors journey! In our previous article, we looked at everything you need to file your petition. It covers literally everything you need for your visa, so please check that out before reading any further. This article will go through the next steps once your visa has been approved by immigration, along with what you need to do for your family’s visas. First of all, Your visa being approved does not mean it is on its way to your doorstep! The next step requires you to go to a US embassy to have the visa issued. Until the consulate decides that you are worthy of the visa status, your application can be rejected at any point. Make sure you keep in constant communication with your lawyer; they will guide you through these next steps and should be helping and advising you right through to the day you get to the embassy.

O1 Visas for Actors, the Next steps

Upon approval by immigration, you will be invited to apply for a visa appointment at a US embassy of your choosing. Before doing this, you will need to complete a DS 160 form. When you start this process, it will advise you that it takes around 90 minutes – it is not exaggerating! My top tip here is to ensure that you save your work every time you complete a page, as the application consistently crashes. If/when this happens, sadly you lose all of your work! Every family member who wants to have a visa will also need to complete these applications. This even applies to babies! Naturally, you can fill out the form for them. Do make sure you look online for how long the waits are for appointments prior to starting your DS 160. This is because the forms are not transferable from embassy to embassy. So, in other words, if you complete a DS 160 for Sydney Australia, but then decide you want to attend the embassy in Athens Greece, you have to start the form over again. O1 Visas for actors are not common. At the same time, so few actors actually achieve this status when looking at the industry from a global prospective.

Visas for an Actors Family

There are many different types of visas. The O1 visa is a working visa. When someone is granted the right to work they are also granted the right to live along with all the benefits that come with that, such as opening a bank account and obtaining a driver’s license. However, you would still need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) once the visa is granted. This is a privilege you unlock once you get the visa. With that said, your family are of course allowed to reside with you. The O1 visa is accompanied by other digits such as the O2 visa and the O3 visa. The O3 visa is what your spouse and child/children will need to apply for with the USA consulate should your visa be approved by immigration.

Booking the O1 Visa Appointment

It is worth noting at this point that you can not do this in the USA if you are already there for whatever reason. Your home country is usually the preference for the appointment. However, you may want to look for somewhere a bit faster as sometimes it can be over a 6 months wait for an appointment. In theory, you can visit any US embassy in any country. Once you complete your DS 160 you next need to your appointment with the consulate. Make sure you check the date of your appointment before paying because once you pay, it is non-refundable and you can’t change the embassy appointment. If you get to the payment page and have no idea what date they are offering you, then you need to go back a few steps. The suggested next date is not exactly obvious, but they do display it!

Moving Things Along – Visas for Actors

So you have now booked your appointment but would rather wait 2 weeks over 2 months! Well, you can always apply for an expedite! This is something you can only do once. One of the criteria for the expedite is if the wait for an appointment prohibits work. Remember that deal memo and three-year calendar you made for immigration? This comes in handy now if your application start date is either past or nearing commencing when it comes to applying for an expedite. The idea is you will lose precious work time from being delayed. Though the expedite is at the discretion of the consulate, an expedite is worth applying for and is a good likelihood for you to obtain. Now, I would not put all of your eggs in one basket, either go for an embassy with a shorter wait time or get comfortable waiting for your appointment because the expedite is no guarantee! Note: when applying for the expedite, ask for it to be a minimum of 2 weeks post-immigration approving your petition. Anything less than that and you risk the paperwork not reaching the embassy in time for your appointment, believe me, this happens! O1 Visas for actors are so tricky to get and you should be proud of yourself if you are at this point in the process.

Prepare for the O1 Visa Conversation with the consulate – The Organised Actor

At last, the day has come! The final hurdle to your visa journey! The embassy! O1 Visas for Actors are really not easy to get, are they? Now this process is pretty daunting! So I have made a ‘top tips’ guide to support you on this journey. The groundwork for these tips is to make sure you read everything a dozen times over when it comes to what you need for the appointment. You get sent a lot of information and it can be very confusing. Make sure you keep a good dialogue with your lawyer throughout.

