finding voice over work

[dungeonsound615]

Just curious for those of you who do this. what are some good avenues to take to find voice over work, ive been interested in recording some VO for people but am not sure where to solicit my services so to say.
thanks

Mike

[bluetarp]

Here's a tip....

Use the not-so-fine search function here.

It's pretty discouraging.

Not the search function - I mean it is, but what you'll find is discouraging, after you find it.

[bluetarp]

Sorry, that wasn't nice.

Replace above with "I was discouraged".

[dubold]

are you looking for work as the talent or as the engineer?

[cgarges]

Go to a local studio that specializes in this sort of thing. Book a session (at their normal rate) to record a demo CD for yourself. They will likely be able to provide you with useful scripts to read. Once you record a demo with them, you can leave a copy on file for them to submit when auditions come up. If you book time there and do a good job, they're FAR more likely to remember you and submit something of yours when a job audition comes up. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind plays a BIG part in this sort of thing.

Sometimes studios like this host seminars for getting into VO work by big-time talent. Don Kobiela (CNN's "Voice Of The War") does this here in Charlotte. I've seen a much larger percentage of people who've gone through these seminars actually get work than people who have little-to-no prior experience.

It can be a very lucrative gig to get some of the bigger spots. Good luck with it!

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[JGriffin]

in Chicago, the bigger clients will all be union jobs--SAG/AFTRA. If you're not union, there's still stuff you can do. There are agencies that represent non-union talent, contact them with a rough demo CD (they'll likely advise you to not pour hundreds of hours and dollars into it until they have a chance to hear what you can do and guide you a little).

People to call:
Voices Unlimited: 312-832-1113
Linda Jack Talent: 312-587-1155
McBlaine & Assoc. (non-union): 847-823-3877
Naked Voices: 312-563-0136
Stavins Enterprises (non-union): 312-938-1140

if you want to take a VO workshop, you might check out Sherri Berger's Voice Over U: www.sherriberger.com.

[dungeonsound615]

Sorry i should have mentioned im looking to engineer, not be the talent.

thanks

[JGriffin]

Yeah, that would've been helpful.

You'd make more money as the talent, actually.