Are You In Voice-Over Career Level One, Two Or Three? Advice For Where You Are NOW …

I’m pretty fed up with the voice-over business.

No, not doing voice-overs. I love that! And I adore my VO clients!

But some periphery businesses that attach themselves to this industry have gone Bell Curve batsh** crazy.

The vast majority of businesses in this industry are high class, dependable, necessary companies that operate with integrity and in the best interests of voice talents and their clients.

However, there are a few on the ends of the Bell Curve that are a drag and an embarrassment to the honor and wholeness of this business that the vast majority of us love so much.

I suppose I could say the same about voice talents.

We’re all discovering who they are, and who they are not. This business has gotten large enough that it’s time we begin to understand its immensity and how we all fit in – or if we do.

The nearest business we can compare ourselves to is stage and screen acting. We are, after all, voice actors. In fact, many of us crossover into both disciplines. And the businesses that serve us are similar to the businesses that serve the physical actors.

With that in mind, it’s time we begin to understand how the immensity of our community breaks down. It does actually break down pretty much the way the theatre and screen actors industry separates.

I see our industry of voice talents as being divided into three groups. While there are exceptions to every category, I think this helps explain the state of our business.

First (and foremost), there is the amateur or hobbiest level. It is where we all started.

I can remember in my early radio days when I was expected to voice a spot at no charge for a radio client. I did it because it was my job. And I remember the thrill of a client telling me that the spot I voiced was getting great results.

That was enough for me. At the time.

By far (I’m guessing here. I don’t have the numbers, but it makes sense), the largest group of voice talents is the spectrum of talents who are doing this for free or minimal charge.