Tip 1. Print everything (even if it seems redundant)

Tip 2. REALLY print everything (they want everything printed)

Tip 3. If they say things which don’t seem clear assume the worst. For example, the ‘what to bring’ email might say something like ‘you MAY need printed photos’. The reality was there is no ‘may’ about it, you do in fact ‘need’ printed photos. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

Tip 4. You can not take ANYTHING other than your paperwork into the embassy, cell phones are a hard no! Make plans to leave these somewhere. You literally can’t take your phone in (or Apple/smart watches etc…), it’s got to go or they remove you from the premises.

Tip 5. If you need photos taken you can probably get some done locally but best to just bring these with you rather than rushing about on the day.

Tip 6. If you find you are lacking documents, you can probably get some printed locally in the same location as the photos. Companies often set themselves up for printing, photos and storage close to the embassy for this very reason. It is a gold mine for them.

Tip 7. Take any appointment you can get but later in the day is better. The reason for this is if you are lacking stuff, you have time to get it sorted. An 8am appointment means you are waiting around for stores to open.

Tip 8. Go early, but not too early. The group before you will get queuing space and you will be asked to leave. Someone with an appointment slot at 8am queuing at 7:40am would be asked to leave the queue because the queue is likely only to be for the 7:45am group prior.

Tip 9. Once inside and passing security, if you are going with your family, they can sit inside whilst you line up but they will have to look at joining you when you get to the front of the line (although this may not be the case at other embassies).

Tip 10. Check, double-check check and triple-check check your documents are correct. For anyone who’s coming off a B visa for example make sure your DS 160 forms state O and not B. This will ruin everything for you if you present the wrong DS 160 form and other than a letter, it is very hard to tell the difference.

Tip 11. Check all the above again, trust me you can’t over-check this.

Tip 12. If your spouse and child are getting O3 visas, a copy of the birth certificate and wedding certificates are fine as long as you print them. You won’t need the originals.

Tip 13. If you have travelled to an embassy that is not native to your country, bring evidence of your status in that country, such as a tourist visa. This is, of course, assuming you are not a resident of that country too.

Tip 14. Do not take it personally. The staff outside are exceptionally abrupt (the staff inside are a lot warmer).

Tip 15. If you have travelled to a different country, have a buddy with a driver’s licence native to that country on hand. The embassy will take your passports if you are successful in your appointment, however, you can not collect them yourself. You need a resident of that country to collect them on your behalf who can provide ID confirming their residency there.

What Happens After Your O1 Appointment

If approved, you can opt to have your passport sent to your designated address (within that country) for a small fee. Note, ID verification will be required. You can collect it from the local post office to the embassy in many instances though. If not, it will be a designated location for the embassy. If you are in a foreign country you will need a resident of that country to pick the passports up for you. The address and name on their ID will need to match that which you put in your embassy appointment form, so have this planned well in advance. Just to reiterate this, the address of your buddy’s ID MUST match the address you put in the form. If you take nothing else from this article may it be the following: If you are in a foreign country they WILL NOT give you your passports back! So making sure you have a buddy with the right ID is critical. Aside from their ID evidencing their address, they will need the barcode the courier will send to you via email as well.

O1 Visas for Actors – Additional Informaiton

You will find there are hundreds of people waiting outside. As for what happens when you get to the front of the line, they first check your name off a list by checking over your passports. You then go through security inside and before entering the processing room you present the DS 160 forms. Your spouse is likely to be scanned by security but depending on the age of your child it is likely they will not be scanned.

You then enter the room with the consulate which has 3 kiosks. This is where your family may be able to wait in a waiting area whilst you queue. The first kiosk will look over all of your paperwork and prep your passports. It’s here that you will be informed if anything is missing (such as the approval ‘i717’ notice from immigration in an expedited situation). Next, your family will join you here for verification checks. If there is anything wrong with your petition, you will discover it here. Then, kiosk two is your biometrics. your child probably won’t need to be scanned. Then kiosk 3 is the interview with the consulate.

