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Post by Adam on Jan 3, 2017 7:05:58 GMT -8
I forgot I wrote this up until I saw it reblogged. Worth posting here because this is something I feel a lot of people don't really understand. Basically, it's a simplified guide on how to approach people.
Casting/Voice Directors:
Do: (In an email, if available, usually found on social media accounts or actual website.)
“Hi, my name is so and so. I’m a voice actor and I wanted to ask if you are accepting any new demos at this time?
So and so”
If the answer is “yes” then you may send your demo.
If the answer is “no”, then you thank them for their time.
Chances are that a lot of directors will say “yes” as long as you’re polite and respectful.
DO NOT:
“Hey here’s my demo!”
“Can I get on your audition list?”
ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION FIRST. NEVER ASSUME IT IS OKAY TO SPAM DEMOS.
DO:
Follow them on their public accounts.
DO NOT:
Spam or poke them on their personal accounts.
Disrespect their privacy and personal lives.
Friends/Acquaintances that are Voice Actors
Do: Ask them for advice on what they did to get where they are. Listen to the advice they give, even if it’s not advice you want to hear. Regardless of what you might think, they’re successful for a reason. While there may be more than one way to accomplish success, there’s specific routes to avoid, and no matter how special or safe space you want to be, that won’t change. Listen to their experiences, they matter.
Ask if they can listen to samples and give critiques.
DO NOT:
Ask if they can get you an “in”. They are only voice actors, they have no pull with studios. It is important to note, that referring someone isn’t about the person being referred. It’s about the referrer. Once they connect you to someone, anything you do will be a reflection on them. If you’re not ready, then your friend’s judgement and credibility will be tarnished. If you’re more of a fan than a professional, then again, your friend’s credibility will be tarnished.
Earn the help. You’re not entitled.
Do not spam friends on skype, FB messenger with demos. Don’t just drop an updated mp3 link without some context, asking if it’s okay.
See a friend mention a new project, don’t ignore the project’s progress just so you can ask if they can give you a role in it.
Bottomline: Be professional. Professionalism is not solely about making money off a passion, it’s about being respectful and polite. Ask, don’t assume you can do something. Most people WILL HELP YOU. Most WANT to help you. But they won’t do it if you act like you’re entitled to their help or assistance.
Tl:dr- Don’t be a douche.
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The Uncertain Man
Member
Looking for some gentle feedback on how to improve my demo.
Posts: 164
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Post by The Uncertain Man on Jan 3, 2017 7:24:12 GMT -8
Good, sound advice. I probably could have used this advice last year. Sent my demo directly to a developer and also followed and tweeted him. Probably ruined my chances and made myself look like a fool!
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Post by Lady Stardust ★ on Jan 4, 2017 6:13:50 GMT -8
Also: Be patient! I'd say wait at least six months before following up. They might not be casting for anything new at the moment, and frequently emailing or messaging asking them if they've listened to your demo or put you on their list yet is extremely off-putting and might hurt any chance you would've had. Keep messages polite but brief. Sample follow-up e-mail: Hello, My name is [Name] and I contacted you last year about potentially being added to your casting pool. I just wanted to keep you in the loop on a few things I've done since we last talked. I recently had the pleasure of working on [you can mention a few related projects, just don't violate any NDAs.] In case you need the link to my demo again, I've uploaded it here: <link to demo> Thank you so much for your time, and I hope to work with you sometime in the near future. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Website link if applicable] If they don't respond even after your followup, I'd pretty much let it go at that point. You already sent the second e-mail 6 months to 1 year later in case they were busy and missed the first one, so at that point they're likely either not interested or they have no new roles they're casting for that you would fit. Some studios/directors are open to new talent; many others prefer to work with a small pool of people they know and trust whom they've worked with in the past. Don't take it personally...keep working on your craft and looking for other opportunities! Also: Like the original post mentioned, following public accounts such as Twitter or FB fanpage are totally okay, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not message or try to add them on their personal Facebook accounts unless you actually know them! This goes for other voice actors that you don't know, too---if you don't know them but just want to befriend them as a fellow voice actor you can drop a message introducing yourself and asking if it's okay to friend them but if you act like you're trying to get something from them, chances are they'll ignore you. I've had people I don't even know messaging me asking me to promote/share they're stuff and it's so incredibly rude
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Jan 4, 2017 13:23:55 GMT -8
And I'll add one more thing. And I shudder that people need to be told this:
If you're in the running for a part (say for instance you've gotten a callback, had a second, or even third audition) and you do not get the part for some reason, then there is something very important you should do: Nothing.
