Only about 5 percent will make it
As you read, I hope you'll find information of value and interest here that will help you understand the world of the voiceover professional better. Maybe help you figure out whether this is a business you want to pursue yourself.
The title here refers to an axiom I first encountered through the comments of my friend and fellow voice professional, Philip Banks. If you're one of the 5 percent, you have a solid future ahead of you making a living in voiceover work. It's highly likely though, that you're not in that number. I'm not trying to be mean or even discouraging. I am being honest. It's not just talking for a living. Most of the time, in fact, you won't actually be doing voiceovers. You'll be finding the work. If you do that well enough, you'll be able to do the voiceovers you want to do. If not, you'll know soon enough whether or not you are in the 5 percent.
There's loads more information about this subject on my voiceover blog, called The Voiceover Boblog. And there's a ton of valuable information and a great online community at the VO-BB.
One of the best books about voiceover
by Rodney Saulsberry
YOU CAN BANK ON YOUR VOICE: Your Guide to a Successful Career in Voice-Overs
Great advice from voiceover pro Rodney Saulsberry
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Voiceover Boblog
The latest posts from my voiceover blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySecrets of Voice-Over Success
Great advice from the top voiceover professionals
Secrets of Voice-Over Success: Top Voice-Over Actors Reveal How They Did It
Great advice from the top voiceover professionals
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/25/2008)
There is no competition in voiceover
Because it's not about you
Here's an example of Mary's writing I think is especially worth your time. Mary comments about something I've posted about a few times, competition. In her case she's writing specifically about competition for animation roles. I hope you'll read the whole thing, but here's the key point:
Voice actors grumble a lot about the celebrity craze. Celebrities get the big parts in the animated feature films and the "real" voice actors get Townspersons 1-20. I don't exactly think that celebrities are taking roles away from me. These are not huge numbers of roles, compared to what else is out there in the universe of roles. Plus, I'm not yet so well established as a character voice actor that I can think that way, and even if I were, it would still be a losing battle. The movie moguls want celebrities, they're going to hire 'em and there's nothing anybody can do about it.
Very well put, Mary. And as I said, the entire post is well worth your time.
And when you're done with that post, don't miss what Mary has written here, driving the point home even more clearly. I've walked that same path Mary, and don't regret giving those recommendations.