They also recommend that you don’t bring children. However, they acknowledge that in some instances it may not be possible to acquire childcare (i.e. if you are not in your native country). If this is the case, remember phones and iPads are prohibited in the building, so take books and snacks to keep your child entertained if needed.

Actors’ Questions With the Consulate

Upon handing the passports to the consulate you will be asked some basic questions. Do not be surprised if they seem shocked by your visa type! They get a lot of the same visa applications and a work visa is not the most common. Here is a breakdown of a basic conversation for actors:

What do you do?

How long have you been doing it?

What upcoming projects do you have?

Have you ever won an award?

Was it local, national or international?

Where do you live?

What are you doing in this country? (If you are in an embassy not native to your home country)

What is your permanent residence?

These are just examples of the types of questions you get asked. Some are based on your application, others are based on your visa type. Be ready for anything within that nature. All of this is likely to be discussed in maybe 2-5 minutes flat. Don’t overcomplicate it, keep it simple and honest and be familiar with your deal memo and schedule. They can probe but often don’t. If you make them suspicious they will delve deeper so be cool. Your spouse and child will not be asked any questions. From there they spend some time processing the passports and the paperwork and will give you some form of update based on one of these four avenues:

Your visa application has been rejected (in this instance they will give you your passports back and a sheet telling you why – should this happen you will need to correct the measurements they have laid out and try again. This can take months so it is best to make sure everything is right the first time. In this instance, get in touch with your lawyer immediately)
Your visa application looks good but we are missing a few bits (this is common in an expedited situation, they will likely still take the passports and keep you updated on the portal until everything comes through from immigration, providing they are happy with the rest of the evidence and documentation you have provided)
Your visa application is approved and it will be ready for collection in a few days (you can track this on the online portal)
We will let you know our decision (they will update the portal and may or may not take your passports)

Note: They take your passports as the visa is added to one of the blank pages. This can be daunting when you are international but the online portals do update pretty regularly. Everything is subject to rejection until the moment you see it change to ‘issued’, even if it says approved they can change their mind. Until you see the word issued, you still need to avoid getting your hopes up. Once they take your passports, you are looking at around 2 weeks if there are any delays to getting the passports back. If there are no delays, you are looking at a few days to a week. You can always call the helpline, though they generally are not able to provide any information and will just tell you that the processing time is at the discretion of the consulate.

And there you have it folks! That’s a wrap on O1 visas for actors!

O1 Visas for Actors – Your Embassy Appointment by Alan Shires

Obtaining The O1 Visa for Actors

October 14, 2023 by Alan Shires

If you are working in entertainment the odds are at some point you have considered whether or not to try your craft in the United States of America. Regardless of if you are a voiceover artist, screen actor, radio DJ or a trapeze artist, you will fall under the entertainment category. There is an odd misconception that getting a hold of one of these visas is easy peasy. The idea is you fill out a quick form, pay a 50 bucks admin fee and away you go. Well, I hate to disappoint but the experience is the polar opposite. There is a long list of different categories which make you eligible for the O1 Visa and in this article, I will unpack that. Additionally, I will link you to how your family obtain their viases once you obtain your own. So let’s start with the application process itself. You are likely going to need a lawyer unless you are exceptionally knowledgeable on immigration for the United States. The cost for filing your petition (the actual name of the process) is going to be between $6,000 and $7,000. Additionally, it’s good for you to know that the category of the Visa you are applying for which is ‘Alien with exceptional abilities – in the arts’. So let’s delve into what you need for an O1 visa for actors!

Essential O1 Visa for Actors Requirements

The first thing you need is a biography describing your professional career from a global perspective. This document is to be worked on and incorporated into the cover letter your lawyer will send with your petition.

Next up you will need a CV/Resume with all your credits. Honestly, the bigger and healthier this looks the better, but you need to be able to justify and evidence everything you record. The more you have on IMDb the better.