Well, nothing other than thank them for their time, and let them know it would be your pleasure to audition in the future.
Do not take to Twitter to tell everyone why you were more suitable than the person selected, do not appeal to the casting director, do not appeal to the producer and do not say childish things like "if they screw it up, I'll be ready when you need me."
If you're still THINKING like this, much less acting like this, you're not mentally ready or prepared for the auditioning process. And it's a surefire way to make sure you don't get considered for future parts. Nobody wants to deal with that every time a casting call goes out, and so they won't.
It's okay to be disappointed, but it makes it a much sweeter pill to swallow by being genuinely happy for the actor who got the part and supporting them.
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Jan 4, 2017 13:30:47 GMT -8
Another bit of common sense: Share really good casting calls with VA acquaintances of yours who you think would be suitable for the part. (Yes, even if it's a part you want a crack at yourself. If you're the right voice, you'll get the part, and if you're not, you get to be the hero that got your friend a juicy part.)
To borrow (and paraphrase) something River Kanoff said: helping each other as voice actors makes ALL of us better.
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Post by Lady Stardust ★ on Jan 4, 2017 18:45:32 GMT -8
Do not take to Twitter to tell everyone why you were more suitable than the person selected, do not appeal to the casting director, do not appeal to the producer and do not say childish things like "if they screw it up, I'll be ready when you need me." There was a person who made public tweets trash-talking the voice actors involved in a series of Internet projects. (And I'm not talking constructive criticism or something simple like "I wasn't a fan of the voice work"... I mean directly attacking the actors involved with rude comments including them in @ replies.) He later tweeted at the creators asking them to be considered for voice roles. Unbeknownst to him, they'd already seen his childish tweets and admonished him publicly. Sweet justice. Not getting roles sucks and is disappointing, but having some close friends you can vent to privately helps take the edge off. Another bit of common sense: Share really good casting calls with VA acquaintances of yours who you think would be suitable for the part. (Yes, even if it's a part you want a crack at yourself. If you're the right voice, you'll get the part, and if you're not, you get to be the hero that got your friend a juicy part.) I'll add one quick word of caution to this: While sharing public casting calls (such as ones posted on a forum like this one) are completely fine, if it's a private audition you received through e-mail, make sure you ask the director for permission before forwarding it to anyone else. Sometimes certain audition sides---especially those for video games---are confidential, and sharing them outside of the e-mail pool can make you end up on the naughty list. If you receive a private audition that you think your friend would be great for, you can always reply with something like "I have a friend that I think would be great for the part of (x), if you're okay with forwarding them the audition, their email is (x)."
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Post by atgonzalez on Jan 4, 2017 20:04:11 GMT -8
"DO NOT:
Respect their privacy and personal lives."
Adam, you made a critical error there. D:
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Jan 5, 2017 5:27:29 GMT -8
I'll add one quick word of caution to this: While sharing public casting calls (such as ones posted on a forum like this one) are completely fine, if it's a private audition you received through e-mail, make sure you ask the director for permission before forwarding it to anyone else. Sometimes certain audition sides---especially those for video games---are confidential, and sharing them outside of the e-mail pool can make you end up on the naughty list. If you receive a private audition that you think your friend would be great for, you can always reply with something like "I have a friend that I think would be great for the part of (x), if you're okay with forwarding them the audition, their email is (x)." D'OH! I should have thought to mention that. Of course I did mean open, public casting calls. Yes, NEVER share anything from a closed casting call. At least, without asking the director, as Kira says. And if you DO have someone in mind who would be really good for the part, make the extra effort to ask on their behalf. You'll be doing both the casting director and your buddy a favor, and that's good networking. Sorry for missing that, and thanks for catching it! :blush:
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Jan 5, 2017 5:29:57 GMT -8
"DO NOT: Respect their privacy and personal lives." Adam, you made a critical error there. D: Heheh, I read that as a followup admonishment to the "do not" items, the way I'm sure Adam intended it, but upon closer inspection that DOES look really, really off!
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Post by sonicmega on May 11, 2017 9:02:56 GMT -8
I'm sure no one will mind if I tweak that just for everyone's sanity.
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