Now it starts to get a bit harder! The next thing you need is around 10 to 20 newspaper and/or magazine articles emphasising your contribution to the specific production and commercial success of those productions. The quality of the article is measured by the impact it has had, so a global reach will be more favourable with immigration.

So the next one might sound easy but it really is not! You will need between 4 and 6 letters of recommendation from directors, producers, agents, etc. As long as they are US entertainment-based and in a position of employing people they are eligible to write. This is a tricky one to achieve because most practitioners do not like getting involved with anything related to immigration.
(letters should include as much information about the author’s background as possible and also a detailed evaluation of your professional career, discussing your productions, how successful they were and how your outstanding work contributed to that success)

The next couple are easy! Save the best for last right? So you will need a copy of your passport and copies of your educational diplomas.

But wait! There is more! Yes, you heard me right, there is more! There are some optional extras to put in here. Now, nobody likes going the extra mile, and extracurricular activities can be time-consuming and boring. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE if you take anything from this article let it be the next sentence: do not underestimate how thorough this process can be because of how amazing you are. When immigration gets your profile they will scrutinise it and even the slightest fault on it and they will clamp down massively. You want to present yourself in the absolute best light you possibly can, there is no space for ego in the process at all. So let’s delve in!

Optional Extras for The O1 Visa

Seems a bit odd, but they love screen captures of various productions! This builds a portfolio and shows them that you can do what you claim to do. It can also be cross-checked against your credits list just to add that extra element of accountability. Remember, they like you to prove everything.

Next up, if you have any awards and/or have been nominated for awards this goes down well too! The awards can be for you personally or for the productions you have starred in. Similar to the press criteria, the bigger the reach the more impactful it will be. So if it’s got a global presence, that works in your favour.

Finally! It is good to show them work contracts you have done evidencing a high salary. You want this figure to be equivalent to USD 100 per hour or more! So if you have some nice healthy 4, 5 or even 6-digit jobs, get them in your petition!

O1 Visa for Actors, the Next Step!

Your lawyer will support you with your deal memo but any potential employer you have in the United States should be involved with this. Effectively this is your calendar for the 3 years of the Visa. Now do not worry too much, things change, but giving immigration a basic idea of what you will be up to is important. I would not ignore year 2 or 3 either in your position. This will only result in them offering you a shorter-term visa rather than the 3-year one you are applying for. Like I said your lawyer will take care of most of the written work, you might just have to make some introductions and start planning your schedule.

The Unions are Involved with Your O1 Visa?

Yes, that is right you heard me! Before your lawyer can submit your petition to immigration, they first recommend you obtain letters of no-objection from Sag-Aftra and AMPTP (The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers). Effectively you are moving into their playing field so this is another step in the process that will aid your application when it lands with immigration. Everything else described above needs to be completed prior to even reaching out to the unions so they can see your case as a whole. Once you reach this part of the process it can take a week to a month before getting these letters back. When you do get them back, your lawyer can then file your Visa.

Filing your Petition!

Hooray! Congratulations you are now ready to file your petition! So the good news is, the fee you pay covers everything above! The filing fee, the letters from the unions and so on. But now the long wait starts! In theory, you can be waiting as little as a month for an answer. In reality, they say 3 months is a good benchmark. Though, prepare yourself for it to be much longer. After that, you can enquire as to the status but this does not speed up the process. Though, you do unlock the right to fast-track the application at this point for an additional $2,500. Typically fast-tracked applications are scrutinised more, so if you can wait – it’s a good idea to wait. If your application is denied, you will be given a reason why, it slows the process down and you will need to address that feedback so do your best to ensure it passes the first time. Once your application is approved, it’s time to book your appointment with the consulate at the USA embassy, more on that and how your family obtains their visas in this article.

O1 Visa for Actors by Alan Shires

Voice Over Transitions: It’s all so Alien – The Full story

January 7, 2023 by Alan Shires

When the Voice Actor Meets Despair!

Do you like my dramatic title for this paragraph? What a way to open a blog, right? Well, in this instance, I wish I could say it was exaggerated. ‘It’s all so Alien’ was birthed out of one of the most challenging points of my life because family, work, health, and career all blurred into one for three weeks of my life. And I’m sure it won’t be the last of the life and voice over transitions headed my way.

Leaving the day job and going into voice acting full time

In June 2020, I gave up my final PAYE job and began working independently as a voiceover artist. My wife at the time was 7 months pregnant, and we were decorating the nursery for my new baby on that first Saturday of me being free from work. As I was painting our lodger commented that the paint stunk to which I replied saying ‘’I can’t smell anything’’ oh no, you know where this is going right? Wait for it!

I began feeling more poorly, and this was in the days long before a vaccine was common. After testing, my leave turned into a nice bout of Covid-19, just what every voice actor needs right?

Battling Isolation, Spiders, and Covid Symptoms

Covid-19 hit me hard this first time. I struggled to breathe, eat, and sleep, and had other unusual, weird symptoms. When the virus was in full force, my wife had crossed over from being 7 months pregnant to 8 months pregnant, so we slept in different rooms (don’t worry, we did get the nursery finished!).

There was one evening when everything was a bit of a blur, and I remember hearing a scuttling of wrappers on the floor. (Oh no…) At first, I ignored it! I heard it again… I then decided to turn the light on and look, nothing! I thought, must just be wrappers brushing against each other when I laid back down and alas, I heard this scuttling one more time! Before I go any further, let me just reassure you, I am not a big slog who keeps loads of wrappers on the floor, just during Covid, I did enjoy a few bags of crisps to see me by, and I did isolate in my room, so access to bins was limited!

Now that’s all cleared up, let me get back to the tale! I once more carried my blurry self out of bed and turned the light on and when looking down at the floor laid THE BIGGEST, DIRTIEST, and most MONSTEROUS Spider you have ever seen (in the UK – it wasn’t anything compared to what is out there around the world). Not liking spiders all that much I did think to myself at 00:30am “WHY ME?” Anyway, I got it into a glass, and it went out the window. But in the midst of feeling simply awful that was the last thing I needed.

Voiceover Transitions – Motivated Out of the Fog

Prior to getting sick, I had just auditioned for a new and upcoming animation. A wonderful story promoting good morals. It was both educational and entertaining, and I noticed a few friends of mine were getting cast which was exciting. The email then landed in my inbox that I, too, had been cast! It gets better! I got cast in one of the most prominent roles in the series!

But I was sick!? Well, after two weeks, my sinuses had cleared up a bit, so I was dealing with fatigue and breathlessness. I noticed some clients generally were more sympathetic during the pandemic towards people’s health. They were happy with my pace, and a bit of editing gets rid of those nasty deep breath sounds between the lines.

So! I managed to do the session and get through the job. My first-ever animation booking came in during one of the worst bouts of sickness I have ever had in my life. Now, please do not misinterpret me here. I am not saying if you’re sick, you should work! There were indeed points where I was physically incapable, but I did just about manage to work everything out with enough recovery time to get myself through the session. I remember feeling exceptionally exhausted after it, but I love voice over and I love being an actor. The jolt and thrill it gave me, I believe, helped with my recovery, in fact!

But to summarise – if you are not well enough to work, don’t. But if you want to, then do! I have said it before, but I was so pleased to be a working voice actor who had invested in a home studio years prior because without that, the job would have been impossible for me to complete without the client needing to change their recording schedule.

Voice Over Transitions – It’s all so Alien to Us

The whole world stopped, everything we knew changed, and we had to adapt! Whether it was learning how to do online shopping or getting used to finding stuff to do at home, it was a very alien environment. I fortunately did not struggle too much work-wise as I worked a lot from my booth already. I did miss getting out the house and going to a studio, though, as it is good fun. So, what happened to my wife and newborn? Well, Covid dragged a bit, but I got a negative test 3 days before my daughter was born. So, it was nearly a nasty situation, and no one wants to miss out on their child’s birth, but fortunately, I got better just in time.

In many ways, the world still is and continues to be a bit ‘Alien,’ and accepting the new normal as a little abnormal is a good approach to the ever-changing climate we live in.

Lockdown Legends – The Full Story

January 1, 2023 by Alan Shires

Thriving and Evolving Voiceover Artists

Remember being in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic? Wow, what a weird time that was. It sort of feels a bit surreal thinking back, doesn’t it? Well, I wrote this article during the pandemic at a time when hundreds of countries globally locked down and entertainment production got put on the shelf. I found a lot of opportunity was birthed this time from a self-investment perspective. More people than ever who hold a significant presence in the industry were free to share what they know in the avenues of workshops, webinars, and interviews. That accompanied by talent saving money from not going outside meant they were able to branch out into new avenues enjoying workshops in genres they have not experienced before. As evolving voiceover artists they also spent time sharpening their skills in familiar areas.

Proactive Actors Artists

I certainly took a few more workshops but another phenomenal opportunity was to think outside the box and ask the question “how do I network when locked down?”. The world quickly adapted, and we saw socials appearing online, more social media chats and groups than ever before and finally a real dedication to connect. It was lonely at times, right? We had never experienced this before and we delt with it however we could. The networking point is an interesting one, the truth was that people were freer to have a chat and a lot of people including myself used this as an opportunity to connect and make some new friends and contacts.

Evolving Voiceover Artists Coming Together

I wanted to help people as much as possible utilise their time and energy in a productive manner. The pandemic saw a rise in mental health challenges, divorces, and suicides. The change in routine, the intensity of relationships with untapped issues and the feeling of isolation and loneliness presented a challenge to millions of people. The key was to channel this productively, not just as a distraction but as a means of building something fresh and new that paves the foundation to a better tomorrow. With that said I decided to write this piece bringing in a few of my voice actor friends.

A Global Community

The article had four contributors aside from myself and most of them I had not met in person before. We were strictly connected via the internet and began developing relationships, sharing tips, and working together during the pandemic. Two of them reside on the other side of the world in fact – how crazy is that? What I did notice though from chatting with these four wonderful artists is that they all brought something wonderfully unique when it came to marketing and networking during the pandemic. They all had their own bit to share which I will share now because ultimately, these tips are tips for life not just during a pandemic, these marketing skills are things we should have been doing anyway and are simple! Most importantly they are transferable to everyday life.

The Busy Voiceover Artist

Jeffrey shared that when the lockdown hit, he endeavoured to create more content than ever before alongside investing into training. He made parodies which he shared online and in networking groups and they were seen by hundreds. He brought a great deal of entertainment to all involved which showcased him in a hyper professional way. He wasn’t scared to try something new and to begin developing something new. The time was available so why not? I think this is a phenomenal approach and the idea that we can do things in these situations that we wouldn’t otherwise prioritise time for I think is genius. So, the top tip is, what can you be doing to invest into yourself and what skills can you be getting out there? Dedicate a bit of time to do this and you will see it soon mount up.

Making the Situation Your Own

Karis who worked a great deal on screen recognised that this was stopping and instead she ensured her voiceover setup and home recording abilities where top-notch. She invested more into her voiceover business than ever before and facilitated imaginative means of collaborating with her on-screen clients too. iPhone cameras used at home became common pieces of technology used when filming upcoming productions. Savvy companies also used the online meeting style to advertise their products during the lockdown. We were all used to the multiple faces on the screen in their own rectangular shapes, so that’s what a lot of companies displayed with their advertisements too. Top tip for this one, always make sure your home set up for both voice and on-screen are top notch!

Finding the Balance in Evolving Voiceover

Ian had two massive projects on the go which all the sudden did not need to drag on but instead could be managed quicker and more efficiently. Fortunately, this was a catalyst to a greater display of work-life balance in his life. Work-life balance is massively important and without it, exhaustion will display itself through your work. Things will seem rushed, small mistakes will be made, or your exhaustion will be picked up by peers and clients. Top tip, make sure you make time for yourself to rest. Plan your working schedule and commit to it.

Lorraine lost a big job due to the pandemic, the hope of it being sat there waiting for her on the other end was attractive but there was no guarantee. So, what did Lorraine do? She made sure to look after her health, she invested into herself with training, and she got proactive! Lorraine began booking work through other avenues like connections she had made on social media and via friends who were recommending her for known projects that she was a match for. Had the pandemic not hit and the original job not been lost she may not have discovered all these wonderful opportunities. The mindset behind taking a breath and focusing on what you can do and not what you can’t do I think is vital. Top tip, always look for the opportunities, take a deep breath, let go of what’s outside of your control and look after your health.

Voiceover Mindset and Vision – The Full Story

December 30, 2022 by Alan Shires

The Voiceover Artist and The Press

If you have read any of my other blogs before this one, you will know I am super enthusiastic about the press. Why am I so passionate about it? IMDb credits will show the world how good and creditable you are. Your demos and headshots will show the world your range and style. Social media does an excellent job of showing whatever we want the world to see, whether it be humor, business success, family, or anything else. So, what does the press do, and why is it important? The press allows us to put out information that puts us in a place of influence and presents us with the opportunity to support, invest and uplift those who work around us. When we have the press, it shows we are well-rounded with all the above, but it gives us the ability to give back to the industry. Giving away our tips and tricks, sharing our experiences and stories, and putting ourselves in a place of connection helps those around us whilst boosting one’s own profile.

The Voiceover Mindset in the Business World

As a working actor and northern voiceover artist, the business side of what I do is vitally important. It is a core building block of everything I do and the number one opportunity to grow my business and book fun jobs! That said, it requires a different mindset. I must step out of my performer’s mindset for a moment and think practically, following the professionalism and expectations of any business. This is not a moment to be creative but a moment for me to show off my gifts, advertise my services and display my worth. This article was born in a business setting.

The Post-Covid Voiceover Business

I was at a voiceover collaboration meeting in London, looking at ways to support artists more globally. At the meeting, there was a business coach who supported the meeting chair. His role was to look at resource systems and processes to critique them, simplifying them but increasing the impact and audience range. These meetings are so important because modern-day voiceover talent’s trends, needs, and desires change regularly. Take the pandemic as an example. Outside studios suddenly stopped whilst home studios became the new norm. Larger companies were sending their regular talent home studio kits. Interface and microphone companies saw record sales, and all of a sudden, connectivity platforms like Source Connect and Clean Feed made the world a much smaller place, connecting directors, producers, engineers, and talent together under the power of the internet.

Making PR with a Voiceover Mindset and Vision

The coach at this meeting runs his own magazine, and it just so happened his PR manager was present at this meeting as she was supporting with the collaboration of the two organisations. She later began working closely with my client and supporting her with the voiceover magazine. We were on a call discussing the voiceover magazine one evening, and she shared with me how she was delayed in her business clients’ magazine due to an article gap that she was now struggling to fill. I mentioned how often I write content, and she invited me to collaborate with the business magazine after sharing some of my recent business ventures. I kindly accepted this offer. Within the article, I shared the following four key points.

Point 1: Use your Imagination in Business

At this point, being an actor and voiceover artist means you are a business. So, for this first point, let me ask you a question, what do you believe in? What is the natural dream progression for your business? There are common answers to this question. More subscribers, more customers, more clients, bigger clients, all the usual stuff. But let us unpack it more, do you want new customers in specific countries? If so, which ones? Do you want to expand your team or travel the world? Allow yourself to imagine and begin making tiny steps towards this, but most importantly, let yourself just dream and imagine.

Point 2: Think Outside the Box

As a voice over talent, I am constantly having to think about creative ways to find and keep more clients as it is a heavily oversaturated environment and highly competitive. Ask yourself where the work is. I am constantly looking out for where I can help a potential client with a problem. In the voiceover world, I recognise out-of-date or poor voicemail recordings. I would ask for recommendations and testimonials from clients I can share on social media or my website. I would think about investing some more time into my SEO and content. There are always things we can be doing.

Point 3: We Need to Adapt to Change

I mentioned the pandemic, but in the acting and voiceover world, we had to adapt quickly or not work at all. Here is the thing, a lot of actors and voiceover artists did start new jobs or not work because of the situation. It was awful! But many managed to scrape new realms of income in the forms of teaching, proactively reaching out to new and old clients, and putting the hustle on the front foot. Many companies used the online world to take advantage of the situation. The open university did an outstanding commercial of a student telling her family online that she was accepted into university. The screen displaying the boxes of the individuals was something we were all familiar with, having suddenly jumped onto Zoom, Teams, and Meets. It was relevant, it was expected, and it was present. But the need to change continues regularly.

Point 4: Work with Conviction and Purpose

With all the above, use the visions you captured in your time of dreaming and imagination from point 1 as your driving force of motivation. What you visualised can be materialised. Spend some time every day doing a little bit to grow your business, whether it is a social media post, a blog for your website, or reaching out to clients – prospective or existing.

The Voiceover Mindset and Vision Today

So, whatever comes our way as actors and voiceover artists these principles will apply. Though the seasons change and the environment is always a little bit unstable. The ability to make a social media post, write a blog, or reach out to prospective or existing clients is something we can do daily. Networking does not stop, whether online or in person, the options are there. Of course, you need to keep your skills sharp with workshops and coaching. Immersing ourselves in new business trends and techniques is a good point. Finally, do something! Do not become complacent because you can rest assured your competition will be proactive.

The Voice Actor Getting Press

Getting press can seem like a tricky task. You might ask yourself, what will I write about? What do I want to share? Who will take this article on? These are all great questions. Before I answer them, let me explain the several types of press. Perhaps you met a celebrity and want to interview them; that is an interview with someone else. Perhaps someone wants to interview you on a role you did, this is an interview on you. Perhaps you wrote something important designed to help others, this is press written by you (articles). Finally, perhaps you found a cool piece of kit or some plugin you have fallen in love with, and write something about that; this would be a review. So, we have interviews with you, interviews done by you, articles, and reviews. All of these work favourably for your portfolio.

So where do you go to get press? Reach out to your local newspaper, they love media-based content. For example, perhaps you just did a corporate VO for Starbucks, the headline could be: ‘Local Business Books for Starbucks.’ You can reach out to your old educational facility, be it a Drama School or University, they are always looking for successful case studies from former students as they can use them in their literature for current and prospective students. Look for relevant publications in your industry field. You will notice in several of my blogs the articles I am writing about are related to ‘The Buzz Magazine.’ The Buzz Magazine is dedicated to voiceover artists and motion capture performers. So, I try to get involved with these guys as much as I can, and occasionally, they get me involved. This, over the years, has built an excellent portfolio.

Press Breeds More Press

So, I frequently mention The Buzz Magazine, but this article is from The Business Club House magazine. So what is that? The Business Club House is a business magazine. You may have recognised from my blogs that I am super enthusiastic about networking and business. A friend shared a mutual client, and we were chatting about shared tasks. During our chat, she shared that she was behind with a publication for one of her other clients. She was the editor for The Business Clubhouse magazine and had to pick up an article due to someone letting her down last minute.

She shared that she was not a fan of writing content, which would take her hours. At this point, I shared a few of my recent wins and business successes with her and she invited me to author the article in her place if I could do it immediately. I informed her it takes me 20-25 minutes to write one page of A4, and with excitement, she invited me to write for the magazine. Thirty minutes later, it was in the final draft. My point with this is networking, and business skills put me in a position to get this piece of press. I knew the person, I was able to help them, and I was able to adapt myself to their publication.

The Voiceover Mindset and Vision in Business

As mentioned earlier, The Business Club House produces the magazine. So for me, as the writer, the content has to be less entertainment-based and more business based. Relatable, generic, and transferable content from industry to industry is vital here, as it is all just business at the end of the day. Whether you are a window cleaner, a voiceover artist, or a stockbroker, you are a business in your own right.